Patna, Jan 24 : A block agriculture officer was found murdered on the bank of river in Masaudhi sub-town in Patna, the Bihar police said on Sunday.

The police have also arrested the accused.

This was the second major crime in the state capital as station head of Indigo airlines, Rupesh Kumar Singh, was gunned down by unidentified assailants in Punaichak area.

The deceased, identified as Ajay Kumar, was deployed at Masaudhi block as agriculture officer. He was missing since January 18 and his dead body was found in the bank of the river near Sahab Nagar under Dhanarua police station area on Sunday afternoon.

The deceased was a native of Barahiya under Lakhisarai district and was currently residing in Kankarbagh in Patna.

His wife, Poonam Kumari, said, "My husband tested Corona positive and was under home quarantine earlier this month. After he tested negative, he went to Masaudhi to join his office on January 18, but never returned." An FIR was also registered in this regard in Masaudhi police station.

Kankarbagh SHO Ravi Shankar Singh told IANS that the body was recovered from Morhar river. He was buried at Sahab Nagar located on the bank of this river.

"We have zeroed-in a person named Golu as the deceased was involved in a dispute related to money with him. During interrogation, he revealed that he committed the crime and also the place where he had buried the victim. The accused killed him by smashing the back side of his head with a blunt object. The postmortem report of the deceased are still awaited," he said.

"The efforts are on to nab his associates who helped him in commission of crime," Singh said.
Joe Biden is not the first president who felt the need to pledge to tell the truth. It tends to be a requirement for those coming in the wake of a scandal-plagued, truth-challenged administration. Americans may remember Jimmy Carter promising a Watergate-weary nation Ill never lie to you in his 1976 campaign. Biden made veracity a central theme of his inaugural address.

Recent weeks and months have taught us a painful lesson, Biden said. There is truth and there are lies, lies told for power and for profit. And each of us has a duty and responsibility, as citizens, as Americans, and especially as leaders, leaders who have pledged to honor our Constitution and protect our nation, to defend the truth and defeat the lies.

He did not mention Donald Trump or the cable stations that parroted his propaganda by name. It wasnt necessary. The message was clear: This was going to be a presidency that would at least try to forge a relationship with the facts and forge a working relationship with the journalists whose mission is to serve as a watchdog over government.

By nightfall, Americans tuned to cable news were observing something unimaginable over the past four years: a news briefing in which a spokesperson was performing for more than an audience of one in the Oval Office. It was, in a very refreshing sense, a return to normal. It opened with White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki calling on a reporter for the Associated Press, a tradition of deference to the news service that had been abandoned in the Trump years. It ran 31 minutes, and she took questions from most of the assembled journalists, including one from Fox News. There was neither the shunning of CNN  I dont call on activists, Trumps press secretary Kayleigh McEnany recently scoffed  nor any sign of a conspiracy peddling OAN shill in the aisles.

It ended without a trademarked binder slam and McEnany lecture on what you should have asked me but with Psakis pledge to return to take questions the next day and every weekday after that. The last briefing from the Trump press team was on Jan. 15.

First non-weird White House Press Secretary in four years, historian Michael Beschloss wrote on Twitter.

It was impossible to miss the contrast with the initial appearance of Sean Spicer, Trumps first press secretary, at the White House lectern. He scolded the media for its shameful and wrong characterization of the inaugural crowd as significantly smaller than that for the President Barack Obama eight years earlier. This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration  period  both in person and around the globe, Spicer said, exiting without taking a single question.

It clearly, provably, was not. Spicer later said he regretted the lie, which obviously was pandering to his insecure boss, and his credibility never recovered.

Day Two of the Biden administration underscored the new tone. First of all, Psaki made good on her promise to return. More important, she brought along Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations preeminent expert on pandemics, who looked and sounded genuinely relieved to not need to worry about whether expressing his honest scientific judgment would get him exiled from the opportunity to inform Americans about what is going on in an outbreak that has taken the lives of 400,000 Americans.

The idea that you can get up and talk about what you know, what the evidence is, what the science is, Fauci continued, it is somewhat of a liberating feeling.

And in perhaps the most refreshing words of all for a nation that rolled its eyes while hearing about miracle cures, from bleach or hydroxychloroquine, or many months of assurances that the plague was about to magically dissipate, Fauci said a new thing in this administration is if you dont know the answer, dont guess.

In Psaki, Biden has picked a serious professional who is uncommonly seasoned for her 42 years, having worked on two Obama campaigns and served as chief State Department spokesperson and communications director.

None of this is to suggest Biden will be getting a free ride from the news media  nor should he. There will be tensions between any administration that wants to downplay or even suppress disclosures that will embarrass it  or challenge its desired narrative  and reporters who find otherwise. Bidens pledge to be transparent and truthful will be tested.

The New Yorkers deep dive into President George W. Bushs fraught relationship with the press in January 2004 contained this savvy  and all too true, in my experience  observation about media bias from Mark McKinnon, Bushs director of campaign advertising. He did not view the bias in a left-right prison, but one of the medias gravitation to conflict. I think the press is tough on everybody, he said. The nature of the news business is that conflict is news.

The new president is not likely to avoid conflict or agree with his treatment by the media. What will be healthy for America is if that inevitable conflict at long last is focused on ideology and policy instead of between truth and lies, authoritarian rule and respect for election outcomes, rule of law and the value of a free press.

John Diaz is The San Francisco Chronicles editorial page editor. Email: jdiaz@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JohnDiazChron
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

A veteran officer who has been policing the streets of Albuquerque for decades. A Colorado police chief who navigated two federal reform efforts. A former Philadelphia deputy police commissioner known for building bridges between law enforcement and the local community.

After a monthslong search, these three men are being considered for next chief of the Albuquerque Police Department.

Fielding such questions as how they would fight crime, their thoughts on the yearslong reform effort being overseen by the U.S. Department of Justice and ways to boost officer morale, the finalists introduced themselves to about 150 people who tuned in to a 1-hour webinar Saturday.

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Without going into too much detail, last summer it became clear that we did need a change in leadership at our police department, Mayor Tim Keller said during the online event. He added there was great care along with some urgency to the search as the city had never before changed the departments leadership in the middle of a term.

The city announced its search for a new top cop after Michael Geier was forced to retire by Keller in September, having served two years and nine months in the position.

The administration sought input from dozens of community groups and thousands of residents in an online survey as the search narrowed from 25 qualified applicants to three: interim APD Chief Harold Medina; Clinton Nichols, chief of police in Commerce City, Colorado; and Joseph Sullivan, a retired deputy commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department.

City spokeswoman Alicia Manzano said they are aiming to make a final decision by March.

Experience a plus

Nichols touted himself as a one-stop shop to help APD through its reform effort by leaning on his past experience and tackling crime using a data-driven approach, while prioritizing good communication.

A police leader does not need to choose between reform and crime-fighting, he said. Having one take a back seat to another, quite frankly, is nonsense in my opinion.

As far as the APD reform effort goes, Nichols said, the hard work of writing up policies and making them operational is already done and the next step is gaining compliance.

Nichols said he would be guided by his experience going through U.S. Department of Justice reform efforts  in Commerce City and Las Vegas  that each resulted in a more than 90% compliance rate and led to the former being the first in Colorado to adopt body-worn cameras.

I can tell you it isnt a pretty process, but it certainly can be done, he said.

To address crime, Nichols said he would give immediate attention to Albuquerques property and violent crime  particularly homicides  which need some work.

He said he would take an analytical approach and, instead of relying on the widely driven National Incident-Based Reporting System, or NIBRS, he would focus on crime patterns in specific neighborhoods to identify problem areas and the ways to solve them.

It is important for any police department to take a lot of small bites of a very big apple, he said. Crime is something that impacts everybody on a personal level and so making sure we are resolved to reducing the level that most people are impacted by is extremely important.

To be transparent as chief, Nichols said, his policy is to communicate early and often on not only the departments achievements but also its failures. Additionally, he said accurate crime reporting and transparency on police efforts to tackle crime are essential to building credibility with the community.

Passion for policing

Sullivan said he would take a hands-on approach to fighting Albuquerque crime  particularly involving guns and drugs  increase manpower and work closely with the independent monitor to make sure the department reaches compliance.

I have a passion for policing and I would love to bring that to Albuquerque if I was invited to do so, he said.

Sullivan identified gun violence as the top of the list of issues in Albuquerque and he would make gun violence initiatives a priority to get illegal firearms off the street.

If you focus on that you take away the opportunity for gun violence to occur, he said, adding that he would want to have a meeting with his command staff after every shooting incident to determine the cause and prevent any further violence.

Sullivan said he would implement an aggressive recruitment program that values diversity to help bring in more officers and bolster investigative units by making sure they have the most up-to-date training and technology.

Sullivan said he believes the APD reform effort got sidetracked by the pandemic and getting it back on track is critically important.

He said he would temporarily have Internal Affairs review all use-of-force cases until supervisors better learned the review process. Sullivan said he would also personally oversee all discipline and regularly reach out to the monitor to talk and get advice.

Sullivan said he would use his experience in Philadelphia during the widespread Black Lives Matter protests of 2020 to handle similar demonstrations in Albuquerque.

He said it comes down to defusing tensions with police, working in plainclothes or basic uniform and being open and honest with the demonstrators.

We were willing to walk all night long as long as there was no violence and no damage to our city, he said. We never used gas, we never had to use impact rounds, we used patience.  If you come dressed for a fight, youre likely to get a fight.

Make better cases

Medina said, as someone who has been with APD since the late 90s, he has the hindsight to take the department forward, reduce crime in Albuquerque and complete the reform effort.

How can you change a culture if you had not lived and been a part of that culture? he said. I have already begun the transformation process for the Albuquerque Police Department, and I am asking for the time to complete it.

Medina said he would fight violent and property crime by building up the efficiency of investigative units to make better cases. He said he would seek to stop the revolving door of the justice system by working closely with the District Attorneys Office and federal partners.

To build better relationships, Medina said, he would develop a culture at APD that elicits community engagement at every level of the department.

We will continue to reach out to make sure that all segments of the community have their voice heard with APD, Medina said. The success of these relationships will rest on the department being transparent with the public.

Medina said the issues in the reform effort are systemic. He said there needs to be measures taken to boost the quality of use-of-force investigations while making sure those who break policy are held accountable.

The narrative has to change, he said. The focus cannot be that we are disciplining officers but rather we are protecting the integrity of all the great officers of this department.

Medina said he would also build morale at the department, an issue he called complex and unique to Albuquerque, and one he knows from years of experience.

You must know the history to fully understand why we are at the point that we are as a department today, he said.

Medina said he would have open meetings with officers every Friday, called Chiefs Corner, as well as a monthly breakfast with a supervisor and their officers.

It is imperative not only internally and externally that the chief be viewed not only as engaged, he said, but also as having a passion for the work being done in the community.


Contributed /Connnecticut State Police

COVENTRY  State police detectives have taken over an investigation into a suspicious incident at a Zeya Drive home Saturday.

Trooper First Class Josue Dorelus said detectives with the Eastern District Major Crime Squad were called to the scene of the active investigation there by Tolland States Attorney Matthew Gedansky.
She recently enjoyed an extended stay in St. Barts for over two months amid the coronavirus pandemic.

And Victoria Silvstedt beat her post-holiday blues with yet another getaway as she enjoyed a beach day during her stay in Miami, Florida on Saturday.

The Swedish model, 46, looked incredible as she slipped her tanned and toned figure into an emerald green bikini and denim hotpants as she relaxed with pals.

More fun in the sun: Victoria Silvstedt beat her post-holiday blues with yet another getaway as she enjoyed a beach day during her stay in Miami, Florida on Saturday

Victoria oozed confidence as she flashed her taut midsection and long slender pins in her skimpy swimwear and shorts ensemble.

She added a pair of nude studded sandals to her look, while she further accessorised with a gold watch and matching bangles.

Victoria left her blonde locks to cascade down her back, while she kept her make-up look simple for the seaside outing.

The beauty ensured she soaked up plenty of rays as she chatted to her companions as they chilled out on sun loungers.

Wow: The Swedish model, 46, looked incredible as she slipped her tanned and toned figure into an emerald green bikini and denim hotpants as she relaxed with pals

Victoria later slipped on a patterned white crop top as she prepared to leave the beach.

She once again flaunted her statuesque frame as she strutted along the sand.

The blonde had been soaking up the sun in St. Barts since November, with many other celebrities, including music mogul Simon Cowell, actor Leonardo DiCaprio, and musician Paul McCartney, also jetting to the Caribbean to ring in the New Year.

Stunner: Victoria oozed confidence as she flashed her taut midsection and long slender pins in her skimpy swimwear and shorts ensemble

Beach look: She added a pair of nude studded sandals to her look, while she further accessorised with a gold watch and matching bangles

As well as spending time in St Tropez and Italy, the media personality also spends a large part of her year in the tropical country.

Victoria has enjoyed a lengthy stint in the spotlight after being chosen to represent her country in the Miss World pageant in 1993.

After her pageant days, the Scandinavian stunner was spotted by Hugh Hefner and went on to become a Playboy Playmate.

Cover up: Victoria later slipped on a patterned white crop top as she prepared to leave the beach

From the catwalk to the beach: She once again flaunted her statuesque frame as she strutted along the sand

Since her career rocketed, Victoria has modelled for some of the world's most prestigious fashion houses, including Chanel, Dior and Valentino.

Despite the glamorous veneer to her lifestyle as a young model, she revealed there was a dark side in a recent interview with Female First.

Victoria said: 'I started very young to model in Paris when I was 18, I remember like starving myself to fit into the clothes and it was an amazing experience but you know I did shows for Valentino, Chanel, so it was really prestigious.'
The city of Miami, with a growing reputation as a financial services center enhanced by its balmy climate and low taxes, is now making a concerted and increasingly successful push to attract hi-tech firms from Silicon Valley and New York.

Goldman Sachs and other financial firms already have a presence in the southern Florida metropolis.

The latest arrival is New York firm Blackstone, which earlier this month rented a building for a technology unit.

And now "techies" are starting to arrive in increasing numbers -- investors, designers and engineers -- attracted by a thriving technological ecosystem, by word of mouth from their earlier-arriving peers, and by pandemic conditions in some ways more favorable than in hotspots like California and New York.

Also arriving this month was PayPal co-founder Bill Harris, who in his LinkedIn profile has announced he is "building a new fintech in Miami" -- a digital consumer financial services firm.

- Viral tweet -

One of those responsible for the surge in tech arrivals is Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who has become a star of the tech Twittersphere.

His popularity on that social media platform was instantly confirmed in December when Delian Asparouhov, director of the venture capital firm Founders Fund, asked rhetorically, "what if we move Silicon Valley to Miami?" and the Republican mayor immediately responded, "How can I help?"

That tweet went viral and attracted 15,000 new followers to Suarez's account, including even Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey.

"Were building a holistic infrastructure where people will want to come to school here, stay and work here, start their business here, raise their children here," the Cuban-American mayor told AFP.

He has spent countless hours over the weeks in relaxed meetings with investors and technical advisors on how best to build and convert Miami into a hi-tech hub.

- 'Cafecito talks' -

In his latest "cafecito talk" -- as he calls such meetings -- Suarez chatted with Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, the twin brothers who co-founded Facebook, about the possibility of establishing a Miami headquarters for their cryptocurrency firm Gemini.

Story continues

Also announced on social media were the moves in December of high-powered "unicorn" investors Keith Rabois, who began his career with PayPal, LinkedIn and Square; and of Backend Capital's Lucy Guo, who co-founded the artificial intelligence platform Scale AI.

"It's a wave. Every day new people are moving to Miami, often announcing their arrival on Twitter," Matt Haggman, vice president of the economic development group Miami-Dade Beacon Council, told AFP.

Both Suarez and Haggman stress that the attractions of their "magic city" are not limited to low taxes and a pleasant year-round climate.

"What weve been quietly building over the last 10 years is the financial and educational backbone to support the entrepreneurs and businesses that are now seeing what Miami is all about," the mayor said.

The coronavirus pandemic has provided Miami with an added attraction: its balmy weather facilitates outdoor meetings, and sanitary regulations are relatively relaxed.

- The Covid factor -

"The trend of people moving to Miami has been going on for quite a while, but Covid has accelerated this in a big, big way," said Haggman, while adding that he had no numbers to support that observation.

For Lucy Guo, summing up the city's attractions is simple: "weather and friends," she told AFP.

Plus, she wanted to find a city where her favorite gym -- Barry's Bootcamp -- was still open despite the pandemic, which "narrowed it down significantly," said the 26-year-old businesswoman.

She said Mayor Suarez had persuaded her that Miami "is most likely to become the next startup hotspot."

- A conditional welcome -

According to Suarez, Miami's defining demographic -- more than half its population speaks Spanish -- makes it a perfectly welcoming place for new arrivals.

"Miami is a startup in and of itself," he said. "Our people know what it means to struggle and fight hard for what you believe in."

The question for those techies already in Miami is whether the new wave of digital nomads will act like an exotic, invasive species or will work to fit in.

Will they be able to live with reggaeton tunes played at full volume on the city's sunny beaches? Will they grow to love snacks of croquetas with coffee? Or will they merely drive up local housing costs while bringing little in return?

More than 350 people who have been building Miami's technological ecosystem for years signed their names to a manifesto welcoming the newcomers but asking them to embrace the city's principles of inclusion, multiculturalism and multilingualism.

"There may be a lack of concrete plans to welcome new arrivals, or (adequate) incentives to create a tech district" like in San Francisco or New York, said Rosa Jimenez Cano, a technology expert who signed the #MiamiTech manifesto.

"But it is a great opportunity to create something that did not exist."

lm/mr/bbk/dw
I know most of ONTD have no idea who they are and if i'm honest neither did I until yesterday, I don't keep up with hispano-american youtubers but this story blew up in our side of twitter so I wanted to talk about it.RIX (Name Ricardo Gonzalez) is a mexican youtuber with 2.12 M of subscribers, he is also known for being into conspiracy theories, he believes Covid doesn't exist and there is a new "World order" , believes the 5G conspiracy and a video surfaced of him implying that 9/11 was staged.Nath Campos is another mexican Youtuber with 2.32 M of suscribers, she mostly does covers, challenges and the usual thing that most "influencers" do, yesterday she posted a video called "My Historia de abuso" (The story of my abuse) where she tells people about how RIX raped her a few years ago:For the ones who don't know spanish she says that she with a group of "friends" (that RIX was part of) went to party, she drank a lot so she got wasted and RIX took her to her apartment, the only thing she wanted to do was to sleep so she thought he was going to leave her apartment after helping her get to bed but he started to touch her , she didn't know what to do and she doesn't know if it was the shock or the alcohol or both but she couldn't move, he raped her and the day after when she yelled at him for raping her, he downplayed what happened and said that both were at fault because both drank too much. She tried to talk with her (at the time) friends about the incident but everyone was dismissive , either downplaying it or making her feel like she was at fault, thing that made her start to believe that and made her even more insecure.Because her management was the same, there were several ad campaings she had to decline because their management wanted them both to do them and because he had more power than her (he had more followers and was earning more money) she had to start to work with him again or she could lose her income.She also tells about one time they were together on a work trip , he got wasted and started to sexually harass her mom, even saying he was going to masturbate thinking about her.Nath finally says that she made a formal accusation against RIX to the mexican authorities and made the video for women who went through the same so they wouldn't feel as sad and as alone as she felt.After the video she was trending in Mexico and in several other hispano-american countries, RIX made private all his accounts and then spoke up about the situation, saying that he was also wasted and that he doesn't remember what happened but that he isn't a rapist and it was all a missunderstanding. Source 1
New Delhi, Jan 24 : Election Commission of India will celebrate eleventh National Voters Day with the theme of 'Making Our Voters Empowered, Vigilant, Safe and Informed'.

During the event on Monday, President Ram Nath Kovind will confer the National Awards for the year 2020-21 and launch ECI's Web Radio: 'Hello Voters'. The event will be held at the Ashok Hotel and the President shall grace the occasion virtually from the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Union Minister for Law and Justice, Communications and Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad will also attend the function as the Guest of Honour.

The theme for this year's NVD, 'Making Our Voters Empowered, Vigilant, Safe and Informed', envisages active and participative voters during elections. It also focuses on the ECI's commitment towards conducting elections safely during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The National Voters' Day has been celebrated on January 25 every year since 2011, all across the country to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India on January 25, 1950. The main purpose of the NVD celebration is to encourage, facilitate and maximise enrolment, especially for the new voters. Dedicated to the voters of the country, the day is utilised to spread awareness among the voters and for promoting informed participation in the electoral process. New voters are felicitated and handed over their Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) in the NVD functions.

The National Awards being conferred by the President on the occasion include those state and district level officers, who gave their outstanding performance in the conduct of elections in different spheres such as IT initiatives, security management, election management during Covid-19, accessible election and contribution in the field of voter awareness and outreach. National Awards will also be given to important stakeholders like national icons, CSOs and media groups for their valuable contribution towards voters' awareness.

ECI's Web Radio: 'Hello Voters' is an online digital radio service which will stream voter awareness programmes. It will be accessible through a link on the Election Commission of India website. The programming style of Radio Hello Voters has been envisaged to match that of the popular FM radio services. It will provide information and education on electoral processes through songs, drama, discussions, spots, stories of elections, etc. in Hindi, English and regional languages from all over the country.

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will launch the e-EPIC programme and distribute e-EPICs and Elector Photo Identity Cards to five new voters. E-EPIC is a digital version of the Elector Photo Identity Card and it can be accessed through the Voter Helpline App and websites https://voterportal.eci.gov.in/ and https://www.nvsp.in/.

Prasad will also release three publications of the Election Commission during the event. Copies of these documents will be presented to the President.
Months ahead of assembly polls in Kerala, the LDF government has decided to recommend a CBI probe into cases against former chief minister Oommen Chandy and five others filed over allegations of sexual exploitation by a prime accused woman in the sensational solar scam. The opposition Congress on Sunday dubbed the move as "politically motivated", saying the CPIM-led government could not find anything against the party leaders in the last five years and taken the decision as elections were around the corner, while Chandy asserted he was ready to face any probe.

Union Minister V Muraleedharan also attacked the government, saying the decision for the Central Bureau of Investigation probe had been taken in view of the polls. Protesting the government move, Youth Congress workers took out a march to the Secretariat here and burnt an effigy of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

However, CPI-M state secretary in-charge A Vijayaraghavan, rejecting the charge of political motivation, told reporters that it was only a natural course of action to "ensure justice to the complainant." After the state government decided to give its consent for the CBI probe, a gazette notification has been issued. The cases against the six, including Chandy, were registered over the past several years and investigated by the Crime Branch police based on a complaint by the woman accused in the multi-crore solar panel scam during the previous UDF government that she was sexually exploited by them in 2012.

Besides Chandy, who was recently appointed head of 10- member election management panel of the party for the state polls expected in April-May, Congress MPs K C Venugopal, Hibi Eden and Adoor Prakash and MLA A P Anil Kumar and BJP leader A P Abdulla Kutty are the accused in the six cases. The case against Abdulla Kutty had been registered in 2014 when he was a Congress MLA from Kannur. He later joined BJP.

The complainant, who had levelled allegations of rape against the Congress leaders, had recently written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, seeking CBI probe as the police probe had limitations. The woman and her co-accused in the scam had allegedly duped several investors of crores of rupees by offering to set up solar panel units for them.

In a letter to the police commissioner on July 19, 2013, the woman had levelled charges of sexual misconduct and corruption against several Congress and UDF leaders, including Chandy, some of his ministers and two former Union ministers. This is the second case in which the LDF government has recommended an investigation by CBI this month. Earlier, on January 11, it decided to hand over to the agency the probe into the death of two minor sisters after alleged sexual assault in 2017 at Walayar.

The Vijayan government has been accusing the central agencies of targeting it after they started investigating the gold smuggling cases and had in November last year withdrawn general consent to the CBI to probe cases in the state. Reacting to the fresh development, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged it was a "political stunt".

For five years when the Left front government has been in power, they could not find anything and when elections were round the corner, the case has been handed over to the central agency, the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly said in a statement on Sunday. Chandy, who headed the Congress-led UDF government during the turbulent days following the solar scam, said: "What did this (LDF) government do for five years with the case? They have now handed it over to CBI." State Congress President Mullapally Ramachandran also slammed the government, alleging the CBI probe was done with ulterior motives.

The cases were investigated by three senior IPS officers and nothing was found. "This is politically motivated," Ramachandran, told reporters. Lashing out at the Vijayan government, Muraleedharan said for five years the government "failed to even lift a small finger" in the case and now when assembly polls were just months away, it has decided to recommend the CBI probe.

In a statement, the BJP leader claimed the decision was taken as the LDF feared defeat in the assembly polls due to "theloss of face it suffered" following the probe by central agencies into the gold smuggling case and the Life Mission project. BJP state president K Surendran said the CPI(M) and the LDF had earlier decided that there was no need for a CBI probe in the solar case and a judicial probe would be sufficient.

As the elections were approaching, the change in stance of the Left front was to cheat the people of the state, he said, adding the Judicial commission headed by former high court judge G Sivarajan, had also probed the case.
Lieutenant General CP Mohanty, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command of the Indian Army on Saturday said around 6,000 healthcare workers in the command have been vaccinated against COVID-19 so far.

Briefing the media, Mohanty said, "We have prioritised our vaccination drives. Our healthcare workers in military hospitals are providing sustained support. We have started administering the vaccine to our health workers. Around 6,000 of them have been vaccinated so far."

The Lieutenant-General said that the Southern Command is the largest Command accounting for the 41 per cent of the landmass in India.

"The command has been actively involved in the management of COVID related issues. We had established multiple isolations centres and quarantine facilities. The challenge was to keep ourselves safe and assist the civil administration. I believe, we have overcome the peak of COVID-19 pandemic. I am proud that our country has been at the forefront of the vaccination drive," added Mohanty

Till Saturday, a total of 15,37,190 beneficiaries were vaccinated through 27,776 sessions, as per the provisional report of the Government of India.

Billed as the world's largest vaccination programme, covering the entire length and breadth of the country, the COVID-19 vaccination drive which began on January 16 aims to first vaccinate millions of its healthcare and frontline workers and reach an estimated 3 crore people by the end of its first phase.

Covishield, the COVID-19 vaccine being manufactured by Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin were granted permission for restricted use in an emergency situation by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on January 3.

(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 gross enrolment ratio of girls in schools at secondary level has improved from 2014-15 to 2018-19, and there have been promising trends of improvement in sex ratio at birth, the Women and Child Development Ministry said on Saturday.

Sharing the achievements of the government's Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Andolan (BBBP) ahead of Girl Child Day on Sunday, the ministry said the scheme has resulted in increased awareness and sensitisation of the masses regarding prevalence of gender bias and role of community in eradicating it.

In a statement, it said the gross enrolment ratio of girls in schools at secondary level has improved from 77.45 (2014-15) to 81.32 (2018-19-provisional figures) as per UDISE-data.

"Percentage of schools with functional separate toilets for girls has shown improvement from 92.1 per cent in 2014-15 to 95.1 per cent in 2018-19 (2018-19 provisional figure, as per UDISE-data )," it said



The ministry said promising trends of improvement in sex ratio at Birth (SRB) have been observed at level.

"SRB has improved by 16 points from 918 (2014-15) to 934 (2019-20). Out of 640 districts covered under BBBP, 422 districts have shown improvement in SRB from 2014-15 to 2018-2019," it said.

Some districts which had very low SRB in 2014-15 have shown huge improvement after implementation of the scheme such as Mau (Uttar Pradesh) from 694 (2014-15) to 951 (2019-20),Karnal (Haryana) from 758 (2014-15) to 898 (2019-20), Mahendergarh (Haryana) from 791 (2014-15) to 919 (2019-20), Rewari (Haryana) from 803 (2014-15) to 924 (2019-20), and Patiala (Punjab) from 847 (2014-15) to 933 (2019-20), the ministry said.

Noting that the percentage of first trimester antenatal care registration has shown an improving trend from 61 per cent in 2014-15 to71 per cent in 2019-20 (as per Health Management Information Systems, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare).

"The percentage of institutional deliveries has shown an improving trend from 87 per cent in 2014-15 to94 per cent in 2019-20," it said.

The ministry said the BBBP scheme has been able to bring the focus on important issues of female infanticide, lack of education amongst girls and deprivation of their rights on a life cycle continuum.

"The scheme has successfully engaged with the community to defy the age-old biases against the girl child and introduce innovative practices to celebrate the girl child," it 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.)

Debbie Moller

Moller, who previously worked in the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, is a senior fellow at the Center of Excellence, Homeland Security and Emergency Management in Washington and author of Get Ready  How to Prepare for and Stay Safe After a Pacific Northwest Earthquake. She lives in Salem.

Last January, few of us thought about the deadly pandemic of 1918. Scientists warned a similar pandemic was inevitable someday. Even if we took the warnings seriously, we didnt expect our lives and our communities to be as utterly transformed as they were in 2020. We werent ready. Our government wasnt ready.

Until a pandemic comes, a wildfire threatens or an earthquake begins, we have a hard time acting as if such a thing could happen to us. If we havent experienced it before, we dont expect to experience it at all.

This January marks the 321st anniversary of the last full-rupture subduction zone earthquake in our region. The Cascadia earthquake of January 26, 1700 was so massive it caused a tsunami that traveled 4,700 miles across the Pacific Ocean to strike Japan. Scientists warn that another earthquake of similar size is inevitable  its not a question of if, but when.

Im a fifth-generation Oregon native. Ive never lived through a major earthquake and neither did my ancestors. Still, I can all too easily imagine what a Cascadia earthquake will mean.

In 2016, I spent four days immersed in Cascadia Rising, a realistic simulation of what might happen in our region after the next 9.0, full-fault rupture earthquake. The exercise involved over 20,000 first responders, emergency managers, military personnel, government officials and disaster relief workers. Along the 620-mile stretch of the off-shore fault, from British Columbia to Northern California, we all pretended the earthquake had happened. The stress was intense as the barriers to getting help to communities became all too clear.

Cascadia Rising taught us that it will take two weeks for even necessities like water and food to reach mega-earthquake survivors. When the shaking starts, well be living in the 21st century. When the shaking stops, well be living in 1850  no electricity, utilities, internet or cell service, running water or sanitation systems. The loss of modern tools will dramatically delay the arrival of outside help.

I understand if you find it maddening that someone would want you to think about an earthquake after all weve gone through in the last year. Everyone has had enough. We are all stretched to the limit. So it wouldnt surprise me if peoples responses border on stunned outrage with reactions like What about everything that is already happening? Or What gall to talk about an earthquake! And most concerning: Now is not the time.

But the unprecedented wildfires didnt wait for the pandemic to be over. Disasters dont wait in an orderly line, politely agreeing to go one at a time. There is no guarantee well be spared another catastrophe just because 2020 brought infinitely more than our fair share of trouble. For the fortunate few who have been spared financial losses during the pandemic, now may be a perfect time to become prepared. Perhaps the money you used to spend on movies, travel or other pre-pandemic pleasures can be spent on getting your household ready. For the many who have been hard hit by job loss or illness, storing tap water for emergency use is a no-cost step that can be lifesaving in case of an earthquake.

The Oregon Office of Emergency Management website, www.oregon.gov/OEM, provides information on how to become Two-Weeks Ready.

After everything weve been through, we know now that hypothetical disasters can and do hit home. We have a chance to better prepare for the next one.

Subscribe to our free weekly Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email:


British pharmaceutical company ConserV Bioscience Limited (CBL) claims to have created a COVID-19 vaccine that will work against all kinds of mutations. According to Daily Mail, CBL has created the vaccine that can allegedly work against all mutant strains, including the ones recently detected in the United Kingdom and South Africa. CBL says that it will able to roll-out the vaccine in a year or so if trials are conducted quickly.

Read: Joe Biden And Boris Johnson Hold First Telephonic Conversation, Discuss US-UK Ties

According to the report, the vaccine created by CBL gets the immune system to recognise parts of viral particles present in coronaviruses, including the ones that mutate a little. This means that the vaccine should be able to protect against all kinds of coronaviruses, including the new strains. CBL is reportedly collaborating with another firm the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to develop the vaccine in the shortest time possible.

Read: UK Doctors Seek Review Of 12-week Gap Between Vaccine Doses

Scientists say current vaccines will work

Meanwhile, scientists at Porton Down, UK's top-secret government-owned scientific research laboratory, has said that COVID-19 vaccines that are currently available should work against all kinds of mutant strains, including the South African and Kent variants. According to Daily Mail, scientists have been studying the new variants since they were detected earlier last month and they have reached a conclusion that vaccines currently available in the UK can effectively counter both strains.

Read: 150 People Infected With UK Variant Of COVID-19 In India: Govt

The United Kingdom reported a new strain of the COVID-19 virus earlier last month, which experts said is more severe than all other previous variants detected since the start of the pandemic. The new strain prompted the health authorities in the country to reimpose lockdown in some parts of England as COVID-19 cases surged, causing a higher mortality rate. The new variant also forced other nations to impose a travel ban on UK passengers. A few days later, South Africa also reported a new strain of the COVID-19 virus.

Read: UK PM Boris Johnson Says New COVID-19 Variant Has 'higher Mortality Rate'


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The newly formed Presidents Advisory 1776 Commission just released its report. The group was chaired by Churchill historian and Hillsdale College President Dr. Larry P. Arnn. The vice chair was Dr. Carol M. Swain, a retired professor of political science. Full disclosure: I was a member of the commission.

The unanimously approved conclusions focused on the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the historical challenges to these founding documents and the need for civic renewal. The 16-member commission was diverse in the widest sense of the familiar adjective. It included historians, lawyers, academics, scholars, authors, former elected officials and past public servants.

Whether because the report was issued by a Donald Trump-appointed commission, or because the conclusions questioned the controversial and flawed New York Times-sponsored 1619 Project, there was almost immediate criticism from the left.

Yet at any other age than the divisive present, the report would not have been seen as controversial.

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First, the commission offered a brief survey of the origins of the Declaration of Independence, published in 1776, and the Constitution, signed in 1787. It emphasized how unusual for the age were the founders commitments to political freedom, personal liberty and the natural equality endowed by our creator  all the true beginning of the American experiment.

The commission reminded us that the founders were equally worried about autocracy and chaos. So they drafted checks and balances to protect citizens from both authoritarianism, known so well from the British Crown, and the frenzy of sometimes wild public excess.

The report repeatedly focuses on both the ideals of the American founding and the centuries-long quest to live up to them. It notes the fragility of such a novel experiment in constitutional republicanism, democratic elections and self-government  especially during late-18th-century era of war and factionalism.

The report does not whitewash the continuance of many injustices after 1776 and 1787  in particular chattel slavery concentrated in the South and voting reserved only for free males.

Indeed, the commission explains why and how these wrongs were inconsistent with the letter and spirit of our founding documents. So it was natural that these disconnects would be addressed, even fought over, and continually resolved  often over the opposition of powerful interests who sought to reinvent the Declaration and Constitution into something that they were not.

Two of the most widely referenced Americans in the report are Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King Jr. Both argued, a century apart, for the moral singularity of the U.S. Constitution. Neither wished to replace the founders visions; both instead demanded that they be fully realized and enforced.

The report details prior ideological and political challenges to the Constitution as we approach Americas 250th birthday. Some were abjectly evil, such as the near-century-long insistence that enslavement of African Americans was legal  an amorality that eventually led to more than 600,000 Americans being killed during a Civil War to banish it.

Some ideologies, such as fascism and communism, were easily identifiable as inimical to our principles. Both occasionally won adherents in times of economic depression and social strife before they were defeated and discredited abroad.

Perhaps more controversially, the commission identified other challenges, such as continued racism, progressivism and contemporary identity politics. The report argued how and why all those who insisted that race might become a basis from which to discriminate against entire groups of people were at odds with the logic of the Declaration.

Historically, progressivism assumed that human nature is malleable. With enough money and power, Americans supposedly can be improved to accept more paternalistic government, usually to be run by technocrats. Often they sought to curb the liberties of the individual, under the guise of modernist progress and greater efficiency.

The commission was no more sympathetic to the current popularity of identity politics or reparatory racial discrimination. It argued that the efforts to insist that race, ethnicity, sexual preference and gender define who we are, rather than remain incidental in comparison to our natural and shared humanity, will lead to a dangerous fragmentation of American society.

Finally, the commission offered the unifying remedy of renewed civic education. Specifically, it advocates far more teaching in our schools of the Declaration and the Constitution, and other documents surrounding their creation.

It most certainly did not suggest that civic education and American history ignore or contextualize past national shortcomings. Again, the report argued that our lapses should be envisioned as obstacles to fulfilling the aspirations of our founding.

The commission may be short-lived with the change of administrations, given that it was born in the chaos of the divisive present. President Joe Biden terminated the commission through an executive order Jan. 20.

But any fair critic can see that the reports unifying message is that we are a people blessed with a singular government and history, that self-critique and moral improvement are innate to the American founding and spirit, and that America never had to be perfect to be both good and far better than the alternatives.

Read the report

A pdf of the report is online; search for The Presidents Advisory 1776 Commission  IPFS.
I am a 33-year-old Aboriginal woman, I live in Melbourne and for the past five years I have organised Indigenous rights rallies, including Invasion Day.

Im also a university student who enjoys drinking soy lattes and eating avocado on sourdough toast with vegan feta.

Thousands marched through the streets of Melbourne to protest against Australia Day last year. Credit:Chris Hopkins

Most people at this point in the article would readily dismiss my voice as they have been told for many years now that mine is a voice that is not worth listening to. That my voice is not a real Indigenous perspective.

While this may be a convenient view, it is not reality. My voice matters, as do all Indigenous voices.
German child killer Martin Ney is set to be questioned for a second time over Madeleine McCann's disappearance.

The 49-year-old man, who was jailed for life in 2012 for abducting and murdering three young children and abusing many more, has been extradited from France to be pulled in for questioning again.

After reviewing the evidence into Madeleine's disappearance, Scotland Yard suggested interviewing him again, TV station RTL claimed.

According to The Sun, the convicted triple murderer was interviewed back in 2007 after a man was seen near the apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, where the three-year-old girl went missing. Ney was said to fit the description.

Child killer Martin Ney (pictured), who is serving life in prison for the murder of three boys aged between eight and 13, is to be questioned again over the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in 2007

The convicted triple murderer was interviewed back in 2007 after three-year-old Madeleine McCann (pictured) disappeared from an apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal

The German sex fiend is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of three boys.

The killer, known as the 'masked man', was reportedly known to haunt the Algarve and travelled throughout Portugal in the 1990s.

He revealed in chatroom messages, under the username GerdX, he had dressed in camouflage to jump out of bushes, 'in children's playgrounds if a beautiful boy goes past,' The Sun reported.

He also wore masks, balaclavas and replied 'yes' when one girl awoke from a nap and asked if he was her daddy.

Ney was jailed for killing Stefan Jahr, 13, in 1992, Dennis Rostel, eight, in 1995, and Dennis Klein, nine, in 2001.

His known victims are all boys, but experts claim gender is often unimportant for paedophiles.

Ney is believed to have leapt out at children from behind bushes wearing a mask and dressed all in black (photofit pictured)

Ney was interviewed over Madeleine McCann's disappearance in 2007 after he was believed to match a previously issued suspect's photofit (pictured)

A general view of the hotel building where Madeleine McCann disappeared from in 2007

Ney was interviewed in 2007 following Madeleine's (pictured) disappearance and has been extradited to France again for questioning

It was reported in 2018 that Ney confessed a fourth killing to a cellmate, that of 10-year-old French school boy Jonathan Coulom, who was kidnapped and killed from a holiday camp in Saint-Brevin-les-Pins in 2004. This has not resulted in a charge.

He was also investigated over the disappearance of German boy Renee Hasse in Aljezur, Portugal, in 1996, but never charged.

He is known to have finished his teacher training aged 21 before travelling to Ecuador in 1993, Peru in 1995 and Portugal a year later. He was jailed in 2012 after a wide scale police operation.

Ney denies he had any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance.

While in Nantes he is set to be asked about the murder of a ten-year-old boy in 2004.

Scotland Yard last month confirmed it has no plans to end its missing person investigation into Madeleine's disappearance, despite the belief of German prosecutors that she was murdered.

In June last year German national Christian Brueckner, 44, was identified as a suspect in the Madeleine investigation.

In June last year German national Christian Brueckner, 44, (pictured) was identified as a suspect in the Madeleine investigation

Earlier this month German police investigating the disappearance were reportedly set to interview witnesses who knew suspect Christian Brueckner.

It is hoped that interviews with a number of people in the Algarve who knew main suspect Brueckner, 43, could help snare the paedophile, the Mirror reports.

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.

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.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  The majority of foreigners arrested for allegedly violating the countrys immigration laws last year are Chinese nationals, the Bureau of Immigration reported on Sunday.

The bureau said in a press release that it apprehended a total of 510 illegal aliens in 2020, including over 300 Chinese citizens arrested in Tarlac last December for their reported involvement in online gambling and cybercrime operations.

Citing coronavirus restrictions, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said last years tally was significantly lower compared to the over 2,000 undocumented foreigners caught in 2019.

Because of the pandemic and community quarantines imposed, there was a decrease in the movement of aliens," Morente said. "A lot of foreign nationals also joined repatriation flights back to their home countries.

Also arrested last year were 43 overstaying Indian nationals in General Santos City and Quezon City, according to BI intelligence chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. He added that 14 South Korean and two Vietnamese nationals were likewise caught without the necessary documents and for engaging in unauthorized business activities.

The bureau also said it assisted in catching suspected foreign terrorists in Mindanao, including an alleged Indonesian suicide bomber arrested in Jolo, Sulu last October, who was found to be an illegal entrant.
Bagalkot : , Jan 24 (IANS) Three generations from two adjacent villages in Karnataka fought over who should possess a 'kalasha' (holy pot) placed on a temple car during the annual fair of Garuda Siddeshwara temple, for nearly four decades.

The feud was was finally resolved last week in a district Lok Adalat through arbitration in a mere four days.

Kadlimatti and Mudapalajeevi are adjoining villages in Bagalkot district of Karnataka. These villages are located 480 kms from state capital Bengaluru.

According to Hindu belief, the 'kalasha' is believed to contain 'Amrita', the elixir of life, and thus is viewed as a symbol of abundance, wisdom, and immortality. The 'kalasha' is often seen in Hindu iconography as an attribute, in the hands of Hindu deities like the creator god Brahma, the destroyer god Shiva as a teacher, and the goddess of prosperity Lakshmi.

Bagalkot district legal services authority (DLSA) secretary, Hemalatha Basappa Hullur who facilitated the arbitration process told IANS that this dispute over who should own the 'kalasha' dates back to the late 1970s but a formal court case was registered only in 2007. "Multiple rounds of discussions lasted almost four days to resolve this emotionally attached case," she said.

"The dispute between two villages was all about who should own the 'kalasha', two generations fought over it and died. The third generation was continuing their legal battle, as authorities toiled hard for four decades to resolve but could not succeed in their attempts to convince either parties. As a result of this, the 'kalasha' used to be deposited in the district treasury and it used to be unlocked only during the annual fair of the villages and once the religious ceremonies were over by evening, the 'kalasha' used to be taken back to the same treasury and deposited again. This went on for several years," she said.

Raghvendra, a lawyer, who assisted senior lawyer, P.A. Kulkarni in this case told IANS that the main reason for the dispute was the temple which is situated in Lavaleshwara Tanda, which is in between these villages.

"Around 50 years ago, a 'Mutt' seer had toured across six villages - Kadlimatti, Mudapaljeevi, Acahnuru, Bennuru, Shiragumpi and Herkal villages - to raise funds to build a temple and also a temple cart. As per his plans all villagers donated generously but Kadlimatti's contributions were highest among all villagers as a result of this, elated Ingalgi Matha seer assured that main 'Kalasha' of the temple car will retained with Kadlimatti, who will have the privilege of worshipping the 'Kalasha' throughout year," he explained.

One of the petitioners on behalf of Kadlimatti villagers, Vitthal Majjige, told IANS that it was ironic indeed that in the frivolous ego battle between both villages, the 'Kalasha' was paying the price of being locked up in a dark room. "Ideally it should be worshipped on a day-to-day basis but for our ego battle, it had remained in locked up status for nearly four decades. Therefore, we all villagers from both sides came to an agreement that now the 'kalasha' can be stationed in the main temple in Lavaleshwra, where priests will perform all rituals and devotees can have free 'darshan'. But for one condition, during the annual fair Kadlimatti devotees will have the first right to offer pooja in Kadlimatti and it will go in procession from here to Mudaplajeevi village, who will welcome it and it will be taken in procession and placed on top of the temple car," Majjige said.

He added that but for this dispute, none of the villagers from either side had any dispute; they fought elections together and had cordial business relationships from day one of the dispute starting in the late 1970s.

Mallaiah Poojari of Mudaplajeevi village and one of priests of this temple told IANS that all he wanted was that the 'kalasha' gets its due respect. "It was heartening to see that authorities bringing in police custody and taking it back in police security. I was a young child when this dispute began. My grandfather and my father both craved to offer pooja on daily basis to this 'kalasha' but they could not do so in their lifetime. At least am happy that I am getting that honour," he said emotionally.

According to him, the dispute over the 'kalasha' started when Mudapljeevi villagers came to know about Ingalgi Mutt seer decided to give the honour of 'kalasha' to Kadlimatti villagers.

"At last this ego battle has ended on a good note and that is more than a fulfilling experience in itself," the priest said.
By Donican Lam, KYODO NEWS - Jan 24, 2021 - 10:35 | Feature, All, Japan

Almost four decades on from its origins in the arrival of women to work as hostesses at "Philippine pubs," the Filipino community has become one of the most rooted in Japan -- but one that still remains largely female.

Filipinos are the fourth-largest foreign contingent after the Chinese, South Korean, and Vietnamese communities, with many choosing to spend their lives here.

According to data released by the Justice Ministry as of June 2020, 132,551, or roughly 47 percent, of the 282,023 Filipinos legally residing in Japan held permanent resident visas -- much higher than the 28 percent for foreign nationals overall. Women, meanwhile, accounted for around 70 percent of the total, rising to about 84 percent for those over 35.

The current profile of the community largely represents former hostesses staying on after marrying Japanese men, said Maria Carmelita Zulueta-Kasuya, a University of Tokyo research associate professor and chair of the Gathering of Filipino Groups and Communities, which organizes church-related activities.

But at the same time, Filipinos have started to branch out in Japanese society, with many now working as caregivers or assistant English language teachers, or opting for part-time jobs in hotels, supermarkets, and factories.

Kasuya, 56, who came to Japan in 1991 as a research student at Waseda University, says Japan is a popular choice for Filipinos looking to work abroad due to its relative proximity to the Philippines, strong currency and excellent quality of life.

From the mid-1980s to 2005, the majority of Filipinos came under entertainer visas -- mostly as a cover for work as hostesses. At the peak in 2004, more than 80,000 Filipinos entered Japan this way.

But in 2005, the government tightened rules on the issuance of entertainer visas following a report published by the U.S. State Department, which identified abuse of these visas as facilitating human trafficking.

Since then, according to Kosho Nakashima, who completed postgraduate studies in international relations at Chubu University in Aichi Prefecture, operators of such pubs have tended to resort to fake marriages to bring in women.

In his book, loosely translated into English as "The sociology of Philippine pub women," Nakashima, 32, detailed how fake marriages are arranged with the help of a broker, with the Japanese "husband" usually being a crony of the pub's manager who is paid around 50,000 yen ($480) per month to maintain the facade.

The woman's under-the-table contract with the broker typically lasts three to five years with a monthly stipend of 60,000 yen and only two days off a month.

Penalties are deducted from the woman's earnings if they miss their daily sales target, and they must ask permission from their broker whenever they wish to go out.

But Nakashima says the women are generally ready to put up with the harsh conditions in the hope of a better life beyond.

"Many women divorce the fake husband after completing their contract with the broker, marry their Japanese lover, change their status of residence again and continue to work in Philippine pubs as freelancers," he said.

Filipino caregivers and housekeepers have emerged thanks to various government agreements and law revisions in Japan. According to the labor ministry, as of 2019, around 588 candidate nurses and 2,004 candidate caregivers from the Philippines have entered Japan under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement since it was forged in 2008.

Meanwhile, restrictions on housekeeping services provided by foreign workers were lifted in Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture and the city of Osaka under the revised national strategic special zones law in 2015.

The move prompted Japanese staffing firm Pasona Group Inc. to launch a professional housekeeping service in 2016 in partnership with Magsaysay Global Services Inc., a subsidiary of Philippine conglomerate Magsaysay.

"Work opportunities for Filipino housekeepers are growing as the concept of housekeeping services slowly gains recognition in Japan," said Makiko Sawafuji, a deputy general manager at Pasona.

The service, known as "Kurashinity," recruits Filipinos to work as housekeepers at homes in Tokyo and neighboring Kanagawa Prefecture. Successful applicants must undergo two months of training before their departure from the Philippines, including courses in Japanese language and culture, plus an additional month of on-the-job training after arrival in Japan.

Roughly 13,000 Filipinos have applied for the program to date, of whom around 500 progressed to an interview, while about 100 have received an offer, according to Sawafuji. A law revision last March means Filipinos can also work as housekeepers in Japan for a maximum of five years, up from three.

For men, work opportunities have improved. While most were in the construction field in the past, "recent years have witnessed a rise in highly skilled engineers and IT consultants and computer specialists," said Kasuya.

Government data shows that there were 8,407 Filipinos in Japan under the "engineer, specialist in humanities, international services," visa status as of June 2020, up almost three-fold from 10 years earlier. Thanks to the diverse roles Filipinos are now playing in Japanese society, the male to female ratio has also become more balanced among those under 35.

Common to almost all Filipinos, regardless of their age or profession, is a strong Catholic background. This means communities tend to be centered around the church.

For Filipino women especially, faith-based groups like GFGC provide a strong support system that Kasuya said "keeps the Filipina sane and helps her survive the daily challenges" of juggling work and family responsibilities.

Father Edwin Corros, a missionary priest assigned to work with the Catholic Tokyo International Center since 2014, said that Filipinos made up about 95 percent of the foreign parishioners coming to Mass in the churches he assisted with English services last year.

"(Filipinos) also normally serve as volunteers in the various liturgical ministries of the parish, to which not many foreign community members are inclined," the 59-year-old said.

Kasuya explains that the church is important to Filipinos because it is a place where they can receive "moral and emotional support" from friends who share the same faith and feel "safe, secure and 'at home'" even while in a foreign country.

"The church is their refuge and solace amidst all the negativity that is happening in the world," she said.
A massive human trafficking operation based in Los Angeles rescued 33 missing children, several of whom were sexually exploited.

The FBI said in a news release the multiple law enforcement agencies worked on the Los Angeles-based trafficking investigation to identify, locate and rescue the missing children. These included the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and more than two-dozen law enforcement and non-governmental partners.

The operation to rescue the Los Angeles missing children, also known as Operation "Lost Angels" began January 11, amid Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

There was one person suspected of human trafficking arrested on state charges, the FBI confirmed, although details of the arrest were not made immediately available, reported NBC News.

Read also: Toddler Allegedly Abused, Killed by Long-Time Family Friend During Sleepover

"Human trafficking is a pervasive and insidious crime that threatens the safety of our young people, who are the future of our communities," LAPD Chief Michel Moore said in the release.

Moore added that service providers and law enforcement can only "begin to take back" the future of these victims through strong partnerships.

Some Missing Children in 'Harmful Cycle' of Abuse

USA Today said in a report that two of the children rescued during the operation were found multiple times at known locations for sex trafficking. Officials explained that endangered children often return to these kinds of situations for various reasons as part of a "harmful cycle of abuse."

They were "considered vulnerable missing children" before their recovery and they return to the dangerous locations by force, threats or their own accord.

The operation's Assistant Director in Charge Kristi K. Johnson called human trafficking "modern day slavery" and the minors who were forced into commercial sex trafficking should be considered as victims.

The FBI also said that this cycle of abuse showed the challenges faced by both victims and law enforcement when they attempt to keep them away from abusive situations.

"Victims may not self-identify as being trafficked or may not even realize they're being trafficked," the agency said.

Some Trafficking Victims Face Misdemeanor Crimes

According to FOX 11, some of the minor victims were arrested for misdemeanor crimes such as probation violations or robbery. The FBI also said one child was discovered to be a victim of noncustodial parental kidnapping.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles bureau of the FBI did not release additional details about the operation and the agency could not be reached on Saturday.

It is unclear if the cases were linked to each other in any way.

Agencies that were also involved in Operation "Lost Angeles" were the Wichita Police Department in Kansas, the Langston University Police in Oklahoma and the Arizona Department of Child Safety.

Related story: 'Sorry for My Evil Crime': West Virginia Mom Shoots Dead Her 5 Young Kids Before Killing Herself

The FBI said that even after the operation did show a surge in resources over a limited time frame and with great success, there were still more investigations on child sex trafficking tackled by law enforcement daily.

The agency is faced with a caseload of trafficking crimes that increased significantly in recent years. At least 1,800 trafficking cases were pending investigation in the FBI as of November with some of the cases involving minors.
(CNN Philippines, January 24)  After securing the green light from the government, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will begin conducting saliva testing for COVID-19 on Monday, January 25.

PRC biomolecular laboratories chief Paulyn Ubial told CNN Philippines Newsroom Weekend the organization can start accommodating individuals who want to be tested for the virus using their saliva.

For its initial rollout, the PRC has designated its Logistics and Multi-Purpose Center in Mandaluyong and its laboratory in Port Area in Manila as saliva testing facilities.

Ubial said the booking for the saliva testing as well as the payment would be done online.

While the cost for a saliva test is 2,000, PRC Chairman and Senator Richard Gordon said the price may decrease if more people would avail the test.

"We can lower the cost in the future," he said in a statement on Sunday.

The PRC said it already received the letter from Secretary of Health Francisco T. Duque III regarding the Department of Health's approval of saliva testing for COVID-19.

The approval came after the PRC completed the pilot study, involving 1,000 samples for a full review, where 17 positive cases were detected while nine were detected through the swab tests, Gordon said.

"While waiting for the vaccine, the saliva test could pave the way to test more students, healthcare workers, factory workers, company employees, and other essential workers to help stop the spread of the virus," he added.

According to the PRC, the saliva RT-PCR test is a "non-invasive and less stringent" alternative to the swab test.

It said a saliva test does not require for a specimen collector to wear full personal protective equipment, adding that it is cheaper as it uses less equipment and reagents.

Processing time will only take three to four hours, the PRC said.

Vergeire said the laboratory experts panel said that conducting of saliva test should solely be done by PRC laboratories for now.

Before they would allow other laboratories across the country to use saliva tests, Vergeire said they need to see first the results of validation tests of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.
San Antonio Police officers found a man dead and a woman in critical condition Friday night after the two suffered multiple gunshot wounds on an East Side street.

Officers responded to a call about a shooting in progress shortly after 9 p.m. in the 1900 block of Hays Street.
You are here: China

The 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Sunday adopted a communique at its fifth plenary session.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended and addressed the session, held from Friday to Sunday. Other Party and state leaders, including Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng, attended the meeting.

A work report delivered by Zhao on behalf of the Standing Committee of the CCDI was passed at the session, according to the communique.
Unity was the overarching principle of Joe Bidens first address to the nation as president. Hours later, his first official acts showed he wont attempt any consensus around the policies of his predecessor.

In a whirlwind of executive orders, agency directives and legislative proposals starting on his first day in office and expected to extend through the coming weeks, Biden aimed to quickly reverse the Trump administrations approach to immigration and discrimination, climate and energy, the economy and the pandemic. Thats as it should be: Theres no future in the former presidents agenda.

The most symbolic of Bidens rebukes to President Trump was a freeze on construction of new barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. As the presidents first-day Proclamation on the Termination Of Emergency With Respect To The Southern Border accurately notes, Trumps vaunted wall  actually a fence of 30-foot posts that contractors were racing to erect from San Diego to Texas  is not a serious policy solution but rather a waste of money that diverts attention from genuine threats. The document winds down construction of the Trumps monument to xenophobia and ends the specious emergency declared to divert defense funds from the project over the objections of bipartisan majorities in Congress.

Another of Bidens 17 Day One directives rescinded his predecessors order Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry, more commonly known as the Muslim ban, along with subsequent suspensions of immigration from particular countries, most of them in the Middle East and Africa. Like the emergency-enabled border fence, the anti-Muslim order not only codified bigotry but also pushed the bounds of presidential authority, necessitating a series of revisions to pass judicial muster. Bidens proclamation calls these measures what they are: a stain on our national conscience, a moral blight and just plain wrong.

Biden also issued executive orders bolstering former President Barack Obamas protection of those brought to the country illegally as children, which Trump tried but failed to undo. Further directives ended stepped-up deportations and revoked an attempt to exclude unauthorized immigrants from the census.

The president signed additional orders countering his predecessors measures to ease and impose other forms of discrimination. He boosted protections against federal bias on the basis of race, sexual orientation and gender identity. And he is expected to rescind Trumps pointless and poisonous ban on transgender Americans serving in the military.

On the environment, Biden signaled an end to Trumps backward climate change denialism by rejoining most of the worlds countries in the Paris accords. He canceled construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, which would transport oil recovered from Canadian tar sands. And he moved to reverse scores of the prior administrations relentless rollbacks of environmental regulations. Among the most important targets are auto emissions standards spearheaded by California regulators and the Obama administration, which the Trump administration unraveled even as several major automakers willingly went along with the stricter rules.

The most pressing and neglected crisis addressed by Bidens early acts is the pandemic that has killed more than 400,000 Americans, on which he showed a sorely needed willingness to take action and responsibility. Following a president who largely refused to wear a mask himself, Biden required the simple but effective protective measures on federal property and during interstate travel while urging other officials and Americans to follow suit. He also took long-overdue steps to ramp up testing and manufacture of critical supplies such as protective equipment and to repair the chaotic vaccine rollout. And he began an effort to stem the economic downturn by extending moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures as well as a pause of student loan payments.

The administration has harder work to do in these and other areas, including a pathway to citizenship, police reform, pollution reductions and economic aid equal to the devastation wrought by the pandemic. Much of that will require not just the stroke of the presidents pen but the consent of Congress. Biden has nonetheless begun to reverse his predecessor in the most important way: by ending his politics of perpetual division and turning to the daunting challenges Americans should come together to solve.

This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters.
Israels cabinet approved restrictions that will bar foreign flights from entering the country in order to limit the countrys exposure to mutated strains of Covid-19.

The closure takes effect at midnight Monday and will last through the end of the month, according to an announcement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office. The government made exemptions for cargo and emergency situations.

Last week, Israel extended its lockdown to the end of January to keep cases down as it progresses with its vaccine campaign.





This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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Disturbing: Some of the puppies that were brought to Scotland from Ireland

Designer puppies farmed in Ireland are dying within hours of being placed in the arms of new owners in Scotland in a distressing pandemic phenomenon.

It is estimated that thousands of puppies are trafficked into ports like Cairnryan from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland every year from large dog farms.

As prices for Cockapoo, Pug and Chihuahua pups have surged during the lockdown to upwards of 2,000, one Scottish charity is fielding an unprecedented number of calls relating to sick and dying puppies commercially bred by suspected Irish puppy dealers.

In a new departure, Irish dealers are hiring Airbnb homes in Scotland as a front to sell fashionable cross-breed puppies for record prices on sites like Gumtree.

"People go to the Airbnb thinking this is a nice home and then they get a pup from somebody, they're nearly always Irish, and the next thing that pup is really ill or dead," said an undercover inspector from the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"One woman I spoke to had bought a Cockapoo and within four hours it was dying. That is really common.

"What they are getting is 500 of vet bills or a dead pup - that's the harsh reality.

"There are hundreds of pups coming into the country every week through the ports from Ireland. It's both sides of the Irish Border. A lot of the time, they travel to the south to 'stock up'.

"Some of them will just put them in the back of a van in a crate, some of them will secrete them in the boots, we've seen them in big toolboxes with holes cut out for air in the corner."

Puppy smuggling has been running to Britain for years due to bigger profits, but it has escalated in the last year due to soaring prices thanks to lockdown demand.

Most puppy trading is suspected to be linked to two families in Ireland.

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"It's two family groups who are involved in crime. We tend to see a trend of two separate names but all different first names," said the undercover inspector.

"They are bringing them over from Northern Ireland all the time.

"They have been historically brought in from Ireland daily, but the prices are now astronomical. It is a multi- million pound business.

"During lockdown, the demand for pups went through the roof. But you couldn't keep up with the calls from people buying pups that were dying or ill. The calls about the illegal puppy trade more than doubled compared to the year before.

"Cockapoos are going for around 2,800 pounds, Labradors are going for about 2,000, a Shih Tzu cross is 2,000, Jack Russells are going for 1,100."

The fragile pups, who often do not have the protection of vaccinations, succumb to dormant diseases on the journey to Scotland from Ireland.

"They don't care," said the Scottish inspector.

"We actually had a chap from Ireland two years ago caught trying to throw pups in the River Clyde in Glasgow as they were starting to show the bad effects of parvo. We'd caught him a few times before."

The inspector said the health problems of the young pups coming from Ireland are horrific.

"As you can imagine, these pups are just getting dragged from their mothers at four or five weeks. They are loaded with health problems - campylobacter, parvovirus, so many different parasitic infections. The owner will be told they are a wee bit tired from the journey. They will start having diarrhoea and vomit and whine in pain.

"There is no care, a lot of these bacterial infections are picked up simply because of dirty conditions."

Two Irish puppy traders were caught at the end of November last year with pups.

"I have got a case that went to court but the person hasn't turned up," said the inspector. "That's the difficulty when you're dealing with people in Ireland.

"These pups were in horrific cramped conditions, covered in faecal matter and urine. Two died very quickly, one was euthanised within a couple of days. That was quite typical."

She said the Scottish and Irish governments need to tackle the large-scale breeders churning out sick and dying puppies in horrific breeding farms in a joint effort.

"We need the (Irish authorities) to try and stop them coming out of the country with them before they get to the ports in Scotland.

"Obviously there are a lot of known illegal breeders, but I'd also like to see large-scale legal puppy farms who are licensed to breed vast numbers of dogs shut down in Ireland.

"They are churning hundreds upon hundreds of pups weekly, and that is not an exaggeration.

"The demand is there, and the supply is coming from Ireland. It's pretty simple. We always say it's profits over welfare."
Screen Australia has released some numbers for the top documentaries it funded in 2020.

Local documentaries remain popular, with the bulk of content commissioned by the public broadcasters.

Australians continue to be drawn to documentaries that challenge us, provoke debate and educate on issues such as race, climate change and the environment, said Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason.

Heart-warming series Love on the Spectrum from Northern Pictures reached new audiences with a worldwide Netflix release following its successful debut on ABC in 2019 and has already been commissioned for a new series.

Series remain the most popular documentary format, however feature documentaries The Australian Dream and Wayne also delivered strong results on broadcast, even after their successful theatrical releases in 2019 and 2018 respectively.

Due to complexities in the definition of documentary, only the top 10 Screen Australia-funded television documentaries are included below.

Position Title Episodes Broadcaster Ratings^ 1 Miriam Margolyes Almost Australian 3 ABC 1,026,000 2 Shaun Micallefs On the Sauce 3 ABC 985,000 3 Fight For Planet A 3 ABC 846,000 4 Maralinga Tjarutja 1 ABC 785,000 5 Lindy Chamberlain: The True Story 2 Ten 754,000 6 Big Weather (And How to Survive It) 3 ABC 725,000 7 Revelation 3 ABC 723,000 8 Outback Ringer 10 ABC 646,000 ** 9 The Australian Dream 1 ABC 622,000 10 Wayne 1 ABC 572,000

^average audience, metro + regional 28 day.

** As 1 Jan 2021.

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How you look, and feel are two key instigators to going about your daily life, says Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan. The actor has featured in a new digital campaign 'Arrival of Don Beardo', launched by men's grooming brand Beardo. The campaign aims to inspire men to "hone their sexiness and irresistibility".

Hrithik says: "How you look and how you feel are two key instigators to going about your daily life."

"What I like the most about the campaign is that it promotes being your true self. The campaign, in line with the core purpose of the products is to enhance confidence and seize the day, for yourself. I believe, it is a means for selfcare and Beardo as a brand is all about you, the person standing in front of the mirror. So, feel good, look good and set out to have a good day!"

Sujot Malhotra, CEO, Beardo says: "Conceptualising DON Beardo's character was a very personal journey to us. We imagined him to be an epitome of everything we stand for - Alpha, intense, charismatic, suave, worthy, sexy, someone you look up to, yet are in awe of his power and he is always styled to kill (well not literally!).

In simple words Don Beardo is a man; every man wants to be. Casting Hrithik in this campaign was a conscious decision as we felt he could imbibe all these qualitiesand portray them effortlessly on screen i and we are overwhelmed by the results. We at Beardo are committed to celebrating men's attractiveness & style.with the Arrival of Don Beardo, we make visualising it, a real possibility."
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Patrick Solano, a World War II combat veteran from Pittston Twp. who served in the administrations of nine Pennsylvania governors, has died. He was 95.

Solano died Saturday at home surrounded by his family, his nephew, attorney Frank Nocito, said.

Nocito, 63, remembered Solano as a humble man who befriended and gained the trust of the most notable powerbrokers in the state and nation, but never forgot his roots.

He was truly a confidant to all  from presidents to a guy who came from Italy to Pittston. From the highest of the high to the everyday ordinary man. He treated everyone with respect, Nocito said.

Nocito, who visited Solanos home nearly every Sunday since he was a child, said Solano was lifes biggest mentor.

Forget college, forget law school. Talking with Uncle Pat was a real life education, Nocito said.

Drafted into World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps, Solano served as flight engineer on 23 combat missions over Germany in a B-17 bomber. He recounted his wartime heroics in an interview in July with The Citizens Voice, reflecting back that I remember it all.

After the war, Solano went on to work in state government. While he was a lifelong Republican, he loyally served both Democratic and Republican governors and was seen as a bipartisan dealmaker.

At one point, he headed the state Department of Environmental Resources and later the Department of Conservation of Natural Resources when that agency split into two. He also was deputy secretary of the Department of General Services, putting him in charge of all state-funded building projects.

Solano ended his career as senior counselor to Republican Gov. Tom Ridge.

Ridge asked Solano to join him in Washington, D.C., when Ridge was appointed to head the new Department of Homeland Security after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

But Solano decided to call it a career.

He wanted to take me to Washington. I told him to go find a younger guy. Im too old, Solano joked in the July interview.

In the interview, Solano talked about his philosophy on governance.

I was in public service all my life. I always tried to find the common ground on stuff. I look at people today and they cant get along on anything. Theres no middle, Solano said. Im a Republican by title. But I dealt with the Democrats all my life. They like me and I like them.

In a statement released Saturday, Ridge recalled Solano as proud patriot, a gentleman and a beloved bipartisan public servant who lived a consequential life that should be a Hollywood movie. Ridge said he nicknamed Solano his Mr. 911 because he was his go-to guy for advice in politics.

Pat embodied the Greatest Generation  a life of honor and service in which he always put others first. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will be felt here in his beloved Pennsylvania  and around the world  forever, Ridge said.

Family members recall that during the 2014 campaign between then-Gov. Tom Corbett, a Republican, and challenger Tom Wolf, the current Democratic governor, both men called Solano for advice. Even at age 95, government officials in Harrisburg still sought Solanos input and he was still considered a senior advisor to the state Senate.

Bipartisan tributes flowed Saturday after word circulated that Solano had died.

Today, I give a sad but fond last farewell to Patrick Solano. He was a friend, confidante, advisor and mentor  a second father really, said state Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, of Lehman Twp. Pat was a political guy, a policy guy, but most of all a people person ... He was fully committed to and practiced the precepts and principles of public service. He had faith in his ability to find the better angels in those on both sides of the political fence, locating common ground where no one else was looking ... His mind was the Wikipedia of Pennsylvania politics reaching back nearly a century.

State Sen. John Yudichak, I-14, of Swoyersville, said Solanos career will remain unmatched in its length and in the sheer breadth of his accomplishments.

I was honored to be among the many leaders who counted Pat Solano a political mentor, and I feel blessed to have shared his company and his friendship over the years. Family always came first for Pat, and my deepest sympathies go out to his wife, his children and his extended family who knew him affectionately as Uncle Pat, Yudichak said.

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9, Dallas, said Solano was one of the great people hes ever known.

Described by all as a legend, Pat was a respected leader in Pennsylvania state government and politics, Meuser said. I was fortunate enough to know Pat for many years. As many elected officials can attest, he was the best political mentor anyone could have ever asked for and one of the greatest men I have ever known. I will miss his sage counsel and wisdom as he is no longer a phone call away.

Meuser recalled one Solanos favorite quotes that the politics of inclusion is how you get things done.

And he got a lot done, Meuser said.

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-9, of Moosic, said Solanos death was so sad for all of us in our area.

I always liked everything about him. From the personal physical courage he showed in the Army Air Corps during World War II, to his sharing a half centurys worth of stories about his friends in public service, he was a man who attracted admirers from all corners, Cartwright said. Best of all, he always told you the truth and he put Northeastern Pennsylvania first.

Former Pennsylvania Gov. Mark S. Schweiker, a Republican, called Solano a true patriot.

He served our nation during World War II when he heroically flew B-17 combat missions over Germany. When he returned home, Pat would spend the next half century continuing his unwavering commitment to the service of his beloved country, commonwealth and Northeastern Pennsylvania, Schweiker said. Ill miss my friend. He provided heartfelt and wise counsel to me, and many former governors. Pat was a giant that simply cannot be replaced. Kathy and I will keep his beloved wife, Marie, and his family in our prayers.
RADNOR, Pa., Jan. 24, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP reminds Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE: QSR) (Restaurant Brands) investors that a securities fraud class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Restaurant Brands on behalf of those who purchased or acquired Restaurant Brands common stock between April 29, 2019, and October 28, 2019, inclusive (the Class Period).



Reminder: Investors who purchased or acquired Restaurant Brands common stock during the Class Period may, no later than February 19, 2021 , seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. For additional information or to learn how to participate in this litigation please contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP: James Maro, Esq. (484-270-1453) or Adrienne Bell, Esq. (484-270-1435); toll free at (844) 887-9500; via e-mail at info@ktmc.com; or click https://www.ktmc.com/restaurant-brands-international-inc-securities-class-action?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=restaurant_brands

Restaurant Brands is a Canadian corporation and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is one of the worlds largest restaurant chains with over 27,000 Tim Hortons, Burger King, and Popeyes restaurants in more than 100 countries and U.S. territories. On April 24, 2018, Restaurant Brands announced a new strategy designed to improve performance within its Tim Hortons brand. Specifically, the Winning Together Plan would focus on three key pillars: restaurant experience; product excellence; and brand communications. Then, on March 20, 2019, Restaurant Brands announced Tims Rewards  a new loyalty program for Tim Hortons customers in Canada. Under the Tims Rewards program, customers would be eligible for a free hot brewed coffee, hot tea, or baked good after every seventh paid visit to a participating Tim Hortons restaurant. On April 10, 2019, Restaurant Brands announced that it was expanding the Tims Rewards program to include customers in the United States.

The Class Period commences on April 29, 2019, when Restaurant Brands filed its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 with the SEC. Among other things, Restaurant Brands reported 0.5% system-wide year-over-year sales growth for Tim Hortons on system-wide sales of $1.547 billion. The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, the defendants repeatedly touted the implementation and execution of Restaurant Brands Winning Together Plan and Tims Rewards loyalty program. On the heels of Restaurant Brands touting the benefits of these initiatives, the company completed two stock offerings on or about August 12, 2019, and September 5, 2019, collectively resulting in proceeds of approximately $3 billion to insiders.

However, on October 29, 2019, the truth about Restaurant Brands execution of its Winning Together Plan and Tims Rewards loyalty program was revealed when the company announced disappointing financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019. Among other things, Restaurant Brands reported a 0.1% system-wide year-over-year sales decline for Tim Hortonsrepresenting a 1.4% same-store sales declineon system-wide sales of $1.774 billion. Following this news, the price of Restaurant Brands common stock declined $2.59 per share, or approximately 4%, from a close of $68.45 per share on October 25, 2019, to close at $64.86 per share on October 28, 2019.

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, the defendants misrepresented and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Restaurant Brands Winning Together Plan was failing to generate substantial, sustainable improvement within the Tim Hortons brand; (2) the Tims Rewards loyalty program was not generating sustainable revenue growth as increased customer traffic was not offsetting promotional discounting; and (3) as a result, the defendants statements about Restaurant Brands business, operations, and prospects lacked a reasonable basis.

If you wish to discuss this securities fraud class action lawsuit or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests with respect to this litigation, please contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (James Maro, Jr., Esq. or Adrienne Bell, Esq.) at (844) 887-9500 (toll free) or (610) 6677706, or via e-mail at info@ktmc.com .

Restaurant Brands investors may, no later than February 19, 2021 , seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. In order to be appointed as a lead plaintiff, the Court must determine that the class members claim is typical of the claims of other class members, and that the class member will adequately represent the class. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country involving securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duties and other violations of state and federal law. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP is a driving force behind corporate governance reform, and has recovered billions of dollars on behalf of institutional and individual investors from the United States and around the world. The firm represents investors, consumers and whistleblowers (private citizens who report fraudulent practices against the government and share in the recovery of government dollars). For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, please visit www.ktmc.com.

CONTACT:

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

James Maro, Jr., Esq.

Adrienne Bell, Esq.

280 King of Prussia Road

Radnor, PA 19087

(844) 887-9500 (toll free)

(610) 667-7706

info@ktmc.com




Egypts Ministry of Public Business Sector will disburse a minimum of EGP 255,000 in reparations for each of the 2,500 workers at the recently liquidated Egyptian Iron and Steel Company.

On 12 January, citing chronic losses, the board of directors of the Egyptian Iron and Steel Company passed on a resolution liquidating the company and dividing it into two new companies.

The company has been one of the country's industrial icons since its establishment in 1954 and start of operations in the early 1960s.

The liquidation resolution stipulated the company will be divided into a company for iron and steel and another for mines and quarries.

The move lays the groundwork for private sector investments to play a role in the two new companies in the future in light of the states plan to make use of its loss-incurring assets and untapped opportunities, according to the ministry.

The companys board said the decision was made as a result of the heavy losses that have been accumulating over the years, which hit EGP 9 billion, EGP 982.8 million of which were lost between July 2019 and June 2020.

Controversy

The liquidation resolution triggered anger among workers, various MPs, as well as some in the business community in Egypt; all called on the government to reverse its decision.

On 17 January, the industrial committee at the House of Representatives said that the government's resolution to liquidate the company should be subject to careful studies and reviews of causes for losses.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian Trade Union Federation voiced last week its opposition to the resolution, calling on all concerned bodies to overturn it and form a national commission of experts to look into the step's ramifications.

The federation said it will address President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to "intervene and salvage the company."

The day after the resolution was passed, Egyptian Lawyer Samir Sabry initiated a court action to stop the liquidation decision.

In numbers

According to the balance sheet of the company, which is listed in the Egyptian Exchange (EGX), the companys total value of assets witnessed a modest increase from 2017 through 2021.

The value of assets slightly rose to around EGP 3 million in 2021, up from EGP 2.9 million in 2017, incurring a net loss worth EGP 274.4 million in 202,1 with a negative gross profit amounting to about EGP 215 million, according to EGX data.

In January 2020, Minister of Public Business Sector Hisham Tawfik told Ahram Online that the strategy to improve state-owned companies stipulates that companies will be liquidated if their losses exceed their capital.

The companys registered capital is estimated at EGP 500 million.

The Egyptian Iron and Steel Company (HADISOLB), an affiliate of the Metallurgical Industries Company, is the major iron and steel production company operating in the public sector, with total investments estimated at EGP 650.7 million, according to the companys data.

The company was founded in 1954 in the Helwan district in south Cairo, as per a decree issued by then-president Gamal Abdel-Nasser, and started operations in 1961.

It was founded as a joint stock venture with majority equity from the state as the first-ever iron industry complex in the Arab region.

The company specialises in the manufacturing of iron and steel products with the highest quality and lowest cost based on the needs of the local and global markets at a rate of up to 2.1 million metric tons, according to the companys data.

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In a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agencys reporter, the Lao diplomat looked back on the historical significance of the CPVs foundation on February 3, 1930 as well as its important role in leading the people in the cause of national protection and development.



He particularly laid stress on the CPVs introduction of the Doi Moi (renewal) policy in 1986, holding that it played a crucial part in the countrys stable politics, impressive economic growth, and improved living conditions of people.



Despite rapid and complicated developments in the global and regional situation in the past five years, Vietnam has attained remarkable achievements in various sectors thanks to the Party, State and people's high determination and efforts, the ambassador said.





Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang grants an interview to the Vietnam News Agency's reporter (Photo: VNA)



Vietnam is one of the 10 countries in the world posting the highest economic growth, with an annual average GDP growth rate of 5.9 percent in the past five years, he said, adding that without the COVID-19 pandemic, the nations economy could have expanded by over 7 percent.



Along with resounding successes in the fields of culture-society, healthcare, education and science-technology, Vietnam has seen breakthrough progress in external affairs and international integration, helping improve the nations prestige in the region and the world, he stressed.



Although the nation was battered by COVID-19 and natural disasters in 2020, the country successfully fulfilled its roles as the ASEAN Chair 2020 and AIPA-41 Chair, and did a good job as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure.



Furthermore, the countrys economy size topped US$343 billion in 2020 with per capita GDP of more than US$3,500 in 2020.



These achievements are a vivid illustration of the CPVs sound and ingenious leadership in the past year, he underscored.



The Lao diplomat also spoke highly of Vietnams meticulous preparations for the upcoming 13th National Party Congress, with a bundle of draft documents compiled based on opinion collection from researchers, officials, Party members and people from all walks of life.



He expressed his strong belief that the 13th National Party Congress will have rosy impacts on the countrys socio-economy in the coming time, adding Vietnam will realise its development goals of becoming an upper middle-income nation by 2030, and a high-income nation by 2045.



The ambassador said the 13th National Party Congress has received special attention from all Party members, officials, soldiers and people in the country, as well as international friends.



The CPV has paid due attention to promoting democracy, transparency and compliance with current regulations, with documents to be submitted to the congress being introduced to all Party members, officials, and people through various means of media, he stressed.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 23:18:40|Editor: huaxia

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SHANGHAI, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai will build 8,000 5G outdoor base stations in 2021 as part of efforts to accelerate the construction of new infrastructure in the digital era, local authorities said Sunday.

Shanghai will focus on advancing digital transformation and accelerate the construction of a digital hub of global repute, said the city's mayor Gong Zheng, in the government work report delivered at the ongoing fifth session of the 15th Shanghai Municipal People's Congress.

Gong added that Shanghai will advance the digital economy in 2021 by focusing on key areas such as smart factories, industrial Internet, and e-commerce platforms.

By the end of October last year, Shanghai had built a total of 31,400 5G outdoor base stations and 49,800 indoor 5G small stations, achieving continuous 5G coverage in the city proper and key suburban areas.

According to the city's draft 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), Shanghai will promote the construction of 5G standalone (SA) networks and achieve full 5G coverage in the city by 2025. The average download speed of the 5G network will reach 500Mbps in Shanghai. Enditem
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Herreid Legion to remember 400 Campbell County area veterans Monday

The Herreid American Legion and the Sons of the American Legion work together to recognize veterans on Memorial Day.
Bachelorette alum Hannah Brown revealed on Saturday, January 23, that shes dealing with some lingering physical injuries from Dancing With the Stars that have stopped her from being able to work out at the gym and led to her gaining some weight.

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I think this political climate and with COVID has been hard for all of us and me too, the former pageant queen, 26, began a series of Instagram Story videos as she took a leisurely walk. Usually when Im struggling, dealing with my mental health, I can go to working out. Well, for the past five months, maybe almost six, I havent been able to work out like I used to, and  it really brought me down because I didnt know another way. Im either zero, 100. All in, nothing. And I definitely let it get me down. But Im really starting to finally get that motivation back and I want to share it with you guys because I think a lot of us can relate to going a long time without working out and sometimes it feels impossible to start again.

Courtesy Hannah Brown/Instagram

Brown, who described her workout mentality as beast mode continued, For the first time in my life I feel like I can totally understand somebody who is out of shape and I am right there with you.

The DWTS champ, who won the mirrorball trophy in November 2019, explained that she hadnt shared her health struggle earlier because she didnt know how serious her issues actually were.

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I am still going to the doctor and trying to figure it out but I think a lot of my body hurting comes from some issues that started on Dancing With the Stars and I just kept going from zero to 100  Im either all or nothing  and pushed it too much to where I now have, like, some issues that I am having to deal with.

To clarify, I have always had issues and pains but I think DWTS put additional stress on those prior injuries, she added in a caption.

The Alabama native explained that she has been doing physical therapy and going on some walks and bike rides, but, honestly, thats it.

Brown added that as someone who appeared in pageants and on TV, people always have something to say about what my body looks like.

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It has been tough, she continued. Im starting to realize that more people can relate to this girl, the one who is struggling. Im just trying to be more honest about where Im at. I know we all start in different places so some people stress me, they like to point out that Ive gained weight, some people say I look great but I just want to feel good and I havent felt good because I havent been able to work out the way that I feel like my body needs. So instead of being zero or 100, Im going to learn to show up where I can be right now, whether thats 50 percent, 60 percent, 35 percent my best; youve got to start somewhere.

My overall health is my #1 priority right now, she added in a caption. So Im going to continue to do all that I can right now  be more about trying new workout methods (Ive always been a HIT workout, high cardio balls-to-the-wall athlete), learn to adjust and listen to my body, and continue to see medical advice to hopefully get some clarity soon!

Brown has kept a low profile over the past year. She spent part of 2020 quarantining in Florida with Bachelorette runner-up Tyler Cameron and in December she teased a new romance, sharing a photo with a mystery man.

Earlier this week, fans speculated that she is dating model Adam Woolard after a Bachelor fan account shared photos of Brown on a romantic dinner date in Nashville with her new beau.
Microsofts Surface lineup of laptops has met with very limited success but that does not stop the company from taking potshots at Apple. The company has released a new Surface Pro 7 ad in which it compares the machine to the M1 MacBook Pro and calls the Surface the better choice.

The ad highlights that the Surface Pro 7 comes with a touch screen and a pen which the MacBook Pro misses out on. Despite highlighting this aspect, Microsoft does not actually bundle a pen with the Surface Pro 7 with students and customers required to spend an additional $99 for it. They will also have to shell an additional $129 for the keyboard since thats not bundled as well.

It also highlights that the Surface has the power to run all your favorite apps and that it is a much better gaming device. Theres no mention of the performance of the M1 MacBook Pro which is basically leagues ahead of every other laptop in the market right now.

Only Surface Pro 7 has the versatility and portability of both a tablet and a laptop. With features like touchscreen, detachable keyboard and pen, and enough power to run your favorite apps  you can work or play from anywhere. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 has everything you need to do what you love.

Lastly, the 31-second ad notes how the Surface Pro 7 is cheaper than the 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro. The base variant of the 12.3-inch Surface Pro 7 packing 128GB storage and 4GB RAM is available for just $749.99. The M1 MacBook Pro, on the other hand, starts from $1,299 for 8GB of unified memory and 256GB of storage.

Contrary to what Microsoft says in the ad, the M1 MacBook Pro is a far better machine than the Surface Pro 7. It offers better performance and battery life with support for a wide variety of apps.

Have you used a Surface Pro or Surface Book from Microsoft? If so, how was your experience? Drop a comment and let us know!
British scientists previously determined that the variant was able to spread between 30%-70% faster

On Friday at a London news conference, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson explained that a coronavirus variant initially discovered in the U.K. in September, is possibly 30% deadlier than previous versions of the disease.

According to USA Today, British scientists previously determined that the variant, known as B.1.1.7, was able to spread between 30%-70% faster than the previous dominant strain in the country.

Read More: UK goes into Tier 4 lockdown as new variant of COVID-19 spreads

In addition to spreading faster, it may be associated with a higher degree of mortality, Johnson said.

The previous average death rate of 60-year-olds in Britain from COVID-19 was roughly 10 per 1,000 cases, explained Sir Patrick Vallance, Johnsons chief scientific adviser. With the new variant, about 13 or 14 out of 1,000 infected people might be expected to die, he said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a meeting with President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to sign a strategic partnership deal with the president in the face of Russias destabilising behaviour towards the country, at Downing Street on October 8, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Aaron Chown  WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Vallance went on to say that theres a great deal of uncertainty around these numbers, but there still is great concern that the variant has an increase in mortality as well as an increase in transmissibility.

The announcement contradicts past statement by British officials, who previously said there was no reason to believe the variant could make people sicker or cause more deaths.

Research suggests the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines will continue to be effective against the new variant in the U.K., which has now spread around the world, including to the U.S., according to USA Today.

Read More: First reported US case of COVID-19 variant found in Colorado

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a recent report it expects the fast-spreading variant to become the dominant strain in the U.S. by March, causing an even greater spread of the disease. As of Jan. 20, CDC reported 144 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant in the U.S.

Luciana Borio, a COVID advisor to the Biden administration said she thinks its too early to say that the variant is directly leading to more deaths. She said that overburdened hospitals, as is currently the case in the U.K., could impact the quality of care, leading to more deaths. Borio also attributed the increased death rate to people avoiding or unable to get routine care during the pandemic.

Story continues

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There isnt yet a biological explanation for why this variant should be deadlier than the original version of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, she said.

Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist at Yale University, said the news about the new variant should encourage people to double-down on their efforts to stay safe through mask-wearing, social distancing and getting vaccinated as soon they have access.

Have you subscribed to theGrios podcast Dear Culture? Download our newest episodes now!

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The post British PM Boris Johnson says COVID-19 variant in UK is more lethal appeared first on TheGrio.
AN Bord Pleanala has rejected plans by Limerick City and County Council to compulsorily acquire the former RIC barracks in Patrickswell.

The owner of the former barracks, Christopher Fitzgerald, objected the local authoritys attempt to acquire the three-storey building under the provisions of the Derelict Sites Act.

In his objection. Mr Fitzgerald, submitted the Property, at Barnakyle, Patrickswell, had been vacant and neglected for a period of at least 15 years before he bought it in May 2016.

He stated that work was undertaken, in July 2016, to the land and structure to make the property safe and free from trespass. Rubbish and overgrowth on the site was also cleared.

Mr Fitzgerald also confirmed his intention to refurbish the building.

Recommending that the proposed CPO be refused, an An Bord Pleanala noted a planning application relating to the former barracks was recently granted by the council.

It is not necessary in order to render the site non-derelict, she stated.

The granting of planning permission will allow the upgrading of the property into two dwelling houses and includes the upgrade, renewal and extension of the existing buildings, connection to the public infrastructure and all ancillary site works.

In footage taken by a Dutch resident, it looks like a slow shooting star, but a meteorite may have gone down somewhere in Belgium or Holland on Friday morning.

Fripon, a Belgian research project, recorded the potential meteorite on camera. The Belgian broadcaster RTBF reports that a search for fragments is now underway.

Fripon is calling on residents in the area between Dendermonde and Alost, some 30km north-west of Brussels, to look out for stones that may have come from outer space. The researchers hope that a successful search could provide invaluable discoveries.
January 2021 is still far from over yet the pages of Oilprice already boast 6 articles about Guyana being the hottest drilling spot in the world. This is hardly surprising, considering the hot streak that ExxonMobil had over the past 5 years, with new companies coming in and stepping up the drilling game. The interest globally attributed to Guyana has aggravated Venezuelas long-standing grievances over the disputed Essequibo province  before 2015 the Venezuela vs Guyana oil standoff was akin to a David vs Goliath story but now, with Guyana building up its oil reserves tally and continuing to attract new investors, the balance has become a lot more nuanced. Amidst all of this, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has pledged to reconquer Essequibo. At first glance, the proposition that Venezuela should go to war over a disputed territory, let alone with Guyana, seems rather dubious. Venezuela boasts the worlds largest proven oil reserves, totalling roughly 304 Bbbls (see Graph 1), i.e. more than all of North America combined, more than Iraq and Iran combined. Guyanas reserves are a fraction of that, barely reaching 3% with its 9-10 Bbbls. However, behind the dry facade of data and statistics, there lies an entire universe of human emotions, oftentimes led astray due to their subjective nature and in this particular realm, Caracas is the one frustrated and concerned. Guyana is adding one major discovery after another (the recent failure of Hassa-1 notwithstanding), whilst the Venezuelan national oil company PDVSA keeps on struggling to make ends meet.

Graph 1. Venezuelas Proven Oil Reserves 1980-2019 (billion barrels).



Source: BP Statistical Survey 2020.

The dispute over Guayana Esequiba (alternatively dubbed the Essequibo Region) is one of the most complex remaining, mixing colonial legacies with modern-day grievances. It all began in 1840 when the British Empire demarcated the heretofore undisputed and unsettled frontier between British Guiana and Venezuela, by means the Schomburgk Line. To no ones surprise Venezuela rejected the British claim, however, unwilling as they were to get mired in a protracted conflict, both sides agreed to disagree in 1850 and vowed not to colonize the then-largely uninhabited region. Despite arbitrations and negotiations, the question of who should control the Essequibo Region remained unsolved by the time of Guyana declaring itself independent in 1966. Caracas recognized the independent Guyana, however only its territories located to the east of the Essequibo River, maintaining its claim that all the territories to the west are part of Venezuela.

Related: Can Shale Resist The Lure Of Another Output Surge?



One of the most protracted territorial disputes globally, the discovery of oil offshore Guyana might have been the factor missing to propel the issue forward. ExxonMobil, the operator of Guyanas Stabroek offshore block, was subject to maritime harassment by the Venezuelan Navy and had one of its surveying vessels detained in 2013. However, when Exxon discovered the Liza field in 2015, closer to the Guyanese-Surinamese frontier and hence were beyond the Venezuelan maritime claim, the stakes turned really high. Guyana had official proof that its offshore was not sub-commercial as was previously thought (initially companies appraised the shallow waters of Guyana and found no commercial deposits) and with the help of a US major could now count on high-level backing for its border case.

With every new discovery on the Stabroek block, Venezuelas opposition to Guyana taking the left bank of the Essequibo River was becoming increasingly untenable. Concurrently, the good neighbor relations of the Chavez era when Guyana was member to the continent-wide Petrocaribe movement and even participated in barter deals to satisfy its crude needs, went downhill fairly quickly.

Yet there is another factor that most certainly contributed to Caracas now striking such a belligerent tone  US sanctions against Venezuela. Not only did the tightening of screws on President Maduros political allies and relatives blunt the political prospects of Juan Guaido, it also led to the entry of Venezuelas military (that remained loyal to Maduro amidst the worst humanitarian suffering) into the Latin American countrys oil industry.

Any future US administration will most probably seek to safeguard ExxonMobils assets in Guyana. A first sign of this  in the first days of 2021 the commander of the US Southern Command arrived in Guyana for a 3-day visit, to celebrate the launch of joint US-Guyanese coast exercises. According to top-ranking officials in the Guyanese army, Georgetown is intent on fortifying its military ties with the United States, including but not limited to arms purchases. Concurrently, Venezuela formed a new parliament which will no longer be controlled by the Guiado-style opposition  the pro-Maduro National Assembly will inevitably become more aggressive in its narrative and overall behavior. Part of the aggression might result from the UN Court of Justices ongoing review of the Essequibo case, the decision of which was already declined by Caracas before its actual deliverance.

So, will there be a war between Venezuela and Guyana? Such a scenario seems unlikely now.

First, Maduro might wait to see what the new Biden Administration has to offer, how will it tackle the Venezuelan conundrum. Second, there is very little reason to heat up tensions now, when no final decision had been taken, the peak of confrontation should be around 2023/2024 when the ICJ is assumed to deliver its opinion on the legal status of the Essequibo Region. Third, even if the ICJ rules in favor of Guyana which seems quite likely, Venezuela remains unlikely to trigger a military response, for fear of actual US retaliation. It is one thing to foil an amateurish coup attempt by a private military company (Operation Gideon in May 2020), an altogether different one to deal directly with the US military.

By Viktor Katona for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 16:37:46|Editor: huaxia

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MANILA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Department of Health (DOH) of the Philippines reported 1,949 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 513,619.

The death toll climbed to 10,242 after 53 more patients died from the viral disease, the DOH said. The agency added that the number of recoveries surged to 475,612 after 7,729 more patients recovered.

The Philippines, which has about 110 million population, has tested over 7 million people since the disease emerged in January last year.

The inter-agency coronavirus task force of the Philippines has ruled that all incoming passengers will be tested upon arrival and quarantined until the result of the subsequent test administered on the fifth day is released.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said an added measure is put in place to ensure a "more accurate" coronavirus testing, citing cases of some passengers that tested negative upon arrival but tested positive a few days after released from the quarantine.

"We need to prevent this and avoid this to happen," Vergeire said over the weekend.

She said the viral load in COVID-19 patients peaks on the fifth to the seventh day of the infection, whether asymptomatic or symptomatic.

The DOH has intensified biosurveillance to detect all new coronavirus strains and contain their spread. It found at least 17 cases of fast-spreading coronavirus variant first identified in Britain.

The Philippines has imposed an entry ban until Jan. 31 on foreign travelers from or transiting through 35 countries and regions with the new virus strain. Enditem
'I put my 18 years of experience into it. I didnt want to do anything sensational  all the dramatics were kept at bay,' says Sarmad Khoosat, who had to endure backlash from Pakistan's religious conservatives for his film Zindagi Tamasha.

Sarmad Khoosat's Zindagi Tamasha (Circus of Life), which had its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival last year, is now Pakistan's official entry to the Academy Awards. However, the drama has been mired with controversy, including objections from religious groups, release postponements and multiple reviews from the country's censor board.

Zindagi Tamasha, set in Lahore "is an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on little gods on this earth who police our private passions," according to the official synopsis, reports Dawn.

The film follows a pious, elderly man who becomes a viral sensation after a video of him dancing to an old song is uploaded on social media. Arif Hassan, Eman Suleman, Samiya Mumtaz and Ali Kureshi star in pivotal roles.

Variety writes that after the trailer was out, it was criticised by conservatives of the country, and Khoosat even received anonymous death threats. Interestingly, Khoosat derived inspiration for his story from a real-life YouTube video where a Pakistani man is dancing to Punjabi songs and apologising for it.

"I put my 18 years of experience into it. I didnt want to do anything sensational  all the dramatics were kept at bay," Khoosat tells The Guardian. The filmmaker calls Zindagi Tamasha an "honest and slightly different representation of Pakistan." He adds that the story does talk about minorities, social media and "and the monster that it is," according to Variety.

Zindagi Tamasha's release was greenlit by the Pakistan Senate Committee for Human Rights but eventually stalled due to the pandemic. Due to COVID-19 , the Academy relaxed its submission guidelines, allowing online releases to qualify. Zindagi Tamasha was made available for streaming on Vimeo only in Pakistan.

Khoosat tells Variety that he had stopped talking about his film to avoid putting his crew members in danger before Pakistan chose it as its Oscar entry. Now, he and his team are working to give it international visibility.

Khoosat and his team are working towards making the film visible internationally at the moment.

Meanwhile, as revealed by Variety, Khoosats next film is a tragic love story Kamli. It stars Pakistani superstar Saba Qamar (Hindi Medium), Sania Saeed (Manto), Nimra Bucha (Ms Marvel) and Hamza Khwaja.

Burma Six Members of Rebel Group Along Myanmar-Indian Border Charged With Unlawful Association

Peoples Liberation Army of Manipur (PLA) fighters. / naukrinama

Sagaing Region authorities have filed charges against an officer and five other members of the Peoples Liberation Army of Manipur (PLA), a rebel group fighting the Indian government from bases along the Myanmar-India border, under the Unlawful Association Act and the Immigration Act.

Five Meitei rebels were arrested at Chindwin River Bridge in Monywa, Sagaing Region in northwestern Myanmar in August last year, and their interrogation led to the arrest of a PLA captain who had immigrated to Sagaing.

With the approval of the Indian government, police and immigration department have opened cases against them under the Unlawful Association Act and the Immigration Act at police stations in Monywa and Sagaing.

We arrested five Meitei people at Chindwin Bridge who said they came to receive medical care. We interrogated them with a special unit as they looked suspicious. And we arrested a Meitei captain living in Sagaing who has ties with them. They are all Indian citizens. So, police filed a lawsuit against them under Unlawful Association Act and the immigration department has also filed a lawsuit under immigration law, said Sagaing police force spokesman Police Lieutenant Colonel Ba Win.

The PLA captain, identified as Nora but also known as Devanl, has been living in Sagaing with a fake Myanmar citizenship ID, according to Sagaing Region authorities. The Meitei man from Tokpaching of Indias Manipur had moved to Myanmar and married a Burmese woman in Sagaing. The couple has a daughter.

Police charged the six under Section 17 (1, 2) of Unlawful Association Act in August last year. And immigration department also charged them under the 1947 Myanmar Immigration (Emergency Provisions) Act. The Monywa Township court is hearing the case.

Sagaing Region police force is also planning to open cases against Nora and a Meitei rebel under Section 468 of Penal Code for counterfeiting citizenship IDs, said Police Lieutenant Colonel Ba Win.

The Irrawaddy was unable to obtain a comment from the Sagaing Region Immigration and Population Department.

According to Kuki Youth Network (KYN), there are at least six Meitei rebel groups based in Myanmar: the Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), the Peoples Liberation Army of Manipur (PLA), the United National Liberation Front of Manipur (UNLF), the United Peoples Party of Kangleipak (UPPK), the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and the Kanleipak Communist Party (KCP).

All are fighting against the Indian government for the liberation of Manipur.

The rebel groups are mainly based in Tamu and Kalay townships in Sagaing Region and in Tonzang in Chin State on the Myanmar-India border. India-Myanmar military analysts suggest there may be many Meitei rebels holding Myanmar citizenship IDs and some are running businesses in other parts of Myanmar.

The six Meitei rebels are being detained at Monywa Prison, according to the police.

In January 2019 the Northwestern Command of the Myanmar military raided the headquarters of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) in the Naga Self-Administered Zone of Sagaing Region. The NSCN-K is an ethnic Naga armed group pushing to establish a sovereign Naga homeland. The military arrested 24 Assam and Meitei rebels in the raid, according to a military spokesperson.

In May 2019, the Hkamti District Court in Sagaing Division sentenced the detainees to two years in prison under Article 17 (1) of the Unlawful Associations Act. They were released in the presidential amnesty in April and handed over to the Indian government at Hkamti Airport in Sagaing the following month.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.
GBP/ZAR Exchange Rate Stumbles in Upbeat Trade

The Pound to South African Rand (GBP/ZAR) exchange rate drifted lower this week as improving market sentiment bolstered the appeal of the risk-sensitive Rand.

South African Rand (ZAR) Bolstered by Market Optimism

The South African Rand (ZAR) received a shot in the arm through the first half of this week, as the emerging market currency benefitted from a prevailing risk-on tone.

This improvement in market risk appetite was clearly driven by the optimism surrounding Joe Biden as he was sworn in as the 46th US president.

The so-called Biden bounce was underpinned by hopes that the new president will be able to push through a greater stimulus package as well as better tackle the coronavirus pandemic which continues to ravage the US.

However, the Rand then began to give ground in the latter half of the week, following the South African Reserve Banks (SARB) first policy meeting of 2021.

Lesetja Kganyago, Governor of the SARB said. Monetary policy has eased financial conditions and improved the resilience of households and firms to the economic implications of Covid-19, and continues to be accommodative. The steps taken by the Bank have ensured adequate liquidity in domestic markets. In addition, regulatory relief provided to banks has sustained lending to households and firms.

While the SARB opted to leave its monetary policy untouched this month, the fact that the bank kept the door open for further rate cuts this year was enough to drag on ZAR exchange rates.

Pound (GBP) Buoyed by Vaccine Optimism

While if struggled against the South African Rand (ZAR) this week, the Pound (GBP) was able to make some solid gains against most of its other peers through the first half of this week.

This came in response to rising UK economic optimism, supported by the governments aggressive vaccination programme, which by Wednesday has seen over 7% of the population receive at least one dose of a vaccine.

However hopes that this would allow for a swift reopening of the UK economy took a knock on Thursday after Boris Johnson suggested it is too early to begin discussing the easing of lockdown measures, whilst also warning that restrictions could remain in place until the summer.

Adding to the pressure on Sterling at the end of the week was then the publication of some lacklustre UK data releases.

This included weaker-than-expected retail sales growth in December, which also confirmed the UK suffered a record slump in sales growth in 2020.

Even more negative however was the UKs latest PMI figures, which reported a larger-than-expected slump in economic activity in January.

Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit, commented A steep slump in business activity in January puts the locked-down UK economy on course to contract sharply in the first quarter of 2021, meaning a double-dip recession is on the cards. Services have once again been especially hard hit, but manufacturing has seen growth almost stall, blamed on a cocktail of COVID-19 and Brexit, which has led to increasingly widespread supply delays, rising costs and falling exports.

GBP/ZAR Forecast: Rise in Unemployment to Weaken Sterling?

Looking ahead, the Pound to South African Rand (GBP/ZAR) exchange rate could get off to a slow start next week, with the publication of the UKs latest jobs report.

Economists forecast that Novembers figures will report that the unemployment rate climbed above 5%, which alongside a likely drop in wage growth is likely to weigh on Sterling sentiment.

Meanwhile, in the absence of any notable ZAR data next week, the direction of the Rand is likely to be dictated by market sentiment. This could help propel the Rand higher if the market mood remains broadly upbeat.
New Delhi:

The monsoon session of Parliament will commence on July 17, the day voting for the presidential election will take place.



The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) has recommended holding the session from July 17 to August 11, according to sources in the committee.



The CCPA meeting, chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, was held last evening after NDA presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind filed his nomination papers.



The House may not function on the first day of the session on account of death of two sitting MPsLok Sabha member Vinod Khanna and Rajya Sabha member Pallavi Reddy.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
As he lay in his coffin in a Dublin funeral home earlier this month, Garda Alan Leblique was dressed in his beloved police uniform.

The dark trousers he would never let husband Patrick iron because they had to be done in a certain way to ensure there were no creases. His black polished shoes, the neat blue shirt. He always tried to look his best in life, and this was the case in death, too. It was a final nod to the job he loved from the man he planned to share his life with but his tragic death earlier this month brought that enduring relationship to an end.

"I don't know if it has completely hit me yet," says Patrick, his voice quivering with the emotion. "I have lost my best friend as well as my husband. He was everything to me and now I am alone."

Gda Leblique, who had previously served in the Police Service of Northern Ireland for eight years, entered the public's consciousness last spring after appearing in a Covid-19 conspiracy theorist's video which ended up going viral. The video, filmed and posted online by former journalist Gemma O'Doherty turned conspiracy theorist and anti-mask campaigner, showed the ever-professional Gda Leblique keep his cool in the face of increasing provocation as the protest against the pandemic restrictions was streamed live.

That video went viral and exposed the 35-year-old garda to online commentary. But contrary to social media speculation, the "instant fame" as a result did not affect him.

"He wasn't startled by it," explains Patrick, "In fact, he laughed about it. He wasn't upset in the least and appreciated the support from the public afterwards. It really humbled him."

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He says his husband had "acted excellently" and "didn't argue back", behaving, he felt, "exactly as the guards would hope any member would do".

In the weeks that followed Gda Leblique received around 1,000 letters and postcards from the public, including many children, expressing their pride at the way in which he had upheld the law. "There were little old ladies, children who sent pictures. They were all so proud. Some of them had return addresses and Alan took time to reply to them."

He wanted to show his gratitude to those who had contacted him because he cared about reaching out to people of all ages through his work on both sides of the Border.

"One thing he liked about the gardai was he could go out on foot. He would stop and have chats with people on the streets. He loved to talk, and people loved to engage with him. He was always friendly and smiley. He probably talked too much," laughs Patrick.

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He also took "great pride" in his uniform and would spend hours in front of the TV perfecting it because "he respected it and thought that it should look perfect".

"He would let me iron his shirt, but he would never let me iron his trousers. He had to do them because only he could get the creases out and he wanted to look his best."

When he put that cap on as often as he did over the past two years he did so with honour. Poignantly, it was placed on top of his coffin in Victorian Chapel in Mount Jerome in south Dublin during his funeral along with the one he wore while serving in the PSNI. While in the North, he was based at Enniskillen police station where he won many awards for his service and conduct, including one that was presented to him by Alan Brookeborough, one of Queen Elizabeth's lords-in-waiting.

One of his career highlights was helping to police the G8 summit in 2013 when the then British prime minister David Cameron joined leaders around the world, including then US president Barack Obama at the Lough Erne Resort.

His passion for policing was evident at his funeral where due to Covid-19 restrictions, only 10 people, including his mother, stepfather, brothers, and sisters-in-law, could attend the service. For his aunts and uncle who were cocooning due to Covid-19, Patrick organised it so the hearse stopped by their house "so they could say a little goodbye".

"Alan was a very family-focused person and we regularly visited both sides of our families. We would often visit his mother's house for cake and a movie. Both his aunties and uncle would have us over for dinner."

The rousing Highland Cathedral, the music performed at his passing out parade when he joined the PSNI in 2010 - and listened to countless times on YouTube in the years that followed - was played before the service. When it was over the theme tune to the movie Kelly's Heroes, the last film he and Patrick watched together before he died, was played as his remains were taken from the chapel.

As his former colleagues in Co Fermanagh watched the proceedings online, six gardai took part in a socially distanced guard of honour on either side of the hearse as a bugler performed the Last Post. A garda escort led the hearse to the crematorium.

"We were all happy that the guards were looking after him for the last mile or two," Patrick says.

Keith Troughton, the minister who married the pair at Dublin's Unitarian Church in St Stephen's Green also conducted the funeral service where Patrick repeated the words of American author Robert Fulghum he had read on their special day in 2018.

"We're all a little weird and life is weird... and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness and call it love... true love," Patrick recounted.

For the couple, that bond was important to them.

"We complemented each other. We just worked so well together. We completed each other. It does feel like there is a piece missing now," he says.

Last Monday was their tenth anniversary and for the first time since they met, Patrick could not send his husband fresh flowers to whatever police station he was in as he had done every year before. Instead, he lay indoors, sad and lost.

"I stayed in bed, I was a bit emotional," explains Patrick. "We would always celebrate our anniversary by having a meal and I always used to get flowers, mostly red roses, delivered to his workplace on January 18. I did that every year. This was the first year I couldn't do that. It emphasised that he wasn't here any more."

Trying to keep strong until the sadness of the funeral had passed, Patrick says he now "feels so alone".

"When it happened, I was quite strong up until the funeral because I knew, in my mind, I had to do the best for him. I had to give him the best possible send-off. I devoted my life to him but I wouldn't have had it any other way. I loved that. Now I feel empty."

Like thousands of others who have lost loved ones, Covid has made the grieving process more difficult for Patrick who wishes desperately to be able to hug his own mother and father amid the heartache.

"The pandemic has stopped me from doing that, of being able to grieve. My parents want to hug me, I want to hug them and I can't."

Now he faces a future without the man he loved.

The death of Gda Alan Leblique, shoulder number F390, has shocked and saddened communities on both sides of the Border where he served, but for Patrick, it has changed his world forever. Alan was more than just a well-loved and respected garda, he was his everything. "I can't believe he has left me," he says.
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Connecticuts rent shortfall is estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars as people continue to suffer unemployment and income loss caused by the pandemic.

Extensions of the federal and state moratoriums have not been enough to stop all evictions  or help struggling individuals to pay their rent make up for the income lost.

Since March, about 3,000 eviction summary processes have been filed in Connecticut, with 700 executions delivered through the courts, according to Erin Kemple, executive director of the Connecticut Fair Housing Center.

This is still far below the average annual number of eviction cases in Connecticut, which are around 20,000.

Yet every week, staff at the center have watched eviction filings increase, now averaging about 100 a week, Kemple said.

The eviction crisis is already here, she said.

Nearly 20 percent of Connecticut households were behind on rent payments as of Dec. 21, according to the latest data from the Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey.

The shortages are higher for people of color, with 30.5 percent of Black households and 22.2 percent of Hispanic households not caught up as compared to 13 percent of white rental households who are behind on rent.

Federal and statewide rent moratoriums are halting evictions but not entirely preventing them, and once they expire, back rent will be due. Nationally 30 million to 40 million people are at risk of losing their homes, according to an estimate by the National Housing Coalition.

At risk of eviction

Manar Qasim and her husband Mohamed, of Middletown, are among those struggling to keep up with rent. Their landlord keeps charging late rent fees on top of the rent they cant fully pay, Manar Qasim said.

It has forced them to cut back their necessary spending, use credit cards, and borrow money from friends and family. She said theyre doing everything they can to stay in their home, but are afraid their landlord will evict them when the moratorium is no longer protecting them.

Between 77,000 and 161,00 people in Connecticut are estimated at risk for eviction, according to an analysis by global advisory firm Stout.

The states eviction moratorium prohibits a tenant from being evicted, but includes a few exceptions: the renter is six or more months overdue; they have outstanding rent due on or before Feb. 29, 2020; theyre a nuisance; or the landlord wants to use the property as their primary household.

Kemple said more people every month meet the exception of being behind six or more months.

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions eviction moratorium prohibits eviction for any reason if a tenant signs a declaration attesting they fall under certain hardships due to the pandemic.

The federal moratorium has been in effect since Sept. 4, continuing through March 31, since President Joe Biden extended the cutoff date an extra two months through executive order last week.

Biden has called on Congress to enact legislation to extend the eviction and foreclosure moratorium through September.

Connecticuts moratorium expires Feb. 9 when Gov. Ned Lamonts executive powers do.

State Sen. Martin Looney, D-New Haven, said the legislature will need to grant some extension of Lamonts powers to ensure theres no gap in the executive orders as the legislature evaluates what orders should become established policy.

Looney said rental assistance will be part of that discussion, as well as help for small landlords.

The Connecticut Department of Housing is working to launch a new rental assistance program with $237 million expected to arrive soon from the federal government as part of pandemic assistance.

I think everybody is hoping and praying that the money thats come to the state will be deployed in a smart and strategic way to quell this potential tsunami, said Erin Boggs, executive director of Open Communities Alliance, a nonprofit that advocates for equitable housing.

The states previous rental assistance program closed in early December after spending $27 million of the programs budgeted $40 million. The money spent went to paying past rent to landlords but not enough was spent to provide future assistance, Boggs said.

Multifaceted issue

While the moratoriums have aided several million Americans during the pandemic and helped to contain the disease, billions of dollars in housing costs have gone unpaid.

The estimated range of rent shortfall across the country is between $13.2 billion and $24.4 billion, according to Stout, which created an analysis using weekly data from the U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey.

In Connecticut, its estimated as high as $274 million.

A renters inability to pay leads to small multi-family landlords losing income, which in turn can cause property deterioration as landlords cant afford upkeep or repairs, potentially leading to foreclosures.

Joshua Pedreira, an attorney representing tenants and landlords in eviction cases, said both sides feel like they have nowhere to turn.

Pedreira said Connecticut law, including the moratoriums, generally favors tenants, but often renters are misinformed about their rights.

Kemple said the states moratorium is not enough to help renters, and extending it piecemeal causes stress and fear among tenants because they dont know if theyre going to suddenly receive papers to attend court.

All of this creates wider equity gaps among people of color as compared to white people because of how housing influences other areas, she said.

More Black and Hispanic families rent their homes as opposed to owning them, with the opposite being true of whites, so with a rental crisis at hand Kemple said theyre expecting to see a large number of people of color being evicted.

In addition to bearing the brunt of the physical costs of pandemic, theyll also bear the cost of losing their homes, she said.

Black and Hispanic people are hospitalized and die from COVID-19 at three to four times the rate of white people, according to the CDC.

Junta for Progressive Action, a New Haven nonprofit serving Latino and immigrant communities in the city, focused early on helping tenants with rent. The organization raised about $60,000 through GoFundMe and has distributed about $40,000 so far, said executive director Bruni Pizarro.

As theyve been working to help their community, Pizarro said theyve been bracing for the day the moratoriums end and what that will mean for renters and small landlords.

If there was a bailout for the banks, why cant there be a bailout for the people? she said.

Pizarro said most of their participants have lost their jobs or had their work hours cut so that in June people were already worried about being evicted.

Confusing legalese

Cheila Serrano, Juntas director of social services, said as tenants are getting notices to quit, they take it to mean an eviction has been ordered by the court and dont know how to handle the process.

Some people would rather be homeless than deal with the legal system, Serrano said. They dont know anything about the law so we focus on helping people know their rights.

In landlord-tenant disputes that go to court, about 80 percent of landlords have legal counsel while just 7 percent of tenants do, according to the Connecticut Fair Housing Center.

In addition to calls to extend the states moratorium, organizations including the Fair Housing Center and the Open Communities Alliance are pushing for funds to go to legal aid.

Looking forward, Boggs said she views this crisis as a jumping-off point for the state and nation to transform the approach to housing.

I think about how the U.S. got itself out of the Great Depression, making smart decisions and investments in people, she said. We have an opportunity to do that with housing now.

mdignan@hearstmediact.com
A GP has claimed delaying second doses of the Pfizer jab beyond three weeks is an 'unregulated and unlicensed trial' - but a Government vaccine expert says the move could save 'thousands of lives'.

Dr Rosie Shire, a member of the Doctors' Association UK, raised concerns that studies of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine only show two doses three weeks apart to deliver 90 per cent immunity.

But Professor Anthony Harnden, deputy chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said there is 'no real evidence' that a quicker follow-up dose was more effective.

To accelerate the rollout of the vaccine, the Government has opted to extend the gap between the first and second jab to 12 weeks to allow it to be administered to a greater number of people.

But the moved has proved controversial, with Matt Hancock forced to defend the delay, calling it 'essential' to save more lives more quickly.

Dr Shire said: 'What really concerns us is we don't know what happens if you don't give that second dose of vaccination after three weeks.

'The fact is that people are being vaccinated now and being put into what is effectively an unregulated unlicensed trial, whereby they're receiving this vaccination on the understanding that they don't know what's going on.'

The GP said that it was 'really hard' to explain to people they were vaccinating with the Pfizer vaccination that they would get 'some immunity' but that after three weeks it was unclear how much.

She added that it was difficult to obtain 'informed consent' from patients when doctors did not have the full information to give to them.

But Professor Harnden said the extended gap may provide better protection in the long run.

He said: 'We do believe you should have a second dose but we do believe that that can be delayed.'

Dr Rosie Shire, of the Doctors' Association UK, raised concerns studies of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine only show two doses three weeks apart to deliver 90 per cent immunity

Prof Harden cited data from a study of the Moderna vaccine - which uses a similar technology to the Pfizer vaccine - which showed 1,000 people had 90 per cent immunity two months after receiving one dose.

'If you look at the AstraZeneca data - which I accept is a different technology - it may be that the longer you leave the second dose the better protection you have,' he said.

'Hopefully not only will this strategy get more people immunised and protect the vulnerable elderly and save thousands and thousands of lives, it may in the end give protection to the population as a whole.'

But Professor Anthony Harnden (pictured), deputy chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said there is 'no real evidence' that a quicker follow-up dose was more effective

Earlier today, when asked about the gap between doses, Mr Hancock told Sky's Sophy Ridge On Sunday: 'We do know this policy is going to save lives.

'So long as there is decent efficacy after the first dose, and we have a high degree of confidence that that's the case, then in a situation where there is a limited supply... you want to get as many people to have as much protection as possible as quickly as possible.

'If you have grandparents who are both in their 70s or 80s you obviously would want each of them to have one dose when you know that one dose is effective, rather than one to have the full two doses and one to have no protection at all.'

Yesterday Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty told colleagues The Guardian's report that only a third of people who have received one injection were protected was 'total nonsense' which could threaten the uptake of the jab.

The newspaper quoted 'Israeli experts' but No 10's vaccine advisers say the real figure is 89 per cent, starting 14 days after the first jab.

It was reported yesterday that a single shot of the Pfizer vaccine had led to a 'major presence' of antibodies in 91 per cent of doctors and nurses who received it in Israel within 21 days.

Professor Harnden (pictured) said the extended gap may provide better protection in the long run

Health Secretary Matt Hancock defended the Government's decision to delay the time between vaccine doses

The report quoted Israeli Covid commissioner Professor Nachman Ash as saying that a single dose of Pfizer appeared 'less effective than we had thought', once cases of asymptomatic infection were included, although those who had received their second dose had a six- to 12-fold increase in antibodies.

Later in the week, the paper reported that Israel's health ministry had 'moved to row back on comments' by Professor Ash's suggestion that single doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine had not given as much protection against the disease as had been hoped.

It quoted the Israeli Ministry of Health as saying that the 'full protective impact of the vaccine' had not yet been seen.

The Guardian said last night that it had reported both Professor Ash's 'initial comments' and subsequent comments from Israel's health ministry: 'The Guardian's independent readers' editor has not received any complaints about either article.'
By Peter Koenig

January 24, 2021 " Information Clearing House " - There is an agenda. A huge agenda. It is a Globalist agenda that is in the process of inflicting gigantic harm to humanity. It is called the Covid-19  The Great Reset, issued by the World Economic Forum (WEF), authored by its founder, Klaus Schwab. If left undisturbed, The Great Resets plan is a crime of epic dimensions, never seen before in our civilization. Mr. Trump did not want to be part of this agenda.

Donald Trump, for better or for worse, is not a Globalist. He calls himself a patriot. He wanted to Make America Great Again (MAGA). Sounds silly? Perhaps. But its not globalist. Therefore, Mr. Trump was not the guy of the Globalist Cabal, currently calling the shots on world events  way above Presidents like Donald Trump and those of the other 192 UN member countries. This Globalist Cabal has enormous power. Jo Biden and his gang respond to this power.

What is behind Donald Trumps silly idea of MAGA, the western globalist-brainwashed world cannot understand. It was supposed to bringing the United States back to again becoming a sovereign, independent, economically autonomous nation. On more occasion than one Mr. Trump said, he wishes the same for every nation in the world. He also insinuated that NATOs purpose was passe. And he said before his 2016 election, under his Presidency the US would no longer be the policeman of the world. He may have tried on all of these scores, but the Powers That Be (PTB) had other ideas.

In foreign policy  interfering in other countries affairs  he certainly didnt act according to his pre-election promises (or was not allowed to by the PTB); not in Syria, not in Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea  not in Europe, not anywhere in the world where American interests are at stake  as they euphemistically call interference in other sovereign nations affairs.

Especially not in Russia and China. Quarreling with these sovereign nations, and menacing them, was a lost cause. He knew it, but it was good for cosmetics. It presents well as an international show of upmanship, for maintaining the image of a super-power and an emperor. Both of which are long gone. But perception is always limping behind facts.

However, you have to give him this: Against the wishes and pressure of the Military Industrial Complex (MIC), Donald Trump did not start any new wars. He maintained those started under his predecessors  six active ones  give or take a conflict here and there. Thereby keeping he MIC at bay.

Donald Trump obviously did not fit the Globalist agenda. It was not his plan. Contrary to what many may think, he had no ambitions for a One World Order (OWO), which is clearly the Globalists goal. This is the plan behind the Great Reset (see this The World Economic Forum (WEF) Knows Best  The Post-Covid Great Global Reset). To achieve completion of the Great Reset, millions of people may have to die.

The Globalist Cabal doesnt care. Jo Biden doesnt care. Because Jo Biden is a Globalist, as well as his crew, inherited mostly from the Obama era  and so is Hillary (on her demolish Libya initiative, cynically laughing and referring to Muammar Gadhafi: We came, we saw, he died), still an important figure of this  let me call it what it is  a criminal clan.

The political career of Jo Bidens was born in the swamp of Washington  and the way it looks today, it will end in the swamp of Washington, either with him as President  or without him as President. At this age, despite all the noble words spoken at his inauguration, Jo Biden will not reform his conscience. I will be President not only for those who voted for me, I will be President also for those who didnt vote for me; I will be President for all Americans. This slogan-style wishy-washy palaver has no meaning.

There is not one US President who hasnt used such words, at least during the inauguration  and most of them much earlier during their campaigns. I will work to unite our badly divided America again. When in the last 70 Years were the United States united? Never. Will Jo Biden meet the challenge?

During his inauguration speech, as well as in several previous occasions, including the pre-election Presidential Debates, Jo Biden referred to the coming Dark Winter  hoping that America will get through it without harm. What is the Dark Winter?  Why the mystery, instead of transparency? Why talk in code-language, when American people are, as Biden implied, his number one priority?

Did his remark refer to Operation Dark Winter which was a code name for a senior-level bio-terrorist attack simulation conducted on June 2223, 2001, at Andrews Air Force Base Maryland? The simulation was designed to carry out a mock version of a covert and widespread smallpox attack on the United States. The simulation was sponsored and carried out by the Johns Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense Strategies (CCBS) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Note  the Johns Hopkins research and teaching complex is strongly supported by the Rockefeller Foundation.

Does this mean that there is or may be a plan for a biowarfare attack  in the form of Ebola, smallpox or a stronger strand of coronavirus? Or any other highly infectious and deadly disease?  If so, Mr. Biden, and all the others who mentioned a Dark Winter ahead, including Barak Obama, must know whats behind it. And they hide it from the people.

The insinuation that such a catastrophe may be in the making, without openly warning the people, or better, preventing the Dark Winter  is certainly not a sign of caring for the people. To the contrary, it shows distain for the people  the lower casts. Sounds like Hillary Clintons Basket of Deplorables in a 2016 Presidential campaign speech. Seems, the core of the Dems, as they pan out with Jo Bidens election, have a particular flair to feel above the rest of the people.

People, and unity within the United States seem clearly not to be a priority preoccupation of Jo Bidens. Much more important, how can he  or rather the team behind him  be a driver in the implementation of the globalist agenda, the Great Reset. Because, he, Jo Biden, and the swamp behind him are committed to this cause. The Globalist Cabal, chose him over a continuation of Donald Trumps Presidency.

Never mind that there was massive  but massive, proven voter fraud, possibly in the hundreds of thousands, maybe over a million votes were added to Biden or electronically switched from Trump to Biden. But Mr. Trumps legal team was not successful in bringing forward and defending their evidence before any court, including the US Supreme Court. Imagine the Immense power behind this Global Cabal!

Mr. Trump, like him or not, for his country he had another agenda. He wanted to rebuild the US economy again. Bringing back outsourced labor, create jobs. His approach may have been inadequate, and at times he sounded awkward addressing economic issues, as well as the people. But he was not a Globalist, he did not strive for an OWO. Thats why 80 million Americans voted for him. They do not want an OWO. Most of the world  99.99%  do not want an OWO.

Those who voted for Trump also sensed that the so-called Dems had not the least interest of the people in mind. Never had, at least not since JFK.

So, Donald Trump did not fit the agenda of the Global Cabal  also called Deep State. Those, who are way above the President of the US  and the leaders (sic) of the world. They are dead-set on implementing the Great Reset  grabbing more power for themselves, more wealth  and a technified, digitized, robotized world, a totally electronic plutocracy  a technocracy cum tyranny, under which the Epsilon-people (lowest cast in Aldous Huxleys Brave New World) will behave and obey as they are digitally ordered  modern slaves  own nothing and be happy  the Great Omen of the Great Reset.

And if their eugenist wish comes through, they, the Globalist Cabal, will reign over a massively reduced population. Thats where the current western inoculation campaign comes in  all three of the most used vaccines, or rather toxic injections  Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraSeneca  contain mRNA, thus, DNA-altering substances  and have so far not proven effective as vaccines. To the contrary, dangerous side effects and death rates exceed by far the common measures of traditional vaccines. They also contain sterilization and infertility components which fits the eugenics agenda well.

Unfortunately, Russian and Chinese traditional live-attenuated vaccines (a weakened form of the virus) that creates a strong and long-lasting immune response, are not freely available in the west. Such vaccines do not affect the human DNA. However, the methodology is based on decades of experience.

The imminent question is  why suddenly a new type, never tested before vaccine? What is the agenda behind these new types of jabs? Do they have to do with the implementation of the Great Reset?  Why are scientists not allowed to talk openly about the effects and possibly long-term negative impacts of these new-type injections? Why do governments around the globe keep any true science about them under wraps  prohibited  censored in the media  even forbidden under fine and in extremis arrest in psychiatric wards?

Why this immense drive to vaccinate everyone as fast as possible  under menace if you are not vaccinated, you cannot move?  And that for a virus  covid-19  that has a mortality rate approximately comparable to, or in some years even less, than the common flu?  See Anthony S. Fauci, Director the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID / NIH  USA), in Covid-19  Navigating the Uncharted, New England Journal of Medicine  NEJM (28 February, 2020):

If one assumes that the number of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic cases is several times as high as the number of reported cases, the case fatality rate may be considerably less than 1%. This suggests that the overall clinical consequences of Covid-19 may ultimately be more akin to those of a severe seasonal influenza (which has a case fatality rate of approximately 0.1%)

Among Jo Bidens first decisions during his few days as President is an increased effort of vaccination  with the mRNA-type vaccines, as well as massive testing by the also proven ineffective and an totally inappropriate PCR test  in the US.

He vows to vaccinate 100 million Americans in the first 100 days if his Presidency. This is spot-on with the Great Reset and the Globalist Cabals agenda. He has already been warning about the spread of a new more infectious covid-mutation  which would require more of the unpopular repressive measures  also further infringing on the already hard-hit economy. And if Washington decides to tighten the screws on the population (Mme. Merkels expression), Europe will soon follow suit  and so will all the other western worlds vassals.

-

Think thats exaggerated? You may want to read up on the Great Reset and its follow-on White Paper, Resetting the Future of Work Agenda: Disruption and Renewal in a Post-COVID World which is basically an implementation manual of the Great Reset. See also The Post Covid World, The WEFs Diabolical Project: Resetting the Future of Work Agenda  After The Great Reset. A Horrifying Future.

Following the agenda of the Globalist Cabal is Mr. Bidens number one priority. On his first work day, actually on his Inauguration Day, he has not hesitated to sign 17 Executive Orders, of which the New York Times says:

Despite an inaugural address that called for unity and compromise, Mr. Bidens first actions as president are sharply aimed at sweeping aside former President Donald J. Trumps pandemic response, reversing his environmental agenda, tearing down his anti-immigration policies, bolstering the teetering economic recovery and restoring federal efforts to promote diversity.

Among these measures are returning the US to WHO, making Anthony Fauci, Director NIAID / NIH, the head of the U.S. delegation to the organizations Executive Board. He will jump into the role with a meeting this week, says the NYT. Mr. Fauci has long been known for his conflict of interest with the vaccine pharma-companies, and for working hand-in-hand with Bill Gates, who funds up to one third of WHOs budget, and calls the shots on WHOs vaccination policy. What does that say for Jo Biden, other than he plays already on his first day into the hands of the Globalist Cabal.

President Biden also signed a National Mask Mandate  or the 100 days masking challenge, when every serious scientist says how dangerous wearing masks is. However, this is a step towards the Globalist Cabals crackdown on humanity, that and social distancing, and isolation by quarantining  leading to lockdowns after lockdowns  all within a massive fear campaign. This is supposed to bring the populace at large to its knees, so that the implementation of the horrible steps within the Great Reset will encounter less resistance.

Mr. Trump never saw lockdowns or mask wearing as the solution to the covid-19 crisis  an opinion shared by many high-ranking scientists and professors the world over. He wanted the already covid-destroyed economy to get back running again, as quickly and as closely as possible to normal  thereby also improving the desperate employment situation of the people.

You may see the details of Mr. Bidens 17 first-day Executive Orders here https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/us/biden-executive-orders.html

So, because Mr. Trump didnt see eye to eye with the Globalist Cabal, he had to go. His quest for justice from the High Courts with regard to voter fraud was denied.



The Great Reset agenda, dictated by the Globalist Cabal, is to be implemented in its cruelest details under the supervision of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Johns Hopkins Institute for Medicine (funded by the Rockefeller Foundation), WHO, the IMF, World Bank  and the entire UN apparatus. It is an integral part of the UN Agenda 21-30, which depicts to the world the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as the agendas glorious raison detre.

In fact, the Great Reset is the key driver of the UN Agenda 21-30. The SDGs are but a noble gesture to tell the Global South how interested the West, or Global North is in the wellbeing of the poor and marginalized people of the nations of the Global South, also called Third World or developing countries.

The caveat for the implementation of the SDGs is that the developing countries are expecting massive funding from the IMF, World Bank and regional development banks, as well as western bilateral aid organizations, to implement these goals. But, as we know, these development assisting funds come with tight strings attached.

In the case of the SDGs, countries receiving foreign funding from the financial gods mentioned before, have to commit to following the rules and dictates of the Globalist agenda. i.e., the rules and narrative of the Great Reset. Plus, most of the funding comes in the form of loans. That means further debt-enslavement, further dependence on the west, the Global North, for trade and exploitation of their natural resources.

One may wonder, who needs more development the West / Global North or the Global South?  It depends on the criteria of development. It could be  the more digitized and uniformly controlled the world population is, the more developed it is. Or  alternatively, the more sovereign nations collaborate peacefully as independent nations, each with their own culture, their own money, their own fiscal policies and social coherence  the more developed, equal, just and peaceful the world will become.

You choose.


Ethereal beauty Manushi Chhillar is an ardent advocate for menstrual hygiene among girls and women in India and on National Girl Child Day, the Prithviraj actress discloses her roadmap for her social organisation Project Shakti which is tirelessly working towards this cause for over three years.

The gorgeous Bollywood debutant reveals, "Menstrual hygiene still remains one of the most important areas for our country to focus on. I'm pleased to inform that Project Shakti is constantly looking to expand its reach across the country and now Sunderbans have been added to the plan, along with a constant outreach in East and North East India."

She adds, "We now are educating and bringing awareness about period and menstrual hygiene to young girls and women across the country and I couldn't be more happier. We recently did an awareness drive in Sunderbans and distributed sanitary pads."

Manushi also speaks about the awareness drives that are happening across the country and says despite her big debut in 2021, she will ensure that she carves out time to step up the efforts on this issue.

The 23 year old gorgeous heroine says, "We are doing awareness drives with women across the country to tell them about the need for hygiene, ensuring supply of our 100 percent compostable sanitary pads where women of the community are trained to work at the production units. Post our drive, close to 5000 girls and women were provided with sanitary pads free of cost."

Manushi says she has dedicated her life to this important cause. She says, "I'm dedicated to spend my life in bringing as much awareness to this very important issue because it impacts so many women of our country. We have to educate the future generations of our country about sanitation and a sustainable lifestyle."

Manushi says girls and women need to be told why they should move to using eco-friendly sanitary pads. She says, "Another factor why we engage with these women is due to the spike in the ecological imbalance and environmental pollution which is being caused by numerous reasons. Our eco-friendly and completely compostable sanitary pads will not add to the piling, untreatable waste and harm the environment. We will have to empower young girls with knowledge, only then can they use this information for their own health, rights and self-reliance and lead a more sustainable lifestyle."

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No one was injured, but a home was completely destroyed in a Saturday-night fire in Cumberland County.

The fire broke out around 7:30 p.m. on the first block of Appalachian Trail Road in South Middleton Township.

Citizens Fire Company No. 1 Chief Tim Yingst said when crews arrived, the majority of the house was on fire with flames shooting out of the windows and roof.

The home was a trailer with additions built around it. At one point while fighting the fire, the roof of a two-story addition began to collapse, prompting an evacuation.

Firefighters continued to attack the blaze, though, Yingst said, and they had it under control after about an hour. Crews were called out again early Sunday to take care of a small rekindling of the fire.

Yingst said two people have been displaced and the home is a total loss.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it appears to have started in the furnace area on the first floor, he said.
They jumped to their feet and cheered, greeting U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks with a standing ovation as he took the microphone at a Free the Speech rally on Saturday.

They cheered even louder when he repeated whats becoming his signature phrase of kicking ass at the event in Priceville - a phrase he used at a Washington D.C. rally on Jan. 6 before Trump supporters stormed into the U.S. Capitol where the states electoral votes were being confirmed. Brooks was hailed by the crowd Saturday as the hero for his fiery speech that day in Washington and not an instigator. Several have called for Brooks expulsion or censure by Congress for that speech.

At the Republican event at Fredricks Outdoors, the opening prayer called for the defeat of those who would weaken this country.

It was even portrayed as a seen and be seen rally and those state legislators not seen were making a statement by their absence, according to former state Rep. and co-emcee Ed Henry.

If they arent here, they dont care about you, said Henry, who received a last-minute pardon from outgoing President Donald Trump earlier this week for his guilty plea in 2019 to a felony charge of theft of government property. At the rally, he credited Brooks for calling Trump to lobby for the pardon.

Henry then introduced two lawmakers who did attend: Reps. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, and Tommy Hanes, R-Scottsboro.

Brooks, however, was the featured attraction. Never tamed by controversy, Brooks, a Huntsville native who represents north Alabama, is facing the most embattled period of his decade in Congress as Democratic colleagues have introduced resolutions calling for both his expulsion from the House and for him to be censured.

He spoke for more than 30 minutes to a crowd of about 500 supporters  except for one young man who stood atop a picnic table holding up a poster calling for Brooks to resign. Five supporters, however, surrounded the man with I Support Mo yard signs to obscure the dissenters message.

A man holds up a white poster with a message calling on Rep. Mo Brooks to resign while Brooks supporters hold up their signs to obscure the message at Jan. 23, 2021, rally in Priceville. (Paul Gattis | pgattis@al.com)

Brooks delved into voter fraud and election theft allegations just three minutes into his speech and took issue with the fact that the media has reported that the U.S. Department of Justice and election officials across the country have determined there was no widespread election fraud.

Not withstanding dictatorial socialists and their fake news media puppets repetitively parroting No fraud, no fraud or debunked, doing that about as much as they hollered Russian collusion, Brooks said. I want you to know as the leader of the fight on this issue, Ive done my homework. Ive done my research.

As a former prosecutor, Brooks said he knows what evidence is.

Let me assure you that as a result of that homework, that investigation, I have been convinced for 2  months, the United States of America has just endured the worst voter fraud in history, Brooks said.

Brooks led off by saying that more than 200,000 votes were counted in Pennsylvania than votes cast, pointing to the fact that 15 public officials in the state had verified it and that eight congressmen from the state agreed that the states Electoral College votes should not be counted.

The Pennsylvania state department said that narrative was obvious misinformation and The Associated Press reported in December that there was no truth to more votes than voters in the swing state President Joe Biden won by about 80,000 votes.

Were live at a Free the Speech rally, where U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks and other GOP officials are speaking to supporters in Priceville, Ala. Posted by al.com on Saturday, January 23, 2021

Later in his speech, Brooks seemed to contradict his election fraud case.

I thought it was one of the best rally speeches I had ever given, Brooks said of his Jan. 6 speech near the White House the morning before Trump supporters took control of the Capitol. We were kind of depressed and despondent because we just got our derrieres kicked in November and the night before (in the Senate runoffs) in Georgia.

The congressman again defended himself for the rhetoric in that speech that has drawn so much attention over the past 2 weeks.

That was supposed to be a day of great congressional debate about voter fraud and election theft that, in turn, was supposed to help propel America to make the changes necessary to have a more honest and accurate election system, Brooks said. Instead, our message was hijacked. Once the illegal breach of the U.S Capitol began, the media forgot about voter fraud and focused on the U.S. Capitol events.

Five people died as a result of pro-Trump supporters storming the Capitol and some of those who invaded the hallowed building chanted for Vice President Mike Pence to be hanged.

Rep. Mo Brooks addresses about 500 people at rally on Jan. 23, 2021, in Priceville. (Paul Gattis | pgattis@al.com)

While it is accurate I said Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass, Brooks said as the crowd responded with their loudest cheers of his speech, What the accusers intentionally omit is I uttered those words not about the Ellipse rally or going to the Capitol, I uttered them in the context of fighting to win in 2022 and 2024. And the socialists know that and the fake news media knows that but they lie about it anyway because that doesnt make for as good of a story.

At the outset of his speech, Brooks said he had been uplifted by his appearance earlier this week at a Republican womens club in Madison when he said he received a standing ovation when he entered the room. When he boarded a plane to fly back to Washington, he said he received another standing ovation.

I want yall to know that kind of conduct makes a difference, Brooks told the audience. Its wonderful knowing the people you represent have your back.

Brooks has won re-election in a landslide in all five of his campaigns.

As he introduced the congressman, Tom Fredricks  whose business hosted the event  said of the keynote speaker, Mo Brooks knows no fear.

AL.com reporter Ashley Remkus contributed to this report.


With a hard brush up the passing lane, Chocolate Swirl received the lions share in the $2,850 Preferred Pace Saturday afternoon at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

Jason Hughes supplied the steer for leading trainer Jennifer Doyle to stop the clock in 1:56.4 over a returning Bugsy Maguire (Marc Campbell) and stablemate Winter Blast (Ken Murphy). Doyle co-owns Chocolate Swirl with partner Danny Birt of Earnscliffe.

Larjon Legacy prevailed in a hotly-contested stretch drive battle in the ninth race Fillies and Mares Open Pace. The $2,800 event saw driver David Dowling take a two-hole ride with Larjon Legacy and fight past pacesetter Roselily (Hughes) to win in 1:56. Bo Ford trains the winning six-year-old daughter of Mister Big for owners Arnold Myers, Sterling Maclure and Luke Beck of Charlottetown.

O'Brien Award finalist Gilles Barrieau was the hot reinsman of the day as he took control of the Red Shores Charlottetown driving standings with five winners on the program. Barrieau scored with Atufflittleguy (2:00.1) from the Kenny Arsenault barn, Bettim Jenny (2:00.1) for Jeff Lilley, Collective Wisdom (1:59) for trainer Ron Matheson, Here Comes Red (1:58.2) for conditioner Wade Sorrie and Southwind Ion (1:57.4) for a training double for Doyle.

Sorrie had two wins from his stable as Pictonian Storm was victorious in the Super Hi-5 finale scoring in 1:57.2 with Campbell at the controls.

Live harness racing continues Saturday (Jan. 30) at 12:30 P.M.

For race replays and more go to Redshores.ca. To view the results of the Saturday card, click the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.

(Red Shores)
India will be displaying some of its key military assets, such as T-90 tanks and BrahMos missile system, during the 72nd Republic Day celebrations on Rajpath, with a marching-cum-band contingent of the Bangladesh armed forces all set to take part in the ceremonial parade for the first time.

The leader of the 122-member contingent on Saturday thanked India for the gesture and said, the "enduring relationship" between the two countries is growing day by day. The Bangladeshi contingent, with members drawn from all the three wings of its armed forces, will be the first marching contingent to walk down the ceremonial boulevard on January 26.

India's military might and some of the state-of-the-art assets of the armed forces, including three T-90 tanks, BrahMos missile system, BMP-II, two Pinaka multiple launch rocket system, two bridge laying tanks, electronic warfare equipment Samvijay and one upgraded Schilka air defence weapon system, will be showcased during the parade on Rajpath, which will be held following COVID-19 safety guidelines.

"This year, no new asset will be displayed, but upgraded versions of various key assets and equipment will be there," Chief of Staff, Delhi Area, Maj Gen Alok Kacker, told reporters.

He said 18 marching contingents - 16 marching and two animal-mounted - will take part in the parade from the armed forces, paramilitary forces, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme, along with bands, including 15 from the military. The 61 Cavalry, consisting of 43 horses, will be marching down the Rajpath as part of the mounted column.

Due to COVID-19 safety norms, there will be no motorcycle display this time, a major attraction for the crowd at Republic Day celebrations on the Rajpath, and also the veterans marching contingent will also not be there, Kacker said. The contingents in the parade will stop at the National Stadium this year instead of following the regular route all the way to the Red Fort, primarily due to COVID-19 safety norms, Kacker added.

Responding to queries from reporters, he said bands and contingents have arrived from various parts of the country and about 260 members had tested COVID-19 positive out of the 3,000-odd pool, and they were quarantined and their primary contacts traced and tested, until they tested negative twice.

"Also, the fact that the contingent size has been reduced from regular 144 to 96, gives us an in-built reserve. But, we are all safe and fresh and raring to go on Rajpath on January 26," Kacker said.

He said COVID-19 safety norms have been followed from day one and contingents have moved from "bubble to bubble" to minimise all scope of infection. A full dress rehearsal of the parade was held on Saturday morning. Capt Preeti Choudhary from 140 AD Regt (SP) will be commanding the upgraded Schilka weapon system as part of the mechanised column on Rajpath, officials said.

The newly inducted Rafale fighter aircraft will feature in India's Republic Day parade on January 26 and culminate the flypast by carrying out the 'Vertical Charlie' formation. Col Md Mohtashim Chowdhury, the leader of the Bangladesh contingent said, "We feel very fortunate that India has given our country this opportunity. This year marks the the 50th anniversary of the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh and also we are in the midst of birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. So, we are very happy to be here." The members of the contingent are drawn mostly from units raised during the 1971 war, and several other units which were raised before it, he said.

This is the third time that a contingent from a foreign country will be taking part in the Republic Day celebrations here. The other two countries being France (2016) and the UAE (2017). According to information shared with the media, for the Beating Retreat ceremony on January 29, a special composition 'Swarnim Vijay', to commemorate 50 years of India's victory in the 1971 war, has been done, besides a few other tune compositions. Officials on Friday had said that bravery awardee children parade on jeep will also not be there at the 72nd Republic Day event, on account of social distancing. Also, there will be no chief guest at the event this year.

"This year's Republic Day is very different as it is happening amid the coronavirus pandemic. Like in Independence Day, all chairs in enclosures will be placed following social distancing norms. So, the crowd size has come down to 25,000 this time from around 1.25 lakh last year or some of the previous years," an official had said.

At the Saturday's press conference, heads of some of the marching regiments, and Param Vir Chakra winners Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav and Subedar Sanjay Singh were also present, and interacted with reporters, sharing stories of valour from the Kargil war of 1999. Lt Gen Vijay Kumar Mishra, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, will be the parade commander and Maj Gen Kacker will be the Second-in-Command, officials said. Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra awardees will be part of the parade, they said.

A total of 32 tableaux - 17 of various states and UTs, nine of ministries and six from defence arm, including of IAF, Navy, Indian Naval Coast Guard, two from the DRDO and one from BRO (Border Roads Organisation) -- will roll down Rajpath, officials said on Friday.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)


Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II

EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation

ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason

Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia

Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest

"Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan

Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator'

Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow

Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast

We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan

Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory

Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances

Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections

Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day

Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan

Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake

Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS)

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS)

Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time

Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation

Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country

Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor"

Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building"

Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials

MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan

Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas

France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party

Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms

Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh

NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country

104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion

Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation

Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination

Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity

Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well

Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions

Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never!

Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial

Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?"

France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity

Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election

Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia

US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China

Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war

Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet

Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases

Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan

US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces

Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can

UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians

Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India

Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately

France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint

Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow

Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen

Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops

Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia acting FM resigns

Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity

China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order

Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM

Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage

EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting

Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post

6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest

Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan

UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas

Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening

His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia

Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens

Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon

Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures

Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension

Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire

ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces

Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards

Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory

Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan

Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia

Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia

Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws

Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone

Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control

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European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched
To the dismay of those who will never forgive him for Brexit, Boris Johnson is again demonstrating his ability to achieve success where others fail or will not dare.

The mass vaccination against Covid, itself the fruit of brilliant British science, is now bringing hope and comfort to millions  hope for those who long for release, comfort for those who fear the virus.

It turns out that it is perfectly possible, under strong leadership and intelligent direction, for the Government machine to deliver a major project, on time and efficiently.

Let us hope that the lessons are learned for the future, and that other state projects will follow this example.

It is, of course, absolutely right that the vaccination programme has targeted the most vulnerable first, and this should certainly continue until all these categories have been given protection.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a coronavirus news conference at 10 Downing Street, London, on Friday

But that moment will provide an opportunity for a new and ingenious initiative, which The Mail on Sunday today urges Mr Johnson and his colleagues to consider actively.

A group of top schools in the private and state sector have come together to make a spectacular, public-spirited offer.

They are suggesting that the Government uses their premises and trained staff to set up dozens of extra vaccination centres. And then, once medical priority cases have been dealt with, they propose a bold programme to immunise teachers and other school staff in time for the second half of the current term. At the very least this should make it possible to reopen primary schools and the examination years of secondary schools. At a stroke, it would sweep aside many of the objections to school reopening and restore one of the most important parts of our national life.

Surely the teachers unions, who rightly proclaim the importance of their profession to our economy and society, would welcome this recognition that they are correct?

In truth there are few more urgent tasks than to find a way to get the schools  and then the universities  to open up again.

Schools perform many more functions than simple education. They provide routine and early experience of good work habits to their students. They provide the social interaction that makes the difference between life and solitary existence. They provide proper meals to children from homes where such things are sadly rare. They sometimes allow teachers to spot serious problems at home that might never otherwise come to light. And, of course, they free parents to go out to work during school hours.

Many schools have coped extraordinarily well with the challenge of remote learning, and this newspaper congratulates those who have.

Nurse Hannah Flynn administers the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine to a patient at a temporary vaccination centre in the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster

But others have done less well  not least because of the grave shortage of computers in poorer homes, which make the idea of distance learning more or less impossible for some youngsters.

But in general it is true that the lockdown of schools has hit the children of the poor far harder than the children of the well-off middle classes.

In 21st Century Britain, which the Prime Minister is publicly committed to levelling up, this gap is intolerable and needs to be closed. One of the most effective ways of doing so is to get the schools fully open again, as soon as reasonably possible.

In the same spirit with which he has tackled the vaccination programme, Mr Johnson should now accept this generous and thoughtful suggestion.
India took only 6 days to administer one million Covid-19 vaccine doses, a count which is higher than that of countries like the US and the UK, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday as the number of beneficiaries who have received the anti-coronavirus shots inched close to 16 lakh.

The UK took 18 days whereas the US took 10 days to reach the one million mark, the ministry said. As on January 24, till 8 am, nearly 16 lakh (15,82,201) beneficiaries have received Covid-19 vaccination. In a span of 24 hours, close to 2 lakh (1,91,609) people were vaccinated across 3,512 sessions. A total of 27,920 sessions have been conducted so far, the ministry said.

India took only 6 days to roll out one million vaccine doses. This count is higher than countries like the US and the UK. The UK took 18 days whereas USA took 10 days to reach the one million mark, the ministry highlighted. In a testament to the successful test-track-treat-technology strategy, India continues on its steady trajectory of reporting a sustained downfall in the daily new cases and consequential decline in the active cases, the ministry underlined.

India's active cases today stand at 1,84,408 which comprises of 1.73% of the total cases. With 15,948 recovered cases in a span of 24 hours, a net decline of 1,254 cases has been recorded in the total active caseload during the same period.

Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal account for 75% of the total active cases in the country. The total recovered cases have surged to 10,316,786, the ministry said adding 84.30 per cent of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 states and UTs.

Kerala has reported the maximum number of single day recoveries with 5,283 recoveries. Maharashtra follows with 3,694 new recoveries. The ministry said that 80.67 per cent of the 14,849 new Covid-19 cases recorded in a span of 24 hours are concentrated in six states and UTs.

Kerala reported the maximum daily new cases numbering 6,960 in a day. Maharashtra has recorded 2,697 new cases while Karnataka registered 902 new cases yesterday. Seven states and UTs account for 79.35% of the 155 case fatalities reported in a span of 24 hours.

Maharashtra reported 56 deaths. Kerala and Delhi follow with 23 and 10 new deaths, respectively.

Also read: Farmers' protest: Thousands march to Mumbai, Sharad Pawar likely to join rally
Israel has agreed to let the US deploy Israeli-made Iron Dome missile defence systems in its military bases in the Persian Gulf, Europe, and elsewhere in Asia, the Haaretz newspaper reported.

The unidentified Israeli security officials cited in the report declined to reveal where the batteries will be deployed, the newspaper said. Two have already been delivered, according to Haaretz.

The systems in the Middle East are intended to defend US forces in the Gulf from attacks by Iran and its proxies, the officials said. The US will deploy batteries in Eastern Europe out of concern Russia could try to attack US forces or strategic infrastructure in those countries, the Israeli officials said.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., the Israeli company that developed the system with partners, will open a production line in the US with Massachusetts-based defence contractor Raytheon Technologies Corp. to produce batteries for the American military and other countries in Europe, the Gulf, and Asia, Haaretz said.





This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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From the moment President Trump took office in 2017, the GOP almost instantaneously morphed into a strong political party helmed by a non-politician. Under Trumps lead, the once weak-spine, dull, and globalist-focused party transitioned into the peoples party.

Although a registered Republican since the age of 18, I was never enthused about any Republican candidate; in fact, I would often stall at the polling booth and ponder if the Democrat candidate would be a better choiceon more than one occasion I ended up voting for the opposite side.

Trump brought energy to his adoptive party not seen since President Reagan. America First was not only a Presidential campaign slogan but a policy that began to infuse the GOP overall. Aside from a handful of NeverTrumpers such as Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), Ben Sasse (R-NE), and former Arizona Senator Jeff Flake, the rest of the Grand Old Party was near lock step in supporting our President as he eased regulations that were choking business growth, decreased our dependence on foreign oil, re-examined our ties to international organizations, and pulled out of never-ending wars where the U.S military was no longer needed in its intended capacity.

Our country was finally supercharged after Obamas record of the slowest economic growth in decades. Through all of Trumps accomplishments, the GOP seemed thrilled to ride on his coattails. And why wouldnt they? The party was increasing in size by attracting disaffected Democrats, curious independents, and registering new voters. Minorities, whom the old-guard Republican Party never supported, were being enthusiastically welcomed by Trump and the RNC. Organically, a variety of ethnic groups -- Vietnamese, Chinese, Iranians, Latinos, Jews, and numerous others had joined up with enthusiasm inincreasing numbers during Trumps Presidency.

While the Democrats of today must grapple with voting for a party that defended slavery, supported the KKK, and voted against each of the Civil Rights Acts, Republicans feel proud that the very reason their party was formed in 1854 was to prevent slavery in the new territories. The original Republicans were farmers, factory workers, and small business owners, and that make-up remained until the turn of the 20th century when the GOP became associated with the business elite class. President Trumps GOP returned to its original constituency -- blue-collar workers and small business owners. And it is now the Democrats who are associated with the elite (both the economic and self-deemed cultural) class.

The Establishment GOP, however, is firmly mired in its big business, lobbyist swamp, and is very much at odds with most Trump supporters, who happen to make up the bulk of the current Republican party. Therein lay the political, strategic conundrum for party leadership: Would they completely abandon 75 million Trump supporters, many of whom were not traditional Republicans, or attempt to curry favor with their fairly similar-minded Democrat counterparts? Unfortunately, they chose to abandon their base, primarily by failing to address properly the wide-spread election fraud -- both on the presidential tickets and on the local level.

According to the mainstream media, which deservingly now includes FOX News, it was perfectly acceptable to push the water main break theory in DeKalb county and to stop a Presidential election count. In actuality, there was no water main break, though there was a clogged toilet and, magically, Biden had enough votes to win Georgia.

Pennsylvania was another election fraud gem; aside from the standard illegal ballots, this time, the Keystone State Democrat-dominated state supreme court changed actual state election rules to extend a national election to November 6th in violation of the United States Constitution. And who could forget all the times Republican poll watchers in an array of battleground states were denied proper access to ballot counters? There were ballot harvesting and over-voting allegations in Nevada, overwhelming testimony out of Michigan, and Arizona Republican Chairwoman Kelli Wards strong allegations of voter irregularities ranging from signature matching to duplicate ballots. In Wisconsin, the allegations ran the gamut from envelopes missing identification to abusing the states confined status law. Foreign interference in this election can fill a books worth.

Instead of earnestly investigating election fraud claims brought forth not only by Trumps legal team but by actual voters, the Establishment GOP chose to turn a blind eye and employ the Pravda-esque technique of branding the truth as lies. The election was fair according to GOP leaders; end of story. Disenfranchising an entire swath of ones base is not politically sound and it will undoubtedly unravel the Republican party, at least, in its current form. All the Trump supporters I know have either officially switched their voter registration to Independent or now identify themselves as such until a Patriot party is formed. When asked if I am still a Republican, with great pride I reply "No longer. I am a Patriot."

At least seventy-four million Americans will not have loyalty to a party that acted in bad faith. Patriots are now accustomed to a President who gave a damn about real Americans, who believed in the power of the people, and who did not have loyalty to special interest groups. What is the future of the GOP? Will it morph eventually into a Patriot Party or will it be pushed aside by a new political movement? Only the Republican leadership can determine the partys trajectory by choosing one of two clear paths -- support the current base or be mostly indistinguishable from Democrats.

Corrina Burns, 30, took her own life in April 2020

A man whose older sister fled domestic violence she before taking her own life has vowed to raise her four children as his own.

The last time Sam Burns spoke with Corrina was in March 2020 when he promised to see her 'as soon as possible' after Covid border closures ruined their plans to reunite at Easter.

Days later, 12-year-old Zeke and seven-year-old Tyra found their mother dead at home when she failed to pick them up from school.

'Zeke grabbed his sister's hand and they both ran out of the house, screaming, and they kept screaming in the front yard,' Mr Burns told Daily Mail Australia.

'Neighbours came to see what was going on, and then police found Corrina.'

Struck by heartache, the then 28-year-old travelled from his home in west Victoria to Corrina's final resting place in South Australia - where she went to escape the violent father of her children.

Pictured: Corrina with her brother Sam Burns and her four children when they were younger, pictured back to front: Zeke, Tyra, Jada and Andre

Pictured: Corrina's four children after their mother's death, left to right: Twins Andre and Jada, age four, Tyra, age seven, and Zeke, age 13

When Zeke asked his uncle if he and his siblings would move to an orphanage, Mr Burns said he knew he and his 26-year-old partner Maddison, who had no children of their own, would raise their nieces and nephews.

'There were times when we didn't know if we could do it, or look after all four - it was tough because it changes your life plans, but looking back, I'm so glad we did and I wouldn't have it any other way,' he said.

The 33-year-old's suicide came after more than a decade of alleged emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her ex husband, who she met at the age of 15 just before he went to prison, after which they became pen pals.

Corrina's father also killed himself in his jail cell when she was 11. She and Mr Burns do not have the same biological father.

Pictured: Sam Burns with his nehpew Zeke, neice Tyra, and their mother Corrina. Mr Burns and Corrina were 'very close' despite having different fathers

Sam Burns said his sister (pictured with her children) would have done anything to keep her kids safe

Sam Burns (left) said Corrina was with her ex since they were teenagers, and recalls police being involved in their relationship even in its early stages

She would write her much older boyfriend heartfelt letters, which he would read from the confines of his prison cell after being locked up for various crimes.

'He has a long rap sheet - burglary, breaking and entering, aggravated assault,' Mr Burns said.

Despite him allegedly 'holding her hostage' for a period of time and not allowing her to see her family, the young mother forgave him multiple times for ongoing alleged abuse.

But the situation came to a head in 2018 when went grocery shopping and came home to find strangulation marks on Zeke's neck.

'Corrina didn't know what happened with the kids and their father when she was out, and the day she found out, she kicked him out,' Mr Burns said.

Corrina fled her home in Ballarat, Victoria, to South Australia to stop her ex husband from finding her

Sam Burns and his partner Maddison (pictured together) vowed to raise the children as their own

The father tried to drive over South Australia and Victoria border, was caught by police and went to jail for 'a few months' for hurting his son.

According to Mr Burns, he allegedly 'violated the no-contact orders against him almost immediately when he got out'.

'He would contact through others social media accounts and the abuse was relentless,' he said.

Terrified for her children's safety, Corrina - who had already moved away from her family in Victoria to escape his clutches - managed to convince her former partner that she had taken her family somewhere he couldn't find them in Brisbane.

It worked, until a photo of the children in their South Australian school uniforms was posted on Facebook early last year and he realised they were exactly where he left them.

Pictured: Corrina as a baby with her mother and father. Her father was in jail when he took hsi own life. Corrina was 11

Pictured: Corrina as a child. She and her ex husband started seeing each other while he was in jail

By April 1, she was dead.

'It was on April Fools,' her brother said.

'And she had a sense of humour - I'm still kind of waiting for her to come out and say it was all a big joke.'

Mr Burns said it's hard to know what the tipping point was, but he believes the threat of her ex coming to find them was too much.

In hindsight, the family can recall times when Corrina would imply that she knew something might happen to her.

'The last time we spoke, I was telling her that my partner and I were worried we wouldn't be able to get a home loan approved when Covid started to become a real problem,' he said.

Pictured: Zeke, Andre, Jada and Tyra. The children now live with their uncle full time

The children have now spent their first Christmas without their mother. Pictured: The last Santa photo they took together

'I had to reassure her that we would settle, and I think in her mind that moment was enough to know the kids would always have a safe place.'

Before she died, Corrina was actively involved with a women's domestic violence support group within her local community and was studying a TAFE course to help other women in vulnerable situations.

When Mr Burns and Maddison decided to take full custody of all four children, Zeke looked at his uncle and said: 'Mum always said if anything ever happened that you'd take care of us.'

While the siblings have five other brothers and sisters, Mr Burns said they are all much younger and want to help but are not equipped to raise four children full time.

Separated by state borders due to coronavirus, the family have not been able to have a proper funeral and farewell for Corrina

Separated by state borders due to coronavirus, the family have not been able to have a proper funeral and farewell for Corrina.

To help raise money to bring Corrina's body back to Victoria, raise the children and support four-year-old Andre, who has developmental delays, the family have set up a GoFundMe campaign.

'We understand that the current climate is extremely difficult for everyone but even the smallest donations will help,' the page read.

Almost a year on from their mother's tragic death, the children are still scared their father will find them.

'They've started sharing bits and pieces about their experiences - we don't discourage it because it's part of their process, and I think it means they feel safe,' he said.

'We still talk about their mum every day - she loved them so much and she would have done anything to keep them safe.'

For now, Mr Burns (pictured with Corrina and the children) said the kids are trying to get on with their lives

For now, Mr Burns said the children are trying to get on with their lives.

They have shared their first Christmas together without Corrina, Zeke has just graduated primary school and become a teenager, and the anniversary of her death looms.

Amid the stream of high emotions, the children's father has been threatening to take full custody.

'When Corrina died, so did the no-contact orders,' Mr Burns said.

'According to the legal system, he does still have rights regardless of the whole situation. He used to get in touch a lot, but he's been pretty quiet recently.'

He added: 'Maybe it's the calm before the storm.'

Lifeline 13 11 14, Beyondblue 1300 22 4636
From dangerous heat to the promise of more frequent and severe storms such as Allison and Harvey, climate change is a clear threat in Houston. Mayor Sylvester Turner and other city leaders did the right thing by launching a Climate Action Plan to address this growing economic and public health crisis.

What is less clear, however, is who the city is working to protect: the communities hit first and worst by the climate crisis, or the industry that made the mess. Its been nearly a year since the plan came out and we want our voices heard.

As a Mexican immigrant who has lived in the Lakewood neighborhood in northeast Houston for the past 39 years, I know what it means to be on the front lines of pollution and the climate emergency. My community is bordered by pipelines, freeways, landfills and chemical plants. Our water is contaminated, the air is thick with pollution and when it rains, sewage and chemicals flood our streets.

When Hurricane Harvey hit in 2017, we were among the last to receive help. My husband and I hadnt been warned to evacuate. By the time the hurricane got to us, it was too late: we grabbed some money, put it in a Ziplock bag and went out into the storm looking for help.

After hours in waist-deep floods and rain, we were herded like cattle onto a big truck  an 18-wheeler that wasnt enclosed. People were falling off the sides when it started moving. I watched trash cans, refrigerators and other debris float by. Months after the hurricane, my brother-in-law died from an infection we believe he got from walking through those floods, which were filled with pollution from local industry.

From early morning until 6 at night, we were transferred from place to place. Finally we were brought to a shelter, where we received a meal and towels from a community nonprofit. The house flooded during the storm, and we never received FEMA funds, so we paid for the costly repairs out of our hard-earned savings. I realized that we would have to rely on ourselves  our own community  to survive.

For years, other residents and I have undertaken every effort to educate and improve our neighborhoods with disaster preparedness and flood mitigation projects. I now serve as a climate ambassador with the Coalition for Environment, Equity and Resilience (CEER), and along with other community members have participated in the collection of more than 500 public health and climate impact surveys from our neighborhoods in northeast Houston.

We learned that our neighbors are most worried about the cost of utilities, increased rates of disease and health issues and food insecurity  all of which are made worse by the colliding crises of climate and a deadly pandemic. We also learned that the vast majority did not know the city has a Climate Action Plan and 90 percent of residents dont feel that these issues are being solved in our communities. As the climate crisis worsens, COVID-19 continues to pummel our communities, and the costs to protect our homes, health and families pile up, we simply dont have the resources to do this on our own.

In communities like mine, a history of polluting developments, under-resourced public infrastructure, redlining, language and technology barriers, inadequate communication by our government to immigrants and more come together to create the domino effect of abandonment I experienced during Hurricane Harvey. And there is no doubt that Harvey wont be the last mess we are left to clean up.

Houstons Climate Action Plan is a long overdue opportunity for the city to work with our communities to prepare for the future in a comprehensive way, and to empower us to address climate change as the problem of racial, economic and social inequities that it is. But once again, the powerful oil and gas industry has cut to the front of the line, ahead of our concerns and needs.

BP, which is being sued by cities and states across the country who claim it lied to the public about climate change and for the resulting damages, has donated $2 million toward the citys Climate Action Plan. This wasnt a lot of money for a multibillion-dollar oil company, but it seems to have paid off: While outreach to and opportunities for residents to weigh in on this plan were ineffectual, oil and gas representatives sat in on working groups and spoke on panels during Houston Climate Week.

The mayor told community residents who showed up to speak at a public session that the plans engagement process reached 7,000 people. Is that number good enough for a city of millions and the fourth most populous in the country? This is about our survival. This is about communities where many lack an internet connection. We need a higher level of engagement.

Other Texas cities have set a better example. Austins Climate Action Plan included the creation of a formal community-driven climate ambassador program run by its Office of Sustainability. The city is creating an equity tool that tracks whether each strategy helps, harms or has a neutral benefit to the community. They invested in monthly training with the Government Alliance on Racial Equity. Officials there were proactive in discussing how potential projects might create displacement or change the historical character of a neighborhood. Houston needs to catch up to Austins good example.

It never will unless it gives residents of communities like mine a central place at the table. What the city has done has fallen short of that standard by a long shot.

The city has given the impression time and again that control over disaster response and recovery can be bought. After Hurricane Harvey, Shell  another oil company named in climate lawsuits across the country  gave a $1.8 million to pay for Houston to join 100 Resilient Cities. The company's former president, Marvin Odum, became Houstons chief recovery officer after the hurricane  and is now leading the citys response to COVID-19. Our communities dont have the resources at our disposal that industrial giants have leveraged to gain the citys ear.

Climate equity in our neighborhoods would mean real investments in our communities  especially in groups already doing the work  and addressing problems weve been dealing with for generations. It means proper drainage of my street when it rains. It means investing in flooding and storm management infrastructure and fortifying homes. It means tracking that the climate strategies developed in planning actually reach my community. It means enforcing laws for cleaner water and air. It means preventing my neighborhood from being further harmed by the landfill up the road from my house. It means not having to argue with our elected leaders for them to see how present conditions and disparities were created by past decisions.

The city is not fully responsible for the legacy of environmental racism, but it has control over how it moves forward with how it tracks investments to hold itself accountable to ensuring investments reach places theyre needed most. That will involve other levels of government. What we need from the city is a vision of climate justice and a real commitment to equity so they can partner with the county, state and federal entities to bring real solutions. Harris County Commissioners Court voted to approve a study of how to undertake a climate planning process and representatives have reached out asking how they should structure community engagement to reach the most people. This is a very different start than what we saw from the city.

For Houston to address this crisis, the city must strike a new bargain with the people its leaders claim to represent. It must be one where the most burdened communities  who know the issues at hand, and have been working on solutions for years  are leading the way.

Tristan is from Lakewood in Houston. She is a climate ambassador with the Coalition for Environment, Equity and Resilience, an advocacy organization that supports residents on the front lines of the climate crisis in Houston. Prior to working with CEER, she volunteered with Houstons Northeast Action Collective.
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(Newser)  A Texas man authorities say was among the mob that swarmed the US Capitol has been charged with threatening New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Per CNN, Garret Miller tweeted "Assassinate AOC" in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 riot in response to the Democrat's call to "impeach" Donald Trump. Miller, 34, was arrested Wednesday and charged in DC federal court, per Courthouse News. The criminal complaint paints a vivid picture of Miller's alleged crimes, mostly using his own tweets, Instagram, and Facebook posts. Among the social media posts cited were his tweet at AOC, Miller's statement that "we stormed it" in reference to the Capitol, as well as references to killing the police officer who fatally shot rioter Ashli Babbitt. Miller reportedly also wrote "just wanted to incriminate myself a little lol" in a Facebook post about the day's events.

story continues below

AOC responded following Miller's arrest, tweeting "Well, you did!" Surveillance footage and stills from video taken by rioters are also among the many images of Miller cited in the complaint, which charges him with entering a restricted building, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, obstructing or impeding an official proceeding, and certain acts during civil disorder. Miller's attorney says his client regrets his actions and takes full responsibility. His social media comments reflect very ill-considered political hyperbole in very divided times and will certainly not be repeated in the future. He looks forward to putting all of this behind him," attorney Clinton Broden said in a statement. Miller is due back in a Dallas court on Monday. (Read more Capitol attack stories.)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 18:15:27|Editor: huaxia

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KAMPALA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan peacekeepers killed 189 al-Shabab militants and arrested two senior commanders in an offensive in the volatile Somalia's Lower Shabelle region on Friday.

Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki, Uganda's deputy military spokesperson in a statement issued here said Uganda's contingent of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) raided al-Shabab hideouts in the thickets of Sigaale village, about 99.5 kilometers southwest of the capital Mogadishu.

"The interdiction and on-spot ground target separate operations in Sigaale, Adimole and Kayitoy villages, neighboring Janaale in Lower Shaballe region, saw the forces put out of action 189 al-Qaeda linked fighters and destroyed a number of military hardware and items used by the terrorist attacks," said Akiiki.

The Uganda People's Defence Force in a series of targeted raids destroyed two mounted weapons and motorbikes in separate fire strikes," he said.

He said the timely operations resulted in the arrest of al-Shabab commanders, Sayid Nuur and Mohad Jabane who have been handed to 83 Battalion of Somali National Army for further management.

"Such intelligence-led operations have equally forced defections, where one Alshabaab low level commander, Eden Osman reported with his sub machine gun, five loaded magazines and 63 rounds of ammunition to Somali National Police station in Qoroyole town," said Akiiki.

He said at the Doncadaafeedow hideout, seven kilometers west of Janaale, the Ugandan forces ground-aerial targets successfully disrupted an Alshabaab scheduled meeting and injured several.

Brig. Don William Nabasa, Uganda's sector one commander, said the UPDF troops did not incur any loss or injury, nor did any civilian target get affected.

"We are committed to ensuring and maintaining security and relative peace," said Nabasa.

"Given the available capabilities and knowledge of terrain analysis, such on-spot targeted operations will continue in efforts to degrade and defeat al-Shabab insurgents, even in the wilderness," he said.

Akiiki said AMISOM successful operations have created relative calmness over the last one month, allowing most farmers to conduct harvests in the Lower Shebelle region.

Uganda provides the bulk of AMISOM troops in the volatile Horn of African country. Enditem

The bodies of nineteen people who had been shot and burned have been found in a Mexico border town.

The bodies were discovered on Saturday in Ciudad Victoria, around 249 miles from the US Texas border, in an area that has seen violent territorial disputes between organized crime groups in recent years.

The Tamaulipas state prosecutors office said late Saturday that the bodies were discovered along a dirt road outside Camargo after residents reported a burning vehicle.

Authorities found two vehicles on fire, one containing four bodies and the other 15, AP reported.

Nineteen bodies were found in Ciudad Victoria, Mexico, around 400km from the US border with Texas. Most had been burned or shot to death

Mexican Federal Police, pictured in the city in 2010, patrol streets known to play host to gang violence

Patrols of the Mexican Federal police, pictured at the highway between Matamoros and Ciudad Victoria in Tamaulipas State, on December 16, 2015, often escort travelers crossing the dangerous highway of the gang-infested north eastern state of Tamaulipas

The Camargo area is a major smuggling transit point for drugs and migrants. Mexican Federal Police, pictured patrolling the street near the Jose Vasconselos school in Ciudad Victoria, Mexico on July 4, 2010, said they weren't told about the bodies for 24-hours because locals were frightened to report them

All had been shot, but shells were not found at the site, leading investigators to believe they were killed somewhere else.

A Camargo official, who requested anonymity due to security concerns, said the killings occurred Friday, but people had been afraid to report them.

Camargo is a major smuggling transit point for drugs and migrants.

Organized crime groups covet control of stretches of the border because they make money off everything that crosses the border.

Camargo is near the edge of territory historically controlled by the Gulf cartel and in recent years a remnant of the Zetas known as the Northeast cartel has tried to take over.

In January 2020, 21 bodies, most burned, were found in various vehicles near the neighboring town of Ciudad Mier.

Days later the Mexican army killed 11 alleged gunmen in the area.

In October last year, 59 bodies were found in a mass grave in Mexico's Guanajuato state, which is known for violence breaking out between two rival cartels.

In September 2019, 119 bags containing the parts of 44 bodies were discovered in the western Mexican state of Jalisco.

The city of Ciudad Victoria, around 249 miles from the US border, has seen violent territorial disputes in recent years


Boris Johnsons grandmother  Granny Butter  as a young woman at Carbis Bay, above

When Boris Johnson announced details of this summers G7 summit, he admitted his choice of venue was partly inspired by pride in being probably the first half-Cornish Prime Minister. Yet that, it seems, isnt the full story.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Cornwalls tiny resort of Carbis Bay (population: 4,000), where the economic gathering of world leaders is due to take place in June, has an association with the PMs family stretching back generations.

It was home for decades to his great-grandparents, Lloyds underwriter Stanley Williams and his Paris-born wife Marie Louise de Pfeffel, who lived at Trevose View, a detached granite house which stands just 380 yards from the summits Carbis Bay Hotel headquarters.

Just over 80 years ago, their married daughter Irene Johnson was staying at the house when she unexpectedly went into labour with the Tory leaders father.

Irene, whom Boris would come to know as Granny Butter, was rushed to hospital in nearby Penzance and Stanley duly arrived into the world on August 18, 1940.

The photograph on this page shows her as a young woman with a shrimping net at Carbis Bay in about 1922.

For his part, Stanley, who grew up on the Devon-Somerset border, has since written movingly about the long Cornish summers of my childhood, recalling: Most years we would spend part of the summer in Carbis Bay.

My grandparents house was called Trevose View because on a clear day you could see distant Trevose Head on the North Cornish coast.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Cornwalls tiny resort of Carbis Bay (population: 4,000), where the economic gathering of world leaders is due to take place in June, has an association with the PMs family stretching back generations

There was a nursery where my siblings and I stayed and at night as we went to sleep we could hear the sound of the waves on the beach below.

We could see gannets, far out to sea, plunging steeply for fish. Sometimes, the sea itself would change colour as the pilchards congregated in their thousands.

Records show that the Williamses bought Trevose View in the 1920s as a seaside retreat.

They and their four daughters  Irene, Denise, Nicole and Marques  appear to have divided their time between Carbis Bay and a home in Bromley, Kent. But members of the family also travelled widely  including to France and occasionally by steamer as far as Australia and South Africa.

For his part, Stanley, who grew up on the Devon-Somerset border, has since written movingly about the long Cornish summers of my childhood, recalling: Most years we would spend part of the summer in Carbis Bay'

Documents also reveal that the family employed four servants at the start of the Second World War, making them among the wealthier inhabitants of Carbis Bay.

Their domestic life was, however, shattered in 1944 when, according to Stanley, his grandmother died aged 62 from an allergic reaction to a bee sting.

Stanley Williams lived at Trevose View for another 11 years until he too died, aged 75.

John Bestwick, the current owner of Trevose View, said he was aware of his homes links to the PM, adding: The house has had an interesting history.

It was built in 1899 by the captain of a tin mine and Virginia Woolf certainly stayed here while she was writing her novels. Maybe Boris Johnson will pop up to have a look.

Meanwhile, work is under way on a two-storey spa extension featuring a new gym and infinity pool at the Carbis Bay Hotel, which has a private 25-acre beach on which helicopters carrying the worlds leaders may land later this year.
Over 100 organisations, under the banner of 'Samyukta Shetkari Kamgar Morcha' in Maharashtra, have called for a joint sit-in at Mumbai's Azad Maidan from 24 to 26 January

Mumbai: Thousands of farmers from across Maharashtra reached Mumbai on Sunday evening to participate in a rally against the Centre's three new farm laws in the state capital on Monday.

Police have stepped up security at Azad Maidan, the rally's venue in south Mumbai, and personnel of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) have also been deployed there. Drones will also be used to keep an eye on the event, a police official said.

The All India Kisan Sabha's (AIKS) Maharashtra unit in a statement said around 15,000 farmers had set out for the state capital from Nashik on Saturday in several tempos and other vehicles.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar and some other prominent leaders of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the state will address the rally on Monday, the release said.

The state Congress unit, which is an ally of the MVA, has already extended its support to the protest.

Farmers from various places had gathered in Nashik and started their journey towards Mumbai on Saturday. Many peasants also joined on the way, the AIKS said. They halted at Ghatandevi near Igatpuri hill town for an overnight stay.

On Sunday morning, a number of farmers marched down the Kasara Ghat to head for Mumbai, while many left in vehicles.

Several women farmers took part in the seven-kilometre-long march at Kasara Ghat, which started at 9 am and ended by around 11.30 am. Later, they continued their forward journey in vehicles.

The Kasara Ghat march and the vehicle convoy was led by AIKS national president Ashok Dhawale, state president Kisan Gujar and its state general secretary Ajit Nawale.

On the way, hundreds of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)-affiliated factory workers from Igatpuri and Shahapur tehsils welcomed the farmers by showering flowers. At the Kalyan-Bhiwandi crossroad, the farmers were welcomed and provided food packets.

They entered Mumbai from Mulund check-naka, the entry point to the state capital from neighbouring Thane, and were welcomed at Kannamwar Nagar in Vikhroli by hundreds of workers of the Left parties.

The farmers then proceeded towards the Azad Maidan, where the joint sit-in protest by the Samyukta Shetkari Kamgar Morcha (SSKM) began this morning, and will continue till the Republic Day.

"The rally is being held to support and expand the two-month-long farmers' struggle in Delhi for a repeal of the three farm laws and for a central law to guarantee a remunerative Minimum Support Price (MSP) and procurement all over the country," the AIKS statement said.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a pro-farmer body, has given a nationwide call for a struggle from 23 to 26 January, including rallies to Raj Bhavans (governor houses) in states. Accordingly, over 100 organisations came together and formed the Samyukta Shetkari Kamgar Morcha (SSKM), Maharashtra, in a meeting held in Mumbai on 12 January.

On 25 January, there will be a public meeting at 11 am, the release said.

Pawar, who was in Ahmednagar this morning, said he will take part in the rally on Monday. Besides Pawar, state Congress president and revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat, and Shiv Sena leader and state tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray will also address the rally, the AIKS statement said.

Later, the protesters will march to the Raj Bhavan and submit a memorandum to Governor BS Koshyari. The main demands of the protesters include repeal of the three "anti-farmer" laws, and a central law guaranteeing remunerative MSP and procurement, the release said.

The protesters have also decided to hoist the Tricolour at the Azad Maidan on the occasion of the Republic day on 26 January, and take a pledge to make the struggle of peasants and workers successful, it added.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up at the venue ahead of the rally, a police official said.

Apart from personnel of the Mumbai Police, nine platoons of the SRPF are being deployed at the Azad Maidan, he said, adding that drones will also be used.

Additional police force, including 100 officers and 500 constables, will also be deployed at the venue, he added.

Enacted in September last year, the three laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country.

However, the protesting farmers have expressed their apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of MSP and do away with the 'mandi' (wholesale market) system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.

Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at several border points of Delhi, demanding a repeal of the three farm laws.

Multiple rounds of talks between the government and farmer unions have failed to break the impasse so far, while the Supreme Court has appointed a panel for resolution of the issue.
Immediate-past Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Oko Boye has revealed that frontline health workers will be among the first group of persons to receive coronavirus vaccination in Ghana.



President Akufo-Addo in his speech at this years annual New Year School on Tuesday stated that the government has concluded a technical committee discussion on the vaccine and was waiting for action.



Speaking on News File show on Saturday, Dr. Oko Boye said the Ghana government has applied to the COVAX platform to access the vaccine which is expected to arrive in the country by the first quarter of this year.



Weve applied to that platform and they will start disbursement in the first quarter to countrys that have applied but we are also exploring the bilateral route. The Minister-designate for Health is talking to some of the manufacturing companies. Ghana is looking at buying some directly also. As we speak theres a technical committee to look at the criteria for the roll-out, who gets first. What is absolute is that health workers are very high on the list and then the security services because of their mixing with populations outside the country on operations. I also know that elderly people who can prove underlying health condition like heart disease, kidney disease and people with high turnover rate.



Ghana has recorded three more Coronavirus deaths pushing the countrys total number of fatalities from 358 to 361.



As of Friday, 22nd January 2021, data on the Ghana Health Services website show that 658 new cases have been recorded sending the total number of active cases to 2,413.



The total number of confirmed cases has increased to 59,480 with some 56,706 patients recovered and discharged.





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WhatsApp is updating its privacy policy and Terms of Service this year that is mandatory (so far) for all users who wish to continue using the messaging app. The development came via an in-app notification earlier this month and is also available to access on WhatsApp support page. As per the new changes, the company notes that some personal data that belongs to users would be shared with Facebook's other applications, as well as partners to provide better ad experience (on Instagram or Facebook). The new update applicable for all WhatsApp platforms that include WhatsApp for Android, WhatsApp for iPhone, WhatsApp web and desktop app.

Similarly, several critics and data privacy advocates deemed the latest WhatsApp policy as problematic as users now have a unilateral choice. It essentially means that users who do not comply with the changes regarding its data collection policy have no other choice other than either accepting the new rules or leaving the app altogether. Naturally, many have taken the alternate route and are joining rival platforms like Signal and Telegram. Users also fear that the new Terms of Service allow Facebook to access private chat, which the social media giant has categorically denied several times.

What user data will WhatsApp collect and share: WhatsApp says that they collect user information to be able to provide services and customise the experience for the user. Among the information that gets shared with WhatsApp include: mobile phone number, profile name, phone model, screen resolution, IP address, language, coarse location (approximate location and not the exact address). Facebook-owned WhatsApp insists that they do not retain your messages and says that sent or received messages are not stored on their servers. "Once your messages are delivered, they are deleted from our servers," the company highlights clearly. However, there are scenarios where your messages may stay on WhatsApp servers temporarilythat is if a message remains undelivered for a certain period of time up to a maximum of 30 days in the encrypted form, after which it is deleted as well as media forwards that are temporarily stored in encrypted form to improve the efficiency of additional forwards.

How will the new privacy rules impact users: For the end-user, the most likely effect will be more targeted ads across Facebook-owned platforms such as Messenger, Instagram, and Facebook. The company will be able to show you more relevant ads based on the metadata collected through the messaging platform.

When will the new policy come to play: WhatsApp has delayed the new policy launch to May 15 from February 8. The company had said that it is postponing the changes following misinformation and confusion over its upcoming rules. Notably, WhatsApp has also reached out to users directly via a full-page newspaper ad and WhatsApp Status to clarify concerns over the Terms of Service.

What action is the government taking: Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) asked WhatsApp to withdraw changes in the privacy policy, saying they are not fair and acceptable. The proposed changes to the WhatsApp Terms of Service and Privacy Policy "raise grave concerns regarding the implications for the choice and autonomy of Indian citizens," it said in a letter to WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart. The ministry has also asked the company to withdraw the proposed changes and reconsider its approach to information privacy, freedom of choice and data security. On the other hand, the Delhi High quashed a PIL that sought actions against the company. The court had said that the changes are voluntary and users may leave the platform if they disagree with new rules.
https://www.aish.com/sp/so/Rabbi-Yudi-Dukes-Incredible-Legacy.html

Sarah Dukes inspired thousands by chronicling her husbands 10-month battle with Covid-19.

Chaim Schneur Zalman Yehuda ben Hinda Yocheved. For months, that name has been in my prayers each day, as I  like thousands of other Jews around the world  pleaded for him to have a complete recovery, adding our voices to a huge groundswell of people all fervently hoping and begging for his well-being.

Most people knew him as Rabbi Yudi Dukes. A popular rabbi and former director of the online Jewish learning network JNet, Yudi was a wonderful friend to all who knew him. He always put a smile on your face, recalled Rabbi Chaim Bruk, Co-Director of Chabad of Montana and a former classmate of Yudi. He was a special guy  he taught people how to smile.

Yudi and his wife Sarah lived in New York with their six young children. In late March, 2020, both Yudi and Sarah  like so many people in their community  became ill with the first wave of Covid-19 that hit the New York region hard, killing thousands of people. Sarah quickly recovered but Yudi  only 38 at the time and in good health  became gravely ill. He was hospitalized and couldnt breathe on his own.

I first met Sarah in August 2020, when I interviewed her for an article about his leaving the hospital and reflecting the optimism of Yudis doctors. Yudi was finally able to breathe on his own, recovering his strength and health, and was looking forward to moving to a rehab facility soon.

From the beginning, Yudis case defied all odds. When I told my husband, a doctor, that I was talking with a woman whose husband spent four months on a ventilator, he said, Thats impossible. People dont survive four months on a ventilator, yet miraculously Yudi did. It was clear to me that it was all in Gods hands, Sarah Dukes told me at the time.

I was privileged to see the world through Sarahs eyes and hear her constant whisper of appreciation and faith in my ear.

During the many months of Yudis illness, Sarah reached out to people around the world, asking everyone to pray for his recovery. She started sharing her insights and thoughts on Facebook, and posting updates about Yudis condition, generating a tidal wave of responses. People reached out to Sarah, telling her how Yudi was inspiring people to pray, do mitzvot and try and be their best selves. Even while he was confined to a hospital bed, Yudi had a profound effect on untold numbers of people who all embarked on an intense period of prayers, learning and good deeds performed in his merit.

I became one of those people praying for Yudi and followed Sarahs posts, privileged to see the world through Sarahs eyes and hear her constant whisper of appreciation and faith in my ear.

Those posts changed me. Hearing Sarah constantly urging Yudi on, asking people to pray, sharing her doubts and fears as well as her faith opened my eyes to a new way of looking at the world. With Sarah Dukes rejoicing in every day that Yudi continued to live, I found myself appreciating life more deeply. When I read Sarahs expressions of her complete faith in a loving God, it deepened my own beliefs as well.

Yudi went to a rehab institution but soon developed grave medical complications that brought him back to the hospital. Even though his condition was worsening, he continued to defy the odds.

I was told that some of the staff at Cornell came to Yudis room just to see a miracle, Sarah posted in December 2020. By nature, Yudi wasnt supposed to survive past last Wednesday. But not only did he survive, he is awake and alert I am grateful for his nurses who treat him with kindness and compassion, and have the patience to try to figure out what he is trying to say or request.

For a while in November, Yudi seemed to be doing much better and was even able to go home for a time. Sarah posted a beautiful video of him arriving at their house. Hundreds of people whod been praying saw Yudi wave and embrace his daughter as he was brought out of an ambulance on a stretcher, still ill but well enough to be at home.

Sarah Dukes

Sarahs many moving posts reflected her incredible level of gratitude, even when faced with a horrible situation. Thank G-d I was able to get two hand squeezes from Yudi today soon after I arrived, and this was very moving for me was one typically inspiring post, at a time when Yudis health was deteriorating rapidly.

Like a bop bag that pops back up after its been punched down, I will continue to keep doing what needs to be done no matter how many blows I get from G-d, Sarah wrote in one November 2020 post. Because I am committed to G-d and thats what commitment is. Commitment is continuing to stay loyal and plow through the challenges even when you dont want to (and there have been SO many times I didnt want to and just wanted to give in to my despair), and continued to trust even through, what appears to be, such darkness.

Beset by challenges and struggle and heartbreak, Sarah Dukes was giving us strength and encouragement. Her posts reminded us that God is in charge of the universe. They reminded us of the power of prayer.

In recent days, Sarahs posts became more urgent: Yudis health was failing fast. He needed a liver transplant, but then became too ill to remain on the transplant registry. He spent many days struggling to be awake. Each setback and each triumph was documented in Sarahs posts. Even at the end, when he was so terribly sick, Yudi continued to defy the odds, staying alive long past the point doctors expected, even waking up and managing to communicate long after his doctors thought he would be able to do so.

On January 10, 2021, Sarah posted her final pleas for the many people around the world whod been praying for Yudi to do some one last time. On the morning of January 21, Sarah informed us all of his death. Baruch dayan haemes. Blessed is the true Judge, she wrote. Yudi is safe. He is protected. You have carried him straight to the highest heights. We will see you again, Yudi. We love you.

Even in the depths of her despair, Sarah managed to carry us all.

In the hours since his death, the community that grew up around Sarah and Yudis family  inspired by Sarahs chronicles  has continued to pray and to mourn. For many of us, it feels like our own relative has passed away. I cant stop crying, wrote Sara Crispe, the Executive Director of The LifeWrite Project, who lives in Vermont, and knew both Sarah and Yudi Dukes. I think the power of Sarahs posts was that people who didnt know them or hadnt even heard of them before, now feel like family. I have gotten so many responses from people telling me that She reached out to the world for support and in doing so ended up supporting thousands by uplifting and inspiring them.

Sarah taught us what it means to have faith and to look at the world as a place of beauty and hope. Even in the depths of her despair, she managed to carry us all.

Through these past months, Sarahs and Yudis journey became our journey. Her determination ignited our determination to do good and make the world a better place. Her optimism stimulated us to look at the world with more joy. Her faith inspired our faith. Chaim Schneur Zalman Yehuda ben Hinda Yocheved  Rabbi Yudi Dukes  reached people around the globe thanks to Sarahs posts. He and Sarah inspired us to be better people, to care more, to love more, to feel more connected with the Dukes family and with each other. For that we will always be grateful.

A fund had been established to help support the Dukes family. To donate, go to: https://www.charidy.com/cmp/dukes?fbclid=IwAR2JCnRAZjfaNiSnXMT8Byes5r33HKBEDqIYceuhuGjfYBOVi4qAeqSnM1w
Im hoping youll see News of the World, the new Tom Hanks movie based on the award-winning novel of the same name by Paulette Jiles, a poet, novelist and memoirist who lives on a hilltop near Utopia in the Hill Country. The novel was a National Book Award finalist in 2016, and the movie likely will win awards, as well.

News of the World is the story of Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Hanks), a 72-year-old widower who makes a meager living by reading newspaper articles to paying audiences (a dime apiece) in frontier towns across North Texas. Born in Georgia, Kidd was a teenage private during the War of 1812 and was made a captain during the Mexican War. Before the Civil War, and before his wifes death, he worked as a printer in San Antonio.

In Wichita Falls one night, he reluctantly agrees to ferry a 10-year-old girl who may be named Johanna Leonberger to German-immigrant relatives near Castroville, west of San Antonio. Unable to speak English or German, the little girl had been abducted four years earlier by Kiowa raiders who also killed her parents. News of the World is the story of their daunting 400-mile journey.

A New York Times reviewer described News of the World as [an] exquisite book about the joys of freedom. . . . pure adventure in the wilds of an untamed Texas; and the reconciling of vastly different cultures. A Washington Post film critic described the movie as an extraordinarily moving drama.

Several reviewers have picked up on the movie  and the books  accurate depiction of a time in Texas history we often ignore: the chaotic, lawless, politically unstable Reconstruction era. The war last lasted five years, Reconstruction nine. Arguably, those nine years were harder on Texas than the war itself.

There was anarchy in Texas in 1870 and every man did what was right in his own eyes, Jiles writes.

That anarchy included Texas under military rule; former freed slaves desperately trying to secure their hard-won freedom in the face of KKK terrorism; bands of brigands and outlaw gangs ruling areas of North and East Texas; chaos in Austin as a Republican governor tried to implement the three Civil War amendments while disenfranchised former Confederates resisted. It was a hard time in this state.

Jiles also is intrigued  and so are her readers, I suspect  by the phenomenon of child captives on the Texas frontier. As she points out in a note at the end of the novel, almost all of them apparently became Indian. Those rescued  like Cynthia Ann Parker, like the little girl in her novel  almost always longed to return to their adoptive families, even when they had been with their Indian families less than a year. Most never really readjusted.

The reviewers are right, about the book and the movie, directed and co-adapted by Paul Greengrass. Hanks is as compelling as he was in another Greengrass-directed movie, Captain Phillips, and the 10-year-old Johanna, a German child actress named Helena Zengel, is luminous. For Texas audiences, though, its the terrain thats miscast.

Kidd picks up his charge in Wichita Falls. Their journey in a used excursion wagon Kidd buys in Wichita Falls takes them southward to Dallas, Meridian, Cranfills Gap, Lampasas and into the Hill Country at Llano. He continues southward to Kerrville, Bandera, Castroville and finally D-Hanis, a few miles west of Castroville. Down through the heart of Texas, they travel along rocky, hard-packed trails through treeless plains, past rugged mountains and distant mesas.

This vast nothingness, as one reviewer described it, looks a whole lot like New Mexico. Because it is.

Jiless Texas is the one familiar to her fellow Texans  a tangled country of short, sharp hills in North Texas, the lifts and falls of the prairie country of Central Texas and bluebonnets by the acre in the Hill Country. These days, though, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Louisiana  all of our bookends, in the words of Rick Ferguson, executive director of the Houston Film Commission  are stand-ins for Texas.

For years, Texas, like most states, has had an incentive program to entice filmmakers, but beginning in the 2017 legislative session, a handful of Republican lawmakers set out to drastically curtail the program. A couple of them have tried to kill the Texas Film Commission outright. Money could be better spent elsewhere, they argue.

While Texas has retreated, other states and cities have gotten more aggressive. Theyre offering rebates to production companies of up to 20 percent of money spent in the state or city.

New Mexico has been particularly aggressive since the runaway success of Breaking Bad, the crime drama TV series that ran on AMC from January 2008 through September 2013. Our neighbor to the west not only offers a generous incentive program but also a state-of-the-art production facility in Albuquerque.

Thats why the rolling, often green pastureland around Waco in a six-part Paramount mini-series about the Branch Davidian siege looked as flat and arid as the plains east of Albuquerque. Its why Hell or High Water, a 2016 best-picture nominee starring Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham, purports to take place in small-town West Texas but is actually small-town New Mexico.

I was disappointed they didnt film in the Hill Country, Jiles told me by email last week. I dont know what kind of deals Georgia and New Mexico made with the film companies  tax breaks I suppose. Still, it was a good movie. I think Tom Hanks and Helena Zengels performances were superb.

So, we can argue about whether Texas ought to be enticing moviemakers to the Lone Star State. Maybe lawmakers will address the issue again this session. Meanwhile, as we ponder how New Mexico might recreate Galveston, the setting for Jiless latest novel, Simon the Fiddler, go read her wonderful News of the World. Watch the movie too. Just try to ignore those craggy mountains west of Dallas.

djholley10@gmail.com

Twitter:holleynews
The Princeton Symphony Orchestra will present South Africas Buskaid Soweto String Ensemble in Buskaid  A Musical Miracle, a five-concert on-demand series curated from the groups performances over the last five years.

The series opener, Brilliant Baroque to Cool Kwela, will be available online from Friday, Jan. 29, to Sunday, Jan. 31 on PSOs website princetonsymphony.org.

Buskaid is an organization that offers music instruction to less privileged children and young people in the township of Soweto. Directed by founder Rosemary Nalden, the student ensemble is noted for its animated performances of classical, pop and South African music.

Im thrilled that the PSO is presenting the amazing musicians of the Buskaid Soweto String Ensemble, said PSO executive director Marc Uys, who is from South Africa. Their musicianship and enthusiasm for their art is inspirational. Considering the conditions under which they have consistently excelled, it is nothing short of a miracle. Their story is one filled with hope and beauty and should be shared with the whole world.

Buskaid founder and music director Rosemary Nalden came up with the idea for creating virtual concerts out of archival footage of past concerts during the initial lockdown period of the pandemic.

Suddenly I had the time to devote to the painstaking task of sound and video editing  something Ive wanted to do for years, said Nalden. As a result, weve been able to take some outstanding highlights from these concerts and turn them into five very special streamed events, showcasing the versatile and prodigious musical talent which can be found in the dusty township of Soweto.

One unique aspect of all these concerts is the extraordinary ability of these young musicians to capture the precise style of the music, whether its European baroque or township Afro-pop, Nalden added.

The Jan. 29-31 concert will include the third movement of Mozarts Piano Concerto No. 13 in C Major performed with guest pianist Melvyn Tan, Max Bruchs Romanze for Solo Viola and Orchestra featuring Buskaid-trained violist Tiisetso Mashishi and Princeton-based composer Julian Grants Sanchos Dance-Mix, a suite after dances by Ignatius Sancho. The program will be enhanced by popular vocal selections and Kwela  a South African style of music derived from the marabi sound.

A new Buskaid on-demand program will be posted each month. Access to each concert in the series is $5 per unique device. To purchase, call 609-497-0020 or visit princetonsymphony.org.

Send community news to community@njtimes.com
Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to Vietnam Kidong Park praised Vietnams achievements in COVID-19 prevention and control in an interview on January 22.

Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to Vietnam Kidong Park (Photo: VNA)

Although Vietnam is a country with large, ageing population and lower-middle-income economy, and close to China with land crossing borders with multiple countries, it has been managing the COVID-19 outbreaks effectively, keeping the number of cases, including deaths, relatively lower than those of other countries, he said

The cumulative number of confirmed cases per 1 million population remains about 16 so far; and the cumulative number of deaths per 1 million population is about 0.4 so far, he cited.

These are the lowest figures among the 15 countries with more than 90 million population, he said.

Though Vietnam has been enjoying the a period in peace with no reported cases of community transmission, he noted that the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating its resurgence in many countries and imported cases are being reported almost every day. New community transmission cases in the country can happen anytime at any place, he warned.

In this context, Vietnam needs to set dual objectives of disease control and economic development, the so called a safe co-existence with COVID-19.

He recommended that while doing economic activities, the country should remain vigilant. Everybody should practice basic infection prevention measures at their daily life such as hand washing, mask wearing, physical distancing and avoiding places with high risk of transmission  crowds, closed spaces and close-contact settings, he said.

The health sector should be able to detect any new suspected outbreak as early as possible and apply measures to suppress new outbreak if it happens, he added.

Taking COVID-19 tests for residents (Photo:VNA)







Regarding COVID-19 vaccines, Park stated that as of January 19, 237 candidate vaccines are under development globally. Of these, 64 are either under clinical trial, and some of them have been in phase 3 or being authorized for emergency use in some countries. Some vaccines are under review of WHO emergency use listing.

WHO recognises Vietnams active participation in this global effort with a candidate vaccine being developed in the country, and acknowledges one of them have already started clinical trial phase 1 and others are also shown well progress to start the clinical trial soon. This is really impressive, he said.

It is a pride of biotechnology in the country, he asserted.

One year since the first case of COVID-19 confirmed in the country (January 23, 2020-2021), thanks to the effective implementation of key measures in the prevention and control of the panemic, the number of infections in Vietnam stand at only 1,548, including 35 deaths./. VNA
Area musicians remembered late Jordan Brothers member Joe Jordan, not only for his music but for his humility.

Jordan, 79, died Wednesday from complications of COVID-19.

Frank Jordan said Saturday his late brother was a very good artist and really talented.

Joe was a big part of the band and a super performer, he said.

Originally from Frackville, the band formed on Halloween 1954, and was active until 1985. It consisted of Joe Jordan, who did keyboards, vocals, composing and arranging, and his younger brothers, Frank, a vocalist who played tenor saxophone; Bob, the bands drummer who passed away in 1993; and Lew Jordan, who played lead guitar. They did 42 recordings on 15 different labels, appeared on Dick Clarks American Bandstand three times and were part of Clarks Caravan of Stars tour through the United States and Canada in 1959.

Their first record, Send Me Your Picture was released in 1957 and their biggest record was Gimme Some Lovin,  recorded in 1966. They performed with Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, Jimmy Clanton, the Coasters, the Drifters and Annette Funicello.

We met so many musical acts, Frank Jordan recalled. It felt like we were part of the program.

Jordan, who resides in Pine Grove, said growing up, he and his brothers looked up to Joe. In addition to playing music, he said his brother had a knack for inventing things, including a cardboard airplane that he flew around as a child. He said while all four brothers could have done well on their own, they held true to performing as brothers.

Through the years, we grew united in music, Frank Jordan said. We got to know each others playing style.

The band was a popular attraction at dance halls throughout the region, including Willow Lake in Schuylkill Haven and Lakeside Ballroom in Barnesville.

Among the hundreds who attended their weekly performances at the venues was former Shenandoah Evening Herald Editor Ed Shreppel.

It was a pretty big deal, he said Friday. They were legendary.

Veteran musician and radio personality Eddie Collins, of Groovetime Productions, first got to know Jordan in 1983, when he interviewed him and Frank for a Buddy Holly special on WXPX AM in Hazleton. The band covered Hollys Loves Made a Fool of You in 1961.

Joe was an incredible gentleman and a warm human being, he said.

Collins said as a musician, he did things differently, playing a Cordovox, or an amplified accordion, which he said created a combination of reverb and delay that he called impeccable.

That sound was unique to him, Collins said. We bonded through the gift of music. He was a mentor and beautiful man whose memory I will always carry with me.

He founded the Jordan Brothers Legacy Room in the Frackville Museum in the boroughs municipal building, which opened in 2015. The building is the former Frackville High School, where Jordan graduated from in 1958. A plaque outside of it honors the band.

Among the historical records and photos in the room are his Hammond C3 organ, Wurlitzer electric piano, mini Noog and Magrini accordion.

Collins said the band was the most prolific to come out of the area and were trendsetters for other local musicians.

Nice guy

Minersville resident Mark J. Mahal, who fronts The Kurious, a 10-member classic rock band, initially grew up listening to the Jordan Brothers as a teen and saw them at Willow Lake and The Spot in Minersville before performing with Joe Jordan. He said he looked up to the band and envisioned himself performing on stage.

They were the kings of the high school dances, he said Friday, adding their song Heart was a big slow dance song. Jordan said the song remains popular to this day.

Mahal, who owns Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home in the borough, said the late Jordans talents as a musician were equaled by the kind of man he was: someone who was kind and welcoming. He most recently performed with Jordan a few years ago at a private Fourth of July party in Frackville.

He was simply a nice guy, a humble guy at heart, he said. He never played the rock star persona.

After the Dorsey Brothers, originally from Shenandoah, Mahal said the Jordan Brothers put Schuylkill County on the musical map.

His death will leave a big void, Mahal said of Jordans passing.

Jimmie Siemanis, who plays bass with the classic rock band Another Side and the Other Side, also first heard Jordan perform at Willow Lake and became acquainted with him through a mutual friend, Ron Savitzky, in 1967.

The Minersville resident recalled him coming to see the Other Side perform at The Alley in the early 70s and said he was nothing but complimentary of the band, which broke up in 1978.

He was a classy, humble person, he said.

From 2003 to 2019, Jordan would do guest appearances with Another Side at block parties, Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg and Frackville Elks New Years Eve parties. Siemanis said when he performed, people cried hearing Jordan Brothers songs.

His voice was as good as it ever was, he said, calling him the ultimate performer.

If the world had more people like Joe, it would be a perfect place, Siemanis said.

Locals werent the only ones who reacted to Jordans death. Sirius XM personality Pat St. John, host of 60s on 6, played the bands music on his show Friday afternoon in honor of him.
Illustrative image (Photo: Zing.vn)

Hanoi - Banks will have to set aside money for potentially unrecoverable COVID-19 affected loans from this year, according to an amended circular drafted by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV).

Last year, the central bank issued Circular 01/2020/TT-NHNN, allowing banks to avoid making the provisions in 2020 to support banks and borrowers affected by the pandemic.



According to SBV Deputy Governor Dao Minh Tu, the amended circular, which is expected to be issued this month, will support businesses and people with loans, creating conditions for businesses to recover quickly.



However, Tu said, the circular would also regulate provisions on COVID-19 loans to ensure the safety of credit institutions and the national financial system. The provision ratio will fit the financial strength of credit institutions.



The ratio of the provisions is drafted to gradually increase, from 30 percent of COVID-19 affected loans by the end of 2021 to 60 percent by the end of 2022 and 100 percent by the end of 2023.



According to Can Van Luc, the profit growth of banks this year might be only about 10 percent against 20-25 percent in recent years mainly due to the requirement to make provisions for COVID-19 affected loans.



Banks restructured loans worth about 350 trillion VND (15.2 billion USD) for COVID-19 affected borrowers by the end of 2020, Luc said, adding if half of the loans became bad loans, the bad debt ratio of the banking system would increase to more than 3 percent by the end of 2021.



To control the risk of bad loans, banking expert Nguyen Tri Hieu recommended besides actively recovering bad loans, banks must set aside provisions for bad loans and risky loans.



Some banks have already increased provisions for their risky loans.



According to Nghiem Xuan Thanh, Chairman of the State-owned Vietcombanks Board of Directors, Vietcombanks bad debt ratio is at 0.61 percent of total outstanding loans, the lowest level among credit institutions and also the lowest in the history of the bank.



The bad debt ratio of State-owned VietinBank had also declined from 1.2 percent in 2019 to below 1 percent in 2020, Tran Minh Binh, General Director of VietinBank, said.



Thanks to the bad debt decrease, the bank increased its provisions from 120 percent to 130 percent of loans. In 2021, VietinBank aimed to keep the bad debt ratio below 2 percent while credit was set to grow at 8-11 percent and profit at 10-20 percent, Binh said.



Leaders of private commercial banks also said the bad debt situation was being improved. Nguyen Dinh Tung, General Director of OCB, said bad debt tended to decrease compared to the mid-2020 period. Enterprises were recovering quite quickly with the pandemic controlled.



It was positive as enterprises were recovering earlier than expected thanks to the central banks supporting policies for debt restructuring, helping them overcome the crisis.

Russell Moore: Church must 'recover credibility of our witness' post-Trump SBC leader warns many are growing 'cynical,' believe religion is means to another end

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In the aftermath of a contentious election season, Southern Baptist ethicist Russell Moore warned the Church against cynicism and stressed that followers of Christ must now recover the credibility of our witness.

In an interview with Time magazine published last Thursday, the 49-year-old Moore lamented the fact that politics have become deeply intertwined with the many people's understanding of the Church.

I dont know a single family thats not been divided over President Trump, and politics generally. I dont know a single church that hasnt been, the 49-year-old president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission said.

As a result, the biggest threat facing the American Church right now is not secularism but cynicism, he argued, adding: Thats why we have to recover the credibility of our witness.

While its one thing to dismiss Christianity as strange and unlikely, Moore added that if people walk away from the Church because they dont believe that we really believe what we say, then thats a crisis.

There is an entire generation of people who are growing cynical that religion is just a means to some other end, he warned.

Moore has spoken out against Trump since 2015 and called on the president to step down before his term ended after a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol earlier this month.

The head of SBC's public policy arm stated that his criticism of Trump has put him in a lonely position. But he believes many people have experienced that sort of loneliness over the past four or five years.

Moores opposition to Trump has come at a cost. In 2017, over 100 Southern Baptist churches displeased with his vocal concerns about Trump during the 2016 presidential election threatened to withhold funding from the denomination.

In an interview with Relevant magazine last week, Moore said that while there's a temptation to check out from politics, the Church must be the people who are choosing voice more than were choosing exit.

Right now, there are many people who have grown discouraged and theyve grown cynical and theyre just leaving," he detailed. "Im having this conversation every day with people. I would just say that we cant give up. We have to really understand that this is important for us to stay in this."

As Joe Biden begins his presidency, the Baptist leader will be praying for wisdom and humility and the ability to unify.

Weve got to get beyond this, he continued. To use the lyric from Larry Norman, Do you really think the way to bring about the peace is to sacrifice your children and kill all your enemies? Thats sort of the mentality that that is politically short-term useful in America right now, and we have to have people who are willing to short circuit that and to say, Im willing to listen to views I disagree with and to grow.

Moore believes that just like President Barack Obama, Biden has shown he is willing and eager to listen to people who disagree with him.

I hope that thats the way that he decides to be as president, he said. And what thats going to mean is saying, There are going to be some things that would make my base happy if I said or if I did, and Im going to have to take into account the whole country and maybe disappoint people who support me just like I will disappoint people who oppose me sometimes.

Moore is not alone in issuing a call for unity following a divisive election season.

Sam Collier, head of Hillsong Atlanta, tweeted that One of our greatest issues in this country is that we havent become unified in the decision to pursue unity.

Well-known Bible teacher Beth Moore, no relation to Russell Moore, reminded Christians that Christ is bigger than political leaders.

Rulers of nations have come and gone for 2000 years but the church remains. We did not know all that would befall us 4 years ago nor do we know the times ahead, she tweeted Wednesday. But the task of the church remains unchanged: to know Christ & make him known. To be salt & light in this time & place.
A new fit-for-purpose community patrol car with all the bells and whistles has been coasting through the alleys and roads around Tauranga South this last month thanks to a great deal of fundraising and sponsorship.

The Tauranga South Community Patrol celebrated the arrival of its new 2020 MG ZS Excite patrol car with representatives from Tauranga City Council, TECT and Farmer MG at a morning tea at the Tauranga South Police station.

We fundraise through running the Greerton Carboot Sale and support the Tauranga Farmers Market, says Tauranga South Community Patrol chairperson Maureen Kathan. The support from businesses in the community and the Tauranga City Council is crucial to our operations.

TECT approved $10,000 towards the purchase of the vehicle.

This is the first community patrol vehicle weve funded, says TECTs grants administrator Janette Voss.

Weve helped them in the past with running costs.

Its good to see that community patrol are really taken seriously. Theyre making a difference and thats the whole point of TECT funding  to make a positive difference in our community.

When you see something like this patrol vehicle which highlights safety in our community - this is where we are very honoured to be approached to fund an organisation like this, says Janette.

The presentation was also attended by Tauranga City Councils emergency management senior advisor Alana Rapson, and the councils community development team manager Paul Mason.

Tauranga City Council provides operational funding to the five Tauranga community patrols, says Alana. That was approved for a 10-year period through the Long Term Plan. We also support community patrols through the safer communities programme which is run through our Community Development team.

We try and support anything thats got community resilience, community wellbeing and community safety within that, because it is of huge benefit to Tauranga residents and ratepayers.

The vehicle, which cost $22990 plus on-road costs, was provided by Farmer MG, part of the Farmer AutoVillage group, and is the second community patrol car theyve set up, following Omokoroas patrol car last year.

One of the big benefits, especially for this group, is five years warranty, unlimited kilometres and five year roadside assistance, says Farmer MG sales specialist Blair Brookbanks. And thats for everybody  the public when theyre buying vehicles  they have that peace-of-mind motoring for five years.

The Farmer AutoVillage group are very keen to help out a lot in the community. We secured this vehicle, set up all their lights. Being the second one weve done, its a lot easier because we knew where to place things and set it up for what they needed. And it looks spectacular, it looks brilliant.

Based in Greerton, the Tauranga South Community patrol has about 25 active patrollers but around 35 volunteers overall; some who support with fundraising activities and in other ways.

We are very proud of our volunteers who give up many hours of their time to not only patrol day and night but also support other fundraising activities as well as events in the local area, says Maureen.

We welcome new members and the ideal candidate would be between the ages of 18 and 60. You will be asked to complete some training online as well as attend local training sessions often run by the police. During your first three months you will go out on patrol with two other experienced patrollers and gradually learn the protocols and skills required to become a full patroller. It is a rewarding and sometimes exciting opportunity to serve the community.

The patrols regular Tauranga South 70km circuit, where they operate as the eyes and ears of the police, takes in Greerton CBD, Merivale, Welcome Bay and the Lakes business area, providing a valuable crime prevention community resource.

To join the patrol, or support them, call: 0220 974 681 during business hours or go to their website: http://tscp.org.nz
Washington Township residents interested in enrolling their 3- or 4-year-olds in the Washington Township Public Schools integrated four-day preschool program are encouraged to pre-register online now for a possible lottery for placement. The date of the lottery, if needed, will be March 1. Students will be accepted on a tuition basis into the districts half-day program according to availability, allowing typically developing children and children with disabilities to learn together in the same environment at Grenloch Terrace Early Childhood Center. The program will run Monday through Thursday and will coincide with the districts school calendar.

Families who pre-register will receive further instructions on how to set up their accounts and complete the registration process.

Students who are 3 years old on or before Oct. 1 are eligible for the program and will attend the 9:20-11:50 a.m. session. Students who are age 4 on or before Oct. 1 will attend the 1-3:30 p.m. session. Students who turn 5 before Oct. 1 will not be accepted into the program.

Tuition is $250 per month, payable through monthly installments, and will include the cost of roundtrip transportation services to the same pickup and dropoff location.

We are pleased to provide this opportunity for an enriched preschool experience that meets the social, emotional, physical, communication and cognitive needs of your children, district director of elementary education Gretchen Gerber said. Our program structure is similar to a typical preschool program, as the teaching of developmentally appropriate skill areas is embedded throughout the Tools of the Mind Curriculum that we utilize. The classroom is staffed with a certified teacher and a classroom assistant.

Families interested in enrolling in the preschool lottery can log-in via the district website portal ecollect.accelaschool.com/WTPS.

Send community news to south@njadvancemedia.com
In context: Australia could pass a law requiring search engine giant Googleand othersto pay news sites to link to their articles. If that happens, Google has told the Australian Senate in no uncertain terms that theyll be closing down search in Australia.

The problem is that news siteswhich have been struggling to adapt their business model in an increasingly digital, online agehavent fared well in recent years, and blame the likes of Google and Facebook for lost advertising revenue.

Because of that, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) have proposed a new framework where tech platformsbeginning with Google and Facebookpay news sites for linking to their stories. Google and Facebook are expected to negotiate in good faith towards an agreed fee.

Ars Technica explains, You might think that Google would simply stop linking to Australian news sites. But that won't be allowed under the ACCC proposal. New non-discrimination rules require Google to treat sites the same whether or not it has to pay to link to them.

Google responded on Friday with an ultimatum. Speaking in the Australian Senate, Googles Mel Silva said that the company would have no real choice but to shut search in Australia if the framework is imposed, adding that the move would set an untenable precedent for our business and the digital economy.

The situation has even drawn criticism from Tim Berners-Lee, creator of the World Wide Web. He agreed that Australias framework would set a harmful precedent, adding: The ability to link freelymeaning without limitations regarding the content of the linked site and without monetary feesis fundamental to how the Web operates.

Its not the first time Google has found itself in a situation like this. The company was recently embroiled in a similar controversy with French news sitesone which ended with Google eventually agreeing to pay, although details, at the time, were sketchy.

For now, it looks like Australian officials may be willing to see how serious Google is about pulling search from Australia. We dont respond to threats, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday. Australia makes our rules for things you can do in Australia.

Your move, Google.
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Since 2012 the Local Studies Department, Kildare County Library Service, and the County Kildare Decade of Commemorations Committee have been commemorating local people and events of the 1912-1923 period, as well as Kildares connections to national and international events.

The programme of commemorations began with Kildare people on board the ill-fated Titanic, and has included events and publications on Great Lock-out, World War I, the Easter Rising and the War of Independence.

We are now approaching the anniversary of the pivotal year of 1921 in the War of Independence, with formation of the IRA into a regular army, the setting up of a major internment camp on the Curragh, the Truce agreement in July and the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in December.

Rathangan man Ned Broy was one of those who accompanied Michael Collins to the Treaty negotiations in London. While the signing of the Treaty generated great rejoicing in the country, it eventually led to a split in the republican movement and a descent into civil war.

Locally, there were several events which took place in County Kildare that the County Kildare Decade of Commemorations will be commemorating:

On February 21, 1921, an RIC patrol was attacked in Maynooth, leading to the death of Sgt Joseph Hughes.

In March, the British authorities opened a new camp for republican prisoners near the Curraghs Gibbet Rath, which accommodated up to 1,500 men, and was to remain in use until after the Treaty was signed.

The Prosperous Heritage Festival will be commemorating the Allen Ambush, also in March.

Ambushes and terror

There was also another ambush at Barrowhouse, Athy, in May 1921 in which two volunteers, James OConnor and Jim Lacey, were shot dead. That night a party of Black and Tans arrived in the Barrowhouse district and subjected the inhabitants to a reign of terror, in which two houses were destroyed. The IRA shot dead two local men in controversial circumstances: Michael Power and Philip Dunne, while two more civilians, Bridget and John Doran, were burned to death at Ballymany, Newbridge, in a botched attack on the Army and Navy Stores.

An attempt to derail a troop train at Hazelhatch, Celbridge, had the potential to be the most devastating attack of the war, only for the timely arrival of a lorry-load of British soldiers.

The War of Independence was effectively ended with the signing of the Truce on 11 July 1921. Nine people had died in the low level of violence in County Kildare from 1919 to 1921.

The IRA in Kildare, and in surrounding counties like Wicklow and Carlow, had only began to be effective in the spring of 1921 with the creation of the republican army into divisions, brigades and battalions. These units were beginning to act as a cohesive army when the Truce was signed.

Neither the Irish nor British sides believed the Truce would last, and both were using it as breathing space.

On September 9, around 50 internees escaped from the Rath Camp on the Curragh, in one of the great escapes which has entered Irish folklore. Local people helped spirit away some of the escapees. Crown forces mounted a large-scale search throughout Kildare and the neighbouring counties, but not one escapee was recaptured.

Michael and Jim Sheehan, Newbridge Company, IRA

Never fired

Most volunteers never fired a shot during the War of Independence. Instead they sabotaged roads and bridges, reported on troop movements, watched for raiding crown forces, hid arms, intercepted British communications, scouted for republican fugitives, delivered messages and carried out other critical, if unglamourous, tasks.

The Volunteers were augmented by Cumann na mBan, especially in the maintenance of their intelligence and communications networks. It was such seemingly tedious but essential services that kept the republican campaign going.

The County Kildare Decade of Commemorations Committee will continue a programme of talks and publications throughout the year.

In light of ongoing restrictions due to the pandemic, it is likely that much of the programme in 2021 will be taking place online, including the fifth annual Irish Military Seminar.

Particular focus will be on the activities of Cumann na mBan in the county during the War of Independence and a project is planned to identify all local members. Anyone with information or photographs of County Kildare Cumann na mBan members can contact the County Kildare Decade of Commemorations at the address below.

Not all of the programme will focus exclusively on political or military matters either, with cultural aspects of the revolutionary decade to be explored also.

The creation and coordination of a digital commemorative programme for the County Kildare Decade of Commemorations is a key aim of the Committee in 2021.

Original archival material from the Local Studies & Archives Collections in Newbridge will be digitised and made accessible to all online. A digital history programme co-ordinator will be recruited to assist in this work and in ensuring that local history and heritage groups across the County are supported in this Covid-19 Age.

Further information available on www.kildare.ie/ehistory & www.kildare.ie/library

Facebook: Kildare Decade of Commemorations

Twitter: @cilldara2016

YouTube: Kildare Decade of Commemorations

Email: localhistory@kildarecoco.ie

Tel: 045448351

 article courtesy of Local Studies Section of Kildare Library Service
A man who, according to police records, stalked and terrorized his ex-wife in the months before she was slain Wednesday evening was charged with killing her, Philadelphia police said Saturday.

Adriano Coriano, 55, has been charged with murder and related charges in the death of Gladys Coriano, 52, who was fatally shot as she sat in her SUV in front of her home in the 900 block of Hartel Street.

Police officers who were called to the Fox Chase home found Gladys Coriano suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso and neck. She was taken to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, where she died three hours later.

Ten days before the slaying, Adriano Coriano pleaded guilty to violating a protective court order that his ex-wife had filed against him, for which he was sentenced to six months probation, the records show.

Gladys Coriano went to police at least five times in the last three months to report that her ex-husband had threatened, stalked, or assaulted her, according to the records and law enforcement sources.

In addition, there was an active felony warrant for his arrest at the time, issued by the District Attorneys Office in November over accusations that he had forced his way into the victims home on Halloween, pinned her to the floor, tried to pull her pants down, and threatened her with a knife.

Spokespersons for the Police Department and the District Attorneys Office told The Inquirer their offices were investigating how they handled Adriano Corianos record of threatening behavior toward his wife before he was charged in the slaying.

Adriano Coriano was also charged Saturday with crimes related to the alleged Halloween assault of his ex-wife, court records show. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb. 8 in the murder case, the records show.

He was being held without bail.
Boris Johnson, Biden Discuss UK-US Coordination on China Policy

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U.S. President Joe Biden discussed the need for coordination on China and other foreign policy priorities in a phone call on Saturday.

The leaders discussed the need for coordination on shared foreign policy priorities, including China, Iran, and Russia, the White House said in a statement. Biden conveyed his intention to strengthen the special relationship between our countries and revitalize transatlantic ties, underscoring the critical role of NATO to our collective defense and shared values.

Johnson also said the two leaders looked forward to deepening the close alliance between Britain and the United States.

Great to speak to President @JoeBiden this evening. I look forward to deepening the longstanding alliance between our two countries as we drive a green and sustainable recovery from COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/Y4P3G74PPz  Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 23, 2021

Building on the UK and U.S. long history of cooperation in security and defence, the leaders re-committed to the NATO alliance and our shared values in promoting human rights and protecting democracy, Johnsons office said in a statement.

Over the last four years, the Trump administration confronted the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on a range of issues, including unfair trade practices, espionage, malign influence in the United States, security threats posed by Chinese technology, and its human rights abuses against religious minorities and Hong Kong residents.

Outgoing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Jan. 20 expressed hope that the Biden administration will continue to confront threats posed by the CCP.

Bidens nominee for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, said on Jan. 19 that Trump was right in taking a tougher approach toward the Chinese regime, but that he disagrees with the approach.

Blinken said there is no doubt that the regime poses the most significant challenge of any nation-state to the United States. He also acknowledged that the previous consensus that had informed the U.S. policy of engagement toward Chinathat economic liberalization would lead to political liberalization in the countrywas wrong.

The United States, he said, needs to deal with the regime from a position of strength through working with allies, and engaging and leading international institutions, rather than let the regime exert more influence on them.

During Saturdays phone call, Johnson warmly welcomed Bidens decision to re-join the Paris Agreement on climate change and the World Health Organization (WHO), Downing Street said.

Johnsons office said the two leaders discussed the benefits of a potential free trade deal, but the White House did not mention trade in its readout of the phone call.

Frank Fang and Cathy He contributed to this report.
Even ahead of the seat-sharing deal between the Congress and the DMK, the Stalin-led party has reserved Royapuram constituency for itself for the upcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. The DMK has even claimed that the Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar - who is AIADMK MLA from the constituency - will lose deposit in the upcoming elections. The move to reserve Royapuram seat comes as Congress' former chief Rahul Gandhi is campaigning in the state. In a sharp response to DMK, Jayakumar challenged DMK president MK Stalin to contest against him from Royapuram.

Fisheries Minister Jayakumar said, "Royapuram constituency people have elected me five times and for the sixth time too, they will elect me. I challenge the DMK president to contest against me in Royapuram if he has the guts."

Earlier, while campaigning in Royapuram, Stalin alleged that the area witnessed no development despite Jayakumar being a minister for several years. "Fisheries Minister Jayakumar has also previously served as the Assembly speaker. Despite all this, the area does not even have basic infrastructure. Most people here belong to the fisherman community. Yet, they face many hardships to receive benefits of the fisherman welfare schemes such as subsidy for new boats," Stalin had said.

READ | Stalin slams TN Dy CM OPS on Jayalalithaa death probe, repeats 'DMK will punish culprit'

Rahul Gandhi's campaign

Lashing out at the Centre's GST law, ex-Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Saturday claimed that the Centre had crippled the MSMEs and the economic system by imposing the GST law. Promising to restructure the current GST regime to give the 'One Tax, Minimum Tax', Gandhi claimed that PM Modi is always seen with the 'largest industrialists', never the small & medium industrialists. Rahul Gandhi is currently on a 3-day tour in Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore, Tiruppur, and Karur.

"In my mind, the future of India and any competition we want to win with China, Bangladesh or others is through the MSMEs. The massive protests that are happening across India are because there is an attempt to impose one idea, one ideology in this country. Your language, your history is under attack. The Tamil Nadu spirit cannot be crushed," said Rahul Gandhi.

READ | EPS Says Stalin's Dream Of Becoming Tamil Nadu CM Will Never Come True; DMK Chief Responds

Tamil Nadu Assembly elections

Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu are due in April-May 2021 and the political parties have started their campaign. While DMK's MK Stalin is eyeing becoming Chief Minister for the first time, CM E Palaniswami (EPS) is fighting for his re-election. The BJP is yet to make a formal announcement of the alliance with AIADMK and is in talks with Stalin's estranged brother MK Alagiri. On the other side, AIADMK has said that they are the big-brother within the NDA alliance. Meanwhile, Kamal Hassan has put a halt to his campaign trail due to a leg surgery. Superstar Rajinikanth who was about to launch his party this year has backed out due to health reasons.

READ | Stalin raises Jayalalithaa's death mystery: EPS has no moral right to unveil her memorial

READ | Udhayanidhi defies legal notice; hurls 'slave EPS' taunt again over law & order issues
Photo: The Canadian Press Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responds to a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on December 9, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Members of Parliament will return to the House of Commons on Monday following a month-long break that was anything but restful for the main federal parties, who are coming back battered and bruised from different controversies.

One of the first orders of business will be for MPs to decide how Parliament will continue to function during the COVID-19 pandemic, including whether to adopt a new voting app for parliamentarians who are attending remotely.

The Liberal government is also set to table legislation aimed at preventing people who have travelled outside the country on non-essential business from accessing up to $1,000 in federal support when they quarantine for two weeks.

Yet the slow pace of vaccinations across Canada and a pending delay in the delivery of more inoculations from Pfizer is expected to dominate the proceedings as opposition parties look for answers from  and to assign blame to  the government.

The Liberals are also still reeling from Julie Payettes resignation late last week as Governor General, with unanswered questions about how she will be replaced -- and how she was selected for the vice-regal job in the first place.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives will be looking to turn the page after former leadership candidate Derek Sloans ouster from caucus, which followed weeks of Liberal efforts to link the Tories to far-right groups like those that stormed Capitol Hill in Washington.


A wild new musical festival descended into chaos after drunk patrons started fighting among themselves and a party boat veered towards a jetty.

Police were called to the Gold Coast Vibez festival at Couran Cove at 8.30pm on Saturday after an 'intoxicated' guest knocked a control lever on the boat, pushing it into a nearby pier.

As water police responded to the initial complaint, security raised further concerns about 'a number of intoxicated patrons' who had started fighting among themselves.

Acting Superintendent Scott Knowles said officers were forced to use capsicum spray to stop several of the attendees from fighting.

Bodycam footage from the event shows partygoers staggering around, with one even falling to the floor and needing the help of friends to stand.

Police were called to the Gold Coast Vibez festival at Couran Cove about 8.30pm on Saturday after an 'intoxicated' guest knocked a control lever on the boat, pushing it into a nearby jetty

A wild new musical festival descended into chaos after drunk patrons started fighting among themselves and a party boat veered towards a jetty

Crowds were ferried back to the mainland and eventually dispersed.

While nobody was fined or arrested on the night, police are now investigating whether the venue breached its Covid-safe plan or alcohol licensing restrictions.

Superintendent Knowles explained the Queensland Ambulance Service tent that was set up at the festival was overrun by partygoers.

As a result, an extra ten police had to be called to provide back up onto South Stradbroke Island.

While nobody was fined or arrested on the night, police are now investigating whether the venue breached its Covid-safe plan or alcohol licensing restrictions

Acting Superintendent Scott Knowles said officers were forced to use capsicum spray to stop several of the attendees from fighting

'We effectively shut the event down and had the attendees transported back to the mainland,' he said.

'It's atrocious, that sort of behaviour is completely unwarranted. To intimidate and overrun the facility is completely uncalled for.'

A second local festival held at the Gold Coast Turf Club was placed on high alert and temporarily suspended on Saturday over concerns about social distancing requirements.

Police have warned revelers and event organisers to stay alert and aware of Covid restrictions, particularly approaching Australia Day on Tuesday.


Dhaka, Jan 24 : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered the evacuation of a 150-year-old heritage building in Chittagong which was once the law chamber of freedom fighter Jatindra Mohan Sengupta and his father advocate Jatra Mohon Sengupta, to be converted into a museum.

Following the Prime Minister's demand, Chittagong district authorities have evacuated the building and installed a signboard with an order issued on 6 January by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh that the site is to be conserved for a museum, Advocate Rana Dasgupta told IANS on Saturday.

Welcoming the move, Dasgupta said it was victory of the movement of the people of Chittagong.

"We are happy that the Prime Minister herself handled this issue with a plan to secure the heritage as a museum. We hope the local administration will accelerate implementing the order," he added.

Since January 5, several sit-in programmes were held in front of the heritage structure urging the government to take steps.

But over the last two weeks, miscreants have stayed at the building and burned the doors, local residents told IANS.

Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindrath Tagore, Netaji Subhas Bose and other the legendary leaders met Jatindra Mohan Sengupta and his father advocate Jatra Mohon Sengupta at their law chamber.

"Anti-British revolutionaries led by 'Master da' Surya Sen in 1930 and afterwards to raid a British arsenal, but we couldn't protect the historical house from the land grabbers for last 50 years," Dasgupta told IANS.

"At last prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself rescued the house, which is partly damaged by the hooligans already." On January 6, Dasgupta had submitted a memorandum to the administrator of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) urging the government for necessary steps to turn the house into a museum in order to preserve the memory of anti-British movement heroes.

Officials of CTG district administration deployed law enforcers around the house, complying with a High Court order asking the authority to protect the historically important structure and heritage of Chittagong.

Mohammad Mominur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of CTG district administration, told IANS that he deployed 10 officials of the Armed Police Battalion (APBN), a specialised unit of the Bangladesh Police, to take care of the heritage structure in light of the High Court order.

Earlier in the month, a land grabber named Farid Chowdhury had taken over the heritage house bulldozed and demolished the wood-worked front part with a group of armed hooligans based on a court order.

Following the incident, Dasgupta along with a group of social, cultural and history conservationists tried to stop further demolition.

The hooligans withdrew the bulldozer, but remained there for the last 18 days.

The Cultural Ministry at a meeting held on July 17, 2018, had ordered to the district authority of Chittagong to conserve all the heritage buildings, both Advocate Rana Dasgupta and Mominur told IANS.

Cultural, social and historical building conservationists of Chittagong hailed the move by the district administration urging them to turn the structures into a museum.
Ronica Blackmon had her first experience with therapy as a student at Prairie View A&M University more than a decade ago. Feeling anxious and overwhelmed, she decided to give the campus health center a try, seeking therapy once a week.

But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Texas in 2020, and Blackmon was prohibited from visiting her mother, who was healing from surgery, the pressure became too much. Blackmon, 29, who returned to PVAMU after a break in 2016, upped her sessions with her therapist Bernadine Duncan to twice a week.

She helped me to focus on things I can control, said Blackmon, adding that Duncan encouraged her to pursue activities that brought her joy and relaxation.

College students across the country are experiencing more feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed.

A September survey of more than 2,000 students by Active Minds, a nonprofit that seeks to raise awareness about mental health on college campuses, showed that 75 percent of students reported that their mental health had worsened during the pandemic. Stress, anxiety, disappointment, sadness, isolation and loneliness were cited in the survey.

Despite this, some Texas college health professionals say the demand for mental health services on campuses has declined.

Our interpretation of this includes multiple factors, including data on how people respond to natural disasters  hunker down and try to survive, then face the emotional fallout after the danger is over, said Randal Boldt, who oversees Baylor Universitys Counseling Center. We do know that freshmen may be a little shocked by how different the college experience is from what they had imagined a year ago and are simply trying to survive.

Norman Ngo, director of Counseling and Psychological Services at the University of Houston, added that trauma can often cause a delayed response, especially when students are dealing with serious or pressing concerns, such as the health of family members.

They may be putting off some of their own stuff, Ngo said.

That trend has been seen at colleges across the country. The Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors surveyed 144 colleges and compared the first four weeks of the fall 2020 semester with the same period in fall 2019. The survey found a 29 percent decrease in the number of students seeking counseling services and a 22 percent decrease in appointments, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported.

A shift from in-person mental health services to virtual ones likely had an effect on demand for mental health services, Ngo said.

Zoom fatigue, or tiring of virtual communication, and a preference for in-person help could make students less likely to seek counseling online, Boldt said.

Students might not feel comfortable or have privacy if participating in counseling or therapy virtually at home or in shared spaces with relatives, roommates or loved ones, Ngo said. In addition, Texas law, which requires residents to see mental health professionals in the same state in which they are residing, might mean students who are from out of state cannot use on-campus resources, even online.

Quantifying or tracking the use of online health services can be challenging because the services are newer, said Elizabeth Plummer, clinical director at Rice Universitys Counseling Center.

Many practitioners predict the demand for mental health services will increase in 2021.

We knew prior to the pandemic that students were stressed and feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities, their academics and their different roles, said Santana Simple, assistant director of the suicide awareness and prevention office at Texas A&M University. The pandemic has heightened many of these emotions, she added.

Some students returned home to be caregivers or picked up jobs to address financial insecurity, Simple said. With new COVID-19 regulations, students also felt increasingly isolated from their identity as college students, from their peers and from typical learning environments.

Texas A&M implemented telehealth early on in the pandemic and saw demand for such services fluctuate. Overall attendance increased, meaning more students were keeping and meeting their appointments, Simple said.

The college also promoted its virtual sims program, which helps students and employees act out and learn ways to help friends who might be facing a mental health crisis, and has more recently worked to amplify its response to suicide awareness.

A&M launched the Aggies Reaching Aggies program in mid-January. The program trains student volunteers and peer educators on how to best support students and discuss suicide, the second-leading cause of death among young adults.

Demand for mental health services at the University of Texas at Austin, which were held virtually, increased by roughly 3 percent in 2020, which is still lower than the 10 percent that it has increased over the years, said Chris Brownson, associate vice president for student affairs and director of the universitys Counseling and Mental Health Center.

Knowing that many of its students were off campus, out of state or overseas, UT-Austin partnered with an organization that allows them to work with a network of professionals around the globe to ensure they and employees could access services no matter where they are.

We also found when we converted to providing our services through telehealth, not all students had a private space to speak with a therapist, Brownson said, an issue that prompted the health center to transform 19 of its offices into spaces where students could come for privacy.

UH, which saw a 22.7 percent decrease in requests for clinical services in 2020 but a 19 percent increase in the use of its after-hours crisis call line, similarly opened private rooms for students to use equipment and virtually meet with a clinician last year, Ngo said.

Workshops on topics ranging from isolation and racial trauma to depression and anxiety were offered at UH. The college also offered a platform with on-demand resources addressing motivation, mindfulness and anxiety, and 24-hour Zoom Rooms, where students as well as faculty can have one-on-one meetings with a health professional.

Ngo said the results of UHs virtual mental health efforts have been positive. For students who received teletherapy, 69 percent strongly agreed that they were pleased with their services, and 60 percent said it became important to their academic success, according to results provided by Ngo.

While most schools experienced declines in requests for services, the opposite was true for historically Black university Prairie View A&M. The college experienced a drastic increase within the last year, with many students reporting stress, anxiety, depression and loneliness, said Duncan, director of the colleges counseling services.

The increase has been particularly significant because Black adults are considered less likely to receive or seek out mental health, with 1 out of 3 Black adults receiving the mental health services they need, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health.

The support has been crucial, as many students grapple with a change in the typical tight-knit, intimate environment of an HBCU, Duncan said.

It took this pandemic for us to realize just how important those social activities and cultural activities are that help us to see ourselves and relax in times of stress, Duncan said. She said the college has aimed to help students understand what theyre feeling and to define different forms of mental health issues.

Many say they cant get out and engage with social individuals, and theyre taking long periods of time at home, which for a lot of students, being under the auspices of their parents, is taking a step back, she said.

In addition to talking to students about their stressors and challenges during the pandemic, Duncan said college mental health professionals have also been tasked with talking with students about their hesitancy toward vaccines, grief, domestic violence and sexual assault, which has increased during the pandemic.

This is a crisis overlaid on a crisis, UTs Brownson said. Once students are back and things are kind of more back to normal  the fallout from this pandemic, the impact that its had on peoples mental health.  Im anticipating an even great surge.

Ngo echoed that point. Typically, we have situational stress. It usually goes away. You get a break and a chance to recover, but (2020 was) so unique in that its relentless, Ngo said. Theres not a break.

brittany.britto@chron.com
The two-week long security alert in the Wattlebridge Road area of County Fermanagh has ended.

Police confirmed that a device left at a bus shelter was a hoax and live ammunition has been recovered from the area.

The alert began on January 13 when police responded to reports of a suspicious device being left in the area. The Continuity IRA (CIRA) claimed they had opened fire on a police helicopter the following evening, however police denied this.

Read More

Police said that, if the claims were true, they believed a privately owned helicopter flying in the area may have been targeted. The helicopter did not sustain any damage and those on board were unaware it was being fired at.

Read More

In a statement last week, the CIRA claimed they tried to draw officers to the location for a gun attack.

PSNI Chief Superintendent Andy Freeburn said all roads have now been reopened and he thanked the community for their patience and support.

"This was a challenging and complex operation, made all the more difficult by the weather conditions. I would also like to thank our officers, our colleagues in An Garda Siochana and army bomb disposal experts for their assistance and expertise," he said.

"A device left at a bus shelter has been declared a hoax. Four rounds of ammunition have also been recovered. They have now been taken away for forensic examination.

Expand Close The device which was declared a hoax Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook

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"At this stage, it is too early to determine if any weapons were fired, as has been claimed.

"No community should have to live under the threat of such violence and we will now focus upon our investigation.

"We would ask anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area from January 13th to get in contact with us on 101."

The incident was not the first attempt by the CIRA to lure police to the Wattlebridge Road area.

In August 2019, while responding to a security alert, police and Army Technical Officers narrowly escaped injury when a bomb exploded on the main A3 Cavan Road as they were inspected a hoax device.

Police have said the CIRA were also behind a booby trap device in Craigavon in July 2019 and an explosive device on a heavy goods vehicle in Lurgan in January 2020.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 16:51:27|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The United States and China should boost cooperation on global challenges such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the competitive elements of their bilateral relationship, a U.S. business leader has said.

"Such collaboration would be probably very productive, particularly over the longer term," U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC) President Craig Allen told Xinhua in a recent video interview.

On climate change, Allen noted that decarbonization is a massive job for both China and the United States. "I think that, were we two work together on this, that it would make it much more safe for our children and our grandchildren," he said.

On COVID-19, the U.S. business leader noted that there is a lot of corporate collaboration right now. "But at the national level, I think greater collaborate, and (at) the multilateral level, greater cooperation, would benefit everyone," he said.

"If we are to value the global commons and try to improve the situation, not only in Asia, not only in America, not only in China, but globally, the two have to work together," he said.

Allen told Xinhua that American companies are not leaving China amid the pandemic, as all USCBC member companies recognize that China will produce approximately 30 percent or more of global growth for the next 10 years.

"We want to be a part of China's global growth. We think that we can contribute to China's global growth, make it more balanced, employ a lot of people, bring good products," he said.

"Almost all of our companies are doubling down in China, we are in China for the long term. Nobody is pulling out of China at all," said the U.S. business leader, whose organization represents over 200 American companies doing business with China.

Allen said all USCBC member companies welcome Chinese investment in the Unites States, as Chinese investment employs Americans, and brings in new brands, new software and new technologies into the U.S. market.

"Both countries have legitimate national security concerns, but for the 95 percent of GDP that is outside of national security, free trade and investment flows make us both better and richer countries," he said. "We should embrace the opportunity to expand trade and investment." #GLOBALink

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Experienced family business advisor Paul Keogh has a simple mantra that he repeats to clients in times of stress: family first, business second.

"I'm a great believer that a business should never rule a family," Keogh told the Sunday Independent. "Business is about profit, but it can't be at the expense of a family."

It is advice that doesn't always go down well, not least at a time like now when many family-owned companies find themselves facing severe stress and challenge.

"I know a fair number of businesses where multiple family units of the same family are dependent on that business. And that causes an added stress. In lots of cases where they have hit a bad patch because of Covid it really has brought financial strain."

Keogh has worked with family companies throughout his career. He originally worked for Guinness - before it became part of global giant Diageo - and, as marketing director for lagers for the-then still family-controlled company, he brought Budweiser to Ireland. He was chief operating officer at Sean Mulryan's Ballymore and a senior marketing executive for the Bamford family company, JCB.

He now acts as an independent advisor for a range of Irish family companies, specialising in the delicate issues of governance and succession planning.

It is as difficult a time as he can remember for many companies.

"I think the stress level in a family business is one that really goes under the radar, because it stays within the family," he said.

There is a huge amount of anxiety and uncertainty, particularly for firms where there has been constant opening and closing over the past year and no clear idea as to when things will return to a type of normality.

"For some, it is a case of 'Will we ever open again?'" said Keogh.

Despite the strain, there have been positives over the past year, he said.

For example, succession planning has always been a difficult topic for family businesses - not helped by what many see as a taxation environment in Ireland that makes this more difficult.

"Some of the founders I know are absolutely drained mentally and physically and would love to be able to smoothly hand over the business to the next generation, but the environment is not conducive to that in this country. The lawyer will often say to them 'You know, you're better off just dying and leaving the business in your will, because it's more tax efficient'."

There is also a deep cultural resistance among the founders or current heads to face the issue head on.

"There can be a lot of procrastinating by owners around having the conversation with his or her kids about inheriting the business and the right time for them to take on the business. In some cases the pandemic has forced the issue."

And some business owners have had reason to have a growing appreciation of those coming behind them, said Keogh.

"A lot of next generation family members have made an important contribution to their family businesses on how to get out of the crisis. It might be part naivety and partly a lack of entrenched fears, but a lot of younger people have been very important to helping their family business to adapt really quickly.

"I've been amazed how many really traditional Irish businesses have adopted online trading as a necessity having resisted it for a long time because they previously didn't really feel the need. But the next generation in a lot of family businesses just came in and said 'We're virtually closed unless we use the internet and if we do it right it gives us a global platform'."

The arrival home of younger family members, perhaps from abroad, due to Covid has also changed the dynamic in some companies, he said.

"They haven't really had a discussion about joining the company, but they are locked at home and have been throwing out their ideas in an informal way and the message is often 'We need to think differently'."

For some businesses though there is no easy way through this crisis. The pub and hospitality sector, which is dominated by family-owned firms, has been particularly hard hit.

Covid will kill off a lot of businesses that were in trouble anyway and those conversations are the toughest part of his job, he said.

"It's hard to say to business owners 'I've had a look at your business and your turnover and your profit before Covid and it is not viable'. But honesty is the key. Because in some businesses like that people need to be using this current downtime to look at what else they might be able to do after the business is gone rather than hanging around waiting for Covid to go, thinking they are going to be viable when they may not even have been viable before Covid."

Keogh believes that the real difficulties will only start once Covid subsides.

"When things do open back up and the impact starts to properly become clear and emergency government backing starts to fall away, we will be looking at quite a different landscape and plenty of casualties."

Ultimately, the number of casualties will come down to the attitudes of the banks, he said.

"At the moment a lot of bank borrowers, particularly in small- to medium-sized companies, are in a sort of limbo because the banks are not being heavy handed. But the banks are there to make a profit and they could suddenly face a tsunami of companies with difficulties."

Family businesses in particular would need protection in that type of a scenario "rather than rushing straight away into conversations about personal guarantees", said Keogh.
Brood X is here

Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 22:53:45|Editor: huaxia

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GENEVA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The World Economic Forum's Davos Agenda event will take place virtually from Jan. 25-29 and is widely expected to bolster global cooperation in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and promoting economic recovery.

Under the theme "A Crucial Year to Rebuild Trust," more than 1,500 leaders from government, business and social organizations from more than 70 countries and regions will hold in-depth discussions on how to deal with the economic, environmental, social and technological challenges facing the world today.

REBUILDING TRUST

"Rebuilding trust and increasing global cooperation are crucial to fostering innovative and bold solutions to stem the pandemic and drive a robust recovery," the forum's official website quoted Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the forum, as saying.

This upcoming meeting, he added, will be "an opportunity for leaders to outline their vision and address the most important issues of our time, such as the need to accelerate job creation and to protect the environment."

The virtual meeting comes as the raging pandemic, in addition to claiming the lives of more than 2 million people, risks triggering widened long-standing health, economic and digital disparities.

Meanwhile, the World Bank warned the global economy could be heading for "a decade of disappointing growth outcomes" after the pandemic triggered one of the worst economic recessions in history.

The International Labor Organization said the outbreak has created a crisis in global labor markets and that the working time lost in the second quarter of 2020 is equivalent to 495 million jobs worldwide.

"We have to make all efforts to ensure that the gap of the advanced economies and the emerging economies is not becoming bigger as a consequence of the crisis," Schwab previously told Xinhua, calling for more attention to small and medium-sized enterprises that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic.

CHINA'S ROLE

When addressing the Beijing Forum 2020 in December, Schwab hailed China's role in fighting the pandemic and reinvigorating its own economy.

While an equitable distribution of vaccines has attracted notable attention from the international community, Chinese vaccines are regarded increasingly as global public goods, contributing to the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries.

Also, China was the only major economy to achieve positive growth in 2020, providing hope for a wider world economic recovery.

Saadia Zahidi, the forum's managing director, told Xinhua that China's faster than expected economic rebound after the COVID-19 shock is a bright spot and could serve as a roadmap for other countries.

Similarly, as the world is looking for ways to combat the epidemic and spur economic recovery, China's participation at the meeting is expected to contribute to a solution, other analysts said.

According to event organizers, participants at the meeting will discuss a series of topics including designing cohesive, sustainable, resilient economic systems; driving responsible industry transformation and growth; enhancing stewardship of the global commons; harnessing the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution; and advancing global and regional cooperation. Enditem
Around 17,750 Chicago teachers have voted against a state order to force them back into classrooms before they are vaccinated against COVID-19, sparking state concerns of an 'illegal strike'.

The Chicago Teachers Union set up a showdown with state officials after it announced today that more than 70% of its members had voted to carry on teaching at home due to concerns over their health.

Around 10,000 kindergarten through eighth grade teachers and other staffers in the Chicago Public School's district, the nation's third largest, were expected to return to school on Monday to prepare to receive 70,000 students due to start in-person classes from February 1.

No return date has been set for high school students.

But the union vetoed the state's plan, citing a concern for the health of its members, who have not yet all received the virus vaccination.

The vote comes as Chicago reopens campuses after ten months of closures, with two previous reopening attempts in September and November scrapped amid rising infection rates.

Members of the Chicago Teachers Union, pictured here on social media protesting recently, have defied a demand from state officials to return to classrooms, citing safety concerns

Teachers have protested state plans to send them back to in-person teaching despite not every teacher having received the vaccine for COVID-19 yet.

Chicago Teachers Union voted instead to carry on teaching kindergarten to eighth graders from home, via Zoom, like the child pictured above in the city, on April 3 last year.

The teachers union said it opposed the plan over concern for the health of its members and called on them to continue teaching from home in defiance of the district's plan.

About 86 per cent of the 25,000 CTU members voted on the resolution to stay home from schools, and 71% of those members approved the collective action

The union said the district's safety plan falls short and that before teachers can return safely to schools, vaccinations would have to be more widespread and different metrics to measure infections would need to be in place.

In a statement the union said: 'Theres no doubt we all want to return to in-person instruction. The issue is CPS current unpreparedness for a return to in-person instruction, and the clear and present danger that poses to the health of our families and school communities.'

Janice K. Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools, had asked 10,000 teachers in kindergarten through eighth grade to go back to classrooms on Monday, to prepare for 70,000 students starting part-time in-person lessons from February 1

Chicago has the third largest school district in the country. They have had distanced teaching for ten months, with two failed attempts to go back to classrooms in September and November, which were scrapped by rising infections

The vote by the union has set up a potential show-down with state officials who could brand their refusal to go back to classrooms an 'illegal strike'

The two sides have been negotiating for months and talks continued after the result of the vote was announced in the hopes of reaching a deal.

Chicago Public Schools officials said on Sunday that they had agreed to delay the teachers' return for two days to give the sides more time to negotiate.

But they said K-8 teachers would still be expected to resume in-person instruction on February 1.

Janice Jackson, the district's CEO, said: 'We now agree on far more than we disagree, but our discussions remain ongoing, and additional time is needed to reach a resolution.'

School officials have argued that remote learning isn't working for all students, including many low income and Black and Latino students who make up the majority of the district.

The district's safety plan includes thousands of air purifiers, more cleaning and a voluntary testing program.

The roughly 355,000-student district, which turned to full-time online instruction last March because of the pandemic, has gradually welcomed students back.

Thousands of pre-kindergarten and special education resumed in-person learning earlier this month and teachers who didn't return to their classrooms were punished.

The union has also argued that schools don't need to be fully staffed with lower-than-expected attendance.

CPS data showed that about 19% of students who were eligible for pre-K and special education in-person learning earlier this month attended.

That figure was even lower than a December survey that showed roughly 6,500 of nearly 17,000 eligible preschool and special education students were interested.

The unions collective bargaining agreement, which was approved after a 2019 strike, prohibits its roughly 25,000 members from striking and bars district officials from locking them out.

District officials have said a union vote to disobey the order to return to schools on Monday would violate the contract.

Union officials, though, say returning to in-person instruction before its members are vaccinated and without other safeguards in place would put them at greater risk of contracting the virus.

They argue that if the district tries to punish teachers for staying home Monday, then the district would be responsible for a work stoppage.

Illinois on Monday is scheduled to start the next phase of its vaccination plan, which expands eligibility to teachers and people ages 65 and older.

The district on Friday said it would begin vaccinating teachers and staff starting in mid-February and that the process would take months.

The Chicago vote comes at a time of great uncertainty in the U.S. about how and when schools should resume in-person instruction.

President Joe Biden has pledged to have a majority of schools reopened within his first 100 days in office.

He is promising new federal guidelines on school opening decisions, and a 'large-scale' Education Department effort to identify and share the best ways to teach during a pandemic.
Luis Suarez has played a key role in Atletico Madrid's push for the title title this season, having scored 11 goals for Los Rojiblancos following his free transfer from Barcelona last summer.

Diego Simeone's men have dropped just seven points so far as they have registered 14 wins, two draws and just one defeat in 17 LaLiga Santander matches.

Suarez has been lethal in the last few matches, having netted a brace in the 3-1 victory over Elche, the winner in a 1-0 victory against Getafe, a late-gasp strike in the 2-1 win against Alaves, and two goals to complete a 2-1 comeback against Eibar.

The Uruguay international has scored six goals in his last six LaLiga Santander matches, and he has helped his team secure a seven-point advantage from second-placed Real Madrid.

At this point last season, Atletico had won just seven times and sat fifth in the table, seven points behind the leaders.

Atleti have won 13 of their last 14 games and they remain undefeated since December 2019 at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, where they will host Valencia on Sunday night.

Curiously, Los Rojiblancos have picked up more than double the points that Los Che have mustered this season. Atletico have 44 and Valencia have 20, despite Simeone's side having two games in hand.
India's External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, in his address at the UN Security Council launching the two-year tenure of India's membership, rightly focused on the threat of terrorism facing the world, pointed to the invidious role of Pakistan in harbouring and sponsoring terrorists drawn from across the Islamic spectrum and debunked the artificial divide made by American policy makers in the earlier years between 'good terrorists' and 'bad terrorists' to bail out Pakistan on the issue of cross-border terror against India. 9/11 and 26/11 both exemplified the same threat but for reasons of its own political interests, the US chose to view Al Qaeda, that considered the West as its prime enemy, differently from the Saudi-funded Lashkar-e-Toiba which would take on only India and not the West.

John Kerry, the only senior American leader to visit Mumbai in the wake of 26/11, straightaway told pressmen there that the Pak establishment could not be blamed for the Mumbai terror offensive as the attack was the doing of 'non state' actors. The then Indian government's meek acceptance of that stand was notable -- considering that a direct collusion of the Pak army and ISI in that horrific event was already becoming evident. It is in the Presidentship of Donald Trump that Pakistan was clearly called out for its sponsorship of Islamic extremism and terror and Hafiz Sayeed, LeT chief, designated as an international terrorist. Kerry is now back in the team of Joe Biden concerned with security and India has to watch out for a possible return of the Democrat legacy of hyphenating Pakistan with India in dealing with the two countries.

The UN Security Council also heard many other delegates expressing concern over 'rightwing' terrorism, terrorist violence attributed to racism and ethnicity-based terror attacks. It is clear that terrorism in these cases is the outcome of differing motivations -- ideological, white supremacist and assertion of ethnic identity, respectively. The simplest definition of terrorism is 'resort to covert violence for a perceived political cause'. Without a 'cause' terrorism would be sheer criminality which it is not certainly. A 'cause' requires 'commitment' and the measure of commitment is in the degree of 'motivation' that could be created among the militants used for a covert offensive. Terrorists have to take on a stronger opponent, the state, and hence choose to be in a covert mode which in turn makes Intelligence so important for counter-terrorism operations -- because the fight is against the 'invisible' enemy and the 'hidden' plans.

The terror the world faces presently is of a new kind -- it has 'faith-based' motivation that was strong enough to produce suicide bombers. This is at least partly because of the notions of superiority of the faith, rejection of other belief systems and the 'rewards' for making the supreme sacrifice that were invoked by the masterminds to convert not only some 'have-nots' but many educated and materially well-placed individuals as well. This is how social media has lately become an affective clandestine instrument of 'radicalisation' in India and elsewhere. India should spell out the danger this terror, fomented in the name of faith, posed to the entire world.

A principle of security mandates that a threat should be as completely defined as possible and not covered in generality. Without using the word Islamic or Jehadi as an adjective, it should be clearly put out that the world was dealing with a threat borne out of a new motivation whose epicentre was in Pakistan. Our diplomacy has to find a way of bringing up this point in the interactions with all democratic countries. The narrative on terrorism would otherwise be incomplete and flawed. There is no issue of political correctness here because it does not reflect on a religion or a community per se and only exposes misuse of faith by Pakistan for fomenting violence. In India, members of all communities are preoccupied with peaceful pursuit of livelihood and well-being. It is important, therefore, to isolate and curb such elements as are being on the side of the protagonists of this militancy for political reasons.

In tackling faith-based terrorism, our foreign policy is rightly reflecting the external and internal threats facing the country on this count. India is well placed to educate the democratic nations on this growing danger and also with its ringside position, track the developments in the Islamic world for appropriate responses. There should be a concerted effort by peace loving nations to ensure that effective voices were raised within that world against the advocacy of Jehad in today's age. India can also have enough proclamations made by community leaders, Idaras and institutions against the misuse of faith for instigating terror. India has seen terrorism getting enmeshed in communal problems -- the emergence of Indian Mujahideen (IM) as an offshoot of SIMI in the past illustrated this -- and Pakistan exploiting the opportunities it had of fishing in India's troubled waters. This has to be confronted and curbed with a sense of clarity.

The rise of Sino-Pak military, axis directed mainly against India in the post-370 period, is the biggest threat to India's security at present. This alliance of a communist dictatorship and a fundamentalist regime in our neighbourhood, both with a history of war with India, is bonded irrevocably by the CPEC built by China on the territory of POK that was bartered away by Pakistan to that country. China is now collaborating with Pakistan on the issues of terror, Kashmir and Afghanistan. Pakistan's new emerging profile makes it the leader of a powerful group in the Muslim world, including Turkey and Malaysia, that is friendly with Islamic radicals and recalcitrant towards the US, pushing Saudi Arabia and UAE -- strong allies of the US leading the OIC -- in a parallel camp.

This also has brought Pakistan geopolitically closer to China. It is good that India has swiftly moved towards acquiring a position of strength where it can deal with a possible mischief on the border jointly planned by Pakistan and China. India's military presence in Ladakh, now a Union Territory, is a deterrent against any such misadventure of these adversaries. India can stretch China at other points on LAC too. Nepal, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are being tackled diplomatically as also through security liaison. NSA Ajit Doval's visit to Kabul last week should help India to have a say in Afghanistan's future and counter Pak moves to influence the peace dialogue there in favour of Taliban.

India's active participation in QUAD gives a message to China that the Indian Ocean will be defended against any maritime aggressiveness of the latter. China's journey through the Covid crisis is not very transparent but India has handled the pandemic through a clear and firm policy guided by Prime Minister Modi himself and it is a matter of national pride that India launched the world's biggest inoculation drive quite early in the day. India is also on way to economic recovery relying on its indigenous strength and entrepreneurship. The two India-make vaccines have been rolled out to an acclaim by the international community. India remains high on globalisation in IT sector and retains its potential as a world market in the future. The Modi regime has ensured that China can no longer use its economic leverage against India.

Some analysts presume 2021 will be the year of China's rise post-Covid, primarily because of a likely preoccupation of Biden administration with internal issues, increasing economic dependence of Europe and South East Asia on China in trade and commerce and a firm ideological support extended by Russia to China on strategic matters of global importance. They consequently think of a tougher time ahead for India's strategic policy makers. Many of these writers are no friends of the Modi regime -- they are not willing to concede that India today is not what it was earlier in terms of being a major power in Asia with a voice in the world, that the strengthening of its defence might was good enough for India to take on hostile neighbours and that a political leadership with an established will power to act against aggressiveness of an adversary now governed this country.

India is not held back by the ideological baggage of 'non-alignment' and is committed to bilateral or even multilateral friendships aimed at mutual economic and security benefits that did not go against the cause of global peace either. India is also right in its reading that we are going to have a multi-polar world in future and that a return to a bipolar order is not easy or even possible. Prime Minister Modi is to be given credit for laying down an unambiguous framework of foreign policy and security strategy through a difficult period of disruption caused by the pandemic. Domestic scene in India, however, continues to be in need of greater vigilance and firm policies in view of the return of agitational politics, accentuation of communalism and rise of anti-India lobbies within and outside of the country.

(The writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau)
For a couple of days, the wheels were turning with question marks about the topic for this weeks column. By the time this would be available for consumption, so many others would have already commented or offered insights and opinions regarding the inauguration. What more could I possibly add?

An admirable quality of our new president, in my opinion, is wrapped-up in one word: empathy. I rarely dip my apolitical toe into such conversations, but this character enhancer deserves recognition and commentary. Its one thing to feel sympathy, but having empathy takes that emotion to a different level.

The easy column would be to cavalierly pronounce goodbye and good riddance to the man who held the office the past four years. There will be plenty others trumpeting that story.

My take, while maybe not original, simply rests in Joe Biden being the right man at the right time. Those feelings were further cemented when listening to the 46th presidents inauguration speech.

His very first act was to invite the small crowd and the entire nation to close their eyes for a silent prayer for those who had lost their lives, as well as those left behind due to the pandemic.

I needed to look no further for the empathy this newly elected leader possessed. It was on full display as much as the bunting on the Capitol balconies.

History and hope

President Biden repeatedly drove home a desire to bring unity to a blue and red electorate. Show respect to each other, listen to each other, the president challenged. I will be a president for all Americans.

Later in the speech, Biden described that were facing  ... an uncivil war, where red is against blue, rural against urban and conservative against liberal. The speech struck a tone, a needed one. In the end, though, it really comes down to how many Americans will give him a chance or become tone-deaf to any such message.

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For a while, many in this country have looked to see who is saying something before deciding to care about what is being said.

Other presidents have used verbal imagery about points of light or a shining city on a hill to inspire citizens to seize the moment. Our new president would prefer more specific symbolism. For my money, the best line of the speech appeared as President Biden challenged the U.S. not to  ... lead as an example of power, but by the power of our example.

The world is watching us. If we dont come together, theres little reason other countries will care what our symbols mean.

Decency and dignity

Though simple enough, those two words are certainly laudable goals. They almost sound like words parents would throw around just after the "please and thank-yous." Being decent to one another and treating those with whom you disagree, with dignity, should be a basic rule of engagement.

After a day of speeches, photo-ops and a walk down Constitution Avenue, upon entering The White House, President Biden addressed his staff. He delivered a rather blunt message when expressing the importance of how he wanted them to treat each other. I wont tolerate disrespect, was his warning.

How will all of this come out in the wash? At the least, the new administration deserves a chance. This republic has survived the Civil War, the Great Depression, the attacks of 9/11 and were still fighting the pandemic. Weve got to pull in the same direction to eventually survive the virus.

How can an empathetic president make a difference? Empathy allows someone to understand and share the feelings of another. In order to come together, we can benefit from that example.

Its been a while since we looked at each other with decency and dignity. Isnt our country worth giving it a shot?
Bahrain and Japan have discussed cooperation between the financial and banking sectors of the two countries especially in view of the recent initiatives by the Japanese government to boost the financial market and attract more businessmen and professionals to Japan.

At a remote session organised by the Bahrain Association of Banks (BAB) and hosted by the Japanese Embassy in Manama, Japan announced a new initiative to provide all the services of the Japanese Financial Market Entry Office in the English language.

The Japanese Financial Market Entry Office facilitates the flow of foreign investments to Japan, by being a single point of contact for all financial companies wishing to invest in the Japanese market.

The Japanese side pointed out that the development of this offices work is part of the Japanese Governments range of initiatives aimed at transforming Japan into a key global financial centre in Asia and the world besides creating new job opportunities and increased economic growth in Japan.

Dr Waheed Al Qassim, CEO of BAB, affirmed that this session aims to promote cooperation between Bahraini financial and banking institutions and their Japanese counterparts. He pointed out that the relations between Bahrain and Japan started in 1934 with the first oil shipment. Thereafter, formal relations kicked off between the two countries in 1971.

We hope the initiative to use the English language for the first time in the Japanese Financial Market Entry Office will be a first step towards identifying opportunities in the financial sector in both Bahrain and Japan and would contribute towards enhancing investment opportunities in international markets for Bahraini financial and banking institutions, especially in Southeast Asian markets that have countless growth and prosperity openings. We also aim to apprise Bahraini institutions on the latest trends in the fields of the finance and banking, in light of the geopolitical changes in many countries, Dr Al Qassim added.

Data shows that the balance of trade between Bahrain and Japan exceeds $1 billion annually. In addition japan has steadied its commercial presence in Bahrain through five financial companies, two commercial companies, and ten industrial companies, Dr Al Qassim concluded. -- Tradearabia News Service
The Australian finance broker that sponsors English Premier League team Sheffield United allegedly scammed up to $588 million from Chinese investors who thought they were putting their money in a high yield product that may never have existed.

The massive pile of money was instead allegedly partially used by the broker, Union Standard International Group (USG), to bankroll its sale of high risk financial betting products to customers around the world including Australia.

Sheffield United players celebrate the winning goal against Newcastle United in January this year. Their sponsor is now in liquidation. Credit:Getty

Those financial betting products, contracts for difference, were allegedly illegally sold to customers in China, Taiwan and other countries where the products are banned or restricted.

The incredible story of Sydney-headquartered USG and its popular trading website USGFX has been laid bare in a liquidator's report by BRI Ferrier which includes allegations the Australian group at one point was handling $30 billion worth of trades.
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Vietnams Ministry of Public Security has broken up a prostitution brokerage ring that offered sex tours worth US$5,000-7,000 each.

Officers confirmed on Saturday that the high-end prostitution ring operated in Hanoi and neighboring provinces.

The racket was run by 25-year-old Phan Thanh Luong, who hails from the north-central province of Quang Binh.

At around 9:30 pm on Thursday, officers under the Ministry of Public Security, in coordination with the Hanoi police department, caught red-handed two sex workers and their clients at an apartment in Ba Dinh District.

At the police station, the clients claimed they had previously contacted Luong and agreed to pay VND20 million ($866) for each of the prostitutes.

Police later searched Luongs house on Nguyen Tuan Street in Thanh Xuan District and discovered three plastic bags containing ketamine, deemed an illegal drug in Vietnam, and other synthetic drugs.

In his statement, Luong said he had communicated with his clients via social media to reach deals regarding types of services and their prices.

Luong or the customers would then decide on the locations where prostitutes would be sent to offer their services.

Each service cost about VND20-40 million ($866-1,733) depending on the 'reputation' of the sex workers.

The ring also offered sex tours to multiple destinations throughout Vietnam at $5,000-7,000 each.

Some of the escorts of this illegal ring are famous faces on social media with hundreds of thousands of followers, according to local authorities.

Further investigation is ongoing.

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In this Jan. 19, 2021 file photo, demonstrators face police officers during clashes in Ettadhamen City near Tunis. Protests have swept towns and cities throughout Tunisia for a week, often turning to violence as demonstrators denounce what they say are broken promises from the government, which hasn't been able to turn around an economy on the verge of bankruptcy. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi, File)

Tunisia is extending its virus curfew and banning demonstrations as it tries to stem a rapid rise in infections and calm tensions after a week of protests and rioting over economic troubles.

New clashes between protesters and police broke out Saturday hours after the new virus restrictions were announced.

Tunisia reported 103 virus-related deaths Thursday, the highest figure to date in the country of 11 million people. It also has among the highest rates in Africa. Local media reports cite doctors describing hospitals that are already too full to accept more virus patients.

The rising infections are raising new alarm at a time when the government is facing unrest among youth nationwide over poverty and lack of jobs.

Hundreds of protesters gathered Saturday on the central Tunis thoroughfare Avenue Bourguiba to demand the release of those arrested during clashes with police over the past week. Human rights groups say some 1,000 people were detained and dozens ordered jailed for vandalism and theft.

The protesters denounce what they say are broken economic promises from the government in the country that unleashed the Arab Spring uprisings exactly a decade ago. With a third of young Tunisians out of work, most protesters are disillusioned youth with disparate grievances.

At Saturday's protest, organized by human rights groups and left-wing political parties, security forces struggled to contain demonstrators denouncing police repression and hurling insults at officers, who repeatedly charged the crowd.

"No more fear, the street belongs to the people!" shouted demonstrators, and others chanted "the people want the fall of the regime!" The crowd also chanted the slogan of Tunisia's 2010-2011 revolution: "employment, freedom, dignity."

The demonstration had been authorized for two hours, and police fired tear gas to disperse the crowds when the two hours were up.

According to the new virus rules announced Saturday, gatherings will be prohibited in public areas until Feb. 14 and the country's existing 8 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew will also be extended until then, Tunisian Health Ministry spokesperson Nissaf Ben Alaya said.

Starting Monday, the government is also forbidding travel between regions and ordering all people over 65 to stay at home as part of stricter virus measures announced Saturday by Ben Alaya.

Restaurants and bars will remain closed except for takeout food. Schools and universities can resume studies Monday but many classes will be transferred online.

Ben Alaya threatened "drastic measures" against violators, saying the country is "at a critical juncture" in its battle against COVID-19.

The scientific committee which advises the government on the pandemic recommended a strict lockdown on weekends, the director of the Pasteur Institute in Tunis, Hachemi Louzir, told official news agency TAP. But the government steered clear of that in Saturday's announcement as it tries to balance health concerns with economic troubles. The country was already in a protracted financial crisis that has been worsened by the pandemic.

Tunisia has registered 6,092 virus-related deaths and more than 193,000 cases.

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.
A teenage boy has been rushed to hospital after he was allegedly stabbed in a Melbourne street.

The 15-year-old was riding a scooter along Cardigan Street in Carlton when police believe he was approached by a group of up to 10 youths.

He was allegedly stabbed just after 5:30pm on Saturday.

A teenage boy was allegedly stabbed while riding his scooter in Cardigan Street, Carlton (pictured), Melbourne's inner north

Emergency services raced to the scene, with the boy taken to hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

'A man was arrested nearby, but he has been exonerated and released,' Victoria Police said in a statement.

Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit detectives are continuing to investigate the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
Dharamsala, Jan 24 : Tibetans are hopeful of being united with the States once again with their globetrotting spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who has a special relationship with US presidents that began with a gold watch, calling on President Joe Biden soon for substantive discussions.

After a four-year unusual exception of President Donald Trump, they feel Biden will continue a decades-old practice of the deep and enduring affinity between Americans and Tibetans that has been followed religiously by American presidents by extending an invitation to the Buddhist monk in the Oval Office, generally reserved for visiting heads of state, as the pandemic subsides.

A representative from the spiritual leader told IANS that since George H.W. Bush (1991), the Dalai Lama has met all the US presidents, including Barack Obama on four occasions: February 18, 2010, July 16, 2011, February 21, 2014, and June 15, 2016.

Likewise, he met Bill Clinton and George W. Bush several times.

Every time the meetings prompted sharp reaction from the Chinese government, which views the Nobel Peace laureate as a hostile element bent upon splitting Tibet from China.

In 2007, the Dalai Lama received the US Congressional Gold Medal, even in the face of protests by China.

The last official meeting was when President Obama greeted the Dalai Lama in 2016 at the White House.

At the last meeting they reportedly discussed "the situation for Tibetans in the People's Republic of China, and the President emphasised his strong support for the preservation of Tibet's unique religious, cultural, and linguistic traditions and the equal protection of human rights of Tibetans in China".

"The President encouraged meaningful and direct dialogue between the Dalai Lama and his representatives with Chinese authorities to lower tensions and resolve differences," the White House said after the meeting.

The first meeting of the two old trusted friends, the Dalai Lama and Obama, was in 2005 when the latter was a member of the Senate. In 2017, Obama met the spiritual leader in New Delhi, sixth in the series, to discuss promoting peace in the world.

The Dalai Lama-George W. Bush proximity came to the fore when the leader-in-exile in an interview in 2012 with Piers Morgan, then with CNN, said "I love President Bush." "Really?" Morgan asked. "Yes, really," he replied. "As a human being. Not as a president of America. Sometimes his policy may not be very, very successful. But as a person, as a human being, very nice person. I love him." The 85-year-old monk, who was enthroned two years before President Biden was born, has lived in exile in India since fleeing Tibet during a failed uprising against the Chinese government in 1959.

On his first day in office, President Biden signed an executive order for the US return to the Paris climate accord, which earned accolades, including one from the Dalai Lama, the Buddhist leader who met with presidents, prime ministers and crown rulers of major nations, including US President Franklin Roosevelt, who sent the Dalai Lama the gift of a pocket-watch when he was a young boy.

The Dalai Lama, who visits only on invitation, described the gold watch as magnificent and even took it with him when he fled Tibet in 1959.

In his election campaign, Biden had said if voted to power, his administration will sanction Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses in Tibet, besides meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

"The invitation to His Holiness from the White House would provide an opportunity to discuss the situation in Tibet and to advance US support for the 'middle-way approach'," a representative from the spiritual leader's office told IANS.

The 'middle-way approach' demands 'greater autonomy' for the people in Tibet.

Echoing similar sentiments, activist and poet Tenzin Tsundue, who twice "breached the wall" by unfurling protest banners during the visits of Chinese premiers to India, said, "Tibet emerged as one of the contesting issues during the US election campaigns." "President Joe Biden promised to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibet support resolution TPSA (Tibetan Policy and Support Ac) 2020 was passed by bipartisan support show Tibet is an important issue in dealing with China." "As Tibetans we must make sure we secure our interest from among American tussle with China. The US has benefitted tremendously from its One-China policy which support China's 70 years of occupation of Tibet and China's trade compared to any instances of Tibet support efforts," Tsundue told IANS.

In a congratulatory letter to Biden on becoming the 46th President, the Dalai Lama wrote, "The whole world places its hope in the democratic vision and leadership of the United States...Once again I take this opportunity to express our gratitude for your long-standing support for the Tibetan people.

"It has been our good fortune to have enjoyed the friendship and encouragement of the American people and their leaders in our endeavour to protect and preserve our ancient Buddhist culture, a culture of peace, non-violence and compassion." In her speech at the Congressional Gold Medal award giving ceremony by President George W. Bush at Capitol Hill in Washington on October 17, 2007, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she would always be grateful to Chairman Tom Lantos for affording many Members of Congress their first meeting with His Holiness in 1987.

The 14th Dalai Lama was born on July 6, 1935, in a small village in the remote Amdo region of Tibet.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)
Rudy Giuliani has admitted that his associate emailed Trump campaign officials requesting he be paid $20,000 per day to dispute the results of the November election.

Giuliani, who is one of Trump's personal lawyers, has previously denied demanding money for his legal services, saying he wanted to help the prove claims of electoral fraud free of charge.

However, in a phone conversation with The New York Times on Friday, the 74-year-old conceded that his associate, Maria Ryan, had sent an email to at least three Trump campaign officials on November 4 demanding payment.

Giuliani told the publication that he was as 'unaware' that the email was sent as he was 'out of town' at the time.

'I never had a single expectation of being paid a penny,' Giuliani told the Times.

'I feel extremely bad that I'm portrayed as some kind of money-grubbing ambulance chaser'.

Rudy Giuliani has admitted that his associate emailed Trump campaign officials requesting he be paid $20,000 per day to dispute the results of the November election

Giuliani's associated Maria Ryan allegedly sent an email on November 4 demanding he be paid $20,000 per day to help Trump overturn the election results. Giuliani and Ryan are pictured in September 2019

Ryan's e-mail reportedly stated that instead of Giuliani demanding $2,000 an hour, 'we will contract for $20,000 a day which will include all of the expenses for Mr. Giuliani and his staff'.

Giuliani's admission came a week after reports surfaced that Trump had ordered his aides not to pay any such fees.

Sources told The Washington Post that Trump was angered by Giuliani's request, and additionally 'demanded that he personally approve any reimbursements for the expenses Giuliani incurred while traveling on his behalf to challenge election results in key states.'

Giuliani told The Times on Friday that he has not received any money for helping Trump in his legal bid, aside from having 'a few expenses reimbursed'.

It is unclear whether Trump and Giuliani are currently on speaking terms. Giuliani did not divulge the status of their relationship during his interview.

Giuliani told The Times on Friday that he has not received any money for helping Trump in his legal bid, aside from having 'a few expenses reimbursed'

Last week, Giuliani stated that he would not be on Trump's legal team in his upcoming senate impeachment trial pertaining to the siege of the Capitol on January 6.

Giuliani told ABC: 'Because I gave an earlier speech [at the January 6 Trump rally], I am a witness and therefore unable to participate in court or senate chamber.'

During that speech, Giuliani had instructed supporters to engage in 'trial by combat' moments before they stormed the Capitol - comments which have left him facing his own potential legal troubles.

Giuliani has been seen as one of Trump's staunchest allies, and has vigorously defended him in public since his election loss.

But the former New York City mayor's legal charge challenging the election took bizarre turns at times, such as the notorious press conference held in the parking lot of Four Seasons Total Landscaping outside Philadelphia.

It led to speculation that the location had been mistakenly booked in the belief that it was the upscale Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia in Center City, although the incident was never fully explained.

In his election challenge push, Giuliani held a notorious press conference in the parking lot of Four Seasons Total Landscaping outside Philadelphia in November, leading to speculation that the location had been booked in the belief it was the posh Four Seasons hotel

Giuliani now faces his own potential legal exposure for telling supporters to engage in 'trial by combat' in his remarks at a January 6 rally, following which Trump's supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.

Defending his rally remarks, Giuliani has said that he was quoting from the HBO series Game Of Thrones, which he inexplicably described as a 'famous documentary about fictitious medieval England.'

Giuliani's rally comments appear in evidence for impeachment, after a House Judiciary Committee report cited them before the House voted to impeach Trump Wednesday on a single count of 'incitement to insurrection.'

Giuliani is also facing possible expulsion from the New York State Bar Association over the incendiary remarks.

Removal from the bar association, a voluntary membership organization dating to 1876, is not the same as being disbarred and banned from practicing law. That can only be done by the courts.
The latest news on COVID-19 developments in Canada (all times Eastern):

The latest news on COVID-19 developments in Canada (all times Eastern):

6:25 p.m.

Alberta's chief medical officer of health is reporting 13 new COVID-19 deaths.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw says in a series of tweets that the province has seen 573 new cases of the novel coronavirus over the previous 24 hours.

That's out of a total of 10,894 tests, for a test-positivity rate of 5.3 per cent.

Hinshaw says there are 676 people in Alberta hospitals with COVID-19, 114 of whom are in intensive care.

5:00 p.m.

Saskatchewan is reporting three new deaths of people with COVID-19, as well as 274 new cases.

The province's daily pandemic update says 1,110 vaccine doses were given out Friday, and that 96 per cent of the doses Saskatchewan has received have now been administered.

Saskatchewan currently has 3,161 active COVID-19 cases.

3:10 p.m.

Manitoba is reporting three additional deaths of people with COVID-19 as well as 216 new cases of the virus.

The province says a rapid testing centre is now taking appointments for all teachers and other school staff who work with students.

The Fast Pass centre is in Winnipeg and promises same-day results.

Eligible clients must be either symptomatic or live with someone who is symptomatic, or be identified as a close contact through an exposure at school.

Manitoba officials report there are 272 people with COVID-19 in hospital, including 40 in intensive care.

1:50 p.m.

Nunavut health officials are announcing a second active COVID-19 case in the Hudson Bay community of Arviat.

The territory had gone weeks without any new cases, but then reported one new case in Arviat on Friday.

Officials say in a news release that the second person is asymptomatic, doing well and isolating, noting contact tracing is underway.

Arviat, a community of about 2,800, had been the centre of Nunavut's largest COVID-19 outbreak and at one point had 222 cases.

Nunavut's chief public health officer says in the news release that there is no evidence of community transmission, and that the risk of the virus spreading is lower now than it was in November when the territory reported its first COVID-19 case.

1 p.m.

Public health officials in New Brunswick are reporting 17 new cases of COVID-19 in the province today.

Ten of the new cases are in the Edmundston region, which will go into a lockdown first thing tomorrow.

There are now 328 active cases in the province with five patients in hospital, including three in intensive care.

New Brunswick has had 1,104 positive cases and 13 deaths since the pandemic began.

12:40 p.m.

Public health officials in Newfoundland and Labrador say there are no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 to report today.

The province has five active cases and one person is in hospital.

There have been 398 positive cases and four deaths since the pandemic began.

12:30 p.m.

Public health officials in Nova Scotia are reporting no new cases of COVID-19 in the province today.

Nova Scotia currently has 20 active cases of the virus.

Premier Stephen McNeil says Nova Scotians can be proud of the work they're doing to keep the case numbers low.

The province has had 1,570 positive cases and 65 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

11:15 a.m.

Quebec is reporting 1,685 new COVID-19 cases Saturday as daily counts continue to decline.

The province is also reporting 76 new deaths attributed to COVID-19, for a total of 9,437 since the onset of the pandemic.

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 dropped by 43, to 1,383.

11 a.m.

Ontario is reporting 2,359 new cases of COVID-19 today and 52 more deaths related to the virus.

The numbers mark a slight decline from the 2,662 cases recorded a day ago.

Meanwhile the province says it plans to expand an inspection blitz of big-box stores to ensure they're complying with protocols meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The Ministry of Labour says inspection efforts focused on the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas last weekend, but will concentrate on Ottawa, Windsor, Niagara and Durham Regions over the next two days.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 23, 2021.
Germany will become the first European Union country to start using the same experimental antibodies treatment credited with helping Donald Trump recover from Covid-19, health minister Jens Spahn said Sunday.

"The government has bought 200,000 doses for 400 million euros ($486 million)," Spahn told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper, working out at 2,000 euros per dose.

Patients will receive them free of charge, a health ministry spokeswoman told AFP.

Two different kinds of so-called monoclonal antibody therapies will be made available to university hospitals from the coming week, with Spahn saying Germany was "the first country in the EU" to deploy them in the fight against the pandemic.

Both treatments have been approved for emergency use in the United States but have yet to receive the green light from European regulators.

The ministry spokeswoman said Germany's national regulator, the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PIE), had determined that use of the drugs was "in principle" allowed on a case-by-case basis, decided by doctors, to prevent "severe illness or hospitalisations among certain risk groups".

Germany has purchased doses of US firm Regeneron's Casirivimab/Imdevimab antibody cocktail, as well US company Eli Lilly's Bamlanivimab antibody drug, she added.

Trump, who was briefly hospitalised with the coronavirus last October while he was US president, was treated with Regeneron's therapy before it had gained formal authorisation.

He later said the medicine did "a fantastic job".

Regeneron's version is a combination or "cocktail" of two lab-made antibodies: infection-fighting proteins that were developed to bind to the surface protein of the coronavirus to stop it from invading human cells.

Eli Lilly's therapy works in a similar way but uses a single synthetic antibody.

- Frustration -

"They work like a passive vaccination. Administering these antibodies in the early stages can help high-risk patients avoid a more serious progression," Spahn told Bild.

Germany's decision to use the drugs before the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has authorised them comes at a time of growing frustration over a slower-than-expected rollout of vaccines in the EU.

Vaccine makers Pfizer/BioNTech and AstraZeneca have both said they would be delivering fewer doses to Europe than anticipated in the short term because of production problems.

The German government has said it nonetheless expects to be able to offer all Germans a jab by the end of August.

Although Germany, the EU's most populous nation and its biggest economy, coped relatively well with the first coronavirus wave last spring, it has been hit hard by a resurgence in cases in recent months.

The emergence of new, more contagious strains has added to concerns, prompting Germany to tighten travel restrictions and step up border controls.

Federal police on Sunday were carrying out checks at Frankfurt and Munich airports to ensure passengers arriving from around 25 "high risk" countries could produce a negative coronavirus test less than 48 hours old, and had complied with online registration requirements.

Germany has recorded over two million cases since the start of the pandemic, and more than 50,000 deaths.





This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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A cold front moving across the greater San Francisco Bay Area from Sunday night into Monday blasted the region with chilly air and moisture, coating the highest peaks in snow.

The highest ridges and peaks along the Big Sur coast received the most snowfall.

"Based on webcams beginning to see the sunlight, theres quite a bit of snow along the Big Sur coast in the Santa Lucia mountains," according to National Weather Service forecaster Roger Gass.

Mount Hamilton in the South Bay, Loma Prieta in the Santa Cruz Mountains and Mount Diablo in the East Bay are among those mountaintops that were dusted in fresh powder. (See a gallery of images at the bottom of this story.)

Video footage posted on Twitter showed big flakes falling atop Mount Hamilton.

Lick Observatory webcam

After a brief break from unsettled weather on Monday, an atmospheric river is forecast to soak the region with the heaviest rainfall of the season, bringing a risk for mudslides and debris flows in wildfire burn scars, such as across the 86,000 acres devoured by the CZU Lightning Complex in the Santa Cruz Mountains last August.

This storm will be much wetter and move more slowly than Sunday's system. It's expected to spread across the San Francisco Bay Area Tuesday afternoon and evening, and become especially heavy at times after midnight, with rain lingering through Thursday and hitting the region just south of the Bay Area the hardest.

Forecasters are fine-tuning the forecast for the greater Bay Area, but the latest models show up to 13 inches of rain falling in the Big Sur coastal mountains, up to nine to 12 inches in the Santa Cruz Mountains, 2.5 to 4.5 inches for urban areas such as Oakland and San Francisco, and four to seven inches in the hills of the central Bay Area and North Bay.

Forecasters will be watching rainfall rates closely over the wildfire burn scars in the hills of the North Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains and East Bay.

Cal Fire has evacuation orders and warnings in effect for pockets of Santa Cruz County stretched across the San Lorenzo Valley area and the north coast of Santa Cruz County, including Davenport.

To see which zones are under the warning, visit the Cal Fire CZU Twitter page. To find out what zone you are in, visit Community.Zonehaven.com. Sign up for alerts at scr911.org.

In addition to potential debris flows on the burn scars, minor flooding is possible in low-lying and poorly drained areas, and some smaller streams and creeks may reach the top of their banks, the weather service said.

View more snow photos in the gallery above.

The Centre on Sunday said in poultry birds has been confirmed from two places in Yavatmal district of while in a crow sample in Delhi.

Compensation is paid to those poultry farmers whose poultry birds, eggs and poultry feed are culled and disposed of, the government said.

The central government provides compensation to states on a 50:50 sharing basis under the Livestock Health and Disease Control scheme, it added.

So far, or outbreak has been confirmed in poultry birds in nine states -- Kerala, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

Whereas in crow and wild/migratory birds, the disease has been confirmed in 12 states.

In a statement, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said that the control and containment operations (cleaning and disinfection) are going on in the rest of the affected epicentres of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttarakhand.

The disease has been confirmed in poultry samples from Sawargad and Ujona Darwah of Yavatmal district of Further, the disease has been confirmed in a crow sample from Jamia Hamdard University in Delhi, it said.

However, pigeon and rose finch samples submitted from Tehri and Paukhal Forest Range of Uttarakhand have been found negative for the disease.

According to the ministry, the post operation surveillance plan has been issued for one epicentre for Kerala, three epicentres for Madhya Pradesh and five epicentres for

The compensation is paid to farmers whose poultry birds, eggs and poultry feed are culled/disposed of by the state as per the action plan.

The government is taking continuous efforts to generate awareness about through various platforms including social media like Twitter, Facebook handles.

In India, bird flu is spread mainly by migratory birds coming into the country during winters - between September and March.

(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.)


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A moon rock in the Oval Office: President Joe Biden's lunar display



January 22, 2021  Joe Biden was three weeks from taking office as a freshman U.S. senator when the moon rock that is now newly on display in the White House was collected by astronauts on the lunar surface.



Six terms in Congress, two terms as the Vice President of the United States and one presidential inauguration later, Biden and the lunar sample 76015,143 will now share the Oval Office.



The Biden Administration requested an Apollo-recovered moon rock for display as "a symbolic recognition of earlier generations' ambitions and accomplishments, and support for America's current moon to Mars exploration approach," according to NASA. The 0.7-pound (333-gram) rock, held by a metal clamp and encased in glass, sits on the bottom shelf of a recessed bookcase beside a painted portrait of Ben Franklin and adjacent to the Resolute desk.



"Thank you to the President of the United States for putting a NASA moon rock in the Oval Office  look at what we can do together as a country when we are united," Ellen Stofan, director of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., wrote on Twitter, responding to a photo of the newly-redecorated room as published by The Washington Post on Wednesday (Jan. 20).



From the moon to the room (by way of Berlin)



A descriptive plaque on the base of the White House moon rock display explains that the 3.9-billion-year-old sample was chipped "from a large boulder at the base of the North Massif in the Taurus-Littrow Valley" by Apollo 17 astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt, the last (to date) humans to walk on the moon.



Cernan and Schmitt, together with command module pilot Ron Evans, returned the sample, and others like it, to Earth on Dec. 19, 1972 (lunar sample 76015 was collected 6 days earlier on Dec. 13, 1972).



Once delivered to the Lunar Receiving Laboratory at NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center (today, Johnson Space Center) in Houston, Texas, the parent 6.2-pound (2,819-gram) rock was cut into smaller pieces, including number 143, the irregular shape sample now in the Oval Office.



Prior to arriving in the Biden White House, the same moon rock was exhibited at the German Museum of Technology (Deutsches Technikmuseum) in Berlin.



"We chose this sample as a good representation of both the uniqueness of lunar samples, the tiny craters made by micrometeorites that can be seen on one side, and the evidence of scientific research being done on the sample that can be seen in the flat, sawn sides," a NASA spokesperson told collectSPACE.



Second sample



Biden is the first president to request a moon rock be on display in the Oval Office from his first day in office, but 76015,143 is the second lunar sample to be on long term loan to the White House.



On the 30th anniversary of the first moon landing in 1999, Apollo 11 crewmates Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins visited with then-President Bill Clinton in the Oval Office, when NASA loaned the White House a moon rock from the mission, lunar sample 10057,30. The rock, at Clinton's request, remained on display in the room until he left office in January 2001.



"The most valuable thing I had for perspective in politics in the White House was a moon rock," Clinton said in an interview for National Geographic's "StarTalk" in 2015. "I put the moon rock on the table and for the next two years, when we had Republicans and Democrats in, or people on two sides of any issue, and they'd start really, really getting out of control, I'd say, 'Wait, wait, wait  you see that moon rock, it is 3.6 billion years old. Now we're all just passing through here and we don't have very much time, so let's just calm down and figure out what the right thing to do is.' And it worked every single time."



"They were looking at an object that existed at a time they could hardly imagine and it just gave them that little bit of space in their mind and spirit to try to figure out, okay, let's go at this one more time," said Clinton.



At least one other moon rock has visited the White House, although it was only on loan from NASA for a day and was displayed in the Roosevelt room, outside of the Oval Office.



One of only 10 "touchstones"  exposed pieces of sample 70215 mounted so the public can touch a piece of the moon  the Apollo 17 rock was present on Dec. 11, 2017 for the signing of Space Policy Directive 1, which instructed NASA to send astronauts back to the moon, and then on to Mars, setting the foundation for the space agency's current Artemis program.



The Oval Office of the White House is newly redecorated for the first day of President Joe Biden's administration, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, including an Apollo 17-recovered moon rock on the bookshelf. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)







Lunar sample 76015,143, collected by the Apollo 17 crew in 1972, is a 0.7 pound (333 gram) slice of a larger rock that was chipped off a boulder on the moon. (NASA)







President Bill Clinton looks at a moon rock loaned by NASA during a visit to the White House by Apollo 11 crew members Mike Collins, left, Neil Armstrong, second left, and Buzz Aldrin, right, on the 30th anniversary of the moon landing in 1999. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)



 2021 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.

The U.S. Army is upgrading its tactical radios used by combat units to include new software that makes these radios more difficult to jam or locate. The army was responding to new jamming capabilities demonstrated by Russia and China, two countries that have been particularly eager to develop EW (Electronic Warfare) tools that could shut down or otherwise disrupt enemy (mainly Western) radio equipment. These latest upgrades were made possible by the earlier decision to adopt commercial radio technology to obtain new capabilities, rather than trying to develop the same tech just for the military. As a result, military radios have become cheaper, easier to upgrade and more competitive when it comes to dealing with problems like new jamming technologies and techniques. The new upgrades are based on testing existing radios against numerous new or anticipated enemy jamming techniques while noting and ranking the vulnerabilities. Because of the adoption of software based digital radios over the last decade these upgrades rarely require new hardware and are very inexpensive to implement.

These latest upgrade capabilities came after a painful and expensive period of failures while developing new military radios. The major shift occurred in 2012 when the army cancelled some of its own expensive and unsuccessful internal development projects. One example of this shift was the 2013 army decision to obtain new vehicle mounted radio for its combat units, and selection of ones based on existing commercial radio designs. The new MNVR (Mid-Tier Networking Vehicular Radio) systems provided networking (including Internet-like capabilities) to army units. Each army combat brigade has 50-100 of the MNVR radios, which are used to establish a combat brigade network that hundreds of other military radios (of all sizes) can link to.

MNVR was a replacement for the JTRS (Joint Tactical Radio System) Ground Mobile Radio (GMR), which was cancelled in 2011. The GMR development program cost over $6 billion and was a major embarrassment for the Department of Defense. Actually, JTRS still exists, on paper, but its goal, to provide better combat radios, has been accomplished by adopting civilian radios that do what the troops needed done and calling it JTRS. Thats what the new MNVR does, as it is a modified commercial radio. In the time the army spent working on JTRS some $11 billion was spent on buying more radios using existing designs and a lot of off-the-shelf equipment incorporating stuff JTRS was supposed to do. Sometimes the best solution is the one you were trying to avoid.

JTRS was yet another example of a military development project that got distracted, and bloated, trying to please everyone. There was, in a word, no focus. JTRS was the poster child of what usually goes wrong and how it impacts the combat troops. After all, radios are something everyone in the military depends on and uses a lot. The main problem with original JTRS spec was that the troops needed digital (for computer stuff) and analog (traditional radio) communications in one box, and it had to be programmable in order to handle new applications and the need to communicate with other radio types. That's what JTRS was supposed to do but it never happened. The procurement bureaucracy and government contractors consumed billions of dollars but never quite got anything useful out the door.

This new approach to military communications has since proven itself essential to keeping up. An example of this occurred unexpectedly in 2018 when the U.S. Army was forced to quickly develop and deploy a new EW system that could deal with new Russian EW weapons encountered in Ukraine and Syria over the previous few years. The army, continuing to use the rapid development and deployment methods implemented after 2001 (and now called the Rapid Capabilities Office), developed new hardware and software to detect, analyze and cope (to a certain extent) with a lot of the new EW capabilities Russia had put to work in Ukraine and Syria. None of the recent Russian EW gear was radically new stuff, but further developments of systems they had built during the Cold War.

After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 it was finally revealed that the EW pessimists in NATO, who warned that the Russians had EW gear NATO was unable to deal with because NATO leaders refused to believe what they were up against, were right. When improved versions of Russian Cold War EW gear began showing up in Ukraine and Syria, that served as a sobering wakeup call that was acted on this time.

NATO was fortunate that East European NATO members that used to be part of the Soviet empire were familiar with how Russian EW doctrine and equipment worked. Particularly useful was the Ukraine as a large number of Ukrainians who had worked on developing and building that Cold War EW tech and were now seeing it used against them by a resurgent Russia seeking to annex parts of Ukraine. The U.S. Army saw the opportunity and made the most of it. Russia also used a lot of their new EW gear in Syria, in part to impress potential customers and partly to get an idea of what Israel had. Unlike NATO, Israel did not underestimate Russian EW capabilities during the Cold War because Russian sold some of that EW equipment to Arab states who had a few opportunities to use it on Israel.

The new 2018 EW gear was issued to U.S. troops in Europe within a few months and then to units worldwide. The new EW equipment is made to be easily and quickly updated because modern EW systems depend a lot on surprise, as in coming up with some new technique and gaining a battlefield advantage until the enemy counters it. This is nothing new but the last time it was seen operating on a large scale in combat was during World War II, when the aerial bombing campaign (and to a lesser extent anti-submarine and surface warfare operations at sea) saw constant introduction of new EW tools that provided an edge until the other side quickly, often in weeks, came up with a counter. The U.S. Air Force never really forgot that but the army, despite lots of warnings, seemed to believe that tech would never be a major factor in ground combat. That attitude took time to change.

The new American EW gear consists of several separate systems. First there is VROD, a sensor system that constantly monitors the electromagnetic spectrum for known or potential threats. This depends on a regularly updated threat library built into the system as well algorithms for noticing potential new threats not yet in the library. Then there is VMAX, which is a tool to probe possible threats and provide some countermeasure capability. To control all this information there is EWPMT (EW Planning and Management Tool) and the first of many EWPMT add-ons. The first of these is called Raven Claw and it enables EWPMT users to operate on the move and even without a network connection. There is more, either delivered without being mentioned in a press release or still in development.

This EW crisis, and the fact that solutions were in the works, first became news during late 2017 when the U.S. Army asked Congress to allow it to revise its budget to deal with some serious network vulnerabilities. Specifically, the army needed to halt work on its battlefield Internet, known as WIN-T (Warfighter Information Network-Tactical) so that some changes can be made to ensure the system is not only more resistant to hacking and jamming but also capable of being patched (software fixes applied) much more quickly. Many in Congress were upset about this but those few with access to the classified briefings were not. Nor were many military personnel working on communications and EW. The army specified a potential Russian threat and it was known China catching up in this area. Civilian users of the Internet are constantly warned about new security threat to wireless access to the Internet and the military is not immune to these new threats.

But as the most recent army move indicates the advantages of battlefield electronics and Internet capabilities comes with new dangers, many of them not encountered during all the combat American troops have been involved in after 2001. Now the prospect of combat with a well-equipped (near peer) force is closer to reality than at any time since the 1980s. That means more skilled Internet hackers and at least the U.S. Army detected and responded to the threat. WIN-T, the initial army Internet system, eventually got replaced instead of just modified because the commercial tech development, moved faster than the military could. As it does more and more.
Public visitors in Hanoi got the first experience of the citys metro line 3, which connects Nhon Terminal and Hanoi Train Station, on Saturday.

A train of Metro Line 3, which connects Nhon terminal and the Hanoi Train Station, is put through a test run on January 22, 2020 in this supplied video.

Earlier, it was announced that the metro train would be available for general public viewing between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm this Saturday and Sunday.

From the early morning, citizens of the capital city were seen queueing up at the S1 terminal in the Nhon area of Bac Tu Liem District to take a glance at the much-anticipated train.

Nguyen Phuong Lan, 44, from Nam Tu Lien District was one of the first in line to visit the train at the S1 station.

Donning a white ao dai and holding a branch of apricot tree as a prop, she mulled a photo shoot inside the train to commemorate the event.

According to the Hanoi Metropolitan Railway Management Board, the showcase of the train was meant to be an act of celebration for the 13th National Party Congress next week, as well as a public announcement on the progress of the citys metro line 3.

Visitors climb the steps to reach the metro train at the S1 terminal in Hanoi, January 23, 2021. Photo: Pham Tuan / Tuoi Tre

This is such a memorable event of the city that all of us have been waiting for it," Lan said.

"For that reason, my friends and I came here today to capture the moments [in photos].

Vuong Ngoc Hai, 70, from Cau Giay District, said the wait for the first look of the train made him feel nervous and proud at the same time.

The train looks great," Hai remarked.

"As far as I know, it is one of the twelve arteries of the city, so I wish it can be operated soon to resolve traffic congestion issues in Hanoi.

Public visitors will be allowed to visit the metro train in groups of no more than 20 people at a time.

The MRB requires visitors to bring personal IDs, don face masks, shun high heels, and abide by guidelines.

They will also collect visitors feedback at the end of each tour.

Staffers of the metro train are seen at the S1 terminal in Hanoi, January 23, 2021. Photo: Pham Tuan / Tuoi Tre

The drivers cabin of the train for the metro line 3 of Hanoi, January 23, 2021. Photo: Pham Tuan / Tuoi Tre

The interior of the train for the metro line 3 of Hanoi, January 23, 2021. Photo: Pham Tuan / Tuoi Tre

A visitor sits on the train for the metro line 3 of Hanoi, January 23, 2021. Photo: Pham Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Passengers handles on the train for the metro line 3 of Hanoi, January 23, 2021. Photo: Pham Tuan / Tuoi Tre

On October 18, 2020, the first carriages of the train to run on Hanois metro route 3 were unloaded to Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port in northern Hai Phong City before reaching Hanoi two days later.

The train cars are designed and assembled, in accordance with European quality standards, by French manufacturer Alstom.

The train's exterior is made of lightweight aluminum alloy with a green, red, and white coating and a symbol of Khue Van Cac  the iconic structure of Hanois Van Mieu (Temple of Literature)  on the front.

It is fully equipped with air conditioning and ventilation systems, loudspeakers for public announcements, surveillance cameras, standalone smoke and fire detectors, and LED lighting with auto-adjust brightness, among others.

The interior of the train will be themed in light tones with white LED lighting to provide the most comfortable experience for passengers.

Each train consists of four carriages with a total passenger capacity of 944 to 1,124 per trip.

It can travel at 35 kilometers per hour in real-life commercial use, which can rise to a maximum of 80 kilometers per hour.

Nguyen Cao Minh, head of the MRB, said the metro line 3 will commence commercial operations along a 8.5-kilometer length from Nhon to the University of Transport and Communications in the second half of 2021.

An information screen on the train for the metro line 3 of Hanoi, January 23, 2021. Photo: Pham Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Visitors are seen on the train for the metro line 3 of Hanoi, January 23, 2021. Photo: Pham Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Visitors are seen doing a photo shoot on the train for the metro line 3 of Hanoi, January 23, 2021. Photo: Pham Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Visitors are seen at the S1 terminal of Hanoi, January 23, 2021. Photo: Pham Tuan / Tuoi Tre

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Back in December, the big worry about two newly approved treatments for early COVID-19 was that demand would far outstrip supply.

After all, some famous men had taken monoclonal antibodies after they were infected in the fall  some of them before the drugs received emergency-use authorization  and became highly visible converts.

Former President Donald Trump called a drug made by Regeneron a cure. (He was also given other treatments that may have helped him recover.) Ben Carson, former secretary of Housing and Urban Development, was convinced the Regeneron combo of two antibodies saved his life. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced that he got a drug made by Eli Lilly & Co. Trumps personal attorney Rudy Giuliani said he felt better immediately after an infusion of the Regeneron cocktail.

Now, a different problem has emerged. While more than 640,000 doses of the drugs had been shipped to hospitals and a few other providers by Jan. 6, only about a quarter have been used, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Even as record numbers of Americans contracted the virus, supply of these drugs  the only treatments available for high-risk, newly diagnosed people who do not yet need hospitalization  has, in fact, far outstripped demand.

Its just being way underutilized everywhere, said Gerard Criner, chair of thoracic medicine and surgery and director of the Temple Lung Center.

HHS and the Department of Defense have purchased 4.5 million treatment courses from Regeneron and Eli Lilly. The drugs are free to patients, who must be 65 and older or have medical conditions such as obesity or kidney disease that put them at risk for severe coronavirus.

As with vaccines, logistics are an issue

The reasons that area doctors gave for unexpectedly low use of monoclonal antibodies  poor federal planning for the logistics of giving the drugs, a reliance on hospital workers already pushed to the limit by caring for COVID-19 patients and giving colleagues vaccines, inadequate information for patients and primary-care doctors  sound familiar to anyone whos been following the troubled vaccine rollout.

Criner doesnt think the government bought too much of the drugs. I think theres been no thought process in any detail about how to get these to patients, he said. Overburdened hospitals, he added, are probably the last place that should be asked to do more now.

Both treatments, which have long, tongue-twisting names we will use only once here, received emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration in November. The Regeneron cocktail is a combination of casirivimab and imdevimab. The Lilly drug is bamlanivimab.

When a virus invades our bodies, antibodies are our natural first line of defense. Because most people have not previously been exposed to the new coronavirus, it can take a while to ramp up antibody production. This can be particularly true of older and less healthy people with impaired immune systems. Monoclonal antibodies, which are made in laboratories, are a way to boost the natural response and potentially fight off the virus before it does serious damage.

According to phase 2 clinical trial data, 3% of high-risk patients treated with the Lilly drug needed hospitalization or emergency-room visits compared with 10% who got a placebo. The FDA said that 3% of similarly high-risk patients needed hospitalization or ER visits after treatment with the Regeneron cocktail compared with 9% of the placebo group.

A National Institutes of Health treatment guidelines panel decided there was insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the Lilly antibody. The Infectious Diseases Society of America concluded it was not for routine use but was a reasonable treatment option when a patient puts high value on the uncertain benefits and a low value on uncertain adverse events. People who get the drugs can have allergic reactions. Some have also reported nausea and other symptoms.

Some doctors, though, said the treatments are worth trying at a time when so many are dying. We think its a promising drug, said Ryan Bariola, an infectious-diseases doctor at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).

Racing to meet a short deadline

While monoclonal antibodies are used to treat cancer and autoimmune disorders, theyre new for infectious disease, and they come with new challenges. For one thing, theyre not given as a shot or a pill. They require an hour of intravenous treatment followed by an hour of observation. You cant exactly welcome people with active COVID-19 into infusion suites that cater to patients with compromised immune systems. This means hospitals, which have so far gotten most doses, have had to set up special treatment areas or relegate COVID-19 treatment to hours when uninfected patients wont be around.

The drugs also need to be given early, ideally very soon after a patient tests positive. Anyone who needs hospitalization or extra oxygen is disqualified. So, someone who waits to get a test until they have symptoms and then waits several days for results may miss the window. And, of course, some people dont bother with tests at all until theyre too sick.

Plus, doctors and patients need to know the drugs exist, so that they can suggest the treatment. Everybody has the mind-set that there are no treatments. That also includes physicians, said Martin Topiel, chair of infectious disease for Virtua Health. We really havent changed the culture and the mind-set on that.

After Kathy Lefczik, a 62-year-old Maple Shade woman, tested positive on Jan. 15, her Virtua doctor suggested that she get monoclonal antibody treatment. She has diabetes and high blood pressure, risk factors that made her eligible for the drug. She had eaten with a friend  inside without a mask  the previous Saturday. The next day, the friend, who is older and has chronic lung problems, had symptoms. The day after that, Lefczik had a headache, cough, runny nose, fatigue, and muscle aches. Because of my underlying problems, I was very afraid, she said.

On Jan. 17, before her infusion of the Lilly drug at Virtua Willingboro Hospital, Lefczik learned that her friend had been hospitalized. Lefczik whiled away the infusion and observation time by playing games on her phone. The next day, on Monday, I woke up, and I felt like a whole new person, she said. By Tuesday, she had a lingering cough and some stuffiness, but the fatigue was gone. I honestly feel fine, she said.

It all seemed simple to her, but area doctors said keeping everyone safe is not easy.

Because of the logistical challenges, it took Temple five weeks to create a monoclonal antibody infusion area for COVID-19 patients in its COVID-19 building, Criner said. It can handle 12 patients a day but is so far infusing only two or three. Penn Medicine created a dedicated infusion center that could treat 16 coronavirus patients a day. It has treated up to 10, for a total of 70, said Pablo Tebas, an infectious-diseases doctor. Virtua could treat 20 patients a day in Willingboro. On a good day, it treats 10, Topiel said. Virtua is also giving the drug at emergency departments and managed to give 240 doses in six weeks. Topiel thinks the system could treat three times as many people if everyone who is eligible got it.

In Western Pennsylvania, UPMC, which has received about 2,000 doses, now has 15 infusion centers able to give the drugs. It has given 350 to 400 doses, including about 30 in UPMC nursing homes, Bariola said.

Some hospitals also have clinical trials available for people who dont qualify under the emergency authorization.

To speed use, the federal government has set up three infusion centers of its own in hard-hit Arizona, California, and Nevada. It also created an online treatment locator for patients.

One promising approach is an HHS-supported program at Penn that uses home infusion nurses to give monoclonal antibodies to infected nursing home patients. The drug is perfect for long-term care residents, said Nina OConnor, chief of palliative care at Penn Medicine, who is running the pilot. They are tested frequently, so infections are identified quickly. Because of age and other infirmities, most residents qualify for the treatment.

While nursing homes can give intravenous medicines, Penn decided to use outsiders because facility staff already are stretched too thin. Providing the staff to do the infusion makes a big difference, OConnor said.

So far, Penn Home Infusion Therapy has treated residents of 29 long-term care facilities in the region.

Damian Dodge, project manager for the home infusion therapy team, said it can be tough to finish all the paperwork within the short time window, especially if a family member has to be involved because a patient has dementia or if a facility has a large outbreak. His team did 25 infusions in one day at one facility. The pilot has used 275 of its 500 doses.

The most important question is how well the drugs work. Doctors said its too soon to tell. They can say that patients are having very few problems with the infusions, and theres anecdotal evidence that patients are benefiting.

Ive seen people get better in 24 hours, Tebas said.

Topiel said none of Virtuas treated patients have been hospitalized. He thinks its important to offer average patients the same treatments as prominent politicians got.

Like many of these therapies to treat COVID, we need more data and more information, he said. ... On the other hand, this is the only thing we have in the armamentarium for outpatients.
Hugo is the result of GHGSat's first collaboration with ABB, the engineering firm which manufactured the payload. Previous GHGSat satellite launches include technology demonstrator "Claire" (or GHGSat-D), which has been in orbit since 2016, and "Iris" (GHGSat-C1), which launched September 2nd, 2020.

Hugo is the second of a fleet of 10 commercial, high-resolution satellites due to be in orbit by the end of 2022. Each satellite is equipped with a state-of-the-art sensor that detects methane emissions from sources 100 times smaller, at a resolution that is 100 times higher, than any other commercial or state-funded satellite. Iris has already detected and quantified smaller plumes than GHGSat-D ("Claire") for industries such as oil & gas, waste management, and mining.

Stephane Germain, CEO of GHGSat: "Hugo's successful launch doubles our commercial capacity in orbit for performing high-resolution measurements of facility-level emissions. This launch starts the year on a high note as the next step in deploying our constellation."

Three more GHGSat satellites are currently being manufactured, and each will include patented GHGSat sensors manufactured under contract by ABB Measurement & Analytics Canada. Marc Corriveau, General Manager ABB Measurement & Analytics Canada said: "ABB is very pleased to support the rapid launch of Hugo, following the delivery of the first of many payload replicas under manufacturing. Experience gained in high-profile space programs like JPSS, Meteosat, MetOp, GOSAT and SciSat allowed us to refine the unique GHGSat technology. These complementary missions are essential to better understand our planet and carry us into a sustainable future."

GHGSat is a leader in high-resolution greenhouse gas monitoring from space, providing actionable emission data to businesses, governments, and regulators worldwide. With proprietary remote-sensing capabilities and patented technology, GHGSat can monitor individual facilities, offering greater data accuracy, and facilitating timely strategic decision-making insights. www.ghgsat.com

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB's success is driven by about 110,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com

SOURCE GHGSat

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Its always noteworthy when the speaker of the S.C. House introduces a series of bills to make significant changes to the way our state government operates.

When he proposes to steal power from one of the weakest governors in the nation in order to increase the Legislatures control over elections, remove the protections against the Legislature filling the judiciary with its barely qualified cronies and, having done that, pack the high court, its more than noteworthy. Its time for a conversation.

Because while there are definitely problems with the way South Carolina runs elections, lack of legislative input is not one of them.

And while there is a massive flaw in our system of picking judges, its not that legislators dont have enough freedom to select the judges they want.

When I caught up with Mr. Lucas Tuesday, he insisted that he wasn't trying to pack the court or disempower the governor, and that in fact hed be perfectly fine letting the governor keep appointing all the members of the State Election Commission. Its the other part of H.3444 that really matters to him.

And the other part  which empowers the Election Commission to supervise and standardize the performance, conduct, and practices of county election commissions and ensure those boards' compliance with applicable state or federal law or State Election Commission policies, procedures, and regulations  is actually a long-overdue reform.

The bill grew out of one of the many lawsuits this summer challenging how South Carolina conducts elections. As Mr. Lucas tells it, he realized a change was needed when U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel asked in court how the state verifies signatures on mail-in absentee ballots, and Election Commission Director Marci Andino said we dont really know; its kind of up to each county to decide.

And he immediately recessed, and they had to go call all 46 county election commissions, Mr. Lucas told me. When court resumed, the commission reported that nine counties had a signature verification process, each a little different than the others, and several werent sure what they were talking about.

Mr. Lucas said he figured that if the State Election Commission was going to be telling county election commissions how to do their job, it made sense to have someone other than just the governor appointing its members, in the same way lawmakers got to appoint some members of the Ethics Commission once that panel started policing legislative ethics. Besides, he said, generally you have more opportunity to get diversity if legislators are appointing people.

The diversity argument sounds like a good point, but we actually get more diversity from gubernatorial appointments, because when the governor has five appointments, he can make it a priority to pick some women and some African Americans and a blend of people from the Upstate, Midlands and Lowcountry. In fact, our governors have tended to do that, just not as much as critics on the left prefer. But the Legislature is 170 people forming different coalitions for each of those five contests, and each coalition is working to get one particular person appointed, without regard to the overall mix.

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I suspect a bigger reason for adding legislative appointments along with increased state authority is the political reality that has stopped the Legislature from abolishing county election commissions, whose members are selected by the legislators from each county. And while it would be better to let the governor keep appointing the entire board, giving half that authority to Mr. Lucas and Senate President Harvey Peeler would be a small price to pay for taking authority away from those county commissions, which can be far less than competent.

On the other hand, Mr. Lucas bill to change how we appoint judges misses the mark  although he does point to a real problem with the process, and he correctly notes that his change would at least theoretically reduce the speakers influence.

Under current law, the state Judicial Merit Selection Commission nominates three candidates for each position on the court, and the Legislature elects judges from among those nominees. Mr. Lucas' H.3448 lets legislators consider any candidate deemed "qualified" by the commission, reflecting longstanding complaints that the commission sometimes nominates two weak candidates in order to ensure that its preferred candidate is elected.

That might actually happen. But the way to fix that isnt to return to the free-for-alls we used to have before this process was created in 1997. Its to make a more fundamental change, which would make this problem disappear.

Those commissioners are appointed by the House speaker and Senate president, a majority of them are legislators, and of course the Legislature elects the judges. Notice anything missing there? Like the third co-equal branch of government?

Let the governor appoint the commission's nominees, or else let the governor appoint the judges, and the nominating function is no longer a problem; it's an essential part of the balancing act.

Mr. Lucas says he wants to increase the size of the Supreme Court because larger states have larger high courts than South Carolina, which allows for more diversity of thought and geography. When I asked what prompted him to roll that proposal out this year, he said it was one of several changes he'd been thinking through in recent years, many of which he finally got around to introducing, kind of like an artist who puts out a greatest hits album.

I don't think there's anything nefarious here. But if I were putting together a list of Jay Lucas' greatest hits  and there have been some great ones  expanding the court wouldn't make my top 50 list.
(Natural News) Pastor Cristian Ionescu, a Romanian immigrant living in Chicago, has seen this movie before. It happened in his native country in the past and, in his view, it is happening now in his adopted land. Ionescu, who fled persecution in communist Romania as a religious refugee, thinks some powerful individuals are taking advantage of the situation  or knew all along that the pandemic would happen.

The reaction to the virus is an orchestrated effort to destroy the church, to destroy conservatives, to destroy people with basic values and traditional values in a society. At worst it was programmed and originated deliberately, at best it was exploited and used for their purpose, Ionescu told the Epoch Times Crossroads program.

Ionescu also noted the hypocrisy as some officials condoned huge demonstrations with no restrictions, but banned others that were democratic and religious in nature.

People should understand the church is not a video game, a church is not an online affair. Church has to be physical, and it has to be a gathering, and has to be a fellowship, physical fellowship. This is the core and is an elemental basic survival prerogative of a church and religious activity obviously  for me closing down churches was a death sentence for the church.

It is riveting to note that communism in Ionescus home country ended in 1989 because of a revolution that started in response to an attempt by the government to evict Hungarian Reformed church pastor, Laszlo Tokes.

Ionescu is a senior pastor of Elim Romanian, one of the six Romanian-American congregations in the Chicago area. In May 2020, he defied Illinois Gov. Jay Robert Pritzkers stay-at-home order by welcoming dozens of worshipers to a Sunday service. (Related: Chicago to churches: Comply with coronavirus mandates or have your facilities bulldozed.)

We feel that we are discriminated against, Ionescu told the Chicago Sun-Times back then, noting that large groups of people were allowed to shop at grocery and hardware stores. We follow the same rules as other places that are also considered essential, and yet we cannot have more than 10 people in a service, which is ridiculous.

Elim Romanian took considerable steps to adhere to the states social distancing and public safety guidelines at that time: Masks, gloves and hand sanitizer were made available, temperature checks were conducted at the door and capacity was limited to 120 worshipers, though the churchs main auditorium and overflow rooms can hold 1,300. Roughly 70 people were in attendance on Sundays, including the church leadership, band and choir.

Pandemic provides glimpse of communism

The pandemic forced people to fight for their survival and they will do anything to survive. Even the most defiant learns how to obey when life is at stake.

When you condition a society to collectively think in terms of surviving, (being) desperate for survival you will get them to accept anything, Ionescu said.

When people are in desperate need of survival they will be able to accept any solution that gives them hope including government-imposed mandates. Even progressivism, socialism, or communism can be accepted by an anti-communist society, as it happened to Romania after World War II and can be seen in America right now.

Ionescu recounted that during communist rule in Romania, students were taught in school that communism and Marxism can never be imposed in a society in a peaceful way  it can only be done via a revolution.

This is because people will never voluntarily give up their freedoms, their possessions and their privileges so you need to take them away by force, he said.

The pandemic is proving to be a perfect opportunity to take these from people.

In Romania, people had a little bit of meat, bread and milk. They had jobs provided by the communist government as long as they would fall in line and would not be individualistic about their opinions or religion, Ionescu recalled.

Because of the pandemic, some Americans are beginning to have a mindset that the government should provide handouts for people.

Ionescu claimed the education system, the media and all the trigger points of society in America have been taken over by Marxism. The country may or may not succumb to communism, but it is definitely heading in that direction.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Chicago.SunTimes.com
Intensive care unit availability in the Bay Area jumped to 23.4% on Saturday after weeks of single-digit availability, a strong signal that the worst of the surge is in the past.

Nonetheless, it was not immediately clear when the region could emerge from the states stay-home order. The order is supposed to be lifted when ICU availability is projected to exceed 15% looking four weeks ahead.

The Bay Area, which includes the nine core counties as well as Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, is well beyond that threshold at the moment.

The 13-county Sacramento region had its state-imposed lockdown lifted more than a week ago. But the ICU capacity for that region remains at 11.9%  just over half the Bay Areas current figure.

State public health officials could not immediately be reached on Saturday to comment on when the lockdown might be lifted for the Bay Area, and why the Bay Area remained on lockdown while Sacramento  with worse ICU numbers  was not.

The numbers are looking good, Matt Willis, Marin Countys public health officer told The Chronicle on Saturday, adding hes hopeful the Bay Area lockdown will lift in the near future.

Its the states call, he said. But were all looking at the same numbers and were all feeling hopeful.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed said on Friday that the city may soon start reopening under Californias guidelines because the citys coronavirus transmission rates dropped.

Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle 2020

That means for every person who gets COVID-19, on average theyre passing it to less than one other person. Were slowing the spread, Breed wrote on Twitter.

Lifting the lockdown would allow the Bay Area to resume activities permitted under the states purple tier, including outdoor dining. Outdoor gatherings with people outside your household could also resume  though with a three-household-max restriction. Hair salons could resume serving customers indoors. However, individual counties could decide to continue to continue to prohibit some of these activities, separate from the states orders.

California health officials use a complex formula that has not been made public to anticipate ICU availability four weeks out. At the moment the projections are not being shared publicly, Department of Public Health spokeswoman Ali Bay said in an email to the Associated Press.

When the Sacramento regions order was lifted, the ICU availability was at about 9%.

The lack of a state explanation has created confusion, and thats the opposite of what the state should be doing, said David Canepa, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.

Information should be clear, concise and most importantly have to avoid confusion, he said.

The numbers looked encouraging, however, Canepa added.

My concern is that the public will hear this and think its safe to go out with a business as usual attitude, he said. I too would like to dine in at my favorite restaurants, but for now I will stay at home and order takeout. If we can keep these numbers down over the next month, then I say bravo. Ill be the first in line to get a haircut at the barbershop.

In the meantime, he said, stay home if you can, avoid gatherings and wear your damn masks.

This story is developing.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Lauren Hernandez and Jill Tucker are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByLHernandez @jilltucker
Ciarran Stott was quickly labelled the villain by Bachelor in Paradise fans last year, with many suggesting he was a womaniser and a misogynist.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph's Confidential on Sunday, the British reality star revealed that he's still on the receiving end of death threats.

'I still cop it today. I used to get it all the time,' the 27-year-old confessed.

'I still cop it today': Bachelor in Paradise 'bad boy' Ciarran Stott (pictured), 27, told The Daily Telegraph's Confidential on Sunday that he's still on the receiving end of death threats, following his villain edit on the show last year

Ciarran said the abuse is not only to do with his edit on the show, but also his appearance.

'Anything I do gets trolled straight away whether it be cutting or dyeing my hair... because of the show people think I'm some sort of misogynist who doesn't appreciate women,' he explained.

The tattooed influencer also admitted that he's anxious of being out in public after an aggressive troll threatened to punch him while at a pub in Victoria recently.

Violence: The British reality star (pictured on the show), also admitted that he's anxious about stepping out in public after an aggressive troll threatened to punch him while out at a pub in Victoria recently

Back in April last year, Ciarran told the Manchester Evening News that he was convinced he'd get a 'villain' edit on the show, and feared his public image would be tarnished when it went to air.

'I think I'll go from the sweetheart of Australia to the bad boy of Australia so that won't be good,' he said.

During his time on the show, Ciarran was embroiled in various hook-ups, first with Abbie Chatfield, before moving on to Jessica Brody.

Girl trouble: During his time on the show, Ciarran was embroiled in various hook-ups, including with Jessica Brody (left)

Moved on: When Kiki Morris (left) arrived in Paradise, he quickly ditched Jessica, with revelations coming to the fore that Ciarran and Kiki had met prior to the show and formulated a plan to couple up once she arrived

When Kiki Morris arrived in Paradise, he quickly ditched Jessica, with revelations coming to the fore that Ciarran and Kiki had met prior to the show and formulated a plan to couple up once she arrived.

Matters were complicated by his ex-girlfriend, Renee Barrett, also appearing on the show, and harbouring the belief that she and Ciarran, who had split just over a week prior to filming, would reunite.

Ciarran quit the show shortly before the final rose ceremony, taking Kiki with him - only for the pair to split two months later.

Love triangle: Matters were complicated by his ex-girlfriend, Renee Barrett (pictured), also appearing on the show, and harbouring the belief that she and Ciarran, who had split just over a week prior to filming, would reunite
French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain thanked India for supplying medicines to France at the time of pandemic. During the ongoing India-France bilateral exercise "Desert Knight 21", Lenain said, During COVID-19, you (India) shipped medicines needed in French hospitals. We are very grateful for that again... Very clear statements were released by your government and Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) when our values like secularism were under attack in my country. The air exercises are going on at Air Force Station Jodhpur, from January 20 to 24.

He also spoke about bilateral ties as he said, India and France have been side-by-side in both good and bad times. When India decided to conduct a nuclear test in Pokhran, we were on your side as we understand your strategic autonomy.

The joint drills, which are a part of Desert Knight 21, mark a significant milestone in the series of engagements between the two air forces.

Read: Jaish-e-Mohammed Warns French President Emmanuel Macron, Calls Him 'blasphemer'

Desert Knight 21

As part of Indo-French defense cooperation, the Indian Air Force and the French Air and Space Force held six editions of military exercises named "Garuda" at Air Force Base Mont-de-Marsan in France. The two forces have been using opportunities to conduct "hop-exercises" in order to further the existing cooperation. India had hosted the French Air Force deployment at the air force stations in Agra and Gwalior for exercise while ferrying to Australia for Ex Pitchblack in 2018. The French forces for Ex Desert Knight-21 are deployed in Asia as part of their "Skyros Deployment" and have ferried in forces to Air Force Station Jodhpur.

Read: Mumbai Sees 435 New COVID Cases; City Tally At 3,05,566 As Doubling Rate Slows To 458 Days

In a boost to its strike capability, the IAF received the first batch of five Rafale jets in July last year, nearly four years after the government inked an agreement with France to procure 36 of the aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore. The second batch of three Rafale fighter jets joined the IAF in November. The Rafale jets, manufactured by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, are India's first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 years after the Sukhoi jets were imported from Russia. The newly inducted fleet has been carrying out sorties in eastern Ladakh.

Read: 15,37,190 Beneficiaries Vaccinated Till Date For COVID; 6 Deaths Reported Post-inoculation

Also Read: COVID-19 Vaccine Research Could Lead To Drugs Against HIV And Cancer: Report

(Image Credits: AP)
About 5:10 p.m., the robber came inside and demanded cash from the 33-year-old worker at the store, in the 3600 block of North Damen Avenue, police said.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-25 02:40:39|Editor: huaxia

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Egyptian Health Minister Hala Zayed (L, Rear) speaks during a press conference at Abu Khalifa Emergency Hospital in the northeastern province of Ismailia, Egypt, on Jan. 24, 2021. Egypt started on Sunday vaccinating medical staff with Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine at the hospital in Ismailia, according to a vaccination program by the Egyptian Health Ministry. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

ISMAILIA, Egypt, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Egypt started on Sunday vaccinating medical staff with Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine at a hospital in the northeastern province of Ismailia, according to a vaccination program by the Egyptian Health Ministry.

"Today, I announce launching the national campaign of COVID-19 vaccination from Abu Khalifa Hospital, starting with the medical staff," Egyptian Health Minister Hala Zayed told a news conference at Abu Khalifa Emergency Hospital in Ismailia.

The minister explained that clinical trials have proved Sinopharm vaccine is safe and highly effective in COVID-19 prevention, especially "in prevention of COVID-19 infection with severe symptoms."

She added that Sinopharm vaccine has been registered at the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) and other vaccines from China, Britain and Russia will be registered within days.

Egypt received on Dec. 10, 2020 the first batch of Sinopharm vaccine, and the vaccine was officially licensed for emergency use later in the same month, after going through four tests conducted by the EDA.

The vaccination program starts with the medical staff of the hospitals of the Egyptian Health Ministry, the armed forces and the police.

"Starting from tomorrow, the medical staff of all Egyptian public hospitals, and those of the armed forces and the police, will start receiving these vaccines," Zayed told reporters.

The priorities, according to the vaccination campaign, are given to medical staff dealing with COVID-19 patients, followed by those dealing with other patients, the elderly, those with chronic or immunity diseases, and the rest of the citizens.

Zayed noted that Egypt has already reserved more than 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from different providers.

The minister said that she has gone through the clinical trial of the vaccine, as a message of reassurance and encouragement to all citizens.

Among the first medics to receive Sinopharm vaccine in Egypt was Abdel-Moneim Selim, a trainee physician at the intensive care unit (ICU) of Abu Khalifa Emergency Hospital in Ismailia.

"I was asked 10 days ago if I agree to take the vaccine and I have already made up my mind to do it. It is a safe vaccine and it was tried by many people before us. I recommend everyone to take the vaccine whenever possible, whether a medic or not, and whether old or young," the ICU doctor told reporters.

For his part, Mohamed Ahmed Ali, professor of virology at Egypt's National Research Center, said that he was among the members of the Health Ministry's committee who recommended the purchase of Sinopharm vaccine.

"I guarantee the safety and efficacy of the Chinese vaccine. I believe Sinopharm vaccine is one the safest," the professor said. Enditem
Some memories, seemingly trivial, tend to stay with one for a lifetime. More than sixty-five years later, I still remember Billy E.

We were in elementary school. On the playground, the girls would go off to one side, the boys to the other (girls were yucky, after all). I have no idea what the girls did, but the boys often played army. Billy E. organized about ten or twelve of the boys into a cavalry platoon, and off they rode on their imaginary horses, double file, following Billy. He would signal column left, and, amazingly, the boys would execute a column left, just as Billy had taught them.

I, and one or two others, did not join Billy's army, but we watched in admiration as he led. For my part, I wanted to be like Billy, so I attempted to recruit my own followers. The other boys ignored me, except for one, who said he would rather follow Billy.

After elementary school, my family moved away, and I lost contact with Billy. Over the years, I expected that I would hear about him, as he became a politician, a military officer, or a Fortune 500 CEO. I heard about him only once, during a chance encounter with a former classmate. It seems that Billy had led an obscure life, apparently at a low-wage, dead-end job (I can't be certain). His impressive leadership qualities had never met my expectations in adulthood.

It brings to mind the question: why do some people become well known leaders, while others do not?

There are some obvious answers: intelligence, hard work, talent, and circumstance make a leader. Yet, in case after case, we see people in positions of leadership who are lacking in all of those traits, except the last one. Some of them are abysmal failures, yet they are promoted far beyond their level of competence. Assuredly, many leaders achieve their leadership positions by merit, but why do so many incompetents get promoted over the competent?

Okay, we all know the strategy of marrying the boss's daughter. Being born into wealth and power also confer advantages. Even when so privileged, however, many an incompetent leader soon fizzles out and fades into anonymity.

We all know of politicians whose careers are decades long and unmarked by any notable achievement. It seems that getting elected, and re-elected, is a skill apart from any other, a skill dependent primarily on skullduggery and charlatanism.

Even in the military (I served twenty years), there are those who excel at getting promoted over their more qualified peers. I attribute that to a phenomenon I often noticed in good officers, which was that they put so much energy into their job that they failed to memorize manuals or to attend the general's dinner parties. Not to take anything away from the famous George S. Patton, who was undoubtedly a superlative leader, but his wife was a wealthy socialite, and Patton often entertained admirals and ambassadors at his home. He had name recognition among those who served on promotion boards. Even he, despite his impressive battle record, was frequently warned, even disciplined, for departing from the rule book in favor of accomplishing the mission.

Finally, we come to the present day. Donald J. Trump, seeing that the nation was heading down a very wrong path, assembled his people and resources and, against all conventional wisdom, became the forty-fifth president of the United States. His campaign, and tenure in office, was marked by constant and continual sniping and sabotage from political enemies, even from within. Despite all that, his achievements for the nation far exceeded those of any president since Reagan. He would still be president right now but for the tidal wave of corruption, a coup d'etat, that illegally overwhelmed his resources.

Joe Biden, by contrast, exhibits nothing resembling true leadership. Only his accomplices, who coordinated the election fraud, can claim any organizational ability. Biden will likely soon become a footnote, the predecessor to the only future president to be even less qualified than him.

In my opinion, Billy E. would have been a better leader for the nation. Column, right!

Image: jlhervas via Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
A California resident who tested positive for COVID-19 in late December died last week several hours after receiving a shot of the vaccine, officials have announced.

The individual, who has not been named, reportedly died in Placer County, in the greater Sacramento area, on Thursday.

Their death was announced by the Placer County Sheriffs Office in a Saturday Facebook post, with the department adding that the incident remains under investigation.

The individual was administered a COVID-19 vaccine several hours before their death on January 21, 2021, the agency wrote. The vaccine was not administered by Placer County Public Health.

Its unclear if the person was given the Moderna of Pfizer vaccine.

There are multiple local, state, and federal agencies actively investigating this case; any reports surrounding the cause of death are premature, pending the outcome of the investigation. Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased, the sheriffs office continued.

Their death was announced by the Placer County Sheriffs Office in a Saturday Facebook post, with the department adding that the incident remains under investigation

Officials with the Placer County Coroners Office will be conducting an autopsy on Monday to determine the persons specific cause of death.

No further details were shared by authorities.

In a statement, the California Department of Health said: Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased. We take these instances seriously which is why we are working with our government partners to investigate the cause.

We are working collaboratively and will continue to use data and science to determine how to proceed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring reports of allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine, but health officials say the risk of a severe reaction is exceedingly rare.

Last week, California State Epidemiologist Dr. Erica S. Pan recommended that providers halt the administration of one batch of the Moderna vaccine out of an extreme abundance of caution after it caused an allergic reaction in less than ten people.

While no vaccine or medical procedure is without risk, the risk of a serious adverse reaction is very small, the California Department of Health wrote.

While less data exists on adverse reactions related to the Moderna vaccine, a similar vaccine shows that the expected rate of anaphylaxis is approximately 1 in 100,000.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring reports of allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine, but health officials say the risk of a severe reaction is exceedingly rare' (file photo)

The vaccines are known to have some side effects, which include tiredness, headache, chills, and a fever, but these are normal signs your body is building protection and should go away in a few days, the CDC said.

Speaking to the death of the person in Placer County, Dr. Dean Blumberg, an infectious disease expert at UC Davis Childrens hospital, told KTLA people should not be too quick to place blame.

Many people are going to make the connection with the vaccine because of the timing, he said. [My] first inclination is that its probably not related to the vaccine.

We know that the severe allergic reactions that occur following immunization, the vast majority of those occur 15-30 minutes following immunization, Blumberg said.

He added that if the death occurred several hours after receiving the vaccine its probably not the severe allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, that we worry about.

The nations leading infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, recommends that people who have tested positive for the virus should not get tested until at least 90 days after their date of initial infection.

In California, nearly 5 million vaccine doses have been distributed and 2,008,220 have been administered (pictured: farm workers receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Tudor Ranch in Mecca, California on January 21

As of Sunday morning, 41,411,550 vaccine doses have been distributed and 20,537,990 have been administered nationwide. In total, just over three million people are fully vaccinated, having received both doses of the shot.

In California, nearly 5 million doses have been distributed and 2,008,220 have been administered.

While vaccination efforts are well underway, the state continues to be ravaged by the virus.

In the last month, around 423 Californians have died from the coronavirus each day, data from Johns Hopkins University shows.

The state has recorded 36,405 deaths and more than 3.1 million cases since the pandemic first began in March.

Across the entirety of the US, 24,995,420 cases of the virus have been reported, and 414,441 Americans have died.

Shimla, Jan 24 : After offering pest-free potatoes and exotic vegetables that are foodies' delight, farmers of Himachal Pradesh are set to add flavour to the Indian culinary life by offering home-grown asafoetida (heeng) -- a first for the country -- in the coming years.

Agriculture Minister Virender Kanwar told IANS on Sunday that the first plantation of asafoetida, which gives a zing to the recipes due to its unique pungent smell owing to high sulphur content, was done successfully on an experimental basis in Kwaring village in Lahaul Valley at an altitude of 11,000 feet on October 15, 2020.

Thereafter, 'heeng' cultivation was also taken up in the state's other high-altitude areas like Keylong, Beeling and Madgran in Lahaul-Spiti district, Janjhehli and Moviseri in Mandi district and Kalpa and Pooh in Kinnaur district.

The expensive oleo-gum-resin will be ready for extraction from the roots of the plants after five years of plantation, he said.

Heeng, a perennial plant, is otherwise native to the deserts of Iran and mountains of Afghanistan, where it is grown in substantial numbers.

'Heeng' is one of the widely used spices in Indian cuisine, and the country consumes around 50 per cent of the total world production. Currently, around 1,200 tonnes of raw 'heeng' worth around Rs 600 crore is imported annually, mainly from Afghanistan.

At present, 5,000 square metres of land has been covered by 'heeng' plantation in Himachal Pradesh. Approximately 302 hectares would be brought under its cultivation in five years under the pilot project.

Kanwar said that more snow-bound areas would be brought under 'heeng' cultivation if the project is a success, which is monitored by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) based in Palampur and the Agriculture Department.

The Indian Himalayas with dry and extreme cold conditions and an annual rainfall of not more than 200 mm are considered conducive to 'heeng' cultivation.

Scientists say since the plant roots penetrate very deep, sandy and clay soil is best suited for its cultivation.

As per the Agriculture Department, 2,100 'heeng' saplings have been provided to 45 farmers and 1,233 saplings planted at an experimental farm of the CSIR-IHBT.

As part of the project, a capacity-building programme was organised for officers of the department in July 2020. The department is identifying farmers and providing them seedlings, technical know-how, and other infrastructure free of cost to motivate them to go for 'heeng' cultivation.

The farm scientists of the CSIR-IHBT are providing the technical know-how to update the skills of the farmers involved in the pilot project.

Kanwar pointed out that the cultivation of 'heeng' held the potential to change the economic condition of people living in cold desert areas of the hill state.

The ultimate aim is, the Minister said, to prepare the state for cultivation of 'heeng' on a commercial scale.

"There is hardly any Indian kitchen that does not use 'heeng'. Its cultivation will not only help save foreign exchange, but also boost the economy of tribal regions that remain covered in snow for most part of the year," the Minister added.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)
Another 1,348 people have died within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test. The total number of the coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 97,329, the data showed.

London, Jan 24 (IANS) Another 33,552 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 36,17,459, according to the official figures released on Saturday.

The latest figures were revealed amid rising concerns over coronavirus variants from abroad as Britain steps up efforts to enhance border control, the Xinhua news agency reported.

Peter Horby, chairman of the British government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), said certain measures would slow down the movement of foreign coronavirus variants, but it would be "almost impossible" to control them completely.

"The variants are a concern... I think complete control of variants moving around the world is going to be almost impossible but we know that certain measures can slow the movement of these viruses around the world," he said.

The British government is considering the possibility of hotel quarantines for arrivals into the country amid concerns over new coronavirus variants abroad, local media reported on Saturday.

Government ministers will discuss the issue at a meeting on Monday whether to further tighten restrictions at the borders, according to a report.

England is currently under the third national lockdown since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country. Similar restriction measures are also in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

--IANS

int/rs
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The city of Albuquerque last week whittled its list of finalists for chief of police to three, including interim chief Harold Medina. The other contenders to emerge from an initial field of 39 applicants are Clinton Nichols, chief of police in Commerce City, Colorado, and Joseph Sullivan, a retired deputy commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department.

Their backgrounds are very different, and all bring certain qualifications that make them attractive. Medina is a longtime veteran of the Albuquerque Police Department. He knows the ropes. Nichols was a commander in Las Vegas, Nev., and in Commerce City with a force of about 140 employees he developed a five-year strategic plan in anticipation of reform efforts  important given APDs struggles with complying with the ongoing reform process here overseen by a monitor and federal judge. Sullivan spent 38 years in Philadelphia where he retired last year as deputy commissioner of patrol operations, a post where he oversaw 4,698 sworn officers and was lauded for his outreach to the LGBTQ community.

Mayor Tim Keller will make a selection soon and hosted a webinar with the three on Saturday. In a news release Thursday, the city announced it had posted the finalists resumes at https://www.cabq.gov/police-chief-search and asked for locals questions and input to be emailed to chiefsearchinput@cabq.gov.

Make no mistake, after Keller ran in 2018 on a platform of strengthening APD and combatting crime, then in 2020 fired the hand-picked chief he said was a perfect fit for the job, this will be his most important crime-fighting decision since taking office.

Because whats happening on the streets of Albuquerque is distressing, to say the least.

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There were 76 homicides in Albuquerque last year, just four shy of the record. So far this year, weve already recorded seven. They range from a road rage shooting on Central near San Mateo to a woman found shot to death near Rhode Island and Chico NE to a man found shot to death at the Motel 6 on Avenida Cesar Chavez near I-25. As of Thursday, there had been just one arrest  and one of the new chiefs first priorities must be working to upgrade and improve the performance of APDs homicide division, an overworked unit with an unacceptably low clearance rate and major missteps in a couple of high profile cases  like the Victoria Martens and Jacqueline Vigil murders.

Perhaps as distressing as the persistently high homicide death toll is the in-your-face lawlessness that poses a risk to hard-working retail personnel and customers. For example:

The Journal reported on New Years Day that a couple were arrested after stealing high-dollar merchandise  on occasion using a power saw to cut through security measures on items like handbags  from stores at Coronado and Winrock malls. Dont even bother, bro, the young male offender warned while pointing a gun at a Macys store security officer. The good news in that story was the arrest  although the woman was released on recognizance pending trial.

And here is a recent sampling from Crime Stoppers:

 During November and December, an unknown male and female have been stealing from Home Depot, Albertsons and Ross Dress for Less. On several occasions, the male brandished a firearm and stuck it in the face of the security team and associates.

 On Dec. 23, an unknown male entered the Lowes at Paseo del Norte and San Pedro. The male spends approximately 27 minutes inside the store filling a shopping cart with merchandise. As he approaches the exit with the cart full of unpaid merchandise, he brandished a firearm, then fled in a pickup truck.

 On Jan. 9 at the Target Uptown, several subjects used accelerant fluids to ignite four fires within the store and outside, causing severe damage.

This list could go on. And it does.

Between mid-October and Jan. 1, there were eight reported armed robberies of postal workers in Albuquerque, according to Postal Inspector Brook Robinson. He noted its not just devastating and traumatic to the letter carriers held up at gunpoint, but it has an impact on people counting on the mail for checks, medications and important correspondence.

There have been arrests, including Cisco Casaus-Alires, 20, who is charged in federal court with robbery of a mail carrier, mail theft, bank fraud and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. He admitted that in one robbery he took the postal workers wallet, phone and all the packages and mail in his truck.

Not surprisingly, Casaus-Alires is a repeat offender. He was sentenced in 2018 to supervised probation after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit armed robbery in the death of 18-year-old Aliyah Garcia. Since then he has been arrested on child abuse, battery, stolen gun and drug charges. The fact that hes wandering around and allegedly holding up postal workers is a testament to how our criminal justice system works  or doesnt  at the state level.

So maybe we all think twice about venturing out to a store  not just because of COVID but because of crime. But its worth noting social media sites have plenty of reports of people wandering through backyards, casing houses, checking out cars parked along the streets and in driveways. One Northeast Heights family reported that thieves drove up and hooked up their 28-foot Airstream trailer and simply drove away with it.

So its important people take their own security seriously.

The city simply cannot grow and thrive if people dont feel safe. And the answer to that isnt suppressing information and playing down the problem. The answer is getting violent, career criminals off the streets through constitutional and community policing  with an aggressive posture from prosecutors and a public willing to hold judges accountable.

APD under its new leadership will face a daunting challenge in turning this situation around. Were all waiting to hear how the new chief plans to make that happen.

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.
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The Rev. Andrew N. Downing has a scholarly bent and was a perfect fit to become a Jesuit, known for their academic achievements. Yet, there was a pull to the pastoral side of priesthood, which curiously led him this year to become the fourth vice president for Mission and Ministry at St. Peters University in Jersey City.

The part of his job he enjoys the most is interacting with students.

Im happy to have opportunities to be with the students outside the classroom as a priest rather than as a professor, he said.

Downings also a member of the university presidents cabinet and sees what it takes to run a university.

Though its not been easy since he started last summer.

Its going well even though I started the job in the middle of the pandemic, said Downing, 47, the youngest priest attached to the universitys Jesuit community, which will move into a new residence on Highland Avenue, hopefully within the year.

Decades ago, St. Peters, along with many other Jesuit universities and colleges, reincorporated independently from the religious order that founded it in 1872, when it was located Downtown on Grand Street along with St. Peters Prep. The Jesuit provincial used to assign priests to administrative and faculty positions. Now, a separate board of trustees runs the university.

To maintain the Jesuit charisms and the schools Catholicity, the position Downing holds assures that the Society of Jesus continues to influence and inform many aspects of university life. He oversees the Campus Ministry Office, where he worked for two years prior to this position; the community service program; St. Aedans Church, now the university parish; and the music program at the university. The last includes the non-academic music programs at the church and the university.

Downing is, therefore, responsible for the Christian faith in general.

I am receptive to the elements of the Catholic, religious mission of the school, said Downing, who hails from Philadelphia.

Today, the school is about 25 percent Catholic and predominantly Christian. There are many practicing Muslims and Hindus, he said.

Yet, Downing does not see the student body as secularized, as he has noticed at some other Jesuit universities.

One thing I like especially about St. Peters students is that they dont take the fact that they are at St. Peters for granted, he said.

The Rev. Andrew N. Downing celebrates Mass that is being live-streamed from St. Aedan's Church, the university church of St. Peter's University, in Jersey City.

Still, its a far cry from when I started freshman year 50 years ago. Then-St. Peters College had mostly male students -- women had been admitted only recently -- who were predominantly commuters from Hudson County, especially Jersey City, and overwhelmingly Catholic. Some 50 Jesuits lived in St. Peter Hall, on Kennedy Boulevard off Glenwood Avenue.

When the Rev. Daniel Degnan served as president from 1990 to 1995, he transformed the school into one with a national reach and built several dormitories. He also moved the Jesuits into a Byzantine configuration of condominiums in a former Glenwood Avenue apartment house. By next year, the remaining 11 or so Jesuits will move into the new residence on the next street on property that used to house a funeral home.

Because of the pandemic, all classes are currently online and about 400 of the usually 800 students are residing in the dorms so Downing sees few students at any one time. Typically, there are about 3,000 students enrolled and most commute.

Life on campus is very quiet, Downing observed.

He, like the rest of the world, has learned to be creative.

Downing credits his devout mother for his priesthood vocation, which he felt very young. He grew up as the third of four boys in the Villanova area of Philadelphia and chose the Augustinian high school because it was close by instead of the Jesuit St. Joseph Prep, in the heart of Philly. He moved on to Yale, where he studied classics and religion.

After feeling out some other religious orders, a Yale Jesuit graduate student impressed him and he became a novice in the New England province in 1995. He studied at Fordham in the Bronx and in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Innsbruck, Austria; and Munich. He received his doctorate in theology from Notre Dame.

From 2014 to 17, Downing was assigned to teach theology at the most prestigious Jesuit school in the world, the Gregorian in Rome, which educates priests and others from all over. He called the school peculiar because there were 70 Jesuits living and working there, a rarity in the Jesuits today.

The last phase of Jesuit formation is called tertianship, and Downing started his in Dublin, Ireland. But there was an opportunity to spend time at SPU in a combination of campus ministry, parish work at St. Aedans and teaching and was allowed to accept the position. Being a university Jesuit associate for two years prepared him well for the new post.

Downing was born in South Africa and because his father was a chemical company executive, his family moved a lot before settling in Pennsylvania. Being a Jesuit means the possibility of going to any mission in the world and he has had his share of national and international assignments.

For at least the next several years, though, Jersey City is his home and St. Peters is where he will promote Jesuit ideals.

Its a city of incredible diversity and activity,' he said. Its exciting to be living in a place that is transforming itself so quickly -- the face of its population and the face, the look, of the city itself. I find it a place that is real, without pretension.

The Rev. Alexander Santora is the pastor of Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph, 400 Willow Ave., Hoboken, NJ 07030. Email: padrealex@yahoo.com; Twitter: @padrehoboken.

Russias controversial space chief Dmitry Rogozin said Facebook suspended his account for a day after he got into an angry exchange with Michael McFaul, the former U.S. ambassador to Moscow.

"My account was banned for a day, because my post allegedly violates the norms of the community, he told Russian media agencies on January 24.

As tens of thousands of Russians across the country took to the streets on January 23 to call for the release of jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny despite threats of arrest, McFaul took to Twitter to post about the event and express his views.

McFaul praised the bravery of Russians protesting against President Vladimir Putin, drawing the ire of many Russians, including Rogozin, who tried to make comparisons with the law enforcement response to the storming of the Capitol in Washington on January 6.

Rogozin said the United States should first deal with its own problems before giving advice to other countries. He also accused the United States of interfering in Russia, without giving any evidence.

Rogozin made a similar remark on Facebook, for which he was banned. His comments were taken down.

In a response to another individual on Twitter making a similar remark, McFaul said the events in Russia and those in Washington were completely different.

Those who stormed the Capitol used violence to try to overturn a free and fair election. Russians today protested peacefully for the right to have a free and fair election and other universal rights. The differences could not be more stark, he said.

Rogozin later accused McFaul of trying to get him blocked on Twitter.

McFaul replied that he supported Rogozins right to express his views on social media and lamented that Russia kicked him out for doing just that while serving as ambassador. Rogozin replied, claiming that the United States had done the same thing to him.

The U.S. government sanctioned you as Russian government official because your government annexed Crimea, breaking international laws and norms. Your government sanctioned me as a private citizen for tweeting. There's a difference, McFaul told Rogozin.

With reporting by RBC and RIA Novosti

Here's a question. If someone offered to whisk you away on a generous holiday in some glamorous winter sun spot  St Barts, Mustique or even the Kenyan island of Lamu  what would you do?

Would you a) start packing; b) consult the Government travel advice, discover you are only meant to go abroad for work and fret about what to do; c) decide that you wouldnt go because of the above and anyway it felt immoral when times are so dire for so many people?

Robbies plight highlights an uncomfortable truth. Many people who have the resources and opportunity to get away are doing so.

Total disclosure here: I was invited on just such an expedition in early December before London went into tier 4. And after all of five minutes wrestling, more with logistics than conscience, I went.

It was wonderful. The sea was warm, there were sundowners at sunset. Fabulous.

Would I have accepted that invitation now, as we are mired in full national lockdown and our hospitals are at breaking point?

No, obviously not. But Id be lying if I didnt admit Id be sorely tempted.

Who doesnt want to flee Britains rain-soaked January chill, shuttered restaurants and soulless, empty high streets?

Yet when I heard Robbie Williams has coronavirus on the playground paradise of St Barts, Im sure I wasnt alone in the fleeting thought: Serves him right for going there, wandering around in Hawaiian shirts in the sun while were all in duvet coats and woolly hats.

Is that a nice reaction? Nope. And certainly unreasonable of me given my earlier indulgence.

But Robbies plight highlights an uncomfortable truth. Many people who have the resources and opportunity to get away are doing so.

Who said when it came to Covid we are all in it together? The virus has disproportionately affected those in the most deprived circumstances in both economic and health terms.

Its also run a neon-pink highlighter over how money can buy escape.

Cash pays for private planes that avoid all those British Airways cancellations.

It can dream up an ersatz work reason to justify your presence in another country.

It can pay for suitcases full of lateral flow tests to self-administer any time you feel the need to check your health. It can isolate you in a sumptuous private villa.

But while the gold-plated refugees can escape the virus along with the January weather, they cant escape the contagion of guilt.

Theres a new omerta about whos hanging out with who.

Even private Instagram accounts are being edited for who the snaps are shared with.

Lazing poolside with a pina colada as the daily death toll creeps up is not something any sane celebrity would want to publicise.

But really, arent we just deeply envious that they can do what we cant? I ask that question again. Well, would you?

A purple patch in US politics

Nobody knows better than politicians that life is all about the optics. So there was enough sartorial messaging at the Biden inauguration to fill a library  in particular a deep dive into The Color Purple, Alice Walkers 1982 bestselling novel about the hardships of African-American women in the Deep South.

Since this inauguration was all about demonstrating racial and gender equality, purple was everywhere. From Kamala Harriss vivid mauve coat and dress, to Hillary Clintons violet pantsuit and even Joe Bidens lavender tie, the Capitol steps were like a clematis catalogue.

Even Michelle Obamas Mulberry outfit with a gilded buckle that would give Wonder Woman a run for her money just sneaked on to the purple ticket.

One person not embracing the purple look was the outgoing First Lady, Melania Trump. She had her own message to send.

It was no secret that she didnt go a bundle on that White House role. Holy Cow, Im outta there, shrieked her tropical-print Gucci kaftan as she walked out on to the steps of Air Force One for the last time into the balmy Florida air.

And, coming from the woman who once wore a jacket inscribed with I really dont care, she certainly knows clothes talk.

Stylish Jill will be a First Lady of fashion

In contrast to Melania, Americas new First Lady is, I would guess, going to embrace every Easter Egg-rolling moment.

She doesnt strike me as a backseat woman, and as a highly qualified teacher, she is set to be an opinionated consort.

If I have a criticism of Joe Biden, its that he seems a bit po-faced. But Dr Jill looks like fun.

Her clothes are always colourful and I loved how she chose a crystal embellished coat and tulle neck-lined dress (practically party wear) for the most important day of her life. And how shes into fashion enough to have adopted one of the sillier style practices of wearing bare legs, even on an icy January day.

At 69, Jill Biden is a fantastic fashion role model for older women who sometimes feel they have to give up on caring about clothes. Shes not as young as the previous two First Ladies  but in style terms shes every bit their equal.

One term Id like to stick in a blender

Please lets stop talking about blended families.

Speaking as part of one (does that make me an ingredient?), I hate us sounding like some wheatgerm smoothie straight out of the NutriBullet.

Why were drooling over a dashing duke

Covid might have changed a lot but not the way that were still enthralled by a socking great romance

Two of the biggest TV hits of the past year have been the bodice-ripping Bridgerton and Sally Rooneys Normal People.

One is set in Georgian London, the other in 21st Century Ireland but at root theyre both good old girl meets boy, will boy get girl? love stories.

Covid might have changed a lot but not the way that were still enthralled by a socking great romance, especially one loaded with a fairly substantial dollop of mouth-watering sex.

PS: Word is that the second series of Bridgerton is not scheduled to include the dashing Rege-Jean Page, the Duke of Hastings who stole our hearts. Surely Netflix wont risk such an obvious own goal?
Thousands of farmers from 21 districts of Maharashtra who are protesting against the Centre's new farm laws gathered at Nashik on Saturday. They are now marching to cover 180 km to Mumbai , where they will hold a massive rally on Monday at the city's iconic Azad Maidan. NCP chief Sharad Pawar is also expected to attend the rally.

Visuals from the march to Mumbai show a sea of farmers, some waving flags and carrying banners, proceeding along the roads of the Kasara Ghat region. The farmers, drawn from several smaller unions have joined under the banner of the All India Kisan Sabha, are expected to reach Mumbai in a few hours.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: Under the banner of All India Kisan Sabha, farmers march towards Mumbai from Nashik in support of farmers agitating against three agriculture laws at Delhi borders; Visuals from Kasara Ghat between Nashik to Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/kWtBEpIQ1Y  ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2021

The Nashik farmers' rally comes days before a tractor rally set to proceed on January 26. Over a thousand tractors are expected to take part in the rally that will be held along Ring Road. Permission for the same have been sought from Delhi Police for the same.

The Centre has so far held 11 failed negotiations with the farmers. It told the Supreme Court that the rally would be an 'embarrassment to the nation'. The apex court turned down Centre's request to halt the rally. It upheld the farmers' rights to peacefully protest and left it up to the police to decide on the tractor march.

Farmers have also turned down the Centre's suggestion to halt the farm laws for 1.5 years. They have been protesting since November 26 and have demanded repealing of the laws.

The government on the other hand is insistent that the laws would benefit the farmers and said that it will offer only written guarantees for MSP. The laws would remain but they are open to amendments, the Centre said.

Also read: 80% back govt's handling of farmers' protest, finds MOTN poll
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Senior BJP leader and



minister on Sunday said the sole aim of the entire opposition, comprising the Congress-led Grand Alliance and the newly-formed regional parties, is to bring "Babur's rule" in the state.

Addressing a rally in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah here, the NDA's regional wing North East Democratic Alliance Convenor also asked the opposition whether Hindus will be able to follow their faith if it forms the government.

"The only aim of (AIUDF chief Badruddin) Ajmal, and regional parties is how to bring (Mughal emperor) Babur's rule in But, till the BJP's Hanumans are there, we will move ahead with Ram's ideals," Sarma said.

The has formed the Grand Alliance with AIUDF, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML) and the Anchalik Gana Morcha (AGM) to fight the upcoming assembly elections, likely to be held in March-April.

A new regional political party, the Jatiya Parishad (AJP), was formed jointly by the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP).

Jailed anti-CAA leader Akhil Gogoi's Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and 70 other groups have formed another party -- Raijor Dal.

Training guns at the AIUDF chief, the Assam health and family welfare minister said, "Ajmal told Muslims won't be able to go to mosques if BJP wins. I want to ask today whether Hindus can visit temples if and AIUDF form the government in the state."



He asserted that till the "BJP is alive", Ajmal will not be able to enter within 100 km of Dispur, the locality of the Assam secretariat.

Sarma also alleged that followers of Ajmal attacked 'Satras', the Vaishnavite places of worship, at Batadrava and other areas.

Attacking the AASU, which has been protesting against the visit of the prime minister and home minister, Sarma said, "Today you are taking out a torchlight procession against Amit Shah.

(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.)
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The claim by the electoral commission (INEC) that it will not obey an order of the appeal court, on the de-registration of political parties, because it contradicts another order of the same court, is based on a false premise, PREMIUM TIMES can report following an extensive review of the two judgements.

Last August, the Court of Appeal, in a suit by 31 political parties who had been deregistered by INEC, ruled that the de-registration was null and void because the electoral commission did not follow due process. The court ruled that the deregistered parties be recognised by INEC.

INEC in its reaction said the ruling contradicted an earlier one by the same Court of Appeal and that because of the contradiction, it will not obey the ruling but will wait for the Supreme Court to decide on the matter.

We recall that on July 29, 2020, the Court Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division in an appeal filed by the National Unity Party (NUP) affirmed the power of the Commission (INEC) to deregister political parties that fail to meet the constitutional threshold in section 225A. Dissatisfied with the judgment the National Unity Party lodged an appeal that is presently pending before the Supreme Court.

Faced with two conflicting judgments from the same court, the commission is not in a position to pick and choose which one of them to obey.

Consequently, the commission will approach the Supreme Court for a final resolution of the issues raised, INEC spokesperson Festus Okoye said in the statement.

A PREMIUM TIMES review of the two court judgments has however shown that the rulings are related and not contradictory. While the court in both instances upheld INECs power to deregister parties, in the case by the 31 political parties, it ruled that due process was not followed.

How the Controversy Started

On February 6, 2020, INEC deregistered 74 political parties, reducing the number of registered parties in the country to 18.

The INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, said the action followed the poor performance of the deregistered parties in the 2019 general elections, in which the parties failed to win any seat.

Mr Yakubu said by their dismal performances in the elections, the 74 affected parties had not satisfied the requirements of the Fourth Alteration to the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

Following the decision by INEC, some of the affected parties approached the courts to challenge the commissions interpretation of Section 225 of the Nigerian Constitution.

Section 225A (b) and (C) of the 1999 Constitution (Fourth Alteration No. 9) Act 2017, provides that INEC Shall have the power to de-register a political party for (a) Breach of any of the requirement for registration: (b) failure to win at least twenty-five per cent of the vote cast in the state, Presidential; or one local government of the state in a governorship election.

How Appeal Court got involved

The first judgment of the appeal court on the matter was in July 2020, in the case filed by the National Unity Party (NUP), one of the deregistered parties. Appeal No: CA/A/CV/426/2020 questioned the powers of INEC under Section 225A of the Constitution to de-register a political party for failure to win any of the offices mentioned therein or score certain per cent of votes mentioned therein without the completion of (an) election in the 774 local government areas in Nigeria and all the states of the Federation.

The appellant argued through its counsel, Chigozie Eburuo, that local government council elections have to be concluded in all the states before Section 225 of the constitution can be validly exercised.

The presidential, governorship, state and federal legislative elections are conducted by INEC, while local council elections are conducted by state electoral commissions.

INEC also does not conduct all elections under its jurisdiction at the same time, mainly due to invalidation of some governorship elections by the courts many years ago and court orders to rerun some elections after successful petitions.

For instance, during the 2019 general elections held in February and March; governorship elections were conducted in only 29 states, pushing the elections in seven states to be conducted off-season.

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Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections were conducted nine months later on November 16, 2019. INEC also conducted the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo in September and October 2020, while the current tenures of the governors of Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun will expire in 2021 and 2022.

But in a unanimous judgement of a three-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Idris, the appellate court affirmed the judgment of Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja who ruled on the NUP suit on May 26 last year. The lower court had ruled that INEC validly exercised its powers in Section 225 (A) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in deregistering NUP and the other parties.

The lower court said there was nothing before the court to show that the plaintiff, even in the states where elections into local governments have been held, has met the criteria for it not to be de-registered.

The appellate court also dismissed the appellants expression of confidence of winning future elections, saying That would leave the court in the cross-roads of speculations and assumptions which the court is not permitted to take.

A second Appeal Court ruling

In another suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/444/19, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) and 30 other political parties had also challenged INECs interpretation of its powers under Section 225(a) of the Constitution to de-register political parties. Justice Anwuli Chikere, in her judgment on June 12, 2020, reaffirmed the powers of INEC and also ruled in favour of the commission.

However, her judgment was quashed on August 10 by a five-member panel of the Court of Appeal led by Monica Dongban-Mensem in appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/507/2020 filed by ACD and the 21 other parties.

In the judgment, the Court of Appeal said INEC did not follow due process in exercising its powers under Section 225(a) of the Constitution in deregistering the parties.

The court unanimously held that INEC ignored due process in exercising its powers.

Citing Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, Justice Dongban-Mensem stressed citizens right to freedom of association.

Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interest, the court said.

The court said the proper interpretation of Section 225(a) of the Nigerian Constitution implies that before INEC can validly deregister a party, the party must have failed to satisfy the minimum electoral requirements in subsections B and C of Section 225(A) of the Constitution.

According to the panel, the parties were challenging the process of their deregistration and not the powers of INEC to do so. It ordered INEC to relist the appellants as registered political parties.

The appellate court further noted that the suit filed by the parties at the lower court was yet to be determined when INEC announced the deregistration of the parties.

Apparently, after getting a hint of INECs plan, the parties had applied to the court for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining INEC from deregistering them, or any political party, pending the determination of their suit.

The suit was filed on October 30, 2019, and served on INEC on October 31, 2019. But INEC had gone ahead with its plan before the case was determined.

Parties Fume

Many of the deregistered political parties have faulted INECs decision to continue to recognise only 18 parties despite the more recent appeal court ruling.

Following the removal of 74 parties from INECs register, only 18 parties can present candidates for elections in the country, including for local council polls conducted by state electoral commissions.

INEC said its refusal to reverse the deregistration was because the appellate court gave two contradictory judgments on the issue. It said it would therefore maintain the status quo until the Supreme Court has the final say on the deregistration of parties.

Unimpressed by the explanation, the deregistered parties insisted that the electoral umpire was violating the constitutional right of their members to freedom of association.

INEC is violating the rights of our members and of other deregistered political parties to freedom of association, the National Youth Leader of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN), Hassan Soweto, said to PREMIUM TIMES. We were not allowed to put forward the alternative political programmes that parties like SPN stand for in all the elections that have taken place.

Speaking on INECs stance, the commissions National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, said the Supreme Court was yet to fix a date for the various appeals on the matter, following the judgments delivered by the Court of Appeals in two suits.

But many of the affected parties who spoke to this newspaper said INEC should allow them to participate in elections, pending the final decision by the apex court.

The President of Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), Peter Ameh, said INECs claim that it could not relist the deregistered parties due to the contradictory appeal court judgements was misleading.

Mr Ameh, who is also the National Chairman of Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), said the two judgements delivered by the appeal court were significantly different from each other.

He said the appellant political parties went on different grounds, therefore, the commission should act separately on the judgements of the appellate court.

The appellate court judgement that upheld INECs decision to deregister political parties was in a case that challenged INECs constitutional powers to deregister a political party. The court said It is clear that section 221 of the Constitution provides INEC with the power to deregister a political party. But the Appeal Court made that pronouncement based on the prayers put before it.

Mr Ameh said the second judgement that asked INEC to relist the aggrieved parties was in a case that challenged INECs process for deregistering the parties.

Therefore, INECs stance that the courts gave contradictory judgements is misleading to the public, he said.

When contacted for this report, Mr Okoye said INEC would not speak or argue with the parties since the matter is before the Supreme Court.

Our position is very clear. Those two matters have been submitted to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, which is the highest court of the land. It will be presumptive and disrespectful to argue a matter that is already before the apex court, the INEC spokesperson said.

The most rational thing to do as far as the Commission is concerned is to allow the highest court of the land to make a pronouncement to whether what the commission did was right or wrong.

And the moment the court makes a pronouncement, the Commission will abide, whatever the judgement, because the Commission has a constitutional obligation to respect the judgement of the Supreme Court, Mr Okoye said in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES.

History of Deregistration

This is not the first time INEC would deregister political parties. It had on at least two previous occasions struck out some political parties from its register: in 2003 and 2011.

Following the 2003 case, the late legal luminary and former presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Gani Fawehinmi, successfully challenged the deregistration of his party. In 2011, INEC under the chairmanship of Attahiru Jega, again axed 39 political parties for not fulfilling the conditions for their registration.

Proliferation of parties and election management

Despite the insistence of the affected parties to be re-registered and allowed to take part in elections, the proliferation of parties might be detrimental to Nigeria, experts argue. Nigeria has witnessed a proliferation of political parties since the return of civil rule in 1999. While three parties took part in the 1999 election, a record 91 parties presented candidates in the 2019 general elections, but most of them failed to win any seat.

Ahead of the 2019 elections, many of the parties had presented themselves as alternatives to the dominant PDP and APC. However, many analysts described the proliferation of parties as an abuse of the countrys liberal multi-party system.

To win elections in a country of over 200 million people and about 250 ethnic groups, important factors have to be considered, such as strong grassroots mobilisation and funding, Cheta Nwanze, the lead analyst, SBM Intelligence, said.

He said most of the parties have no capacity to meet these factors, which is responsible for INEC wanting to take such parties of its register.

But some analysts believe more parties to pick from improves the practice of democracy.

A multi-party system is necessary. It is what distinguishes an autocracy from democracy, the director of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Idayat Hassan, said.

However, Ms Hassan said, INEC needs to establish criteria for participation in elections before a party can get to the ballot.

There are ways we can do things and make it better. One is to come with eligibility standards and access to the ballot before a party can contest. It doesnt mean as a party they would not continue to be in existence, after all, we have a multiparty system in many parts of the world even in the United States where the Democrats and the Republicans are the two major political parties.

They also have smaller parties but it is not all the time you hear them say they want to contest. We need to look at the responsibility of these parties: is there any value-added? Are they doing their responsibility?

There should be a minimum criterion before a political party can contest an election. It will just ensure many people are not on the ballot paper and do not constitute a nuisance on the ballot paper in such a way that they confuse voters, she said.

Multi-party system in other countries

Aside from communist countries like China and North Korea, many democracies operate a multi-party system.

In the U.S, the Democratic and Republican, as the dominant parties, automatically get on the ballot, whereas third-party candidates usually have to seek thousands of signatures on petitions just to be listed on the ballot.

Third-party candidates also face financial difficulties in the U.S as in many other parts of the world. Unlike in Nigeria, third-parties have to secure at least five per cent of the vote in the previous election to qualify for federal grants.

During the still-born Third Republic when Nigeria had two political parties, the National Republican Convention (NRC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP), the 1989 Constitution made provisions for public funding of political parties.

But Sections 88 to 93 of the 2010 Electoral Act, which is being amended by the current 9th National Assembly, stipulates private/individual funding of political parties.

This has led to the argument by the deregistered parties that since they do not enjoy public funding, they should be left alone to grow organically.

No money is given to parties to operate, so the government loses nothing, Mr Ameh of IPAC, the umbrella body of registered political parties in Nigeria, said. You cannot force people to belong to an association where they cannot exercise their rights.

According to Ms Hassan, Strengthening the capacity of the party becomes very imperative because you have to strengthen their capacity in such a way that they know their responsibilities.

They also need to know that they do not necessarily have to contest at the national elections. They can contest during the local government elections, they can use their influence around the local party politics in such a way that they become very viable to contest in a national election.
She just got back from a ritzy Mexican getaway with her older sister and some girlfriends.

And Kylie Jenner uploaded yet another scintillating snap from the trip on Saturday, in which she showed off her killer figure in a pink string bikini.

The cosmetics mogul, 23, perched on a yellow banquette in the shadow of a palm tree in the image on her Instagram stories.

The life: Kylie Jenner uploaded yet another scintillating snap from her recent Mexican trip on Saturday, in which she showed off her killer figure in a pink string bikini

Her unparalleled curves were barely contained in the skimpy swimsuit, with the strings of her teeny tiny thong falling onto her hip.

Kylie lifted one leg up slightly, and leaned back luxuriously.

Her long black hair fell over her bare shoulders.

Kris Jenners youngest daughter was clearly feeling nostalgic, as she also uploaded a series of throwback videos to her IG stories showing her baby daughter Stormi along with some of her nieces and nephews from way back when.

Holding hands with Kendall: Jenner was clearly feeling nostalgic, as she also uploaded a bunch of throwback content to her IG stories over the weekend

One was a video with one of Kim Kardashians children when they were babies, most probably Chicago, suckling on green pacifiers.

In the lower right hand corner, Kylie captioned the clip, 'Where did the time go' and tagged her older sister Kim.

Next was a clip of Stormi with her cousin True, daughter to Khloe Kardashian, who was also tagged.

Babies: One was a video with one of Kim Kardashians children when they were babies, most probably Chicago, and another was a clip of Stormi with her cousin True, daughter to Khloe

The little girls were awash in pink coverlets as well as pink shag carpeting.

Finally, Jenner shared a brief video snippet of Stormi on her own, from when she was a newborn.

Kylie kept the walk down memory lane going, as she also included a throwback snap from when she had blue hair, as well as an image of her holding hands with older sister Kendall Jenner.

Finally: Kylie shared a brief video snippet of Stormi on her own, from when she was a newborn
President Moon Jae-in's congratulatory message to U.S. President Joe Biden on his inauguration, posted on Twitter, Thursday. Yonhap



By Kim Rahn



President Moon Jae-in and other political leaders here have issued congratulatory messages to U.S. President Joe Biden on his inauguration, expressing the hope that he will strengthen the bilateral alliance and help to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula.



Moon's message, sent to Washington, Thursday, recognized Biden's efforts for national unity. He expressed the hope that Biden's leadership will not only achieve unity and prosperity but also cope with the multiple challenges facing the world, including the coronavirus pandemic and climate change.



The President said he wishes to meet with his counterpart in person in the near future "to build friendship and trust" and have a "candid conversation on issues of mutual concern," according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok.





President Moon Jae-in / Yonhap

In a posting on social media, Moon also said he would stand by Biden's journey for "America United."



"The Republic of Korea has always had confidence in the path the U.S. has been taking to advance freedom. As an ally, we will continue to cooperate with the U.S. to keep the Korean Peninsula and the region peaceful and prosperous," he wrote in the post written in English.



"The U.S. will surely succeed in building back better, and the world will be amazed. The ROK will walk along with the new Biden administration from the start. We go together!"



Lee Nak-yon, head of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), praised the leadership Biden has shown in diplomacy and politics.





Democratic Party of Korea head Rep. Lee Nak-yon / Korea Times file
PARIS (Reuters) - France saw the biggest jump in hospital admissions for COVID-19 since mid-November, with the number of people in hospital with the virus up by 493 to 26,393, health ministry data showed on Sunday.

The number of people in intensive care with the virus also rose again, by 69 to 2,965, also the highest one-day increase since early November.

France also reported 18,436 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in past 24 hours, down from 23,924 on Saturday but up from 16,642 last Sunday, and the seven-day moving average of new cases was above 20,000 for the second day in a row.

France now has 3.05 million confirmed cases.

The ministry also reported 172 new coronavirus deaths in past 24 hours, from 230 on Saturday, boosting the total to 73,049.

(Reporting by Geert De Clercq; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Prime Minister's Special Aide on Religious Harmony and Middle East Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi on Saturday called upon the world leaders to take immediate action against India for targeting religious places of minorities

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2021 ):Prime Minister's Special Aide on Religious Harmony and Middle East Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi on Saturday called upon the world leaders to take immediate action against India for targeting religious places of minorities.

He made this demand in the backdrop of the United Nations' resolution on protection of holy sites passed on the other day, irking the New Dehli which showed resistance against Pakistan in co-sponsoring the initiative, said a statement issued here.

The said thousands of mosques, churches and temples of Sikh community were demolished by Hindu fanatics in the so-called democracy, Ashrafi, who also holds office of Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council, also cited the example of Babri Masjid which was completely destroyed by the Hindu activists in 90s.

Hafiz Ashrafi said, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly resolution on the protection of religious holy places is due to the joint efforts of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

The adoption of the UN resolution following the accepting another unanimous resolution at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers' level meeting was a testimony to Pakistan's strong ties with Islamic countries and the success of Pakistan's foreign policy, he said.

Ashrafi lauded endeavors of The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries, saying that the credit for the passage of UN resolution also goes to Prime Minister Imran Khan's unflinching stance and continued efforts against raising violence and atrocities against minorities in India.

Ashrafi urged Muslim Ummah to forge unity among their ranks to protect the sanctity of their Holy places fight terrorism and extremism.

Meanwhile, Ashrafi strongly condemned bomb blasts in Iraq, saying Pakistan stood with the Iraqi government and people against violence and terrorism.

Ashrafi stressed upon devising effective strategy and joint efforts for eradicating the menace of terrorism in Arab Islamic countries.

Ashrafi announced hosting, '5th International Message of Islam Conference,' in May this year in the federal capital, in which notable Religious scholars and important personalities from all over Muslim world would participate.
The Allentown School District teacher suspended after he was found to be in Washington, D.C. the day insurrectionists stormed the Capitol said Saturday he was nowhere near the riot.

Jason Moorehead appeared with his attorney on CNN Saturday to defend himself in an interview with host Michael Smerconish.

Moorehead said hes been suspended with pay while the district investigates his activities on Jan. 6. He added he was only in Washington to hear then-President Donald Trump speak and to witness firsthand the rally opposing Congress certification of President Joe Bidens election victory last November. The rally was followed by rioters storming the Capitol, leaving five people dead and scores of pro-Trump supporters facing criminal charges.

Did you break any laws while you were there? asked Smerconish, a former Philadelphia newspaper columnist who rose to fame as a syndicated radio commentator.

No. Period, Moorehead said alongside attorney Francis Malofiy. I was there just observing firsthand to be a witness to a historic day and never was within a mile of the riot that happened and which I didnt know about until much later. We walked around the Washington Monument, tried to get close to the White House, ate a hot dog and went back to the bus.

Teacher Jason Moorehead was temporarily suspended while his school district says it is investigating his actions in DC on Jan. 6.

I was there just observing firsthand to be a witness to a historic day and never was anywhere within a mile of the riot, he tells @smerconish. pic.twitter.com/XsPB0zCJGx  CNN (@CNN) January 23, 2021

CNN introduced Moorehead as a Pennsylvania social studies teacher suspended for attending the protest. The Allentown School District announced Jan. 8, without naming Moorehead, that he had been temporarily relieved of his teaching duties after being involved in the Electoral College protest that took place at the United States Capitol Building.

Districts Solicitor John Freund on Saturday told lehighvalleylive.com: As previously stated the teacher has been temporarily reassigned while the district investigates the facts of his involvement in the January 6 the incident in Washington. A temporary reassignment away from teaching duties while the district investigates the underlying facts is standard procedure with any teacher whose conduct is under question. The teacher has not lost any pay or benefits. When the investigation is complete a decision will be made concerning his return to the classroom.

Smerconish pushed Moorehead for comment on a social media posting in which the teacher could be seen wearing a Make America Great Again cap and carrying an American flag, with the caption, Doing my civic duty! In another post, he commented, This, in reference to the Capitols being insured.

I want to be clear, I wasnt mocking BLM or Antifa with that post, Moorehead said of the latter post. I was trying to highlight what I believe is the double standard that often exists in the media when theyre looking at two different events from two different political groups.

Moorehead hasnt heard from the district to share his side of the events that day, Malofiy said.

They should be aware I was never near that building, never part of anything illegal or violent and Im currently waiting for them to do the right thing, to reinstate me and ideally offer a full apology absolving me of any wrongdoing because my reputation and character has been destroyed, Moorehead said.

Added Malofiy: The thing here is that the school district without asking this teachers position, a teacher whos had 17 years of impeccable performance, who cares about his students, without asking his position as to where he was and then blasting him with a press statement that said he was at the Capitol building protest is absolutely false. It implies that he was violently protesting and was not part of a peaceful event, which he was part of. And to never correct that statement after they learned that he was nowhere near the Capitol building protest but over a mile away is defamatory and has destroyed his life.

We talk about diversity of people, but we have forgotten diversity of speech, thought and opinion. In public schools, there needs to be critical thinking that can only happen if two sides are represented and you can endorse a political movement to the exclusion of another, otherwise it violates the First Amendment. And were here going to fight for this teacher who for 17 years gave his life to helping others.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.

STEPHEN ZENNERSOPA IMAGES/LIGHTROCKET/GETTY IMAGES

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Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield.
African Wildlife Foundation hosted its first virtual safari to Tanzania in October 2020, which focused not only on giving participants a real taste of the safari experience, but offered an opportunity to learn from AWF experts about pandemic threats, including efforts to conserve wildlife and support wildlife communities.

The success of this event led to the creation of a virtual safari series to continue in 2021. AWF has announced the additional events  guided online tours to Uganda (next Thursday, January 28) and a third in Zimbabwe in March.

The primary goal of AWF Virtual Safaris is to engage its supporters with special access and offerings providing tangible takeaways about the connection between the tourism industry, wildlife, and community livelihood in African communities working to protect endangered and threatened wildlife. This unique formula has made a difference over the past year and helped the organisation to conduct a highly successful emergency response to Covid-19.

AWF Safari Program Manager Carter Smith said: We launched the virtual safaris series for our members and future travellers but realized along the way that there were benefits for other stakeholders. These virtual safaris are not only a creative way to take our folks on safari during this strange time of restricted travel, but they are a terrific way to show solidarity with our partners in the safari industry as well as to highlight the important work that we are doing.

AWF Trustee Stephen Golden said: AWF created the Virtual Safaris event for our group of 12, whose planned in-person safari was squashed by Covid-19. On what would have been our first day in the bush, we were joined on our video call by a top-rated Tanzanian guide and a couple of AWF staff members. They tailored the event like a fireside chat and spoke to us about what was happening as a consequence of the pandemic and the impact of dramatically reduced tourism. They then took us on a drive through the Serengeti right from our living room.

In addition to helping with awareness, AWF Virtual Safaris program amplifies an emerging theme as part of AWFs new 10-year vision strategy, launched in 2020. Conservation investments are currently dispersed and disjointed, protecting islands of wildlife and wildlands. AWF believes funds must be redirected to larger landscapes and ecosystems. The group is also working on long-range solutions for rapidly developing youth leadership programs, sustainable infrastructure and agriculture, and its safaris provide a window into this philosophy.

Over the next three years, the AWF 10-year strategy calls for larger investments in programs in Uganda and Zimbabwe, where virtual safaris are being held, in addition to Cameroon and Kenya AWF conservation programs have the greatest potential to aide wildlife habitats and local communities that exist side-by-side.

Carter Smith added: Virtual Safaris has been a refreshing use of the Zoom call and a creative way to introduce the AWF traveler to safari guides and wildlife experts, who have shown the most incredible resilience and commitment to wildlife and wildlands. In order for virtual safaris to truly benefit both sides of the equation, they need to give participants an insiders view to the wildlife conservation work on the ground, and we feel very strongly that the program has met this goal. - TradeArabia News Service
By Vladimir Soldatkin

MOSCOW (Reuters) - A pipe-laying vessel has started work in Danish waters ahead of the resumption of construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, the consortium behind the project said on Sunday, amid pressure from the United States and European Union to halt it.

The project, designed to boost Russian gas supplies to Europe and bypass Ukraine, has met resistance from Washington, which wants to sell its own sea-borne liquefied natural gas to the European Union and cut the region's reliance on energy supplies from Moscow.

European Union lawmakers passed a resolution on Thursday calling for the bloc to stop the completion of the Nord Stream 2 in response to the arrest of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

The construction of the pipeline, which would double the capacity of the existing Nord Stream link from Russia to Germany, was suspended in December 2019 following a threat of sanctions from the United States and withdrawal of pipe-laying company, Allseas.

Last week the United States imposed sanctions against the pipe-laying vessel, Fortuna, and its owner, a firm called KVT-RUS, as the Trump administration sought to raise pressure on the project on its last full day in office.

Their assets are blocked and U.S. citizens are generally prohibited from dealing with them.

"The laybarge Fortuna has started works in the construction corridor in the Danish EEZ, ahead of the resumption of the Nord Stream 2 construction," Nord Stream 2 said.

"All works are performed in line with relevant permits."

Nord Stream 2 cited a Danish Maritime Authority notice about resuming work on Jan. 15. The group had earlier said activities would include preparatory work and tests before pipe-laying started.

Work resumed for a brief period in last month on a 2.6-km (1.6-mile) stretch in German waters. A Danish regulator said construction would restart in Danish waters from mid-January, with Fortuna, which had worked in the German zone.

Story continues

More than 90% of the project, led by Russian gas giant Gazprom, has been already completed.

Gazprom's western partners in the project, estimated to cost 9.5 billion euros ($11.5 billion), are Germany's Uniper, BASF's Wintershall Dea, Anglo-Dutch oil major Shell, Austria's OMV and French energy company Engie.

(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin and Oksana Kobzeva; editing by Andrew Heavens and Philippa Fletcher)
WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden is trying to shake a Trump hangover in the federal government by acting to remove some holdovers and install his own appointees, but a quiet push to salt federal agencies with Trump loyalists is complicating the new president's effort to turn the page.

The Biden team, showing a willingness to cut tenures short, moved quickly last week to dump several high-profile, Senate-confirmed Trump appointees whose terms extended beyond Inauguration Day - in some cases by several years.

They include the surgeon general, the National Labor Relations Board's powerful general counsel, and the heads of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

But other, lower-profile Trump loyalists, some of whom helped carry out his administration's most controversial policies, are scattered throughout Biden's government in permanent, senior positions. And identifying them, let alone dislodging them, could be difficult for the new leadership.

The Jan. 16 appointment of Michael Ellis, a former GOP operative who served in the Trump White House, as the National Security Agency's top lawyer caused such a furor that he was placed on paid leave within hours of taking office.

And in the former president's final months and weeks, dozens of other political appointees had their status similarly converted to permanent civil service roles that will allow them to stay in government for years to come. These new career officials are protected from partisan removal unless the new administration discovers that they got their jobs illegally - without competition and because of their political affiliation.

As Biden tries to reset the government to match his priorities, Democrats fear the Trump holdovers, who served in partisan roles, could undermine the new administration as they move into the civil service, which is supposed to operate free of partisanship.

The practice of shifting employees from appointee to career status, informally called burrowing, occurs at the end of every presidency - and it is controversial. Trump aides and their GOP allies in Congress, for example, threatened at the start of Trump's term to remove any Obama-era political appointees who had been replanted in the civil service, and dozens were, records show.

But the just-departed president is on track to exceed the number of Democrats the Obama administration rewarded with permanent roles. In his final year, President Barack Obama moved 29 political appointees into career jobs. As of November, Trump had installed almost that many, 26, in the first 10 months of 2020, according to data provided to Congress by the Office of Personnel Management.

Nine more requests await review by personnel officials. More are expected. Congress has not received data covering December and the first 20 days of January, when outgoing administrations tend to move quickly to reward appointees who want to stay in government.

Burrowing is frowned upon by good-government groups - and by members of the party that is out of power - even when it is carried out legally, which means the appointee competed for the position and was the top candidate on the basis of merit and work experience, with no nod to political affiliation or loyalty.

The hiring of a political appointee for a career job must be scrutinized by the federal personnel office for five years after the person left the partisan job.

Such conversions also can violate civil service laws, as occurred during the George W. Bush administration, when a young Justice Department lawyer from the Republican National Committee, Monica Goodling, was found to have broken the law by using politics to guide hiring decisions for a range of critical jobs.

Goodling was granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for her testimony, and was reprimanded by the Virginia Bar. She acknowledged during a House hearing that she "crossed the line" and broke civil service hiring rules.

"There's a great irony here," said Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., who leads a House oversight panel on federal government operations, referring to Trump's efforts to place his appointees in government. "The crowd that didn't believe in government and called its agencies the deep state now wants to work for them."

Connolly has asked the Government Accountability Office, Congress's research arm, to tally all of Trump's conversions over four years.

Many of the new hires were not announced by their agencies, which may have presented a challenge for Biden's transition teams to discover them.

"The incoming Biden-Harris administration is keenly aware of last minute efforts by the outgoing administration to convert political appointees into civil service positions," a transition official said in a statement.

"We anticipate learning more in the weeks ahead as our work to restore trust and accountability across the federal government begins, including reviewing personnel actions during the Trump administration," the official said.

Trump partisans work in Biden's government at a range of agencies, including the Justice Department, the Department of Homeland Security and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Many are serving in senior executive roles, the highest echelon of career leaders. They work as assistant U.S. attorneys, general counsel, intelligence leaders, immigration judges.

Some got significant raises when they joined the permanent bureaucracy. Jordan Von Bokern, who clerked for Amy Coney Barrett when she was on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, went in April from counsel in Justice's Office of Legal Policy, making $93,642, to a career trial attorney in the agency's civil division making $109,366, records show. Von Bokern did not return a call seeking comment.

At the Energy Department, there's Brandon Middleton, a lawyer who fought the Endangered Species Act for the conservative Pacific Legal Foundation before joining the staff of then-Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. When he was Trump's first attorney general, Sessions hired Middleton to work in the Justice Department's environmental division. Then Middleton held a deputy solicitor job at the Interior Department before his permanent appointment as Energy's chief counsel in the office that manages contracts for cleaning up toxic waste. He got a $10,000 raise to $172,508, records show.

"If I was at Energy, I would be looking at Mr. Middleton very warily," said Nick Schwellenbach, a senior investigator at the nonprofit Project on Government Oversight.

Middleton declined to comment.

In June, then-Attorney General William Barr hired Tracy Short as the chief immigration judge at Justice, after he served three years in a political role as senior adviser and legal adviser to the leadership at Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Homeland Security. ICE was responsible for carrying out Trump's hard-line immigration policies, which Biden is moving to reverse. Short also got a $10,000 raise, to $185,368.

Short did not return a call seeking comment.

About that time, Lawrence Connell, a senior executive who was chief of staff in the Veterans Health Administration, a political appointment with a $179,700 salary, was hired to a permanent job leading the Department of Veterans Affairs' health-care system in Rhode Island, which provides care to more than 35,000 veterans. His new salary is $190,400. Connell did not respond to an email seeking comment.

These hires were approved by the Office of Personnel Management, which reviews requests from federal agencies. Some requests are rejected, when personnel experts conclude that political considerations played a role. The OPM declined 14 of the Trump administration's requests during the first 11 months of 2020, compared with 10 during the final year of Obama's second term, data shows.

Recently denied conversions include Charles Cowan, an appointee in the Office of Administration at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, hired in 2017 as a senior executive. Cowan applied to be senior adviser for public affairs.

"We could not conclude appointment was free of political influence and complied with merit system principles and applicable civil service laws and regulations," the reviewing official wrote.

"I was disappointed in OPM's decision, as I could have had a positive impact at HUD, but they made their decision and HUD complied with it," Cowan said in an email. He said he was well qualified for the job, with a long career in public affairs, including a decade in the housing sector.

"I wanted to continue my service to this country as a career employee while continuing to support HUD's important mission," he said.

Ellis's hiring at the NSA was not made available to the personnel agency, which recently told Democrats in Congress that it does not review requests from the intelligence community, sealing those decisions off from the public and Congress.

Ellis is on leave pending an inquiry by the Pentagon inspector general into the circumstances of his selection. NSA Director Paul Nakasone put Ellis on paid administrative leave four days after then-acting defense secretary Christopher Miller was ordered by the outgoing administration to install Ellis in the job.

But if Ellis and the others who burrowed were hired properly, firing them outright will be hard for Biden to accomplish. At most agencies, career officials serve a year on probation - that period is two years at the Defense Department - during which they can be fired without cause. If some of the Trump loyalists already have made it through probation, they can be reassigned to other roles or given little to do. Like all career employees, they have rights to due process, experts said.

Incoming officials at the Energy Department are weighing whether they can remove at least two Trump appointees who just landed postings as foreign attaches to support international energy cooperation, according to people familiar with the appointments who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Michael Brown, a former coal executive who was national political director for Republican Ben Carson's campaign in 2016 for president, had been deputy general counsel at Energy. Brown was recently approved for a job representing the agency in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Kyle Nicholas, a political appointee with a health-care background who served as an adviser in Energy's international affairs offices under Trump, was just posted to a similar job in Brussels. The appointments were first reported by E&E News.

The moves were made possible after the Trump administration stacked a little-known panel called the Overseas Presence Advisory Board with political officials, removing some career appointees. The board then facilitated the appointments, which last up to three years and do not have to be reported to the Office of Personnel Management.

Obama's Energy Department prohibited political appointees from taking overseas posts. The Biden Energy Department did not respond to a request for comment.

Biden has more control over political appointees. He has asked for the resignation of Surgeon General Jerome Adams, who had been nominated by Trump in 2017 to a four-year term set to expire in September. The new president has moved to install new leadership at health agencies that will be crucial to fighting the coronavirus pandemic, after accusing the Trump team of muzzling federal scientists and pursuing a political agenda at the cost of public health and lives.

In other cases, Biden has sought to get rid of people installed by Trump in what the new president considers bad faith.

For example, Biden quickly forced out Michael Pack, the controversial head of the agency that oversees the Voice of America and four other networks that broadcast news to millions of people abroad, amid complaints of censorship and political interference by Pack. Biden also removed the VOA's director and deputy director after they had been on the job only a few weeks, and the head of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting resigned.

Andrew Saul, a Trump appointee whose six-year term as Social Security commissioner officially ends in 2025, had a curious new "acting" title on a list of temporary government leaders distributed by the new White House last week. Saul announced Thursday that several high-ranking deputies on his team, who had pushed for stricter eligibility for benefits, had been replaced - with labor-friendly Democrats. The Social Security Administration did not respond to a request for comment about the acting title.

In firing the National Labor Relations Board's general counsel, Peter Robb, Biden broke with precedent to end the tenure of a figure seen as a foe by worker advocates and labor unions.

Robb had refused to resign when asked to do so just hours into the new presidency. The request was a departure from the norm that presidents of both parties have followed to allow the general counsel to serve out their term. Robb's term was scheduled to run another 10 months.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked last week whether Biden is pursuing a political purge.

"That's an individual who was not carrying out ... the objectives of the NLRB, and so they were, they are, no longer in their position," she said. "We'll make those decisions as needed."

- - -

The Washington Post's Erica Werner, Ellen Nakashima, Jeff Stein and Alice Crites contributed to this report.
Photo: PrinceGeorgeMatters

Prince George RCMP are investigating a stabbing that occurred in the VLA area yesterday morning (Jan. 23).

Shortly after 8 a.m. police attended a residence on the 1100 block-Victoria Street for a report of a stabbing at that location. Frontline members quickly attended the basement unit of the residence and located a male suffering from multiple stab wounds.

Emergency services transported the man to the University Hospital of Northern B.C. (UHNBC) where he remains in critical condition. Police say investigators believe this was a targeted event and that the victim and suspect know one another.

RCMP spokesperson Cst. Jennifer Cooper says multiple witnesses have already provided their statements to police and are being cooperative and the safety of the public is not at risk. She says the investigation is still in the early stages and police may provide further updates as the investigation continues.
Prime Minister Florin Citu says that the power to achieve our objectives, as a nation, lies in our unity, a message addressed on the occasion of the 162nd anniversary of the Union of Romanian Principalities, according to AGERPRES.

"The Union of the Romanian Principalities under the leadership of Alexandru Ioan Cuza reminds us that the power to achieve our goals, as a nation, lies in our unity. We were able to return to freedom and democracy while being united against the dictatorship, in December 1989. We have shown that we can stop serious slippage, we can save democracy, when an illegitimate and oppressive power has acted against its own people. And also together we will succeed in protecting the health of the people, of us all, and to recover economically after the pandemic. Happy birthday to all Romanians!," wrote Florin Citu, on Sunday, on his Facebook page.
NORTHERN IRELAND has never been short of courageous women willing to challenge paramilitary bully boys whatever the cost.

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As the second anniversary of Ian Ogle's murder by the East Belfast UVF approaches, graffiti designed to intimidate his daughter, Toni Ogle, has appeared on walls. Those tactics will no more succeed in silencing her than they did the McCartney sisters, who ferociously challenged the IRA over the 2005 murder of their brother, Robert.

Expand Close Robert McCartneys sisters, Claire (left), Paula (centre) and Catherine at their Belfast home in 2008 (Paul Faith/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Robert McCartneys sisters, Claire (left), Paula (centre) and Catherine at their Belfast home in 2008 (Paul Faith/PA)

Before them, Maureen Kearney fought tooth-and-nail for her son, Andrew, who bled to death after a brutal attack in the New Lodge in 1998.

In south Armagh, Breege Quinn remains steadfast in her campaign for justice for her murdered son, Paul.

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None of these killings had anything to do with loyalism or republicanism. They weren't motivated by ideology. Those who wielded the knives and iron bars didn't do so to protect their community. Rather, they were acting to control it.

Ian Ogle was stabbed 11 times in the back, close to his Cluan Place home on January 27, 2019. Earlier that day, the 45-year-old had clashed with a loyalist on the Beersbridge Road.

The five-strong gang that arrived on his doorstep later were armed with knives and bats. "My daddy was killed because he wasn't afraid of them, and they hated him for that," says Toni.

Next Sunday marks the 16th anniversary of the murder of Robert McCartney, who was stabbed to death outside Magennis' bar. He also suffered a broken nose and black eye. He hadn't even thrown one punch in self-defence during the brutal attack on him.

Robert grew up just yards from Ian Ogle on the other side of the East Belfast peaceline. He was a year older than Ian, and both men had two children. Due to sectarian divisions, they never met.

Toni recalls her daddy expressing his disgust at Robert's murder. "Little did we imagine that the same thing would happen to him 14 years later," she says. Toni has left her home after being "tortured by East Belfast UVF members and their supporters".

The McCartney sisters paid a high personal price for their crusade. Paula - and Bridgeen Hagans, Robert's partner - were forced to leave their Short Strand homes. Dozens of protesters had gathered outside Bridgeen's door, terrifying her two young sons, who thought the whole family was about to be killed.

Gemma McCartney, who was a nurse, was spat at and abused by an alleged associate of Robert's killers while she screened women for cervical cancer in the Markets area, yards from the murder scene. The sisters received obscene letters and death threats. Newspaper photos of Robert, covered in excrement, were also sent.

The five women all lost friendships as they took on the IRA. They had 19 children between them, so campaigning brought huge practical pressures on their family lives. But walking away was never an option.

"Robert was our wee brother," Paula told me on the 10th anniversary of his death. "From the day he was first allowed out to play on the street, we looked out for him. His attackers left him to die on the street like a dog, like he was worthless. We were never going to let that pass. Robert was somebody, and his life was precious."

Toni Ogle is equally defiant. "As long as I'm still breathing, I'll be fighting for my daddy," she says. "If standing up for him makes me a tout, then I'm a tout."

But the very fact that she has to be brave is down to the political failure to seriously tackle paramilitarism.

Over a quarter of a century after the Good Friday Agreement, women in working-class communities shouldn't have to battle on behalf of their butchered fathers and brothers.

There must be no more Robert McCartneys or Ian Ogles.

It's time, once and for all, to stand up to the bully boys.
Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II

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Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow

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Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

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Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms

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France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity

Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election

Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia

US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China

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Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet

Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases

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Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan

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UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians

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France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint

Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow

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China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order

Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM

Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage

EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting

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UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas

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His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia

Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens

Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon

Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures

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Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire

ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces

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Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory

Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan

Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia

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Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws

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European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched


Court: Declan Trainor has also been charged with breaches of Covid restrictions

A JUDGE was left shocked after a gym owner accused of breaching coronavirus regulations handed a birth certificate with what is believed to have been his bloody thumbprint on it into court.

District judge Eamon King told Newry Magistrates Court on Wednesday he had been given a number of items by Co Down man Declan Trainor, including a birth certificate "with a thumbprint on it... it looks like a bloody fingerprint".

Judge King said the document, which came with a postage stamp and a red seal, read: "I am settler Declan Trainor and do take control of the dominion Declan Trainor."

Rosie Fitzpatrick, the defendant's solicitor, said that she could "only apologise" for the incident.

The judge replied: "There's no need for that. Can you tell him to stop handing in rubbish?"

Trainor, from Rossmara Park in Warrenpoint, faces three charges of breaching Covid regulations last month.

He is alleged to have refused to close his gym - an offence that can carry a fine of up to 10,000 for each refusal.

The defendant previously indicated he wished to "challenge the jurisdiction" of the court, but on Wednesday Ms Fitzpatrick confirmed that he had instructed KRW Law to act on his behalf.

The 32-year-old previously represented himself during proceedings.

When he first appeared before the judge last month, he was asked if he had anything to say about the matters.

The defendant then replied: "My name is Declan. I am a living man. I was born on 11/08/88."

At the latest hearing, Trainor said he had provided the court with letters, one of which was a "request for clarification" that he wanted the judge to fill out.

He added that he wanted "disclosure" around the law concerning the alleged offences.

Trainor asked that he be supplied with the relevant materials within 28 days.

The defendant was charged with the offences after police arrested him at his business, The Gym, in Newry.

Videos shot by Trainor show around six officers entering the premises and detaining him as he attempts to debate the legality of their actions.

The clips, which attracted both vehement support and stinging criticism after being widely shared on social media, also show the defendant calling on the public to "take a stand" over restrictions introduced to hamper the spread of Covid-19.

In court on Wednesday, a prosecuting lawyer said the directing officer had requested further information about the case, including video evidence and photographs, and requested a four-week adjournment.

Ms Fitzpatrick asked that a 1,000 cash surety previously lodged as part of her client's release conditions be returned in a bail variation.

She said the money had come from the defendant's father, who was "under significant financial hardship". "Mr Trainor's business is suffering as a result of the current pandemic," Ms Fitzpatrick added.

"He is very much aware that his liberty is at stake if he doesn't comply with bail."

Despite her submissions, the variation was refused and the case was adjourned to February 17.
Sometimes I think its all going according to a mad plan, that the country runs like a giant machine. The gears turn, the engine runs and what is produced is just right. Just enough war to enrich those meant to be enriched. Just enough strife to keep everyone in a kind of stasis. Just enough hunger to keep people off balance. Just enough crime to have a focus for our anger, deflecting it from its rightful place. The machine gears turn, the levers are pulled. Out pops the correct result.

Peace and prosperity are the bugaboos that stop the machine  man is meant to suffer, so that certain privileged beings can be masters of our universe. The illusion of self-government is just that  an illusion meant to placate the masses. When the machine slows, a little oil is pumped into the joints, and everything moves along just fast enough that you cant see the motion.

Sometimes the machine breaks down temporarily. Someone, a Trump, for instance, comes along and gives us a hint that we can be more, not less. That we can find harmony with others, end the wars, provide our own energy, take care of our own people, and provide a better quality of life for all.

The Trump years were almost like the fairytale prince kissed the sleeping beauty, and the world woke up for a little while. But then the evil one is ascendant again, the wind howls, the machine makes fierce noises, and the good is drowned out and summarily buried.

Fairytales are based on realities. Good and evil exist, and the old trite truism, that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, is true for a reason. One cannot become all-powerful and remain human. One cannot have it all and still have compassion for the rest of humanity.

Bezos can be richer than anyone else, and yet not pay his workers enough to live without food stamps. The irony is lost on him that he is objecting to mail-in ballots for a union election! Jack Dorsey can declare Parler evil, when Parler has been frankly, boringly banal, yet he cant acknowledge that ayatollah, pedophiles, anti-Semites, and anarchists post on his Twitter.

We can all pretend that Biden is speaking his mind, that he doesnt have an earpiece, and that hes not being told every second what to say  right until you see him saying Salute the marines instead of doing it.

We can pretend that he has an idea of what documents hes signing with a flourish every day. But then you get the confusing directive to stop border deportations, and no way to implement the instructions. How do you do that? What do you do with the criminals you were going to deport? Damned if he knows!

You do realize, dont you, hes not made one single positive statement about anything since assuming the presidency? Hes taken no control, other than to scratch his pen against paper again and again. Hes talked of unity while following every instruction given to him to discourage it.

You can watch as, with a swipe of his pen, he destroys our energy independence. No more Keystone pipeline. Gone, 50 thousand jobs in a swoop. Oops, we need to set up a way to buy in our energy needs  from Russia and from Venezuela. We rejoin the Paris accord, which gives China and India a pass on energy improvements but places debilitating restrictions on our country. Hes mandated that illegal aliens be counted in the census, skewing the numbers, and hes promoting something called racial equity that I bet he couldnt define. Hes letting boys compete as girls, an absolute affront to equity for girls and women.

I could go on. You all know the examples. The bottom line is, while we didnt elect Biden per se, we still have him as the head of our government. To seal the deal, he and the technocrats have eliminated the First Amendment, and used force to silence dissent.

Its time for the alternative universe to rise, the publishers that are not in the pocket of the left to print books, the truly free web to be recreated and compete with the left web, and the voices of those of us silenced, to be brave enough to speak. Its not an easy task but somebodys got to do it! And thankfully, America has enough creative and brilliant minds to make it work!
Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II

EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation

ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason

Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia

Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest

"Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan

Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator'

Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow

Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast

We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan

Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory

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Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections

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Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan

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Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination

Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity

Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well

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Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial

Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?"

France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity

Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election

Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia

US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China

Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war

Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet

Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases

Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan

US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces

Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can

UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians

Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India

Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately

France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint

Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow

Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen

Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops

Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia acting FM resigns

Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity

China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order

Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM

Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage

EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting

Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post

6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest

Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan

UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas

Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening

His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia

Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens

Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon

Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures

Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension

Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire

ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces

Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards

Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory

Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan

Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia

Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia

Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws

Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone

Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control

Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor

Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation

NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning

European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched

Thousands of farmers from Nashik are gathering in Mumbai for an agitation against the three controversial agricultural reform laws, in solidarity with the farmers protesting on Delhi borders.

The rally is part of the call given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which is leading the protests in Delhi, to intensify the agitation from January 23 to 26. More farmers are expected to join the rally in Mumbai, reported The Indian Express.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar, whose party is part of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi government, is also expected to attend that rally.

Enacted in September last year, the three laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country.

Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at several border points of Delhi since November 28 last year, demanding a repeal of these laws.

Multiple rounds of talks between the government and farmer unions have failed to break the impasse so far, while the Supreme Court has appointed a panel for resolution.
Export-Import (Exim) Bank of India is looking to raise up to USD 3 billion through bond issues in 2021-22 and will be looking to raise more funds under the socially responsible notes category in the next fiscal, a top official has said.

The pandemic is a "blip" which will slow down balance sheet expansion as the global trade slows down and developmental projects financed by the policy bank also take a backseat, its managing director David Rasquinha said.

"In the remaining part of FY21, we will not be raising much of bonds. But the next fiscal year, we will need to raise USD 2.5-3 billion," the MD said.

He said the bank's refinancing requirements alone go to over USD 2 billion per year, while the rest is funding against the fresh on-lending that it does.

A bulk of the issuances will be in the global market linked to US dollar, the most convertible currency, he said, adding that 80 per cent of its balance sheet is in USD at present.

Having successfully tested waters by raising USD 50 million in a socially responsible bond for the Mekong Region, the bank will be launching more such issuances of bigger ticket sizes in the new fiscal, he said.

Rasquinha said it is possible for the bank to offer projects which qualify under the environment, social and governance (ESG) theme, which is preferred by many investors globally given the shift in practices, because of the work done on the developmental work by the bank.

"This (the USD 50 million) was a proof of concept. Now that it is successful, we will scale up. There will be bigger deals definitely. We are talking to a couple of parties," he said, adding that fundraising under the socially responsible bonds will be both on a bilateral basis and also multilateral ones as the ticket sizes go up.

He, however, conceded that the cost of documentation is a problem with such fund raising because the social impact of the project has to be documented and presented before investors.

Meanwhile, when asked about the impact of India being put under the "currency manipulators" list by the US, he said it will not have any effect as the investors know that these are "mechanical calculations" and "political compulsions" also result in the calls.

On the reverses of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said the impact is "inevitable" for an institution like Exim Bank but added that things like slowdown in balance sheet expansion are only a "blip" in the long term story for the lender.

The asset quality has "been good" so far for the bank, he said, adding that it is allowed to extend moratoriums and also restructuring in the case of select accounts as per the guidelines issued by the RBI in the post-pandemic scenario.

There is no need to provide aggressively against advances either, he said, adding that the challenges being faced by borrowers are temporary ones which can be classified as a "liquidity issue" and not a "solvency issue".

He said the bank has already received Rs 1,300 crore which the government had promised to infuse during the fiscal and will be looking at further capital raising in the new fiscal.

"There will be more need. We want capital and the government has been very understanding. We face a leverage constraint. We can borrow on the net owned funds. I need growth capital. I am sure it will continue," he said.

Also read: Budget 2021: 3 ways govt can increase retail participation in bond market

Also read: Sovereign Gold Bond scheme to open today: 10 things to know
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A salon owner who racked up 17,000 in fines by staying open during last year's second national lockdown has indicated she plans to reopen next week.

Sinead Quinn, owner of Quinn Blakey Hairdressing, Oakenshaw, near Bradford, has suggested the salon will reopen for on January 30 on a day dubbed 'The Great Reopening'.

Ms Quinn hit headlines in November after she repeatedly cited the Magna Carta when police officers insisted she close her business during the second national lockdown.

Sinead Quinn, owner of Quinn Blakey hairdressing salon, Oakenshaw, near Bradford, who has repeatedly defied government lockdown restriction, says she is planning to reopen next week

Magistrates were forced to order the closure of Quinn Blakey (pictured) in December despite attempts by Sinead Quinn to use the Magna Carta and Common Law to reject restrictions

The salon wracked up 17,000 worth of fixed penalty fines and magistrates ordered its closure for the final two days of the lockdown 'to prevent nuisance to members of the public and to safeguard public health'.

Earlier this month, Kirklees Council confirmed none of the fixed penalties had been paid and it had started a prosecution process.

One Instagram comment from the salon said: 'We're all opening regardless of lockdown. They can't control us all when we stand up to them.'

In a separate post shared two days ago, the comment stated: 'When is lockdown meant to end? Feb?

'In February you can bet your life savings that Covid-21 will be here and so will your lockdown.

'Id like you to sit back and watch it all play out but were running out of time.

Notice on the salon door in November which cites Magna Carta, a royal charter granted in 1215 by King John, and states: 'As the business owners, we are exercising our rights to earn a living'

'Stand up for your freedoms. 30th January. Get up and open your businesses, go out and support those businesses.

'WE ARE THE POWER, NOT THEM.'

Ms Quinn has previously shared videos of herself telling officials that she did not 'consent' to being fined and cited 'common law'.

She had posted a sign on the salon door which cited Magna Carta in defence of her decision to keep trading.

But legal experts have debunked the defence as 'pure nonsense' and 'pseudo-legal rubbish'.

A Kirklees Council spokesperson said: 'With the time given to pay the fines now passed, we have started a prosecution process and are putting our case together.

'The process can take some time and could lead to a trial. Punishment could be an unlimited fine, decided by the court.

'In the meantime, if further breaches occur, the same appropriate action will follow as would be the case for any business.'
Today comes word via Senator Rand Paul that Chief Justice Roberts will not preside over any Senate impeachment trial of President Trump: the text of the Constitution only requires the Chief Justice to preside over the trial of the President. Trump is no longer the President. Robertss presence is therefore not called for.

Trump is of course a private citizen at this point. The constitutional text does not appear to contemplate the impeachment or trial of a private citizen, although impeachments of former official took place once in the eighteenth century and once in the nineteenth. Former Fourth Circuit Judge Michael Luttig argues in this Washington Post column that a Senate trial of Trump would be unconstitutional.

Judge Luttig argues: Once Trumps term ends on Jan. 20, Congress loses its constitutional authority to continue impeachment proceedings against himeven if the House has already approved articles of impeachment. The Constitutions impeachment clauses presuppose that impeachment and removal of a president happen while in office.

As an example, Judge Luttig cites Article II, Section 4: The president, vice president and all civil officers of the United States shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

He also cites Article I, Section 3, which reads in part: Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States.

Note that removal accompanies disqualification. If a private citizen can no longer be removed, can he simply be disqualified? Perhaps, but disqualification is conjoined with removal.

Judge Luttig concedes that some scholars argue that Congress can impeach a former president from two instances in which early Congresses impeached civil officials after they had resigned their public offices  the impeachments of Sen. William Blount in 1797 and the impeachment of Secretary of War William Belknap in 1876. He further concedes that these cases provide some backing for the argument that Congress can conclude that it has the power under the Constitution to impeach a former president. Please note that the case of William Blount  summarized here by the Senate  is ambiguous at best in relevant respects. (Alan Dershowitz rightly ignores it in his column quoted below.)

Princeton Professor Keith Whittington argues that the impeachment power extends to former officials in the Wall Street Journal column Yes, the Senate can try Trump. Whittington, however, does not even try to reconcile this alleged power with the text of the Constitution. He relies exclusively on centuries of practice and understanding. The letter signed by 150 constitutional law scholars on impeaching former officers makes a similar argument without addressing the limitations imposed by the constitutional text.

The eminent Harvard Professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz qualifies Judge Luttigs caveat and Professor Whittingtons historical argument:

No former official has ever been convicted by the Senate, and only one has been impeached. Secretary of War William W. Belknap was indisputably guilty of numerous impeachable offences, to which he confessed as he resigned his office hours before the House unanimously impeached him in 1876. The Senate voted in favor of a procedural motion affirming its jurisdiction to try Belknaps impeachment. But two dozen senators who believed he was guilty voted to acquit on jurisdictional grounds. A close vote nearly a century and a half ago doesnt establish a binding precedent.

Judge Luttig concludes his column with the proposition that [i]n the end only the Supreme Court can answer the question of whether Congress can impeach a president who has left office prior to its attempted impeachment of him. Judge Luttig does not address the question of timing. It is difficult to see the issue reaching the Supreme Court before Trump is tried. It certainly is not contemplated in the current schedule setting the trial to begin on February 9. The strength of the argument based on the text of the Constitution should provide sufficient basis for Republican Senators to vote against conviction and thus moot the issue before it reaches the Supreme Court.

Publius addresses the impeachment power in Federalist numbers 65 and 66. Early in the discussion Publius describes the subjects of the impeachment power as pertaining to those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public menThey are of a nature which with peculiar propriety be denominated POLITICAL[.] If the issue were to be raised after conviction, the Supreme Court may well defer to the Senates resolution of its power as a political question unfit for judicial resolution.

The case law supports this inference (footnotes omitted):

It was long assumed that no judicial review of the impeachment process was possible, that impeachment presents a true political question case, i.e., that the Constitutions conferral on the Senate of the sole power to try impeachments is a textually demonstrable constitutional commitment of trial procedures to the Senate to decide without court review. That assumption was not contested until very recently, when Judges Nixon and Hastings challenged their Senate convictions. In the Judge Nixon case, the Court held that a claim to judicial review of an issue arising in an impeachment trial in the Senate presents a nonjusticiable political question. Specifically, the Court rejected a claim that the Senate had departed from the meaning of the word try in the impeachment clause by relying on a special committee to take evidence, including testimony. But the Courts political question analysis has broader application, and appears to place the whole impeachment process off limits to judicial review.

What a wonderful way to kick off the Harris-Biden era.


An ambitious project to create a 100-mile hiking trail from San Antonio to Austin has hit another milestone in its development.

The Great Springs Project is a little closer to becoming reality after The National Park Service selected the initiative for community planning and technical assistance.

Once the expansive, green corridor is completed, The Great Springs Project will ultimately connect four of Texas's Great Springs--Barton Springs, San Marcos Springs, Comal Springs and San Antonio Springs. Hikers and cyclists may have to wait a bit for the completion of the green corridor, which is slated to wrap up in 2036.

The plan is to add 50,000 acres of protected lands, creating a green corridor over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone.

"We're on a short timeline because our region is one of the fastest growing in the Country. The time to act and conserve this land is now," Great Springs Chief Development Officer Emma Lindrose-Siegel told Southern Living's Perri Ormont Blumberg.

The design of the Great Springs Project will be headed by Alta Planning+Design and is slated for completion in summer or fall 2021. The project's board members include architect Ted Flato and Whole Foods founder John Mackey.

The visionary project could dramatically change how Texans travel to the state capitol, allowing more access to nature, National Parks Service's Justin Tuck said.

"The majority of that corridor is travel via car, Tuck told News 4's Jim Lefko. Just think and imagine if it can be traveled and engaged with alternative transportationbiking, walking that allows people to have access to the great outdoors.

Embarking on this 100-mile trail endeavor was a project of a lifetime for Great Springs CEO Garry Merritt.

Its a legacy project. With all these people working together, were putting a project together that will be for Texas for hundreds of years. Its for the future of Texas,  Merritt told Chron.

The projects all-encompassing mission is to be an enduring gift to Texas, Merritt said.

The communities are built are built around the springs. So helping to a part of the mission to continue to protect those springs for the iconic public spaces that they are is really important to us, Merritt said. We want to protect and connect those springs. The overall mission is to provide huge civic gift to the state of Texas.

Even though the projects completion is set for 2036, the good news is that theres already a network of trails flourishing in these cities, so the job is to link them together, Merritt said.

Theres an incredibly robust set of trails already growing therein the four cities. Youve got a huge complex in San Antonio and growing. San Marcos has a lot of trails and more on the way, Merritt added. And especially the Violet Crown trail in Austin. You go to any of those cities, and youll find good trails. Our job is to support those local trails and help them come together.

The Great Springs Project also enlisted the help of transportation planner Bill Barker for the trail master plan.

People love the Hill Country, and heres an opportunity to make it more accessible to a lot of people while at the same time trying to preserve what makes it the Hill Country in the first place, Barker told the Rivard Report.

Imagine the ease of simply walking from one iconic Texas town to another on this trail---and just taking in the natural beauty from spring-to-spring, Merritt said.

You can be in New Braunfels, stay in a bed and breakfast, have dinner there and get up the next morning and walk to San Marcos, and end up in downtown San Marcos and stay in a bed and breakfast and have dinner there, Merritt said.

The United States is concerned about Chinese military pressure on Taiwan. Expressing concern over it the nation said that such intimidating tactics threaten regional peace and stability.

The US notes with concern the pattern of ongoing PRC (Peoples Republic of China) attempts to intimidate its neighbours. This statement from State Department Spokesperson Ned Price comes hours after many warplanes of intruded into Taiwan's air defence identification zone. The US State Department further said that Washington will stand with friends and allies to advance our shared prosperity, security, and values in the Indo-Pacific region. Price told PTI, "We will continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defence capability. Our commitment to Taiwan is rock-solid and contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and within the region," PTI quoted Price as saying.

The US urged China to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taipei. Taiwan's Defence Ministry had reported eight Chinese bomber planes and four fighter jets entered the southwestern corner of Taiwan's air defence identification zone on Saturday.

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An industry-academia collaboration has submitted a new policy proposal to Narendra Modi government to create Udyog Sahayak Enterprises Network (USENET) that provides a bouquet of services to micro and small enterprises (MSEs) of the country. The scheme envisages establishment of around 18 lakh Udyog Sahayak Enterprises (USEs) in three phases to service over 60 million MSEs over a period of ten years.

The report, prepared through a collaboration between Azim Premji University, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, proposes the creation of a support system that will improve Ease of Doing Business for largely informal micro and small entrepreneurs. Each single person manned Udyog Sahayak Enterprise (USE) will comprise of a mobile unit (motor bike) and a small home office with basic infrastructure like computer/laptop, printer, scanner, web camera, broadband connectivity and suitable power backup for uninterrupted delivery of services.

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Udyog Sahayak Entrepreneurs will be educated youth with 12th pass or graduate degrees who will be trained by the existing skilling ecosystem of the Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry. Thus, the programme creates sustainable livelihoods for 18 lakh educated youth, in addition to enabling MSE growth and indirect job creation and consequent economic growth, the report said.

The report proposes a one time government subsidy directly to the infrastructure suppliers. "Each USE will require a capex of Rs 1.14 lakh of which 50 per cent is a grant from of GoI. 80 per cent of working capital requirement will come in the form of a MUDRA loan," the report said.

The services offered to the micro-entrepreneurs at their doorstep will include digitisation and formalisation, availing of government loans, subsidies or other benefits, ensuring compliance with local, regional, and national regulation, aiding partnership with digital marketing platforms and digital payment platforms.

The authors estimate that by enabling scale-up, USENET can aid in the creation of an additional 1 crore (10.3 million) jobs over five years going up to nearly 6 crore (56.9 million) over 10 years. Based on value-added per worker observed in this sector and assuming a 12 per cent nominal rate of growth in GVA, these jobs represent an additional economic value of Rs 2.16 lakh crore at the end of 5 years and over Rs 19 lakh crore at the end of 10 years, the report said.

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Presenting the policy proposal, T Muralidharan, Chairman of FICCI Telangana State Council and co-author of the report, underlined the problem of "jobless growth" and pointed out that we are in danger of losing our demographic dividend. He called for giving micro-entrepreneurs their due recognition in the making of the nation.

Amit Basole, report co-author and faculty member at Azim Premji University, noted that "rather than creating more nano-entrepreneurs, we need to help existing MSEs to grow in size. We can do this by creating a support system which enables them to go digital, avail of government schemes, adopt new technologies, and increase productivity. This will create millions of new jobs."

This proposal was developed for the Working Group of Ministers (WGoM) on Employment and Skill Generation, convened by MoS Home Affairs of Government of India in October 2020. It has been submitted to the Prime Minister along with other proposals developed by the group.

ALSO READ: 68% start-ups, MSMEs didn't benefit from Centre's COVID-19 schemes, claims survey
Mass transit might eventually rebound from the worst economic trauma of the coronavirus pandemic. But it still may never be the same, due to the vast changes the outbreak is triggering in the way Americans live and work.

Transit ridership had been falling for years before the pandemic shut down much of the U.S. economy last spring, and it's likely that the virus will only accelerate some of the trends behind that decline. Those include hastening the migration of jobs and people away from dense cities, where transit works best, as well as a newfound enthusiasm for letting employees work from home.

For now, transit leaders are clamoring for additional short-term aid from Congress and the Biden administration, calling financial help critical to ensuring that their trains and buses will be ready to take people to work whenever the economy reopens. But theyre also exploring ways to reshape their systems to stay ahead of their monumental long-term challenges  fearing impacts that could reverberate through their budgets for years.

"Many of these big urban areas have seen a complete shift of where people are living right now, said Jim Derwinski, CEO of Chicago's Metra system and chair of the Commuter Rail Coalition.

The ongoing shock to the system could wipe out the main justifications for transit's existence  rush hour congestion and pricey downtown parking  even after ridership on buses, subways and commuter trains rises from its current abyss. (Ridership was down 62 percent from pre-pandemic levels as of the third quarter of 2020.)

Companies everywhere are reducing their office footprints amid the pandemic, with more people expected to work from home for at least part of the week for the foreseeable future. Office space vacancy rates are near 15 percent and commercial real estate prices have dropped 8 percent below pre-pandemic levels.

Meanwhile, as many people gain the freedom to work from anywhere, home sales in suburbs and small towns have risen to 85 percent of total sales, up from 80 percent before the outbreak. That's accelerating an overall shift away from the hub-and-spoke model that transit systems were built on, after years in which suburban office parks have pulled rush hour traffic away from urban cores.

Story continues

Even a 5 percent decrease in commuters in a major metropolitan area is going to have massive impact, said Scott Bogren, executive director of the Community Transportation Association of America. That tends to be, from what Im reading from economists, on the low side of what they expect to be permanent.'"

Plummeting revenues  both from the farebox and the state and local tax base that supported them  have had transit systems contemplating devastating service cuts, with New York City MTA considering cutting bus and rail service by 40 percent and Washington, D.C., planning to eliminate nighttime and weekend rail service before federal aid finally came through at the end of the year.

Private commuter bus companies are also struggling. New Jerseys DeCamp Bus Lines, in its sixth generation of ownership by the same family, suspended operations in August, saying it couldnt sustain the ridership drop from 7,000 riders a day to fewer than 400. It was among the more than 500 bus companies to shut down  at least temporarily  in 2020.

In Silicon Valley, where more than 1,000 tech buses used to shuttle employees from the Bay Area to work each day, Google and Facebook are telling employees they dont need to come back to the office until September and July, respectively, and that increased flexibility to work from home will remain.

Transit agencies got a temporary lifeline in the form of December's $900 billion coronavirus relief bill, which contained $14 billion for transit  less than half of what the industry says it needs but enough to stave off draconian cuts. Combined with the $25 billion transit got from the CARES Act last March, nearly all transit systems in the country will have received at least 75 percent of a normal years worth of operating expenses.

More help could be on the way. President Joe Biden has proposed a $1.9 trillion supplemental aid package, with $20 billion for transit, and down the line hes pushing for an ambitious infrastructure package with big money to upgrade transit systems around the country.

His plan would also provide a $350 billion infusion to city and state governments, which together pitch in more than half of transits operating funds and didnt get any aid from the December stimulus bill. After the passage of the CARES Act, at least some states reduced their payments to transit. North Carolina, for instance, zeroed out $51 million worth of transit funding in July.

But cities will be under tremendous pressure to ensure that transit systems are ready to go when people are ready to go back to work, at the risk of slowing down the economic recovery by keeping people from getting to their jobs.

Paul Skoutelas, president and CEO of the American Public Transportation Association, acknowledged that the crisis is painful and longer than wed like. But he said he is firm in his belief that our cities will bounce back, and they need transit to do that.

Still, he said, I wouldnt be surprised if its going to take a couple years or more, as we get the workforce back.

The workforce may be a lot different from what it was before the pandemic  and it may not be traveling in the same way it once did.

I see the rush hours opening up wider, Chicago's Derwinski predicted. I see the ridership patterns becoming more fluid  where it used to be your traditional 7:30-9:00, I see it now going maybe 6:30-10:00, because people will be like, Yeah, when I have to come downtown Ill come downtown.

For transit, that means the traditional five-day-a-week rider could give way to workers who come to the office only occasionally for meetings, and we now may need three different people to fill that seat five days," Derwinski said.

The pandemic has also changed how transit agencies think about the value they create  for instance, the critical role they play for society in ensuring that other essential workers can get to their jobs.

Weve always equated the value of transit with ridership, Bogren said. Ridership is going to be down ... What may end up being the better way to [measure value] is economic output from the trips were creating, health care indicators and output from the trips were creating, climate and environmental output.

Behind the scenes, transit agencies have been accelerating innovations that were already in progress before the pandemic. Philadelphia recently contracted with a major urban planning firm for a comprehensive redesign of its bus network  something Houston and several other cities have done in recent years.

Transit will also continue to shift away from an exclusive focus on work trips.

That has changed as we have seen an expansion of bus rapid transit, light rail systems, said APTA's Skoutelas. Those are systems that have really looked to make available transit as an option for other activities  going to the ballpark, going to a show, making it a part of normal travel itineraries, not just the work trip.

The shift to contactless fare collection, a longtime efficiency goal of transit agencies, has become a reality in many places, accelerated due to the pandemic. Some systems have rolled out other user-friendly changes, like real-time arrival information and mobile apps.

But transit agencies have repeatedly found that bells and whistles dont attract and retain riders as much as frequent, reliable service. And reliability could suffer if federal aid dries up.

Alex Clifford, CEO and general manager for the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District in California, noted that many of his riders are hospitality and tourism industry workers who depend on transit to get to work.

When their jobs come back, I need to have the service there for them, Clifford told POLITICO. And if its not there, guess what  theyre either going to lose their job, or theyre going to find another way to get to work.

And once they figure out that other way to get to work, theyll probably never come back, he said. Theyre lost for good.
The Prachanda-Nepal faction of the Nepal Communist Party has expelled hill nation's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli from the ruling party as a part of disciplinary action against him.

"His membership has been revoked," the spokesperson for the splinter group, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, confirmed to news agency ANI. Sources told News18 that Oli is likely to revive Communist Party of Nepal (Unified MarxistLeninist).

Earlier in December, the splinter group had removed 68-year-old Oli, one of the two chairmen of the ruling party, as the co-chair. Madhav Nepal was named as the party's second chairman. Prachanda is the first chairman of the party.

In late night development, the Election Commission reportedly rejected the proposal of Oli and Prachanda-Nepal for claim on NCP.

Nepal plunged into a political crisis on December 20 after Oli, known for his pro-Beijing leanings, in a surprise move recommended dissolving the 275-member House, amidst a tussle for power with Prachanda.

Acting on the prime minister's recommendation, President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved the House and announced fresh elections on April 30 and May 10, sparking protests from a large section of the NCP led by Prachanda, also a co-chair of the ruling party.

Oli, who is also the chairperson of a faction of the NCP, said he was forced to dissolve the House after knowing that the Prachanda-led faction was planning to file a no-confidence motion against him and introduce an impeachment motion against President Bhandari.

India has described Oli's sudden decision to dissolve Parliament and call for fresh elections as an "internal matter" that is for the country to decide as per its democratic processes.

Oli-led CPN-UML and Prachanda-led NCP (Maoist Centre) merged in May 2018 to form a unified Nepal Communist Party following victory of their alliance in the 2017 general election.
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A Palestinian nurse prepares to give the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the Israeli Clalit Medical Center in East Jerusalem, Jan. 23 (local time). / UPI-Yonhap



Israel expanded its COVID-19 vaccination drive on Sunday to include 16- to 18-year-olds in what the government described as an effort to enable their attendance at school exams.



Israel, which has the world's fastest vaccine distribution rate, is hoping to begin reopening its economy next month.



With regular imports of Pfizer Inc. vaccines, Israel has administered at least one dose to more than 25% of its 9 million population since Dec. 19, the Health Ministry says.



The vaccines were initially limited to the elderly and other high-risk categories, but are now available to anyone over 40 or  with parental permission  those between 16 and 18.



The inclusion of late-teens is meant "to enable their return (to school) and the orderly holding of exams," the Education Ministry spokeswoman said.



Israel awards a matriculation certificate to high school students in grades 10-12 who pass exams, administered by the Education Ministry, that play a major role in acceptance to universities. They can also affect placement in the military, where many Israelis do compulsory service after high school.



The country has been under a third national lockdown since Dec. 27, which it plans to lift at the end of January.



Education Minister Yoav Galant said it was too early to know if schools would reopen next month. Among factors deciding this was how much Israel, which is struggling against a surge of infections, was affected by the contagious variant of the virus first detected in Britain, he told Ynet TV.



Hezi Levy, director-general of Israel's Health Ministry, was asked in an Army Radio interview whether vaccinating teens might pose unforeseen risks - perhaps to their own yet-unborn children.



"I don't know," Levy said. "This vaccine is no different to vaccines against other viral diseases ... and was successfully tested for side effects."



He added that he had no doubt that - weighing the relative risks from the coronavirus  it was preferable to get the vaccine. (Reuters)


A long Twitter thread posted by the official Hawaii Republican Party account, defending QAnon believers as "largely motivated by a sincere and deep love for America," has been met with intense backlash.

The thread, posted on Saturday and deleted the next morning, attempted to paint the baseless conspiracy theory as well-intentioned and blamed the media for "hyperbolic" coverage of a group the FBI has identified as a potential domestic terror threat.

"We should make it abundantly clear - the people who subscribed to the Q fiction, were largely motivated by a sincere and deep love for America," one tweet read. "Patriotism and love of County should never be ridiculed."

There is no need for the media or anyone else to sensationalize the beliefs that are mainstream within the QAnon community. Central to the belief system of many adherents is the idea that a group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles (sometimes referred to as the "Deep State") control the world. Although QAnon embraces many well-established conspiracy theories, thus creating a pick-and-choose assortment for adherents, a fixation on politicians' alleged crimes against children is common.

Experts in child trafficking have repeatedly emphasized that QAnon hurts their real-world efforts to aid victims of sexual exploitation. Calls to hotlines for trafficked or at-risk individuals have skyrocketed in the past few years, leading some organizations to beg people to stop calling in and diverting resources needed for people in actual need.

Screenshot via Twitter

"People who followed Q don't deserve mockery, the world is a complex place, there are bad actors, injustice, corruption - the processes of justice and the mechanisms our Republic are slow by design, abuses and wrongs are always swifter than correction," the Hawaii GOP account wrote. "People want hope."

"What is the truth? There are highly networked groups of people with specific agendas," it added. "Factions and individuals within Government do abuse power - Peter Strozk, Steele Dossier, James Comey, FISA courts and on."

ALSO READ: Hawaii Proud Boy leader arrested after Capitol siege

QAnon influencers are particularly good at using real issues  sex trafficking, government corruption, corporate monopolies  to convince people of wilder and wilder claims. Conspiracy theorists use factual events (like the actions of sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, for example) as proof a larger conspiracy is at play. Using real events to introduce people to conspiracies is a time-worn tactic; fringe theories become more palatable as people go deeper down the rabbit hole.

Before the Hawaii GOP thread was deleted Sunday morning, the replies were filled with outraged responses.

"There is nothing patriotic about spreading conspiracy theories, trying to overturn the election results, and storming the capitol building," wrote Lincoln Project collaborator David Weissman.

Since deleting the thread, the Hawaii GOP has not issued an apology or clarification and is continuing to tweet as if the thread never happened.

There can be tragic consequences for people whose loved ones believe in Q. Violence and kidnappings linked to believers are on the rise and a number of QAnon adherents were involved in the storming of the U.S. Capitol, including Ashli Babbitt. Babbitt was shot dead by Capitol Police when she attempted to jump through a window into a location where lawmakers were sheltering.
A Labour peer proposed that an impasse between Julian Assange and his alleged rape victims could be broken if they dropped their allegations and if the WikiLeaks founder stated publicly that his accusers were not CIA agents.

Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, a human rights lawyer, made the suggestion in an email sent at the height of Assange's battle against extradition to Sweden in July 2011.

Writing to Thomas Hammarberg, the then Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe, she said: 'I had envisaged you bringing a meeting together in Sweden... and both sides seeking a solution that was mutually satisfactory with Assange making clear his contrition and publicly asserting that the women were not setting him up or part of any CIA conspiracy.

Assange visited Stockholm in 2010 and stayed at the homes of WikiLeaks supporters, including Anna Ardin. A photograph obtained by the documentary, to be shown in Sweden tomorrow, shows him asleep in her apartment

'I know that the [Swedish] Prosecution could then still seek to continue but it would be unlikely if the women said they felt honour was satisfied by a full apology and clearing of their reputations.'

Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, a human rights lawyer, made the suggestion in an email sent at the height of Assange's battle against extradition to Sweden in July 2011

Mr Hammarberg forwarded the email to the lawyer representing the alleged victims who have told a Swedish TV documentary they felt insulted. 'Helena Kennedy talked about restoring my honour, but if I retract my accusations, what would that make me?' asks Anna Ardin, who has since become a vicar.

Assange visited Stockholm in 2010 and stayed at the homes of WikiLeaks supporters, including Miss Ardin. A photograph obtained by the documentary, to be shown in Sweden tomorrow, shows him asleep in her apartment.

Assange, who denies raping either woman, fled to Britain and sought asylum in the Ecuador embassy in London where he lived until 2019.

He is now in Belmarsh prison in London while the US government appeals a High Court decision to block his extradition to face espionage charges.

Baroness Kennedy  not part of Assange's legal team when she sent the email  said she had wanted 'to explore whether a statement from Assange could be worked out. I thought he would accept he was wrong to allege they had invented their claims at the behest of the CIA or any agency... to help in finding a resolution. The women have undoubtedly suffered greatly as a result of their interactions with Assange.'
President Donald Trump's senior adviser Stephen Miller waves to supporters prior to a Marine One departure from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Aug. 6, 2020. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

Former Trump Adviser: Bidens Early Priorities Uniting Country Against Him

President Joe Bidens early priorities are uniting the country against him, an adviser to former President Donald Trump said Saturday.

Does any normal person right now in this country think the top priority is to make sure we dont deport criminal illegal aliens whove committed violent offenses against U.S. citizens? Stephen Miller, who was for four years an adviser to Trump, said during an appearance on Fox News Watters World.

Miller also referenced Bidens executive orders canceling the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline and rejoining the Paris Climate Accord.

Whose priorities are these? Theyre the priorities of a narrow group of far-left special interests, who have jobs and wealth and security and who look down on everyday citizens who just want to live a better, safer, healthier life, Miller asserted.

While Biden promised to unite the country, so far hes united Democrats, Republicans, and Independents against his open borders agenda, Miller added.

President Joe Biden signs an executive order as Vice President Kamala Harris looks on during an event on economic crisis in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on Jan. 22, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The White House didnt respond to a request for comment.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters after Biden signed a flurry of orders on Inauguration Day that Biden will govern for all Americans.

That, of course, has to be backed up by actions, as you conveyed, she added. But hes going to venture to do that inin every policy he pursues, every engagement he has, because he feels if we can come together, well be a stronger country.

Some groups of voters that endorsed Biden have announced opposition to some of the orders signed in his first days in office.

The Laborers International Union of North America cheered when Biden won the election. But the union decried Bidens cancellation of the Keystone pipeline, saying it would kill thousands of good-paying union jobs. The United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters also announced opposition to the cancellation.

Bidens moratorium on new oil leases and drilling permits also drew criticism.

During his inauguration, President Biden spoke about bringing our nation together. Eliminating drilling on public lands will cost thousands of New Mexicans their jobs and destroy whats left of our states economy, Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway told The Associated Press. How does that bring us together? Environmental efforts should be fair and well-researched, not knee-jerk mandates that just hurt an already impoverished state.
Frontline workers in the aviation sector should be considered for COVID-19 vaccination on priority basis after health workers have been given the jabs, the civil aviation ministry has told the Union health ministry. As per the guidelines issued by the health ministry on December 28 last year, initially around 30 crore Indians will be vaccinated, including around three crore healthcare and frontline workers, and approximately 27 crore people of over the age of 50 years.

The frontline workers mentioned in the December 28 guidelines does not include aviation sector employees but personnel from the armed forces, prison staff, municipal workers, among others. In a letter dated January 20, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Pradeep Singh Kharola told his counterpart in the health ministry Rajesh Bhushan: "You will agree with me that the crew, engineers, technicians, ground staff, frontline workers in aviation have certain risk elements while performing their duties in a most diligent manner and make air transportation a safe mode of transport."

Recently, airlines and airports had approached MoCA and highlighted the need to vaccinate their staff on priority basis, albeit once the medical personnel are covered, Kharola mentioned in the letter, which has been accessed by PTI. "Considering that the frontline workers of airlines and airports are also involved in movement of vaccines, this MoCA recognizes the merit in the proposal and requests the MoHFW (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) to include frontline workers of airlines and airports along with frontline workers mentioned in the operational guidelines released on December 28, 2020," he added.

If the request is considered favourably, MoCA would coordinate for enumeration of these personnel to be covered under the vaccination programme, Kharola noted. He said airlines and airports have been in forefront in extending their services to passengers and movement of cargo within the country and across the borders.

Also read: COVID-19 vaccination: Maharashtra to conduct drive 5 days a week; 1 lakh covered so far

If weve learned anything from the past 10 months of living during a pandemic, its just how important high-speed Internet service is to working and learning remotely.

High-speed service is what makes Zoom meetings and remote classrooms run smoothly, without video images freezing. It allows workers to download large files from their employers more quickly, and to stream movies or video games.

But for some Connecticut residents, high-speed Internet access is the stuff of dreams are made of.

The website Broadbandnow.com reports that barely more than 4 percent of state residents have access to fiber-optic Internet networks, which are the gold standard of high-speed offerings.

The problem youre describing is not unique, said Tyler Cooper, editor-in-chief of the BroadbandNow. We see this de facto duopoly in cities and towns across the nation.

What is fast?

Cable internet service is slower than what is delivered by fiber optic networks, but it is still available at high speeds. And below that is digital subscriber line service, or DSL, which still is faster than the old, screeching modems Internet veterans may remember, but can be lacking for heavy usage.

Part of the problem for consumers comparison shopping among Internet service providers is that each provider uses different terms to describe speeds of their offerings.

The federal definition of broadband Internet service is 25 megabits per second (Mbps) for download speed  getting information  and 3 Mbps per second for upload speed  sending information  according to Cooper.

Thats the minimum speed in order to qualify for grants and for other issues, he said, Anything else is something the individual companies have tacked on. Theres a level of (competitive) strategy at the provider level, and every provider reports things and treats things differently.

The federal government several years ago removed funding from a searchable national broadband map that consumers could use to find out who the broadband providers were in their community, Cooper said.

When we built our site in 2015, it was a response to the government action, he said.

Officials at BroadbandNow have been advocating for a revamp of the federal definitions regrading Internet speeds to help consumers be able to make informed decisions, he said.

The last time those definitions were updated was 2015, Cooper said. Unfortunately, theres a pretty big gap between what qualifies for broadband and what is ultra-high speed. Its really time to revisit changing it.

Theres over 100 miles in the states Northwest Corner that are unserved, said Burt Cohen, a staff attorney for the state Office of Consumer Counsel and the states broadband policy coordinator.

Cohen noted some of the current service offerings are better than others.

Frontier Communications, he said, is working at a disadvantage because it inherited a largely copper wire network when it acquired AT&Ts residential telecommunications, Internet and cable television business.

They use digital subscriber line (DSL) service and so much of that is inferior, Cohen said. DSL service is a family of technologies used to transmit digital data over standard telephone lines.

Cox Communications is one of the better ultra-high-speed providers, he said.

Cox provides gigabit speed Internet to residential customers using a hybrid network of fiber optic and coaxial cables, according to company officials. (A gigabit is 1,000 megabits.) As a standalone product, the cost is $99 per month for 12 months, although customers can save by bundling the gigabit service with other products, Jeffrey Lavery, a spokesman for Cox said Friday.

But some consumers complain about the price of the service and Coxs policy of reducing upload and download speeds when a customer surpasses a certain data usage level, known as throttling. If you use too much, itll start to move more slowly.

I have Frontier, which provides barely decent service with no caps, Steve Kalb of Cheshire told Hearst Connecticut Media. You can go broke on Cox. What this town needs is for a company to lay down new fiber to each subscribers house.

But installing fiber optic cable from house-to-house is expensive, so service providers look for densely populated areas to serve.

Connecticut officials in 2015 created the State Broadband Office, a new division of the Office of Consumer Counsel, focused on facilitating efforts to bring widespread ultra-high-speed Internet to Connecticut.

Those efforts had a much higher profile under the administration of former Gov. Dannel Malloy. But Cohen said he is convinced Gov. Ned Lamont is committed to bringing wider availability of high-speed Internet to the state.

I know the governors office is working diligently to get a more robust high-speed Internet network developed, Cohen said. My guess is he will say something about this when he unveils his budget plans for the state next month.

But across social media platforms such as Facebook, complaints about a lack of widespread access to ultra-high or gig-speed service is pervasive.

Choices

While there are multiple providers in the state, many areas are served by only one or two of those companies; in some cases, customers needing high-speed service may have a single option. The idea of a take it or leave it scenario for what these days is considered an essential service is something consumers have long complained of.

In Cheshire, for example, the choice currently boils down to Frontier or Cox. A recent post on the Cheshire Community Facebook page regarding the lack of more choices for gigabit-speed service drew 53 comments.

Stamford-based Charter Communications has its Spectrum Internet service, with speeds ranging from 200 Mbps to 940 Mbs. Charter serves three-dozen towns in Connecticut including much of the northwestern part of the state.

Right now, the limited regulation of the Internet rests not at the state level, but with the Federal Communications Commission.

Cohen said hes optimistic the change in presidential administrations could spur growth in ultra-high-speed Internet availability. President Joe Biden has just named FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Hartford native and Wesleyan University graduate, as the acting chairwoman of the regulatory agency.

Were very excited, Cohen said of he and his colleagues in the Consumer Counsels office. She knows Connecticut and she is a big proponent of expanding high-speed Internet access.

Philadelphia-based Comcast Corp. on Jan. 7 introduced the fastest Internet speeds over Wi-Fi available across the Northeast including Connecticut and 13 other states from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C.: Before the announcement, Comcasts fastest Internet speed was 1 gigabit; now it is 1.2 gigabits, according to company officials.

Comcasts residential broadband service is powered by xFi  a digital dashboard for Xfinity customers to control their home Wi-Fi network. In addition to parental control features like pausing Wi-Fi and screen time scheduling, xFi provides content filters that ensure younger children can only access age-appropriate content.

Every 30 months, the company adds as much capacity to the network as was added in all the previous years combined, according to Comcast officials. In Connecticut, the company has spent the past three years expanding its fiber optic network in New London, Waterford and East Lyme.

With the completion of that expansion, the company now provides high-speed service in 86 communities around Connecticut.

In contrast to Comcast, one of the smaller players attempting to compete with Frontier, Comcast and other large high-speed Internet providers is Rochester, N.Y.-based GoNetSpeed. The company entered the Connecticut market three years ago, said Mike DAngelo, a senior vice president of marketing at GoNetSpeed.

The company has a unique business model: It asks potential customers to indicate their interest in the company serving their community by signing a petition on its website. If enough consumers express an interest in getting GoNetSpeed service, the companys management team factors that in to where they will deploy their fiber optic cables next, DAngelo said.

We absolutely use interest levels to guide us, he said. The one thing a lot of folks dont have a lot of understanding about is that were a small, private company using our own capital. There are limitations to what we can do.

Until now, consumers interested in GoNetSpeed serving their community have had no way of knowing how many others have contacted the company. But next month, the companys website will show how many people have contacted the company from different communities.

Were going to tell them how many more homes we need an expression of interest from before we consider bringing our network there, DAngelo said. That level of detail will get updated at least once a month.

GoNetSpeed announced in November of last year it will expand to nine new neighborhoods spanning 25,000 households in parts of Southington, West Hartford, Rocky Hill, Hamden, North Haven, Fairfield and Bridgeport during the first six months of this year. Installation of the fiber optic lines got underway in parts of Southington during December 2020.

The company already has fiber optic cable in several New Haven neighborhoods.

GoNetspeed also announced it had completed expansions in Wethersfield, Newington and West Hartford. As a result, GoNetspeeds high-speed Internet service is now available to approximately 15,000 additional households in those areas.

This year, DAngelo said GoNetSpeed will expand its fiber optic network 565 miles, building out in 11 neighborhoods spread across several towns in the state. That will give an additional 50,000 homes access to high-speed internet.

The companys goal in 2022 is to expand the network even further by having it pass another 90,000 homes.

The company does not reveal how many subscribers it has. But DAngelo said GoNetSpeed is serving 28 neighborhoods, with its fiber optic cable passing about 59,000 homes.

Infrastructure issues

One of the requirements for a neighborhood to be considered for the GoNetSpeed service, DAngelo said, is that it must have utility poles on which the fiber optic cable can be placed.

Theres a considerable cost right now placing our cables underground, Dangelo said. And there are other factors, as well.

Lavery, the Cox spokesman, said the company has expanded the fiber optic portion of its network, as well.

However, our plant configuration and expansion is considered proprietary, he said.

Cooper, of BroadbandNow, said the problem with building out the ultra-high-speed network across Connecticut and the nation is not going to go away under the current status quo where the infrastructure is privatized in many locations.

But he said there are several reasons for optimism for Internet service consumers on the horizon.

One is the potential for technological disruption, Cooper said. One example he cited is low earth orbit broadband, which he said has a few differences between traditional high orbit satellites that make it more reliable and affordable.

Were talking satellites that operate right at the edge of the atmosphere, Cooper said. It creates a potential solution that is very much comparable to a wired connection. There are 600 low earth satellites in orbit right now.

Another reason for optimism, he said, are the changes at the FCC that are expected during Bidens administration.

The Biden administration has indicated it would explore municipally-owned broadband, Cooper said. This has been a battleground area for years because 22 states have some kind of roadblock to that.

As recently as three years ago, Connecticut was one of those states.

State utility regulators issued a ruling in 2018 that prohibited municipalities from reserving space on utility poles. The Office of Consumer Counsel filed a lawsuit in 2019 seeking to overturn the ruling by the states Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and the ruling ultimately was overturned on appeal.

Municipally-owned broadband would be cheaper for consumers and would give individual communities control of their own destiny.

These are not silver billets by any means, but they represent a change to the status quo, Cooper said.

But he said the large providers of high-speed internet service are unlikely to sit on the sidelines if their dominance is challenged.

Its fair to say some of the roadblocks that have been put in place (to high-speed Internet) have come from the telephone lobby, Cooper said. Going forward, it is certainly going to be a battle.

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com
According to Tran Duy Dong, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, although the bilateral trade and investment relations of the two sides have had many positive results in recent years, they still fall short of the potential of the two countries.

Vietnam is therefore welcoming Indian businesses to invest in Vietnam in fields which are of a particular strength of Indian businesses and where Vietnam is looking to enhance investment cooperation, said Dong at the India-Vietnam Business Forum held on January 22 in Ho Chi Minh City.

India is currently ranked 26th of the 139 countries and territories investing in Vietnam

The forum was coorganised by the Indian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, the Private Economic Development Research Committee under the Governments Advisory Council for Administrative Procedure Reform, Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, and VinaCapital.

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, India is currently one of the 10 most important trade partners of Vietnam, and Vietnam is the fourth-largest trading partner of India in ASEAN.

In terms of investment, India currently ranks 26th with 296 projects, out of 139 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. The main fields of Indian investment include processing and manufacturing, renewable energy, and mining.

Recently, the Politburo has issued Resolution No.50-NQ/TW on the orientation to complete institutions, policies, and improve the quality and efficiency of foreign investment cooperation to 2030.

The government has affirmed that foreign-invested projects are an important constituent of the Vietnamese economy that facilitates long-term development and healthy cooperation, Dong said.

He added that in order to attract high-quality foreign investment and investment from large-scale international investors, Vietnam has been proactively preparing conditions such as infrastructure system improvement, clear land fund, training high-quality human resources to meet the needs of foreign investors.

Don Lam, deputy chairman of the Private Economic Development Research Committee, co-founder and CEO of VinaCapital, has highly appreciated the governments efforts on creating a conducive environment for the private sector.

This was reflected in the establishment of the Private Economic Development Research Board to solve the difficulties that private companies  both Vietnamese and foreign  may face when doing business in Vietnam, as well as identify new opportunities and markets at home and abroad, Lam said.

The private sector is driving the economic development of Vietnam, contributing an ever-larger portion of investment, going from 39 per cent in 2015 to 46 per cent in 2019. Also in 2019, the private sector also achieved the highest growth rate of 8.9 per cent, outperforming the GDP growth rate (7 per cent) as well as the foreign-invested sector (8 per cent).

The sector could also not be arrested by the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, in 2020, the whole country had nearly 135,000 newly-registered enterprises with a total registered capital of more than VND2,200 trillion ($94 billion), an increase of 29 per cent in registered capital compared to the previous year.

Entrepreneurs are ready for a new phase of economic recovery and development in Vietnam and the field with enormous potential that Vietnamese businesses are interested in is trade with India, Lam said.

The strategic relationship between Vietnam and India is not only import and export. Indian companies consider Vietnam an attractive destination for investment in the fields of oil and gas, steel, minerals, agro-product, and IT training. Additionally, Vietnam is a transit point for goods in the Southeast Asia region, Lam said.
GREENWICH  Temple Sholom held a virtual conversation for its congregation with actress Mayim Bialik, a fun event that was made possible by an anonymous donor.

I felt as if I were sitting in her living room! Temple Sholom congregant Bob Lichtenfeld said as he described the virtual conversation with Emmy-nominated actress and New York Times bestselling author, Mayim Bialik, held on Jan. 7. She is quite an outstanding woman  both in talent and intellect.

Bialik  best known as the star of the 90s sitcom Blossom and more recently as Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler in Big Bang Theory  was an open book during the hour-long Zoom discussion moderated by Temple Sholom congregant and VP of Programming Scott Kramer, answering questions of all topics for close to 200 zoom participants.

The program kicked-off Temple Sholoms 2021 Speaker Series and was made possible by the generous support of an anonymous donor.

The conversation gave us insight into Mayim, not just as an actress but as a mom (to 12- and 15-year-old boys) and as a modern orthodox Jew. Mayim is exceptionally proud of being Jewish, said Kramer.

Bialik is a strong supporter of Israel. When asked whether she has been a target of anti-semitism, Mayim said, Even though I tend to be a bleeding heart liberal and do support rights for Palestinians and support a safe and protected Israel, the fact that I believe in Israel existing has led to death threats. When you post about Israel  all people hear is Jew and Israel and then you get hate. It really doesnt matter what your politics are to anti-semites. I believe in the right of Isratel to exist and for many people that is unacceptable. I dont apologize for that.

Mayims new television show, Call Me Kat premiered just days before the program with Temple Sholom. Additionally, Mayim recently launched a podcast called Mayim Bialiks Breakdown, which focuses on exploring mental health issues.

Greenwich students earn honors at Eastern CT

Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic honored six local students on its Deans List for the fall 2020 semester.

Among the more than 1,300 honored students, are these Greenwich residents:

Margaret Montague of Cos Cob, who majors in sociology and criminology; Ryan Nell of Cos Cob, who majors in biology; Victor DelVecchio of Greenwich, who majors in environmental earth science; Jade Hoyen of Greenwich, who majors in biology; Alyson Payan of Greenwich, who majors in exploratory social sciences; and Enzo Ribeiro of Greenwich, who majors in business administration.

To qualify for Deans List, full-time students must complete a minimum of 12 credits in letter-graded courses with an average GPA of 3.5 or higher in the semester.

Gettysburg honors local students

Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pa., recenty named students to the Deans Commendation List for earning a quality point average in the range of 3.300 to 3.599 for the semesters work.

The following local students have been placed on the spring 2020 list: Julia Abbazia of Cos Cob; Kathleen Daly of Old Greenwich; and Kendall Thompson of Riverside.

College of Charleston honors students from Greenwich

The College of Charleston in Charleston, S.C., congratulates more than 2,050 students who were named to the Presidents List and Deans List for Fall 2020.

Honored students from the Greenwich area include: Alexandria Caporale of Greenwich, who was named to the Presidents List and is majoring in elementary education; Nicole Zamzok of Greenwich, who was named to the Presidents List and is majoring in special education; Jody Bell of Greenwich, who was named to the Presidents List and is majoring in finance; and Pierce Ornstein of Greenwich, who was named to the Deans List and is majoring in Political Science.
 Flash

China will offer aid to the Brazilian state of Amazonas to help overcome the serious health crisis caused by the lack of oxygen in hospitals to treat patients with COVID-19, Chinese Ambassador to Brazil Yang Wanming said.

In a video conference on Friday with the governor of Amazonas Wilson Lima, Yang said China will donate oxygen, oxygen generators, masks and other health supplies as well as food to the state.

The Chinese ambassador expressed China's empathy regarding the crisis in Amazonas, where a few days ago, a more contagious strain of COVID-19 was discovered, which experts say has contributed to the collapse of the region's health system.

It was also reported that the Red Cross Society of China will provide emergency assistance to Amazonas in the near future.

The provincial government of Guangdong and Chinese companies such as XCMG, Huawei, BYD, Gree, and the Bank of China, as well as other Chinese enterprises in Brazil and the Brazil-China Sociocultural Institute will donate 4,300 kg of oxygen, 25 oxygen generators, 360,000 masks and other supplies to Amazonas.

The Chinese ambassador said that these actions show the deep friendship between the Chinese people and the Brazilian people, and that China will continue to engage in mutual assistance and unity to combat the COVID-19 pandemic alongside the Brazilian people.

For his part, Lima thanked for the help offered by China and said the Asian country is an important partner of Brazil.

According to the governor, the state of Amazonas is willing to further strengthen cooperation with China in the fight against COVID-19, to strengthen economic and trade cooperation in the post-pandemic era, to promote local economic recovery and to work towards benefitting both peoples.

With all the hospitals in the state capital of Manaus at nearly full capacity, the region has been faced with a shortage of oxygen in hospitals for the treatment of patients with COVID-19, which resulted in several deaths.

According to the Brazilian Health Ministry, Amazonas has registered 248,561 cases and 7,051 deaths from the virus so far.
https://www.aish.com/jw/s/8-Ways-to-Celebrate-Your-Jewish-Birthday.html

Tips for making your Jewish birthdays a time of meaning and growth.

In addition to the date of birth according to the regular, secular calendar, we each have a birthday that corresponds to the Hebrew calendar. ( Click here to find out when your Hebrew birthday is .) These dates coincide only every 19 years.

On Hebrew birthdays, everything we do has a heightened importance. The Talmud describes that when the evil nation Amalek attacked the ancient Israelites, the Jewish people placed fighters whose birthday was that day in the front of the defensive lines; the implication is that their birthdays were a lucky day for the soldiers, and might help sway their efforts to favorable outcomes. (Jerusalem Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 3.8)

Hebrew birthdays are a powerful time day for growth, action and self-reflection. They mark the anniversary of the greatest miracle in our lives: the moment when God placed us on earth, armed with our very own individual missions in life. Birthdays are a chance to take stock, reflect, and adjust the direction were heading in as we embark upon another year.

Below are ten traditional ways to mark your Jewish birthday and help you embrace the power and meaning of the day.

Say Thank You

Like secular birthday celebrations, traditional Jewish birthdays are a time for nice food and new items  but the focus is different, with the emphasis on our Hebrew birthdays being on giving thanks to God for what we have.

The very first birthday party mentioned in the Torah was the lavish feast Pharaoh held for himself while presiding over the Jewish slaves in Egypt (Genesis 40:20). Pharaohs selfish party  in which there was no recognition of the role the Divine plays in our lives  is an example of how not to celebrate a birthday today.

Instead, Hebrew birthdays are a powerful time to say thank you to God and to recognize the fact that without the Divine, we wouldnt be here at all. Try carving out some time on your Hebrew birthday to say thank you for the best present of all: another year of being alive.

Eat or Wear Something New

Many Jews have the custom of eating a fresh new fruit (defined as something we havent eaten in at least a year) or wearing a new garment  giving us the opportunity to recite the traditional Hebrew blessing over new experiences, the Shehechiyanu.

Baruch Atah Adonoi Eloheinu Melech haolam, shehechiyanu vkiyimanu vhigiyanu lzman hazeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, King of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

Take Stock of the Past Year

Our birthday is a great chance to pause and look over the past year, identifying ways wed like to grow and change. Try carving out some quiet time on your Hebrew birthday to look back over the past 12 months and think about what youre proud of and what areas might need improvement. This is also a good time to engage in some quiet, personal prayer.

Give Charity

Each year on Yom Kippur we recite the timeless three-fold Jewish formula for change: tzedakah (charity), tefillah (prayer) and teshuva (repentance) are the way to break with the past years habits and forge a newer, better way in the coming year.

Hebrew birthdays are another chance to use this formula for change. After taking stock of the past year and resolving ways to live differently in the year to come, consider pledging money to charity. This is your day to be a bigger, more spiritual person. Express that by sharing what you have with others.

Read a Jewish Book or Article

Jewish birthdays are a traditional time for studying Jewish texts. The great sage Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Sofer (1815-1871) led the renowned Pressburg Yeshiva in Hungary. (He was known in German as Rabbi Samuel Schreiber; in Yiddish he was often known by the title of his most famous book, Ketav Sofer, or Writings of the Scribe.) When he turned 50, he celebrated his Jewish birthday by concluding a rigorous course of Jewish study  and teaching what hed learned in a major public lecture.

Behold, he wrote, I have blessedly taken my birthday... and I have thanked God publicly for having enabled us to live, and sustained us to this time And on that day, the day God fashioned for me, I made a siyum (celebration marking the completion of a volume of the Talmud)....may He be with me as He was with our holy fathers to increase Torah and glorify it..

While we cant all be the exalted scholars that Rabbi Sofer, we can learn from his example and mark our Jewish birthdays by studying Jewish texts and  if we can  teaching what weve learned to others as well.

Perform a Mitzvah

In addition to studying Jewish texts in honor of his birthday, Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Sofer spent his Jewish birthday thinking about his behavior over the past year. His son-in-law wrote that once he came upon Rabbi Sofer crying, and asked what was the matter. Rabbi Sofer explained it was his 54th birthday, and hed realized that he was capable of performing even more good deeds that hed been used to.

His is an inspiring example: no matter our age, there is always more we can do. Rabbi Sofer was a towering giant in Torah scholarship and Jewish observance, yet he used his Jewish birthdays as opportunities for enormous growth. We can follow his example, adding new mitzvahs and making new resolutions on our own birthdays as well. This year on your Jewish birthday, consider taking on a new commitment: whether its lighting Shabbat candles, signing up for a Jewish class, donating between 10% and 20% of your income to charity, or any other Jewish rite. Doing so will ensure that the coming year is even fuller of blessings and spiritual growth than the year before.

Your Own Special Psalm

Some Jews have the custom of reciting a special Psalm on their Jewish birthday. The Biblical Book of Psalms is made up of 150 incredibly beautiful short prayers; their poetry helps give voice to our deepest thoughts and prayers. On your Jewish birthday, consider reciting the Psalm that corresponds to the new year in your life thats just begun: add one to your current age, and say that Psalm on your Jewish birthday.

Its also customary among some Jews to say that special Psalm every day for the coming year, tapping into the spiritual power of their Jewish birthday all year long.

Give Blessings to Others

Jewish tradition teaches that on special days when we can access a higher level of holiness, we should use our elevated state of mind to pray for others. For instance, it's common for Jewish brides and grooms to pray for other people on their wedding day. Jewish birthdays also offer a chance to reach out and think and pray for other people.

You can give people blessings for health, success, help in finding a spouse, or any other need. Spending some time on your special day thinking of others and praying on their behalf is a powerful way to use your birthday for good, and can elevate your day, drawing you closer to family and friends, and to the Divine.
Theres nothing better than a summer barbeque, and it wouldnt be a proper barbie without some hefty sides of beef. You can almost picture it already: sun shining, cold beer in one hand, tongs in the other

But in whats sure to be a worrying development for all aspiring grill jockeys, beef is experiencing one of the biggest price rises in living memory. Since June 2020, Australian beef prices have been the highest in the world, with that trend only exacerbating, according to Meat and Livestock Australia, the industry body.

Its not much better overseas. Aussie prices might be the highest but beef prices from all the major beef-producing countries (with the exception of Uruguay) are all on the up.

Global cattle prices remain disjointed, with a variety of supply and demand factors influencing sharp price movements throughout the year. The rising number of COVID-19 cases in the US, dry conditions in South America and the shift in seasonal conditions across Australia remain key influences on cattle prices at present, the MLA relates.

Our nations cattle numbers are the lowest they have been in 20 to 30 years due to the last drought. But good rains on the eastern seaboard have seen good pasture, therefore farmers are restocking their herds, pushing prices up, MLA Managing Director Jason Strong shared with Good Food. He continues:

What we have to understand is that here in Australia, we produce some of the best quality beef in the world, and that there is global demand for that beef local steak lovers are competing with consumers in Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul and Los Angeles.

So with beef the least accessible than its ever been, what should Aussie foodies looking for a luxurious meal (not to mention Aussie restaurants keen to replace their classic big-ticket menu item) do?

The answer is simple, if superficially ludicrous: eat lobster instead.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by mimis and wills (@mimis.sydney)

Beef prices might be at a record high but Western Australian rock lobster prices are at a record low, with major supermarkets selling whole lobster for as little as $20, The Guardian reports.

Why so cheap? Its thanks to our escalating trade dispute with China, which has seen Australian lobster literally waste away in Chinese customs thanks to this tit-for-tat stouch. China has slapped bans on Australian beef imports as well as lobster imports, but these have had far less of an impact on prices: for comparison, we export 27% of all our beef to China (MLA stats), but around 94% of all our lobster, The Sydney Morning Herald reports. Additionally, domestic consumption and demand for beef is far higher than it is for lobster, further driving lobster prices down.

So while the trade war has been devastating for many sections of the Australian economy  particularly Western Australian lobster farmers, who have seen their biggest market close its doors overnight  one of the few positives for Australian consumers is that domestic lobster has never been cheaper or more accessible. And with no end to the trade war in sight, lobsters could soon be replacing steaks on the plates of Australias gourmands.

RELATED: Famous Australian Food Critic Busts Pretentious Assumption All Foodies Make

The prospect of lobster in the shell instead of sirloin is certainly appealing Who doesnt love balling on a budget? But the reality is more complex than that.

Lobster might be cheap but supermarkets are struggling to keep up with demand, so the prospect of actually finding a cheap crustacean isnt as straightforward as advertised. Lobster is also a far harder to prepare and less versatile protein than beef is  its a bit too much to handle for most home cooks. And on a more essential level, beef is ingrained in our national psyche in a way that lobster isnt, or is likely to ever be. In short? People will always be happy to fork out for steak.

But if youre feeling adventurous, take advantage of the cheap prices and make like The B-52s. Good eats await.

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Lucknow, Jan 24 : Combat aircraft, including the top-of-the-line Rafale or Sukhoi, will soon be able to land and take off from an airstrip being developed on the 340-km long Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh.

The government is developing a stretch of 3.2 kilometres near Sultanpur district on the Expressway where combat aircraft can land and take off.

"The stretch is being developed in such a manner that any combat aircraft can land and take off. It is part of the Expressway and we are in regular talks with the Indian Air Force," Awanish Kumar Awasthi, Additional Chief Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh government, told IANS.

Awasthi, the 1987-batch officer, is looking after expressway projects in the state.

The officer said that 85 per cent of the total work of the Purvanchal Expressway has been completed and he is hopeful that by March it will be completed fully.

In 2017, 16 Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft had performed landings and touch-and-go manoeuvres on a stretch of the Lucknow-Agra Expressway.

Back then, the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft had landed with Special Forces commandos as part of the drill.

The Centre has taken an initiative to develop roads and highways in a manner that permits combat aircraft to land and take off in times of crisis.

The Indian military has for long flagged the threat of war fro two fronts. With the disputed border with China and Pakistan active at the same point of time, the armed forces are stretched to the maximum. The government is pushing for development of infrastructure for armed forces.

The Indian Air Force, Border Road Organization, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and state governments are working together to ensure that the quality of road or expressway permits its usage for landing and takeoff of IAF aircraft.

Earlier, the Prime Minister's Office had also issued directives in this regard, after which all the stakeholders had started working in sync.

The road construction agencies have been aligning and realigning the roads and highways design in consultation with the IAF to ensure that combat jets can use this infrastructure as and when required.

(Sumit Kumar Singh can be reached at sumit.k@ians.in)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 09:26:15|Editor: huaxia

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LAGOS, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Nigeria's northwestern state of Kaduna said Saturday that a group of unidentified gunmen attacked two local government-controlled areas in the state and killed six people, while eight others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The gunmen, suspected to be bandits, raided some communities in Chikun and Giwa areas in large numbers, said Samuel Aruwan, the commissioner for internal security and home affairs in the state.

Aruwan said security operatives have launched an investigation into the incident.

He urged security agencies to ramp up responses to curb such attacks.

Banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities have been rampant in Nigeria's northwest region for years. Enditem
It is a truism to say that Hinduism is a way of life. What this essentially means is, that unlike many other religions, Hinduism does not lay down an inflexible code of dos and donts for its followers. It does not have only one God, nor only one book of faith, nor one Pope, nor a single place of paramount pilgrimage, nor only one presiding temple. Such diversity in practice often leads some uninformed observers to believe that Hinduism is not a cohesive religion: it is not one but many faiths. Such an assessment is wide off the mark. Hindus allow for differences of opinion, within and without, and variations in practice, dictated by choice not diktat, without diluting the core fealties of their faith.

But there are some people now who want to convert this remarkably eclectic religion, that has evolved from centuries of cerebration and philosophical insight, into a prescriptive faith. They want to dictate to its followers what they should wear, what they should drink, what they should eat, how they should practise their religion, what constitutes correct Hindu behaviour, what morality is, and who is a good Hindu as against a bad one. This, of course, is anathema for most Hindus. Hindus have been used to being Hindus in a self-assured way without being told that there is a higher authority that will judge them on how good or bad they are. What makes it worse is that those who believe that they are better Hindus, and therefore the authority to judge the conduct of lesser Hindus, are woefully ignorant of what Hinduism is really about.

Inexplicably, Hindus never took this threat seriously, but they should have been alerted to its dangers long before. The Shri Ram Sena was founded in the 1960s by Kalki Maharaj, close to the Shiv Sena, and a former member of the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. On January 24, 2009, members of the Shri Ram Sena barged into a pubAmnesiain Mangalore, and beat up a group of young men and women, on the grounds that the women were violating traditional Indianread Hinduvalues. Two of the women had to be hospitalised. Pramod Muthalik, the leader of the Sena said: Whoever had done this has done a good job. Girls going to pubs is not acceptable. So whatever the Sena members did was right. You are highlighting this small incident to malign the BJP government in the state.

In January 2009, Muthalik announced a plan to target couples dating on February 14, Valentines Day. Our activists will go around with a priest, turmeric, and a mangalsutra on February 14. If we come across couples together in public and expressing their love, we will take them to the nearest temple and conduct their marriage. Such incidents need to be recalled, because what then seemed to be a fringe trend, is increasingly becoming mainstream. The Love Jihad law passed by the UP government, and being emulated now by other BJP ruled states, may ostensibly be aimed at preventing fraudulent conversions of Hindu women through the ruse of marriage, but its real intent is to infantilise adult Hindu women and take away from them their constitutional right to marry whomsoever they wish.

Now, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, has announced a samman programme, where employed women can register at the local police station for their own safety. Ostensibly meant to protect women, what such a programme is likely to do in a patriarchal society is to empower policemen in the thana to keep a watch on where employed women go, who they meet, what they do, and why they dont return home at a respectable time. Women must become appropriately chaste in conformity with the limited vision of these self-anointed protectors of Hinduism, and Hindus in general must bow before their brittle and distorted notions of Hindu fidelity. Our memories are short-lived but we should not forget that some years ago, Govind Pansare, M.M. Kalburgi, Narendra Dabholkar and Gauri Lankesh, were shot dead allegedly by members of the Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. The horrific murders were reportedly inspired by a book published by the Sanatan Sanstha, which argues that those who dont conform to prefixed ideas of Hindu spirituality and religion are villains of society and must be eliminated.

Hinduism has no 10 commandments. It has consciously chosen not to be prescriptive, and that is the key too for its survival and being a sanatan or eternal dharma. Its concept of dharma, while outlining a framework for ethics, leaves a great deal to the conscious choice that individuals make in given situations. With progress, education and modernity, a vast number of Hindus want to have the freedom of being Hindus in accordance with their own vision of what that means. They are emerging as confident citizens of a globalised world, and do not wish to be straitjacketed in the narrow vision of some blindly orthodox, patriarchal and largely upper-caste Hindus. In the eighth century CE, the great Adi Shankaracharya could say: Na mantro, na teertham, na vedo na yagna, chidananda roopah, Shivo ham, Shivo ham: There is no mantra, no pilgrimage, no Veda, no ritual, all that matters is Bliss and Awareness that makes each one of us Shiva. If Hindus want to preserve this real Hinduism, they must learn to resist the new usurpers of their great legacy.
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Chuck Schumer called on Saturday for a probe into the report that Donald Trump allegedly planned to fire his attorney general and replace him with someone who would work to overturn the presidential election results in Georgia.

'Unconscionable a Trump Justice Department leader would conspire to subvert the people's will,' he tweeted Saturday afternoon.

'The Justice Dept Inspector General must launch an investigation into this attempted sedition now,' he continued. 'And the Senate will move forward with Trump's impeachment trial.'

Now the Senate majority leader, Schumer announced that an impeachment trial against the former president will commence February 9 in the upper chamber before a vote is held on whether to convict Trump.

A New York Times bombshell report on Friday revealed that Trump plotted to replace then-acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen with Justice Department lawyer, and ultra-loyalist, Jeffrey Clark.

Rosen, who took over after Bill Barr resigned at the end of December, repeatedly rebuffed Trump's insistence that action be taken to overturn the election results in Georgia  where Joe Biden won by a tiny margin.

On the other hand, Clark was on board with the plan to get the results in the southern swing state flipped.

Chuck Schumer demanded the Justice Department open an investigation into Donald Trump's alleged plot to replace his Attorney General with someone who wanted to overturn the election results in Georgia in his final month in office

The Senate majority leader called the plot an 'attempted sedition' to 'subvert the people's will' to elect Joe Biden to the White House

Several insiders told the Times that the scheme came to a screeching halt when DOJ officials said they would all resign if Rosen was ousted before Trump's term ended.

Trump, during his final month in office, pushed Rosen to appoint special counsels, including one who would look into Dominion Voting Systems - an election machinery company.

Following the November 3 election, Trump and his supporters accused Dominion of switching votes cast for Trump to register as votes cast for Biden.

Trump was already working with Clark to try to overturn the Georgia vote, which went 49.5 per cent for Biden and 49.3 per cent from Trump  only a 0.2 per cent margin.

Overturning Georgia's 16 Electoral College votes would not make Trump the automatic victor of the 2020 presidential election. But his legal team felt if just one state's results were brought into question and successfully overturned, it could create a domino effect where other states' results, which cost Trump the election, could come into question, too.

The former president went as far as staging an 'Apprentice-style' interview with Clark and Rosen, with both men arguing to have the job, according to the Times report.

Clark, who resigned from the DOJ Jan. 14, is now 'radioactive' to future potential employers, Bloomberg reported, as law firms become increasingly aware of the hits they would take to their reputation in hiring the form Trump administration official.

a New York Times report revealed that Trump considered Jeffrey Clark, a Justice Department attorney, to replace then-acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen

Jeffrey Rosen became acting Attorney General when Bill Barr stepped down before Christmas  but he was not on board with Trump's demand to overturn the election results in Georgia

When word reached other Justice Department officials of the plan to replace Rosen with Clark, and throw the presidential election into turmoil, they all agreed to resign en masse.

Steven Engel, the head of the Justice Department's office of legal counsel, held a January 3 phone call with the shocked senior officials, and told them of Clark's plan.

Trump, concerned at the fallout from the mass resignation, then backed down, after a three hour meeting.

Clark was nominated by Trump to be the Assistant Attorney General of the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), and sworn into office on November 1, 2018.

In September he also asked Clark to be the Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division.

Clark, who graduated from the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware in 1993), followed by the Georgetown University Law Center, told the paper that he had in no way acted improperly.

'Senior Justice Department lawyers, not uncommonly, provide legal advice to the White House as part of our duties.

'All my official communications were consistent with law.'

Trump declined to comment.

Clark told Rosen on January 3 that he was taking his job, but Rosen could be his deputy

An adviser told the paper that Trump has consistently argued that the justice system should investigate 'rampant election fraud that has plagued our system for years.'

The adviser added that 'any assertion to the contrary is false and being driven by those who wish to keep the system broken.'

A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment, as did Rosen.

Rosen was serving as the deputy Attorney General when Barr announced his resignation, on December 14, giving a week's notice.

Trump, according to the paper, summoned Rosen in to his office on December 15 to demand the Justice Department file legal briefs supporting his allies' lawsuits seeking to overturn his election loss.

Rosen refused, and reiterated what Barr had privately told Trump - that they had investigated voting irregularities, and found no evidence of widespread fraud.

Trump continued to push Rosen, with phone calls and in person demands.

Rosen and his deputy, Richard P. Donoghue, were unaware that Clark had been introduced to Trump by a Pennsylvania politician and had told the president that he agreed that fraud had affected the election results.

Clark was swiftly embraced by Trump.

Ted Lieu, who drafted the impeachment articles, was outraged at the report

Preet Bharara, the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York - who was forced out by Trump - said that the report was just the beginning of a 'torrent' of damning information

He alarmed Rosen and Donoghue by mentioning that he spent a lot of time reading on the internet: they inferred that he was getting sucked into the conspiracy theory that Trump had won the election.

Clark also told them that he wanted the department to hold a news conference announcing that it was investigating serious accusations of election fraud, but Rosen and Donoghue rejected the idea.

Clark drafted a letter that he wanted Rosen to send to Georgia state legislators that wrongly said that the Justice Department was investigating accusations of voter fraud in their state. The letter said they should overrule the November 3 election. Rosen and Donoghue again blocked Clark.

On New Year's Eve, the three men met to discuss their disagreements, and Donoghue told Clark that what he was doing was wrong.

On New Year's Day Clark told Rosen, who had mentored him while they worked together at the law firm Kirkland & Ellis, that he was going to discuss his strategy with the president early the next week.

On January 3, at midday, Clark told Rosen he had met with Trump, and that Trump was planning to announce he was replacing Rosen with Clark.

Clark could then try to stop Congress from certifying the Electoral College results.

Clark told Rosen he could stay on as his deputy attorney general.

The two men met with the president and other legal officials on the evening of January 3, and Trump ultimately decided not to replace Rosen with Clark.

Trump complained to Justice Department leaders that the U.S. attorney in Atlanta, Byung J. Pak, was not trying to find evidence for the election fraud claims promoted by Rudy Giuliani and others.

Pak resigned on January 4, and a watchdog is now investigating the circumstances of his resignation, The Washington Post reported.

Preet Bharara, the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York - who was forced out by Trump - said that the report was just the beginning of a 'torrent' of damning information.

Ted Lieu, who wrote the impeachment articles against Trump, said it showed why impeachment was so important: to show that a president cannot get away with such misconduct.
IDA Ireland might be feeling a little bit "damned if they do, and damned if they don't" when it comes to the kinds of foreign direct investment projects the agency goes after.

An agency report compiled by the OECD rightly highlighted the success of Ireland's FDI policies and the agency most responsible for making the investments happen.

But it also pointed to a higher concentration risk in the number of sectors represented in the mix and the location of the parent companies. In other words, we are too dependent on the likes of tech and pharma, especially from the US. American firms account for 70pc of inward FDI stock.

In the old days of the 1980s and early 1990s Ireland went after everything it could get by way of sector and country of origin. Naturally, the IDA did better in the US.

But once full employment was reached at the end of the 1990s, for the first time in the history of the state, IDA Ireland needed to refine its strategy. It wasn't so much about getting as many jobs into the country as possible, but more about higher-end jobs in targeted sectors.

This too was a very successful policy until the global financial crash of 2008 when the approach had to be tweaked again. Since the crash, Ireland has done very well in attracting service sector jobs, which tend to purchase less from indigenous Irish firms. The multinational sector has helped to revive the country's economic fortunes in the last 10 years and multinational-led export growth is also supporting jobs through the Covid crisis.

Nevertheless there are real risks highlighted in this report. We simply can't go after every project in every sector from every country. A streamlined approach is better, but we could do with making more progress in attracting investment from other countries. After a very slow start in Chinese FDI, we have seen some real investment there.

The UK has placed itself at a clear disadvantage because of Brexit when it comes to inward investment to access the EU market. Ireland needs to capitalise on that, especially given the enormous track record the UK has had in attracting projects in the past.

But perhaps the biggest challenges lie not within the FDI sector but in leveraging FDI success to achieve better outcomes among indigenous Irish firms.

FDI companies in the state spend about 24pc of their output trading with local businesses, compared to the 41pc average across the OECD area. This figure does not take into account other small advanced economies where we fare a little better. If a major multinational wants to procure large-scale services it will have better choice from more qualifying companies in bigger countries like Germany, the UK or France.

However, more could be done to get these foreign affiliates to buy locally, and to encourage indigenous firms to sell them more too.

Global-supply chains and procurement policies are partially to blame, as they affect the sourcing of products and services to big corporations. Ireland's switch to more services-based FDI has also possibly held us back in this regard, given that manufacturers tend to buy more locally.

Yet, services like tech and communications have been huge growth areas in foreign direct investment. If anything IDA Ireland has bagged the right clients at the right time.

The other big concern is around research and development (R&D). Irish companies spend more on R&D in general, while Irish agencies need to convince foreign firms to do more here.

The OECD study found that foreign affiliates received 80pc of all patents granted in Ireland between 2006 and 2016. However, foreign affiliates are less likely to engage in R&D activities in Ireland compared to domestic firms.

According to the report this explains how "more than half of all researchers associated with patents granted to firms based in Ireland, are themselves located outside of Ireland".

So patents are being registered in Ireland by multinationals derived from research conducted by their employees outside the country. Meanwhile, Irish firms are conducting R&D in Ireland but need to do more.

Patents and FDI are often largely about tax regimes, as we know very well in this country. But another factor in convincing multinationals and domestic firms to do more R&D here is education.

Unless the government can fix what is a broken third level education funding model, our universities will look more like industrial conveyor belts for ever larger numbers of mediocre undergraduates.

Recommendations on how to fix third-level funding in the Cassells Report have been sitting around gathering dust for several years now, as successive governments have shirked the hard choices in fixing the problem.

Heraty and Carroll strike again

There is an old saying that 'money makes money'. If you have plenty of money it is a lot easier to make more. While true, it doesn't take account of the fact that you still have to find the right opportunities, take a risk and get your timing right.

A classic case of this is Anne Heraty and her husband Paul Carroll, who have agreed a sale of Trinity Care nursing and care home group, in which they have a 70pc shareholding.

Having money allowed them to buy a majority stake in the business after it went into receivership in 2011.

The group, one of the largest on the east coast of Ireland, was originally part of the investment group owned by property developer Terry Devey.

Heraty and Carroll backed the purchase of the company which was led by the chief executive of the business Keith Robinson. He still holds a 30pc stake.

The sale appears to be in two parts. Belgian property company Cofinimmo is buying seven of the properties while the Spanish operator of the homes has bought the Trinity Care Group, the firm that operates the homes.

The Belgian deal is worth 93m, which combined with the operator deal puts Heraty and Carroll in line for an estimated 100m payday. It took just nine years for them to make 100m on a business investment that someone else ran.

The sale comes in the same week the High Court approved the disposal of their CPL Resources recruitment group to Japanese buyer for 318m. This transaction will provide a 110m payday for the couple.

Choose from Iseq's slim pickings

The sale of CPL Resources marks the exit of another company from the Irish exchange. This comes as Aryzta said it would be dropping its Irish listing as its Irish shareholder base is now very small and activity on the Swiss Stock Exchange has long been the driver of liquidity.

The Dublin-based head of large cap European equities at asset manager Amundi said this week that investors tracking the Iseq index are essentially buying only six names.

Fabio Di Giansante believes this leads to risks if one or two of these run into difficulty. He acknowledged the performance of those stocks and pointed out that they are exposed to mega trends such as the green agenda. And Dublin has been very good for several IPOs in recent years.

But he has a point when you look at the most active stocks list from last Thursday. Number one was Irish Continental Group with 3.7m shares traded.

AIB was next with three million shares and next came Hibernia Reit with 1.2m.

Taiwan has received requests through diplomatic channels to help ease a shortage of chips for the auto sector. Ministry of Economic Affairs said on Sunday has asked local tech firms to provide "full assistance". The vehicle makers across the globe are shutting assembly lines because of a global shortage of semiconductors that in some cases has been exacerbated by the former Trump administration's actions against key Chinese chip factories, according to industry officials.

Automakers including Ford Motor Co, Subaru Corp, Toyota Motor Corp, Volkswagen, Nissan Motor Co Ltd, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles are facing the shortage of the semiconductors which are affecting their business.

The Taiwan government said it has been contacted by foreign governments about the problem. The Ministry of Economic Affairs said, "Since the end of last year, diplomatic channels have indeed received requests from relevant countries due to the shortage of automotive chips."

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Another rough week for the Minister for Education. Two consecutive attempts to get different parts of the school system working again failed. A part opening for special needs foundered this time and the minister went in studs up on John Boyle, the big boss of the INTO. It was a bad move. Boyle is an honourable man. At least the Taoiseach knew to pull back before any more damage was done.

The reason why the webinar for primary school teachers and SNAs ended up acrimonious was partly related to the attempt to bulldoze through the opening of schools to Leaving Cert students. There was distrust in the air. Teachers reacted with undiluted anger to the proposal on the Leaving Certs. Everyone was being told to stay at home and then it suddenly became all right to have 30 students in a room together. It was a half-baked idea.

Worse still, the minister came up with the mantra that schools were safe places. This, when community transmission was at an all-time high and out of control. The advice from health authorities is that schools are safe places relatively speaking, but it all depends on the levels of infection in the community. That is the important caveat which the minister still fails to add.

Some adviser should tell the minister to stop using that phrase: "Schools are safe places."

Of all the things that are going on in education at the moment, nothing is grating more with the teachers I have spoken to as that phrase, when it is plainly untrue. If levels are high in the community, Covid will be brought into schools and spread there as well. This when Tony Holohan is telling us to stay home and that 1,000 people are likely to die from Covid in January.

Last week, I had at least two students that I know of and a couple of teachers who have had Covid. If the school was open they would likely have been in for some time before diagnosis. How safe would the school have been then? It would have caused further infections on the basis that this new variant is much more transmissible. Parents were going to vote with their feet anyway, their children for the most part would not have been attending.

This would have created a situation with some students in, while others would have expected to tune into live classes. There are real GDPR concerns here, with some students in a classroom and others possibly able to view it online from outside - all observing who was in the class and some possibly making comments on it. This has happened already with classes being gate-crashed and unpleasant scenes ensuing.

The situation with special needs is soul searching. Apart from the kids themselves needing school, their parents also need a break. It is not easy to solve. SNAs are brilliant people in general who are very committed to their work. Many of them are older than the teachers and it is very easy to understand their concerns.

Anyone else working in such proximity to other people is fully gowned up with mask, visor and gloves. It is not possible to have this sort of gear on in a school. These kids are not out in the community and are therefore very low risk, but that may not be the case with their families. If figures dropped to near 1,000, I am sure that both teachers and SNAs would really want to get back.

The same applies for all teachers in secondary schools. They have been getting a bit of bad press from all of this, yet my observation of online learning in action is that it is taking far more time and effort to keep it going. It is operating much better than last March. But teachers will rush back to school as soon as things are half right.

So this is far from a holiday and it is amusing to see some others who are working from home depict it in that way. The teacher is working harder and longer hours than in the class, sometimes with their own families to mind, the same pressures on devices and occasionally sickness in the house. In other words, the same stresses and anxieties as elsewhere, so easy on the criticism button.

This week, we will get another airing of the Leaving Cert. I feel sorry that any minister has to grapple with such problems, with everyone looking for definitive answers when there are none. If we do not get back to school soon and there are no mock exams, then there will be very little to base predicted grades on if it comes to that. Especially as so much time was missed last year.

There is one simple solution for the minister which would also help restore her credibility with teachers. Guarantee that all Leaving Cert students and their teachers will be vaccinated by May and the Leaving Cert exams can proceed as normal. At least that would bring certainty and everyone could all settle down and open schools on February 22. We would make sure our students would be very well looked after in the meantime.

Colm O'Rourke is a secondary school principal and noted GAA analyst
They further seem to think that murder of Rajiv Gandhi was because Rajiv Gandhi sent Indian troops to fight against the LTTE militants. According to these politicians and activists, the murder of Rajiv Gandhi was for the cause of Tamils.

Rajiv Gandhi murderers in prison have been receiving undeserving publicity in media in Tamil Nadu and campaign has been continuously carried out that they should be released from prison, in spite of their being involved in the murder of Rajiv Gandhi.



As a matter of fact, these convicted persons in prison have been in and out of jail several times on parole due to one reason or the other. The husband and wife in prison have also come out on parole many times and the lady has delivered a girl child, who is now married and said to be living abroad.



While clamour for release of the prisoners is becoming an election issue, Tamil Nadu govt is trying to wriggle out of controversy

While some politicians and activists are demanding the release of the convicts, the fact is that family members of number of innocent persons, including policemen and public who died along with Rajiv Gandhi in explosion, have been repeatedly stating that those involved in the murder should not be released. But their voice is not much heard and not publicized in Tamil media, which is now largely run by political parties and business houses.

There is also a view that release of these convicts who were charged with very serious offense of deliberately associating themselves with the murder of the former Prime Minister of India, would set a bad signal that anyone can get away in this country even after indulging in very grave act , if they would enjoy political patronage due to one reason or other.

While the clamour for release of the prisoners is now becoming an election issue in Tamil Nadu, the state government is trying to wriggle away stating that the ball is in the court of the Central government. While the issue has been taken to the judiciary, the Supreme Court has said that the Governor of the state should take a decision within a stipulated time.

The Tamil Nadu governor is facing a dilemma. If he would decide that the prisoners should not be released, then he would become the target of criticism by some political parties and activists and even violent demonstrations may happen against him.

In this explosive situation, the reason has gone for a toss in Tamil Nadu now and the whole issue has become a subject of vote bank politics.

---

*Trustee, Nandini Voice for The Deprived

In 1991, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was murdered at Sriperumbudur near Chennai, while he was there to address a public meeting. He was killed by a woman suicide bomber, who belonged to the terrorist organization Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and she was also killed. Along with Rajiv Gandhi, another fourteen innocent persons were killed in the explosion and more than 40 people were injured.The investigation of the murder of Rajiv Gandhi revealed that it was done by LTTE terrorists, who tried to escape. However, police identified them and caught them and took them into custody. After prolonged court hearing, the judiciary convicted seven terrorists including a woman and her husband and ordered that they should undergo life imprisonment.In any other country, when such an important functionary such as a former Prime Minister would be murdered and the murderers would be caught, they would have been hanged. In the case of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, her security guards who were murderers were subjected to death sentence and were hanged. However, this has not happened in the case of Rajiv Gandhi murderers. All the convicted persons have been in jail since then.The daughter of Rajiv Gandhi met the convicted lady prisoner in jail in Vellore in Tamil Nadu and later on pleaded that the convicted person should be released from the jail. Many wondered, the daughter of Rajiv Gandhi appeared to have forgotten that Rajiv Gandhi was not only her father but also was former Prime Minister of India. Therefore, her plea for the release of the convict was not accepted by the government.In Tamil Nadu, from the day of murder of Rajiv Gandhi, some political parties and activists have been viewing the convicted persons as heroes and not as murderers. They have been described as heroes, since they were fighting for an independent Tamil country in Sri Lanka.
The Telegraph

American soldiers have mistakenly revealed the exact locations of US nuclear weapons in Europe by uploading details as part of revision exercises that were publicly available to view, a report claims. An investigation by Bellingcat alleges that soldiers attempting to learn intricate security protocols uploaded a multitude of sensitive information to the internet, including not only the bases at which the weapons are held, but in which exact vaults they are stored. The US Air Force has launched an investigation into "the suitability of information shared via study flashcards." Questions and answers were written on flashcards, which have now disappeared, and appeared to show the positions of cameras, the frequency of patrols around the vaults, secret duress words that signal when a guard is being threatened and the unique identifiers that a restricted area badge needs to have, Bellingcat said. The cards had been uploaded as long ago as 2013 on websites including Cram, Quizlet and Chegg, and accessed as recently as April this year. Some of those sites have the visibility of the cards set to be viewed by anyone by default. The presence of US nuclear weapons in Europe acted as a deterrent to the Soviet Union during the Cold War and also meant European countries would not need to develop their own.
BERLIN: The European Union should punish Russian President Vladimir Putin for the arrest of Kremlin critic Alexej Navalny and thousands of his supporters with targeted financial sanctions, the leader of the bloc's largest political alliance said on Sunday.

Police detained more than 3,000 people and used force to break up rallies across Russia on Saturday in support of Navalny, who was arrested last weekend as he returned to Russia from Germany for the first time since being poisoned with a nerve agent.

"It's unacceptable that the Russian leadership is trying to make short work of the burgeoning protests by arresting thousands of demonstrators," Manfred Weber, a senior German conservative and head of the centre-right EPP grouping in the EU Parliament, told Germany's RND newspaper group.

"The EU foreign ministers are not allowed to dodge this once again and stop at general appeals," Weber said.

"The EU has to hit where it really hurts the Putin system - and that's the money," Weber said. The EU should therefore cut financial transactions from Putin's inner circle, he added.

In addition, a threat to stop the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which is meant to double natural gas deliveries from Russia to Germany, must remain on the table, Weber added.

A German government spokeswoman declined to comment when asked whether Berlin was willing to support new sanctions against Russia following Navalny's arrest.

EU lawmakers passed a resolution on Thursday calling for the bloc to stop the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline as a response to Navalny's arrest.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has continued to back the project despite criticism elsewhere in the EU, said on Thursday her view of the project had not changed despite the Navalny case.

The United States, EU and Britain have all condemned the Russian security forces' handling of Saturday's protests, and the foreign ministers of France and Italy on Sunday both expressed support for sanctions.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

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Villanueva bats for full PhilHealth coverage for those who might develop adverse side effects from COVID-19 vaccine jabs

The top official of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) assured Senator Joel Villanueva that the state insurer intends to foot the bill of any member who would develop adverse side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine.

Villanueva, chair of the Senate labor committee, insisted on the PhilHealth coverage for those who would experience adverse side effects from the vaccine, saying that preparing such a safety net would definitely "boost vaccination acceptance."

"Kung libre po ang bakuna, libre din dapat ang pagpapagamot ng anumang adverse side effect nito. Saklaw rin po dapat ng universal health insurance ang pagpapabakuna, para wala na talagang dahilan hindi magpabakuna," Villanueva said.

Replying to Villanueva's remarks, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the PhilHealth would study the proposal.

Health authorities said it planned to inoculate 50 to 70 million Filipinos to stop the virus on its tracks and build herd immunity.

Villanueva said PhilHealth shouldering the treatment for post-vaccination issues would "cover all the bases needed for successful vaccination plan."

"Dito na po papasok ang PhilHealth para kasama ang mga pribadong ospital, para walang pong out-of-pocket expense para sa mga kababayan natin na tatakbo sa kanila. Kung patuloy na may pag-aalinlangan ang ating mamamayan, sigurado pong marami ang hindi magpapaturok," Villanueva said, citing a recent survey that showed that about 47% of Filipinos do not want to be vaccinated, while 21% remained undecided

"Ang inaaalala po natin, kung may mga allergy halimbawa, at respiratory distress ang manifestation nito, baka i-charge po ito doon sa existing case rates na may ceiling, at lalabas pa na may out-of-pocket expense ang nabakunahan," he said. "Huwag naman po sana umabot sa ganoon ang magiging sitwasyon ng ating mga kababayan. We need this 'comfort guarantee' from the government to encourage people to get vaccine jabs."

Villanueva also sought an update from the IATF to on his call for creating a list of essential workers to be included in the vaccination program. Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon replied that the body is still coordinating with the labor and trade departments to help determine the specific workers to be included in the inoculation drive.
She is single after her split from former Bachelor Peter Weber.

And Kelley Flanagan revealed on her Insta Stories this weekend that she is willing to return to the ABC franchise to find love again.

The 28-year-old did a 'True or False' challenge on her Insta Stories on Saturday and when one fan asked if she 'would be the bachelorette if u were asked...' she dished that 'I would definitely consider it!'

'I would definitely consider it!': Kelley Flanagan revealed on her Insta Stories this weekend that she is willing to return to the Bachelor franchise to find love again

When another Instagram user asked if she was 'content' the reality TV bombshell spilled: 'I would say this is pretty true.'

She added: 'My mom could tell you stories. Since Ive been two years old Ive just marched to the beat of my own drum.'

Kelley went on: 'And I mean when youre making your own decisions how could you not be content? You know, youre doing what makes you happy.'

Although Kelley had been one of the contestants on Peter's season of The Bachelor she did not end up winning his season and was eliminated in week seven.

'My mom could tell you stories': When another Instagram user asked if she was 'content' the reality TV bombshell spilled: 'I would say this is pretty true'

The end of Peter's season was dominated by a love triangle involving contestants Hannah Ann Sluss and Madison Prewett.

Peter proposed to Hannah Ann during the finale, but between that and the live After The Final Rose special, he changed his mind.

He broke his engagement to Hannah Ann and during After The Final Rose he got back together with Madison - only to split from her two days afterward.

Last spring Peter and Kelley set off romance rumors when they were seen getting cozy in Chicago and they soon confirmed the relationship to fans.

'Ready for a change': During her new Instagram challenge Kelley confirmed that although she has not yet pulled up stakes and gone to New York she still intends to do so

They went into self-isolation together in Chicago amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and were planning to move to New York as a couple.

In spite of their breakup they are still relocating separately to the Big Apple and Peter has in fact already arrived there.

During her new Instagram challenge Kelley confirmed that although she has not yet pulled up stakes and gone to New York she still intends to do so.

'I am still moving to New York and the reason why is because Ive been in Chicago for so many years and Im ready for a change,' said Kelly, who works as a lawyer at her father's tax law firm with her four siblings.

Hunk: She is single after her split from former Bachelor Peter Weber whom she met when he was occupying the title position on the show

'And also I think the people in New York and what they represent would fit me really well. I wanna surround myself around go-getters and very motivated people.'

Before becoming a reality TV sex symbol Peter, who is known as 'Pilot Pete' because of his profession, famously lived with his parents.

He announced his shock split from Kelley via Instagram this past New Year's Eve, writing: 'While our relationship was filled with countless beautiful memories, our relationship simply didn't work out in the end.'

Meanwhile Kelley wrote: 'Peter and I had some unbelievable times together and they will definitely be missed. Unfortunately him and I are in two different stages of our lives and saw our future paths differently.'

Looking fab: They went into self-isolation together in Chicago amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and were planning to move to New York as a couple

Since then an E! News insider has dished: 'Kelley did think Barb was very controlling and overbearing but she tried to not let it affect their relationship. Barb put a lot of pressure on them, which was definitely hard.'

However the source made sure to point out that Barb 'got along with Kelley and they enjoyed each other,' and was far from a 'huge factor' as far as the breakup goes.

'Peter is not ready to be with one girl. He thought he could take the step of moving in with Kelley but he couldn't handle it,' the insider explained.
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In 2020, we saw the destruction caused by a pandemic across the United States. There was no place where the impact of COVID-19 was felt greater than the Navajo Nation. With infection rates greater than any state in the country, the Navajo Nation struggled to keep up with the effects the pandemic had on our health care system and our economy. Almost a year later, the situation seems nowhere near ending. Through it all, the Navajo people banded together to fight against the virus and protect our elders, children and families. One of these efforts is the Indian Managed Care Entity (IMCE).

An IMCE is a Medicaid-managed care organization owned and controlled by a tribe or tribal entity.

For 17 years, Navajo leaders pushed to create a Medicaid program for the Navajo people. They needed a change to break the recurring cycle of health and health care inequity among Native Americans. As federal and state policies allowed for an IMCE, the Navajo leadership took the opportunity to create the first-ever managed care entity specific to Native Americans. They knew some families were fine with how things were, but this program would be for those that felt like their health care could be better.

The IMCE would prioritize Navajo health needs, incorporate traditional and Western modes of healing, and improve access to care by addressing the unique barriers to health care experienced on the Navajo Nation. The IMCE would partner with tribal health care providers to supplement existing services, make connections to diabetes and behavioral health specialists throughout New Mexico, provide enhanced transportation and offer broadband connections for telehealth.

Most importantly, this allows us to control our own managed care program  something no tribe has done to this day.

We took action to assert our self-determination and sovereignty to direct our health care future. We approved legislation to create an IMCE for Native Americans in New Mexico. The New Mexico Human Services Department estimated that with 50,000 members, the IMCE could manage up to $486 million in Medicaid dollars. This means more jobs and a new revenue stream for the Navajo Nation.

We also established the Naataanii Development Corporation (NDC), a federally-chartered corporation under Section 17 of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 and wholly-owned by the Navajo Nation, to boost economic opportunities for Navajo. The Navajo Nation Council selected NDC to be the designated entity to contract with the state of New Mexico for the IMCE. It is the Navajo Nation Attorney Generals legal opinion that the IMCE contract should not be with the Navajo Nation, but with NDC.

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The beauty of a Section 17 corporation is that there is a clear separation of government and commercial functions that protects the tribes sovereignty and treasury, while empowering these corporations to raise revenue. Section 17 corporations also permit partial waivers of immunity while preserving the tribes sovereignty and immunity.

NDC partnered with industry leader Molina Healthcare to design and build the IMCE. This past year, the HSD, Molina Healthcare and NDC have already spent thousands of hours working tirelessly to get the IMCE established, meeting weekly to design benefits, negotiate the contract and update systems. We cant stop now.

The Navajo Nation is in a crisis again, facing a second wave of COVID-19 infection with hospitals filled to capacity. The Medicaid resources are invaluable. The IMCE can take targeted actions to combat COVID-19 among the Navajo population in New Mexico. Had the IMCE been started sooner, the IMCE would have been operating and serving Navajos with additional resources during this second wave, but we are still waiting.

The IMCEs work cannot be delayed any longer. After 17 years of advancing this goal and considering the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we strongly encourage the governor to comply with the Navajo Nations position, and we look forward to working with her to see this program come to fruition. The potential for the IMCE is immeasurable.
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New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (January 24, 2021) said that the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) will make Assam free from bullets, agitations and floods if they get five more years.

Amit Shah during his first election rally in Assam said, "Give us five more years in Assam, we will make it free from bullets, agitations and floods."

The Union Home Minister further asserted that only BJP, under the leadership of Narendra Modi, can make Assam corruption-free, terrorism-free and pollution-free.

Truly humbled by the unparalleled affection at 1st BTR Accord day celebrations in Kokrajhar, Assam. pic.twitter.com/EKXABMo2LG  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 24, 2021

Shah while addressing the 1st-anniversary celebrations of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Accord in Kokrajhar said, "Political rights, culture and language of all communities of Assam are secured under the BJP government."

He said that PM Narendra Modi initiated the process to end insurgency in the Northeast by signing the Bodo Peace Accord.

"This unprecedented crowd in Kokrajhar is a befitting reply to those who disturbed the peace in Assam by spreading venom in the name of Bodo and non-Bodo," Shah expressed.

PM @NarendraModi ji initiated the process to end insurgency in the Northeast by signing the Bodo Peace Accord. This unprecedented crowd in Kokrajhar is a befitting reply to those who disturbed the peace in Assam by spreading venom in the name of Bodo and non-Bodo. pic.twitter.com/uUVMgQF4Tl  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 24, 2021

The senior BJP leader also launched a scathing attack on Congress and said that it did divide and rule and that it was the only bloodshed in Assam for 20 years and 10,000 youths were killed.

"Congress killed Assamese youths with bullets," Shah alleged.

He said, "Congress, too, had entered into several pacts with militants, but none were adhered to. PM Narendra Modi and BJP are committed to fulfil Bodo Accord clauses."

Addressing the 1st anniversary celebrations of the historic Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Accord in Kokrajhar, Assam. Watch live! https://t.co/PG1XjWHPl5  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 24, 2021

Shah also stated, "Congress alleges BJP to be communal, but it has allied with Muslim League in Kerala and AIUDF in Assam. Assam is not safe in hands of Congress and AIUDF."

Live TV
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 19:54:17|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- China's top disciplinary body on Sunday adopted a communique, vowing unremitting efforts to improve Party conduct, build a clean government and fight corruption to ensure the implementation of the targets and tasks set for the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

The communique was adopted at the fifth plenary session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which was held in Beijing from Friday to Sunday.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended and addressed the session. Other Party and state leaders, including Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng, also attended the meeting.

The session reviewed the CCDI's progress in 2020, laid out its tasks for 2021 and passed a work report delivered by Zhao on behalf of the Standing Committee of the CCDI, according to the communique.

A speech made by Xi at the session was studied, and it was agreed that the speech provides important guidance to further enforce full, rigorous self-discipline within the Party.

In 2020, new major achievements have been made in various areas of the Party and state's cause under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, fully demonstrating the notable strengths of the Party leadership and the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, according to the communique.

The CCDI, the National Supervisory Commission, and local discipline inspection commissions and supervisory agencies at all levels have faithfully performed their duties in fighting against COVID-19, securing a decisive victory in finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and shaking off poverty while promoting high-quality development of the disciplinary inspection and supervision work, it noted.

For 2021, efforts should be made to ensure that officials "don't dare to, are unable to and have no desire to commit acts of corruption," and to deepen the reform of discipline inspection and supervision systems, according to the communique.

An eight-point list of requirements was put forward by the session:

-- Uphold Xi's position as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the whole Party, as well as the authority of the CPC Central Committee and its centralized, unified leadership to ensure the smooth implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan with strong political oversight;

-- Deepen the anti-corruption campaign and advance the system under which officials "don't dare to, are unable to and have no desire to commit acts of corruption" as a whole; investigate corruption cases in which political and economic issues are intertwined;

-- Beef up the fight against deep-rooted practices of formalities for formalities' sake and bureaucratism; curb behaviors related to hedonism and extravagance; supervise the implementation of regulations related to doing business by leading officials' spouses, children, and their children's spouses;

-- Address corruption and misconduct that occur on the people's doorsteps to promote social fairness and justice as well as safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the people;

-- Improve coordination in disciplinary inspections at different levels, giving full play to intraparty supervision and public oversight;

-- Integrate various forms of supervision and improve the effectiveness of supervision and governance, including strengthening oversight on leading bodies and their heads;

-- Deepen the reform of discipline inspection and supervision systems and promote intraparty and state supervision across the board;

-- Conduct strict self-supervision and self-discipline and build an iron anti-graft team that is loyal, clean, professional and with a strong sense of political integrity and responsibility. Enditem
Officers entering the student accomodation. (West Midlands Police)

Some of the revellers attending an illegal student party in Birmingham travelled from up to 200 miles away, the police said.

Officers from West Midlands Police were forced to break up the gathering on Friday night, which breached the national lockdown rules.

A crowd of around 50 people was dispersed at the address in Lower Loveday Street, Birmingham, on Friday.

One police officer was assaulted as a guest fled the scene, but they were not injured.

Dozens of people were found inside the apartment block. (West Midlands Police)

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A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said the force had issued around 50 Fixed Penalty Notices for COVID breaches.

Revellers had reportedly travelled from as far away as Newcastle, Nottingham and London for the party.

The flats are private accommodation but predominantly used by students from Aston University and University College Birmingham.

Read more: Over 15,000 worth of fines issued as police break up east London rave

Inspector Steve Barnes was in charge of last nights operation. He said: We understand that young people are frustrated at not being able to enjoy themselves and I do feel their pain, but we have to stick to the rules so that we can get back to some sort of normality sooner rather than later.

Watch: Police injured breaking up 200-person party in Knightsbridge

People are dying and we have to prevent the spread of this virus.

We hear the criticism that some are saying about our actions to police restrictions and, we more than anyone, want to concentrate on catching criminals, so my message is clear  stick to the rules and let us do our job of protecting communities and solving crime.

Officers from West Midlands Police were said to have attended 32 Covid breach incidents on Saturday and a total of 58 200 fines were issued along with five 1,000 fines.

The West Midlands is under an England-wide lockdown with people not allowed to leave home to meet others socially.

Inspector Barnes added: The vast majority of people are sticking to the rules and therefore helping to reduce the infection rate. Let us not be disheartened by the few who choose to do otherwise.

Story continues

On Thursday, the government said fines of 800 would be introduced in England this week for anyone attending a house party of more than 15 people.

At a No 10 news conference, Home Secretary Priti Patel said there remained a "small minority that refuse to do the right thing".

"To them my message is clear. If you don't follow rules then the police will enforce them," she said.

The new fines will double for each repeat offence to a maximum of 6,400.

But penalties of up to 10,000 for holding large illegal gatherings of more than 30 people will still only apply to the organisers, Patel said.

Watch: What you can and can't do during England's third national lockdown
Paxton, IL (60957)

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Rain. High 51F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

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Cloudy with rain ending overnight. Low 42F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Panels installed in Ho Chi Minh City to welcome the 13th National Party Congress (Photo: VNA)

On behalf of the KPRF Central Committee, Ziuganov sent his greetings to delegates, Party members and the entire Vietnamese people on the occasion of the 13th National Party Congress  an important political event in the lives of the Vietnamese Party and State.

He described the Congress as an important milestone on the way to reform, and to review previous tasks and outline new measures for the future.

According to him, the CPV was a pioneer of the Vietnamese people and an example of sacrifice in the struggle for freedom and future of socialism during years of fighting invading imperialists. Following the teachings of its founder President Ho Chi Minh, the CPV continued raising the fighting flag for socialism, maintaining its leadership role and socialism orientations, showing the world the fairness of Lenin's thought and supremacy of socialism ideology.

Under the CPV's leadership, Vietnam has been steadfast on the path of development with marked successes in industry, agriculture, national defence, science, culture, education, health care and improving peoples lives, turning itself into one of the most vibrant economies with high prestige in the world, Ziuganov wrote .

The Congress will devise strategic goals till 2030 when the CPV will celebrate its 100th founding anniversary, as well as set out socio-economic development orientations till 2045 when Vietnam will mark its 100th anniversary.

Ziuganov affirmed that the KPRF and CPV have shared decades-long fraternal friendship and fight for the common goals and for socialism, adding that the KPRF is willing to cooperate with the CPV.

He wished that the 13th National Congress of the CPV will be a success and issue important policies for happiness of the people and prosperity of the country./.
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January 24, 2021 Angara bill seeks to assist LGUs in shifting to digital To bolster the country's efforts in developing and implementing e-government services, Senator Sonny Angara said that local government units (LGUs) should take the lead in digital transformation for the public sector. Angara noted how the shift to digital or online services has accelerated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and "government cannot afford to be left behind." "One need only to look into how more Filipinos now regularly use their mobile phones and computers to shop, do their groceries, and even transact with their banks. Our government processes and services should follow suit," Angara said. According to the Department of Interior and Local Government, only 30 percent of LGUs have taken steps to digitize their processes. In a September 2020 study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, researchers pointed out that limited access to computers, lack of standardization, poor infrastructure, and other related issues are hindering the development and implementation of e-government services throughout the country. While many LGUs have opted to maintain the status quo and continue with face-to-face transactions with their constituents, Angara said the absence of digital services poses some real problems such as what was experienced in the distribution of cash aid during the enhanced community quarantine period. "We witnessed how thousands of people had to go out of their homes and line up at designated areas in their respective LGUs to apply and receive their cash assistance. This was not only a labor-intensive and tedious process, but also created significant health risks on both the recipients and the government workers," Angara said. To facilitate the transition of LGUs to digital services, Angara has filed Senate Bill 1943 or the Local Information and Communications Technology Officer (ICTO) Act, which seeks to create a new position of ICTO in all provinces, cities and municipalities across the country. This will entail an amendment to Sections 443 (a), 454 (a), and 463 (a) of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, which deal with the officials of the municipal, city and provincial governments. ICTOs will manage the following: formulating and executing digitization plans for processes and public documents in their respective LGUs; develop, maintain, and supervise all other information and communications technology programs and services of the LGU (including partnerships with the private sector); and collate and disseminate information regarding ICT and the services of the local government to the public. Aside from being Filipino citizens of good moral character, ICTOs will be required to have degrees from recognized colleges and universities, in information and communications technology, computer science, computer engineering, data science, electronics and communication engineering, or any other course that will be directly relevant to the job. Incoming ICTOs should also have three to five years of experience, depending on where they will be assigned. "Digital transformation, I believe, requires that we rebuild our organizational structures, work processes, and cultural mindsets. Digital services are not add-ons, but rather, they are how our work processes are evolving to fit into the new world. Now is the best time to improve our digital framework for both our government and business sectors, as last year's challenges have given us an opportunity to build anew," Angara said. Apart from SB 1943, Angara has also filed SB 1470 or the National Digital Transformation Act and SB 1764 or the Use of Digital Payments Act. "A shift to digital processes will not only mean faster and more efficient work in our government offices, but more importantly, this will result in better services for our people," Angara said.
More than 2,500 cases have been booked against 8,000 entities since mid-November in the governments drive against rackets dealing in fake Goods and Services Tax (GS) invoices, a government official said on Sunday.

Eight chartered accountants are among the 258 people arrested in the drive.

The government has informed accounting rule maker and self-regulator Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to take action against these chartered accountants, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The last CA to have been arrested was taken into custody in Jaipur on Saturday along with four business accomplices for running 25 fake firms that dealt in bogus invoices and tax credits without actually supplying any items, said the official.

The authorities have recovered more than 820 crore from the accused in all these cases, said the official.

Data sharing among various tax authorities handling GST, income tax and customs as well as the deployment of data analytics and artificial intelligence helped identify violators, the official said on Sunday.

Final beneficiaries of input tax credit fraud have also been identified, including some big companies in the e-commerce segment, the official said.

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The death toll related to snow shoveling has reached 70 this winter, a Jiji Press tally showed.

People aged 70 or over accounted for 48 of the deaths. In many cases, older people died after falling from a roof while removing snow.

Local officials say that people should avoid clearing snow from the roof by themselves.

The tally was based on information from local governments and police from Dec. 14 to Wednesday.

Niigata had the largest number of fatalities, at 14, followed by 13 in Akita, 10 in Hokkaido and nine in Yamagata.

An official of Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, where four deaths linked to shoveling snow have been reported, said that the snow accumulated much earlier than usual in a short period of time.

Older people had no choice but to clear snow by themselves as they had to wait for one month to receive support from a snow removal company, the official said.

An Akita disaster management official suggested that coronavirus travel restraints were one of the factors behind many of the fatalities.

Many residents found it difficult to remove snow from the roofs of their houses by themselves, with their family members unable to return to their hometowns during the New Years holiday period, the Akita official said.
No sooner has this nation emerged from the ructions and divisions of Brexit than it seems likely to enter a period of political controversy that will be even more bitter and disruptive.

We face the prospect  appalling to millions of people, including me  that the country of which we are citizens could cease to exist within a very short space of time, unless the Prime Minister demonstrates gifts of statesmanship we have so far only glimpsed.

The Scottish National Party has declared that if it wins a majority of seats in Mays Scottish Parliamentary elections  which polls suggest is highly probable  it will unilaterally call a second referendum on independence.

It has no legal right to do this, but it would raucously, and to some minds persuasively, insist it had a democratic mandate.

Nicola Sturgeon yesterday described Boris Johnson as cowardly and undemocratic for continuing to oppose a referendum

All recent opinion polls in Scotland indicate a pro-independence majority, though by varying margins.

Confronted by the threat of a wildcat referendum that apparently commands democratic support in Scotland, what should Boris Johnson do?

The Scottish First Minister and SNP leader, Nicola Sturgeon, yesterday described him as cowardly and undemocratic for continuing to oppose a referendum.

Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP are more popular than ever, in no small part thanks to her seemingly efficient handling of the pandemic in Scotland

In the first instance, it is obvious that the UK Government wont, and shouldnt, agree to Ms Sturgeons go-it-alone plebiscite. It would be constitutionally illegitimate. There was a vote on the issue in 2014, which all parties agreed would be the last for a generation.

But I suggest that if Nicola Sturgeon is being unrealistic in believing she can steamroller the British Government into accepting another referendum now, it is equally far-fetched to suppose that the matter can be deferred until 2055, as Mr Johnson recently implied.

There will one day have to be another vote because denying the Scottish people a choice over a long period of time would serve to stoke already strong pro-independence sentiment north of the border.

But the Government shouldnt agree to one in the near future on Ms Sturgeons terms, for the simple reason that she would very likely win it.

She and the SNP are more popular than ever, in no small part thanks to her seemingly efficient handling of the pandemic in Scotland.

Moreover, she repeats ad nauseam that only 38 per cent of the turnout in Scotland voted for Brexit, and so the Scots should not have been dragged out of the EU against their will.

This is not a contemptible argument. It carries force in many minds.

Another referendum in the foreseeable future would plainly be an extremely rash policy for defenders of the Union.

The best hope of preventing the break-up of Britain lies in the potentially benign effects of the passage of time.

Time will probably show that Brexit isnt the catastrophe Ms Sturgeon and the SNP have prophesied. Time may very possibly take the political shine off the First Minister, as she finds herself locked in a nasty legal battle with her predecessor, Alex Salmond, who accuses her of misleading the Scottish Parliament  a claim she strongly denies.

And time will allow Mr Johnson to build up an anti-independence coalition involving major Scottish Labour figures such as former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

At present, almost no one in Scotland is making a powerful public argument for the Union.

This should be partly emotional  what a great and successful partnership we have had since 1707  and partly economic. In 2019-20, public spending per head in Scotland was 12.4 per cent above the UK average, though Scottish revenue per capita was 2.5 per cent below.

That said, I would caution against making too much of the economic arguments.

Didnt Brexit teach us that many people voted to leave the EU even though they feared it might make them poorer? Peoples hearts can sometimes count more than their wallets.

Time, it must also be said, will one day lead to the departure of Mr Johnson from No 10, whereupon he might be replaced by a Tory leader more congenial to the Scots  most of whom cant bear Boris  or by Labours Keir Starmer, who doesnt get their goat in quite the same way.

Of course, it may be that a lapse of time wont be sufficient to keep Scotland part of the United Kingdom, but it is nonetheless essential if there is to be any prospect of that happening.

So Mr Johnson must baldly announce that the Government wont take part in Nicola Sturgeons rogue referendum.

She can hardly argue convincingly that it would have any validity if the Unionists wont join in.

The UK Government should also avoid getting embroiled in a court battle, which it might lose, about the legitimacy of the process.

And it goes without saying that it should eschew the strong-arm tactics employed by the Spanish government towards politicians who conducted an illicit plebiscite in Catalonia in 2017. That would only fuel resentment.

One thing Westminster should not do is to offer Scotland even more devolutionary powers by way of appeasement.

One of Labours architects of the Scottish Parliament, George Robertson, predicted that devolution would kill nationalism stone dead. In fact, it has put a rocket under the independence movement.

The transfer of further powers to Edinburgh, giving Scotland full home rule, would only hasten the route to independence, and further weaken arguments in favour of the Union.

Can Scottish nationalism be defeated? Some argue that its ultimate triumph is inevitable.

All recent opinion polls in Scotland indicate a pro-independence majority, though by varying margins (Pictured: The Scottish Parliament at Holyrood)

They say the Union with Scotland was a product of the Empire, and once the Empire dissolved the Scots were bound to reassert a separate national identity.

They could be right. But few outcomes are inevitable in politics.

There will have to be a second referendum  not now, on Nicola Sturgeons terms, but at a moment of the UK Governments choosing, when her political star has waned, Covid is an unpleasant memory, and post-Brexit Britain is on the path to economic prosperity.

The battle for the Union will make disputes over Brexit seem polite and genteel.

We are heading for a tumultuous few years. This is by far Boris Johnsons greatest challenge  to keep the country of which he is Prime Minister together in one piece.

SNP: well hold poll like it or not

Sturgeon taunts frightened Johnson and says she will call vote after elections in May

By Claire Ellicott Political Correspondent

Nicola Sturgeon goaded Boris Johnson over the Union yesterday saying she will hold an advisory referendum on independence if her party wins in May.

Scotlands first minister accused the Prime Minister of being frightened of democracy and insisted the poll would go ahead regardless of whether Westminster consented to it.

I want to have a legal referendum, thats what Im going to seek the authority of the Scottish people for in May, she told BBC1s Andrew Marr show.

And if they give me that authority thats what I intend to do: to have a legal referendum to give people the right to choose.

Thats democracy. Its not about what I want or what Boris Johnson wants.

This method was used by Catalonia in 2017 to argue that it should be independent of Spain, but it attracted a low turnout and was declared unconstitutional.

Several independence leaders were later jailed for their parts in the vote.

Polls yesterday suggested another Scottish referendum could end up with a 52-48 victory for independence.

They are in keeping with a series of surveys showing nationalist support growing amid dissatisfaction with Westminsters handling of the pandemic.

Mr Johnson argues that the last poll in 2014 was described by then SNP leader Alex Salmond as a once in a generation question.

However, Scottish nationalists say that Brexit, which Scotland opposed, changed the narrative and requires another referendum.

Their party is expected to enjoy a clean sweep of seats at local elections in May.

Asked about the prospect of another referendum yesterday, Miss Sturgeon said of the PM: Hes frightened of democracy.

The polls now show that a majority of people in Scotland now want independence.

The Sunday Times yesterday published the results of opinion polls in the four nations showing voters expect Scotland to leave the UK.

Arizona Republicans voted Saturday to censure Cindy McCain and two prominent GOP members, Gov. Doug Ducey and former Sen. Jeff Flake, who have found themselves crosswise with former President Donald Trump.

McCain, who endorsed President Joe Biden, was censured because she has 'supported globalist policies and candidates' and 'condemned President Trump for his criticism of her husband and erroneously placed behaviors over actual presidential results.' McCain quickly took to Twitter to say that the censure was 'a badge of honor'.

Flake, who also endorsed Biden, was censured for the same reasons. The former Senator also said he wasnt bothered by the action, taking to Twitter to write: 'If condoning President Trumps behavior is required to stay in the AZGOPs good graces, Im just fine being on the outs.'

Fellow Trump critic Ducey, meanwhile, was censured for the rules he imposed to try to stem the spread of COVID-19 that 'restrict personal liberties and force compliance to unconstitutional edicts.'

Arizona Republicans voted Saturday to censure Cindy McCain and two prominent GOP members who have found themselves crosswise with former President Donald Trump

The censures of Sen. John McCain's widow, former Sen. Jeff Flake (right) and Gov. Doug Ducey (left) are merely symbolic. But they show the party's foot soldiers are focused on enforcing loyalty to Trump, even in the wake of an election that saw Arizona inch away from its staunchly Republican roots

Each of the censures is merely symbolic, but they show the party's foot soldiers are focused on enforcing loyalty to Trump, even in the wake of an election that saw Arizona inch away from its staunchly Republican roots.

Party activists also reelected controversial Chairwoman Kelli Ward, who has been one of Trumps most unflinching supporters and among the most prolific promoters of his baseless allegations of election fraud.

The Arizona GOPs combative focus has delighted Trump's staunchest supporters and worried Republican insiders who have watched the party lose ground in the suburbs as the influence of its traditional conservative establishment has faded in favor of Trump. A growing electorate of young Latinos and newcomers bringing their more liberal politics from back home have further hurt the GOP.

'This is a time for choosing for Republicans. Are we going to be the conservative party?' said Kirk Adams, a former state House speaker and chief of staff to Ducey. 'Or is this a party ... thats loyal to a single person?'

It's a question of Republican identity that party officials and activists are facing across the country following Trump's 2020 loss, and particularly after a mob of his supporters laid siege on the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

Nowhere is the question more acute than Arizona, where the state GOP's unflinching loyalty to Trump stands out even in a party that's been remade everywhere in the image of the former president.

McCain (pictured left with John McCain), who endorsed President Joe Biden, was censured because she has 'supported globalist policies and candidates' and 'condemned President Trump for his criticism of her husband and erroneously placed behaviors over actual presidential results'

Party activists also reelected controversial Chairwoman Kelli Ward, who has been one of Trumps most unflinching supporters and among the most prolific promoters of his baseless allegations of election fraud

Ward has relentlessly - but unsuccessfully - sued to overturn the election results. The party has used its social media accounts to urge followers to fight and perhaps even to die in support of Trump's false claims of victory. Two of the state's four Republican congressmen are accused of playing a role in organizing the January 6 rally that turned violent.

After dominating Arizona politics for decades, Republicans now find themselves on their heels in the states highest offices. President Joe Biden narrowly eked out a victory here, becoming just the second Democrat in more than five decades to win the state. Consecutive victories in 2018 and 2020 gave Democrats control of both U.S. Senate seats for the first time in nearly 70 years.

Ward, a physician and former state legislator who lost two Republican primaries for the U.S. Senate, defeated three challengers to win a second term.

In a brief interview, Ward acknowledged 'disappointment at the top of the ticket' but said she and many other Republicans still question the results showing victories for Biden and Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly. Judges have rejected eight lawsuits challenging Arizonas election results.

Ward pointed to GOP successes down the ballot, noting Republicans defied expectations in local races.

Ward said she's a 'Trump Republican' who will 'always put America first, who believes in faith, family and freedom.' The way forward for the GOP, she said, is keeping Trump's 74 million voters engaged.

'Yes, I will be radical about those things because those are the things that keep this country great,' Ward said. 'The people who are complaining are the people who actually put us in this spot where we are in Arizona, people who have been mamby pamby, lie down and allow the Democrats to walk all over them.'

Former Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Cindy McCain, right, arrive for the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on January 20

After the vote, Flake tweeted a photo of him with McCain and Ducey at Biden's inauguration and wrote: 'Good company'

The censures target some of Arizona's most prominent Republicans.

Cindy McCain endorsed Biden and became a powerful surrogate for the Democrat following years of attacks by Trump on her husband. After the vote, she wrote on Twitter that 'it is a high honor to be included in a group of Arizonans who have served our state and our nation so well.'

'I'll wear this as a badge of honor,' she wrote.

Also after the vote, Flake tweeted a photo of him with McCain and Ducey at Biden's inauguration and wrote: 'Good company.'

Flake was one of the few congressional Republicans who was openly critical of Trump for failing to adhere to conservative values. He declined to run for reelection in 2018 and endorsed Biden in last year's election.

'If condoning the President's behavior is required to stay in the Party's good graces, I'm just fine being on the outs,' Flake wrote on Twitter before and after the vote.

Ducey is being targeted for his restrictions on individuals and businesses to contain the spread of COVID-19. While its not mentioned in the proposed censure, he had a high-profile break with the president when he signed the certification of Biden's victory.

'These resolutions are of no consequence whatsoever and the people behind them have lost whatever little moral authority they may have once had,' said Sara Mueller, Ducey's political director.

Many traditional conservatives fret that the censures and Wards combative style turn off the swing voters and ticket-splitters who handed Democrats their recent victories. But they say the partys decisions will reflect only the views of about 1,500 committed activists.

John McCain was censured by the state GOP in 2014 and went on to comfortably win a Republican primary over Ward and a general election. The self-described maverick, known best for his willingness to buck his party, had strained relations with the state party for much of his career but was consistently reelected by wide margins.

New Delhi, Jan 24 : The Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize has announced its longlist for the sixth edition at the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival 2021.

The nominated books in the longlist include: Sarojini's Mother; Magical Woman; Girl in White Cotton; Women of Prey; Calcutta Nights; The Courtesan, The Mahatma and the Italian Brahmin; One hell of a lover; The CEO Factory; Gun Island; Bein Gandhi; Two Plays; Suralakshmi Villa; The Camel Merchant of Philadelphia; Afsaane; Dastaan-e-Mughal-e-Azam; MOOM; White as Milk and Rice and The Amils of Sindh.

Instituted in March 2015 by Oxford Bookstore, the longlist has been chosen by the distinguished jury comprising Shobhaa De, Prominent Author, Indian columnist and novelist, Shashi Tharoor, well known Indian politician, writer and Member of Parliament, Kunal Basu, Author besides Priti Paul Director, Apeejay Surrendra Group and the creative force behind Oxford Bookstores and Namita Gokhale author, publisher & literary historian. A list of eighteen book covers made it to the longlist which was announced at the AKLF.

The eighteen longlisted titles were announced by Jurors - Priti Paul, Namita Gokhale and Kunal Basu. The varied interests of these eminent jurors helped put together diverse perspectives for selecting the longlist The evening witnessed a talk session with the jury in the unique hybrid format where the jurors connected to share the platform over their love for books and the visual appeal of the book covers, from different parts of the worlds.

The Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize is a first-of-its-kind honor for splendor in book design, and an endeavor by an iconic bookstore to perceive and empower the phenomenal work of artists, designers and distributors crosswise over India. The new prize acknowledges the significance of the adjust of illustrations and story, especially in our undeniably visual age, and trusts that a book cover translates and interprets the resulting content in critical ways that add to its definitive achievement. Under the guidance of Priti Paul, Director, Apeejay Surrendra Group, Oxford Bookstores has been pushing all boundaries to encourage the publishing industry and celebrate the business of books.

Standout cover design is an integral part of the success of a book, designers and illustrators play a vital role in helping a book become emblematic and create recall.

The shortlist of the Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize's sixth edition will be announced virtually by Oxford Bookstore followed by the winner announcements at JaipurBookMark of Jaipur Literature Festival in February.

In its first year, the prize was given to designer, Bena Sareen for the book, Talking of Justice by late author, Leila Seth, published by Aleph followed by Pinaki De, for the second year who was declared winner for book Kalkatta authored by Kunal Basu, published by Picador India. The third Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize was awarded to Maithili Doshi Aphale for the book Himalaya authored by Ruskin Bond and Namita Gokhale, published by Speaking Tiger. In the fourth year the prize was awarded to Bonita Vaz Shimray for the book Remnants of a Separation by Aanchal Malhotra published by Harper Collins. In the fifth edition, the prize was handed over to Sneha Pamneja for Tiffin, published by Roli Books.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
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Donald Trump

A group of owners at Trump Palace in Manhattan, New York, is mulling removing the former United States president's name from the building.

The owners discussed the subject at a meeting, Bloomberg reported. The manager of the condominium tower is examining the possibility of such a move, Michael Schoeman, a resident of the building, told the website.

Donald Trump was a real estate magnate and reality TV star before becoming the president, and several buildings in New York are under his brand name.

Trump's presidency has been severely criticised, particularly his supporters stormed Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021. He is also the only US president to be impeached twice and his brand value appears to have taken a hit.

Trump Palace would not be the first building named after the former president to rebrand itself. In 2017, Trump SoHo, a hotel condominium in Manhattan, changed its name to "The Dominick".

Also read: Impeached again | Will the Trump Tower brand feel the heat in India?

Some owners worry that having Trump's name on their building could harm the value of their investment, the business news website reported.

A spokesperson for the Trump Organization didnt respond to a request for comment when contacted by Bloomberg.

Adam Leitman Bailey, a New York real estate attorney, told Bloomberg he was contacted by residents at Trump Plaza, and other buildings soon after Trump's 2016 presidential run.

"I have received calls from every building with Trump on it in the city trying to get it removed," Bailey told the website. Over time in New York, Donald Trump has not been very popular and New York is about money, so having Trumps name on the building reduces its value," he said.
Salma Hayek hasn't been letting quarantine get her down.

And the 54-year-old movie star looked like she was enjoying her weekend as she showed off her slender figure in a new swimsuit selfie on Sunday.

The Frida actress stunned as she slipped into a red swimsuit and laid down on a net hammock hovering above the clear blue ocean.

Lounging: Salma Hayek stunned in a sultry red swimsuit in a new quarantine Instagram posted Sunday

Salma wasn't afraid to show some skin, revealing her toned legs and full bust in the sexy one-piece.

She popped on some sunglasses and tied her brunette locks back into a curly ponytail.

Keeping things simple in the caption , tagging the post #Sundayvibes.

Earlier in the week she shared another sexy bikini photo.

A 10: On Tuesday the 54-year-old movie star donned a black string bikini in a beachy Instagram

The star was at it again as she posted two images while in a black string bikini as she sat in the shore of a sandy beach.

'We need to keep our cool. Hay que mantener la calma #instamood #calm,' wrote the mother of one in her caption for her 17M followers.

The beauty looked half her age as she had slender arms, a very small waistline and sculpted arms that made her look great in the bikini.

Her long black hair was wet and slicked back as she wore minimal makeup for the pinup shoot.

Last year she said her career is doing better than ever.

'It really invigorated me that they are finding me. I always found them. But they didn't want me. And that now they're coming to me, that's what's been really invigorating,' the beauty told OK! magazine.

Chilled out: 'We need to keep our cool. Hay que mantener la calma #instamood #calm,' wrote the mother of one in her caption for her 17M followers

'It's difficult to make sense of it, you know? But that's what's been really strange. And you know what? Strange things happen to strange people.'

In the past few years the actress has starred in Drunk Parents, Like A Boss and The Roads Not Taken. Next she will be seen in The Eternals, The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard and Bliss.

Hayek rose to fame in the Mexican telenovela Teresa before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a big screen career.

Flawless: The beauty looked half her age as she had slender arms, a very small waistline and sculpted arms that made her look great in the bikini. Her long black hair was wet and slicked back as she wore minimal makeup for the pinup shoot

However, when the Hollywood actress first started out in 1988 she had no idea how things would end up.

She believes any struggles over the years have given her the possibility to choose the right path, having dubbed her life 'completely unimaginable'.

The cover girl explained: 'The things that have happened in my life are completely unimaginable. Even in my greatest ideas of my most extraordinary destiny, I never imagined how I feel right now.

Another knockout look for this timeless wonder: And earlier this month Salma was seen in this brown bikini with red on the flip side

'At some point in your life you just settle for doing the right thing and the best you can, instead of think about what you want and what you can didn't get get or what you're not getting or how someone's getting it and you're not getting it.

'It gives you the possibility to take roads that you never wanted to take, and you have the adventurous spirit to go and discover instead of planning so much. You may end up on roads that are much better than in your imagination.'

The wife of billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault has proved with several bikini shots this year that she looks as good as ever.

Salma and her French businessman husband have been married since 2009, after tying the knot in a lavish Paris ceremony on Valentine's Day. Their nuptials are said to have cost an eye-watering $3.5 million.

Another dreamy look for this star: A fuchsia suit with a wrap was just the ticket

Life's a beach for Hayek: The Fools Rush In star has been in the tropics with her family

Their big day took place in the famous Venice opera house Teatro La Fenice, and the lovers were joined by an A-List group of well wishers, including Penelope Cruz, Woody Harrelson and Bono.

Last year, it was reported that Francois-Henri is worth an estimated $33.2billion. (He is the chairman and CEO of Kering since 2005, and president of Groupe Artemis since 2003.)

The Oscar-nominated actress remains tight-lipped about their relationship, but last year she did address trolls who apparently criticized the union.

We are green with envy: The talented film veteran was also seen in this plunging dress

'A lot of people are very shocked that I married who I married,' she said in an interview with Town & Country.

'And some people are even intimidated now by me. But it's another way of showing racism. They can't believe this Mexican ended up in the life that she has, and they're uncomfortable around me.'

Salma added: '[Pinault] is the best husband in the world. I get to be who I am with him, and I don't feel that somebody tries to limit me.'
Trouble mounted for Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after the ruling Nepal Communist Party expelled him from the party in a decision taken by a Central Committee Meeting on Sunday. This comes amid repeated threats by the rival faction leaders of his party who had said that they would revoke Oli's membership in protest against his decision to dissolve the Nepal Parliament.

"His membership has been revoked," the spokesperson for the splinter group, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, told news agency ANI. As per sources, party leaders are planning further action against KP Oli post his ouster threatening 'serious disciplinary actions' against him.

Nepal's Caretaker PM KP Sharma Oli (file photo) removed from ruling Nepal Communist Party by a Central Committee Meeting of the splinter group of the party.



"His membership has been revoked," Spokesperson for the splinter group, Narayan Kaji Shrestha confirmed ANI. pic.twitter.com/6vc91tt03k  ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2021

Read: Nepal PM Oli Faces Fresh Woes After Leaked Paper Makes Big Revelation On House Dissolution

Read: Nepal PM Oli 'tired Of Making Deals With Prachanda'; Chinese Ploy To Restore Unity Fails

Political crisis in Nepal

Nepal plunged into a political crisis on December 20 last year after the Prime Minister, known for his pro-China leanings, in a surprise move, recommended dissolving the 275-member House, amidst a tussle for power with former PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'. The Nepal PM had proposed holding fresh elections for April and May this year, a decision which was accepted by the President with elections being scheduled for April 30 and May 10.

The Prachanda-led faction of the party, however, came down heavily on this move saying, "By dissolving the House, Oli has given a blow to the Constitution as well as the democratic republic system which has been established in the country through seven decades of struggle by the people."

Moreover, Oli had not mentioned any constitutional clauses while recommending dissolution of the lower house to President Bidya Devi Bhandari, showed a leaked paper from the Supreme Court of Nepal. The leaked paper stated, "There is a necessity of two-third majority Government. According to basic essence and values of Nepal's Constitution and Parliamentary system and practice of our own and various countries with a parliamentary system, it is to be recommended to President to dissolve House of Representatives of incumbent Federal Assembly and head for polls on April 30 for the first phase and May 10 for the second phase."

It is important to mention that Oli-led CPN-UML and Prachanda-led NCP (Maoist Centre) had merged in May 2018 to form a unified Nepal Communist Party.

Read: Nepal PM Oli Dissolved Parliament On India's Orders, Met R&AW Chief: Prachanda's New Twist

Read: Embattled & Cornered, Nepal PM KP Oli Sending Foreign Min To 'reclaim' Indian Territories
Thomas Martin Davis, age 80, of Hixson, passed away peacefully at Generations Center of Spencer, Tennessee on Wednesday, January 20th, 2021.

Mr. Davis was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee to the late Ovis and Edna G. Davis. He was a longtime resident of Hixson, Tennessee, a Hixson High School graduate, and was named Mr. Hixson High in 1958. In 1970, he graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelors Degree in Business.

He was a member of the Tennessee National Guard prior to his enlistment to the U.S. Air Force. His active years of service included two years of foreign services at the Naha Air Force Base, Okinawa where he received the Airman of the month award of the 51st Organizational Maintenance Squadron. Airman Davis served as Crew Chief on a C-130 Hercules aircraft. Other tours of duty included the Philippines, Congo, and Da Nang during the onset of the Vietnam War.

He was a former employee with Lockheed, Marietta, Georgia, and K-Mart where he was a Construction Field Representative.

Mr. Davis often recalled his love for flying C-130s, military buddies, music, family and friends.

He was of the Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Denton Davis, and his grandparents, Dessie and Ephraim Hixson, and Sally and Grady Godsey.

Mr. Davis is survived by his sister, Catherine Sue Stults; brother, O. Grady Davis; daughter, Marta (Ben) Davis; son, Jeff Davis; several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

There will be no visitation.

Graveside services will be held at the Chattanooga National Cemetery on Monday, February 1, 2021 at 12:30 p.m.

The family expressed their sincere gratitude to the staff at Generations Center of Spencer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bledsoe County Veterans Park, P.O. Box 575, Pikeville, Tennessee 37367 in care of Tommy Nipper.

If you arent comfortable in attending the service you may join us live for the service at https://www.facebook.com/ chattanooganorthchapel/

We respectfully request that "social distancing", wearing masks at all times, and all CDC measures be followed at the cemetery.

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com
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Disney's The Lion King has gone viral on social media after fans of the 1994 musical began investigating a conspiracy theory about the well-known storyline.

Posting on TikTok, Christian Jones, 17, who lives in Atlanta, explained the evidence he's gathered to suggest Scar ate Mufasa after he fell from a cliff to his death.

He shared a Google search that shows carnivores such as lions are most likely to be eaten by a rival carnivore as an act of dominance.

Posting a scene from the movie showing Scar with Mufasa's skull, Christian sparked a debate as those who believe his theory argued it's 'ruined' their childhood.

Social media users have begun debating a viral theory that suggests Scar ate Mufasa after his death in The Lion King (pictured)

The Lion King follows lion cub Simba who is forced to leave the pride following the death of his father Mufasa.

The death of Mufasa is among Disney's most iconic scenes, with viewers remembering how Scar whispered 'long live the king' before throwing him to his death where he's then trampled on by a herd.

According to Christian's theory, the scene in the movie that shows Scar playing with a skull proves Mufasa's body was later eaten.

Discussing the concept on Twitter, one person wrote: 'My whole childhood was a lie,' while a second penned: 'Scar is vicious. He did it. Scar is capable of anything roguish & more.'

A third added: 'Scar's officially the most wicked cartoon character.'

A stream of Twitter users who believe Christian Jones's evidence, claim the theory has destroyed their childhood

Others were not convinced by Christian's evidence and began sharing their own fan theories.

One person wrote: 'Okay that skull is probably a baboon. Mufasa was 'buried' around that river where Simba was shown and the whole cloud thing happened. That's my theory'

Another commented: 'Scavengers. Lots of things will eat a dead animal. Like they're gonna come up on the body and say, I don't eat this kind of meat.'

'Hyenas will eat anything they can. Lions usually don't die alone that's why hyenas can't eat them. But an ostracized lion will be hunted by hyenas,' a third penned.

Agreeing, another added: 'Hyenas eat and kill lions. They just aren't strong enough but there is this documentary where a lion killed a pack leader and her cub lead the pack to kill the lion for revenge.'

The government is likely to announce the formulation of a dedicated policy for the toys sector in the Union Budget 2021-22. This policy will help in boosting domestic manufacturing and in creating a robust ecosystem for the sector in India and also to attract startups.

Union commerce and industry ministry is already taking measures to promote domestic manufacturing of toys such as a quality control order for the sector and raised import duty on toys in 2020.

India reportedly has a very low share in the global toys market and accounts for less than 0.5 per cent of international demand at $100 million. In India, the toys industry is largely in the unorganised sector and comprises about 4,000 small and medium enterprises. Approximately 85 per cent of toys are imported in India, most of these imports being from China followed by Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the US, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Germany.

The other areas which could be looked at to tap this opportunity could be promotion of research and development and design centres for toys. "Boosting manufacturing would also help increase exports of toys from India. Countries like China and Vietnam are major players in the sector," a source in the Union Commerce Ministry told news agency PTI.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has also proposed a roadmap to encourage domestic manufacturing in alignment with global trade trends. The industry body added, "This will help Indian industry integrate into the global value chain while becoming competitive with its goods and services in the world markets."

Also read: Budget 2021: Halwa ceremony to kickstart budget process to be held today

Also read: Budget 2021: North Block holds Halwa ceremony, FM launches 'Union Budget Mobile App'
Met Eireann have extended a nationwide snow/ice weather warning as falls of sleet, hail and snow are set to continue.

Parts of the country woke up to snow on the ground this morning as icy conditions made roads treacherous and drivers were advised to take extreme caution.

The Status Yellow weather alert was due to end at 12pm this afternoon but Met Eireann have now extended it until 7pm.

The national forecaster advised: "Scattered falls of sleet, snow and hail continuing for the rest of today. Icy and hazardous conditions."

Met Eireann have also issued a low temperature alert as freezing lows of -5 degrees are expected tonight.

The nationwide alert will be in place from 7pm this evening until 10am on Monday morning.

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A forecaster revealed: "Icy and very cold with lowest temperatures of -5 to -2 degrees generally, colder locally."

Temperatures plummeted to a freezing -5.2 degrees in Athenry, Co Galway yesterday while lows of -4.7 degrees were recorded at Moore Park in Cork.

Snow fell in parts of the country, including Donegal, Roscommon, Westmeath and Galway.

And it was another chilly start today with lows of -2 degrees recorded at Malin Head in Donegal and -1 degrees in Dublin and Knock, Co Mayo.

According to Met Eireann, Gurteen in Co Sligo and Mullingar in Co Westmeath were among the areas experiencing "snow grains" this morning.

AA Roadwatch are advising motorists to take "extreme caution" due to the "very icy" nature of the roads today.

A spokesperson said the areas worst affected included Clifden in Co Galway, Co Roscommon and Co Wexford.

They said: "Extreme caution is advised around Clifden and on the N59 between there and Maam Cross after snowfall last night."
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2021) New Zealand recorded its first community case of COVID-19 transmission in over two months after a woman tested positive weeks after leaving managed isolation.

"We received information from the Ministry of Health about a person in the community who has tested positive for COVID-19 after they have left our managed isolation facilities," the minister for COVID-19 Response, Chris Hipkins, said at a news conference Sunday, shared by the New Zealand Herald.

Hipkins said health officials were contact-tracing and undertaking an investigation, adding that it was too early to speculate on what the government's response options may be.

Following Hipkins, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield explained that the 56-year-old woman in question had been traveling in Europe for several months, visiting Spain and the Netherlands before taking a return route via London and Singapore to arrive in Auckland on December 30. She left government-managed 14-day hotel isolation after two negative tests and no symptoms.

The woman visited some 30 locations on the North Island with her husband over the next several days as she began to develop mild symptoms.

Four close contacts have been identified, tested and isolated.

"She was extremely assiduous in using the NZ COVID Tracer app, to record QR codes, and this has meant that we have been able to rapidly identify locations where she has been. Our teams are in the process of contacting those places," Bloomfield said at the conference.

All the new COVID-19 cases in New Zealand recorded over December and January have been imported from abroad and identified in government-managed isolation.

The government has booked airport hotels to use as isolation facilities where all entrants remain for two weeks before being allowed into the country. Returnees must then record their whereabouts and respond to regular checkup calls.

New Zealand has been hailed as a beacon of diligent COVID-19 response, keeping the overall count below 2,300 cases and 25 deaths. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made calls to all the families of the COVID-19 fatalities to pass her condolences and apologies.
JERSEY CITY  Chella Mudhusam was born in Chennai, India, a small Indian village where Vice President Kamala Harris has ancestral roots. As the village chanted and celebrated her taking the oath for the U.S. office, Mudhusam reflected on the opportunities this opens for people of color.

On Sunday, Mudhusam was one of three local store and restaurant owners in India Square who shared their thoughts on Harris, a half Indian and half Jamaican woman. Harris became the first woman and woman of color inaugurated as U.S. vice president on Wednesday.

Were very proud to have Kamala as our vice president, Mudhusam told The Jersey Journal. ... Kamala is setting a good example and theres opportunity to look forward to.

Mudhusam, 30, is the owner of Masala Cafe, located at the tip of a two-block strip of an Indian and South Asian community tucked in Journal Square in Jersey City.

Chella Mudusam, owner of Masala Cafe in Jersey City on Sunday, January 24, 2020.

But before coming to Jersey City, Mudhusam said he was born in the same Indian village as Harriss maternal grandfather. Harris doesnt have any more relatives living in the southern Indian city, but Mudhusam was happy to mention the connection.

Further up the block was Laxmi Pan Center, a hidden convenience store within the plethora of restaurants and markets. Yogesh Patel, the owner of the store, agreed that Harris was setting a good example, especially for younger women and girls.

(Harris as vice president) is good for Indian people, Patel said. Its good for everyone. Its good that Biden chose her as vice president.

Patel, of India, has been in Jersey City for 35 years. According to the 2010 Census, over 27,000 Asian Indians accounted for 10.9% of the citys population.

After Harris took her oath into office on Wednesday, she shared a tribute to her mother, who was an Indian immigrant. Her father, Donald Harris, was a Jamaican immigrant.

Im here today because of the women who came before me. And to the woman most responsible for my presence here today - my mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, who is always in our hearts, she said in a video posted on Twitter.

But those of Indian descent arent the only ones proud to have Harris in office.

Chamila Gedara, 43, is originally from Sri Lanka. He owns Pramukh Jewelers, a jewelry store on Newark Avenue.

He said hes happy that Harris is in a position of power.
The UK has identified 77 cases of South African coronavirus variant and nine of a Brazilian mutant, it was revealed today - amid warnings the virus is changing so fast new vaccines might be needed every year.

Matt Hancock said the cases were being kept under 'very close observation' stressing that they appeared to be linked to travellers - amid a Cabinet row over how to tighten border rules.

'They are under very close observation, and we have enhanced contact tracing to do everything we possibly can to stop them from spreading,' the Health Secretary said.

The figures emerged as Professor Anthony Harnden, deputy chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said the country will need to 'get used to' living with coronavirus.

In other twists and turns in the coronavirus crisis today:

The UK reported a further 30,004 Covid cases, down almost a quarter on last Sunday, and 610 more deaths today;

It was another record day for vaccinations with 491,970 first doses and 1,043 second doses;

Mr Hancock revealed that as of this morning three quarters of the over-80s have been vaccinated;

The UK has detected 77 cases of the South African variant of Covid and nine cases of one of the Brazilian variants;

Nicola Sturgeon faces fury for ramping up her independence drive during the pandemic as she threatened to hold a referendum without Boris Johnson's agreement - and SNP MPs said they are 'focused on undermining the union';

Nursing leaders have called for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of coronavirus.

Professor Anthony Harnden, deputy chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said the country will need to 'get used to' living with coronavirus

Infections in the UK spiked after a more transmissible variant was identified in Kent

Matt Hancock said the cases were being kept under 'very close observation' stressing that they appeared to be linked to travellers

Hancock pushes for tougher border rules Matt Hancock today fuelled Cabinet tensions over a UK border crackdown urging 'precautionary' action against Covid variants that have not been detected yet - amid claims the PM wants a more targeted approach. The Health Secretary gave a strong hint he favours blanket curbs on arrivals ahead of a showdown in a key committee on Tuesday. He also said 77 cases of the South African variant, all linked to travellers, and nine of a Brazilian variant have been identified in the UK. The key 'Covid O' group of ministers are expected to meet to thrash out a tightening, but 'hawks' such as Mr Hancock, Michael Gove and Priti Patel have been wrangling with 'doves' such as Rishi Sunak and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps. There are calls for all arrivals to be forced into Australia-style 'quarantine hotels' at airports for 10 days at their own expense - and a full border shutdown for foreign passengers has not been ruled out. Sources told the Mail on Sunday that Boris Johnson favours targeting the restrictions on Covid hotspots rather than making all air passengers quarantine. However, in a sign of the tensions, one Cabinet 'hawk' told MailOnline that the policy will be 'worthless' unless it covers all arrivals to the UK. Advertisement

Speaking on Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday Professor Harnden said: 'I think we have to get used to this.

'We are living in a world where coronavirus is so prevalent and rapidly mutating there are going to be new variants that pop up in all sorts of different countries.

'We may well be in a situation where we have to have an annual coronavirus vaccine much like we do with the flu vaccine, but the public should be reassured that these technologies are relatively easy to edit and tweak, so once we find strains that are predominant, the vaccines can be altered.'

Earlier, Mr Hancock told the programme that work was being done with international counterparts to analyse the efficacy of the vaccine on foreign variants, but added he was more worried about further mutant strains that 'had not been spotted'.

'There's probably (variants) elsewhere that simply haven't been picked up because the country doesn't have that genomic sequencing service,' he said.

Mr Hancock said that tests were ongoing at Porton Down and in South Africa, adding that he wanted to see the UK's genomic sequencing capability 'made available across the world' so that emerging variants could be caught.

'In the meantime we've got to have a precautionary principle so we've introduced pre-departure testing and we've also introduced checks on everybody to check that that has happened,' he said.

'It is absolutely vital that we protect this country from a variant that is not as well dealt with by the vaccine.

'We cannot risk the progress we have made.'

The Government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance previously said there was 'no evidence that the South African or Brazilian variants' were more transmissible than the new UK strain.

But he said: 'It is the case that both the South African and Brazilian identified variants have more differences in shape which might mean they are recognised differently by antibodies.'

'I think it is too early to know the effect that will have on the vaccination in people and it is worth remembering that the response of the vaccine is very, very high antibody levels, so they may overcome some of this.'

Boris Johnson is set to compel visitors from high-risk Covid countries to quarantine for ten days, The Mail on Sunday understands. Pictured: Crowds at London's Heathrow Airport
After a decade of living in Los Angeles, former Biggest Loser host Ajay Rochester has relocated back to Australia.

And she doesn't appear to have any regrets about the move.

On Saturday, Ajay, 51, looked happier than ever as she tried her hand at snorkeling at Clovelly Beach in Sydney.

Beach life! Ajay Rochester, 51, (pictured) tried her hand at snorkelling during a Sydney beach outing on Saturday

She kept sun-safe by sporting a rash vest, which she paired with black boardshorts which featured a purple printed design.

The television personality styled her blonde hair into two plaits and went makeup free for the outing.

At one stage during the outing, she was seen carrying a netted flotation device as she made her way around the popular beach.

Fun in the sun: Ajay appeared to be in great spirits as she splashed around in the ocean

Safety first: She kept sun-safe by sporting a rash vest, which she paired with black boardshorts with a purple floral design

The sun-soaked outing comes after Ajay wasn't able to travel to Brisbane to spend Christmas with her family.

'I am absolutely devastated and furious,' she told Daily Mail Australia last month.

'I was supposed to be flying to Brisbane with my son Kai to have Christmas with the family I just met last year, my brother and sister, and now i'm stuck in Sydney,' she said.

Out and about: Ajay was seen carrying a netted flotation device as she made her way around the popular beach

Relaxed: At one point during the outing, Ajay was seen laying down in the sun

Like many, the former TV host hasn't had it easy in these uncertain times.

It took her three months to get a flight to Australia from the US due to tough Covid-19 restrictions.

'I spent 10 months in my apartment locked up, like a self-imposed prisoner terrified of this virus while millions of others go about doing what they want and it just spiraled out of control,' she said.

'I got home in the end so I'm one of the lucky ones as there are so many who haven't been as fortunate,' she said of her return.

Happy: Ajay didn't appear to have any regrets about recently moving to Sydney and was seen making the most of the Sydney's soaring temperatures

Back in Oz: The sun-soaked outing comes after Ajay returned to Australia from LA in December

Ajay, who hosted The Biggest Loser from 2006 to 2009, relocated to the US in 2010.

She has a son, Kai, 21, who has Asperger's Syndrome.

Her most recent TV appearance was on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2019, but she now mostly works behind the scenes as a casting agent.
A man who went missing for 18 days and stayed alive by eating wild mushrooms and drinking dam water has been found alive by a Queensland MP.

Robert Weber, 58, was last seen with his dog leaving a hotel in Kilkivan, about 170 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, in a white 2000 model Ford Falcon sedan on January 6.

Robert Weber, 58, is checked over by paramedics after being found by Gympie MP Tony Perrett on Sunday morning. Credit:Queensland Police Service

Police said Mr Weber, who is from Narangba in the Moreton Bay region north of Brisbane, had planned to drive about 410 kilometres to Dululu, south of Rockhampton, and arrive there the day after he disappeared.

Police officers, State Emergency Service volunteers and local community members spent a week searching dense bushland, rivers, dams and steep terrain during wet conditions in the Kilkivan area before the search was suspended on January 20.

Between 150 and 200 National Guard deployed to Washington, D.C., to provide security for the inauguration tested positive for COVID-19, a U.S. official said.

Three teens were pulled from the water near Apollo Bay, and a beach south-east of Melbourne was evacuated after a shark sighting, but an expected cool change swept through earlier than planned, providing relief for the sweltering city.

Melbournes temperature dropped from 39.2 to the mid-20s just after noon on Monday, after a fast-moving cool change arrived in metro areas earlier than expected.

But fears remain that extreme heat and gusty winds in the states north may pose a fire risk throughout the summer after a small grass fire briefly burnt out of control near Shepparton.

Liam, 12, Indy, 8, and Blaze, 13, cool off at Lysterfield Lake on Monday Credit:Eddie Jim

Paramedics treated three teenagers after a water incident at Marengo, near Apollo Bay, an Ambulance Victoria spokesman said.
Chennai:

The Madras High Court on Friday asked the Tamil Nadu government to explain as to why names figuring in the Election Commission and IT Department reports on the alleged bribing of RK Nagar assembly segment voters were not mentioned in the relevant FIR.

The FIR against unnamed persons had been registered on a complaint by the Returning Officer of the constituency, where the April 12 byelection was rescinded by the EC over the alleged use of money power to influence voters.



A bench of justices M Sathyanarayanan and M Sundar sought the governments explanation while hearing a lawsuit by one M P Vairakkannan, seeking the courts direction for lodging an FIR on the electoral malpractices in the RK Nagar bypoll.



The court also issued notice to the Election Commission, Chennai police commissioner, the Tamil Nadus chief electoral officer, besides the returning officer of RK Nagar assembly constituency seeking their replies by July 14 to the petition.

ALSO READ | Post graduate degree/diploma medical course merit list: Madras High Court adjourns plea



On June 19, the court had sought a status report from the EC on the matter and had directed the Chennai police to submit the case diary. Accordingly, the EC and the police had submitted their reports to the bench on Friday.



After perusing the reports, the bench said the Income Tax report mentioned several names while the EC report had three particular names. It said none of the names were there in the FIR with the column for the names of accused left blank.



In his response, the attorney general said these were the slips which were seized at the time of the raid conducted by the IT department and that investigation was underway.



To this, the bench again asked the AG, Why the names that were mentioned in the report of EC were not shown in the FIR? The bench then directed the high court registry to keep all the reports in a sealed cover.



Chief Minister K Palaniswami earlier this week informed the state assembly that a case had been registered in this regard by police and investigation was on. He was responding to Leader of Opposition M K Stalin (DMK) and Congress members who raised the issue of EC asking the state Chief Electoral Officer to instruct the Returning Officer to lodge a police complaint on the alleged bribing of voters in RK Nagar constituency.

ALSO READ | Trust vote in TN: DMK seeks hearing of plea on reported pay-offs to AIADMK MLAs

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(Bloomberg) -- Cathie Woods recent travails have been a boon for some of her peers in money management.About two dozen investment advisers including Balyasny Asset Management and a unit of Blackstone Group Inc. bought bearish put options during the first quarter on the Ark Innovation exchange traded fund, her firms main investment vehicle, regulatory filings show.While money managers often buy puts on ETFs to protect their portfolios against market declines, the options are typically tied to passively managed index funds such as the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust.Yet technology-focused Ark Innovation grew so large so quickly -- to $28 billion in mid-February from $1.9 billion at the end of 2019 -- that some managers saw the actively managed fund as a better alternative to buffer against a slump in stocks that surged during the pandemic.Big Take: Cathie Woods Bad Spring Is a Blip When Future Is So MagnificentThe Ark Innovation fund had a tremendous run over the course of 2020 and early 2021, Efrem Kamen, the head of New York-based Pura Vida Investments, said in an email. However, the level of fund flows into the ETF appeared to be extreme.Representatives of Woods Ark Investment Management didnt reply to phone and email messages seeking comment.Ark Innovation, with the ticker symbol ARKK, returned 153% last year, buoyed by investments including Tesla Inc. and Zoom Video Communications Inc. Its fortunes began to sour in mid-February, as signs of inflation spurred investors to ditch tech stocks in favor of value plays that would benefit from rising prices, such as banks and mining companies.The ETF proved more volatile than some of the index funds that have traditionally served as a proxy for the tech sector, making it a more profitable way to bet against such stocks or hedge other holdings. ARKK tumbled 29% through Wednesday from its Feb. 12 peak, while the Invesco QQQ ETF, which tracks the Nasdaq 100, fell 0.7%.If you were sitting on some serious gains heading into this year and you want to protect those gains, it was an effective strategy, Chris Murphy, co-head of derivatives strategy at Susquehanna International Group, said of buying ARKK puts.Investors pay a premium to acquire put options, which in turn entitle them to sell shares of a public company or an ETF to another investor in the future at a set price. While some managers and market-makers hold a combination of ARKK shares along with put and call options, the firms analyzed by Bloomberg held such puts exclusively or predominantly.Deer Park Road Management Co., a Steamboat Springs, Colorado-based firm that trades asset- and mortgage-backed securities and corporate debt, bought put options during the first quarter on 2.15 million ARKK shares, according to its quarterly 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The shares covered by the puts had a face value of almost $258 million at the end of March.The put options were priced too low when viewed in terms of the ETFs past volatility, making them more attractive as a tool for hedging risk, Deer Park Chief Investment Officer Scott Burg said in a phone interview. Deer Park bought them to protect against rising interest rates, he said.As rates have been going up, the tech stocks have been getting crushed, said Burg, whose firm managed about $3.7 billion at year-end. You could see that in the first quarter.Read more: Cathie Wood Fans Buckle Up as ETF Assets FallPura Vida acquired put options on 622,500 ARKK shares with a face value of almost $75 million during the first quarter, according to its filing. The hedge funds portfolio had exposure to some of the same areas as the ETF, including genomics and telemedicine, according to Kamen.Volatility on Ark Innovation ETF was an efficient way to hedge some of the factor risk in our portfolio, Kamen said. Factors refer to the characteristics of a stock, such as being a growth or a value play.Blackstone Alternative Solutions disclosed that it bought put options on 1.3 million ARKK shares in the first quarter, while Balyasny acquired puts on 436,500 shares with a face value of $52 million as of March 31. Other buyers of the puts during the period included Taconic Capital Advisors, Ikarian Capital and Davidson Kempner Capital Management.Sometimes hedge funds look at Tesla and Ark, and think This is just way too much and I can make a killing here, said Eric Balchunas, an ETF analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence. If you made a few of those trades, youve probably done OK in the last couple months.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.
An aerial view of Hue Imperial Citadel, a major tourist attraction in Hue in central Vietnam. Photo by Shutterstock/anhuy.

South Korea has agreed to fund with $13 million efforts made by Hue to turn itself into a smart cultural and tourism city.

The funding will be routed through the South Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica).

It will be used to implement a five-year (2021-2025), $14.8 million project. With Koica, a government agency that specializes in implementing non-refundable aid programs for developing countries, providing $13 million, the rest will comprise counterpart funding from the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, of which Hue is the capital.

The project aims to build a smart tourism information system, develop an urban cultural tourism center and expand the walking zone network in Hue in order to boost tourism in the former imperial capital.

The project will also cover installation of smart lighting and surveillance systems along the banks of the Huong (Perfume) River and building public administration capacity in tourism development and urban management.

Hue, the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 until the end of its reign in 1945, stands out from other parts of the country with its Imperial Citadel and royal tombs that have made it the top tourist destination in Thua Thien-Hue Province for years.

The town has just one pedestrian zone now, comprising the streets of Vo Thi Sau, Chu Van An and Pham Ngu Lao in Phu Hoi Ward. The zone was put into operation in September 2017 after provincial authorities green lighted a proposal to create spaces for locals and tourists to hang out at nights.

The province attracted 4.8 million visitors in 2019, up 11 percent over 2018, and provincial authorities announced plans to open more pedestrian zones to the north and south of the Huong River, develop public transportation means and install environmentally-friendly toilets, apart from trash bins to prevent littering.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2021) The United States has condemned what it calls forceful suppression of protests held across Russia in support of detained opposition activist Alexey Navalny and urged Russian authorities to release all detained protesters, the US State Department said.

Unauthorized rallies took place in dozens of Russian cities on Saturday. The Russian Foreign Ministry warned against foreign meddling, condemning the US embassy for publishing maps of the protests and saying that US diplomats would be summoned over the incident. The US embassy published locations of the protests and advised US citizens to avoid these locations.

"The United States strongly condemns the use of harsh tactics against protesters and journalists this weekend in cities throughout Russia ... Continued efforts to suppress Russians' rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, the arrest of opposition figure Aleksey Navalny, and the crackdown on protests that followed are troubling indications of further restrictions on civil society and fundamental freedoms," the US State Department said on Saturday.

The statement said that by suppressing Russians' rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, the Russian authorities are violating OSCE commitments, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

"We call on Russian authorities to release all those detained for exercising their universal rights and for the immediate and unconditional release of Aleksey Navalny. We urge Russia to fully cooperate with the international community's investigation into the poisoning of Aleksey Navalny and credibly explain the use of a chemical weapon on its soil," the US State Department said.

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has also called for the release of protesters detained during the Saturday unauthorized rallies held across Russia.

"The UK condemns the Russian authorities' use of violence against peaceful protesters and journalists. We call on @GovernmentRF to respect its international commitments on human rights in @coe [Council of Europe] and @OSCE [Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe], and release citizens detained during peaceful demonstrations," Raab said on Twitter.

On Saturday, many Russian cities were hit by protests in support of opposition figure Alexey Navalny, who was detained in Moscow this past Sunday upon his arrival at Sheremetyevo International Airport. Prior to Navalny's return to Russia from Germany, where he was treated for his alleged poisoning, the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service warned it would arrest him for probation violations as he was previously found guilty of committing two administrative offenses.

On Monday, a court in Russia ruled to keep Navalny in detention for 30 days. On January 29, a Moscow court is expected to decide whether Navalny's suspended sentence should be replaced with prison time for breach of suspension conditions.

The US State Department, European Council President Charles Michel, as well as an array of western foreign ministries and ministers have called on the Russian authorities to release Navalny.

Commenting on the West's reaction, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called it an attempt to shift attention from the crisis of the liberal model of development. According to the diplomat, his Western counterparts are visibly "happy" to churn out nearly identical statements.

In relation to various comments on Navalny's detention, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has advised foreign officials to respect international law and focus on domestic issues.

Dozens of people, both protesters and law enforcement officers, were injured during the Saturday pro-Navalny demonstrations in Moscow. Police have detained dozens of protesters.
George Nkencho, who died outside his home in Clonee, was shot twice in the back by armed gardai, a preliminary pathology report has found.

A pathologist hired by the Nkencho family's solicitor, Mr Phelim O'Neill, found that one of the two back wounds suffered by Mr Nkencho was a gunshot wound entering his lower back and exiting his upper right chest.

Mr Nkencho's State-conducted post-mortem found that he was shot six times in total with an interim cause of death believed to be two fatal gunshots to vital organs.

Separately, Prof Jack Crane, the former State Pathologist for Northern Ireland, who was hired by Mr O'Neill for the family's own investigation, conducted a preliminary post-mortem into Mr Nkencho's death on January 12 at Dublin City Mortuary.

According to sources close to the family, Prof Crane noted that, among the "five or six" wounds, "a small, neat entrance wound was on the left side of the back/left flank area.

Expand Close Flowers left at the scene of the fatal shooting outside George Nkencho's home. / Facebook

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"The track of this bullet was upwards and to the right, passing through the lower lobe of the left lung and the heart to emerge at an exit wound on the centre of the front of the upper chest."

The professor records a second "probable entrance wound on the left side of the upper back, below the left shoulder-blade. It would appear to have been a superficial wound, exiting from a wound in the left axila (armpit)".

Three wounds were to the chest with another to the left forearm, he finds.

Expand Close GRIEF: Left to right, Emmanuel, George and Grateful Nkencho; front, Victor, Gloria and the siblings mother, Blessing / Facebook

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Whatsapp GRIEF: Left to right, Emmanuel, George and Grateful Nkencho; front, Victor, Gloria and the siblings mother, Blessing

The professor records wounds to the left lung, heart and liver and says that "the wounds' direction would tend to indicate that he [Mr Nkencho] was moving during the course of the shooting".

George Nkencho (27), who had no previous criminal convictions, was shot dead outside his Clonee home at around 12.35pm on December 30.

Mr Nkencho, who suffered mental health problems, had been involved in an incident at a Spar shop in nearby Hartstown where he attacked a shop assistant with a knife.

A second incident also occurred at the nearby post office. He was reported to local gardai who followed him as he carried the knife on his walk back to his house at Manorfields Drive, Clonee, Dublin 15.

Mr Nkencho was engaged with by gardai, in stages, as he travelled on foot and instructed to drop the knife but did not.

The Garda Armed Support Unit then attempted to restrain Mr Nkencho, using pepper spray and deploying Tasers while his family were inside. He was fatally wounded by gardai.

Following the first shot, he appeared to lunge at gardai with the knife. Mr O'Neill, has expressed his "extreme concerns" at the pace of the investigation by Gsoc. Mr O'Neill has also written to the Garda Ombudsman's office expressing his concern about the taking of witnesses' statements.

An Garda Siochana said that it cannot comment on matters subject to a Gsoc investigation.
(Natural News) The fourth richest person in the world and the top financier of the World Health Organization, Bill Gates, has silently become the biggest farmland owner in the United States. The man himself is the farthest thing from a farmer, however. He couldnt even lift a bale of hay, let alone grip the two strands of bailing twine together with his bare hands.

Nevertheless, Gates now owns tens of thousands of acres of farmland across eighteen states. He owns the most farmland in Louisiana  a stunning 69,071-acre portfolio. As if this wasnt enough, he owns another 47,927 acres in Arkansas, and 20,588 acres in Nebraska, and has a stake in a 25,750-acre swath of land on the west side of Phoenix, Arizona. So why is Bill Gates buying up farmland across America?

Bill Gates and the UNs agricultural experiments

Bill Gates investment vehicle, Cascade Investments, has gone to great lengths to conceal his large farmland purchases, and have tried to cover their tracks with each monstrous deal. One of the deals was a $171 million acquisition concealed by an LLC with two employees in a metal-sided building down a dirt road off the Bayou Teche.

Bill Gates prides himself in philanthropy, so why would he be directing his personal investment vehicle to invest in farmland across the country and keep it a secret? In 2008, his personal foundation invested $306 million to direct the farming operations of small holder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation used the grant money to support high-yield, sustainable agriculture.

Ten years later, Bill launched Gates Ag One to advance these efforts. Now, Cascade Investments coordinates with a subsidiary, Cottonwood Ag Management, which is part of the Leading Harvest network, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable agriculture. The Harvest network now represents 2 million acres in 22 states and another 2 million acres across seven other countries. The Sustainable Agriculture Working Group is behind this transformation of agriculture and Bill Gates is one of the main investors. This 13-member group includes foreign investors looking to change food and crop production in the US, including: Ceres Partners, Hancock Natural Resources Group, The Rohaytn Group, and UBS Farmland Investors.

Is Gates preparing to control US farmers and dictate the direction of US farming in accordance with the United Nations? Is he preparing to launch experimental GMOs across hundreds of thousands of acres of US farmland, dictating the type of seeds and animal breeds that farmers use? Its unclear whether his farmland is being used for conservation purposes or whether he intends to invite foreign influence and experimental genetic-altering technologies into the US agriculture space.

In Scotland, Bill Gates teamed up with the United Kingdom to develop super crops and to breed high-yield cows. The two entities invested $174 million into experimental breeding programs that aim to make cows produce more milk, make chickens lay more eggs, and make genetically modified crops better withstand disease. The experiments are intended to help 100 million African farmers so they can produce higher yields from their small-scale farming operations.

Do these international land grabs and globalists experiments coincide with the FDAs efforts to shutdown raw milk farmers and the Bureau of Land Managements war against independent ranchers?

Bill Gates and the rise of smart cities

Another reason Bill Gates is buying up land is to invest in upcoming smart cities. The land he owns just west of Phoenix is being developed into a new metropolis called Belmont. When its complete, it will boast 80,000 homes, 3,800 acres of industrial, office and retail space; 3,400 acres of open space; and 470 acres for public schools. The acreage is strategically located off Interstate 10 and will be accessible to Interstate 11 as well. The 40 square miles is projected to house 200,000 or more residents, who will undoubtedly be subjected to 24/7 surveillance and personal data harvesting in everything they do within the hyper-connected smart city. Bill Gates sardonic influence is part of a greater INFLUENCE that seeks to use Americans and their resources for international control and exploitation.

Sources include:

NewsPunch.com

Agriculture.com

Reuters.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

A Florida teen who admitted to strangling his mother and disposing of her body after an argument about school grades has been sentenced to 45 years in prison.

Gregory Ramos, now 17, agreed to plead guilty to first-degree murder, abuse of a body and tampering with evidence following the horrific killing in November 2018.

Ramos' sentence was handed down in court on Friday. He will be eligible for parole in 25 years' time, but will be on probation for the rest of his life.

Ramos was just 15 years old when he strangled his mom, Gail Cleavenger, 46, at their home in DeBary. He buried her body behind a nearby church.

The teen then solicited two of his friends to help stage a burglary at the house before he dialed 911 to report his mother missing.

Ramos was charged as an adult and could have faced a life sentence if he did not plead guilty, went to trial and was convicted.

Gregory Ramos has been sentenced to 45 years in jail after he pleaded guilty to strangling his mom, Gail Cleavenger, following an argument over a bad grade he received at school

Ramos was just 15 years old when he strangling his mom Gail Cleavenger, 46, at their home in DeBary. He buried her body behind a nearby church. The pair are pictured together prior to the murder

Ramos is pictured in court on Friday. He will be eligible for parole in 25 years' time

On November 2, 2018, Ramos and mom Cleavanger got into a fight after the teen receive a 'D' grade on his classwork.

Investigators say later in the evening, Ramos strangled his mother with his bare hands in her own bed. Police believe the ordeal took about 30 minutes as Cleavanger attempted to fight back.

After she died, Ramos placed his mother's body in a wheelbarrow, pushed it outside and loaded it in the family van, prosecutors claimed.

Ramos asked his two friends, Dylan Ceglarek and Brian Porras, to help stage a burglary at his home by taking a computer, rifle and Playstation.

Ramos then buried his mother's body in a nearby church yard before calling police.

He allegedly confessed to the crime just hours later, following a police interrogation.

However, at the time, he did not appear remorseful.

During his admission of guilt, Ramos boasted about placing a 'Grammy-winning' 911 call to report the burglary and his mother's disappearance.

At the time, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood described Ramos as 'soulless', 'cold, 'callous', and 'among the top three sociopaths I have ever encountered'.

The killing took place inside the family's home in DeBary, Florida (pictured) on November 2, 2018

Ramos' friends Dylan Ceglarek (left) and Brian Porras (right) each face up to 30 years in prison if convicted of accessory after the fact to premeditated first-degree murder

However, Ramos was much more remorseful when he spoke to the court on Friday, prior to the handing down of his sentence.

'Because of my actions, I will never get to truly know my mom,' Ramos stated, according to The Daytona Beach News Journal.

'Not only have I stolen my mother from myself, but I have stolen her from everybody else as well. From my stepfather, I took his other half, from my aunts and uncles, I took a sister and lifelong friend, from my grandmother, a daughter.

I have done an irreversible harm to the world and them. Why did this happen, why would I have done this, I refuse to make excuses for myself, I can only plead for forgiveness.'

Meanwhile, Ramos' friends, Dylan Ceglarek and Brian Porras, have been charged as adults with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.

They each face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

However, Ramos urged the court to be lenient on his friends, saying: 'I am guilty of the crimes I am charged with. I ask that you extend mercy to my co-defendants. They do not deserve to be incarcerated for my actions.

'They never realized the full extent of the crime nor took the situation seriously until law enforcement was involved. When they were arrested they cooperated with police fully.

Ceglarek and Porras will be sentenced at an upcoming date.
Mumbai, Jan 24 : Actor Vineet Kumar Singh says he hopes people go to watch his upcoming film, Aadhaar, in the theatres because that would give him strength to experiment.

"I am hopeful that people will go to the theatres to watch 'Aadhaar'. The vaccine has also come and people know that if they take all the necessary precautions, there is nothing to worry about," Vineet said.

"People are stepping out for work, everyone is taking all precautionary measures. I would like to tell everyone go to the theatres and watch my film because when you go to watch my film, I get the strength to do more films and experiment. This film will make you laugh and cry. And this is the kind of film that one can watch with the entire family," he added.

Directed by Suman Ghosh, Aadhaar tells the story of the protagonist (played by Singh) in Jamua, Jharkhand, to obtain his Aadhaar number. The Drishyam Films and Jio Studios project also features Saurabh Shukla, Sanjay Mishra and Raghubir Yadav.

The film is slated to release theatrically on February 5.

Just over 300,000 has been claimed by consumers under the Stay and Spend Tax Credit initiative - despite the Government setting aside 250m for the scheme.

The measure was announced last July in a bid to stimulate the Covid-hit hospitality industry by encouraging people to book holiday accommodation in Ireland and dine in pubs and restaurants around the country. But it was not rolled out until October 1, with the hospitality sector closed less than three weeks later under Level 5 restrictions. While it reopened in December for three weeks, skyrocketing Covid-19 case numbers have closed pubs, restaurants, bars and many hotels for the foreseeable future.

The Sunday Independent revealed last week that the industry is not expecting to reopen until after Easter. The Government has warned the sector may remain closed until the summer.

Figures obtained by Labour TD Ged Nash show that up to last Monday, January 18, 4,441 claims for tax relief under the scheme were included in 2020 income tax returns, relating to 1.5m of qualifying expenditure that was submitted on Revenue's receipts tracker app. This entitles those who used the scheme to total tax relief of 305,430.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said that, up to last Monday, 43,196 receipts had been uploaded to the app recording expenditure of 6.8m - with a potential tax relief of 1.36m if all such expenditure is claimed and qualifies under the scheme.

"As the filing deadline for the 2020 Income Tax Return is not until October 31, 2021, information on the total number of claims and cost for the 2020 year of assessment will not be available until after the filing date," Mr Donohoe said.

Under the scheme, a person must upload a picture of their receipt for accommodation or a meal to the Revenue receipts app before claiming a tax credit when submitting their annual return.

A total of 125 can be claimed by an individual or 250 by a couple, with each transaction requiring a minimum transaction of 25; alcohol and take-away food do not qualify.

Mr Nash said Stay and Spend was a "poorly designed scheme introduced in the wrong way and at the wrong time" and that the 250m set aside for it should instead be used to waive tax bills that have been issued to 420,000 people who availed of Covid welfare schemes last year.

The Department of Tourism noted that Mr Donohoe can extend the scheme beyond April, while Tourism Minister Catherine Martin said: "Some supports should be reviewed. And not just those in lockdown, but also the supports that will be there when hospitality reopens."
The Government should move PSNI officers up the priority list for Covid-19 vaccinations, according to the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI).

Writing in Monday's Belfast Telegraph, the PFNI's Mark Lindsay said he was "incredulous" that this had not already happened.

"No thought whatsoever has been given to those who put their own and their family's health on the line every day as they deal with normal and Covid policing requirements," he writes.

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"Right now, the officers I represent are months away from receiving the vaccine. Yet they are the ones whose role it is to ensure public safety by enforcing Covid legislation and guidelines. Daily they interact with quarrelsome, violent and selfish individuals who prefer to ignore the regulations and guidance.

"This is the bleak reality of policing the pandemic."

Mr Lindsay says that vaccinating front line PSNI officers would cost just 12,000, a sum he called "loose change" for the Executive.

The Department of Health said the rollout was guided by the priority list developed by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

The first phase of the vaccine delivery is aimed at direct prevention of mortality and supporting the NHS and social care system. But in the second phase targeted vaccination of those at high risk of exposure and/or those delivering key public services could be undertaken.

Health Minister Robin Swann told the Assembly earlier this month that during the period of limited suppy "we have to prioritise", and he would be guided by the JCVI.

The PSNI said: "The vaccination programme is a national plan and we will take our place among other emergency services and key workers.

"We fully support that the first priority for the Covid-19 vaccination should be for the most vulnerable members of our community and the protection of health and social care staff."

Meanwhile, the UK Health Secretary said teachers could be on the priority list once the most clinically vulnerable have received their jabs.

"We're going through those who are clinically vulnerable... and after that there's a perfectly reasonable debate to be had about who should go in what order next," Matt Hancock said.

"Teachers have got a good shout to be very high on the list and those discussions are going on."

Not a week has passed when reports of newly inaugurated President Biden has gotten campaign fund of "dark" money. Compared to Trump Campaigns, sources were mostly funded by genuine sources, and business background helped.

According to some sources, "unknown funds" played a significant role in presidential campaigns, but Joe Biden's recent election is the most by any standards.

Reports of funds received anonymously say it is the most record-breaking for anyone. The vast amounts were instrumental in going toe-to-toe with Trump's money to win the White House over a popular president, reported the Blaze.

Sources say a report by Bloomberg reveals that the Biden campaign accepted these untraced funds. Another is these untraced funds much more than the Trump campaign at any stage of the election.

The exact amount received by President's Biden's is $145 million for the 2020 election itself. It is far more than the record of the $113 million campaign of Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), who failed to win over the presidential bid of Barack Obama.

By contrast, Former President Donald Trump's anonymous donations were a measly $28.4 million, which is notable compared to his opponents' activities driven by allegedly indeterminable sources.

Getting anonymous donations is part of any election-related activity, but the amount amassed by Biden might be alleged to be questionable.

In late November, a report by CNN said a total amount of $320 million of dark money pushed the boost DEMS in the White House and congressional races.

Also read: More DEMS Want Chuck Schumer to End Senate Filibuster Despite GOP Plea

More money was at their disposal using anonymous dollars than the Republicans in federal elections. Data was used to come up with this analysis.

In a Yahoo News report, the newly inaugurated President Biden is alleged to have collected a whopping $1.5 billion. The amount is the most that any challenger has amassed for any United States election for the record.

Meredith McGehee, the executive director of campaign finance reform advocacy group Issue One, spoke to Bloomberg. Stating that getting undisclosed funds is a way for campaigns to avoid revealing who their donors are through keeping private credit hush-hush.

An organization, Open Secrets, whose mission is to be a comprehensive resource of federal campaign donors, defines funds from unknown sources as a direct influence of any political decision. They are keeping the sources unnamed to escape responsibility to reveal to the public.

At the heels of the Bloomberg report, President Biden said that some funds that are considered nonprofit as sources to influence elections are not acceptable. If any organization with more than $10,000 should register with the FEC, not conceal its donors, said the South China Morning Post.

According to Amy Kurtz, an executive director of the left-leaning nonprofit Sixteen Thirty Fund, in a statement, an overhaul of the Current campaign finance system is needed but moves to equalize current laws are made.

In the third quarter of 2020, the DEMS got $1.5 billion through communist oriented crowdfunding website ActBlue, reported the Politico. The impact of Dark money in the election of newly inaugurated President Biden is in focus. No response is given to the reports.

Related article: Trump Allows Federal Prosecutors to Carry Concealed Firearms with Expanded Conditions for Personal Protection.

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Taxi Companies Lose Court Bid to Quash Uber, Lyft Licences in British Columbia

VANCOUVERSeveral Metro Vancouver taxi companies have lost a court bid to quash the approvals of ridehailing operators Uber and Lyft in British Columbia.

Nine cab companies filed a petition asking the B.C. Supreme Court to overturn the decisions of the provincial Passenger Transportation Board that allowed the two major ridehailing providers to operate.

The cab companies argued that the boards decisions were patently unreasonable, because they allowed Uber and Lyft an unlimited fleet size while the number of taxis is capped.

The companies, including Yellow Cab and Black Top Cabs, claimed that the board failed to consider whether there was a public need for an unlimited number of ridehailing cars in the province.

The board also did not consider whether granting unlimited licences to Uber and Lyft would promote sound economic conditions in the passenger transportation business in B.C., the cab companies argued.

The cab companies said that the board had extensive evidence before it describing the economic harm suffered by taxi operators in other jurisdictions as a result of allowing unlimited ridehailing.

However, Justice Sandra Wilkinson said in a written ruling this week that the board carefully considered fleet size and decided not to limit ridehailing cars at this time, but left the issue open for future review.

In each of the decisions, the board devotes numerous paragraphs to discussing whether an indeterminate fleet size will promote sound economic conditions in the passenger transportation industry, she wrote in the decision dated Jan. 20.

This is not a deferral of a decision or a failure to consider the issue of fleet size. I would go so far as to say that the board made a very common sense decision in the circumstances.

The boards decisions were made one year ago, on Jan. 23, 2020.

Wilkinson added there is nothing in the boards decisions that is obviously untenable or clearly irrational, and therefore they cannot be considered patently unreasonable.

She dismissed the petition and granted costs to Uber and Lyft.

The B.C. Taxi Association, Yellow Cab and Black Top Cabs did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ruling.

Uber said in a statement that the ruling of the justice is clear and speaks for itself.

Uber is excited to be celebrating one year in Metro Vancouver this weekend, and looks forward to making the app available in more communities in 2021, it said.

Lyft said it is encouraged by the courts decision and looks forward to continuing to provide drivers and riders access to its platform in Metro Vancouver.

Navigating the pandemic has made it clear that Lyft helps connect individuals with essential needs and were committed to continuing to provide that service, it said in a statement.

The arrival of ridehailing in Metro Vancouver early last year, long after it was already common in many other Canadian cities, was contentious.

The provincial government has said it spent two years developing legislation and regulations in advance of ridehailing licences being approved by the Passenger Transportation Board.

By Laura Dhillon Kane
France said Sunday that mass arrests of Russian demonstrators posed "an intolerable affront" to the rule of law and indicated a drift towards authoritarian rule.

Nearly 3,500 protesters were arrested at demonstrations in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Saturday, a monitor reported, as Russian authorities probed violence on the part of both protesters and police.

"I find this slide towards authoritarianism very worrying," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told French media.

"The affront to the rule of law posed by these collective and preventive arrests is intolerable," he said.

Le Drian added that "the success of the demonstrations across Russia is impressive" and that Navalny deserved "a lot of respect".

Recent events have cast a shadow over an ongoing dialogue between France and Russia, which however remains "necessary", the minister said.





This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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New York, 24 January 2021 (SPS) - The recognition of the so-called Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara by former US President Donald Trump on December 10 "makes no sense" and has had a "negative impact," Robert Malley, president of the International Crisis Group said Thursday.



"The recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in exchange for normalization between Morocco and Israel does not make sense and it has a negative impact on Western Sahara issue," the expert said in an interview with France Culture relating to assessment of Donald Trump's tenure.



Robert Malley, who served as an advisor to US Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, added that "President Trump singled out himself by his barter policy, a kind of permanent bargaining where transactions are made not on the level of values but on the plan of material interests."



"So he could have done a lot of harm simply because he privileged what benefited him personally or those who surround him, defying all values, standards, international alliances of the United States, stability throughout the world," added Robert Malley. Regarding the Middle East region, Trump's record has been "overall negative because it has helped to exacerbate, to reinforce the polarization in the region.



First, he took part in the Israeli-Palestinian issue by entirely supporting the Israelis," said the former adviser at the White House.



He will point out that Trump succeeded in pushing four Arab countries to normalize their relations with the Zionist entity.



Overall, Donald Trump has damaged the image of the United States, sowing doubt on its ability to meet its commitments.



A "legacy" difficult to erase by the Biden administration, he pointed out. (SPS)



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With 14,849 fresh cases, India's COVID-19 tally climbed to 1,06,54,533 on Sunday, while 1,03,16786 patients have recuperated so far, pushing the national recovery rate to 96.82%, according to the health ministry.

There are 1,84,408 active cases of the coronavirus infection in the country currently, which accounts for only 1.74% of the total caseload, according to data released by the ministry.

The COVID-19 caseload has mounted to 1,06,54,533 and the death toll due to the disease has climbed to 1,53,339, with the novel coronavirus claiming 155 more lives in the country in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.

The COVID-19 case fatality rate stood at 1.44 %.

Meanwhile, 15,82,201 people were vaccinated against covid-19 with 1,91,609 people vaccinated in the last 24 hours.

India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7 last year, the 30-lakh mark on August 23 and the 40-lakh mark on September 5. It went past 50 lakh on September 16 last year, 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and one crore on December 19.

Kerala recorded 6,960 new COVID-19 cases, including a UK returnee, on Saturday, while the active cases touched 72,048, the government said.

The toll has gone up to 3,587 with the addition of 23 fatalities.

Health minister K K Shailaja said 5,283 people have been cured of the infection, taking the total caseload to 8,83,540 and recoveries to 8,08,377.

Maharashtra on Saturday reported 2,697 fresh coronavirus positive cases, taking the count of infections to 20,06,354, the state Health department said.

With 56 more patients succumbing to the viral disease, the overall toll in the state went up to 50,740, it said in a release.

A total of 3,694 patients were discharged during the day, taking the total count of recoveries in Maharashtra to 19,10,521, it said.

Maharashtra is now left with 43,870 active cases.

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Sustainability, adaptable spaces, flexible leases and technology adoption, which have been accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic, are the key trends that will drive the regional property market in 2021, according to JLL, one of the worlds leading real estate investment and advisory firms.

Speaking at its annual outlook event hosted virtually in Dubai, Dana Salbak, the Head of Research at JLL Mena, said: "The year 2020 and the pandemic have reminded us of the fragility of our society and ecosystem, and have increased the focus on tech adoption, as well as, sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG)."

"To ensure business success, these elements must be at the heart of operating strategies and customer experience. Going forward, these themes will define the shape of the real estate recovery and of real estate investment over the coming years in the Middle East and beyond," she stated.

JLLs 2021 outlook for each of the sectors across Middle Easts property market include:

Offices

In 2021, office adaptations are likely to mitigate some of the reduction in demand arising from higher levels of homeworking.

In the short-term design will be all about making do with what you have for most corporates as cash preservation remains a top priority. However, in the long-term office adaptions are likely to drive demand for space.

"Relaxing seating densities, and collaborative spaces are likely to be a more permanent feature in a post-Covid office environment. This will mean more meeting rooms, more video/VR space, and more space dedicated to green space as well as health and wellbeing. Office design will need to factor this in and support the strategy around an all-round best-in-class employee experience," remarked Salbak.

Retail

With the rise of the online channel, dynamics have changed and there is growing demand for more flexible leases from retailers. It also allows for quicker adaptation and sees innovative operators enter the market.

"Flexible leases can be offered in various ways, ranging from a traditional lease with more break clauses to fully fitted-out space, ready to be used by an entrepreneur, with one months notice or space. These formats are increasingly important for retailer and investor real estate strategies in a progressively dynamic environment," added Salbak.

Hotels

According to JLL, the trend of co-working will reboot hotels as a one-stop shop.

Large corporate occupiers will increase demand for co-working space around densely populated areas, and mobile workers will utilize touch-down points in hotels, particularly in Saudi Arabia and Egypt where long commutes are the norm, stated the expert.

"Hotels have been exploring co-working spaces as an alternative to their meeting and event space, and the focus has increased and it is expected to stay in 2021. This can help hotels significantly strengthen their branding and boost income," added Salbak.-TradeArabia News Service
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The Gambia Ministry of Health said on Sunday that the new UK COVID variant, SARS-CoV-2, has been identified during sequencing in positive specimens at the Gambian National Public Health Laboratory Services
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Out for "frozen hot chocolate" with my dad, the year we lived in New York city.

The year I was in fifth grade was the year my parents and I lived in New York city. One of my brothers stayed in our San Antonio house while we were gone. We spent that year in a sleek modern apartment on the 37th floor of an Upper East Side apartment building, with an elevator and a doorman. Everything was different from the life I'd known in Texas.

I remember the diffuse light that filtered through our paper windowshades at night. I remember attending a city school, endlessly running up and down flights of stairs. I remember a candy shop where my father would buy me white-and-milk-chocolate mushrooms with caramel-filled stems and toffee-brickle caps.

I remember making maps, endlessly taping together my mother's typing paper and drawing grids to mimic Manhattan, marking every restaurant I had visited, every theater, my school, the hospital where my dad went into traction when he threw out his back. The literal maps bespoke a metaphorical truth: I was trying to make sense of where I was.

My child's fifth grade year is not like any other that came before. (I hope it won't be like any that comes after, either.) His school supplies live in a plastic box that he carts from place to place. His teacher and classmates are on Zoom. He gave a google slides presentation to his library class last week with headphones on at our dining table.

There's one kid in our quarantine pod. Otherwise his social life is digital, like his schooling. He plays Minecraft with two groups of friends (and with his parents.) He voice-chats with school friends on one device while gaming on another. I know how lucky we are to have the devices. It still isn't easy. Nothing about this year is easy.

When he looks back on this year, I hope he'll remember teaching me how to Minecraft, kvelling when I learned how not to be a "total n00b." I hope he'll remember fresh challah and singing Shabbat blessings, learning to ride a horse, and creating vast imaginary realms with his friends even though they are physically staying apart.

I wonder whether this year will feel to him, later, like a year out of time... the way my fifth grade year came to feel once we moved back to Texas, leaving the glamour of the big-city apartment to return to our old limestone house in the suburbs with the giant magnolia tree in the front yard and playmates across the street and one house down.
Phan Thanh Luong is held at a police station in Hanoi for running a prostitution ring. Photo by VnExpress/Minh Thuy.

A trans woman who ran a prostitution ring with women popular on social media has been arrested in Hanoi.

Hanoi police said Quang Binh native Phan Than Luong, 25, was the ring leader of a business "brokering sex services."

Officers at the Ministry of Public Security said Saturday that Luong recruited attractive women with many social media followers for her business.

She told the police she charged VND20-40 million ($864-1,730) per service, including overnight stays.

She also provided sex tours lasting several days for $5,000-7,000 each.

Luong directly negotiated the price and the location with clients before sending the sex workers over via different accounts on the social media.

Last Thursday night, police found two women aged 21 and 24 providing sexual services to two Vietnamese men after raiding a luxury condo project in Ba Dinh District's Ngoc Khanh Ward.

Questioning the two sex workers led them to Luong.

Police said they found ketamin and meth apart from documentation related to the prostitution ring at Luong's residence in Thanh Xuan District.

Under Vietnam's Penal Code, sex workers are given a warning and fined VND100,000-300,000 ($4.26-12.78), while pimps and sex ring organizers can get between six months and five years in jail.
Tehran, Jan 24 : A top Iranian official has said that the Islamic Republic has had no contact with the administration of new US President Joe Biden, stressing that any possible talks could only be held within the "right format" of a 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement signed between Tehran and major world powers.

"Currently, we are not interested in making any direct contact and we think that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is the right format, and talks should be conducted in that framework," Press TV quoted Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi as saying in an interview with the Italian daily la Repubblica on Saturday.

He added that Iran has "realistic" demands from Biden's administration, which are "lifting of sanctions" by Washington and its returning to the nuclear deal.

"I don't see other alternatives. We have negotiated in good faith and implemented the JCPOA in good faith. It is now up to the new (US) administration to correct the mistakes of their predecessors. The US is the party that has abandoned the agreement: it is up to them to decide what to do," Araqchi further said.

"We are ready to fulfil all our commitments as per the JCPOA provided that the Americans live up to their obligations and lift sanctions." Former US President Donald Trump had unilaterally withdrawn the country from the JCPOA in May 2018.

As a result of the US' unilateral exit, Iran has surpassed JCPOA-stipulated limits on its uranium enrichment level and on its stockpiles of heavy water and low-enriched uranium.

Iran has also lifted JCPOA limitations on its nuclear research and development activities.

On January 4, the Islamic Republic launched 20 per cent uranium enrichment process as part of the country's Strategic Action Plan to Counter Sanctions which was approved by the parliament in December 2020.
Michael Allen is the District Attorney for the 4th Judicial District, encompassing El Paso and Teller Counties.Pete Lee is a Colorado State Senator representing district 11, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and practiced civil and criminal law in Colorado Springs for over 30 years. Special acknowledgement to Liz Porter-Merrill, Colorado State Public Defender, for her contribution.
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At least 505 people have been arrested by the police in Accra and Tema for failing to wear nose masks at public places as part of governments directive to prevent further spread of COVID-19.



The police arrested 400 offenders in Accra while 105 were rounded up in various parts of the Tema metropolis, all for non-compliance with the directive to wear nose masks.



The Greater Accra Regional Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Effia Tenge, who confirmed the story to the Ghanaian Times, in Accra, yesterday, said the 400 suspects were apprehended at Nima, Cantonments, Weija, East Legon, Kpeshie and Mamprobi all in Accra.



She said the police during the operation, observed that some of the suspects had nose masks concealed in their bags and pockets, while others rushed to purchase the masks when they saw that people were being arrested.



DSP Tenge said that warning letters have been issued to all those who were arrested.



She said the exercise would be sustained, and urged the public to wear nose masks to prevent the spread of the disease.



Godfred Blay-Gibbah reports from Tema that the Acting Tema Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector (Chief Insp) Stella Dede Dzakpasu, told journalists that 105 suspects aged between 17 and 64, made up of nine women and 96 men, were arrested at Tema Community 1.



She said that 22 of them were not wearing nose masks while 83 had nose masks struck in either their pockets or handbags, but failed to wear them.



According to Chief Insp Dzakpasu, after the arrest, some suspects called friends and relatives to bring them nose masks at the police station.



She said the suspects were cautioned to observe COVID-19 safety protocols in public transport and public places, granted self-recognisance bail and released.



It would be recalled that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the 22nd broadcast to the nation on the COVID-19, directed the police and other security agencies to collaborate to ensure the strict enforcement of COVID-19 safety protocols, following the upsurge of the disease.



He said l have instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to direct officers, men and women of the Ghana Police Service to ensure the rigorous enforcement of the law on mask wearing at all public places and public transport.



They are also to ensure the closure of all-night clubs, pubs, cinemas and beaches that may be operating in defiance of the law.



Latest figures by the Ghana Health Service revealed that there were 391 new cases, 2,178 active cases with 358 death.



Currently, 58,822 confirmed cases with 56,286 recoveries.

Source: The Ghanaian Times









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Body Recovered After ATV Drives Into Ohio River

By West Kentucky Star Staff

CAVE-IN-ROCK, IL - The body of a man was recovered in Illinois Saturday night after an ATV drove into the Ohio River at the Cave-In-Rock ferry ramp.The ferry was loading vehicles on the Kentucky side of the river about 9 p.m. when witnesses saw a side-by-side ATV drive into the water on the Illinois side at a high rate of speed.The ATV was recovered first, then about two hours later rescue divers found the body near the ferry dock. According to WSIL-TV, the identity of the man has not yet been released.Witnesses first believed there may have been two people in the ATV, but it was later confirmed that only one person was in it.The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reported that the ferry shut down during the search, but resumed service on Sunday morning.On their Facebook page, the Hardin County Emergency Management Agency thanked several other agencies from Illinois and Kentucky for their assistance during the search and recovery.
In Mathura, UP, a foreign woman jumping from the building. The woman was immediately taken to the hospital after the incident came to the fore, but she could not be saved. It has been revealed that a young woman from Russia committed suicide by jumping from the sixth floor of the building in Vrindavan Kotwan area of Mathura, UP. The name of this woman is being called Tanya Hemolosaki. The deceased woman was just 40 years old.

According to the sources, a friend of the deceased Russian woman said that Tanya had been talking about meeting Lord Krishna for several days. At present, the Uttar Pradesh police has been investigating the entire incident and sent the deadbody for post mortem.

It is noteworthy that after the incident, people are assuming superstition because of suicide. The police is also examining the fact that there is nothing else. It is also being said that it is trying to conceal the real reason for meeting Lord Krishna.

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She will be giving an account of her involvement to a Holyrood committee

Nicola Sturgeon has 'vigorously' refuted claims that she misled the Scottish Parliament about when she first knew about the sexual harassment allegations against Alex Salmond.

Scotland's First Minister spoke out against 'false conspiracy theories' accusing her of colluding with Mr Salmond to cover-up allegations made against him and also denied claims that she was part of a 'dastardly conspiracy' to bring him down.

She said she would give an account of her involvement to a Holyrood committee investigating the Scottish Government's handling of harassment complaints against her predecessor.

It comes after Mr Salmond accused Scotland's leader of misleading parliament and breaking the ministerial code.

Nicola Sturgeon spoke out against the 'false conspiracy theories' accusing her of colluding with Alex Salmond to cover-up allegations made against him

Asked about Mr Salmond's claims on The Andrew Marr Show, she said: 'I don't accept that and I will refute that vigorously.'

Ms Sturgeon said she had hoped to appear before the Holyrood committee investigating the affair this coming week, but her appearance had been delayed by a 'couple of weeks'.

She said: 'I will sit before that committee and I will set out my account of what happened, given the very difficult situation that I faced, and people can make their own judgments on that.'

Asked if Alex Salmond was 'spinning false conspiracy theories', Ms Sturgeon said: 'What I certainly reflect on is that at times I appear to be simultaneously accused of colluding with Mr Salmond to somehow cover up accusations of sexual harassment on the one hand, and then on the other hand, being part of some dastardly conspiracy to bring him down.

'Neither of those are true.

'I, at the time I became aware of all of this, just tried hard not to interfere with what was going on and not to do anything that would see these swept aside rather than properly investigated.'

Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government had made 'mistakes' in its handling of the complaints, which would be the subject of the Holyrood committee's inquiry.

She initially told Holyrood she first heard of the sexual misconduct complaints against her predecessor when they met at her home on April 2, 2018, but it later emerged she discussed the allegations with Mr Salmond's chief of staff, Geoff Aberdein, in her Holyrood office four days earlier.

A separate investigation, chaired by James Hamilton QC, is looking into whether Ms Sturgeon broke the ministerial code by failing to report meetings.

Today, a spokeswoman for Mr Salmond said she believed text message evidence would 'speak for itself'.

Ms Sturgeon will give an account of her involvement to a Holyrood committee investigating how the government handled the allegations against Alex Salmond

The First Minister (pictured with Alex Salmond) said the Scottish Government had made 'mistakes' in its handling of the complaints

She said: 'The two inquiries under way are into why Nicola Sturgeon's Government acted unlawfully.

'Alex has submitted his evidence as requested and the parliamentary committee is now challenging the Crown Office to produce some of the text messages which they believe are being suppressed.

'The evidence, if published, will speak for itself.'

On Sunday, Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross said it was 'becoming very clear' that Nicola Sturgeon had misled Parliament over when she first knew of the allegations against Alex Salmond.

He told Times Radio: 'I think if anyone had seen the First Minister on television earlier on today she gets very touchy about this issue and the interrogation into what she knew, when she knew it, and how her Government have handled this whole situation.

'It shouldn't take a Scottish Parliament cross-party inquiry to get to the bottom of the truth between the current First Minister and the former first minister.

'But it just shows how the Scottish Government have got themselves embroiled in such an awful situation.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Staten Island restaurants have been struggling since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic brought a slew of harsh restrictions on the food industry, but the establishments have continued to give back to their fellow Islanders and those in need.

Alexis Geraci-Delorenzo, owner of the pizzeria, Stefanos of Staten Island in Rossville, donated 100 meals to a local non-profit last month during the holiday season, because she said she was heartbroken to see families, especially those with young children, in need of food.

We were dropping [the food] off [at a non-profit]. Im a mom. My son is going to be 1-years old in a month from today; it just broke my heart [to see] people there with their kids. It completely destroyed me. I love kids, she told the Advance/SILive.com.

Seeing those families and children, she knew she had to do something as a business owner  even as many are struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic.

Us as business owners, we dont have indoor dining. Were basically surviving on pick-up and delivery. Every week, theyre coming around telling somebody, Take your tent down, Youre getting a fine, ...So were dealing with a lot but theres people who still arent working and theres people who dont have an income.

Restaurants in Staten Island have been particularly struggling since indoor dining was banned in the five New York City boroughs through an order issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Dec. 11. While an injunction by a Supreme Court justice has allowed all New York restaurants outside the five boroughs to allow indoor patrons, a different mechanism has restricted indoor dining in New York City.

*** CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK ***

A TEAM EFFORT

Geraci-Delorenzo teamed up with Richie Holmes, the owner of Juicy Lucy BBQ (which is temporarily Juicy Lucia through the winter); Joe Salimeni, owner of Js on the Bay, and Joe OToole, owner of Joyces Tavern, to give back to those in need.

Each restaurant will run a special each week and take 10% of each sold item and give it back to their own restaurants into a fund. With the money raised from the 10% of each sold item, the restaurants will make food and donate it to different shelters and non-profits each week, Geraci-Delorenzo explained.

Going forward from this point, were going to set an item or a special. ... Without having to donate extra money, all you have to do is just order  by ordering youre helping us feed somebody whos in need, she added.

The restaurant owners are working with the community to connect with shelters and food banks to donate food.

Its not even about a meal anymore. If we run into people who need help, I know Ill extend my hand, I know Richie has a big heart, both Joes [Salimeni and OToole] have big hearts. Were the ones who are suffering and looking to help, Geraci-Delorenzo said.

She added that the restaurant owners are trying to show, Were going to get through this, were going to do it together. Youre not the only one.

The restaurants will make the announcement of their specials on Facebook food groups, including the Advances own Where Staten Island Eats & Drinks group, as well as the Staten Island Food group. Geraci-Delorenzo said the announcements are expected to be made this week.

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New Delhi: India and China will hold the ninth round of Corps Commander-level military talks today to address the ongoing military standoff in Eastern Ladakh, Indian Army officials said on Saturday.

The talks would be held in Moldo opposite the Chushul sector in India, officials added.



The last round of Corps Commander-level talks between both countries was held on November 6 in Chushul in Eastern Ladakh.

India and China have been locked in a bitter standoff along the LAC for more than six months. While China began amassing massive military strength along the LAC, India responded with a befitting build-up.

On August 29-30, India occupied heights along the northern and southern bank of the Pangong Lake which includes dominating positions overlooking the Chinese military deployed in that area.

The Chinese have been asking India to withdraw troops and tanks first from the southern bank but India has been asking for disengagement from all the friction points.
Cyclone Yaas: Amit Shah to hold review meeting with Chief Ministers of states to be affected

Amit Shah promises infiltrator-free, flood-free Assam, skips CAA

India

oi-Deepika S

Nalbari, Jan 24: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday alleged that if the Congress-AIUDF combine come to power in Assam they will open 'all gates' to welcome infiltrators.

Addressing a public rally here, Shah said the Congress rule in the state gave only bloodshed, in which thousands of youths lost their lives.

'Can Congress and Badrudding Ajmal keep Assam free from infiltration? If they come to power, they will open all gates to welcome them, because it is their vote bank,' he said.

Only the BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi can protect the state from infiltration from the neighbouring country, Shah said in his first election rally in poll-bound Assam.

The Congress has formed Grand Alliance with AIUDF, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML) and Anchalik Gana Morcha (AGM) to fight the upcoming Assembly election, likely to be held in March-April.

BTR Accord, inked a year ago, marks beginning of end of insurgency in Northeast: Amit Shah

Attacking the Congress, Shah said,'Congress continued the British policy of divide and rule. They created a divide between Adivasis and non-Adivasis, Assamese people and hill peoples, Bodos and non-Bodos.

'In 20 years there was only bloodshed and 10,000 Assamese youths were killed by bullets fired by the Congress.' Appealing to the people to vote for the BJP, Shah said if the party comes to power again, Assam will be 'bullet-free, agitation-free and flood-free'.

Shah also slammed the Congress for its constant criticism that the BJP is a communal front and said,'Congress alleges us to be communal, but it has allied with Muslim League in Kerala and AIUDF in Assam.

'One thing is sure, Assam is not safe in the hands of Congress and AIUDF'.

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Story first published: Sunday, January 24, 2021, 17:55 [IST]
The mother of soldier Lee Rigby said there will be no justice if his murderer Michael Adebowale escapes his prison sentence by dying of coronavirus.

Lyn, 53, said the remorseless killer should have to stay behind bars to serve every single day of his sentence. He was jailed for a minimum of 45 years in 2014.

Adebowale and Michael Adebolajo, now 36, ran over Fusilier Mr Rigby in an appalling terror attack before hacking him to death near Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, southeast London.

Mrs Rigby said today, as it was revealed Adebowale, 29, was being treated in a ward for Covid, it would not be just for the pandemic to take him.

She added: 'We've maintained true justice for Lee is to see his killers remain behind bars and serve every day of their sentence.

Michael Adebowale (pictured), the killer of soldier Lee Rigby, is on oxygen in hospital after contracting coronavirus while serving his sentence in Broadmoor, according to reports

The 29-year-old has reportedly been taken from the high-security psychiatric hospital (pictured) in Crowthorne, Berkshire, to a Covid ward after his condition went 'rapidly downhill'

Mr Rigby's mother Lyn, 53, who said it would not unjust for Covid to end Adebowale's sentence

'It would not be justice for Covid to take this man prematurely and end the sentence handed to him,' she told The Sun.

Adebowale was reportedly taken from high-security psychiatric hospital Broadmoor in Crowthorne, Berkshire, to a Covid ward after his condition went 'rapidly downhill'.

He has periodically spent time at the facility since his sentencing for treatment for chronic paranoid schizophrenia.

The murderer is expected to remain there for the next few years as his therapy for this continues to be carried out.

In 2018 he punched healthcare assistant Jason Taplin in Broadmoor after hearing voices telling him to attack him.

This is the second time in recent days that the killer has been admitted to hospital with the virus.

Adebowale and his accomplice Michael Adebolajo ran over 25-year-old fusilier Lee Rigby (pictured) close to Woolwich barracks in May 2013 before stabbing him to death in broad daylight

A source said: 'He's in a very bad way and fighting for every breath.

'It's reached the stage where it's a 24/7 battle. If he deteriorates much further, intensive care would be the next step.'

Adebowale, who is said to have tested positive for Covid two weeks ago, is not on a ventilator but is receiving oxygen treatment, the paper reports.

The Sun also quoted the mother of Lee Rigby, Lyn, 53, who said it would 'not be just for Covid to take this man (Adebowale) prematurely and end the sentence handed to him'.

Adebowale and his accomplice Michael Adebolajo ran over 25-year-old fusilier Mr Rigby close to Woolwich barracks, London, in May 2013 before stabbing him to death in broad daylight.

Killer Michael Adebolajo was given a whole life term for Lee Rigby's murder. He is serving his sentence at HMP Woodhill, near Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

The father of one died as a result of multiple cut and stab wounds after the attack, fuelled by Adebowale and Adebolajo's extremist beliefs - described as a 'betrayal of Islam' at their murder trial in 2014.

Adebowale, who was given a 45-year minimum term for the murder of Mr Rigby, has spent three periods in Broadmoor since his conviction.

He is expected to spend the next 'five or ten years' in the hospital, where he will be treated for paranoid schizophrenia.

Adebolajo meanwhile was given a whole life term for the killing. He is serving his sentence at HMP Woodhill, near Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

In October last year, Adebowale pleaded guilty to punching a healthcare assistant while being held in Broadmoor. The incident took place July 20 last year.

After denying a more serious charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm, Adebowale admitted an alternative charge of assault causing actual bodily harm at Reading Crown Court in October.

Adebowale, who has changed his name by deed poll to Ismaail Kuti, was given a eight-month prison sentence by Mr Justice Jay.

This will be served after his 45-year minimum term for murder.

Adebowale had earlier made a bid to serve out the rest of his sentence in a Nigerian jail with a VIP wing.

The killer, who was born in the UK to protestant Nigerian parents before converting to Islam, was reportedly seeking a prisoner-swap deal to Lagos' Kirikiri jail.

According to the Sun in April last year, he had written to immigration experts asking for advice.

Mr Rigby's mother Lynn reacted to the news at the time, branding it an insult to her son.

According to reports at the time, his chances seemed destined to fail as he was not born in Nigeria.

In December last year it was reported that Mr Rigby's other killer, Adebolajo, is telling other extremist prisoners at HMP Woodhill that he made a 'drastic mistake' and is encouraging them to 'shun terrorism'.

Adebolajo, who was born in London to a Christian family before converting to Islam, is said to be part of a de-radicalisation programme and reportedly renounced extremism last year.

He is said to have apologised to Mr Rigby's family, claiming that he was 'brainwashed' and 'misinterpreted the Koran'.

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GREENWICH  A local family is mourning the loss of Harley, their 4-year-old toy poodle, and are warning neighbors to be on the lookout for coyotes after they believe one of them killed their dog.

Heronvue Road resident Orna Gusinski said her husband let Harley out to use the bathroom Thursday night  the same way they do every night. She took a shower and got ready for bed.

After a few minutes, she said her husband, Ilya Gusinski, went out to look for the Harley. It was a little before midnight.

I put on my parka coat, my rubber black rain boots, and wrapped a warm scarf around my wet hair, and joined him outside, she said in an email.

Gusinski said she was the one who found the dog, who had suffered a wound to her neck.

I screamed to my husband to come over and broke up with tears, she said.

They werent sure at first what kind of predator had attacked and killed their dog, but later found a footprint believed to belong to a coyote, Gusinski said.

Harley was taken to be cremated at an animal hospital, Gusinski said. She said she wanted to warn other residents of coyotes in the area in memory of her beloved dog.

Police in the region have warned of coyote attacks on pet dogs. In Stamford, police warned of an aggressive coyote in early December reported to have killed a dog in the citys Cove neighborhood.

Coyotes were first reported in the state in the 1950s after they expanded eastward from their territories out west, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Eastern coyotes are typically larger than their western cousins. The canines have adapted to human spaces like suburbs, office parks and beaches.

Outdoor cats and dogs under 25 pounds are vulnerable to coyote attacks, DEEPs website advises, and animals should be supervised when outdoors.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full 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) Democrats and their allies in the media are ready to condemn riots now that the turmoil has shifted to fit their narrative.

(Article by Tristan Justice republished from TheFederalist.com)

On Wednesday, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building. It was an astonishing display of anarchic protest that delayed congressional certification of the Electoral College vote formally handing former Vice President Joe Biden the keys to the White House.

The scenes from the dark day of disaster demonstrations illustrated a deteriorating country, repulsed millions, and traumatized a nation still recovering from the death, despair, and disruption that came to define the dystopian months of 2020. Above all, what happened Wednesday served as a grim reminder that the institutional stress test of 2020 has followed us into 2021.

For the left, however, the chaos at the Capitol has opened an opportunity to refute the perception they own the monopoly on widespread political violence. Democrats and left-wing media elites have already capitalized on the violent outbreak, where four people died, to characterize conservatives as the creatures of chaos.

At this point, its undeniable that the political far-right calls home to its own Antifa-like anarchists. It is also undeniable, however, that reaction to the protests from conservative leaders roundly condemning the violence from their own side stands in remarkable contrast to the way Democrats and corporate media spent months going out of their way attempting to justify the deadly actions of militant leftists.

Not one prominent conservative pundit or politician with any significant platform was reported to have tried endorsing the mob of Trump supporters infiltrating the U.S. Capitol. To the contrary, conservatives spent months vilifying Democratic leaders for not doing enough in their own states and cities to crack down on the militant mobs of leftists taking streets under siege, normalizing the kind of political violence on track to appear routine in the nightmare 2020 decade.

It was only seven months ago that Washington D.C. was last on fire.

Reminder that our nation's capital looked like this at the beginning of the summer and most Democrats/media shrugged it off as mostly peaceful https://t.co/1zvsLVRuQc  Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 6, 2021

A trip down memory lane chronicling the lefts reaction to last years eruption of unrest claiming the lives of at least 30 people not only exposes the hypocrisy suffusing Democrats condemnation of political violence, but also illustrates a sobering reality that theres plenty of blame to go around for the situation in which the United States now finds itself.

1. Kamala Harris Urges Followers to Cover Rioters Bail

Incoming Vice President Kamala Harris encouraged her supporters last summer to donate to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, which provided bail money to the militant anarchists facing charges for setting fire to Minneapolis.

2. Chris Cuomo: Who Said Protests Were Supposed To Be Peaceful?

CNNs Chris Cuomo showcased his ignorance of the First Amendment in June when dismissing the idea that militant protests sweeping the nation in the aftermath of George Floyds death were illegal.

Please, show me where it says protesters are supposed to be polite and peaceful, Cuomo demanded.

Heres the text from the First Amendment, emphasis added:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

CNN's Chris Cuomo: "Please, show me where it says protesters are supposed to be polite and peaceful." As riots and looting have broken out in cities across the country, this is the message the brother of New York governor Andrew Cuomo shares at the top of his show. pic.twitter.com/ZZ47zpyVlx  Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) June 3, 2020

3. MSNBC Reporter Describes Fiery Scene Mostly A Protest

MSNBCs Ali Velshi stood in front of a liquor store burning behind him in Minneapolis and called the riots surrounding the camera crew mostly a protest that is not, generally speaking, unruly.

But fires have been started, Velshi made clear to note.

"This mostly a protest. It is not, generally speaking, unruly. But fires have been started." MSNBC reporter says protests in Minneapolis are not "generally speaking, unruly" as buildings burn in the background. pic.twitter.com/IzzEmKgxhM  Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) May 29, 2020

4. CNN Labels Burning Protest Fiery But Mostly Peaceful

CNN continued to parody itself in August as a second wave of mass unrest swept the country with Kenosha, Wisconsin as its focal point. After the label fiery but mostly peaceful had become a trolling phrase online to describe legacy medias coverage of the summer riots, the network literally adopted the words to describe events unfolding in Kenosha while a reporter stood in front of a several burning vehicles.

For anyone doubting this is real: pic.twitter.com/3VGuGCDfAi  Tristan Justice (@JusticeTristan) August 27, 2020

5. Democratic National Convention Refuses To Condemn Riots

Democrats went through their entire online convention without condemning the epidemic of left-wing violence that engulfed the nation in the preceding months.

6. Pulitzer Prize-Winning New York Times Writer: Destroying Property Isnt Violence

The New York Times architect of the 1619 Project, Nikole Hannah-Jones, explicitly rejected the idea that destroying property fits the definition of violence.

Destroying property, which can be replaced, is not violence, Hannah-Jones said on CBS, to which the anchors offered no challenge.

Its a great point that you make, Nikole, CBSs Vladimir Duthiers replied.

Hannah-Jones also said it would be an honor for 2020 riots be deemed the 1619 Riots despite destroying minority businesses.

7. Government-Funded PBS Reporter Denies Anarchists Are Anarchists

PBS White House Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor tried and failed to fact-check President Donald Trump in May, apparently faulting the president for not providing any evidence when calling the anarchists terrorizing cities anarchists.

These people are anarchists, President Trump says without providing any evidence. https://t.co/P7HGwsbKWD  Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) May 31, 2020

8. CNNs Don Lemon Compares Leftist Riots to Boston Tea Party

CNN prime time anchor Don Lemon celebrated the Floyd riots as a 21st-century version of the Boston Tea Party.

And lets not forget if anyone is judging this, Im not judging this, Lemon said as CNN cameras rolled with footage of riots in Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. This is how this country was started.

Our country was started because, the Boston tea party. Rioting. So do not get it twisted and think this is something that has never happened before and this is so terrible and these savages and all of that. This is how this country was started @DonLemon on @CNN 11:53 PM ET. pic.twitter.com/dGu5TmArsp  Brent Baker (@BrentHBaker) May 31, 2020

9. CNNs Chris Cillizza Complains About the Term Riot

This picture shows a:  Abigail Marone (@abigailmarone) August 31, 2020

10. New York Times Columnist Finds Portland Anarchists In Piece Titled, Help Me Find Trumps Anarchists In Portland

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof penned an op-ed in July headlined, Help Me Find Trumps Anarchists In Portland, in which he actually appears to find them.

Here's @nytimes @NickKristof: "Help Me Find Trumps Anarchists in Portland" OK, let's! From his piece: "Sure there are anarchists and antifa activists in the Portland protests, just as there are radiologists and electricians, lawyers and mechanics." Mission accomplished! pic.twitter.com/3lZliRCUs3  Jeryl Bier (@JerylBier) July 29, 2020

11. MSNBSs Joy Reid: BLM Riots Are Really Just Undercover White Nationalists Causing Trouble

The "riots" are not Black Lives Matter marches gone wrong. Armed white nationalists are mobbing these cities to take advantage of protests and scare fellow white people into quietly siding with them. It's an old, tried and true strategy: using fear & anti-blackness for politics.  Joy WE VOTED!! WEAR A MASK!! Reid ) (@JoyAnnReid) August 30, 2020

12. Huffington Post Releases Video Outlining How Riots Built America

The Huffington Post published a brief four-minute mini-documentary outlining How Riots Built America to draw parallels between the 2020 riots against police with periods of unrest throughout American history.

13. NBC News Allegedly Instructed Staff to Avoid the Term Riot

This will guide our reporting in MN. While the situation on the ground in Minneapolis is fluid, and there has been violence, it is most accurate at this time to describe what is happening there as "protests"not riots.  Craig Melvin (@craigmelvin) May 28, 2020

14. Seattle Mayor On Anarchists Taking Control of Downtown: Dont Be Afraid of Democracy

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan returned fire on Trump in June when the president demanded an end to the citys partial occupation by socialist protestors.

Seattle is fine, Durkan wrote on Twitter despite the insurgency. Dont be so afraid of democracy.

Seattle is fine. Dont be so afraid of democracy. https://t.co/o26PkJnYhA  Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) June 12, 2020

15. Washington Governor Unaware of Seattle Occupation

Washington Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee was caught being completely oblivious to the anarchist insurrection taking over his states largest city when he was asked about the rogue militia during a coronavirus press briefing.

Jay Inslee had no idea anarchists were overrunning his states largest city. Thats news to me, he said when asked about #CapitalHillAutonomousZonepic.twitter.com/cDwqzEZq6b  Tristan Justice (@JusticeTristan) June 11, 2020

16. Pelosi When Mobs Tore Down Statues: People Will Do What They Do

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi just shrugged when asked about a militant mob tearing down the statue of legendary explorer Christopher Columbus in Baltimore in June 2020.

People will do what they do, Pelosi said.

Journalist referencing the removal of a Columbus statue in Baltimore: "Shouldn't that be done by a commission or the city council, not a mob in the middle of the night throwing it into a harbor?" Pelosi: "People will do what they do." pic.twitter.com/0OVeaIw2y6  TheBlaze (@theblaze) July 9, 2020

The Democratic leader likely had a different reaction Wednesday at the sight of a random Trump anarchists lounging around in her own office.

Is this really some guy just kicking it in Pelosis office? pic.twitter.com/PUqyXJtslZ  Geoffrey Ingersoll (@GPIngersoll) January 6, 2021

17. Rolling Stone Re-Publishes Article to Rethink Property Destruction

Rolling Stone Magazine re-published a 2014 article first out following the Ferguson, Mo. riots in 2104 titled, 9 Historical Triumphs To Make You Rethink Property Destruction, promoting the devastation as progress in May last year. The historical pedigree of property destruction as a tactic of resistance is long and frequently effective, the authors wrote.

18. GQ Magazine: Violent Protests Work

GQ Magazine published a lengthy feature in June amid the Floyd riots headlined, Why Violent Protests Work.

19. Slate: Riots Are A Proportionate Response

Slate Magazine ran a piece amid the Floyd riots justifying the chaos ripping the nations cities apart titled, Proportionate Response.

20. Mother Jones: Riots Arent Irrational

Mother Jones joined the crowd in mid-June with a piece titled, Riots Arent Irrational.

21. TIME Magazine: The Term Riot Is Loaded

Time Magazine published a piece in June headlined, A War of Words. Why Describing the George Floyd Protests as Riots Is So Loaded.

22. Vox: Woke Riots Are Scary But Productive. Capitol Riots Were Devastating

You cant govern a nation with two sets of rules. https://t.co/nCpedTALdx  Cam Edwards (@CamEdwards) January 7, 2021

23. New York Times Has Sympathy For BLM Riots, While Blaming Trump As Sole Perpetrator For Wednesday Mob

Guys. pic.twitter.com/PqsPCuECKj  James Lindsay, king of your mom (@ConceptualJames) January 7, 2021

24. Jacobin Magazine: Looting Is Justified Only For Social Justice

The left-wing publication also published a piece headlined, When Rioting Works, in June.

25. AOC: The Whole Point of Protesting Is to Make People Uncomfortable

This is what Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said about rioting in December 2020. Her staff began trying to get Twitter to stop people from retweeting images of this in the wake of the Wednesday riots.

26. Author Writes Book Titled, In Defense Of Looting

Writer Vicky Osterweil published a book late last summer titled, In Defense Of Looting, and earned a feature in National Propaganda Radio (NPR) for the work.

27. NPR Guest: Floyd Demonstrations Are Acts Of Rebellion, Not Riots

Temple University Professor Marc Lamont Hill went on NPR complaining that dismissing protestors as rioters dehumanizes them, impeding political progress.

28. NPR Makes Up Right-Wing Violence

Read more at: TheFederalist.com
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Congressman Mo Brooks said Saturday that his now-infamous Jan. 6 speech was taken out of context and "misinterpreted" by the media.

Speaking at a Free the Speech rally in Morgan County, Brooks asked, How can you misinterpret my intent?

During the event, Brooks and other speakers, including Congressman Barry Moore, former Alabama Senator Paul Sanford and others, spoke at length about free speech, made claims of election fraud and media censorship, among many other things.

Telling his side of the story about the speech that some claim played a part in inciting the insurrection at the Capitol, the congressman admitted to saying, today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass, but claims it was in the context of fighting to win in the 2022 and 2024 elections.

The socialists know that and the fake news media knows that, but they lie about it anyways, he said.

In Madison County, more than a dozen people gathered on the sidewalk outside Brooks Huntsville office, calling his speech inciting and saying he has to go.

We don't need that type of leadership or representation over us and we're asking him to actually resign, just simply because we don't need that type of leadership, Precious Briggs said Saturday.

Protestors, like Briggs, said they plan to keep up their efforts as they work to push brooks out of office.

Were not going to tolerate this type of representation from any member of our state or just of this country, period, Remus Bowden explained.

Brooks has said he has no plans to resign.

According to the Department of Justice reports, more than 100 people have been arrested in relation to the Jan. 6 incidents at the Capitol -- at least three of them from Alabama. Five people died as a result, including an Athens man.
An additional 610 people have died within 28 days of contracting the coronavirus, the latest government data has confirmed, bringing the total death toll of the UKs outbreak to 97,939.

While weekend data on fatalities tends to be lower than those seen across the rest of the week, with more than a thousand newly reported deaths recorded every day over the past five days, the latest figure marks a slight drop on the previous Sundays 671.

Meanwhile some 30,004 people were found to have tested positive for the virus across the UK in the 24-hour period, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the UK to 3,647,463.

It comes as the health secretary warns the nation is still a long, long, long way off emerging from lockdown measures designed to limit the spread of the virus.

Speaking on Sky News, Matt Hancock said the government would have to look at the rate of infection and the impact of the vaccination programme before children could return to schools and broader restrictions could be eased.

Recommended Snow shuts vaccine centres in Wales as parts of England face warnings

So far some 6,353,321 have received their first jab of the two-dose vaccines deployed across the country  a rise of 491,970 on the previous days figures.

Data released by NHS England showed a total of 5,529,101 people have received at least one jab between 8 December and 23 January in the country, with 1,044,018 of those taking place in the Midlands.

London remains the English region with the least amount of uptake so far, with 586,559 first jabs administered compared to 905,794 in the northeast and Yorkshire, 881,901 in the southeast and 765,617 in the northwest.

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said there was much more to do as he welcomed the figures, writing on Twitter: 6,353,321 of the most vulnerable and frontline heroes have had the 1st dose. Much more to do. Follow the rules and Stay safe.

Despite just over 9.5 per cent of the UK population having received their first jab, the UKs deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam has urged those with some immunity to continue to adhere to social distancing rules.

Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, he said it was still not known if people who had been vaccinated could still pass on the virus to others.

Even after you have had both doses of the vaccine you may still give Covid to someone else and the chains of transmission will then continue, he wrote.

If you change your behaviour you could still be spreading the virus, keeping the number of cases high and putting others at risk who also need their vaccine but are further down the queue.

Additional reporting by agencies
Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II

EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation

ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason

Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia

Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest

"Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan

Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator'

Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow

Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast

We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan

Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory

Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances

Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections

Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day

Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan

Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake

Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS)

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS)

Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time

Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation

Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country

Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor"

Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building"

Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials

MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan

Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas

France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party

Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms

Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh

NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country

104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion

Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation

Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination

Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity

Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well

Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions

Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never!

Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial

Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?"

France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity

Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election

Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia

US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China

Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war

Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet

Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases

Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan

US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces

Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can

UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians

Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India

Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately

France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint

Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow

Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen

Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops

Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia acting FM resigns

Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity

China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order

Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM

Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage

EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting

Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post

6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest

Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan

UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas

Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening

His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia

Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens

Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon

Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures

Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension

Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire

ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces

Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards

Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory

Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan

Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia

Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia

Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws

Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone

Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control

Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor

Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation

NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning

European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched
Some Hindu priests in South Africa have come under fire for allegedly charging high rates to conduct funerals of COVID-19 victims. Pradeep Ramlall, Manager of the Clare Estate Crematorium in Durban, slammed priests who are doing this. Ramlall, who is also a member of the Hindu Dharma Association of South Africa, said the organization had received a number of complaints about this from families of people who had succumbed to the virus.

In recent weeks, amid a second wave and a new variant of the COVID-19 virus, the crematorium has had to introduce double shifts amid daily deaths in the city which is home to more than a third of South Africa's Indian-origin population of about 1.4 million. Priests are charging between R1,200 and R2,000 to conduct a funeral. This is not right. As per our scriptures, this is our seva (service) to the community. If a family wants to give a priest a donation, then that is acceptable but priests should not be charging people, Ramlall told the Weekly Post. I was in my vehicle. The priest had conducted a COVID-19 victim's funeral. While he was in the parking lot, he removed R100 notes from his pocket and counted it before sanitising each note and putting the money back into his pocket, he said recounting an incident that he had personally witnessed. Ramlall called on the community to avoid being exploited under the current trying circumstances which was bringing grief to so many families and asked them to conduct the cremation themselves.

We have pre-recorded videos that they can use. If they insist on having a priest, then the priest can conduct the funeral through Zoom or through a WhatsApp video call. We need to embrace technology, Ramlall said. South African Hindu Maha Sabha President Ashwin Trikamjee said they had a list of accredited priests on the Sabha's Facebook page that families could contact to conduct the last rites at no charge. Citing the massive increase in the number of COVID-19-related deaths, Trikamjee said there were funerals being done at odd hours by priests who use their own transport and personal protective equipment (PPE) which they might expect reimbursement for, although families would not be obliged to pay. Earlier, Lucy Sigaban, a Hindu priestess in the sprawling Indian suburb of Lenasia near Johannesburg, had urged the government to assist priests who are conducting funerals of COVID-19 victims free of charge by providing them with PPE at no cost, but this has not happened yet.

For the last two months, COVID-19 infections and deaths have been rising exponentially in South Africa. On Thursday alone, there were 647 deaths and over 11,000 more infections reported, bringing the total deaths to 39,501 and infections to 1.38 million since the first case was reported in March last year. The government is awaiting a shipment of over 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from India within the next month to prioritise health care workers and other essential services staff.

.
Hospitals are preparing for the worst-case scenario of running out of critical care beds in the coming week, as the health service is pushed to the limits of its capacity.

A number of hospitals have already reached capacity with patients in need of intensive care treatment transferred to acute hospitals with free beds.

Forty intensive care patients have been transferred between hospitals since January 1, more than twice the normal volume. Not all are Covid-19 patients. However, the transfers are as a direct result of the pressures on the hospitals caused by the virus.

Dr Colm Henry, the chief clinical officer of the Health Service Executive, last night said that all hospitals were in surge, some hospitals had reached the limits of their surge capacity and intensive care patients were being transferred to units in other hospitals.

"At present, the Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance Service (MICAS) is transferring critically ill patients between units. From one that has exceeded its capacity to one that has capacity. My worry is that we will see more hospitals reach the limits of their capacity," he said.

"Of course, we would continue to provide the best care we can even when those limits are reached but it will be very difficult."

The patient transfers are expected to continue over the coming weeks.

If all hospitals exceed their surge capacity, patients requiring critical care will have to be treated outside of intensive care.

There were more than 1,900 people in hospital with Covid-19 yesterday. As of Friday night, all but 28 of the 345 critical care beds across the country were full, according to Health Service Executive's figures, with the highest numbers in St James's Hospital in Dublin, University Hospital Limerick and the Mater in Dublin.

Of those in critical care, 215 were Covid-19 patients and 137 of those were on ventilators. Around 430 others were receiving critical care in hospitals outside of the critical care settings.

Case numbers are falling in the community but there has been a slow rise in the numbers of patients being admitted to critical care.

The numbers of patients with Covid-19 in hospital will remain around 1,800 to 2,000 over the coming weeks.

The hospital with the highest number of Covid-19 patients exceeded its critical care capacity on Friday.

Cork University Hospital is opening more critical care beds elsewhere in the hospital and issued an urgent appeal to staff to volunteer to work 12-hour shifts over the coming weeks. The hospital was treating 140 Covid-19 patients as of Friday.

Yesterday's daily Covid-19 emergency meeting of all acute hospitals heard plans to discharge patients to free up beds that could be used to provide critical care.

"The conclusion was that the situation is tight," a source said.

The pressure on hospitals is compounded by the huge numbers of staff who are off work due to Covid-19. More than 6,500 healthcare staff are off work across the health system.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) yesterday said the Covid-19 infection rates in hospitals was "out of control" and called on the HSE to upgrade safety standards to protect frontline staff.

The INMO said safety standards need to be upgraded immediately to bring hospital infections under control. The union wants higher standard face masks for all healthcare settings and the distance between beds increased from one to two metres.

More than a third of patients who acquired Covid-19 contracted it in hospitals. The HSE's CEO, Paul Reid, last week said healthcare systems are "extremely exposed" to the levels of Covid in the community and it was impossible to put a "ring of steel" around them.

The Oireachtas Health Committee was told last week that hospitals will have to employ different methods of staffing to ensure patients get the best care if they reach surge capacity.

Dr Vida Hamilton, national clinical advisor and group lead, acute hospitals, told the committee that a critical care nurse escalation plan is in place. "We trained over 1,600 non-critical care staff to support critical care services," she said.

"We deployed them initially in a one-to-one ratio, working directly with a critical care nurse in a buddy arrangement in the first instance. Then as we entered surge, we had one critical care nurse supervising two and then three non-critical care nurses, but maintaining a nurse-patient ratio of one-to-one for optimal safety."

She said: "Is the care of the same standard? No."

Posted Sunday, January 24, 2021 8:06 am

On the morning of Jan. 6, Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman was texting with Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

The Republican Spokane congresswoman planned to object to the certification of Electoral College results that would make President Joe Biden's victory official. She told Wyman, a fellow Republican and the state's top election official, she had concerns because of the tens of millions of Americans who believe there was widespread fraud in November's election.

Wyman, who had spent months responding to misinformation about the election, offered to address whatever concerns McMorris Rodgers had and told her to reach out.

But before they could talk  and while two-thirds of House Republicans prepared to object to the election results  thousands of former President Donald Trump's supporters marched from a rally outside the White House, where Trump repeated his claim that the election was rigged, and stormed the Capitol.

The violence, which left five people dead and dozens of police officers injured, was the culmination of a monthslong campaign by Trump and his allies to sow distrust in the U.S. voting system and eventually claim the election was stolen from him through a vast conspiracy. GOP lawmakers, cowed by Trump's threats to unseat disloyal Republicans, largely gave credence to his election-rigging claims even as they outperformed expectations in their own races.

As the rioters ransacked the Capitol, McMorris Rodgers had a change of heart and announced she would no longer object to the mostly symbolic count of Electoral College results. She was one of just two House Republicans to change course while the majority of GOP lawmakers heeded Trump's demand to be "tough" and contest the results.

The eclectic mob included far-right hate groups and self-styled militias that forced their way past overwhelmed police, along with Trump fans who strolled casually through Statuary Hall like tourists, capturing memories with selfie sticks. They were united by a belief in conspiracy theories that has fueled threats against lawmakers and election workers and aligned, intentionally or not, with disinformation efforts by the nation's foreign adversaries.

In an interview Friday, Wyman said election officials and Republican Party leaders have a lot of work ahead of them to restore trust in the nation's election system.

"When we catch our breath, I think we will start focusing on rebuilding voter confidence in our elections," she said. "Unfortunately, all of the misinformation and disinformation and out-and-out falsehoods and lies have really resonated with a swath of the electorate, and I think we have to spend some time trying to address those issues."

While Wyman and her counterparts across the country have said the November election went remarkably well, a recent Crosscut/Elway poll found 61% of Washington GOP voters had little or no confidence their ballots were counted fairly and accurately. Nationwide, multiple surveys have found only about a quarter of Republicans trust the election results.

Election experts say a small amount of voter fraud occurs in virtually every election, but safeguards exist to catch fraudulent votes and prosecute those behind them. Republican election officials, Trump-appointed judges and former Attorney General Bill Barr, a Trump loyalist, have all said there is no evidence of widespread fraud that could meaningfully affect the outcome of November's election.

Wyman said she wrestles with the need to address good-faith concerns about election security while not giving oxygen to efforts to sow mistrust.

"You have to acknowledge that those people have concerns, because you want them to have confidence in the election," Wyman said. "But at the same time, there's also those within those groups who are still intentionally spreading misinformation and lies to that very end  to undermine confidence, to make people believe that the elected leaders are not legitimate."

"Those folks have a much bigger agenda," she added. "To undermine democracy at its foundation."

As the head of the nonprofit National Vote at Home Institute, Amber McReynolds spent much of 2020 helping election officials around the U.S. expand vote-by-mail systems to ensure voters could cast their ballots safely amid the coronavirus pandemic. As Trump and his allies railed against mail-in voting as ripe for fraud, the former elections director for Denver became a target.

In emails and social media posts, people enraged by her work to expand mail-in voting threatened to shoot or hang McReynolds, some mentioning her two young children. She hired off-duty police officers to guard her house.

Last fall, her daughter's fourth-grade class researched the election to make a voting guide to send home to their families. When McReynolds picked her daughter up after school, the 9-year-old asked her, "Mom, why do people want to kill you?"

Election workers across the country have faced death threats, including Georgia's Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Washington Elections Director Lori Augino, whose home address was posted online. The FBI later said Iran was behind the website, which featured photos of Augino and other election officials with crosshairs over their faces and countdown clocks labeled, "Your days are numbered."

Wyman said that website  which was titled "enemies of the people" in an apparent allusion to a favorite Trump smear of the media  is an example of a worrying synergy between Trump acolytes and America's adversaries.

"Misinformation campaigns from foreign entities are designed to pit Americans against each other, to create mistrust and doubt in our democratic institutions," she said. "All of this is real, and it's scary because our foreign adversaries like Russia, like Iran, like North Korea have figured out that asymmetric warfare is a much more efficient way to attack the United States than any kind of traditional war."

Wyman also has received threats for her role in the usually mundane work of administering elections. Two weeks ago, she said, she removed the novelty "vote" license plate she had on her car for 20 years after law enforcement officials advised it could make her a target.

"It's scary, and it makes me mad," Wyman said. "I refuse to live in fear."

Once inside the Capitol, militia members communicated to hunt down and detain lawmakers based on Trump's unfounded allegations, according to court documents filed Jan. 19.

"You are executing citizen's arrest," one member said. "Arrest this assembly, we have probable cause for acts of treason, election fraud."

Tammy Patrick, a senior elections adviser at the Democracy Fund, a nonpartisan foundation that supports voting systems, said many of the lawmakers who fled the pro-Trump mob bear some responsibility for what happened.

"The reason 70 million people don't believe the outcome of the election is because they've been told lies," Patrick said. "They've been lied to by the (former) president, they've been lied to by his supporters, and they've been lied to by individuals who continue to perpetuate mis- and disinformation that has been proven wrong by election officials doing recounts, by thousands of observers watching the process, by courts all across the country."

Before reversing course after the insurrection at the Capitol, McMorris Rodgers cited two debunked allegations of wrongdoing and told The Spokesman-Review she saw her planned objection to the Electoral College results as "a moment for me to amplify the voices of millions of Americans who do not have trust and confidence in our election process."

Patrick  who oversaw elections for a decade in Maricopa County, home to more than half of Arizona's voters  said elected representatives have a responsibility to look for answers and tell the truth, not just to trumpet their constituents' concerns.

"If these same people believed the earth is flat, that doesn't mean a member of Congress needs to go out and say the earth is flat," Patrick said. "Part of the problem is that people have felt that if they don't continue to spread the lies and misinformation, it would jeopardize them politically."

"They thought that there were no negative repercussions," she added, "until the chickens came home to roost. I don't think any of them ever thought that they would be sheltering in place for five hours in the nation's capital while these people ran riotous, and that their own lives would be jeopardized. Had they breached and found a bunch of cowering people under their desk, they would not have known who was a Republican and who was a Democrat."

When the House impeached Trump on Jan. 13 for inciting the insurrection, several Republicans expressed remorse for their failure to speak out against the misinformation sooner.

Rep. Dan Newhouse of Central Washington, one of 10 Republicans who voted for impeachment, said on the House floor he and other GOP lawmakers were "responsible for not speaking out sooner, before the president misinformed and inflamed a violent mob who tore down the American flag and brutally beat Capitol Police officers."

"When the dust starts to settle," Wyman said, Republican leaders need to take a hard look at their own roles in spreading misinformation and listen to election officials if they have real concerns about the nation's voting system.

"I hope that the Jan. 6 events really have caused people to push pause and to reflect on what it means to be a Republican and what we want to stand for in the future," she said. "It would have been more helpful if legislators, if they were concerned about something, had picked up the phone and called their local or state election official and actually asked the tough questions."

Patrick said she worries the misinformation around the 2020 election will have lasting effects on the nation's voting system, including losing some of the election workers whose critical roles go unnoticed at best, and at worst subject them to threats.

"Being an election official or a poll worker is a difficult job under any circumstance," she said. "But when you couple the stress of the job, the importance and responsibility, the low pay and the lack of resources with death threats not just to yourself but to your family, I have real concern over what this means for the future of election administration."

The violence of Jan. 6 is also a stain on a nation that has held itself up as a bastion of democracy and an example of good governance for other countries to follow.

"We are going to have a lot of work to do," Patrick said. "Not only here domestically, but those images being portrayed around the globe to both our allies and our enemies. That is going to damage the growth of democracy and the health of democracy globally for years to come, and that is truly devastating."

If there's a silver lining, Patrick said, it's that Americans have seen what happens when politicians actively undermine trust in an election.

"I think we all now understand that democracy is fragile, and we cannot take it for granted."
The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks!

Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics.

The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc.

The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics.

The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates.

Access to college recruiters and advisors  its harder to line up higher education.

Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family.

Vote

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Longtime horseman Mr. Bev Kingston, 76, passed away on Jan. 18 after a short illness.

Mr. Bev, as he was affectionately called, was a native of Owen Sound, Ont. and campaigned at several tracks throughout North America, from Mohawk in the north to Pompano Park in the south.

His career spanned a half century and, though he never had a very large stable, he was known throughout the industry as a very competent horseman and gentleman.

Most recently, Kingston campaigned his small stable at Pompano Park during the winter months and Tioga Downs in the summer.

Among his more recent successes were Mach Lee, Keystone Christa and Abrethoffreshart.

In an interview as he approached his 75th birthday, Kingston reflected on his career saying, All of my horses are my children. Sure, I have had success with Keystone Christa and Mach Lee, but I gave the same attention and love and caring to $3,000 claimers like Roger Rambo. I get the same, wonderful feeling when any of them get to the winners circle.

Hall of Fame driver Wally Hennessey fondly remembered Kingston by saying, Mr. Bev was a gentleman both on and off the racetrack. He was a very knowledgable horseman that left no stone unturned when it came to a horses care. We have lost a great one with the passing of Mr. Bev.

Lee Cullen, a patron of Kingstons over many years, reflected I am heart-broken over his passing. In all the years in which I had horses with him, we never had one single unpleasant moment--not a single one!

He was just a wonderful individual...as a trainer and as a person...and this leaves a void in my heart.

Mr. Bev is survived by longtime companion Diane, daughter Raeann, son Bane (Traci), grandchildren Landon, Alaina, Vanessa, Brenna and Mercedes, and one great-grandson, Isaiah.

Information on the service for Mr. Kingston is pending.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the friends and family of Bev Kingston.
Dramatic changes were seen in the delivery of radiotherapy treatments for cancer during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic in England.

Much shorter radiotherapy courses were delivered, treatments were delayed where it was safe to do so and some increases were seen in order to compensate for reduced surgical capacity.

Experts believe the changes reflect an impressive adaption of services by the NHS, and that the overall impact on cancer outcomes is likely to be modest.

The new research, led by the University of Leeds, with Public Health England and the Royal College of Radiologists, reveals that there was a decrease in radiotherapy treatment courses of 19.9% in April, 6.2% in May, and 11.6% in June 2020, compared with the same months the previous year.

These decreases equated to more than 3,000 fewer courses of radiotherapy between 23 March and 28 June 2020, than would have been expected. However, the missed courses were likely to be due to postponement, where the risk of doing so was deemed low. In June though, it appears that the reduced number of courses may reflect a worrying fall in the number of patients being diagnosed with cancer.

The new study is the first to assess the impact of the pandemic on radiotherapy services in England and is published today in The Lancet Oncology.

A rapid change in practice occurred for breast cancer treatments, enabled in part by the results of a UK trial published just as the pandemic struck, which showed a one-week course to be just as effective as a three-week course for many patients.

Strikingly, the use of the shorter course of treatment went from just 0.2% of all breast cancer radiotherapy courses in April 2019, up to 60.0% of all courses in April 2020.

The switch to shorter courses of treatment was also seen in other types of cancer, and will have helped to keep patients safe and services running during the pandemic.

For some cancer types there was a significant increase in the use of radiotherapy courses compared to the previous year. There was an increase of 143.3% in curative radiotherapy for bladder cancer and 71.3% for esophageal cancer in May, and 36.3% for bowel cancer in April.

These types of cancer are often treated with surgery. Radiotherapy offers an alternative curative treatment or means to safely delay, and it is likely these timely increases were delivered to keep patients safe when surgery was not possible due to the pandemic.

Radiotherapy guidance during pandemic

Around one in three people with cancer in the UK will receive radiotherapy as part of their treatment. Radiotherapy can be used to try and cure a patient of their cancer, or to treat pain and other symptoms when curative treatment is not possible.

Treatments are often given using daily targeted doses of radiotherapy over a number of weeks. Every cancer is different, and radiotherapy courses vary depending on the type of cancer and the aim of treatment.

In March and April 2020, national and international recommendations were quickly published to ensure the safe and effective use of radiotherapy, as the first wave of COVID-19 hit the UK. The Royal College of Radiologists helped coordinate the writing and publication of many of these guidelines, with researchers from the University of Leeds contributing to many of these.

Lead author of the new study Dr Katie Spencer, University Academic Clinical Fellow at the University of Leeds and Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "Radiotherapy is a very important treatment option for cancer, and our study shows that across the English NHS there was a rapid shift in how radiotherapy was used.

"It is impressive to see that the data closely follows the guidelines published at the start of the pandemic. For cancers such as breast and bowel, shorter, more intensive treatments were delivered to provide similar outcomes for patients.

"Where treatment delay is safe, like in prostate cancer, delays were used to reduce the risk of coronavirus exposure. This was particularly important for older patients, who are more vulnerable to the virus.

"In other cases, such as head and neck, and anal cancers, we saw that the number of radiotherapy treatments hardly changed during the first wave. This was really reassuring, as we know that it is vital that these treatments are not delayed."

Treatments during the first wave

The researchers looked at the number of radiotherapy treatments taking place between February and June 2020 within the English NHS, taken from Public Health England's National Radiotherapy Dataset. They compared the number of radiotherapy courses, and their length, with the same time period in 2019, to look at the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown.

The largest reduction in treatments was seen for patients aged 70 and above (34.4% reduction in April 2020). This likely reflects concern where patient vulnerability to the risks of coronavirus outweighed the low risk expected from delaying treatment in some settings. For example, treatment for prostate cancer fell 77.0% in April 2020 compared to the previous year, and treatments for non-melanoma skin cancer fell 72.4% the same month.

This research shows the incredible speed with which radiotherapy services within the NHS were able to adapt their treatment patterns to help protect patients with cancer, whilst coping with reduced surgical capacity due to the global pandemic. Despite the intense pressures on the NHS, it was able to effectively adapt radiotherapy treatments, finding alternative treatment options where possible, and continuing its world-leading standards of patient care. In the midst of the current COVID-19 surge, NHS capacity is under even greater stress. However, cancer teams are using all of the clinical experience and innovations from last year to ensure radiotherapy services continue to operate and provide the best care possible for patients." Dr Tom Roques, Co-Author, Medical Director, Professional Practice for Clinical Oncology at the Royal College of Radiologists

The research team hope their findings will help healthcare providers to understand the indirect consequences of the pandemic and the role of radiotherapy services in minimizing those effects.

This research involved contributions from University of Oxford, Velindre University NHS Trust, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and NHS England.

Fewer patients presenting

Dr Spencer, from the University of Leeds' Institute for Health Sciences and the Leeds CRUK Radiotherapy Centre of Excellence, said: "As the country emerged from the first lockdown in June, we saw that the number of patients receiving radiotherapy was still reduced compared to last year.

"The pandemic continues to cause severe disruption for cancer diagnosis and some national screening programmes. This has meant that fewer patients were diagnosed with cancer during the first wave of the pandemic and this is likely to have led to the persistent fall in treatments we see. We know that patients who have their cancer diagnosed early have a better chance of being cured so this is really worrying.

"If people have concerns about their health it is really important that they go and seek help. Radiotherapy services remain up and running and are ready to look after people, as always."
The last round of talks were held on 6 November, 2020. India has always maintained that the onus to carry out the process of de-escalation at friction points along the LAC is on China

New Delhi: India and China are set to hold their ninth round of Corps Commander-level talks on Sunday with a focus on ways to move forward on the long-negotiated disengagement process in eastern Ladakh, according to official sources.

The military talks are slated to be held at the Moldo border point on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, the sources said on Saturday.

The eighth and last round of military talks took place on 6 November during which both sides 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.

"The focus of the talks is going to be on the disengagement process," said a source.

On 12 January, Army chief Gen MM Naravane had said that Indian troops will hold their ground as long as it takes to achieve the "national goals and objectives" even as he hoped for an amicable resolution of the prolonged standoff through talks.

The standoff erupted on 5 May 2020.

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 held another round of diplomatic talks under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs. However, no concrete outcome emerged from the talks.

Following the sixth round of military talks on 21 September, the two sides had announced a slew of decisions including not to send more troops to the frontline, refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground and avoid taking any actions that may further complicate matters.

This round 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 10 September 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.

TACOMA, Wash. -- A Tacoma, Washington, police officer is under investigation after he drove his vehicle into a crowd, running over at least one person and possibly striking others, according to a press release from the Tacoma Police Department.

Along with other police units, the officer was responding to reports of an incident at the intersection of South 9th and Pacific Avenue in Tacoma Saturday night around 6:20 p.m., the release said. Once on scene, the officers found a number of vehicles and approximately 100 people blocking the intersection, which they began to clear "for the safety of those gathered and people trying to use the street," the release said.

The crowd then surrounded one of the police vehicles and began hitting the vehicle and its windows while its lights and sirens were activated, according to police. The officer inside the SUV tried to back up, according to the statement, but was not able to because of the crowd.

"Fearing for his safety," the statement said, "the officer drove forward striking one individual and may have impacted others," while trying to get out of the "unsafe position." Once the officer was "at a point of safety," police say he called for medical aid.

The officer was not identified in the police statement.

The Pierce County Force Investigation Team is investigating the incident, the statement said.

According to reporting from The News Tribune, Tacoma police spokesperson Wendy Haddow said the crowd was pounding on the windows of the officer's vehicle. "He was afraid they would break his glass," she said, prompting him to speed away from the scene.

One person, whose condition is unknown, was taken to a local hospital following the incident, according to police. Haddow told The New Tribune one person sustained a laceration in the collision and was transported to a local hospital, the paper reported.

In at least one graphic video of the incident circulating on social media, the police vehicle, with lights and sirens on, can be seen slowly moving closer to the crowd gathered in front of the vehicle. An engine is heard revving in the background and the vehicle backs up and then accelerates forward into the crowd, knocking several people to the ground.

The vehicle slows down slightly and it appears to bounce while driving over something before continuing through the intersection. The back tires of the vehicle can be seen rolling over someone laying in the street.

A second video shows a white car doing donuts in the middle of the intersection and driving off just as police arrive on the scene, moments before the police vehicle is seen driving through the crowd.

In another video, the sound of an engine revving is followed by a series of thuds and an individual exclaiming twice, "Damn, they're hitting a cop car." Moments later an engine is heard revving again and people scatter and begin to scream, "Oh my God! Oh my God!" repeatedly. A few seconds later, a smaller crowd is seen forming around what appears to be someone laying on the ground.

"I am concerned that our department is experiencing another use of deadly force incident," Tacoma interim police Chief Mike Ake said in the press release.

"I send my thoughts to anyone who was injured in tonight's event and am committed to our department's full cooperation in the independent investigation and to assess the actions of the department's response during the incident," he said.

Tacoma City Manager Elizabeth Pauli told The News Tribune the officer will be placed on leave.
Brood X is here

Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield.
Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt survived stints in Iraq and Afghanistan, where she helped guard military bases at the peak of Americas wars in those regions in the mid-to-late 2000s. Instead, she lost her life fighting her own government in the corridors of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6  gunned down by a Capitol Police officer at the front of a crowd trying to smash toward the nearby House chamber and prevent the counting of 2020 Electoral College votes that would make Joe Biden president. Seconds before the fatal shot, a video captured her compatriots smashing a window and shouting, We dont want to hurt no one, we just want to go inside.

Babbitts death came at the end of what her friends and family described as a descent into a rabbit hole of right-wing extremism and conspiracy theories that began not long after her 14 years of military service ended, while she struggled to make it as the small-business owner of a pool cleaning service, which a sign proclaimed as a mask-free zone in the time of coronavirus. On the last full day of her life, Babbitt wrote on Twitter in the apocalyptic language of the QAnon conspiracy theory that believes a Deep State sex-trafficking cabal has corrupted America, proclaiming: Nothing will stop us. They can try and try and try but the storm is here and it is descending upon DC in less than 24 hours  dark to light!

My sister was 35 and served 14 years  to me thats the majority of your conscious adult life, Babbitts brother told the New York Times. If you feel like you gave the majority of your life to your country and youre not being listened to, that is a hard pill to swallow. Thats why she was upset.

Babbitt was far from the only disillusioned U.S. military vet drawn to the insurrection at the Capitol. She was joined by the likes of a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, Larry Randall Brock Jr., whod served as a flight commander in Afghanistan and now was captured on video on the floor of the U.S. Senate in a combat helmet and full tactical gear, carrying zip-tie handcuffs. Like Babbitt, friends said they watched Brock become increasingly radicalized in his support of Donald Trump and his political movement. Family members told the New Yorkers Ronan Farrow that the Air Force remained central to Brocks identity and, as one said, He used to tell me that I only saw the world in shades of gray, and that the world was black and white.

One radical right-wing group with a heavy presence at the storming of the Capitol was the Oath Keepers, a group geared toward current and former members of both the military and domestic law enforcement that was founded by a former Army paratrooper named Stewart Rhodes around the time that Barack Obama was elected as Americas first Black president. Ahead of the insurrection, Rhodes told the Los Angeles Times these were pissed-off patriots that are not going to accept their form of government being stolen. In one of the more chilling videos from the Capitol, a line of a half-dozen Oath Keepers wearing combat gear marches toward the seat of U.S. government and through the chaotic mob with steady, military precision.

As the Justice Department and other investigators continue to sort out what really happened on that bloody Wednesday on Capitol Hill, its increasingly clear that military veterans were disproportionately involved. So far, about 20% of those arrested and charged in connection with the riot had served in the U.S. military, a group that comprises only 7% of the general population. To some experts, the arrests highlight a disturbing trend in American life thats existed since the bitter end of the Vietnam War  a kind of blowback in which troops who were trained to fight and kill for one vision of democracy overseas turn on their own government in their disillusionment once back home.

 READ MORE: An insurrection of upper-middle class white people | Will Bunch Newsletter

We see a spike in activity after every major war, Kathleen Belew, the University of Wisconsin historian, told the New Yorker after Jan 6. In 2018, Belews book Bring the War Home drew a powerful line between the disenchantment of returning Vietnam vets and the rise of white-power movements during the 1980s. She said she saw the same phenomenon at work on Capitol Hill, where the about-to-be-slain Babbitt described her fellow rioters as boots on the ground. Said Belew: I dont think we have to look very far to see this as a ricochet of warfare.

Its important to note here that we are talking about a fraction of the 2.7 million service members who took part in Iraq or Afghanistan  a group that includes large numbers of veterans doing good things in their communities, even working in some cases to reduce the aggressive U.S. military posture they participated in. Indeed, the Capitol Police officer who was killed trying to hold off the mob, Brian Sicknick, had also served in the military overseas.

And America, as a society, frankly gives its former soldiers and sailors too many reasons to feel unwelcome or otherwise disconnected when they come home. Some of that is embedded in a lack of support, including the historically poor performance of the Veterans Administration that has festered under both Democratic and Republican administrations. But I also mean much more broadly that our countrys embrace of militarism as our face to the world  including the unending post-9/11 forever war  creates lifelong post-traumatic stress or other psychological wounds among the too many who fight it. Even veterans who dont see frontline combat face a difficult adjustment from the camaraderie of their units to increasingly atomized, individualistic and harsh America that waits at home. For a minority, conspiracy theories or extremism can provide a new form of social cohesion, albeit a dangerous one.

Theres a simple way to curb some of the radicalism and disillusionment thats caused by sending so many young men and women to fight a muddled forever war that continues after nearly 20 years, as our reasons for sending troops into dangerous situations in Afghanistan or Iraq become less and less clear, especially to those boots on the ground. Our new president, Joe Biden, could show a seriousness to finally ending these wars and creating an American foreign policy that doesnt need to be enforced with constant drone strikes and an archipelago of military bases.

As I write this, the 46th president is enjoying the honeymoon of his first week in office and delighting most of the 82 million Americans who voted for him with a rash of executive actions that target almost every one of our national problems, from COVID-19 to climate change to discrimination against the LGBTQ community. The giant dog that isnt barking here in the early days of the Biden administration is our national addiction to militarism. His busy schedule of executive orders has somehow ignored curbing the drone strikes that increased exponentially under Trump, or U.S. support for Saudi Arabias immoral war in Yemen, or really offering any sign that Biden plans to unwind the wars authorized way back in 2001, or undo Americas obscene spending on the military  more than the next 10 nations combined.

Indeed, the indications are that the magnetic inertia of American militarism will continue under Biden, as it does under every modern U.S. president  Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal. After all, the Republicans and Democrats in Congress who barely speak to one another the other 364 days of the year managed to hold hands and sing Kumbaya in passing a massive $740 billion defense budget, even over Trumps veto. While the incoming Biden team has signaled a policy shift on Yemen is coming soon, the future for American troop presence in the Middle East and Afghanistan is very much up in the air.

Bidens best quality in a 50-year political career has been his ability to adapt to changing times. Its still early enough in his presidency to hope that his team will make the connection between our bloated Pentagon spending and his ambitious domestic agenda that would tackle the coronavirus, climate change and economic inequality at the same time  but theres even more at stake.

Once again, Jan. 6 brought the war home to America. We act shocked when a nation that too often executes its foreign policy at the barrel of a tank finds that here at home weve become not only armed to the teeth but that increasingly seems unable to solve what should be political debates without apocalyptic talk of a civil war. When it comes to drawing down the morally corrosive power of militarism on American life, the buck starts at the presidents Resolute Desk. President Biden has both the power and the opportunity to bring the longest military conflict in American history to its inevitable end  and build a society where theres no longer any war to import.
The government has repeatedly criticised prosecutors for doing no more than applying the law, the head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said.

Max Hill QC, the director of public prosecutions, defended decisions in two recent immigration cases that drew the ire of the Home Office as Priti Patel attempts to crack down on irregular journeys to Britain.

In the first, the CPS dismissed charges against 69 Albanians who had been charged by the Border Force with entering the UK illegally, but had not reached the country.

Then earlier this month, the Home Office said the British people will struggle to understand why the CPS dropped charges against seven Nigerian stowaways who had been wrongly accused of trying to hijack an oil tanker.

In both cases, we have done no more than apply the law, which is for parliament and not us to decide, Mr Hill told The Independent.

Were absolutely clear that any prosecuting authority must be free, and is free, to make independent decisions following the law  that independence does lead to [opposing] positions taken by the general public or even by the Home Office. We have no difficulty in scrutiny of our decisions.

In December, it emerged that Home Office officials had wrongly charged 69 people with entering the UK illegally, resulting in several men being unlawfully jailed for crimes they did not commit.

The CPS overturned prosecutions of the passengers, but maintained charges of facilitating illegal immigration against three alleged crew members.

After the decision was announced, a Home Office spokesperson said it was disappointed that the proceedings were discontinued and that it was working with the CPS urgently to resolve the issues raised by this case.

Knowingly entering the UK without leave is a criminal offence and anyone who has committed such an offence should be prepared to face prosecution, a statement sent to the media added.

But Mr Hill said the passengers of migrant boats who have no role in organising or controlling crossings should not be charged, and can be dealt with perfectly appropriately by immigration scrutiny and removal rather than prosecution.

A month later, the CPS dropped charges against seven Nigerian stowaways who had been accused of trying to hijack an oil tanker off the coast of the Isle of Wight.

 Police dealing with incident aboard ship in English Channel

Prosecutors said mobile phone footage showed the ship and crew were not put in danger and there was no attempt to take control of the vessel.

Ms Patel, the home secretary, had authorised a raid by the elite Special Boat Service (SBS) unit after the crew sounded the alarm on 26 October.

A Home Office spokesperson said it was disappointed by the CPS decision, adding: It is frustrating that there will be no prosecution in relation to this very serious incident and the British people will struggle to understand how this can be the case.

Abusive posts were directed at the CPS Twitter account following the comment, with prosecutors called f***ing clowns and pathetic.

Mr Hill said all cases were considered on their merits and the same legal tests, and that it would have been quite wrong to maintain charges which would not have survived scrutiny in court.

Initial reports that led to the military intervention suggested a hijack or possible hijack but on cold, calm review it transpired that the stowaways had not committed the criminal offence of endangering a vessel, he added.

We do perform a valuable function, which is to ensure that cases that should not proceed, dont proceed. Thats where our independence is absolutely critical and these recent two cases prove an absence of political interference. Rather, they prove our independence.

Priti Patel has vowed to crack down on migrants reaching the UK by boat (Home Office)

Mr Hill became head of the CPS in November 2018 and was previously the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, following a lengthy career as a criminal barrister.

His comments come amid allegations of unprecedented political interference in the criminal justice system.

Senior judges and lawyers have criticised attacks by the prime minister and home secretary on immigration lawyers after cases that went against the government.

Last month, the Lord Chief Justice said a number of recent instances might be thought to be interference, adding: There has been nothing quite like it in my experience.

Lord Burnett of Maldon also spoke out, after a backlash against Home Office material on activist solicitors representing asylum seekers.

He said general attacks on lawyers undermined the rule of law and also suggested that MPs should be educated on where constitutional boundaries lie.

The attorney general, Suella Braverman, recently took the rare step of personally calling for judges to increase prison sentences for teenagers who killed a police officer.

Her arguments were dismissed by the Court of Appeal in a scathing judgment.

Legal professionals previously criticised the governments response to Supreme Court rulings on Boris Johnsons prorogation of parliament, which was judged to be unlawful, and forcing a parliamentary vote on the triggering of Article 50.

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- New York and LA-based photographer Ivan Wong shares his expert insights on shooting light trails. Wong is hailed as one of the most popular photographers of 2020, and he starts the new year with grander aspirations. He surged to popularity via Instagram after he moved to New York from LA when he started sharing his photos on Instagram.

Ivan Wong

He delved into shooting cityscapes and breathtaking architecture and significantly advanced further, exploring different techniques and aesthetics. He went on to mastering conventional and digital photography and also became an ambassador for Sony Alpha. He was also recognized as one of the most prominent Google Pixel ambassadors.

Wong has often shared his thoughts on photography techniques. He fundamentally lays all focus on a single piece of advicenever stop exploring and exposing yourself to challenges. He recalls his aesthetic charms and city skyline works due to consistent exploration, testing of different methods and techniques.

Wong adds that photographers should bet on long exposures to shoot light trails, especially in moving shots. He adds that shooting at a faster shutter speed can virtually stop the time, but it fails to capture the aesthetic quality. So, a photographer should do some takes until they get the right adjustment of shutter speed most appropriate for their subject. A longer time will capture more motion and light streaks and less of the subject so set it to a point where you can ideally balance the two for the composition in mind.

Next, he shares that adjusting your ISO can significantly help you achieve the results you want. Wong reflects that most novice photographers struggle with "noise" in their photographers. With long exposures, it's best to start at a low ISO like 100 and only increase this after exhausting the ideal settings for aperture and then shutter speed, ideally in that order.

The next important thing he recalls is to invest in a mid-range tripod that can offer your device just the right amount of sturdiness for long exposure. It's also important to invest in a wireless trigger either using native camera apps, those connected to smartphones, or 3rd party triggers. Long exposures are prone to detecting shakes so it's key to avoid any physical movements to the camera when shooting.

But the job doesn't end thereone must move around, try different angles, and see which side of the subject offers the best frame. Shooting low can make up a very dynamic composition. Ivan Wong concludes that there is no such thing as the "perfect shot." A photograph gets better with every attempt, and each time you are led towards new things to learn.

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In the early hey-days of the Range Rover, following its introduction in the 1970s, it was the vehicle of choice for the British rangers. The...
ANN ARBOR, MI  Real estate agents have an important role to play when it comes to ending housing discrimination, says Tom Renkert, CEO of the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors.

Thats why his group, which represents over 1,000 members, is partnering with the Ypsilanti-based Fair Housing Center of Southeast and Mid Michigan to support the 2021 Realtors for Fair Housing Campaign.

The group announced its participation this past week, reiterating its commitment to diverse communities and asking local real estate agents to donate to the cause and publicly pledge support for adhering to the letter and spirit of fair housing laws.

Funds raised will support the Fair Housing Centers fight against discrimination in housing and public accommodations and promote accessible, integrated communities, the group said.

This April, the nation will be celebrating the 52nd anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors leaders and Fair Housing Center Executive Director Pam Kisch stated in a letter to local real estate agents.

This landmark civil rights legislation was the result of years of individual and collective struggle against discrimination in sales, rental, financing and other housing-related transactions. The act now protects the buyer or renter of a dwelling from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status.

Researchers map Ann Arbors racist history of housing discrimination

The letter asks for at least 200 local real estate agents to join the campaign and add their names to the list of those publicly taking a stand against housing discrimination. The group plans to publish the list in the Ann Arbor Observer in April to send a strong message to the public that our communities are no place for unfair treatment.

Now could not be a more important time in our history to show your commitment to equality and fairness, the letter states.

The Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors kicked off the campaign with a $2,000 contribution last month.

Founded in 1992, the Fair Housing Center works to protect the civil rights of those discriminated against in the rental, sale or financing of housing, including taking legal action.

The center takes an average of about 170 complaints each year from its 10-county service area in Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee and Washtenaw counties.

It recently helped an interracial couple file a housing discrimination lawsuit against Livingston County real estate agents, claiming the couple was illegally prevented from buying a home on Zukey Lake in Hamburg Township, violating the federal Fair Housing Act, because the husband is Black.

The couple came to the Fair Housing Center, which did an investigation and helped line up one of its cooperating attorneys to take the case, Kisch said.

Housing discrimination isnt as overt today as it used to be in the days when whites only policies were openly stated, but it still exists, Kisch said.

Things are getting slightly better, but were still seeing intolerable levels of discrimination based on race and national origin, she said, noting another common complaint is discrimination based on physical disability.

Kisch said her organization doesnt hear as many complaints about discrimination in real estate sales as it does in rental housing because a lot of real estate agents are doing the right thing and it can be difficult for someone to know if theyre being discriminated against.

When potential homebuyers are discriminated against, their real estate agents are hurt by it, too, because their pay is based on commission, she noted.

In addition to helping generate the $150,000 the Fair Housing Center needs to raise for its budget, the Realtors for Fair Housing Campaign is about getting real estate agents thinking and talking about fair housing, Kisch said.

We know that there are real estate agents out there who are not following the law and their colleagues probably know it, so its not only that you do the right thing, but that you dont allow other colleagues to violate the Fair Housing Act, she said.

Interracial couple suing Livingston County realtors for racial bias

Americas long history of housing discrimination has been a topic of discussion among Ann Arbor leaders lately as theyve discussed racist practices of the past and how current zoning may still contribute to segregation.

With the help of University of Michigan researchers, theyre now exploring the areas history of racist covenants that historically prevented Blacks and other people of color from owning homes in some parts of Ann Arbor.

Even though the covenants are no longer enforceable, they still exist and follow properties as theyre sold, and cause consternation when homebuyers see them.

Its just a sad, sad situation, said Alex Milshteyn, an Ann Arbor planning commissioner, who said its something he deals with every day as a real estate agent.

Mike Steinberg, a UM law professor, has teamed up with Rob Goodspeed, a UM urban planning assistant professor, to map all the racist covenants in Ann Arbor and get rid of them.

Through their research so far, theyve found 66 plats or subdivisions created between 1912 and 1952 that contain racially restrictive covenants, and one from 1970.

Although they havent been enforceable since 1948 in Shelley vs. Kramer, they still exist on the houses and they cause real harm to people, Steinberg said. You can imagine a person of color reading their closing packet and seeing that theyre not welcome in their neighborhood.

Its like having a whites only sign at a neighborhood entrance, Steinberg said.

The National Association of Realtors president recently issued a formal apology for the industrys past policies that contributed to segregation and racial inequality in America, Milshteyn noted at a recent Planning Commission meeting.

As part of that apology, theres a lot of grant money from the National Association of Realtors thats been put forth to the states and the local associations to try to combat the tactics that were used and could potentially still be used today, he said, adding the real estate community realizes it was a part of the problem and is trying to fix it.

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Chief Charumbira Former senator and Chief Marozva of Bikita, Mr Joseph Mudhe, has died from suspected Covid-19 related complications.

Chief Marozva died yesterday at his homestead at Marozva village, near Bikita Minerals, having been unwell for several days. Chiefs Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira confirmed his death.

Yes, he passed on this morning (Sunday) at his homestead after being unwell for the past few days, said Chief Charumbira. As Masvingo chiefs, we have lost an enlightened and sharp colleague who was not easily intimidated.

He worked tirelessly for development in Masvingo and the nation at large.

Chief Charumbira described Chief Marozva, who also had a stint in the chiefs council, as a dedicated farmer who was committed to using local resources to engender socio-economic development.

A fierce proponent on community development in Bikita, Chief Marozva will be fondly remembered for being a firm believer in true efficacy of Governments community share ownership schemes.

He will be remembered for being at the forefront of pushing Zimbabwes sole lithium miner, Bikita Minerals, to finance empowerment projects in the district.

As a result, Bikita Minerals built Marozva Clinic and financed several projects that transformed lives of the Bikita rural folk. Herald
A woman public health worker, who had taken Covid vaccine on January 19, died at a government-run hospital in Guntur in the early hours of Sunday while undergoing treatment for alleged reactions.

While family members of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker Vijaya Lakshmi (44) alleged that she died due to the adverse effect following vaccination, the officials said the cause of the death was under investigation.

Health officials said the cause of the health worker's death would be known only after receipt of her autopsy report.

The officials said the death does not appear to be related to vaccination. They pointed out that over 10,000 people were given the vaccine in Guntur district so far and not a single Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI) was reported.

ASHA worker's death sparked protest by the family members and ASHA workers at Government General Hospital, Guntur. They demanded Rs 50 lakh compensation.

Guntur district collector Samuel Anand announced that a government job will be provided to the son of the deceased. "If the family is eligible to get a house under the government scheme, the same will be allotted to them," he told reporters at the hospital.

The collector, who faced angry protests by the deceased's relatives and others, said he would send a proposal to the government for compensation to Vijaya Lakshmi's family.

However, not satisfied by the collector's response, the ASHA worker's family members supported by the leaders of opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) began a sit-in at the hospital.

Raising slogans of 'we want justice' the protestors squatted at the main entrance of the hospital. Police forcibly lifted the protestors and arrested them, leading to tension.

The TDP leaders alleged that the police resorted to excessive use of force to suppress the protest.

According to Vijaya Lakshmi's family members, she took the vaccine on January 19. She developed high fever on January 21. They alleged that a private hospital in Guntur refused to admit her, forcing them to take her to the government hospital.

They said the doctors told them that she suffered brain stroke but they alleged that the death was the result of adverse effect of Covid vaccine.
Stock Market: Why You Should Prepare for a Jump in Volatility

This volatility indicator "has made a series of higher lows" -- and it's not a good sign

Stock market volatility is like a roller-coaster ride -- extreme ups and downs.

However, unlike thrill-seeking roller-coaster riders who often rise from their seats after the ride with a smile, investors often exit with a frown.

That's because extreme volatility after a stock rally often ends with prices much lower.

Having said that, many investors -- even professionals -- do not anticipate a jump in volatility right now.

Indeed, the San Diego Union-Tribune asked the senior principal of a financial advisory firm on Jan. 15:

Will 2021 be a volatile year for the stock market?

He replied:

NO: If 2020 had not been a volatile stock year -- what with the pandemic, recession, elections, and riots -- then it is reasonable to expect that 2021 should be relatively stable.

Yet, a key stock market indicator is revealing.

Here are insights from the Jan. 15 U.S. Short Term Update, a thrice weekly Elliott Wave International publication which provides near-term forecasts for major U.S. financial markets:

The chart shows the DJIA in the top graph and the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) in the bottom graph. We've inverted the scale of the VIX so it aligns with stock prices. This index measures investors' expectations for market volatility for the coming 30 days. Most of the time, the VIX trends and reverses with stocks. When the behavior changes, it's time to watch both stocks and the VIX closely. The most recent intraday low in the VIX occurred at 19.51 on November 27. Since then, the DJIA has made a series of higher highs while the VIX has made a series of higher lows. This divergence is denoted with a red trendline on the chart.

The Jan. 15 U.S. Short Term Update goes on to describe a "clue" in spotting when volatility might start to spike.

Moreover, subscribers are provided with the Elliott wave labeling of the DJIA, which provides even more precision in ascertaining when to expect a change of character in the market.

Right now, you can read EWIs U.S. market analysis FREE inside the State of the U.S. Markets FreePass event.

Now through February 3, youll see what Elliott waves show next for U.S. stocks, U.S. Treasuries, the U.S. dollar, gold and more

Follow the link to see everything thats included and join now: State of the U.S. Markets FreePass.

This article was syndicated by Elliott Wave International and was originally published under the headline Stock Market: Why You Should Prepare for a Jump in Volatility. EWI is the world's largest market forecasting firm. Its staff of full-time analysts led by Chartered Market Technician Robert Prechter provides 24-hour-a-day market analysis to institutional and private investors around the world.

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




LEXINGTON, SC  To those who knew her best, Ashley Bennett was put on this world to be a mother.

At 36, Bennett was a mother of 10 children, ranging in age from 18 years to 2 weeks old. Her older sister, Courtney Bucknam, described her to WLTX as "amazing."

Her world circulated around her children, Bucknam said during a separate interview with WIS. She absolutely loved them.

Bennett was 34 weeks pregnant and preparing for the birth of her youngest child when she, her husband Darryl, and all their children tested positive for coronavirus.



Everyone but Bennett recovered.

After an emergency delivery of daughter Eliza on Jan. 1, Bennett's children lost their mother to COVID-19 just seven days later.



Bucknam told WLTX that Bennett had a blood clot that led to a stroke. She was intubated and underwent surgery, but passed on January 8.

She never got to hold Eliza.

She was an amazing person, Bucknam told WLTX. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help offset expenses for Bennett's husband and kids.

If we can learn anything from this, its that COVID is so serious, and we need to truly take precautions because she was only 36. She had no underlying conditions, and she was gone basically within 10 days," Bucknam said. "It can happen to anybody."

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.

The Latest

As the weekend comes to a close, the United States has reached 25 million confirmed cases of coronavirus. Totals from Johns Hopkins University show the country reached the number late Sunday morning.

With about 4 percent of the world's population, the United States has accounted for about a quarter of the confirmed coronavirus cases across the globe.

Cases and deaths continue to climb, and one public health expert called the milestone an "incredible scale of tragedy."



It took the United States about nine months to hit 10 million cases  that milestone was passed on Nov. 8  but a post-Thanksgiving surge prompted infections to climb at an unprecedented and overwhelming speed.

Story continues

By the last day of 2020, just seven weeks later, the country had added another 10 million cases.

As the caseload climbs past 25 million, more states are reporting their first cases of the B.1.1.7 coronavirus variant that was first discovered  and now spreading  in the United Kingdom.

All athletic games and practices have been canceled indefinitely at the University of Michigan after the variant was found in five athletes. Washington state is among the other states to have reported its first variant cases in recent days.

In many areas, hospitals remain strained due to the virus.

An Associated Press analysis of federal hospital data shows that since November, the share of U.S. hospitals nearing the breaking point has doubled. More than 40 percent of Americans now live in areas running out of ICU space, with only 15 percent of beds still available.



In the White House, President Joe Biden is spending the first days of his presidency trying to get the virus under control and lessen the toll it's taking on pandemic-weary Americans.

On Friday, Biden signed two more executive orders aimed at curbing the economic damage inflicted by the coronavirus crisis and feeding those suffering from pandemic-induced hunger.



One of the orders calls for a 15 percent increase in benefits received by low-income students through the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer program. It also calls for expanded eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, more commonly known as food stamps.

"The American people can't afford to wait," Brian Deese, the National Economic Council director, said during a Friday news conference. "And so many are hanging by a thread. They need help, and we are committed to doing everything we can to provide that help as quickly as possible."

In Friday's actions, Biden also called for the Office of Personnel Management to develop recommendations to pay more federal employees at least $15 per hour.

Biden is moving with lightning speed to address the pandemic that has infected more than million Americans and claimed more than 415,000 lives in the United States.

Possibly among those hundreds of thousands was legendary broadcaster and talk show host Larry King, who died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 87 years old.

A statement issued by Ora Media, the company he helped found in 2012, did not specifically cite the cause of death for the Brooklyn native and longtime nationally syndicated radio host; however, he was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai last month after testing positive for coronavirus.

King, host of "Larry King Live" on CNN, conducted an estimated 50,000 on-air interviews, according to The Associated Press. He was an enduring on-air personality who set himself apart with the curiosity be brought to every interview.

Meanwhile, at least 150 National Guard members sent to Washington, D.C. to provide Inauguration Day security following the deadly Jan. 6 riot on the U.S. Capitol have tested positive for coronavirus, according to a report by Reuters.

In a statement to Reuters, the National Guard said it would not discuss the cases, though a source who spoke to the publication said as many as 200 guard members could be infected and that the number could very likely grow.

More than 25,000 National Guard members were deployed to D.C. in the days leading up to Biden's inaugural. About 7,000 are expected to remain in the city through the end of the month.

In the South, Texas is becoming the latest state to run out of coronavirus vaccines, according to a Times report.

Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, the chief executive of Harris Health System, which treats thousands of mostly uninsured patients, warned on Friday that its entire vaccine supply could be depleted by midday Saturday.



The problem is not capability, he told the Times  it's availability.

Health officials in Texas and other states are struggling to get answers, growing desperate as inoculation sites cancel thousands of appointments due to long-anticipated vaccines that are suddenly in short supply.

In South Carolina, a hospital in Beaufort had to cancel 6,000 vaccine appointments after it received only 450 of the doses it had expected. In Hawaii, a Maui hospital canceled 5,000 first-dose appointments and placed 15,000 additional requests for appointments on hold, according to The Times.

In other news, Dr. Anthony Fauci is back.

In truth, the nation's leading infectious-diseases expert never really went away. But after enduring nearly a year of darts and undermining comments from now-former President Donald Trump, Fauci now speaks with the authority of the White House again.

During a news conference Thursday, he called it "liberating" to be backed by a science-friendly administration that has embraced his recommendations to battle COVID-19.

"One of the new things in this administration is, if you don't know the answer, don't guess," Fauci said in one pointed observation during a White House briefing. "Just say you don't know the answer."

Also in Washington, D.C., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday quietly changed its immunization guidelines, specifically targeting the second dose of the long-awaited coronavirus vaccine.

According to a New York Times report, the CDC altered guidance to allow those receiving the shot to switch from one vaccine to another in "exceptional situations." This means if someone received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, in some cases, they may be able to receive a second dose produced by another pharmaceutical company.

Newest Numbers

At least 839 deaths and 79,141 new cases of coronavirus were reported in the United States on Sunday as of 2 p.m. ET, according to a Washington Post database. The Post's reporting shows that over the past week, new daily cases fell 21.1 percent, new daily deaths fell 7.4 percent an COVID-19-related hospitalizations fell 9.3 percent.

Currently, 113,609 people are hospitalized with a coronavirus-related illness in the United States, according to the Covid Tracking Project.



As of Sunday, 42 states and U.S. territories remained above the positive testing rate recommended by the World Health Organization to safely reopen. To safely reopen, the WHO recommends states remain at 5 percent or lower for at least 14 days.

As of Sunday afternoon, the United States had reported more than 25 million cases and more than 418,300 deaths from COVID-19-related illnesses, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.



Stay up to date on the latest coronavirus news via The New York Times or The Washington Post.



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Boris Johnson has spoken to Joe Biden for the first time since the inauguration of the new US president.

The prime minister congratulated Mr Biden during the phone call on Saturday night, No10 said in a statement.

He also raised the prospect of reaching a free trade deal between the UK and US as soon as possible.

Following the discussion, Mr Johnson tweeted: Great to speak to President Joe Biden this evening. I look forward to deepening the longstanding alliance between our two countries as we drive a green and sustainable recovery from Covid-19.

Downing Street said Mr Johnson warmly welcomed Mr Bidens decision to rejoin the Paris Agreement on climate change and the World Health Organisation, reversing the decisions made by his predecessor Donald Trump.

They noted the significant challenges facing the world during the pandemic but also the unparalleled opportunities to build back better and greener together, a spokesperson said.

The prime minister praised President Biden's early action on tackling climate change and commitment to reach net zero by 2050.

"Building on the UK and US' long history of cooperation in security and defence, the leaders recommitted to the Nato alliance and our shared values in promoting human rights and protecting democracy.

They also discussed the benefits of a potential free trade deal between our two countries, and the prime minister reiterated his intention to resolve existing trade issues as soon as possible.

"The leaders looked forward to meeting in person as soon as the circumstances allow, and to working together through the G7, G20 and COP 26 this year."

According to a White House statement, Mr Biden conveyed his intention to strengthen the special relationship between Britain and the US, and to revitalise transatlantic ties including bolstering Washingtons support for Nato.

Mr Biden said he was ready to work with Mr Johnson on the upcoming G7 summit, and that the two countries should maintain coordination on shared foreign policy priorities, including China, Iran and Russia.

Mr Johnson has attempted to play down suggestions of a rift with the new president as a result of his close relationship with Mr Trump and his previous remarks about Barack Obama.

In recent days he has refused to comment on a description of the president as woke and his decision to remove a bust of Sir Winston Churchill in the Oval Office. He has previously suggested that Mr Obamas removal of the bust in 2016 was a snub to Britain which might be prompted by the part-Kenyan presidents ancestral dislike of the empire.

Mr Biden, who once described Mr Johnson as a physical and emotional clone of Trump, had calls on Friday with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

ALBANY  Capital Region doctors offices say they are growing increasingly frustrated at their inability to obtain coronavirus vaccines, despite having years of experience administering inoculations and the ability to quickly identify eligible populations.

Dr. Joanne Fogarty said her private medical practice in Latham has filled out numerous questionnaires from state and federal agencies in the past four months that detail her offices storage capabilities, at-risk patient population and plans for administering vaccine to patients. In early January, she submitted an order with the state for 200 doses and received word that it had been approved.

As of Friday, however, the doses had yet to arrive and the state had given no indication as to when they might, she said.

I cannot fathom how a supermarket is able to receive vaccine before every requesting physician in the state has received vaccine, she said, referring to Price Choppers up-and-running vaccination clinics at three of its local Market 32 pharmacies. Especially since we spend all our time on the phone with elderly patients asking why dont we have it, when are we getting it, and how come they have to travel to Utica or Plattsburgh to get it?

Other doctors offices have also submitted orders and are waiting to hear back.

Albany Medical Center and St. Peters Health Partners said Friday that their physician practices have still not received any vaccines for eligible patients.

We are still awaiting information on if and when we can expect to receive doses for patients, and we continue to wait for additional 1a first-dose vaccines to continue vaccinating our front-line patient-facing health care workers, said Robert Webster, a spokesperson for St. Peters.

Community Care Physicians, which operates over three dozen practices in the region, received a small allotment of vaccines intended for employees only, spokeswoman Alexis Musto said. Their offices are still awaiting word on whether they will be receiving vaccines for any of their roughly 60,000 patients who are currently eligible, she said.

"Weve seen a huge increase in call volumes to the point that some of our phone systems have crashed," she said.

When and if we do get vaccine, CCP will certainly be one part of a much larger effort to vaccinate the (65+ population), she added. But our message right now is if you are a patient of CCP who is 65 or older, do not wait for us to offer it to you. Its just not guaranteed at this point.

The state Department of Health did not directly respond when asked whether any doctors offices have received vaccines so far and, if not, when they might expect to.

We are working around the clock and doing everything humanly possible to get every New Yorker who wants a vaccine inoculated, and we are working closely with all providers to get them the supplies they need, said Jeffrey Hammond, a spokesman for the heath department. Unfortunately the federal government's supply doesnt come anywhere close to the demand here in New York  in fact, the federal government had promised us 300,000 doses this week, but then told us that would be cut without explanation. We ask for patience as we implement the largest single vaccination effort in state history.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Friday that the state has a network of about 1,200 vaccine distributors ready and willing to administer vaccine, but is not receiving enough doses from the federal government yet to provide them all with a supply.

We want to have that distribution network in place because we're hoping to get more production and I want to anticipate more production and have that distribution network in place, he said. Id rather have more distribution waiting for vaccine, than having vaccine sitting on a shelf waiting for distribution.

Physicians say it makes little sense, though, that supermarkets were prioritized for vaccines over doctors' offices.

In addition to their experience administering vaccines to people of all ages for many conditions and their ability to quickly identify patients who are eligible, they also say their trusted relationships with patients make them ideal candidates to address safety concerns and hesitancy about the vaccine.

Local health department and community-based physicians have intimate and regular contact with patients and are uniquely positioned to promote and administer vaccinations, said Vito Grasso, executive vice president of the New York State Academy of Family Physicians. Using that infrastructure would likely be a very effective way to expedite proliferation of the vaccine throughout the state.

Fogarty said she became exasperated with the situation last week, when her 82-year-old father informed her his neighbor had gotten vaccinated at a local Price Chopper.

He was frustrated because Ive asked him not to go into supermarkets for the past 10 months because hes elderly and at risk, she said. I fail to recognize why that seemed like a better option than the doctor's office.

Her practice administered mass vaccinations during the H1N1 crisis of 2009, she said. It also held a flu shot clinic this past September and was able to administer 250 doses in three and a half hours, she said.

Were not reinventing the wheel here, she said. We give vaccinations all the time. There is an infrastructure already in place here. Why not use it?
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  The government is working to bring home seafarers stranded in China due to restrictions brought about by the pandemic.

Speaking to CNN Philippines on Sunday, Labor Secretary SIlvestre Bello III said, "Definitely, tutulungan 'yan ng ating gobyerno."

[Translation: Definitely, they will receive help from the government.]

However, Bello said the agency did not have an office in China, so they would be working with the Department of Foreign affairs so the seafarers could come home.

"Ang problema namin sa Department of Labor...wala kaming opisina doon, wala kaming Philippine Overseas Labor Office, POLO for short, so we will coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs. Meron naman silang embahada doon," he told Newsroom Weekend.

[Translation: Our problem at the Department of Labor is that we do not have an office there, there is no Philippine Overseas Labor Office, so we will coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs because they have an embassy there.]

Bello did not give any details on what arrangements are being worked on to bring home the Filipinos.

CNN Philippines reported that 22 Filipino seafarers aboard bulk carrier MV Nikiland were appealing for help after they were not allowed to disembark since arriving at at the Caofeidian port in China's Hebei Province on July 3, 2020.

After spending half a year at sea in China, several seafarers are now starting to get sick. Some of them could not get immediate medical attention due to the cost, logistics, and restrictions.

Despite still being paid by the Greek company that owns MV Nikiland, some of them are already working beyond their contracts.

The captain said the ship owners assured them they are doing their best for them to disembark or at least be allowed to change crews at the port but to no avail.

After becoming aware of the seafarers' plight, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro "Teddy Boy" Locsin Jr. sent out a tweet saying he wanted the Filipinos home "now."
Tunis, Jan 24 : Several hundred demonstrators took to the streets of Tunisia's capital Tunis to demand the release of the arrested protesters, leading to confrontations with security forces.

At Avenue Habib Bourguiba, the demonstrators on Saturday chanted slogans calling for the release of the protesters arrested during the ongoing night protests in many provinces and denouncing deteriorating socio-economic conditions in the North African country, reports Xinhua news agency.

Under the main slogan "No to oppression, No to marginalization", a number of party leaders including Secretary-General of the Workers' Party Hama Hammami, opposition parliamentarians and civil society activists participated in the march.

The Tunisian security forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the demonstrators and prevent them from gathering in front of the headquarters of the Ministry of Interior.

Tunisia imposed a general lockdown to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic from January 14 to 17, which prompted clashes between displeased young people and the security forces at night, with acts of looting, vandalism and theft reported in several regions.

The country has reported more than 193,000 coronavirus cases and 6,092 deaths.
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Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms possible. A few storms may be severe. High 84F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms. Low 66F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
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President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the Member States of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to accelerate efforts towards developing their own vaccines against COVID-19.

Mr Buhari, while speaking at the virtual ordinary summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, on Saturday, said this will help build herd immunities against the COVID-19 pandemic in West Africa.

Represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the president said the second wave of the pandemic may have a greater impact on the region if proactive measures are not taken.

He said the first wave of the pandemic negatively impacted the health and socioeconomic sectors of the region.

He urged ECOWAS countries to prioritise the acquisition of the approved COVID-19 vaccines for their citizens while they work to develop their own vaccines.

Now that vaccines are soon to be available, I call on all member states to ensure that we prioritise the acquisition of the vaccines for our citizens while at the same time increasing efforts to develop our own vaccines so that we can build herd immunities against the COVID-19 pandemic in West Africa, he said.

Mr Buhari also urged the ECOWAS Commission to work with the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) to assist member states in acquiring the vaccines and provide facilities to store and distribute the vaccines within the region.

As COVID-19 vaccines are currently being rolled out globally, most African countries, including Nigeria, are banking on benefitting from the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Assess Facility, or Covax, the World Health Organization-backed programme, which was set-up to divide a billion doses across 92 low- and middle-income countries.

The Nigerian government said it will receive at least 100,000 doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech approved COVID-19 vaccines by the end of January through COVAX.

Nigerias health minister, Osagie Ehanire, also said efforts are ongoing to secure about 10 million more doses of the approved COVID-19 vaccines for Nigerians.

He said Nigeria is participating in the African Union initiative called African Vaccine Availability Task Team, which has secured 270 million doses of various types of vaccines.

Bearing in mind options suitable for our environment and the available infrastructure, as well as Investment in delivery, Nigeria has written to express interest in 10 million doses of the viral vector vaccine, which could be supplied as from March 2021, Mr Ehanire said

Rapid Test Kits

On Saturday, Mr Buhari said it is important for the region to start producing the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) Kits to boost COVID-19 testing capacity.

He said it is important for the region to evolve effective measures and avoid total lockdown at this critical time that our economies are gradually recovering from the first wave of the pandemic.

Efforts should also be accelerated for the region to start producing rapid diagnostic test kits of international standards to be made available to all member states.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) had, last September, announced the Emergency Use Authorisation of two Ag- RDTs, manufactured by SD Biosensor and Abbott for COVID-19 testing.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recently carried out a national validation of the RDTs during screening of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The outcome shows that the RDTs met minimal standards for sensitivity and specificity of COVID-19 diagnostic tests, according to the Director-General of NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu.

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Mr Iheakwazu noted that as more Antigen- RDTs gain authorisation from the WHO, the centre would consider their use in Nigeria.

There is, however, no confirmation yet on Nigerias plan to mass-produce its own RDT kits. Although some researchers in the country have announced a breakthrough in RDT production.

In June 2020, Christian Happi, a professor of molecular biology and genomics at African Centre for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) at Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State, said he developed a rapid diagnostic test kit and ready for deployment.

It is, however, unclear if the RDT kits named SHERLOCK is being used in Nigeria.

Local vaccines production

The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib said there are genuine ongoing efforts by the federal government to restart the process of vaccines production.

Mr Shuaib at a briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 explained that 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, Mr Shuaib said.

Nigeria used to produce vaccines in its first few decades after independence in 1960, a process which, suffered a setback due to the decision to adopt more advanced technologies, according to Mr Shuaib.

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.

However, no significant progress has been made towards vaccine production in the country.
KABUL  Deputy and Acting Foreign Minister Mirwais Nab received Indian Ambassador to Kabul Rudrendra Tandon and had a wide-ranging discussion on the Afghan peace process and economic cooperation today.

Deputy and Acting Foreign Minister congratulated India for successful rollout of COVID-19 vaccine. The Indian Ambassador assured Mr. Nab that Afghanistan is high on the list of countries to receive the vaccine.

Discussing the Afghan peace, Minister Nab touched on the importance of the ceasefire in the second round of Afghan peace talks in Doha.

The two sides deliberated on development projects and economic cooperation, especially the Shahtoot Dam.

Ambassador Rudrendra Tandon assured Deputy and Acting Minister Nab of the Indian governments continued commitment to supporting Afghan peace and economic development.
The ABC has begun referring to January 26 as 'Invasion Day' as well as 'Australia Day' in an attempt to be more inclusive.

There have long been debates about the celebration of the day, with activists saying it is linked to the killing of Indigenous Australians and the 'colonisation of an ancient culture'.

In an article published on Sunday, two days before the public holiday, the national broadcaster used both terms interchangeably to discuss events and celebrations across Australia.

But the article drew the ire of critics who accused the broadcaster of promoting divisiveness within the community.

The article was titled 'Australia Day/Invasion Day 2021 events for Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin' and described the public holiday as 'one of the most polarising dates on the Australian calendar'.

The ABC has begun referring to January 26 as 'Invasion Day' instead of 'Australia Day' in an attempt to be more inclusive (pictured, celebrations in 2019 in Melbourne)

There have long been debates about the celebration of a day linked to the genocide of Indigenous Australians and the 'colonisation of an ancient culture' (protesters at an Invasion Day rally in 2020_

Poll Do you think Australia Day should be renamed? YES NO Do you think Australia Day should be renamed? YES 137 votes

NO 1143 votes Now share your opinion





Australia Day is a day of celebration for many, as the nation enjoys a public holiday to come together and enjoy everything a lifestyle Down Under brings.

But for First Nations people, it marks 'a day of sorrow for the colonisation of an ancient culture,' according to the ABC article.

'For some First Nations people, it is a day to mourn the past and galvanise the community to address ongoing systemic racial injustice. For others, it's a chance to spend time with family and friends at the beach or around barbecues.'

The ABC defended the decision to use the terms interchangeably as it would be 'inappropriate' to demand its' staff to refer to one or the other.

But hordes of viewers were left seeing red after the article was published, with some vowing never to tune into ABC again.

'Geez @abcnews invasion day, really? Lost me as a reader,' one reader said online.

'Could someone at the ABC please advise when 'Invasion Day' was made some sort of officially declared day, and who in authority made that call?,' another added.

One Nation's Mark Latham went so far as to accuse the national broadcaster of 'rewriting history' to suit a political agenda.

'There is a determination in there (at the ABC) to rewrite our national history to fit in with their own left-wing biases and agendas,' he said.

Australia Day is a day of celebration for many (pictured, revellers in 2020 at a Brisbane pub)

But for First Nations people, it marks 'a day of sorrow for the colonisation of an ancient culture,' according to the ABC article (pictured, protesters on Australia Day in 2020 in Melbourne)

The ABC promoted the article on Twitter later on Sunday, sticking by the 'Australia Day/Invasion Day' decision

'It's disappointing but I'm not surprised. If you can find one conservative voice or centrist voice discussing issues like this on the national broadcaster it's a fluke.

'Instead, the ABC is intent on broadcasting political propaganda and left-wing ideologies and making the facts fit their own narrative.'

Meanwhile Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt's office explained he disagreed with the use of 'Invasion Day' and instead wanted to unite Australians.

'Minister Wyatt believes that 26 January should be referred to as Australia Day,' a spokesman said.

'This Australia Day we should walk together, side-by-side, as one to reflect, respect and celebrate all that makes us Australian  Indigenous and non-Indigenous.'

Indigenous leader and formal Liberal candidate Warren Mundine agreed the language was divisive.

'(Australia Day) should be a day that unites us,' he said.

Mr Mundine said there is no disputing the 'history of January 26', but hoped that the nation could come together to 'stop focusing on things that divide us (and) focus on the real issues and making them better'.

The ABC defended the decision to use the terms interchangeably as it would be 'inappropriate' to demand its staff to refer to one or the other

In an article published on Sunday, two days before the public holiday, the national broadcaster used both terms interchangeably to discuss events and celebrations across Australia (pictured, an Invasion Day rally in Brisbane in 2020)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was criticised for saying January 26 was a tough day for convicts on the First Fleet

But others praised the ABC for their use of the term, with the campaign growing to get the date of Australia Day changed.

Aboriginal activist Stephen Hagan, who was partially responsible for changing the name of Coon cheese after it was deemed racist, said 'Invasion Day' is the 'correct term... even if it is not the most popular term with everyone'.

A spokesman for ABC explained that Australia Day would remain the 'default term', but that reporters have been encouraged to use other variations, including 'Invasion Day' and 'Survival Day'.

'We also recognise and respect that community members use other terms for the event, including '26 January', 'Invasion Day' and 'Survival Day', so our reporting and coverage reflect that,' the spokesman said.

The broadcaster pointed out that 'Survival Day' and 'Invasion Day' are synonymous with 'Australia Day' for Indigenous people and their supporters.

'Given the variety of terms in use, and the different perspectives on the day that the ABC is going to cover over the course of the long weekend, it would be inappropriate to mandate staff use any one term over others in all contexts,' he added.

Australia Day is celebrated on January 26 with a national public holiday (pictured in 2019 at the Australian Open) but many activists want to see the date changed

There have long been debates about the celebration of a day since it celebrates the landing of the First Fleet in Australia (pictured, a rally in Melbourne in 2020)

It comes after Prime Minister Scott Morrison was criticised for saying January 26 was also tough day for convicts on the First Fleet.

Aboriginal rights activists argue the nation should not celebrate Australia Day because it marks the start of colonisation and the oppression of Indigenous Australians.

But the prime minister said the convicts who arrived from Britain and raised the Union Jack in 1788 also had a difficult time.

'On Australia Day, it's all about acknowledging how far we've come,' Mr Morrison told reporters in Queensland on Thursday.

'You know, when those 12 ships turned up in Sydney, it wasn't a particularly flash day for the people on those vessels either.'

Convicts shipped to Australia from Ireland and the UK were often treated as slave labor and were subject to 'assigned service' where they were leased out to rich landowners to use as a cheap workforce.
Ayub and his two daughters met for the first time in 7 years at the gate of the BLK refugee site in Lhokseumawe, Aceh.

 UNHCR/M.Azwir

As a Rohingya, a stateless minority in Myanmar, he and his family had long faced discrimination, including restrictions on their freedom of movement, education and religion. Ayub felt that he needed to leave his home in Rakhine State to make a living and provide for a wife and seven children.

In 2013, he bravely took a long journey by land, including stretches on foot, from Myanmar to Malaysia. He worked hard in Malaysia in his job as a construction worker, believing that better days would come for him and his family.

But the outbreak of violence in 2017 forced more than 742,000 Rohingya refugees to flee Myanmar for Bangladesh, among them Ayubs wife, parents and children. After two years in the sprawling, crowded camps in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, the family decided to send the first three daughters to Malaysia to join Ayub.

Their eldest daughter took a boat journey and arrived safely in Malaysia in 2019. Two of her younger sisters, Sahira, 17, and Hafeza, 16, wanted to follow their sister in the hopes of being reunited with their father and accessing education and work opportunities. They embarked on a boat journey and into the hands of smugglers who told them, along with about 100 other passengers, that it would be a seven-day journey to Malaysia.

Days turned to weeks, weeks to months, but the smugglers refused to land the boat unless the passengers paid higher fees. Sahira and Hafeza witnessed horrific treatment by the smugglers, and there were days without food and clean water. Many people died and were thrown to the sea due to illness or beatings by the smugglers.

Ayub had not heard news of his two daughters since they left Bangladesh. The passengers on the boat were not allowed to keep their belongings, including the cellphones that would allow them to communicate with family members. Neither he nor his wife had heard any news of the boats whereabouts. They prepared for the worst.

I almost lost hope, I thought they had already died in the boat and that Ill never see them again, said Ayub, recalling how he felt during the dark days of waiting.

It was four months later, in late June 2020, that the media reported that a boat from Bangladesh had been sighted off the coast of Aceh. Ayub was once again hopeful, though he did not manage to find the faces of Sahira and Hafeza in the many photos published in the news articles. He sought out acquaintances with connections in Indonesia to see if he could find information on his daughters, but found nothing. Once again, he felt desperate, and he feared that his daughters were among the passengers who didnt survive the journey.

After 10 days, he received a phone call from an unknown number, and he couldnt believe what he heard. It was Sahira and Hafeza calling with the help of UNHCR staff in Aceh. I felt really happy when they called and told me that they survived. All of us cried during the call.

After hearing the daughters full story, Ayub knew right then that he wouldnt want them to continue their journey to Malaysia to meet him. He would not risk Sahira and Hafeza going through the same pain again and decided that he would go to Indonesia himself to meet them.

With the help of fellow refugees in Malaysia, Ayub found a way to reach Aceh by boat. The boat journey was safe, but upon his arrival Ayub was put in detention for irregular entry. UNHCR advocated for his release with the authorities and after 22 days, he was finally set free.

25 November was the day Ayub thought would never come. He was allowed to leave the detention centre and was taken to the Balai Latihan Kerja in Kandang, where his daughters were staying. As he approached the gate, he saw Sahira and Hafeza waiting to greet him. The three embraced each other in happy tears. Words cant describe how I felt, I just remember the three of us were very emotional. We cried while having each other in our arms, Ayub recalled.

Its been seven years that I havent seen my father. I almost forgot what he looks like. I never want to be separated from my father again, said Sahira.

Hafeza said after the reunion, the three of them prayed to give thanks to Allah. She also relayed how grateful she was to all the people who helped her and her sister reunite with their father, from the Indonesia authorities to humanitarian workers and UNHCR staff.

Reflecting on the hardships that his family had experienced, including back home in Rakhine State, Myanmar, Ayub said that he and his daughters have no concrete plans for their future. Their only hope is to one day be together with the rest of their remaining family in Bangladesh, and to have a happy life in whichever country will accept them as citizens.

*All names changed for protection reasons

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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is pushing the state to refine its criteria for COVID-19 vaccination eligibility, saying that whittling down the list may better prioritize vulnerable Texans and clear up confusion over when shots will actually be available.

The state is currently offering the vaccine to frontline workers and vulnerable Texans, a group of more than 9 million people  even though the state is only receiving about 300,000 doses a week. That numerical reality has made for a confusing and frustrating process for Texans eligible for a shot, with many unable to find available doses or unsure where to look with demand far exceeding supply.

Texans need to have a better understanding of the time it will take for everyone to be vaccinated in order to reduce lines, confusion and frustration, Patrick wrote in a Thursday letter to the states Expert Vaccination Allocation Panel.

It will probably be May at the earliest before all members of that first priority group have been immunized, said Dr. David Lakey, a member of the states vaccine panel, in an interview this week with Hearst Newspapers. The Texans currently eligible are included in groups 1A  health care workers and nursing home residents  and 1B, those over 65 and anyone 16 or older with certain pre-existing medical conditions.

Texas vaccine Group 1 About 9 million Texans are currently prioritized to receive the COVID-19 vaccine; people in this group are split up into categories A and B. 1A: Health care employees, including those who work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient programs, urgent care clinics and pharmacies. 1A: Residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes. 1B: Anyone 65 and older. 1B: Anyone 16 and older with at least one chronic medical condition, including cancer, chronic kidney disease, heart conditions and obesity. Pregnant women also qualify in this group. Source: Texas Department of State Health Services See More Collapse

RELATED: Texas mayors urge Biden to send COVID vaccines directly to big cities

Public health experts interviewed on Friday agreed that Patricks suggestion could alleviate anxiety over vaccination availability and help get doses into the arms of people who need it most. So far, Texas has administered more than 1.5 million vaccine doses  a number that leads much of the nation but also signals the long road ahead for a state of 29 million people.

Simple math makes it clear it will take us several months to vaccinate the current priority population, Patrick said in the letter, which was first reported by the Texas Tribune.

Patrick suggested creating subgroups within 1B over the next several weeks  perhaps by first taking two weeks to vaccinate those 75 and older, a group of about 1.5 million. Then, he said, a subgroup of roughly 65,000 teachers and school staff over 65 could become eligible.

This would help give people an idea of reasonable expectations and reduce wait times and frustration each week, Patrick wrote. Right now, in many cities and counties when an announcement of available vaccinations is made, website sign-up pages crash and phone calls go unanswered.

On Friday, the Houston Health Department announced 1,600 new vaccine appointment slots. They were filled within five minutes.

Its not immediately clear whether Gov. Greg Abbott and the Department of State Health Services will heed Patricks advice. A spokeswoman for the health agency said the vaccination allocation panel would likely discuss the issue at its next meeting on Monday, which is not open to the public.

Abbott also has not weighed in on the matter; a spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

A smooth vaccine distribution is crucial for Texas, where coronavirus infections have soared in recent weeks. COVID-19 has claimed more than 33,000 lives in the Lone Star State, and nearly 14,000 Texans were hospitalized with the virus as of Friday.

Marilyn Felkner, a clinical assistant professor in public health at the University of Texas at Austin, said people would be willing to wait more patiently for a vaccine if they had a better idea of how long it would take to get an appointment.

There are so many people in that group expecting that they can get the vaccine quickly, and that has created an unrealistic expectation, she said.

She also endorsed the idea of starting with individuals 75 and older, aligning with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDCs guidance gives first priority to health care employees and nursing home residents, followed by anyone at least 75 years old and frontline essential workers, including grocery store workers, mailmen, police officers and teachers.

Texas chose to assign different priority groups. While the state also started with health care workers and nursing home residents, officials abruptly opened up vaccination appointments for Texans with comorbidities and senior citizens in late December. The move came as state officials worried that providers were leaving vaccines on shelves because they could not find enough members of the first group to inoculate.

If Texas does further refine its priority vaccine recipients, essential workers who are also senior citizens could move up the list, said Shaun Truelove, an assistant scientist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. State officials could start by vaccinating Texas most elderly residents, and then move on to those 65 and older who work in schools, grocery stores or public service jobs, he said.

Somethings to be said about these frontline workers, too, Truelove said. We talk about them, and were all relying on them, but they get ignored.

And while the shift to subgroups after weeks of allowing all members of Group 1B to register may cause confusion for some people, he said, most Texans would be able to adapt quickly. Then, state officials would have to confront to a new challenge: ensuring the subgroups are still large enough to ensure no vaccines go unused.

It has the potential to slow it down further, Truelove said  but when instituted appropriately, prioritizing the most vulnerable groups can significantly reduce hospitalization rates and fatalities.

cayla.harris@express-news.net
New Hartford, N.Y.  A woman was killed after she was struck by a car while trying to cross Seneca Turnpike in New Hartford.

New Hartford police said the crash happened around 10:13 p.m. near the corner of Seneca Turnpike and Oakville Avenue, across from Sangertown Mall.

Officers and EMTs who arrived at the scene attempted live-saving measures. The woman was rushed by Edwards Ambulance to St. Elizabeths Medical Center in Utica, where she was pronounced dead.

Police said the womans identity is not yet known. The crash remains under investigation.

Along with New Hartford police, New York State Police, the state Department of Transportation and the New Hartford Fire Department responded to the scene.

Contact Jacob Pucci at jpucci@syracuse.com or find him on Twitter at @JacobPucci.
Around 25,000 tractors from and will participate in the 'kisan parade' in the capital on January 26, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said on Saturday.

Farmers moving towards UP Gate from the two states on their tractor trolleys were intercepted by police in different districts but farmers will arrive here at every cost, he said.

"Around 25,000 tractors would arrive here and a tractor rally would be brought out on Apart from the districts of western Uttar Pradesh, farmers would take out rallies in every district," Tikait said in a statement.

"No political person will be allowed to participate," the BKU spokesperson said.

District administrations are sending notices to farmers and mounting pressure on them not to participate in the rallies citing COVID-19 norms and section 144 of the CrPC, he claimed.

Routes of the rally will be decided by the police of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana and details will be released by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha after a final decision, Tikait said.

Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar, after attending a meeting between unions protesting the new agri laws and senior police officers on Saturday, claimed that the Delhi Police has given permission to the farmers' tractor parade on January 26.

The tractor parade will start from the Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri border points of Delhi, but the final details of routes are yet to be finalised, said Kohar, who is a senior member of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of the agitating unions.

However, Delhi Police Additional Public Relation Officer Anil Mittal said, "We are in the final stages of talks with farmers.

(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.)
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More than 25 million Covid-19 cases have been recorded in the United States since the pandemic began, Johns Hopkins University said Sunday, just days after President Joe Biden's inauguration.

The staggering number contribute to about 8% of the population while the countrys death toll moved above 417,000.

Biden, who has detailed the first national strategy against Covid-19, warned that deaths may reach 600,000 before vaccines begin to create immunity on a large scale.

He has made fighting the coronavirus a priority and is pushing for Congress to approve a $1.9-trillion relief package that would include billions of dollars to boost vaccination rates.

Biden has said he wants 100 million people vaccinated within his first 100 days in office, and he has called for Americans to wear masks for 100 days.

Earlier today, Biden's chief of staff, Ron Klain, said there was no distribution plan for the coronavirus vaccine set up by the Trump administration as the virus raged in its last months in office.

"The process to distribute the vaccine, particularly outside of nursing homes and hospitals out into the community as a whole, did not really exist when we came into the White House," Klain said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Biden plans to partner with state and local governments to establish vaccination spots in conference centers, stadiums and gymnasiums. The new administration will also deploy thousands of clinical staff from federal agencies, military medical personnel and pharmacy chains to increase vaccinations, and make teachers and grocery clerks eligible.

Vaccination programs lagged far behind the Trump administration's target of 20 million Americans inoculated by the end of 2020.

"We've seen this factor all over the country where millions of doses have been distributed, but only about half have been given out," Klain said.

"So the process of getting that vaccine into arms - that's the hard process. That's where we're behind as a country. That's where we're focused in the Biden administration - on getting that ramped up."

Countries around the world are in a race against time to get their populations inoculated before the coronavirus mutates into a strain that could resist newly approved vaccinations.

Vivek Murthy, Biden's nominee for surgeon-general, told ABC News on Sunday that 100 million doses in 100 days was "a floor, not a ceiling" and cautioned about new strains.

"The variants are very concerning," Murthy told the network.

"It's up to us to adapt and stay ahead," he added.

The US caseload remains by far the highest in absolute terms.

India, where the population is about four times larger than in the US, has the second-highest caseload with about 10.6 million cases, according to Johns Hopkins.

After the first Covid-19 case was reported in the US in January 2020 it took until late April for the figure to pass one million. The overall number of cases has followed an almost exponential curve upwards since then.

Last week, Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins announced more than 400,000 people in the US had died from Covid-19, a grim marker that came one day before Biden's inauguration.

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Our country comes first and the textbooks need to reflect that. The Emergency and Pokhran episodes have to be duly represented in the textbooks. The report will be finalised and after studying all the suggestions.

Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, BJP MP and chairman of Ministry of Education committee in the Parliament, has said that the school textbooks in India must put the country first and the 1975 Emergency and Pokhran Nuclear Tests conducted in 1998 should also get duly representation in the Indian education.

As the head of Indian Council Cultural Relations (ICCR), Sahasrabuddhe plans to bring university students from other countries to engage with Indian students and vice versa in order to expose both groups to democratic cultures. He also wants to step in and end the culture of functioning in silos. For this he has proposed that NCERT and ICHR must work in collaboration for history writing, and end 'domination of a certain kind of historians'.

In an interview with News18 he discusses the growth of the education sector and why the unhistorical references must be removed from school textbooks. Edited excerpts:

As the head of the Education Ministry Committee in the Parliament, can you tell us what issues in education are on your priority list?

As it happens, the chairman is not the decision maker about the agenda of the Parliamentary/standing committees. When we decided to discuss textbooks, we (Parliamentary committee) had tweeted from our handle, inviting suggestions. It was done democratically. The exercise is timed with the implementation of the new National Education Policy that has several reforms outlined by the government. But some issues require independent application of mind for example - social work education. There are so many social work colleges mushrooming in the country but what kind of social workers are they producing? Where do they land and what kind of career opportunities do they get? These are the issues that need to be addressed. If you allow 100 social work colleges to open, it is going to dilute the entire approach towards social work. We will be discussing this in the forthcoming meetings.

Then there are other things that are important such as introducing standardisation in learning about arts, fine arts. In Indian colleges, there are divisions between arts and craft which are alien to Indian ethos. If a Madhubani painter is an artist, why cant a designer work on copper utensils? Why are they not considered as artists? This artificial division between art and craft requires deeper analysis.

We will also be discussing examination reforms as the dates for class 10 and 12 examination have been announced. So we are proposing to come out with a question bank. In a question bank, there can be three types of questions, and in each type there will be 25 questions providing a broader outline of the challenge the student can prepare for.

Every time there is a change in the central or state government, the issue of textbook changes assumes importance. In fact, the education panel headed by you has also raised the issue of unhistorical references in textbooks. Can you explain these references?

When we say unhistorical references, we mean that there was a group of historians who believed in the Aryan invasion theory, which has been challenged by historians and even leaders like BR Ambedkar. It has been rejected. When PV Narsimha Rao was the Prime Minister, a UN resolution was passed to observe 1995 as the year of indigenous people. Raos government was not convinced and rejected the idea, saying all are indigenous in India and there are no one non-indigenous people here. Why should we observe this?

We have found that the Aryan invasion theory and some more related issues are not based on facts. We have to remove references on this. There is research done on the subject of Saraswati civilisation, which has to be incorporated in the textbooks. Our civilisation did not start with Mohenjo Daro. It was much before that, which has been studied by historians and archaeologists. We have to incorporate it.

There is not much written on the history of north east and the struggle for freedom there. How many would know about Naga freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu? Or who has read about Kanaklata who braved the British and died fighting? Our country comes first and the textbooks need to reflect that. The Emergency and Pokhran episodes have to be duly represented in the textbooks. The report will be finalised and after studying all the suggestions.

We will also recommend that Indian Council for Historical Research (ICHR), a government body must be consulted by the National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) for textbook writing. This is important so that we dont depend on certain types of historians as a particular group has dominated history writing. We cannot be functioning in silos, we are here to end them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed students in JNU/AMU on their cultural legacy. He wanted AMU to exploit their soft power and contribute to nation building. In JNU he unveiled the statue of Swami Vivekananda. What are your views on his addresses in these universities?

Leaders like the Prime Minister Narendra Modi can only give wiser counsel and the implementation depends on only those who listen. A leader is always a guiding force. And the prime minister is playing that role. If you refer to Jawaharlal Nehrus address to the Aligarh Muslim University students in 50s, he, too, told the students to relate to the past of this country and take pride in the country. Where is the difference?

As the ICCR chief, how do you want universities participating on the global stage with their culture and soft power?

I have suggested the idea to the government that Indian universities must engage with foreign universities on a cultural level. For example, a university in Pune can engage with a university in Tashkent. We can engage with 10 meritorious students of a university in another country and vice versa, and expose the young students to our democratic culture and vice versa.

Similarly, we are proposing that with the 75th year of Indian Independence we can invite the young leaders (under the age 35) of political parties in other democratic countries and help them understand our democracy. This is a way to invest in the younger leadership of foreign countries and create new friendships.

The pandemic exposed the digital disparity in accessing education during the Covid-19 lockdown. Reports by the government and many non-government organisations have revealed that a section of students was cut off from the digital medium. What is the way forward as many states are introducing ed-tech and hybrid models in education?

We know about the lack of access to the digital devices for education and the pandemic exposed it. A lot of these things and the solutions have been discussed in the meetings. Even though there is impetus on digital literacy and smartphones we gave the idea of deploying new measures to reach out to the students lacking digital access. Let me give you an example. In a class of 40 students there are 20 who have access and there are 20 who do not. Then cant those who have access reach out to the deprived ones? Some of these students can become teachers.

There are some good examples from Assam, UP and Pune where classes were conducted in open air with the microphone. The state government will have to address these gaps but let me add DD and AIR played a remarkable role in ensuring that instructional activities continue during the pandemic.

With the violent insurrection in the US Capitol Hill, do you think the world will look at the United States differently now  in the manner of put your own house in order before preaching democracy?

Whenever these kinds of things happen in a country, they impact negatively the overall profile of that country. The United States of America is famous for promoting democracies all over the world, but then there are occasions to look within, this was one of them for them.

He shot to fame after portraying Simon Wicks in EastEnders and Sergeant Nick Rowan in Heartbeat in the 80s and 90s.

And Nick Berry looked worlds away from the characters who made him famous as he enjoyed a stroll with his wife Rachel in Epping Forest, Essex on Saturday.

The former actor, 57, was almost unrecognisable from his TV days as he sported a white beard while carrying his pet dog in his arms.

Out and about: Nick Berry looked worlds away from the characters who made him famous as he enjoyed a stroll in Epping Forest on Saturday

Nick opted for a casual look for the outing, sporting a khaki jacket and a black top as he enjoyed some fresh air on the stroll.

The TV star, who last appeared on screen in 2012 at the funeral of his on-screen EastEnders' mother Pat Butcher, also sported a pair of blue jeans and brown boots.

Nick and Rachel tied the knot in 1994, with the actor deciding to quit the profession in order to be a stay at home dad to their two sons Louis and Finley.

After springing to fame as Simon Wicks in EastEnders in 1985, Nick left in 1990 and decamped to the Yorkshire Dales for a six year stint as Heartbeat's Sergeant Nick Rowan, before taking on the role of harbour master Mike Nicholls in Harbour Lights.

Now and then: The former actor, 57, was almost unrecognisable from his TV days as he sported a white beard while carrying his pet dog in his arms (pictured right in EastEnders in the 1980s)

Couple: Nick, who was joined by his wife Rachel, sported a khaki jacket and a black top as he enjoyed some fresh air on the stroll

Casual: The TV star, who last appeared on screen in 2012, also sported a pair of blue jeans and brown boots

Family: Nick and Rachel tied the knot in 1994, with the actor deciding to quit the profession in order to be a stay at home dad to their two sons Louis and Finley

He reached heartthrob status with hordes of screaming fans besieging the BBC studios where the soap was filmed.

There was even a brief pop career too: in 1986 Nick released a single, Every Loser Wins, which became the second biggest-selling record in the UK that year.

Save for filming police drama In Deep as police detective Liam Ketman alongside Stephen Tompkinson, which ran from 2001-2003, Nick disappeared from view, turning his back on acting to become a stay-at-home father to his two sons Louis, now 25, and 22-year-old Finley.

At one point, he was rumoured to have been offered a 2 million golden-handcuffs deal by EastEnders executives when he resigned in the late Eighties.

Role: After springing to fame as Simon Wicks in EastEnders in 1985, Berry left in 1990 (pictured right in 1985)

Career: He then decamped to the Yorkshire Dales for a six year stint as Heartbeat's Sergeant Nick Rowan

Fame: After Heartbeat, Nick took on the role of harbour master Mike Nicholls in Harbour Lights

In demand: He reached heartthrob status with hordes of screaming fans besieging the BBC studios where the soap was filmed

Success: There was even a brief pop career too: in 1986 Nick released a single, Every Loser Wins, which became the second biggest-selling record in the UK that year (pictured right in Heartbeat)

He was said to have amassed an estimated 5 million from his time in the spotlight  enough to fund a rambling house in Epping, Essex, and a beach house in Hove.

Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2011 about his decision to step away from the spotlight, he said: 'I chose to be a stay-at-home dad and have loved it.

'I always said that when the boys were teenagers I could go back, but the longer you don't do something the harder it is to do it, and I haven't really missed it.

'While I'd never say never, I'm genuinely happy as I am. The job was great. You're driven everywhere, fed every five minutes and told what to do and where to go.

Offer: At one point, he was rumoured to have been offered a 2 million golden-handcuffs deal by EastEnders executives when he resigned in the late Eighties

Fortune: He was said to have amassed an estimated 5 million from his time in the spotlight  enough to fund a rambling house in Epping, Essex, and a beach house in Hove

'What I struggled with was that the boys were very young and I felt like I was away filming all the time.

'I'd been blessed with these little people and yet I wasn't really there. I realised I wanted to be at home.'

Despite his spectacular screen success, east London-born Nick said he wasn't a natural actor.

'I was never that comfortable in the spotlight. Some of the egos you can do without. A lot of actors take themselves so seriously but, by and large, you're getting paid to show off.'
Washington:

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit, the White House has said that America's relations with India and Pakistan are of different nature but it is certainly eager to deepen the strategic partnership with India.

We seek to have an effective partnership with each country. With India, were building that strategic partnership. We see Indias role and influence growing. We like to encourage that trend. So, were looking for ways to cooperate on our mutual interests, a senior administration official told reporters at a news conference in Washington.

With Pakistan, we seek to have a productive partnership working together. But frankly, the priorities are different, and the nature of the relationships are different. So, I think that we would like to move forward with both countries, the official added.

PM Modi  President Trump meet: Counter-terrorism ties, defence deals, NSG and others outcomes to hope for

Briefing about the discussion that would take place during Modi-Trump meeting, the White House said the civil nuclear deal would be part of the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump, emphasising that the US was looking forward to its nuclear reactors contributing to Indias energy security.

In terms of the actual deals, the US is still looking forward to US-built nuclear reactors contributing to Indias energy security. We think that this civil nuclear partnership will bolster Indias energy security, create jobs and trade opportunities for the American people.

So were still very much interested in seeing this deal move forward, a senior administration official told reporters ahead of PM Modis visit to US on June 26.

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Virtual course announced

Leadership Lackawanna recently announced the addition of an eight-week virtual course to its program lineup. The new program, Leadership Fundamentals 2.0, will provide current and aspiring leaders with an innovative and flexible online learning experience  complete with a variety of personal and professional development skills.

The program runs from Feb. 1 through March 29. Participants can work on weekly course content at their own pace. There are eight mandatory Zoom meetings: Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23 and March 2, 9, 16, 23 (every Tuesday from noon-1 p.m.). The cost is $250 for Leadership Lackawanna Alumni Association members and $325 for the general public.

Due to the recent hardships some companies and organizations may be facing, tuition assistance and payment plans are available to all candidates  regardless of the industry or sector.

Yuengling expands market westward

D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc., Americas oldest brewery, announced the first step in its westward expansion with distribution of its iconic beers into Texas later this year. The expansion is part of a joint venture with the Molson Coors Beverage Co. to increase Yuenglings reach outside of its 22-state East Coast footprint, providing access to the brewerys portfolio to millions of beer fans in the Lone Star state. The brewery anticipates rolling out beer to Texas retail locations in the fall of 2021.

Yuenglings beers will be brewed locally by Texans at the Molson Coors Fort Worth brewery. The Yuengling family and its team of brewers are working hand-in-hand with the skilled team at Molson Coors to deliver the rich tradition and quality that is associated with Americas Oldest Brewery.

The expansion is the first since Yuengling and Molson Coors launched its new long-term brewing relationship  The Yuengling Co.  back in September 2020.

FNCB Bank provides grant

FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, announced its latest project supporting the community with a $30,000 grant used to purchase a new digital message center for the Crestwood School District.

The new state-of-the art LED message center replaces one that stood for many years in front of the secondary campus along South Mountain Boulevard.

The message center donation represents part of FNCBs larger Community Caring initiative. Through outreach programs, donations and an employee volunteer network, FNCB is committed to helping the communities it serves.

2 schools sign transfer agreementLackawanna College and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology have signed an agreement that will make it easier for students from Lackawanna College to continue their education at Harrisburg University.

Thanks to the 2+2 agreement signed this month, academically qualified students who earn an Associate of Science degree in cyber security from Lackawanna College will be able to transfer into Harrisburg Universitys Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity operations and management program at junior-level standing. The agreement marks the second accord HU has signed with Lackawanna College.

Last year, HU and Lackawanna College inked an agreement that grants students who complete Lackawannas RN-to-BSN nursing program acceptance into HUs Master of Science in Nursing program.

Lackawanna College students who transfer to HU will enjoy the same benefits as current HU students and will be provided equal opportunities in applying for financial aid and in the award and distribution of funds. Lackawanna College students transferring to HU also will receive consideration for campus housing on the same basis as native HU students.

SUBMIT BUSINESS BUZZ items to business@timessham rock.com or The Times-Tribune, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.
The SEC maintained that both the State Election Commission and state government will coordinate with each other in holding the panchayat elections even as the vaccination programme is on. (Representational Photo:PTI)

VIJAYAWADA: The State Election Commission (SEC) is all set to issue notification on Saturday at 10 a.m. for the first phase of gram panchayat (GP) elections.

The SECs resolve on conduct of polls received a boost after a division bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court headed by Chief Justice Arup Kumar Goswami allowed holding of GP elections in its verdict delivered on Thursday.

The notification is scheduled to be issued on Saturday morning even as the Supreme Court is slated to hear on Monday, January 25, the special leave petition (SLP) filed by the AP government seeking setting aside of the HC order.

State Election Commissioner N. Ramesh Kumar has, however, decided to go ahead with the notification for organising the polls in four phases on February 5, 9, 13 and 17.

The SEC maintained that both the State Election Commission and state government will coordinate with each other in holding the panchayat elections even as the vaccination programme is on. The state government will implement all safety protocols related to Covid-19, he observed.

Authorities will also provide the requisite equipment and training to staff on safety aspects of holding the polls. Ramesh Kumar lauded medical personnel of both public and private sectors for their dedication in ensuring that Coronavirus is on the retreat.

The election commissioner maintained that the SEC has the same powers as Election Commission of India (ECI) when it comes to conduct of elections for local bodies. He asserted that all concerned officers, departments and district collectors are subordinate to the commission when it comes to poll-related issues. SEC has the final and decisive say when it comes to holding of elections, he underlined.

Earlier, the commissioner called on Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan and apprised the latter about the measures being taken for conduct of gram panchayat polls in the Andhra Pradesh. The Governor, in turn, is learnt to have expressed support in holding the elections.

Pointing out that the SECs decision on polls has been widely welcomed by various principal stakeholders, the election commissioner warned that any attempts to physically derail the election process by targeting contestants will be dealt with firmly. He directed the police department to keep a close watch on potential troublemakers and deal stringently with any attempts to disturb the polls.
Former Border Patrol Head: Biden Administration Made America Less Safe Within Hours

Former U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Mark Morgan accused the Biden administration of making the United States less safe within hours of President Joe Biden being sworn in last week.

With the stroke of a pen, President Biden made this country less safe, Morgan told Breitbart News on Jan. 23. Its pure politics over public safety.

Look, I know what our team said to the transition team, Morgan said. I know the facts and data and analysis that was provided. I know what they told them and gave them that showed that the wall works.

Morgan said he believes the administration didnt speak to experts with the Border Patrol about which policies should remain. He cited executive orders ending the Migrant Protection Protocol (MPP), also known as the Remain in Mexico program, as well as one that ended border wall system construction.

So this was this is something weve been saying was the most dangerous thing that hes been saying all along, that he was going to get rid of on Day One, and thats what he did, the former commissioner said. That policy [MPP] alone attributed to the absolute reduction of [migrant] families coming up from Central America.

Officials with the Department of Homeland Security didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

Its just frustrating what Im seeing right now, Morgan said. To me, its all politics. Its all about politics. And our countrys less safe because of it, and its just disgusting.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on Jan. 20 that the agency will cease adding individuals into the program under the MPP.

The legalization provisions in that bill apply only to people already living in the United States, the agency said.

The MPP program was launched in January 2019 to help stem the flow of meritless asylum claims that were clogging up the system by the hundreds of thousands. The MPP program makes asylum-seekers wait in Mexico while their asylum case is adjudicated. Prior to its implementation, thousands of illegal immigrants were released into the United States to await their cases, most of whom failed to appear in court.

The administration also said that for 100 days, it will halt deportations for some illegal immigrants.

DHS will pause removals for certain noncitizens ordered deported to ensure we have a fair and effective immigration enforcement system focused on protecting national security, border security, and public safety.

The pause will allow DHS to ensure that its resources are dedicated to responding to the most pressing challenges that the United States faces, including immediate operational challenges at the southwest border in the midst of the most serious global public health crisis in a century, the statement reads. Throughout this interim period DHS will continue to enforce our immigration laws.

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The headlines today were stark: They reported that California, which just last month was one of the worlds Wuhan virus hotspots, is now the worst state in America when it comes to vaccine distribution. Additionally, Gov. Gavin Newsom is hiding key Wuhan virus information from voters. And of course, theres the states economic despair and hard-left policies. All of these things matter, not just because California is the most populous state in the union, but also because Democrats consider California to be the avatar for a progressive America. As California goes, they boast, so goes the nation.

In August, California ranked fifth in the world for COVID infections and had the third worst death toll in America. By the end of December, California was home to record-breaking infection rates in Los Angeles alone. As of Thursday, the state broke the record in America for the most COVID deaths in a single day: 736. For a while there, it was averaging 534 deaths per day, as the infection ravaged the state.

All of these infections and deaths occurred despite draconian lockdowns and economic destruction, all leavened by extraordinary political hypocrisy. Even as Californians had their immune systems broken by isolation and despair, Gavin Newsom and San Francisco mayor London Breed dined in old-fashioned style at the ritzy French Laundry. Meanwhile, San Jose mayor Sam Liccardo had a big Thanksgiving dinner as other Californians were threatened with arrest if more than three households gathered for the holiday.

Despite Californians dying like flies on his watch, Newsom has done a lousy job vaccinating them: California now ranks 50th out of 50 states in percentage of shots used.

Oh, and theres also the problem of a lack of transparency on Newsoms part. AP reported that, despite his promise that he would be transparent with Californians about the Wuhan virus, Newsom is hiding key information about how hes calculating the duration of lockdowns. According to state officials, the information is just so complicated they dont want to confuse people by telling them when their unconstitutional solitary confinement will end.

Gavin Newsom did have good news about the California economy, though. Despite the destruction of independent businesses across the state that Newsom didnt think were essential, the state is floating in money thanks to the way the lockdowns caused a surge in cash for Silicon Valley. In other words, Californias policies broke the working- and middle-classes and funneled their money to the tech oligarchs.

No wonder theres fast-growing momentum for a recall petition to oust Newsom from office.

But as you contemplate all this madness, consider the fact that the former Golden State has long been the gold standard for Democrat party governance in America. On Friday, Britains Guardian newspaper wrote that California is America, only sooner: how the progressive state could shape Biden's policies: Californians are poised for key jobs in an administration likely to use the states efforts as a guiding force:

The Biden administrations agenda is also expected to be modeled on some policies enacted or planned in California, and the new administration is likely to use the states successes and failures as a guide. There is a wealth of ideas on the policy side that can come out of California, said Manuel Pastor, a professor of sociology and American studies and ethnicity at the University of Southern California. Pastor pointed at the states stances on immigrants rights and the minimum wage and its investments in climate mitigation. California has served as a living laboratory for progressive ideas, Pastor said, and theres enough evidence that will help the federal government embrace the California approach. California is America, only sooner, Pastor added. Its no surprise that now we have an administration trying to reach into a place thats always been on the edge of the future.

According to the Guardian (and I think its accurate), Biden is expected to copy California on immigration, massively increased federal minimum wages (which will break states with lower costs-of-living than Californias), and environmental madness. If California really is Bidens template, the rest of America can look forward to massive surges of illegal immigrants, medieval-style income inequality, all-powerful oligarchs in gated communities, unaffordable energy costs, mentally ill homeless people bringing filth, drugs, and crime to once-livable communities, and all the other madness of the state that was once so golden.

No wonder young Silicon Valley workers, having destroyed California, are packing up their leftism and heading for well-run Republican states across America, which they will then try to destroy. If a young Californian moves into your neighborhood, try to befriend that person and bring him, her, or they to understand that, to receive the full benefit of that new community, relocated Californians need to leave their old politics far behind.

IMAGE: Gold Rush era advertisement. Public Domain.
Environmental groups across the state are praising President Joe Bidens executive order that will set in motion a process to review the Trump administrations rollbacks to three national monuments  including the Marine National Monument off the coast of New England called the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts.

The 5,000-square-mile protected area was established in 2016 under President Barack Obama and is the first national monument in Atlantic waters. It contains vulnerable species of marine life such as right whales and fragile deep sea corals.

In June, the Trump administration issued an order to lift commercial fishing protections in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts. The new executive order does not immediately restore the commercial fishing ban, but it will begin the process of reversing the previous action.

Most people are not aware that the Canyons and Seamounts Marine Monument is just off our CT shores, or that it had lost all protections with the stroke of Trumps pen this past summer, Lori Brown, executive director of the CT League of Conservation Voters, said in a statement. This is our best chance to turn the tide on the misguided and destructive efforts of the previous administration to exploit our most critical ocean habitats. We dont have time to waste.

Other environmental organization leaders praised the efforts to protect the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, which is located about 130 miles southeast of Cape Cod, on the edge of Georges Bank.

We applaud President Biden for taking immediate action to stand up for our national monuments, said Louis Rosado Burch, Connecticut program director at Citizens Campaign for the Environment. The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts are an underwater treasure trove of sea life, including rare cold-water corals, majestic sea turtles and endangered marine mammals.

Biden is sending a clear message that protecting oceans is a priority over short-sighted efforts to exploit and damage the irreplaceable resource, Rosado said.

We are very pleased with this action and thank President Biden for fighting to keep our oceans healthy for generations to come, Rosado said.

Alicea Charamut, executive director of Rivers Alliance of Connecticut, said healthy oceans mean healthier migratory fish populations.

When we protect biodiversity in our oceans, it benefits our inland waters and LI Sound, Charamut said. We are thrilled that the Biden administration is taking steps to restore protections for the Canyons and Seamounts National Monument, and we urge the president to follow through on his commitment to protect our waters for generations to come.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn, who opposed Trumps decision to roll back protections, shared similar praise for Bidens order.

I am relieved that the hard fought protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, a fragile and pristine ecosystem, will be restored, Blumenthal said.

When he the monument to commercial fishing, Trump said that Obamas move to ban fishing in the area was deeply unfair to Maine lobstermen, although lobster fishermen from the state dont fish in the area.

The two land monuments that Biden will reassess are the Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments in southern Utah.

dj.simmons@hearstmediact.com / The Associated Press contributed to this story.


CLEVELAND, Ohio  Cleveland police are investigating after a 49-year-old man was found shot in a field on the citys East Side early Sunday.

Officers were called about 12:15 a.m. Sunday to the intersection of East 97th Street and Elwell Avenue in Clevelands Buckeye-Woodhill neighborhood, Cleveland police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said. Police found a man suffering from several gunshot wounds to his chest in a field at the location.

The man was taken to University Hospitals by paramedics, where he died, Ciaccia said. His identity will be made public once his family is notified.

Cleveland homicide detectives learned that the man was inside a parked car on nearby Woodhill Avenue shortly before the shooting. People in the neighborhood told detectives that they heard shots but did not witness the shooting, Ciaccia said.

No suspects have been publicly named, and no arrests have been made, Ciaccia said. Anyone with information about the fatal shooting should contact Cleveland poilce at 216-623-5464 or anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 216-25-CRIME.

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Im hoping youll see News of the World, the new Tom Hanks movie based on the award-winning novel of the same name by Paulette Jiles, a poet, novelist and memoirist who lives on a hilltop near Utopia in the Hill Country. The novel was a National Book Award finalist in 2016, and the movie likely will win awards, as well.

News of the World is the story of Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Hanks), a 72-year-old widower who makes a meager living by reading newspaper articles to paying audiences (a dime apiece) in frontier towns across North Texas. Born in Georgia, Kidd was a teenage private during the War of 1812 and was made a captain during the Mexican War. Before the Civil War, and before his wifes death, he worked as a printer in San Antonio.

In Wichita Falls one night, he reluctantly agrees to ferry a 10-year-old girl who may be named Johanna Leonberger to German-immigrant relatives near Castroville, west of San Antonio. Unable to speak English or German, the little girl had been abducted four years earlier by Kiowa raiders who also killed her parents. News of the World is the story of their daunting 400-mile journey.

A New York Times reviewer described News of the World as [an] exquisite book about the joys of freedom. . . . pure adventure in the wilds of an untamed Texas; and the reconciling of vastly different cultures. A Washington Post film critic described the movie as an extraordinarily moving drama.

Several reviewers have picked up on the movie  and the books  accurate depiction of a time in Texas history we often ignore: the chaotic, lawless, politically unstable Reconstruction era. The war last lasted five years, Reconstruction nine. Arguably, those nine years were harder on Texas than the war itself.

There was anarchy in Texas in 1870 and every man did what was right in his own eyes, Jiles writes.

That anarchy included Texas under military rule; former freed slaves desperately trying to secure their hard-won freedom in the face of KKK terrorism; bands of brigands and outlaw gangs ruling areas of North and East Texas; chaos in Austin as a Republican governor tried to implement the three Civil War amendments while disenfranchised former Confederates resisted. It was a hard time in this state.

Jiles also is intrigued  and so are her readers, I suspect  by the phenomenon of child captives on the Texas frontier. As she points out in a note at the end of the novel, almost all of them apparently became Indian. Those rescued  like Cynthia Ann Parker, like the little girl in her novel  almost always longed to return to their adoptive families, even when they had been with their Indian families less than a year. Most never really readjusted.

The reviewers are right, about the book and the movie, directed and co-adapted by Paul Greengrass. Hanks is as compelling as he was in another Greengrass-directed movie, Captain Phillips, and the 10-year-old Johanna, a German child actress named Helena Zengel, is luminous. For Texas audiences, though, its the terrain thats miscast.

Kidd picks up his charge in Wichita Falls. Their journey in a used excursion wagon Kidd buys in Wichita Falls takes them southward to Dallas, Meridian, Cranfills Gap, Lampasas and into the Hill Country at Llano. He continues southward to Kerrville, Bandera, Castroville and finally D-Hanis, a few miles west of Castroville. Down through the heart of Texas, they travel along rocky, hard-packed trails through treeless plains, past rugged mountains and distant mesas.

This vast nothingness, as one reviewer described it, looks a whole lot like New Mexico. Because it is.

Jiless Texas is the one familiar to her fellow Texans  a tangled country of short, sharp hills in North Texas, the lifts and falls of the prairie country of Central Texas and bluebonnets by the acre in the Hill Country. These days, though, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Louisiana  all of our bookends, in the words of Rick Ferguson, executive director of the Houston Film Commission  are stand-ins for Texas.

For years, Texas, like most states, has had an incentive program to entice filmmakers, but beginning in the 2017 legislative session, a handful of Republican lawmakers set out to drastically curtail the program. A couple of them have tried to kill the Texas Film Commission outright. Money could be better spent elsewhere, they argue.

While Texas has retreated, other states and cities have gotten more aggressive. Theyre offering rebates to production companies of up to 20 percent of money spent in the state or city.

New Mexico has been particularly aggressive since the runaway success of Breaking Bad, the crime drama TV series that ran on AMC from January 2008 through September 2013. Our neighbor to the west not only offers a generous incentive program but also a state-of-the-art production facility in Albuquerque.

Thats why the rolling, often green pastureland around Waco in a six-part Paramount mini-series about the Branch Davidian siege looked as flat and arid as the plains east of Albuquerque. Its why Hell or High Water, a 2016 best-picture nominee starring Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham, purports to take place in small-town West Texas but is actually small-town New Mexico.

I was disappointed they didnt film in the Hill Country, Jiles told me by email last week. I dont know what kind of deals Georgia and New Mexico made with the film companies  tax breaks I suppose. Still, it was a good movie. I think Tom Hanks and Helena Zengels performances were superb.

So, we can argue about whether Texas ought to be enticing moviemakers to the Lone Star State. Maybe lawmakers will address the issue again this session. Meanwhile, as we ponder how New Mexico might recreate Galveston, the setting for Jiless latest novel, Simon the Fiddler, go read her wonderful News of the World. Watch the movie too. Just try to ignore those craggy mountains west of Dallas.

djholley10@gmail.com

Twitter:holleynews

Chennai:

85 per cent of medical seats under the state quota would be earmarked for students who had pursued higher secondary education under the state board and the admission would be based on NEET marks, Tamil Nadu Health Minister C Vijayabaskar announced in the Assembly on Saturday.



He said a government order was issued on June 22 apportioning 85 per cent to state board students and the rest 15 per cent to CBSE (and similar boards such as ICSE).



This apportionment was in respect of only the state quota after excluding the all India quota of 15 per cent. The move was to protect the interests of 4.2 lakh Tamil Nadu students who constitute over 90 per cent of the total number of Class XII students, he said, adding only 4,685 students were from the CBSE stream.

ALSO READ | Post graduate degree/diploma medical course merit list: Madras High Court adjourns plea



The medical counselling has been scheduled for July 17 after the conclusion of all India counselling, he said. Responding to DMK Deputy Leader Duraimurugan, Thangam Thenarasu and Ponmudi (both DMK), the minister said the government had carefully considered the whole issue arising out of the pending assent to two Tamil Nadu Bills.



The pending bills would (if approved by the Centre) allow the state to continue medical admissions based on Class XII marks, he said. The DMK members, referring to the National Eligibility cum Entrance (NEET) results, said the interests of Tamil Nadu students who pursued their education under the state board should be protected.



They also wanted the provision for 69 per cent reservation to be protected. The NEET results for undergraduate medical and dental courses were released on Friday.



The state government has opposed NEET but is yet to receive the presidential assent for the two Bills passed by it in the assembly seeking exemption from common entrance test.

ALSO READ | CBSE NEET Counselling 2017: All India Quota Online process to begin from July 3 at mcc.nic.in

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.


A former MI6 chief has revealed his shock at not being consulted about the decision to introduce Huawei technology in Britain.

Sir Richard Dearlove, head of MI6 from 1999 to 2004, said he and other members of the security services were 'intensely shocked' when they heard that the original Huawei deal went through.

BT notified the government of Huawei's interest in a 10 billion infrastructure deal in the UK in 2003.

However, it later emerged that officials had chosen not to refer the matter to ministers until 2006, a year after the contract had been signed.

A 2013 report by the Intelligence and Security Committee found that officials knew there were legal mechanisms available to block Huawei's interest in UK infrastructure but decided not to inform the government as 'the potential trade, financial and diplomatic consequences of using them would be too significant'.

This was despite national security risks that came with the deal, with the report adding that the decision not to consult ministers was 'extraordinarily' complacent.

Sir Richard Dearlove, head of MI6 from 1999 to 2004, has revealed how members of the security services were shocked at the Huawei deal

In July Huawei was banned from the network and all of its existing 5G technology has to be stripped out by 2027 over national security concerns

The government announced in July that it was U-turning on a decision it made in January to grant the Chinese tech giant a role in building Britain's 5G network.

The company was banned from the network and all of its existing 5G technology has to be stripped out by 2027 over national security concerns.

Speaking to the Danube Institute, a think tank, Sir Richard said: 'I was Chief when the original deal was signed with Huawei and at the time we were not consulted.

'The government let this go through and some of us, when we heard about it, were intensely shocked.

'It wasn't sensitive in those days [and] I think GCHQ were saying 'this isn't a problem, we can keep it under control' but some of us disagreed with that.'

Responding, a Whitehall source told the Sunday Telegraph: 'We don't recognise Sir Richard's recollection of events.

'As you'd expect a thorough technical assessment was carried out at the time with all appropriate parties properly consulted. We remain confident our mitigation of the national security risks brought by Huawei has kept up with the times.'

Then Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, told the ISC in 2013 she had discussed the contract with BT.

However, she only discussed the potential financial and business aspect, rather than any security concerns.

The report concluded: 'There was no justification for failing to consult Ministers about the situation when BT first notified officials of Huawei's interest.

'Such a sensitive decision, with potentially damaging ramifications, should have been put in the hands of Ministers.'

Sir Richard added that the government had been 'incredibly naive' over the handling of Britain's commercial relationship with China.

He previously said: 'We are looking really at a reset of the whole of our relationship with China's leadership.'

'I've always believed that there is a strategic security reason for not allowing the Chinese that degree of involvement in the construction of our critical infrastructure.'

He added: 'I think the relationship between the Chinese state and Huawei is absolutely clear-cut.

'Huawei is not a sort of ordinary international telecommunications company, it's an intimate part of the Chinese state.

'And if you know anything about Chinese military strategy, they talk about the fusion of civil and military capabilities.

'There is a close linkage undoubtedly between the Chinese military capability and Huawei.'

The decision to ban Huawei from the 5G network promoted a furious response from Beijing and came after the US had urged its allies not to use the company's technology because of national security concerns - concerns which have always been rejected by the firm.

The Telecommunications (Security) Bill cements the Government's decision to ban Huawei from the 5G network.

It will create national security powers which will allow the Government to impose controls on when  if at all  a telecoms firm could use material supplied by companies such as Huawei.

Under the proposals, security protocols around UK networks will be strengthened, with fines of 10 per cent of turnover or 100,000 a day for firms which do not comply with the new standards.

Communications regulator Ofcom is to be tasked with the monitoring and assessing of security protocols among telecoms providers.

Huawei has said it believes the decision to exclude it from the UK's 5G network is 'politically-motivated and not based on a fair evaluation of the risks'.


According to people who keep track of these things, the COVID-19 era has been a golden age for bookselling. People are buying  and maybe even reading  books at levels not seen since the days when Harry Potter, Morrie, and the Horse Whisperer roamed the Earth.

Why? Maybe weve realized that anti-intellectualism is the root of all of the worlds problems and we need to be well-read warriors for human smartness. Or maybe we feel like the people and pets weve been locked down with are no longer pulling their weight, conversation-wise. Its probably the second one.

Unfortunately and predictably, the Pandemic Bookaissance has been mostly an online bookselling phenomenon. Things have been rough for your local mom-and-pop bookshop, and will probably stay that way until were all vaccinated and comfortable seeing noses and mouths again.

When this is all over, fingers xd, were going to want aisles to wander and stacks to accidentally topple again at our favorite brick-and-mortar stores, and that means supporting them now. Place an order and use curbside pickup or make a quick, masked dash inside to snag the big winter titles, like these.

Remote Control, Nnedi Okorafor. The endlessly inventive Nigerian American author has won a Hugo, a Nebula, and just about every other award a fantasy author can hope for, so any day now the larger reading public will take notice. Perhaps itll be from HBOs planned series based on her 2010 novel Who Fears Death, or her screenwriting credit on the film adaption of Octavia Butlers Wild Seed for Amazon Prime, or her work for Marvel Comics. Or maybe itll be Okorafors bewitching new novella Remote Control, about a little girl who becomes the adopted daughter of the Angel of Death. (Macmillan Tordotcom, available now)

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life, George Saunders. Its no surprise Saunders has some thoughtful, passionate, unexpected things to say about short stories. Hes made a career out of writing them, and teaching master classes about them at Syracuse. Nor would it surprise me if some Saunders readers are feeling inclined to skip this one, as it appears at first glance to be a book-length meditation on his favorite dead Russians (as opposed to another stunning story collection, or an ethereal epic like 2017s Lincoln in the Bardo). But before you decline, consider Saunders track record for elevating the mundane, and for discovering humanity and humor in dark places. If it still sounds like homework, opt for the audiobook, in which Saunders voice is joined by the likes of Glenn Close, Phylicia Rashad, and Nick Offerman. (Random House, available now.)

Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth, Avi Loeb. Ill admit to having read a sizable stack of aliens are totally real! books in halcyon days of Art Bell and The X-Files, when struggling novelists and mostly harmless conspiracy nuts could spin dubious tales of aliens visiting earth to dissect cows and still find their books charitably shelved under nonfiction (or at least occult/UFOs/other). But those guys didnt have Loebs big-brain credentials. Hes a Harvard astronomer and theoretical physicist with a wall full of diplomas, and a Very Serious Person. His intriguing new book is an evidence-based argument that an object created by a faraway alien race did a flyby back in 2017. Look for it on the science shelf. (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, publishes Tuesday)

Fake Accounts, Lauren Oyler. Suspicious of her boyfriends secretive nature  for one thing he keeps his phone under his pillow at night  the narrator of Oylers ravishing debut novel starts prying. Is he a spy? A terrorist? A cheating wretch? No, hes a conspiracy theorist who believes stupid things and posts them online. Maybe the stakes seem low in Fake Accounts, at least at first, but youll be charmed from the start by Oylers astute, slyly scathing take on living and dating in the Trump era. (Catapult, Feb. 2)

My Year Abroad, Chang-Rae Lee. The title of Lees new novel is a bit cheeky, bringing to mind How I spent my summer vacation essays and not at all hinting that its the story of a guy from Jersey abandoned on the other side of the world. But protagonist Tiller Bardmons unexpected adventures in Asia after an entrepreneur invites him along on a business trip are as illuminating as they are disconcerting. Fast-paced, unpredictable, and lovely in a thousand tiny ways, this novel may come as a surprise to those who know Lee only from 2014s claustrophobic dystopia On Such a Full Sea. (Riverhead Books, Feb. 2)

Under a White Sky, Elizabeth Kolbert. After scaring the stupid out of us with 2014s climate-crisis Pulitzer winner The Sixth Extinction, Kolbert returns with a new book about the people trying to science us out of this mess. Or through it with the least amount of damage. Can we unboil the Earth by filtering carbon out of the air, turning it into rocks, and burying it a mile underground in Iceland? Would it help if coral had more sex? And what about shooting diamonds into the sky? There are researchers out there doing strange, important, thankless things right now, and Kolbert contemplates our uncertain future with many of them in this eye-opening, globe-trotting adventure/dirge. (Crown, Feb. 9)

Klara and the Sun, Kazuo Ishiguro. Theres a ton of science and philosophy out there on the prospects of an artificial intelligence achieving some sort of sentience  Nick Bostroms 2014 nonfiction classic Superintelligence, for one. But its novelists whove pondered the meaning of an A.I. achieving personhood. Nobel prizewinning Ishiguro, who put clones through the emotional ringer in 2005s magnificent Never Let Me Go, does something similar for robots in his new one about a solar-powered artificial friend purchased to keep a dying girl company. Ishiguro is a master at telling humane stories while only hinting at the larger dystopia just out of view. (Knopf, March 2)

Later, Stephen King. The Hard Case Crime imprint specializes in pulpy paperbacks with stylishly painted covers and noir yarns about guns, girls, and grifters. Can Stephen King do hard-boiled? Stephen King can do whatever he wants, but expect some ghosts. Later  Kings third Hard Case contribution  bears some surface similarities to The Sixth Sense, something the protagonist acknowledges early on. But mostly this book will remind you of the authors early, angsty works like Carrie, Cujo, and Christine. Getting into plot specifics would ruin the fun, but suffice it to say Kings tics and tricks are all in bloom: folksy dialogue, cockeyed worldview, rising tension, pure evil, etc. (Hard Case Crime, March 2)

How Beautiful We Were, Imbolo Mbue. The Cameroonian American author  whose 2016 debut Behold the Dreamers scored a bunch of awards and an Oprah Book Club blessing  returns with another insightful, heart-stirring novel. How Beautiful We Were tells the fictional-but-true-enough story of an African village facing off against an American oil company. The environmental and political factors are formidable, but this perspective-hopping generational saga deals just as effectively with the emotional and cultural implications of a foreign corporation making tracks on somebody elses ancestral homeland. There are also layers that push How Beautiful We Were into less familiar territory. Mbue calls this a Goliath vs. Goliath story; youll have to read it to find out why. (Random House, March 9)

Creatures of Passage, Morowa Yejide. Morowa Yejide's surreal new novel has no shortage of otherworldly surprises, but its her this-worldly protagonist who steals the show. Nephthys is a bone-weary, cab-driving auntie who specializes in transporting wayward spirits to the next realm in her rattling old 67 Plymouth Belvedere. (Theres also a ghost in the trunk.) Informed by a richly woven mythology and propelled by themes of regret and revenge, Creatures of Passage has earned some apt comparisons to Toni Morrisons Beloved. (Akashic Books, March 16)

A few more to consider:

Not exactly a cakewalk for DMK in Tamil Nadu

In new TN assembly DMK has most MLAs with pending criminal background, crorepatis

CM accuses DMK of ''deceit'' for embracing Lord Muruga in the run-up to TN Assembly polls

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Coimbatore, Jan 24: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Sunday accused DMK president M K Stalin of deception for posing with Lord Muruga''s spear like weapon, ''Vel'' and said the divine symbol has come to leader of opposition''s notice since Assembly elections were round the corner.

On his second day of campaign here, the AIADMK top leader, referring to a photograph of the DMK chief holding the Vel alleged it was an act of deceit.

Assembly elections are likely in April or early May in Tamil Nadu.

The AIADMK respected all religions equally, but it was not the case with the DMK which involved in ''deception,'' in such matters, he alleged.

Accusing Stalin of ''deceit,'' the Chief Minister claimed Stalin spoke one thing for the outside world but in his heart of hearts he knew it was not his conviction.

"The God will not grant you boon if you only receive Lord Muruga''s Vel. The boon will be only for the AIADMK."

The DMK has for a long time been accused of offending Hindu beliefs and sentiments by the BJP and ''Hindu Munnani,'' a noted Sangh Parivar outfit in Tamil Nadu.

Recently, Stalin had slammed the BJP and Munnani for trying to build a ''perception'' that his party was against the Hindus. "It is not the truth," the DMK chief had said.

Palaniswami alleged, "Since elections are round the corner, the Vel is visible to his (Stalin''s) eyes only now and till now it was not visible to him."

Since the Ramadan of 2017, these terrorists from Tamil Nadu planned a violent Jihad

"The God will give you (DMK) appropriate punishment through the elections," he said.

On Saturday, DMK workers presented a glittering Vel made of silver to Stalin at a party''s rural reachout programme in Tiruvallur district.

Palaniswami said it was his party which declared a public holiday for ''Thai Poosam'' festival in deference to the long time request of devotees of Lord Muruga.

After a fringe atheist group denigrated ''Kanda Sashti Kavacham,'' a hymn in praise of Lord Muruga last year, BJP and Hindu outfits took up the matter and eventually those connected to the outfit were arrested.

The BJP had alleged ''Karuppar Kootam'' that offended the sacred hymn had the backing of DMK and the Saffron party''s ''Vel yatra'' grabbed media space.

Pointing to Stalin holding ''Makkal Grama Sabai Kootam'' a rural reachout initiative of the DMK, the Chief Minister said the main opposition party won the 2019 Lok Sabha polls by merely ''confusing'' people.

Similarly, they were attempting at it again and Palaniswami wondered if the promises made during the Parliamentary elections were fulfilled by the DMK.

Barring one Lok Sabha seat which was won by the AIADMK, the DMK and its allies emerged victorious in the remainder of 38 constituencies in Tamil Nadu.

Such Lok Sabha poll promises were not honoured by the DMK as its assurances formed part of a ''drama'' and for the Assembly elections now, Stalin was attempting to derive political mileage by making false promises and confuse people, Palaniswami alleged.

Seeking votes for the two-leaves symbol of AIADMK, he listed out his government''s welfare measures and development work and underlined a combined drinking water scheme here to ensure uninterrupted water supply. A higher allocation for education, setting up of new colleges, simplification of post matric scholarship, and distribution of laptops, books, footwear and bicycles free of cost to students were among the initiatives in the education sector Palaniswami mentioned.

Reservation of 7.5 per cent in medical courses for government school students who clear the National Eligibility cum Entrance Exam, setting up of 2,000 Amma Mini Clinics, payout of old age pension to 90 per cent out of about five lakh targeted elderly beneficiaries were also specified by the Chief Minister.

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Story first published: Sunday, January 24, 2021, 15:13 [IST]

An Oxford student died after accidentally walking off a sheer cliff drop after an evening with friends, an inquest heard.

Simone Norowzian, 21, from Sunbury-on-Thames, was spending the August bank holiday in Margate with friends when she fell to her death after jumping over a railing she believed led to a hill and the beach.

On the evening of the accident Miss Norowzian had dinner and drinks at a Wetherspoon pub before returning to the Airbnb they had rented in the Kent town and playing truth or dare.

The English and Classics student headed out for a cigarette by the sea in the early hours of the morning when the incident occured near Margate Lido.

Simone Norowzian, 21, from Sunbury-on-Thames, was spending the August bank holiday in Margate with friends when she fell to her death

William Hayman, a friend of Miss Norowzian, had accompanied her outside and heard a 'short, sharp scream' as she climbed the railing and fell, around ten meters ahead of him as he shouted to warn her of the cliff, Kent Online reports.

She fell onto the promenade below the sheer drop and was declared dead at the scene by paramedics at 3.40am on August 28.

A postmortem found Miss Norowzian had a blood alcohol level of over twice the drink drive limit when she died due to a severe head injury sustained in the fall.

During an inquest on Wednesday a statement was read on Mr Hayman's behalf detailing the events of the night.

It read: 'We decided to go to bed and Simone wanted a cigarette. She and I walked out into the car park and I realised she was very intoxicated.

A postmortem found Miss Norowzian had a blood alcohol level of over twice the drink drive limit when she died due to a severe head injury sustained in the fall

During the inquest Miss Norowzian's family called for Thanet District Council to take action prevent the tragedy being repeated

'She was ahead of me by about 10 metres and walked towards the fence where the viewing binoculars were. As I shouted that there was a cliff, I heard a short, sharp scream', Kent Online reports.

The statement recalled how Mr Hayman had then flagged down a car and pleaded for them to call an ambulance.

It added: 'I know for a fact that she would not have gone over on purpose.'

During the inquest Miss Norowzian's family called for Thanet District Council to take action prevent the tragedy being repeated.

The student was a drama enthusiast described as a 'lively, kind, thoroughly humane person'

Detective Sergeant Alper Ay said poor lighting could have contributed to the student accidental death, but Luke Glover, who works for Thanet District Council said the area had 'no defects with the lighting', Kent Online reports.

Mr Glover added that the council had discussed whether signs warning of a cliff were needed, concluding that balustrade was enough.



Coroner Joanne Andrews ruled Miss Norowzian's death an accident, with no recommendations given to the local council.

A message from Miss Norowzian's family on a JustGiving page of a memorial fund set up for the student to raise money for those in poverty read: 'We cannot believe that our beautiful Atousa is no longer with us.

'We are truly heartbroken. But we are lucky enough to remember her as an inspirational daughter, sister and aunty. She was a true bright star, full of light and passion who was going to set the world alight.

'Her Head of her University college at Oxford described her as a "lively, kind, thoroughly humane person, a keen and clever student, and an exceptionally talented writer, director and actor [...] full of life and ideas and passion. She made an indelible impression on everyone who met her, and we will miss her terribly"

'Like her mum, Atousa was passionate about social justice and equality. She was also whip smart, one of the only students from her school to attend Oxford University.'
This week, Joe Biden will raise his right hand to take the oath of office and become the 46th president of the United States. Two years ago, almost to the day, his hands gripped a podium while he made a confession. His earlier imposition of harsh penalties for crack cocaine possession, he lamented, was a big mistake.

Some might have predicted this admission to be career-killing seppuku. Plenty of public officials, tagged as flip-floppers, have been condemned for a single offense. But as a presidential candidate, Biden instead made a habit of acknowledging the errors of his ways. How did he spin mistake-tainted straw into political gold?

When people admit to having been wrong before, it can signal that they have since learned from experience  which makes them more convincing than others who tout having been right all along.

Consider a study my colleague and I conducted of reviews posted on Sephoras online beauty shop. In an industry still working to bottle the fountain of youth, brand loyalty does not run deep. Sephora thus served as a gold mine for finding people who admit to mistakes: We identified over 500 reviewers who recommended Product A while disparaging their prior purchase of Product B. Our analyses found that real-time shoppers relied more on these reviews for advice than spotless reviews.

Copping to previous mistakes makes you come across as more knowledgeable because others assume that you have since figured things out. It takes expertise, observers intuit, to realize that you used to lack it  and confidence in your new position to say it out loud.

Dont hide failures under a rock. Good leaders display honesty and vulnerability, which includes illuminating a flawed past. Perhaps thats why some voters chose Biden to lead the way ahead. In shining a light on where his past judgments missed the mark, they think he knows how to install the batteries and where to point the flashlight.

Do tell kids to learn from my mistakes. Just saying it hints that you know what youre talking about  which never hurts in trying to get someone to listen. Nobodys perfect, and you can use that fact to build credibility. What better way to persuade than through intellectual humility?

Sam Maglio is an associate professor of marketing and psychology at the University of Toronto Scarborough and the Rotman School of Management. This post originally appeared in Philadelphia-based Character Labs Tip of the Week  actionable advice about the science of character  at characterlab.org.
Day after farmers' leader claimed that they have got the nod for tractor rally on Republic Day, sources in Delhi Police said that it is considering multiple routes for the rally.

Routes will be like dedicated loops. There will be multiple routes for Farmers tractor rally. Farmers leaders will have to agree that they will follow them strictly, police sources said on Sunday.

Sources add that the protesting farmers need to abide by each and every rule of the rally issued by Delhi Police. Further, no anti-national slogans or posters is allowed during the rally.

Also read: 'If PM Wants, Solution Can be Found in a Day': Discontent in Punjab BJP over Farmers Stir

The farmers will be escorted by Delhi police and leaders will be responsible for the peaceful movement. Traffic spillover is expected in Delhi-NCR during the rally hours, the sources said.

The move comes after farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar said that Delhi Police has given them permission for the tractor parade on January 26 after protesting unions met the police.

Police sources informed that there will be multiple routes for the tractors rally on January 26.

The farmers from the Singhu border will head towards Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar, Kanjhawla and then to Bawana; finally returning back to the border. The farmers from the Tikri border will take out the rally towards Nangloi, Najafgarh, Dhansa, Badli and finally back to Tikri border, the police sources informed.

Meanwhile, farmers from the Ghazipur border will head towards Ghaziabad, Duhai and then head back to Ghazipur. Delhi police and Gurugram police have not yet taken any decision on the farmers camping at the Shahjahanpur border.

Also read: About 25,000 Tractors from UP, Uttarakhand to Participate in 'Kisan Parade': Rakesh Tikait

Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal had earlier said, "Tractor march on January 26 will take place as decided by us on Outer Ring Road. We have informed the police it is for the government to ensure that it should be peaceful."

The Supreme Court had declined to entertain an application by Centre through Delhi Police to stop protesting farmer unions from carrying out tractor rally into the Capital on Republic Day. A bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde had said that it is highly improper for the court to intervene in the matter, as the police is the first authority to decide on the issue of law and order.

The government's negotiations with protesting farm unions hit a roadblock on Friday as the farmer leaders stuck to their demands for a complete repeal of three farm laws they find pro-corporate and a legal guarantee for minimum support price, even as the Centre asked them to reconsider its proposal for putting the Acts on hold for 12-18 months.

Unlike the last 10 rounds of talks, the 11th round could not even reach a decision on the next date for the meeting as the government also hardened its position saying it is ready to meet again once the unions agree to discuss the suspension proposal.

Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at several Delhi border points since November 28, demanding a repeal of three farm laws and a legal guarantee on minimum support price for their crops.

Enacted in September last year, the three laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country.

However, the protesting farmers have expressed their apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of MSP (minimum support price) and do away with the "mandi" (wholesale market) system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.
How do I determine if the caregiver I want to hire has complied with the law and is registered?

To check the status of a caregiver, call the Caregiver Coordinator at 707-259-8789, or go to the Napa County Website, click on the Permits and Certificates at the bottom of the home page, and then click on the Registered Caregiver List link. To verify that the caregiver is in good standing with the state, go to the CDSS Home Care Aide Registry website and type in the caregivers first and last name and PER ID#, which can be found on the Registered Caregiver List.

Where can I go to get more information or help complying with the law?

The Caregiver Coordinator at Napa County Comprehensive Services for Older Adults (CSOA) can help. You can reach the Caregiver Coordinator at 707-259-8789. There is also a lot of information on the Countys website, just go to www.countyofnapa.org/csoa and select Caregiver Registration.
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party is calling on U.S. Rep. Scott Perry to resign following a New York Times article that put him at the center of the latest revelation about former President Donald Trumps refusal to accept President Joe Bidens electoral victory.

The group released a statement Sunday calling for Perry to step down after an attempt to use the Justice Department to overturn the results of the 2020 Election.

In the statement, Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy Patton Mills said:

Scott Perry has disgraced southcentral Pennsylvania, failed his country, and betrayed the trust of anyone who cares about our democracy. He is a stain on our Congress and must resign immediately. If he fails to do so, Leader McCarthy must remove him from his committee assignments, and the NRCC and PA GOP must formally refuse to spend on his behalf.

Perry, when reached by PennLive for comment Sunday, refused to take questions.

In that New York Times report that published Saturday, Perry was identified as the person who introduced Trump to a senior U.S. Department of Justice attorney who was open to Trumps unproven claims of election fraud and, according to the Times reporting, might have been interested in providing a route around more senior leaders who had rejected them.

In an earlier report on Friday, the Times described the scheme revolving around attorney Jeffrey Clark, in which Trump had apparently discussed firing Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, replacing him with Clark, and seeing if that could reinvigorate efforts to block Bidens win at the state or federal levels.

Clark has said that some aspects of the report on the situation - based on interviews with four other DOJ officials  are incorrect, according to the New York Times. He also declined to comment on his relationship with Perry.

But Clark told The New York Times he could not discuss any conversations with Trump or Justice Department lawyers because of the strictures of legal privilege.

The effort to replace Rosen with Clark was dropped, though, and the New York Times report states that happened because virtually the entire rank of top managers at the Department of Justice had learned of the effort and indicated they would resign en masse.

In emailed responses to a PennLive question about whether he accepted Bidens election last week, Perry said he did, though he still had fundamental problems with the way the election had been administered in Pennsylvania.

RELATED: U.S. Rep. Scott Perry doubles down on being, well, Scott Perry, in a moment of riots and impeachment
On his first day in office, President Joe Biden signed executive orders that reversed much of the Trump administration's environmental policies, including blocking the Keystone XL pipeline that had been opposed by many Indigenous leaders. That, along with his nomination of Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., as interior secretary, the first Native American in that role, has given environmental justice activists hope that the new administration will focus on an often overlooked issue: environmental racism.

More than 1 million Black Americans live within a half-mile of existing natural gas facilities and suffer elevated risks of cancer as a result, a 2017 study found. People of color are also more likely to live near areas that experience extreme heat. A University of Michigan researcher called the water crisis in Flint, Mich., where the population is 54 percent Black, the "most egregious" example of environmental injustice and racism in recent history.

Big green groups, such as the Sierra Club, have long pledged to conserve and protect the Earth's natural resources. But, like many organizations in our society during the past six months, environmental groups are also facing a moment of racial reckoning. Last year, the Sierra Club denounced its founder, John Muir, in a public letter. Muir, once called "the father of national parks," also described Native Americans as "dirty" and referred to African Americans using a racist pejorative. But the Sierra Club's statement is just the beginning of its goal to recognize the environmental movement's ties to white supremacy and take action to right past wrongs. In 2019, the Sierra Club slammed the Trump administration's efforts to shrink the Bears Ears National Monument, considered sacred to many Native American tribes.

We spoke with Pedro Cruz, acting director of healthy communities at the Sierra Club, about how big green organizations can be more inclusive and address environmental racism.

Q: What are some ways that environmental racism manifests in everyday life for people of color?

A: Wow, so many ways. No one acknowledges that those communities are impacted the most. Usually, it is easier to locate the source of pollution or the source of environmental problems in communities of color because they are perceived as the community that has less political power. That happens at all levels. It happens at the level of the government and it happens at the level of private corporations when they develop a plant and have to decide where they want to locate it.

Q: Do you have any specific examples of places where this is happening?

A: Cancer Alley (aka Death Alley) in Louisiana, where a series of petrochemical plants and other sources of pollution were built down the Mississippi River crossing Black communities from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. 48217 (Wayne County, Mich.) is considered the most polluted Zip code in the nation and is at the heart of a historically Black community, and the Houston suburb of Manchester (near a refinery) impacts a mostly Latino community.

Q: And what are some steps that environmental organizations need to take to be more to be more inclusive?

A: Big green organizations - which includes the Sierra Club that I work for, League of Conservation Voters, NRDC, Environmental Defense Fund - are mostly led by White, middle-class, college-educated people. I would say that this is the moment of reckoning for all of those organizations. These organizations are questioning how they are interacting with communities of color and whether they're respecting an equal partnership with the environmental justice community and the larger question of race in the United States. But I think there's a lot that needs to be done.

Q: When you talk about externally, how do they work in partnership with environmental justice leaders in these communities?

A: The big problem that we have is that most of the EJ leaders and most of the EJ organizations don't trust us for historical reasons. When we go to those communities, we go in with an agenda. We go in thinking that we know the solutions for those communities. We go with a proposal for those solutions, and that does not necessarily reflect what the community is thinking. So, we should do a lot of work analyzing and revising how we can have better partnerships with leadership in the EJ communities and communities of color.

Also, the other aspect is funding. They call us "big green" for a reason. Sometimes, we don't do a good job of spreading the love, of spreading the money with EJ communities. I think our role in that space is to educate funders (in) how they can work better with EJ groups. Because right now that's one of the main reasons why there's so much tension between EJ and big greens. Because most of the resources are going to big greens and not to EJs who are directly impacted by environmental racism.

Q: Are big green and environmental justice groups working together?

A: Oh, yeah, they've been in conversation almost for a decade now. There's a big national organization (The Equitable and Just National Climate Platform) which is basically most of the EJ leaders in the country and most of the big green leaders sitting at the table and having a conversation and reaching agreements on areas that they have in common and where they can work together. That's a step in the right direction, because at least we are sitting at the table, we are talking to each other, and we're building on a relationship that didn't exist before. Or that existed before but in a very tense way.

Q: Earlier this year, the Sierra Club issued a letter about the founder John Muir and his racist views. Do you think that was a good first step?

A: It was really controversial, to my surprise, because when I hear about it as a person of color, I was really proud. Like, wow, finally! We are recognizing our mistakes and we're doing the right thing to address it. When I talked to my colleagues, regardless of whether they are White or people of color, they were in agreement. But there was a backlash from some of our volunteers. What they said was that we threw our founder, John Muir, under the bus. So internally, it's a process that is painful for all the parties involved, because, again, when I hear volunteers say that, it's hard for me, as person of color, not to take it personally. But it is a good sign. The conversation didn't stop with denouncing John Muir, but also we had internal conversations about what has historically been the policy of the Sierra Club when we interact with Native American communities.

Q: Can you expand more about the Sierra Club's relationship with Native American communities?

A: Well, for example, our founder had eugenic views of the world where he put White people at the top of the hierarchy. That's problematic because the land that he was working to save and to protect were lands that belonged to Native Americans. Outside of John Muir, there were other people that had similar views in our history as an organization. That doesn't apply only to Sierra Club; it applies to other big greens. There has been an intentional effort on the leadership of the organization to acknowledge the past and the harm Sierra Club advocacy has done to Native American communities.

Q: What has this last year taught us about how the U.S. government needs to respond to climate change and climate disasters?

A: Right now, the biggest challenge that we face as a human race is the problem of climate change. One of the reasons why I work for the Sierra Club is because I want to address the problem. Sometimes we forget that communities of color have been historically impacted by environmental problems. Officially, if you ask us, we say that, yeah, we want to create this multiracial movement that is going to address climate change and is going to address all the inequalities in our society. That's our official position. But it's easier to say it than to do it. Because internally, every day we are confronted sometimes with conflicting views regarding that. We need to address historical inequalities and how communities of color historically are impacted by both climate change and environmental racism.

Q: President Biden nominated Deb Haaland and Michael Regan to head the Department of Interior and the EPA, respectively. What do you think those selections mean for environmental justice?

A: I think that it's a huge, historical push at the executive level to make sure that there is an EJ agenda led by EJ activists who have been in this world for a long time. I think that's a very positive because the movement has been marginalized in those circles of power. So, I think that's a step in the right direction.
SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN -- State health leaders have identified three more cases of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 in Southeast Michigan and are urging testing for anyone with coronavirus symptoms.

The new cases involve a man in Wayne County and two women associated with the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

As of Saturday, Jan. 23, there have been six variant cases identified. Five are associated with University of Michigan.

Related: Washtenaw County Health Department alerts public to possible exposures to COVID-19 variant, urges testing

Health leaders have always urged testing, but say its especially important now because the variant spreads more readily than the SARS-CoV-2 virus that has been in circulation since March. They want to be able to accurately track cases and spread.

The new variant is present in Michigan and we are at risk of seeing more spread of COVID-19. Everyone should do their part to end this pandemic. Get tested if you have been exposed, have symptoms, or have recently traveled to an area with a new variant spreading, said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive at MDHHS, in a written statement.

More from MLive

What Michiganders should know about new coronavirus variant B.1.1.7

2 more cases of COVID-19 variant tied to Washtenaw County woman
BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks on Party governance showed China's determination in its anti-corruption fight, experts have said, adding that the international community is confident in China's future economic and social development.

When addressing the fifth plenary session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Friday, Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed the importance of leveraging the guiding and safeguarding roles of strict Party governance in every respect to ensure the development goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) are fulfilled.

Abbas Zaki, a member of Palestinian Fatah Central Committee and commissioner for relations with Arab countries and China, said Xi's speech sends a clear signal that the CPC will continue to deepen strict Party governance in every respect, from which the world can see the determination and will of the CPC leadership to unswervingly push forward the fight against corruption.

Waleed Gaballah, a professor of financial and economic jurisdictions at Cairo University, said that international institutions highly evaluate China's movement in the anti-corruption field.

Egypt and China can also exchange experiences and cooperate in the reform of the supervision system, he added.

The CPC has been strengthening system building in the fight against corruption and plugging system loopholes, so that Party officials do not dare to be, are not able to be, and do not want to be corrupt, said Alexander Lomanov, deputy director at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, adding that such achievements are obvious to all.

Cavince Adhere, an international relations expert in Kenya, said that there are a number of key lessons that other countries can learn from China's battle against corruption.

Faruk Boric, an expert on China from Bosnia and Herzegovina, said the CPC continues to implement successful strategies such as anti-corruption, and the international community has reason to have full confidence in China's future economic and social development.

Eduardo Regalado, a senior researcher at Havana's Center for the Study of International Politics, told Xinhua that China has stepped up measures in the fight against corruption at all levels of governmental structure, contributing to the improvement of the country's economic performance, and facilitating a more comfortable environment for the development of business and foreign investment nationwide.
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A man has died in a fiery car crash in Melbournes southeast after losing control of his vehicle while fleeing police in the early hours of Sunday.

Police say the car John Beirouti was driving was first spotted at Stud Road in Rowville about 3.30am when officers tried to intercept the vehicle after it was identified as being related to an outstanding matter.

The driver was dragged from the burning car by police, but died at the scene Credit:Nine News

Officers deployed tyre-deflation devices, damaging a right tyre of the car allegedly driven by Mr Beirouti. The car then drove onto the grass in the middle of the road before crashing into a tree and catching fire.

The responding police pulled the driver from the vehicle and paramedics provided first aid but he died at the scene.
OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 23, 2021 /CNW/ - As the resurgence of COVID-19 activity continues in Canada, we are tracking a range of epidemiological indicators to monitor where the disease is most active, where it is spreading and how it is impacting the health of Canadians and public health, laboratory and healthcare capacity. The following is the latest summary on national numbers and trends, and the actions we all need to be taking to maintain COVID-19 at manageable levels across the country.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 737,407 cases of COVID-19, including 18,828 deaths reported in Canada; these cumulative numbers tell us about the overall burden of COVID-19 illness to date. Though many areas continue to experience high infection rates, it is important to remember that the vast majority of Canadians remain susceptible to COVID-19. This is why it is important for everyone to continue with individual precautions to protect ourselves, our families and our communities.

At this time, there are 65,750 active cases across the country. The latest national-level data indicate a recent downward trend in daily case counts (past 10 days), with a 7-day average of 6,079 new cases daily (Jan 15-21). While this suggests that community-based measures may be starting to take effect, it is too soon to be sure that current measures are strong enough and broad enough to maintain a steady downward trend. With still elevated daily case counts and high rates of infection across all age groups, the risk remains that this trend could reverse. Likewise, outbreaks continue to occur in high-risk populations and communities, including hospitals and long term care homes, correctional facilities, congregate living settings, Indigenous communities, and more remote areas of the country. These factors underscore the importance of sustaining public health measures and individual practices and not easing restrictions too fast or too soon. This is particularly important in light of the emergence of new virus variants of concern that could rapidly accelerate transmission of COVID-19 in Canada.

As severe outcomes lag behind increased disease activity, we can expect to see ongoing heavy impacts on our healthcare system and health workforce for weeks to come. Provincial and territorial data indicate that an average of 4,651 people with COVID-19 were being treated in Canadian hospitals each day during the most recent 7-day period (Jan 15-21), including 870 of whom were being treated in intensive care units. During the same period (Jan 15-21), there were an average of 149 COVID-19-related deaths reported daily. This situation continues to burden local healthcare resources, particularly in areas where infection rates are highest. These impacts affect everyone, as the healthcare workforce and health system bear a heavy strain, important elective medical procedures are delayed or postponed, adding to pre-existing backlogs.

Stringent and consistent efforts are needed to sustain a downward trend in case counts and strongly suppress COVID-19 activity across Canada. This will not only prevent more tragic outcomes, but will help to ensure that new virus variants of concern do not have the opportunity to spread. Unless we continue the hard work to suppress COVID-19 activity across Canada, there is a risk that more transmissible virus variants could take hold or even replace less transmissible variants, which could result in a significant and difficult to control acceleration of spread. Staying the course will also buy critical time for vaccines to begin working, as we continue to prepare the way for widespread and lasting control of COVID-19 through safe and effective vaccines.

A range of public health measures and restrictions are in place across Canada as we continue our collective effort to interrupt the spread of the virus. Canadians are urged to continue following local public health advice and to consistently maintain individual practices that keep us and our families safer: stay home/self-isolate if you have any symptoms, reduce non-essential activities and outings to a minimum, avoid all non-essential travel, and maintain individual protective practices of physical distancing, hand, cough and surface hygiene and wearing a face mask as appropriate (including in shared indoor spaces with people from outside your immediate household).

Canadians can also go the extra mile by sharing credible information on COVID-19 risks and prevention practices and measures to reduce COVID-19 in communities and by downloading the COVID Alert app to break the cycle of infection and help limit the spread of COVID-19. Read my backgrounder to access more COVID-19 Information and Resources on ways to reduce the risks and protect yourself and others, including information on COVID-19 vaccination.

SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada

For further information: Media Relations, Public Health Agency of Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]
He and the other refugees detained in the hotel were ordered to keep their windows shut until, after protesting, they were allowed to crack them open, but no more than 4 inches. Guards checked on them day and night, sometimes shining flashlights into their faces while they slept. The men could see guests coming and going, and they knew that people were gathering with friends and loved ones in the dining hall below, but they had no hope of joining them.

The exercise is long-planned but comes as conducts military drills of its own in the area, near the contested Paracel Islands. ( Navy)

Amid increased tensions between and China, a aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Theodore Roosevelt have entered the Sea to promote "freedom of the seas".

According to an official statement by the Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) entered the Sea on January 23 to conduct routine operations.

"The TRCSG is on a scheduled deployment to the US 7th Fleet to ensure freedom of the seas, build partnerships that foster maritime security, and conduct a wide range of operations," it further read.

The TRCSG consists of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), Destroyer Squadron 23, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Russell (DDG 59) and USS John Finn (DDG 113).

This comes days after China passed a law that gives power to its coastguard to fire on foreign vessels and demolish structures built in disputed waters, South China Morning Post reported.

China's top legislative body, the National People's Congress Standing Committee, on Friday passed the coastguard law that empowers the coastguard to use "all necessary means" to deter threats posed by foreign vessels in waters "under China's jurisdiction".

It will also allow the coastguards to launch pre-emptive strikes without prior warning if commanders deem it necessary.

The SCMP reported that it is yet to ascertain whether the law will be applied to all waters claimed by Beijing, which has a number of competing claims with its neighbours in the East and South China Seas.

Meanwhile, Taipei on Sunday expressed gratitude to the US for its commitment of "rock-solid support" against China's coercion after the United States expressed plans to strengthen ties with under President Joe Biden's administration.

"We sincerely thank US State Department for its rock-solid support of democratic of in the face of Beijing's ongoing coercion. Based on shared values and interests, we are committed to our partnership with the United States in furthering peace and stability in the Indo Pacific," Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan said in a tweet amid Beijing's growing belligerence.

(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.)
Keira Knightley (left) and Jessie Buckley play the roles of protest leaders Sally Alexander and Jo Robinson.

In November 1970, members of a newly-formed women's liberation movement in London entered the Miss World beauty competition at the Royal Albert Hall to stage a protest against treating women as objects and ornaments. Disguised as members of the audience they threw flour bombs and stale vegetables at the organisers of the event watched by over 100 million people worldwide.

Half-a-century later, a new British film, Misbehaviour, returns the attention of the world back to the famous protest and the beginning of a change in the direction for gender politics. Directed by the BAFTA-winning Philippa Lowthorpe -- one of the directors of The Crown season two -- Misbheaviour is a period drama, which underlines the reality that little has changed for women's liberation since then.

British film Misbehaviour is a period drama about the disruption of the 1970 Miss World beauty contest in London by women's rights activists.

Starring Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jessie Buckley, Greg Kinnear and Rhys Ifans, the film arrives at a moment of a new era of protests, kick-started not surprisingly by the Me Too movement two years ago and followed by the Black Lives Matter struggle, protests in Chile, Algeria, Lebanon, and by students and farmers in India.

Lowthorpe, the only woman ever to have won a BAFTA for Best Director for Call the Midwife in 2013, sets the tone with a women's conference in a hall lined by men's statues at an Oxford University college in the beginning of the film. History student Sally Alexander (Keira Knightley) joins the session after dropping her child at a nearby creche.

The new Women's Liberation Movement formed at the conference vows to achieve equal job opportunities and pay, free child care and contraception and abortion rights. "Together we will be a revolution," the women cry out in unison. It is here that Alexander first meets her fellow protesters -- prominent among them is Jo Robinson (Jessie Buckley) -- who would go on to disrupt the Miss World pageant.

In one of the movement's weekly meetings, a motion is adopted to protest outside the Miss World competition scheduled to take place soon in London on November 20, 1970. The film also puts the anger of the women against sexual objectification in perspective through the anti-apartheid movement and the Vietnam war that began a decade-and-half before.

Faced with the anti-racism movement, the Miss World Headquarters in London led by its founder Eric Morley (played by Notting Hill actor Rhys Ifans) decides to "take a white and coloured girl this year", the first called Miss South Africa and the other Miss Africa South. The blatant male authority is further underlined when Morley pauses as his wife Julia Morley (Keeley Hawes) -- the organising director of the competition -- tells him there would be protests against the Miss World contest by women who want to overthrow patriarchy. "Overthrow what?" he asks. "The male establishment, Eric," she replies.

As the contestants arrive in London and are introduced to the press dominated by male journalists and photographers, the Women's Liberation Movement tells the world that they are not against the women participating in the pageant. "The competition symbolises exploitation," Alexander says in a BBC interview. "The only other place where the participants are assigned a value is a cattle market," she adds.

Director Lowthorpe, known for her women-centric works such as the miniseries Five Daughters about the five women victims of serial murders in Ipswich, England in 2006 and miniseries Three Girls on child sex abuse, is sensitive to the pressures of women on both sides of the aisle. Jennifer Hosten (played by Black Mirror actor Gugu Mbatha-Raw), the first Miss Grenada at the contest, is an air hostess who dreams of becoming a broadcaster. Miss Sweden Marjorie Johansson (Clara Rosager) is a model who wants to use the $6,000 prize money to move to London for a university degree.

Director Philippa Lowthorpe, seen with Keira Knightley here, is the only woman to have won a BAFTA for direction.

On the day of the contest, the Women's Liberation Movement members buy tickets to gain entry to the venue. They smuggle in packets of flour and old vegetables and position themselves as part of the audience. The commentator of the televised event begins by describing the contestants as "treasures of good old earth even astronauts can't find on the moon".

The protesters decide not to take it any longer when contest host and American comedian Bob Hope (Greg Kinnear) continues his rant against the women opposing the event. "We take Miss World winners to Vietnam as a morale booster for our troops," he says, before rebuking protesters for "milking their grievances" in an apparent reference to Alexander drawing parallels between the contest and a cattle market.

Flour-bombing follows in a determined protest by Alexander and other women who climb over the chairs chanting "Shame on you" and showing banners that say "Women have minds" from the balcony. When the show returns after the disruption, Hope continues, "They got to be sick in their heads to spoil a joyous occasion."

Black Mirror actor Gugu Mbatha-Raw (first row centre) is Miss Grenada Jennifer Hosten in the film.

Filmed at locations in London, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey, the film draws its strength from a spirited script co-written by Rebecca Frayn (The Lady) and Gabi Chiappe (Shetland). The ensemble cast led by Knightley, Mbatha-Raw, Buckley, Kinnear and Ifans help keep the focus on the important subject at hand. Aretha Franklin's 1967 hit Respect raises the temperature in the period drama whose theme is as relevant today as it was in 1970.

Lowthorpe's ode to the pioneers of feminist protesters is both a lesson in history and an inspiration for the new generation.
By JONATHAN J. COOPER Associated Press

PHOENIX  Arizona Republicans voted Saturday to censure Cindy McCain and two prominent GOP officials who have found themselves crosswise with former President Donald Trump.

The censures of Sen. John McCains widow, former Sen. Jeff Flake and Gov. Doug Ducey are merely symbolic. But they show the partys foot soldiers are focused on enforcing loyalty to Trump, even in the wake of an election that saw Arizona inch away from its staunchly Republican roots.

Party activists also reelected controversial Chairwoman Kelli Ward, who has been one of Trumps most unflinching supporters and among the most prolific promoters of his baseless allegations of election fraud.

The Arizona GOPs combative focus has delighted Trumps staunchest supporters and worried Republican insiders who have watched the party lose ground in the suburbs as the influence of its traditional conservative establishment has faded in favor of Trump. A growing electorate of young Latinos and newcomers bringing their more liberal politics from back home have further hurt the GOP.

This is a time for choosing for Republicans. Are we going to be the conservative party? said Kirk Adams, a former state House speaker and chief of staff to Ducey. Or is this a party ... thats loyal to a single person?

Its a question of Republican identity that party officials and activists are facing across the country following Trumps 2020 loss, and particularly after a mob of his supporters laid siege on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Nowhere is the question more acute than Arizona, where the state GOPs unflinching loyalty to Trump stands out even in a party thats been remade everywhere in the image of the former president.

Ward has relentlessly  but unsuccessfully  sued to overturn the election results. The party has used its social media accounts to urge followers to fight and perhaps even to die in support of Trumps false claims of victory. Two of the states four Republican congressmen are accused of playing a role in organizing the Jan. 6 rally that turned violent.

After dominating Arizona politics for decades, Republicans now find themselves on their heels in the states highest offices. President Joe Biden narrowly eked out a victory here, becoming just the second Democrat in more than five decades to win the state. Consecutive victories in 2018 and 2020 gave Democrats control of both U.S. Senate seats for the first time in nearly 70 years.

Ward, a physician and former state legislator who lost two Republican primaries for the U.S. Senate, defeated three challengers to win a second term.

In a brief interview, Ward acknowledged disappointment at the top of the ticket but said she and many other Republicans still question the results showing victories for Biden and Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly. Judges have rejected eight lawsuits challenging Arizonas election results.

Ward pointed to GOP successes down the ballot, noting Republicans defied expectations in local races.

Ward said shes a Trump Republican who will always put America first, who believes in faith, family and freedom. The way forward for the GOP, she said, is keeping Trumps 74 million voters engaged.

Yes, I will be radical about those things because those are the things that keep this country great, Ward said. The people who are complaining are the people who actually put us in this spot where we are in Arizona, people who have been mamby pamby, lie down and allow the Democrats to walk all over them.

The censures target some of Arizonas most prominent Republicans,

Cindy McCain endorsed Biden and became a powerful surrogate for the Democrat following years of attacks by Trump on her husband.

Maybe (Ward) should be reminded that my husband never lost an Arizona election since his first win in 1982, McCain said in a statement before the vote.

Flake was one of the few congressional Republicans who was openly critical of Trump for failing to adhere to conservative values. He declined to run for reelection in 2018 and endorsed Biden in last years election.

If condoning the Presidents behavior is required to stay in the Partys good graces, Im just fine being on the outs, Flake wrote on Twitter before the vote.

Ducey is being targeted for his restrictions on individuals and businesses to contain the spread of COVID-19. While its not mentioned in the proposed censure, he had a high-profile break with the president when he signed the certification of Bidens victory.

These resolutions are of no consequence whatsoever and the people behind them have lost whatever little moral authority they may have once had, said Sara Mueller, Duceys political director.

Many traditional conservatives fret that the censures and Wards combative style turn off the swing voters and ticket-splitters who handed Democrats their recent victories. But they say the partys decisions will reflect only the views of about 1,500 committed activists.

John McCain was censured by the state GOP in 2014 and went on to comfortably win a Republican primary over Ward and a general election. The self-described maverick, known best for his willingness to buck his party, had strained relations with the state party for much of his career but was consistently reelected by wide margins.

___

Associated Press writer Paul Davenport in Phoenix contributed.
A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked them out. Here are the facts:

Posts falsely cite Pelosi as responsible for security during Capitol insurrection

CLAIM: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is in charge of overseeing the Capitol Police, is responsible for security failures that allowed the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol to happen.

THE FACTS: Pelosi does not oversee day-to-day operations of the Capitol Police. But after the deadly riot at the Capitol, social media users began sharing posts that blamed Pelosi for security shortfalls that allowed the building to be breached.

It was Capitol Police that let the intruders in and it was Capitol police who killed an innocent woman that was on the opposite side of a door from that officer whom we still dont know the name of, said one tweet with more than 2,000 likes. Nancy Pelosi is in charge of Capitol Police NOT Trump.

Capitol Police are responsible for security on the grounds of the Capitol and protecting Congress, along with the House and Senate sergeants-at-arms.

No one person oversees USCP -- the oversight apparatus includes representation from the Architect of the Capitol, the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms, as well as committees from both Houses of Congress, Bee Barnett, director of communications and programs for the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, said in an email.

While the Capitol Police budget is approved by both chambers of Congress, Pelosi does not control day-to-day operations or officer assignments. The storming of the Capitol, which occurred as Congress met to tally the Electoral College votes confirming Joe Biden won the election, left five people dead, including Brian Sicknick, a Capitol Police officer who was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher.

The building was placed under lockdown and members of Congress were forced to hide. Three top security officials resigned following pressure from congressional leaders, including Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, Senate Sergeant at Arms Michael Stenger, and longtime House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving. Pelosi called the events a failure of leadership at the top and called for Sunds resignation. Irving had already resigned when she sought Sunds resignation. Sund was hired in 2019 by a three-member board that consists of the two sergeants at arms from the House and Senate, as well as the Architect of the Capitol.

Band did not play Hit the Road Jack as Trump departed

CLAIM: A video shows a military band played the song Hit the Road Jack outside the White House before Donald Trump said farewell to Washington.

THE FACTS: The audio in the video of the Army bands pre-inauguration rehearsal was altered. CNNs Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta posted the original video on Twitter on Monday, which showed the band actually playing National Emblem, an American march composed in 1902 and published in 1906.

Preps for Biden inaugural... you can hear the band playing on WH grounds, Acosta tweeted, sharing a clip of the bands rehearsal. The video was manipulated to insert the song Hit the Road Jack and it was shared widely on social media. An audio search using the music app Shazam linked to the Ohio State University Marching Band performing the song.

Just Happened. Military Band practices Hit The Road Jack right outside the WH! wrote a Twitter user, who shared the altered video on Monday. The clip had 3 million views. Another Twitter user shared the manipulated video on Tuesday with the comment: Perfect. Trumps last day. The Military Band right outside the White House  Hit The Road Jack.

The post had more than 25,000 retweets. The edited video also circulated on Facebook. Shaunteh D. Kelly, a military spokesperson, confirmed to The Associated Press in an email that the Army Band was rehearsing the National Emblem as a part of the militarys precision, teamwork, and dedication to ceremonial excellence.

Trump did not pardon Joe Exotic

CLAIM: Donald Trump pardoned Tiger King star Joe Exotic before leaving office as president of the United States.

THE FACTS: Social media posts circulating widely on Wednesday falsely claimed the eccentric Oklahoma zookeeper featured in the 2020 Netflix documentary Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness received a pardon from Donald Trump in his last hours as president. Joe Exotics team thanks Donald Trump for his pardoned signature & will be released from jail in Ft Worth, TX, read a tweet shared hundreds of times on Wednesday. But Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, was not on Trumps final pardon list, according to reporting by the AP. Maldonado-Passage is serving a 22-year sentence in a Texas federal prison for violating federal wildlife laws and for trying to arrange the killing of his chief rival, Florida animal sanctuary founder Carole Baskin. Baskin wasnt harmed. Maldonado-Passage has maintained his innocence and requested a pardon in September. His team was so confident in a pardon this week that they had prepared a celebratory limousine for the occasion. When news broke that he wouldnt be released on Wednesday, Maldonado-Passages backers  who call themselves Team Tiger  released a statement expressing their disappointment. 140 million Joe Exotic fans had a hard time getting out of bed this morning, the statement said.
The nation has been found too eager to tribute the most adorable hero of the country who had given the nation the most valuable diamond, the sovereignty of the nation today. Today on his 125th birth anniversary the country men have recollected this noble freedom fighter with great respect & devotion. As far as the history of Indias independence struggle against the British is concerned Subhash Chandra Bose remains a key figure. A go-getter right from the start, Bose decided to chart his own path towards Indias independence in spite of knowing how hard it was going to be.

The start Bose, also known affectionately as Netaji, became part of the Indian struggle for independence when he joined the Civil Disobedience Movement that was being led by Mahatma Gandhi. Though, he had been successful at the-then Indian Civil Services (ICS) examinations, Bose chose to fight for the freedom of the country. Later on, he also became an active member of the Indian National Congress (INC). In 1938 and 1939, he was also chosen as the party president. However, he resigned from his post in 1940 and formed the Forward Block.

The branching out

He was held under house arrest by the British because of how he had been opposing their rule. However, he left the country secretly in 1941 and traveled westwards through Afghanistan to Europe where he sought assistance in his struggle against the British from Russians and Germans. He visited Japan in 1943 where the royal administration said yes to his appeal for help. It was here that he formed the Indian National Army with Indian war prisoners who had served with the British Indian army. It was also in October 1943 that he formed a provisional government, one that had been recognized by the Axis Powers during the Second World War.

The end

Under the leadership of Bose, INA attacked parts of northeastern India and were able to capture a few portions as well. However, in the end, the INA was forced to surrender owing to inclement weather and Japanese policies. Bose, however, was not one to surrender. He attempted to flee and renew his struggle yet again. He escaped on a plane from the Taihoku Airport but he never made it. It is said that his plane crashed at Formosa, now known as Taiwan. At that time Formosa was ruled by the Japanese.

How did he contribute?

Apart from the fact that he tried to be different, much like the revolutionary extremist freedom fighters of the day, and kept up the spirit of fiery leadership in that critical period of Indias history, there are also several other ways in which he made his own contribution to his motherlands freedom struggle. The assault by the INA, no matter how short-lived it was, was an important factor that eventually contributed to the British decision to stop their operations and shift back to their own land. This in the end did pave the way for Indias independence.

After he was banished to Europe by the British, Bose set up contacts between various European countries and India that may not have existed earlier. He espoused concrete economic planning and showed the way himself. It also needs to be remembered that it was him who set up the Rani Laxmi Bai Fauj, the womens wing of INA (Azad Hind Fauj). At a time when the British were bleeding the country dry with help from certain insiders it was his series of radio broadcasts from Berlin that at least attempted to keep the spirits of the country up.

Netaji, without a shadow of a doubt, remains one of the most key figures in the history of Indias independence. He played a crucial role in freeing the country from the clutches of 200 years of British rule in his own inimitable way, much like the other leading lights of the day such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Till the last day of his life as an active freedom fighter he kept the spirit of fighting the British  even at the time of his death he was planning to migrate to Russia and find a new way to combat the British  and it is this persistence and patriotic fervor that needs to be respected more than anything else. ReplyForward
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New Delhi: Two days ahead of the tractor parade proposed by the agitating farmers on Republic Day, the Delhi Police on Sunday (January 24, 2021) said that over 300 Twitter handles have been generated from Pakistan to disrupt the rally.

"Over 300 Twitter handles have been generated from Pakistan during January 13 to 18 to disrupt the tractor rally by farmers only by misleading people. There are inputs about the same from different agencies too," PTI quoted Deependra Pathak, Special Commissioner of Police (Intelligence) as saying.

Pathak who was detailing the plan for the tractor parade also said that the rally on Republic Day will be conducted amid tight security.

"It will be a challenging task for us but the rally will be conducted amid tight security after the Republic Day parade is over," Pathak said.

"As the farmers wanted to do a tractor rally on January 26, we have come to a conclusion that the rally will be conducted after the timing of the Republic Day Celebration ends. We have given them around 170 kilometres of distance in three routes," he said.

He added that for the Delhi Police, it will be a challenging task and that the Delhi Police has spoken to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh Police officers about how it will be conducted in a convenient way.

The barricades and other security arrangements will be removed and the agitating farmers will enter Delhi.

"The rally will start from Singhu border and pass through Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar, Kanjhawala, Bawana, Auchandi Borer, Kundli-Manesar-Palwal expressway and will return to Singhu border. It will cover a stretch of around 62 kilometres," Pathak informed.

He also said that the farmers with their tractors will start from Tikri border and pass via Nangloi, Najafgarh, Jharoda, Kundli-Manesar-Palwal expressway and will head back to Tikri border, whereas, the rally from the Ghazipur border will pass through Apsara Border, Hapur Road Kundli-Manesar-Palwal expressway and will conclude at Ghazipur.

The routes will reportedly cover over 100 kilometres of distance in Delhi.

Notably, thousands of farmers have camped at the Delhi borders and have been demanding these laws to be repealed - 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.

Live TV
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Members of the Horesca sector held renewed protests against coronavirus restrictions in Luxembourg City on Saturday.

Demonstrators marched through the capital and protested in front of the city hall on Place Guillaume II.

The protest was organised by 'Horeca Tous Ensemble' and also attended by members of the #LightsOnLuxembourg group.

Andrew Martin, founder of #LightsOnLuxembourg, expressed his hope that 'the government will reconsider its decision to open every type of business and leave bars and restaurants closed,' labelling the decision 'not logical and not fair on the Horesca sector.'

Martin hoped the protest would 'make an impact and open the eyes of the government' and show that hotel, restaurant and cafe owners and employees are 'struggling to survive financially which in turn is affecting mental health.'

Prime Minister Xavier Bettel on Friday announced that existing measures would be extended until at least 21 February.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability, which also investigated the case, said in a statement the officer was choking the man who, prosecutors said, struggled to breathe for more than 10 seconds as Garcia hovered over him. Garcias partner came into the back seat and got Garcias hands off of the mans neck, and maneuvered him up to a seated position so they could drive to the district station.


Farmers' tractor rally allowed to enter Delhi under strict vigil

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Jan 24: The farmers protesting against the Centre's farm laws have received conditional nod from the Delhi Police to hold their tractor rally on the Republic Day. The rally will be held from Delhi''s three border points -- Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur -- and adequate security will be provided to it, police said.

"Protesting farmers can enter Delhi but can't disturb the Republic Day parade," the Delhi Police said this evening, declaring that the tractor rally will begin after the day's traditional big parade on Rajpath, which terminates at the iconic Red Fort.

"For the security arrangements of the tractor rally, we will be providing required Police deployment realising that there are elements of threat to create disturbance in the rally," said Dependra Pathak, Special CP, Intelligence, Delhi Police.

Republic Day 2021: University, CBSE toppers to watch parade from Prime Ministers box

Delhi Police Commissioner S N Srivastava on Sunday issued a circular regarding the security arrangements for the tractor rally by protesting farmers that will be held after the Republic Day celebration on Tuesday.

The circular said that all officers and personnel as well as CAPF and any other force deployed for the Republic Day Parade security arrangements should be made aware and be prepared that they will be required for law and order arrangements immediately after the official celebration is over.

Arrangements of lunch for police personnel should be made and they be kept in readiness at their points of duty under the charge of their respective zonal/sector officers, it said.

The officers should also ensure adequate rest after the Republic Day celebration arrangements and should remain in ready position to move at short notice for law and order arrangements in connection with the ''kisan tractor rally'' on Tuesday, the circular said.

Since November last year, farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have been protesting against the Centre''s three new agriculture laws at several Delhi border points, including Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur, demanding that the legislations be repealed.

The farmers had earlier announced that they will hold a peaceful tractor parade on Republic Day as a mark of their protest against the farm laws.
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After liberating its historical lands in the Karabakh region, the government of Azerbaijan is now pushing ahead with plans to revive the territories that were occupied and devastated by Armenia. President Ilham Aliyev said the restoration of the Karabakh region is of special significance to Azerbaijan and vowed do his best to revive the regions that suffered heavily from the nearly three decades of Armenian occupation since the early 1990s. As Caspian News writes, according to official data, 700 historic and cultural monuments; 927 libraries; 808 cultural centers; 85 music and art schools; 22 museums with over 100,000 artefacts; 4 art galleries, 4 theaters, 2 concert halls, as well as tens of thousands of residential buildings and houses were damaged or destroyed in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region by Armenia from 1991 through 2020. The entire infrastructure in the once occupied Aghdam, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Zangilan, and Gubadli districts were all but razed to the ground. The overall cost of destruction is estimated to be tens of billions of dollars.

The detailed calculation of damages and devastation started after the liberation of over 300 settlements, including the cities of Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli, and Shusha in the Karabakh region by the Azerbaijani army in six-week-long counter-attack operations from September 27 - November 9. The sovereignty of Azerbaijan was restored in three more districts  Aghdam, Kalbajar, and Lachin  in non-combat conditions under the tripartite ceasefire statement inked by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia on November 9.

The Azerbaijani government had already rolled out a major reconstruction campaign in the liberated lands, dubbed the "grand return." A total of $1.3 billion is allocated from this year's state budget for the restoration and reconstruction of those territories. Last week, the ground was broken for a new highway and an airport in Fuzuli. Work on new roads has begun in Talish and Sugovushan villages of the Tartar district. Series of economic and cultural events are offered to be organized in various corners of the Karabakh region this year.

Authorities of the country rely on both national and foreign investments in reviving the war-torn region. The government is looking to simplify the legal procedures, offer legislative amendments and update the base price list for the ordered construction materials for facilitating, in particular, the foreign direct investments in the restoration of the Karabakh region. A Turkish model will reportedly be applied in the construction tenders where the base price is submitted by the ordering institution.

Some countries have already expressed interest in supporting reconstruction of the liberated Azerbaijani territories. Turkish companies are building a new highway from Fuzuli to Shusha. The Azerbaijani Innovation Agency has signed a memorandum of understanding with the leading GOSB techno-park of Turkey for the creation of a joint high technologies park in the Karabakh region, where cutting-edge researches and production of high-tech devices will be realized.

The Turkish state-owned Ziraat Bank intends to open a branch in the Azerbaijani city of Shusha. The bank's officials in Azerbaijan said Friday that the internal procedures are being completed now and the branch in Shusha will be opened after obtaining necessary permits from the Azerbaijani authorities. According to the bank officials, the opening date depends on the decision of the authorities of Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, chairman of the Turkish TUMKIAD association, which unites leading business people and entrepreneurs in Turkey, revealed plans about a $50 million investment in the liberated lands in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region. Textile is defined as the key area for the multimillion investment.

The British government is also looking to support technological development of the Karabakh region. The kingdom's ambassador to Azerbaijan, James Sharp said in December that he discussed the establishment of "smart cities" in the region with the Azerbaijani government officials.

Meanwhile, the Ansaldo Energia company of Italy received in December a contract worth 5 million ($6 million) for providing equipment for four power substations to be built in the Karabakh region. The substations with a capacity of 110 kilowatts each will reportedly be located in the Aghdam, Fuzuli, Gubadli, and Kalbajar districts liberated from Armenia's occupation. Equipment delivery is to be completed by the end of March and the facilities will be built and come online by the end of June 2021, according to media reports.

The Hungarian government is also keen to join the rebuilding of the Karabakh region. The country's Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister, Peter Szijjarto held a virtual meeting with the Azerbaijani labor minister last week to discuss the options for involving Hungarian companies in the reconstruction projects. Minister Szijjarto said the national Exim Bank has already opened a $100 million credit line for the Hungarian companies intending to take part in the revival of the liberated Azerbaijani lands. Moreover, the Hungarian government offered 25,000 in assistance for demining operations in the once occupied territories with the aim of reducing the consequences of the war, according to the minister.

Companies from Israel, Japan and Iran are ready to invest in the reconstruction projects in the Karabakh region, according to media reports. The Energy Ministry of Azerbaijan recently discussed the creation of a "green energy zone" in the Karabakh region with the representatives of the United Nations (UN), the European Union Delegation to Azerbaijan, the UN Development Program, the US Agency for International Development, the German Society for International Cooperation, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Asian Development Bank.
Thousands of farmers are set to participate in the 100-kilometre rally which will be conducted on Delhi's Outer Ring Road

The Delhi Police on Sunday granted permission for protesting farmers to hold the 'kisan tractor rally' in Delhi on Republic Day, according to several media reports. Reports quoted the police as saying that the tractor rally will begin after the traditional Republic Day parade ends.

NDTV reported that the approval was given after the Delhi Police held two rounds of meetings on Sunday. Thousands of farmers are set to participate in the 100-kilometre rally which will be conducted on Delhi's Outer Ring Road.

"Protesting farmers can enter Delhi but can't disturb the Republic Day parade. They can enter Delhi for few kilometers and then exit at designation spots," the police said, as per NDTV.

"The route has been fixed in such a way that it can be protected. The number of the tractors is not yet decided. The tractor rally will start after Republic Day programme ends  around 11.30 am." the report quoted the police as saying.

Additionally, Hindustan Times quoted Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav as saying, "Today there was a short meeting with officers of Delhi Police. We have got formal permission from police for the tractor rally. As I told earlier, 'Kisan Gantantra Parade' will be held on 26 January in a peaceful manner."

Earlier on Sunday, police officials held a meeting to discuss whether or not to grant the permission for the rally and what conditions farmers must adhere to if if permission is granted.

The Delhi Police's statement came a day after farmer leaders claimed that they had received permission for the rally. However, Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava was on Saturday quoted by reports as saying, "Farmers have not given us any route in writing. We will let you know once we receive a route in written."

Meanwhile, The Indian Express reported that the police on Sunday "proposed four routes from Ghazipur, Singhu, Chilla, and Tikri borders for the farmers tractor rally".

Meanwhile, News18 quoted sources as saying that the police will impose several conditions on the rally.

Over 20,000 farmers from states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand will be joining the 100-kilometre rally, which is set to be held on Delhi's busy Outer Ring Road.

'Onus to keep rally peaceful on farmers'

The News18 report said that the Delhi Police is considering several potential routes for the rally.

"Routes will be like dedicated loops. There will be multiple routes for Farmers tractor rally. Farmers leaders will have to agree that they will follow them strictly," the report quoted police sources as saying.

The Delhi Police will also instruct farmers leaders to be "responsible for the peaceful movement" of the rally and ensure that "no anti-national slogans or posters are allowed".

"The farmers will be escorted by Delhi police and leaders will be responsible for the peaceful movement. Traffic spillover is expected in Delhi-NCR during the rally hours," they said.

Farmers claim Delhi Police granted permission for rally

On Saturday, farmer leaders told reporters that the police had granted permission for the rally.

Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar stated that the Delhi Police has given permission to the farmers' tractor parade on 26 January, after attending a meeting between the unions and senior police officers.

The tractor parade will start from the Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri border points of Delhi, but the final details of routes are yet to be finalised, said Kohar, who is a senior member of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha.

Farmer leaders said that five routes have been decided in-principle and farmers will cover 100 kilometres with tractors on every route, and added that 70 to 78 percent of the routes will culminate inside Delhi while the remaining will be outside the National Capital.

PTI quoted sources as saying that one possible route for the tractor parade from Singhu border will be to Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar and it will pass through the Kanjhawala and Bawana areas and then return to the protest site.

Farmers camping at the Tikri border point will start their tractor parade from the protest site and cover areas like Nangloi, Najafgarh, Badli, and Kundli-Manesar Palwal (KMP) Expressway, they said.

For farmers camping at the Ghazipur border point, their tractor parade will cover areas like Apsra border-Ghaziabad-Duhai and return to Ghazipur, the report said.

However, tractor parade routes for farmers camping at Shahjahanpur and Palwal have not been decided yet, PTI reported.

Farmer leader Darshan Pal said that "barricades set up at Delhi borders will be removed on 26 January and farmers will take out tractor parade after entering the National Capital".

"We have almost finalised fives routes," Pal, who is also a member of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, said.

Another farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni said that as thousands of farmers will participate in the parade, there will be no single route as it is not possible to manage huge crowds on a particular route.

Earlier, there have been three rounds of meetings between the unions and police officers from Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, but it was the fourth round of talks over the tractor parade on Friday where both sides reached an agreement.

While police tried to convince farmer leaders to hold their tractor parade outside the National Capital, they were adamant on holding the proposed rally on Delhi's busy Outer Ring Road.

BKU claims 25,000 tractors to participate in 'kisan parade'

Around 25,000 tractors from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand will participate in the 'kisan parade' in Delhi on 26 January, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said on Saturday.

"Farmers moving towards Uttar Pradesh Gate from the two states on their tractor trolleys were intercepted by police in different districts but farmers will arrive here at every cost," he said.

"Around 25,000 tractors would arrive here and a tractor rally would be brought out on Republic Day. Apart from the districts of western Uttar Pradesh, farmers would take out rallies in every district," Tikait said in a statement.

"No political person will be allowed to participate," the BKU national spokesperson said.

District administrations are sending notices to farmers and mounting pressure on them not to participate in the rallies citing COVID-19 norms and section 144 of the CrPC, he claimed.

"Routes of the rally will be decided by the police of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana and details will be released by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha after a final decision," Tikait added.

With inputs from agencies
Bahraini officials said construction of the Nabih Saleh Water Distribution Station has been completed and work is currently under way for the launch of a solar panel system on the upper reservoir.

A one-million-gallon upper tank along with accompanying pipelines and valves, and a building for electrical devices, control devices and a water chlorination system were constructed, as part of the project.

The construction of the station come as part of Ewa's strategy to develop and expand water distribution networks, in line with the directives of the government, led by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to provide the electricity and water services and meet the growing demand for them, reported BNA, citing a senior minister.

Bahrain's Electricity and Water Affairs Minister, Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, said EWA will continue implementing more development projects that support the kingdoms infrastructure and improve the quality of services delivered to subscribers.

He was speaking to the media while on an inspection visit to the project site along with Electricity and Water Authority CEO Shaikh Nawaf bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, and Capital Municipal Council Chairman Saleh Tarrada.

The project is in line with EWAs efforts to increase the storing capacity and strengthen the water distribution network in the Nabih Saleh region, as well as meet the needs of its housing and service projects, stated Al Mubarak.

The UK consultancy firm, Mott MacDonald, oversaw the construction of the BD3.5 million ($9.23 million) Nabih Saleh Water Distribution Station, while Nass Contracting Company handled the construction of the stations facilities.

The Bahraini contractor supplied the latest mechanical, electrical, control and communication equipment for the project in co-ordination with leading global companies.

Shaikh Nawaf said the design of the station has taken into account the use of solar energy to generate electricity to operate the station equipment with clean electrical energy produced from solar panels installed on the upper tank, which contain 702 solar cell panels designed to produce about 253 kilowatts (maximum) of clean electrical energy.

"The produced solar energy covers the needs of the station, and exports the surplus electricity to the electricity distribution network," he noted.

The upper reservoir was also covered with aluminium sheets, taking into account the urban character of the region, added Shaikh Nawaf.



Over the past four years, Ireland has contended with a tepid relationship with Washington to the west alongside a strained one with London to the east, as Brexit became a reality.

Donald Trump backed the UKs exit from the EU suggesting Britain would be better off and that the issue of the Irish border would work out. His administration promised to expedite a free-trade deal with London.

These positions strengthened Boris Johnsons hard-line stance domestically and undermined Irelands concerns over the impact of a no deal Brexit on our border with Northern Ireland.

In contrast, Joe Biden was resolute about the importance of avoiding a hard border on the island, and he is a passionate Irish American.

His Irish roots are central to his political and personal identity and he has a fondness for quoting Irish poets including James Joyce and Seamus Heaney.

However, Mr Bidens interest in Ireland goes beyond the poetic and the personal. From early on in his career, he took an interest in the Irish peace process and was involved with the congressional Friends of Ireland.

When the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) was considered under threat from Londons Internal Market Bill, Mr Biden tweeted an unambiguous warning to Mr Johnson that any trade deal between the UK and US would be contingent on respect for the agreement.

Its likely that the GFA will ensure Ireland remains central to any trade negotiations between Washington and London over the coming years.

Read More Irish Examiner view: Biden presidency a chance to turn page and be hopeful

These factors will raise Irelands profile and enhance its soft power internationally. There is an opportunity to position the state as a conduit between the US and EU and boost our political capital in Brussels.

US House Representative Brendan F Boyle recently described Ireland as a geographical and cultural bridge between the US (due to a shared language and similar legal systems) and the EU.

Furthermore, Ireland has secured a non-permanent seat on the powerful United Nations Security Council where tensions between some of the Permanent Five are significant.

Irelands position as a small, neutral country, alongside its close ties to Washington and Brussels, may offer occasions to assume the role of an honest broker and further burnish its diplomatic reputation.

However, Irelands position as a base to a number of US Big Tech companies puts it in the political crosshairs in relation to possible transatlantic disputes around EU data privacy regulations, cybersecurity and the EUs proposed digital tax.

While Taoiseach Micheal Martin may not make the traditional trip to Washington for St Patricks Day this year, a visit by president Biden, perhaps on his way to the UN climate convention in Scotland, would serve to showcase Irelands unique relationship with the new administration.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warmly welcomed Mr Bidens inauguration stating Europe now has a friend in the White House. Picture: Francois Walschaerts/AP

The EU was relieved by the change in administration in the US. European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen warmly welcomed Mr Bidens inauguration stating Europe now has a friend in the White House after four long years.

Prominent European leaders had a fraught relationship with former president Donald Trump.

Read More Irish Examiner view: Our place among the nations of the world

Mr Trump appeared to snub German Chancellor Angela Merkels offer of a handshake at their first meeting. President Biden will hope to paper over the fissures caused by the Trump administration.

The EU and the US shared political values and cultural heritage will help, and the Europeans can expect a return to civil discourse and diplomacy.

Chancellor Merkel said in her congratulatory message to Mr Biden, the transatlantic friendship is indispensable if we are to deal with the major challenges of our time.

President Bidens policy platforms demonstrate his commitment to multilateralism. International co-operation is essential to effectively manage complex global issues like the climate crisis, cybersecurity or even future pandemics.

The US is re-joining the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Accords.

Such moves will be welcomed in the EU and there will be an opportunity for early collaboration between the two powers to promote global economic recovery following the pandemic.

President Biden is interested in developing a carbon border tax to encourage states to meet their targets under the Paris Accords and to ensure that American businesses and workers are not competitively disadvantaged by US compliance. Von der Leyen has championed a similar strategy so this may offer a another chance for co-operation.

The Biden administrations emphasis on reviving democratic norms internationally (and domestically) will resonate with European leaders.

German foreign minister Heiko Maas welcomed Mr Bidens plans saying we are ready to work with the United States on a joint Marshall Plan for democracy as Brussels has struggled with authoritarian tendencies of its own.

Recently, Hungary and Poland threatened to veto the EUs budget if it made funding to states conditional on adherence to the rule-of-law  a founding principle of the union.

Both states are accused of backsliding on democratic principles around human rights, judicial independence and the freedom of the media.

There is potential for tension in the transatlantic relationship too, not least on the issue of China.

President Biden wants to build a united front to hold China to account in relation to human rights abuses, labour laws, climate and trade practices.

The incoming administration was irritated when the EU went ahead and inked an investment deal with China in the light of Beijings crackdown on democracy activists in Hong Kong and its internment of millions of Uighurs.

The EUs response to such crackdowns has been anaemic, at best. Jake Sullivan (now US National Security Advisor), had urged the Europeans to delay until they could consult on our common concerns about Chinas economic practices.

Read More Irish Examiner view: Biden presidency a chance to turn page and be hopeful

Other potentials for friction include the ongoing dispute over state subsidies to airline industry giants Boeing (a US company) and Airbus (European/UK owned), NATO spending and the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

Although president Biden will reiterate the US commitment to NATO, the US is still carrying much of the spending burden in the alliance and will expect European member states to increase their contribution.

The US congress recently authorised sanctions aimed at disrupting the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany and the Biden administration is similarly unenthusiastic about the project.

In the UK, Boris Johnson benefited from Trump administration support and antagonised Mr Biden in the past when he made a racist reference to former president Barack Obamas Kenyan heritage back in 2016.

Boris Johnson antagonised Mr Biden in the past when he made a racist reference to former president Barack Obamas Kenyan heritage back in 2016. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA

However, since the election, the prime minister has worked to court the incoming administration.

London backed away from its threat to renege on elements of the Brexit withdrawal treaty which would have jeopardised the GFA.

Mr Johnson condemned Mr Trump for encouraging the Capitol riot and undermining the US presidential election results stating I believe that was completely wrong.

Downing Street is sending four cabinet ministers to Washington DC over the coming weeks but it is likely that the UK will now have to wait in line behind the EU for the chance to negotiate a free-trade deal with the US.

Glasgow is host to the UN Climate Change Conference this November and president Biden hopes to attend. This will offer Downing Street an opportunity to impress on the White House the two states shared priorities and re-emphasise the historic bonds of the special relationship.

Dr Jacqueline Fitzgibbon is a lecturer, researcher and historian.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)  A major winter storm could blanket a large section of the Plains with up to a foot of snow at the start of this week.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for an area stretching from north-central Kansas across southeast Nebraska and into southern Iowa. The snow is expected to begin early Monday and continue throughout the day.

Most of the region is expected to receive at least six inches of now, but the heaviest snow is predicted to fall on an area starting around Salina and Concordia, Kansas, and continuing northeast to around Des Moines, Iowa.
Following a contentious, three-hour meeting filled with name-calling and impassioned pleas, the Escondido City Council voted 4-1 Wednesday to file a legal brief in support of the U.S. governments lawsuit challenging the states sanctuary laws.

The action is the first by a San Diego County city. The county Board of Supervisors is expected to discuss filing a similar brief during a closed-door meeting on April 17.

More than 70 people spoke during a public meeting in a packed City Council chambers, with most addressing the larger issue of immigration and often echoing the national divide between President Trumps supporters and detractors.

It was a familiar scene in a city that has found itself embroiled in immigration issues for more than a decade.

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At the beginning of the meeting, Escondido City Attorney Michael McGuinness explained what was, and what was not, being contemplated by the council.

He said the city was not suing the state, only filing a legal brief in support of the Trump Administrations lawsuit, which contends California laws contradict and are in violation of federal law.

Police Chief Craig Carter said the new state laws put his officers in a difficult position. Since 2009, federal immigration officers have worked closely with Escondido police, he said. But as of January, when the new state laws went into effect, immigration officials no longer have a desk in police headquarters and local officers are forbidden in most circumstances from inquiring about someones immigration status.

Mayor Sam Abed and Councilman John Masson, who together placed the item on the agenda, said the action the council was about to take had nothing to do with immigration and everything to do with public safety.

They said recent California laws hurt the citys predominantly Latino community by not allowing local officers to work with immigration police. Instead, they said, federal agents are out there on their own now arresting people, some of whom are not criminals.

When (the laws) got passed and we were no longer able to deal with ICE, that relationship with ICE disappeared, Masson said. So, no longer do we have control over our community and who we go after in our community, which was very controlled through our (police department).

Abed said he was elected to uphold the U.S. Constitution and to keep his community safe and that joining the Department of Justices lawsuit against the sanctuary laws of California is at the core of that mission.

Abed used the occasion to bash Gov. Jerry Brown and the Democratic-led state legislature.

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Your Sacramento is now politically, ethically and morally corrupt, Abed said. Gov. Brown, I promised you a year ago we would sue the state if Senate Bill 54, which is at the heart of the federal governments lawsuit, became law.

I hope the Escondido City Council will deliver on that promise today.

Olga Diaz, who ran for council last decade after the city got itself entangled in immigration issues when it tried unsuccessfully to create a local law that would have punished landlords for renting to undocumented immigrants, said she was embarrassed to sit through yet another meeting with so many of the same hurtful things being said.

She said she finally understood, however, why the council was even considering filing the legal brief, despite the fact, she said, that it will be of no legal consequence.

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Its the big talk and the ego, she said to Abed. Youve got a promise to Jerry Brown that were going to sue him so this is our big chance? Now it all makes sense. I dont respect it. I dont think this is an appropriate use of our time or space, but I understand it now.

Voting in support of filing the legal brief were Masson and Councilmen Ed Gallo and Mike Morasco. Diaz cast the lone no vote.

The majority of those audience members who spoke during the hearing opposed the citys filing the brief, but there were many who strongly supported the move. A number of speakers insulted Abed and Masson, calling them racists and xenophobes; others insulted Diaz.

One speaker, 17-year-old Maria Martinez, said she was an undocumented city resident whose father was deported in October.

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How shameful of you to think that tearing families apart will help the community, she said. This unethical behavior has to be stopped. If the sanctuary law is not in place, more behavior like this will continue.

Prior to the council meeting, a rally attended by perhaps 200 people was held beneath the green dome in front of City Hall and featured numerous representatives of Latino civil rights groups.

The rally was interrupted repeatedly by two women, one carrying an American flag, the other, Jennifer Harrison of Arizona, holding a President Trump Make America Great Again banner and armed with a bullhorn.

We have the right to deport you if you are illegal, was one of her chants.

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Later, Harrison told the council it had a duty to enforce federal law and to keep the public safe. They are illegal aliens, not immigrants, she shouted.

A representative of the American Civil Liberties Union, which has been at odds with Escondido over numerous issues in recent years, condemned the city council in strong terms.

Escondidos proposal is an offensive endorsement of the Trump Administrations anti-immigrant agenda, said Roberto Alcantar.

Too often, the Escondido City Council has unjustly blamed the citys problems, such as traffic, parking and housing, on immigrants. Perhaps, the real problem in Escondido is the City Councils xenophobia.

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McGuinness, the Escondido city attorney, said the brief will be filed Friday, which he told the council is the deadline.

McGuinness said he was unclear about what the county might be considering because as he reads the law, April 17 would be well past that deadline.

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jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones

The Techiman Municipal Education Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has distributed 89,589 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to 297 basic and senior high schools (SHSs) to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.



The schools comprise six public SHSs, 97 public primary schools, and 75 public Junior High Schools (JHSs) as well as 119 private primary, JHSs and SHSs.



The PPE included nose masks, hand sanitisers, tissue papers and containers of liquid soap.



About 5,690 SHS students and 76,016 basic school students benefitted from the package.



Mr Stephen Adu, Assistant Director of Education in-charge of Finance and Administration at the Municipal Education Directorate, disclosed this yesterday in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Techiman in the Bono Region.





He said the distribution of the items was the demonstration of the Directorates preparedness to enforce the governments directives and protocols in the fight against COVID-19 in schools across the municipality.



Mr Adu said intensive monitoring and supervision by Circuit Supervisors and education of teachers, pupils and students on the importance of the use of the PPE constituted the surest way to stem COVID-19.



He appealed to parents and guardians to support the Directorate in the enforcement of the use of PPE, especially wearing of the nose masks and regular washing of hands with soap under running water by their children and wards at home.



On a visit to some schools, including Ameyaw Akumfi cluster of basic schools, the GNA observed that there was low compliance with the COVID-19 directives and protocols by both teachers and pupils.



However, Mr Chris Anane, a teacher at Primary A of the Ameyaw Akumfi cluster of schools, said the teachers were prepared to enforce the use of the PPE, stressing that he would not allow any pupil to sit in his class without a nose mask.

Source: The Ghanaian Times









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Posted Sunday, January 24, 2021 8:24 am

Two cases of a new COVID-19 variant, first identified in the United Kingdom, have been detected in specimens from two Snohomish County residents, health authorities announced Saturday afternoon.

This strain of coronavirus spreads more easily and quickly than the original variant, the Snohomish Health District said.

As of Friday, there were 195 detections of this version in 22 states, including Oregon.

"We thought this variant of concern was here and now we know it's here. It was a huge team effort by the UW Medicine Virology Lab and required development of several new rapid tests to detect and confirm it," said Dr. Alex Greninger, assistant director of the UW Medicine Clinical Virology Lab, in a statement.

Dr. Umair Shah, state health secretary, said the state has surveillance efforts in place to detect the new variant, known as B-117. Its arrival makes prevention even more crucial, he said at a news conference.

"We need to double down on all the efforts to wash our hands, watch our distance, wear our masks, and certainly to get tested," Shah said.

Health officials didn't provide details Saturday about the two people who tested positive for B-117. The variant was located locally through confidential, public health surveillance testing.

The UW Medicine lab identified the strain through genome sequencing, and there is capacity to surveillance-test 100 to 200 samples per week, said Pavitra Roychoudhury, acting instructor at the UW Department of Laboratory Medicine.

About one year ago, a man hospitalized in Everett was found to carry the novel coronavirus, which originated in China. That was the first reported U.S. case, followed by the nation's first known lethal outbreak in a Kirkland nursing home in late February. Scientists later learned that severe coronavirus infections occurred in California in early 2020.

The U.K. variant appeared in September 2020 and has spread throughout London and southeast England. It is expected to be the dominant strain in the U.S. later this year.

Shah said it's unclear how many cases the new strain is adding to the overall COVID-19 infection rates in the U.S., and researchers will look closely at that. Nationally, 417,394 people have died, and 24.9 million have been infected by the virus, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.

Besides the U.K. mutation, others have emerged in South Africa and Brazil. Such variants are typical, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

The variant from the U.K. is about twice as transmissible as the Chinese version, but isn't any more lethal, Fauci told a national news conference Thursday. However, if it creates more cases, there would be more hospitalizations and deaths, he pointed out.

Fauci addressed the question of whether current vaccines would stop the new variants. "Even if it's diminished somewhat, it's still effective," Fauci said. In fact, it's all the more reason for rapid mass vaccinations, he argued  to reduce the risk that a more-prolonged COVID-19 pandemic will give rise to more variants.

However, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Friday that based on new data, the British version may be 30% more deadly than the original.

Dr. Chris Spitters, Snohomish County health officer, said Saturday that "the recipe is the same" as before to prevent and diagnose the U.K. mutation.

"If we have more cases, we'll have more hospitalizations, and then put further strain on an already burdened health care system," he said.

Washington state has struggled to get vaccines out rapidly to its 7.5 million residents, hampered in part by software problems. An average 15,000 state residents per day have received vaccines, a rate the state hopes to triple soon. National supplies have lagged demand, while advisers to new President Joe Biden have said the Trump administration didn't create a distribution plan.

Within the last few days, health officials have urged people to wear a two-layer face mask, or even double-mask, as some attendees did at the presidential inauguration Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Doing so would make it harder for aerosols containing COVID-19 to reach someone's nasal and mouth passages.

The Washington State Department of Health reported 1,987 new cases Saturday, bringing the statewide total to 300,198 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The virus has taken 4,114 lives in Washington state.

___

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Highly Contagious U.K. COVID-19 Strain Found in Snohomish County
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Macedonias two international airports welcomed 782.836 travellers in 2020, with operator TAV predicting it will take a couple of years for Skopje and Ohrids traffic to return to pre-pandemic levels. Skopje Airport handled 710.711 passengers in 2020, representing a decrease of 69.9% on the previous year and its slowest since 2010, although the overall rate of decline is below the European industry average. Total aircraft movements on commercial flights stood at 7.625, down 57.6%. On the other hand, Ohrid Airports passenger figures declined 77.3% on the previous year. Both were closed for commercial traffic for three and a half months, from mid-March until July.





Skopje Airport passenger performance in 2020





Month PAX Change (%) JAN 164.091  7.7 FEB 147.717  7.3 MAR 71.627  56.5 APR 1.853  98.9 MAY 923  99.5 JUN 49  99.6 JUL 57.419  76.3 AUG 67.122  74.6 SEP 54.816  76.5 OCT 54.017  74.7 NOV 44.001  74.2 DEC 47.076  73.3





Speaking to EX-YU Aviation News recently, the General Manager of operator TAV Macedonia, Metin Batak, said, "We expect a slow recovery in air traffic, not just for Macedonian airports, but for all within the TAV Airports group. It will take a couple of years for Skopje and Ohrid airports to get back to the passenger traffic levels that we had before the crisis. However, it is ungrateful to predict anything at this point, especially since the main limiting factor for Macedonian air traffic recovery - EU travel restrictions - do not depend on us as an airport operator. He added, Besides this challenge for the local market, we need to take into consideration all the challenges Covid-19 has caused for aviation worldwide. Airlines face internal changes, caused by Covid-19, and that creates global repositioning of their destination networks which have been adjusted to the different different travel restrictions across different markets.

Travel restrictions imposed by the European Union remain one of the main short-term issues for recovery. The biggest challenge for recovery of Macedonian passenger traffic are the travel restrictions for Macedonian citizens established by EU member states due to Covid-19. Namely, citizens with Macedonian passports cannot enter any of the EU countries, except if they are essential worker (mostly medical staff) or have a certain type of visa (depends on the country), Mr Batak said. Responding to the latest rules introduced by the Netherlands, which requires all passengers to possess not only a negative PCR test but also a rapid antigen test taken four hours prior to departure, Skopje Airport has partnered up with a private laboratory to perform the tests at the airport for those traveling on flights to the Netherlands, but others are also welcome to use it.





Sens. Marco Rubio and Mike Rounds are leading the Republican front opposing a Senate impeachment trial to convict Donald Trump.

On Monday Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is expected to send senators a single article of impeachment that was passed in the House of Representatives that blames Trump for inciting the chaotic Capitol invasion on January 6 that left five dead.

'I think the trial is stupid. I think it's counterproductive. We already have a flaming fire in this country and it's like taking a bunch of gasoline and pouring it on top of the fire,' Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said to Fox News Sunday.

He acknowledged that Trump 'bears some responsibility for what happened' in the Capitol riot where a MAGA mob stormed the Capitol building and halted the joint Congress session that met to certify the election.

'The first chance I get to vote to end this trial Ill do it,' Rubio said.

Republicans including Sen. Marco Rubio and Mike Rounds are leading the GOP effort against the Senate trial to convict Donald Trump. 'I think the trial is stupid. I think it's counterproductive. We already have a flaming fire in this country and it's like taking a bunch of gasoline and pouring it on top of the fire,' Rubio said on Fox News Sunday

'I think it's going to be really bad for the country' to go forward with the trial that will 'stir up' Trump's controversy with the riot all over again, Rubio stated.

He's one of several senior Republicans pushing back with political and constitutional arguments, raising doubts that Democrats, who control 50 seats in the 100-seat chamber, can secure the 17 Republican votes needed to convict.

Other Republicans are now arguing that the Senate has no authority to put a private citizen, which Trump now is as Joe Biden has been sworn in, on trial.

Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota argued that the Constitution does not allow for the impeachment of a former president.

When asked by host Chuck Todd on NBC's Meet the Press Sunday: 'Do you Believe Donald Trump committed an impeachment offense? Rounds responded, 'To begin with, I think its a moot point.'

Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota argued that the Constitution does not allow for the impeachment of a former president. When asked on NBC's Meet the Press Sunday if Trump committed an impeachment offense he responded: 'I think it's a moot point'

'Right now Donald Trump is no longer the president. He is a former president. Constitution, and I think  and I know there are other people out there that may disagree with me, but Article One, sections, I think its three or six and seven, specifically point out that you can impeach the president. And it does not indicate that you can impeach someone who is not in office. So I, I think its a moot point,' he added.

'There are other things we'd rather be working on', including confirming more of Biden's cabinet nominees, he said.

The day of the January 6 riot Rounds had shared a press release saying he supported an independent investigation into the 2020 election, saying: 'Unless we get to the bottom of these allegations I fear Americas faith in our electoral process is in great jeopardy,' joining Trump is casting doubt over the veracity of the election.

However, Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, a frequent Trump critic, argues that a Senate trial is Constitutional. He said he believed 'that what is being alleged and what we saw, which is incitement to insurrection, is an impeachable offense. If not, what is?'

This chart shows what needs to happen for Trump to get impeached - the Senate needs 2/3rds of the vote to convict him

However, Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, a frequent Trump critic, argues that a Senate trial is Constitutional.

The preponderance of legal opinion is that an impeachment trial after a president has left office is constitutional. I believe that's the case,' Romney said to CNN.

He was the only member of his party to vote to convict Trump in his first impeachment trial and hinted that he may be leaning the same way now.

He said he believed 'that what is being alleged and what we saw, which is incitement to insurrection, is an impeachable offense. If not, what is?'

He cited Trumps call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger about overturning the states election results as evidence to be used in a trial.

'Well, were certainly going to have a trial. I wish that werent necessary, but the presidents conduct with regards to the call to Secretary of State Raffensperger in Georgia as well as the incitation towards the insurrection that led to the attack on the Capitol call for a trial,' Romney said on Fox News Sunday.

'And, you know, if were going to have unity in our country, I think its important to recognize the need for accountability, for truth and justice,' he added.

Biden himself has publicly taken a hands-off approach, eager to put Trump in the rear-view mirror and seek quick progress on fighting the coronavirus pandemic and reviving a devastated economy.

The Senate trial is expected to begin on February 9, giving the chamber time to confirm Bidens appointees as well as Trumps lawyers time to prepare a defense

A view of a flash bang being set off in front of the US Capitol Building to disperse the MAGA mob that gathered and tried to storm the building on January 6. Five people were left dead in the chaos

Biden spokeswoman Jen Psaki has said the president 'believes that it's up to the Senate and Congress to determine how they will hold the former president accountable.'

As Democrats worked to prepare the case against Trump, one of those who will present it in the Senate - Representative Madeleine Dean - said she hoped it would move quickly.

'I would expect it would go faster' than the 2020 impeachment trial, which lasted 21 days, she told CNN.

Dean said she was in the House chamber during the 'terrifying moment' when the invading mob began pounding on its doors, chanting: 'Hang Vice President Pence.'

She said Democrats would demand accountability for Trump's role.

'It is an extraordinarily heinous presidential crime,' she said.

The Senate trial is expected to begin on February 9, giving the chamber time to confirm Bidens appointees as well as Trumps lawyers times to prepare a defense.
London: World leaders will be urged to look beyond the coronavirus crisis and refocus on climate change during the first major economic summit held since the pandemic began and Donald Trump left the White House.

The annual World Economic Forum will be held virtually this week instead of its traditional home at the Swiss ski resort of Davos. It usually features a host of political figures, business leaders, celebrities and other global heavyweights.

Political and economic leaders usually gather in person at the Swiss ski resort of Davos, but the conference will be held online this year. Credit:AP

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has not attended the forum since 2017, will deliver a keynote address that is expected to include hints about Beijings approach to the new geopolitical landscape ushered in by the election of US President Joe Biden.

However Australia will not be represented at the summit, with no political leaders or business figures listed to speak individually or on dozens of special panels.
Isaac Aloma popularly called Zicsaloma is one of Nigerias hottest Instagram comedians, who came from nothing to become an online sensation. Aloma, who is known for his comic female character, is a household name on Tik Tok and Instagram where he boasts over 332,000 followers. In this interview with PREMIUM TIMES, he speaks about his humble beginnings and the dynamics of his industry.

PT: Tell us how Zicsaloma started

Aloma: Zics Aloma started from the church as a choir boy. It started with singing at the Chapel of Redemption Imande, Kaduna. I am from Abia state. So, I was in the childrens church choir, I was always leading. I felt like I could sing, I was like 8 years old then. From there, I joined the youth choir and later the adult choir before I

started pursuing music fully. I went for several auditions before I made it to the Voice.

PT: Interestingly, I only just found out that you were on Wajes team on The Voice.

Aloma: Yes.

PT: This was three years ago and a lot has changed after then.

Aloma: Yes, a lot. So, after my exit from the Voice, I started doing comedy. The comedy was not even planned, it was spontaneous. There was a day my mum brought out her old caps from the store. I just put it on my head and crossed a wrapper over my body, I did a selfie video and started talking and posted it on Facebook and the video started going viral. People started sharing and asked me to shoot more videos, and before you know it, I started posting on Instagram.

PT: What year was this?

Aloma: 2017.

PT: Lets go down memory lane. What reality show auditions did you attend?

Aloma: A lot, I went for so many auditions. I have gone for Project Fame, Nigerian Idol. I qualified for Nigerian idol.

I auditioned for Project fame, Glo Naija Sings, and a lot, almost all the auditions at that time.

Most of these auditions were very competitive, so it just almost like luck, apart from the fact that you can sing.

PT: Following the spontaneous skit that you shared on Facebook, at what point did you decide to come on Instagram?

Aloma: I had an Instagram account at the time but I was not posting comedy skits. I started posting comedy skits actively around 2018 but it was not until the lockdown that I kept doing it consistently. Even though I didnt have many audiences then, you know how IG is, I got more engagement on my Facebook page but my IG was not really growing. I only had a few people, they were actually enjoying my skits, but my page was not growing. No blog had seen my content to make it go viral, notwithstanding, I kept doing it.

PT: What were you doing for a living before you became famous?

Aloma: I was a part-time English lecturer at the Kaduna State Polytechnic. I served in Kaduna, finished school in 2017 in Kaduna, then stayed serving in 2018, I served at the Kaduna Poly. After my service, I stayed back with them, I was doing a part-time job in private schools and other things. I applied for my masters, lecturing

and I was doing a lot.

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And I still found time to shoot skits, mostly at weekends. I can shoot five skits for the entire week and come home very late.

I was teaching English in a secondary school after school lessons, I then go to Kaduna Poly to lecture around 4 pm.

PT: When did you decide to move to Lagos?

Aloma: I just moved to Lagos in September 2020.

PT: To face comedy fully?

Aloma: Yes, exactly, because I started gaining grounds in comedy. So, had to resign.

PT: What would you say was the turning point for your brand?

Aloma: Joining Tik Tok during the lockdown was the turning point. I noticed people started using Tik Tok more, so, I joined and I was very confused at first. I started studying and soon realised that a video can go viral without blogs posting you. You know before I was tagging Tunde Ednut and the likes but they never reposted my content.

When I noticed it on Tik Tok, I kept doing and my content started going viral. At a point, I was marvelled, I got 100,000 followers and started getting crazy likes. Blogs from Instagram started seeing my trends because I was hitting close to 2 million views and some celebrities posted my content and after picking it from Tik Tok.

Before I knew it, I started growing, all my platforms started growing. That was the turning point.

PT: So, you do comedy full time now?

Aloma: Yes.

PT: Is it that lucrative? Enough for you to leave your lecturing job?

Aloma: Yes, of course. In fact, as a junior lecturer, you are paid a little less than N100,000 although you will still get little benefits. And thats not up to what I charge for one of my adverts or skits on Instagram.

PT: So, you make more than your salary on Instagram?

Aloma: Yes, in one post. You notice that I drop adverts every week, and the higher. There are comedians that dont collect less than N2 million for an advert and they get that every week. So, its way more lucrative and you still have endorsements and other gigs. I didnt even know being an Instagram comedian was this lucrative. I had no idea.

In fact, the first advert I did was 5,000. When I told somebody, he was shocked because I already had over 30k followers and my accounts started growing. He said Im not supposed to charge less than 50k with my engagement.

PT: I know that you take on the character of a woman.

So, could it be as a result of your childhood, do you mimic a particular character, is it your mom?

Aloma: Not necessarily. As I said, I am generally a very observant person, I could go to a place for one day and mimic the whole place like Ive been living there for a long time.

When I started, I noticed that people didnt really like my male characters, they want the female ones, so they kept pushing me back. Even on Tik Tok, if I a make skit, it doesnt trend but a female skit trends maybe because Im more dramatic. And of course, Ive been around ladies more. In my department in the university, 90 percent of us were ladies.

PT: So, you basically were observant and you mimic them?

Aloma: Very observant. I have been in choirs where there are mostly ladies and we will be looking for tenor guys. I see their gesticulations and everything, also, I follow my mum to the market. I am always curious and very observant.

PT: What was the initial reaction of your parents to your new unconventional job?

Aloma: My mum is very supportive, I wear her dresses and that is because it is her wardrobe I raid. She didnt really know it will bring money that much, but she was supportive. She was like when I was even working and doing my normal job, I was not making this type of money.

PT: What is your creative process like? How do you come up with your skits?

Aloma: I actually do not struggle to think about it. I write, I studied Creative Writing, English, and Literature. I have written some dramas, novels, and poems. I think it also helps my creative ability, I just look at people doing something and it comes naturally. Most times, skits come unconsciously, I might be driving and something just

flashes.

I leave whatever Im doing once it comes like a flash. I remember, today I shot a skit with my friend and he was like he doesnt have content and maybe we should postpone it. I said dont worry, just come, by the time you get here, I would have thought of something. It wasnt even up to 30mins, I told him I have content already and he was shocked. Its not so hard for me to come up with content.

PT: I know no matter how creative you are, you must also have some challenges, so what are some of them?

Aloma: Yes, as a skit maker, there are lots. Sometimes, you could be paid for the advert and you guys have agreed on what you are working on.

Sometimes, you will be really tired or not well and not be able to work, they will still want you to do the content that day. So, no matter what, you have to shoot and the shooting takes time. Maybe I want to make a shot for a particular video, youll go to five or 10 shops before you finally have one location and different reactions.

PT: So, you pay to use some locations?

Aloma: Sometimes you do. They will be like if you will use my shop, you will pay me, others will say find me something, there might not be a specific amount. In some places too, you have to go through risk management, sign and all. There was a place I even had to go to the bank, get an invoice, paid and get a receipt before I could use the location. So many location challenges.

Some, you have to keep waiting for cars or bikes to pass from locations. Some will wait and take selfies, you will be so tired, you just have to beg and beg them to leave so you can shoot.

Some might even drag you that you are proud and all that, so you really need wisdom to also handle your fans and people people who like you.

Those Omo Onile can quote a whooping N100,000 or N150,000. Then if you are an excellent negotiator, you can beat it down to N10,000. If you dont pay those people, they wont let you shoot. They are always many sometimes and they would not let you shoot. Those are the challenges you face in Lagos especially.

PT: I do know your industry is highly competitive but have you considered collaborating with the big names in your industry?

Aloma: I collaborated with Debo (Mr. Macaroni) on a YouTube project. Im not really sure if it has been published but he actually paid me for it. He is the only influencer whom I worked with that paid me.

PT: So, who else would you love to work with your industry right now?

Aloma: Currently, the people my followers are mentioning are Tao. The pressure has been much, please collaborate with Tao, collaborate with Tao. I think I have reached out to her once, no reply. I think shes the only person I have ever reached out to. If you see me feature on a skit, rest assured that they actually reached out to

me. I actually reached out to Tao, of course, most of them will ignore you, especially when you are not as big. The pressure was much but I have not gotten a reply.

I have worked with Josh 2 funny and Broda Shaggi.

PT: Okay, thats interesting.

PT: How do you cope with trolls, you know its not easy. As funny as you are you still have these faceless accounts, even accounts with faces that would drag you. How do you cope?

Aloma: I just simply whisked them, like I just ignore because I notice then I tried to reply trying to be understanding but I notice on social media, the more you reply, the more they sound more unreasonable. So,

just leave them to say what they want to say.

PT: Away from comedy, are you in a relationship?

Aloma: Not really, Im not.

PT: Is it because of the career?

Aloma: Okay, I have actually been in a relationship before and part of the reasons it didnt work out was not because we had any major issues but because I couldnt keep up. I was in a relationship with someone who wanted me to call her 10 times every day and I can be really into what Im doing. Lets even keep aside comedy, apart from my comedy, I was a career person, I was running my masters and Ph.D. simultaneously and I would still lecture and teach. So, if Im working, I give it my 100 percent. I was always having that issue when I was in a relationship.

Yes, I can say the real issues were part of what affected the relationship, anybody I will date must be understanding. Most times, I shoot from morning till night and Im hardly ever with my phone during

shoots.

PT: You also feature in movies?

Aloma: I have actually shot some movies and featured in Jennifers Diary and most times I dont play the female character in movies. Movies are quite demanding and it is nothing compared to shooting a skit.

PT: Is featuring in movies more lucrative than your Instagram skits?

Aloma: It is not true at all. In fact, I once had to return a movie appearance fee. Let me give an example. Someone like Taooma charges as much as N1.5 million for a commercial. If Taooma were a Nollywood

actress, as popular as she is in skit making, the highest she can be paid is N500,000.

I got to understand that if you start earning more as an influencer, you will not even bother about starring in a Nollywood movie. Ill give another example. I was once paid N150,000 to feature in a film and I charge more than that for adverts actually. I accepted the fee because I thought it was going to be my Nollywood debut and it was also supposed to be a three-day shoot. I discovered I was to play the sub lead and I was like that was not the agreement, I then asked again, how long will this movie take and they said normally it will take us a month. I was like how? In fact, they said I was not going to go home, I stayed there for three days. And that night, I had a stand-up comedy invitation at a church on Lagos mainland where I was paid double the amount and it wont take more than 30 minutes. So it was either I refund the filmmaker or the church or the Instagram advertisers because I wouldnt have time to shoot. So, I gave the filmmaker a refund and I left the set.

PT: So, you also do stand-up comedy in churches?

Aloma: Yes, I have been invited a couple of times.

PT: So, if you could start your career, I mean Zics Aloma all over again, what would you do differently?

Aloma: I will do a lot. Like, as I said, then I just depended on Instagram, I would have joined Tik Tok earlier and taken advantage of Facebook, and Twitter. You do not need blogs to trend, once your content is great enough. I would have put more energy on all these platforms, thats one of the major things.

PT: Finally, if you could advise an upcoming comedian, what would be the advice?

Aloma: Ill tell them to be hardworking, persistent, and docile. When I mean docile, you should be teachable and understudy people that are making it. If you stumble on your Instagram account, will you follow you? Just be sincere, will you follow yourself? If you know you wont follow yourself, it means you need to work on your content and one of the ways is understudying.

You need to be persistent, dont think you will just come out one day. Some of these upcoming comedians enter the industry with the mindset of I want to blow and it shows in their content. Create good content, take advantage of these platforms I mentioned earlier. Be persistent, dont do it as your main hustle. Do not take comedy as your main hustle at first, just take it as a hobby and let your main hustle finance it until comedy can foot your bills. That is my advice for them.

PT: Do you think that Nigerian Instagram comedians are fast sending Stand-up comedians out of jobs?

Aloma: I think so, yes. To be honest, because I have visited the pages of some stand-up comedians, their engagement is so low. You see the follower count but there is nothing really happening on their page.

Back in the day, we had several stand-up comedy shows but these days, people just go to Instagram anytime they want a good laugh. I dont think stand-up comedy is as lucrative as it should be. I think online comedians have actually taken over.

PT: How did you get the name Zicsaloma?

Aloma: Zics is actually extracted from Isaac and Aloma is my surname.
(CNN) -- Brianna Davis was listening to a documentary of famous people reading the Declaration of Independence with her class when news broke of the riots at the US Capitol.

"We were listening to the words that built America" as she began getting alerts and seeing images of chaos in Washington DC, she told CNN.

The history and government teacher at Rancho Campana high school in Camarillo, California had to cancel her class early, she said. She knew what was unfolding was historic in a way like nothing she had ever experienced in real-time with her students -- and she just didn't have the words to explain it to them.

Davis and other history teachers across the country have faced a dilemma since January 6: How do you put a historical moment into context as it is happening and what does teaching history look like in the years that follow?

It's a problem they feel compelled to address for the younger generations.

From classrooms in a small Virginia town, a California suburb and in the city of Philadelphia, some teachers feel the answer lies in more education about the history of protest in the US although they worry about threading the needle in an era of unprecedented ideological acrimony.

"There's no curriculum for that," said sixth-grade history teacher Hayden O'Rourke of Wagner Middle School in Philadelphia. "You have to think on the fly."

After Davis finished her classes, she turned to the news and tried to digest what was taking place. Before long, she was back to work, pulling the images she thought would one day end up in the history textbooks and creating an assignment that would pull what her class witnessed together into their lesson plan.

The history they need to know now

The image that stuck out most to Davis' students was that of the Confederate flag being carried inside the US Capitol.

She spent much of the class periods discussing the photos as well as comments made by her students as part of a project she assigned. And to put what they saw into context, she relied on articles about American history, including the Preamble to the Constitution and the origins of the Confederate flag.

"They saw and understood this situation enough to know that democracy is bigger and better than just them," Davis said. "Their role in the process was to make sure something like this never happened again, or at least understand how this happened."

Jeff Robinson, a history teacher at Chilhowie High School in Virginia, said with the cyclical nature of history, there was plenty in the curriculum that could help put some context around the riots.

Just as immigration has been a contentious issue in current political conversations, so too was it in the 1920s, he said. And although the images from the US Capitol were shocking, they could be connected to the War of 1812 when British troops set fire to the same building, Robinson said.

What has taken a new shape in their courses is the history of protest in the US. While Robinson's students used to be shocked by images of Vietnam War protests, now, he says, they are used to seeing chaos and clashes. "These students grew up in an era of protest," he said.

Even in O'Rourke's classroom, where many of the sixth-grade students are learning the basics about political parties and trying to wrap their heads around what happened on January 6, their teacher says some are making clear connections to the Black Lives Matter movement.

"One said, 'Well if there were Black people doing that, we would get shot at,'" he recalled one student saying in response to the images from the Capitol.

The theme of protests is one that keeps coming up for Davis. She said she is grappling with how to teach it: What makes a protest peaceful and what makes it violent? What does it mean to have the right to protest?

Where they go from here

Across all of their classrooms, the teachers said their students brought up questions around how to keep the Capitol riots from happening again.

Curriculum standards move slowly, Davis said, and it is unlikely there will be a large-scale response in lesson plans. "It feels like it is all up to the history department," she said.

Some schools may require teachers to talk about the topic, O'Rourke said, but ultimately teachers will have to make their own decisions about if and how to talk about the riot.

The teachers say they worry that teaching such politically charged issues will be seen as influencing the viewpoints of their students.

"I'm just going to present the facts and try to be balanced on both sides and let the chips fall where they may," Robinson said.

But some of the issues that need to be covered, such as social movements for racial equality, involve walking a difficult line, Davis said.

"I'm still learning and I'm still trying to be a better teacher of tackling the tough subjects of 'Let's break down the system of oppression,'" Davis said. "How can we talk about slavery and the history of the US and not talk about White supremacy. That's kind of the biggest frustration ... walking that line of what you need to know (for the education standards) versus how it really happens."

From this experience, Davis said that the biggest change she plans to make to her curriculum is the addition of media literacy. It's important, she says, to understand how events are portrayed and how people access information.

O'Rourke, for his part, said he has made the comparison to Instagram influencers. "If they talk about a special product, you're probably going to buy that," he said. "[The protestors] heard their president, so they followed."

O'Rourke said he will continue to emphasize the importance of looking deeper into the differences across the political spectrum: not just what it means to be Left or Right, but what extremism looks like and why people think the way they do.

Robinson said he will continue to emphasize American ideals, including the long history of peaceful transfers of power.

"I said, 'Guys what you have witnessed for the last four years of politics, that's not really what it's supposed to be,'" Robinson said. "They've never lived in a society where Americans see themselves as one place."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "History teachers revisit their curriculum after the Capitol riots"


If there was one thing that contributed to Bidens entering the White House, it was the mail-in voting that Democrats initiated by crying COVID. According to Democrats, voting in person in 2020 was tantamount to murdering citizens. Mail-in voting, though, is an invitation to old-fashioned ballot fraud. Thats why its maddening that Amazon is now insisting that a unionization vote in Alabama must be conducted through in-person, not mail-in ballots, to ensure vote fidelity and timeliness of vote count.

Jeff Bezos, Amazons founder and the richest man in the world, bought the Washington Post in 2013. Under his aegis, the paper went from being a left-leaning outlet to becoming the official paper of Washingtons Democrat party. As such, the Washington Post strongly advocated for mail-in voting during the 2020 election.

For example, in August 2020, Bezoss Post insisted that President Trumps concerns about the risk of fraud because of states that had switched entirely to mail-in voting were without evidence, as was his claim that ballots would take too long to process. The article then pointed to all the countries that rely on mail-in voting, whether exclusively or primarily.

The article ignored the fact that, as Harmeet Dhillon wrote in June 2020, mail-in voting (which is distinguishable from absentee ballots) is widely acknowledged to lead to fraud:

Democrats would flood the postal system with unused ballots and open the door for bad actors to manipulate the election. Nevada estimates that 90% of ballots mailed to inactive voters will be returned as undeliverable. From 2012 to 2018, there were 28 million ballots mailed but never returned. [snip] Expanding vote-by-mail systems takes an immense amount of equipment, time, staff and funding, yet House Democrats want to impose universal vote-by-mail mandates on every state this fall. [snip] Widespread voting by mail also risks severely delayed election results. Processing mail ballots is time consuming, particularly in states that have low levels of voting by mail. [snip] Finally, mail voting is less secure than in-person voting. Voters, particularly in vulnerable populations such as the poor or the elderly, can be coerced to yield their ballots because there is no ballot secrecy. Voters ballots can be lost, delayed or thrown out by election officials without the voter knowing. Ballot harvesters can spread COVID-19 while also pressuring or manipulating voters.

Let me reiterate the official Bezos/Amazon viewpoint when it comes to mail-in voting for the most consequential national election since 1860: Its all good, timing is not a problem, and no one needs to worry about fraud, especially in a time of COVID.

Things are a bit different, though, when it comes to Amazons own business  specifically, its Alabama warehouse. In that case, Amazon asserts that mail-in voting regarding unionization creates way more problems than Amazon should be forced to risk, especially in a time of COVID:

The company Thursday filed an appeal to a decision by the National Labor Relations Board, which is allowing a mail-in process due to Covid-19 risks instead of the in-person elections that are typical in such unionization votes. [snip] Amazon declined to comment on its appeal but has said it believes the best approach to an election would be conducting it in person, saying it provided the NLRB with a safe, confidential and convenient proposal for associates to vote on-site, which is in the best interest of all partiesassociate convenience, vote fidelity and timeliness of vote count. (Emphasis added.)

To repeat: When it comes to America, Amazon is fine with a system that is entirely vulnerable to fraud, difficult to manage, and drastically delays vote counts. When it comes to a large leftist company trying to avoid unionization, lest it be forced to pay its employees a living wage, suddenly Amazon is excessively concerned about timeliness and fidelity and urges the same in-person voting that Trump and his supporters insisted was necessary for an honest election.

I dont have anything pithy to say here. Im so choked up on my own anger at this hypocrisy that Im at a loss for words. Heres one suggestion, though: If you can, dont buy from Amazon. The only exceptions are if you need to buy from Amazon or, as Sarah Hoyt notes, youre using Amazon to support conservative content providers. And while youre boycotting your economic and political enemies, try not to buy anything from China either.

IMAGE: United States Mailbox by An Errant Knight, as edited by A. Widburg. CC BY-SA 4.0.
The Delhi Police on Sunday said that after several round of talks with the farmers groups, it has permitted the tractor rally inside Delhi on January 26.

Police has said that the barricades would be lifted at Singhu, Tikri and Gazipur borders on January 26 after the Republic Day parade is over and the farmers would be allowed to enter upto 100 kilometers within Delhi with their tractors in a circular path on the routes discussed with the farmers.

The route specified is from Singhu Border to Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar, Kanjhawala, Bawana to Auchadi. From Tikri border, it will be to Nangloi, Najafgarh, Jharoda, Dhansa, Badli and the KMP and from Gazipur border to Apsara border to Hapur Road.

"We have told the farmers that the rally would start once the Republic Day parade is over. We expect with the cooperation of the farmers the rally would be peaceful," Special Commissioner of Police, Intelligence, Deependra Pathak, said.

However, the police said that they are on alert after intelligence inputs that various Twitter handles operating from across the border are active to disrupt the rally on January 26.

"According to our intelligence input, 308 Twitter handles have been generated from Pakistan to disrupt the rally to create disturbance. We are also concerned about the security of the rally given the threat perception," he added.

Meanwhile, several batches of farmers from Punjab and Haryana set out on their tractor-trolleys and other vehicles to take part in the proposed tractor rally on January 26 in the national capital. Tractor-trolleys have now become a common sight at the Singhu border as the farmers have started bringing in the tractors to the protest site from villages in Punjab for the proposed rally.

Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other states have been protesting at multiple border points of Delhi at Singhu, Tikri and Gazipur borders since November-end. They are demanding a repeal of the three central farm laws passed by Parliament in September last year.
Pianist Cho Seong-jin / Korea Times file





By Kwon Mee-yoo







Pianist Cho Seong-jin will premiere an unheard piece by Mozart in Salzburg on the occasion of the classical composer's 265th birthday.







Cho will play Mozart's Allegro in D K626b/16 at the Great Hall of the Salzburg Mozarteum Foundation, Wednesday, which mark's the Austrian composer's birthday as well as the opening date of the first-ever virtual edition of Mozartwoche, or Mozart Week, festival.







"It is a great honor to be invited to give the premiere of a formerly unknown work by Mozart in the city of Salzburg, where the composer was born," Cho wrote on Twitter, Friday.







Rolando Villazon, a Mexican-born French tenor who serves as artistic director of Mozartwoche, invited Cho to the online festival, which presents Mozart's works in 10 concerts, featuring some of the world's best Mozart interpreters.







"The world premiere of the Allegro in D is the icing on the birthday cake for our beloved Mozart. I am thrilled it will be presented by the outstanding pianist Seong-jin Cho, who has such a marvelous feeling for the tender humanity of Mozart's melodies. Mozart's music brings us solace in difficult times and is the shining light that lets us look forward to the time when audiences and performers will be able to meet again. For now, we have the chance to share the Mozartwoche experience online and witness a special moment in music history with this world premiere," Villazon said in a statement.







Pianist Cho Seong-jin plays during his recital at Seoul Arts Center in this Nov. 4, 2020 file photo. Courtesy of Credia





The 94-second-long piano piece was discovered in 2018. Preserved on both sides of a single manuscript sheet in Mozart's handwriting, the piece is estimated to date back to early 1773, when the composer was 17, written during his third tour of Italy or soon after returning home to Salzburg.







The score is believed to have been in the estate of the composer's youngest son, before going into the collection of Austrian civil servant and amateur musician Aloys Fuchs. Then it was put up for auction in 1899 when an antique book dealer who owned it in the late 19th century passed away. The Allegro in D appeared in Austrian musicologist Kochel's catalogue of Mozart's works, but the work eluded scholars despite having been presented at auction several times between 1900 and 1928.







The Salzburg Mozarteum Foundation purchased the manuscript from the family of its previous owner, a French-Dutch engineer who had acquired the manuscript from a dealer in Paris in the late 1920s. The foundation had the score examined by its staff and outside experts and confirmed that the unattributed piano piece was undeniably by Mozart.







The performance will be streamed on Deutsche Grammophon's DG Stage with a short version available on DG's YouTube channel.







The label will also release "Ninety-Four Seconds of New Mozart," a recording of the "brief yet profoundly moving keyboard piece" played by Cho, Jan. 29.


Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 21:35:05|Editor: huaxia

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by Xinhua writer Fu Min

XIAMEN, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- When Liu Min launched her brand "Ms MIN" on the e-commerce platform Taobao, many people asked her the logic behind choosing to open a store on the internet despite being an independent designer in London.

After striving for years to establish her brand, the fashion designer from the city of Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, is determined to stick with her choice. Like many other designers, she interacts with customers online garnering more ideas for her original design.

Prior to starting her business on Taobao, Liu however did have her concerns.

"I kept thinking if online retailers are supposed to cater to the public? Is online business against independent designing?" Liu recalled.

Initially, Liu had a small team and she had to be a fitting model herself. But thanks to customer feedbacks, Liu managed to improve her design.

"I read the comments regularly and integrate their ideas into my designs. It is important to learn from them," Liu said. "For example, in terms of modifying waist styles of the attires, customers provide a lot of suggestions on the platform. They are willing to share their experience with you and offer valuable advice."

Liu is amongst a bunch of fashion designers looking for new development prospects on the internet. Statistics show there are more than 2,000 fashion brands on Tmall, the online marketplace under Alibaba Group.

Online stores provide a free space for fashion designers allowing them to control, sell and experiment with their designs, Liu noted.

"When the works of designers withstand the test of the market, they can grow into fashion brands faster," Liu said. "The internet brought my work to the public eye. I would have never been able to do it without the help of the internet."

Liu has recently opened a brick-and-mortar store in Shanghai while maintaining her online store.

"I suppose it is a great strategy to run both stores," Liu said. "The two stores are complementary to each other. Online customers can visit the offline store for a real experience, while the offline customers can also become potential online buyers."

Liu Xiaolu, another fashion designer in Xiamen, worked the other way around. She first launched a retail outlet of her fashion brand "Deepmoss," before taking the business online. Liu Xiaolu said she believes the online store was one of the fastest ways to establish her distribution channels.

"Nowadays, customers walk into a buyer's shop and when they fancy something, they subconsciously look for it online," she said. "My designs have literally reached all potential customers across the country thanks to the internet," she said, adding that her brand is very popular in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

It takes a long time for designers to grow mature and the road is full of uncertainties, but the online space makes it possible for them to reach success, said Guo Xiaohua, with the School of Film, Television and Communication, Xiamen University of Technology.

"Young designers live in the internet era, and they are used to communicating with customers online before, during and post designing," Guo said, noting that the internet is the main arena for the young designers to test their products, and for customers to buy their products.

Fashion critic Tang Shuang said that in recent years, the public has attached more importance to distinctive fashion products of independent designers, rather than luxury brands and fast fashion.

"To some extent, the internet has freed local designers from their localities and allowed their works to reach the national market. Through online communication, their brands are getting closer to customers," Tang said. Enditem
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This year the festivities take place between 17 and 31 January in Brazil. Many activities are held online under the theme of 'Music at a distance' as a way to reach out to the international music community as well as to the audiences despite the COVID-19 lockdown.

The one-of-a-kind orchestra in Egypt and the Middle East, joined the Curitiba's events through an online presentation on the Workshops' opening day, 17 January.



Posted on the ' Posted on the ' Oficina de Musica de Curitiba' YouTube channel, the hour and 20 minute video is a documentation of a live meeting between Vice President of Al-Nour Wal Amal Association and the main dynamo behind the orchestra, Amal Fikry along with the orchetsras mentor and conductor, Mohamed Saad Basha, three musicians from the ensemble and the Brazilian visually impaired interviewers and translator.

Amal Fikry opens the presentation giving an introduction to the history and journey of Egypt's over four-decade-old orchestra. The whole presentation is conducted in English language with translation to Portuguese.

The orchestra is part of the Al-Nour Wal Amal association, an NGO for blind girls founded in 1954 by a group of volunteers led by the late Istiklal Radi, with the aim of educating visually impaired girls and helping them integrate into society.

In 1961, seven years after the establishment of the association, Al-Nour Wal Amal Music Institute was founded by the late Samha El-Kholy, former Dean of the Cairo Conservatory.

Throughout the years, the girls are enrolled in regular schools at Al-Nour Wal Amal association, and the musically gifted are given an opportunity to study music as well as respective instruments in the afternoons. The association provides the instruments to all the musicians as well as brings the best Egyptian musicians (many teaching at the Cairo Conservatory or are employed in state orchestras) to work with the girls individually. The orchestra rehearses twice a week with intensified practice coming prior to tours and other performances.

Over the past decades the orchestra has been a shining light of Egypts musical firmament. With performances in six continents on over 30 international tours and hundreds of concerts inside Egypt, the orchestra wins the hearts of listeners while the international media describes them as the fourth pyramid of Giza and a human miracle.

The association also has a junior orchestra which over the past decade has begun performing across a variety of stages in Egypt.

In her introduction, Fikry recalls many milestones of the orchestra and also points to the many decorations that the orchestra received in many countries. She highlights "in 2018, we were decorated by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, a recognition given to the musicians and myself," Fikry said in the video. It was the best decoration we have ever received, she added.

She adds a personal note on Brazil being a beautiful country recalling her visit to the capital Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, State of Bahia, Sao Paulo, among other corners of the Latin American country. I hope that one day our orchestra will be able to travel to Brazil and physically participate in the music festival of Curitiba.

The video continues with questions to Fikry regarding the orchestra, successes and challenges, and how it is able to sustain.

Fikry pointed to particular difficulties that have come with the COVID-19 pandemic, including the closure of many performing venues which resulted in the need of continuous support for the orchestra and for the music institute so it can form future generations of blind musicians.

Fikry points to the girls and women performing in Al-Nour Wal Amal as being talented musicians but also highlights their many financial responsibilities while their main income comes from working in the ensemble.

Following the exchange of thoughts, the music segment showcasing Al-Nour Wal Amal Chamber Orchestra performs Beethovens Symphony no. 5 (1st movement).

The video then focuses on Mohamed Saad Basha, current conductor of the visually-impaired women orchestra.

I joined the orchestra eight years ago, Saad Basha says in his presentation. At first I worked with the junior orchestra, before moving to the big chamber orchestra. Throughout the years, the orchestra was led by Ahmed Abul Eid followed by Egypt-based Sudanese conductor and composer Ali Osman who passed away in February 2017. He was then replaced by Egyptian conductor and composer Saad Basha.

When speaking about the process of preparing a composition for performance, Saab Basha says: The orchestra reads Braille music notation, we begin by choosing a piece of music that meets our instrumental formation and the musicians learn their parts by heart. My role is to bring it all together in a correct manner.

He also mentions the new successes of the Junior Al-Nour Wal Amal Orchestra with their first tour taking them to Serbia three years ago.

In the interview segment Saad Basha is asked about differences and similarities between conducting a visually impaired ensemble and one with sighted musicians.

The similarities are in music. Our sole expression is in music and its dynamics. The differences are in the way we communicate. In the sighted orchestra, we depend on eye contact but in this special orchestra we depend on memory, he replies adding that prior to rehearsals, the blind musicians work hard to memorise the music.

Saad Basha also underlines how working with the blind musicians has impacted his own development. He explains that when the eye contact is removed from the equation, he must create a special focus on all music aspects of the piece, articulations and expressions embedded in the composition.

The video then moves to providing the footage of numerous performances that the orchestra held internationally: in UK (1990), Spain (1992), Japan (1994), Greece (2006), Australia (2008), France (2008), India (2010), France (2012), Malta (2012), among others. It also presents the musicians in their free time, singing together and enjoying their time. A few segments point to the Junior orchestra as well.

The presentation ends with interviews of three musicians from the orchestra expressing their thoughts on the ensemble and how Al-Nour Wal Amal enriched their lives. Violinist Shaimaa Yehya also stresses on the ensembles uniqueness and how it stands out from general Egyptian everyday culture. Music is a universal language, she says underlining the main tool that Al-Nour Wal Amal uses to overcome all challenges and address the audience through their concerts.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the orchestra very hard. In the first wave of the pandemic and suspension of performances as well as closure of the institute, the musicians were deprived of regular practice. Moreover with the general shutdown in March, the orchestras plans of a new tour to China and Saudi Arabia were suspended.

As the cultural venues began reopening and putting precautionary measures in place, in August, the 50-member strong orchestra has been divided into two groups, each rehearsing once a week. Meanwhile, the Junior Orchestra, also returned to practice and was divided into smaller groups.

The orchestra has given a couple of concerts in past weeks yet there is a strong need for a more dynamic presence in the field, for musical as well as economical, social and psychological reasons. Concerts are an important part of the orchestras life. Through practice and performance, the musicians gain a sense of accomplishment. On the other hand, music activities provide them with income, especially needed for female musicians responsible for households and children.

The orchestras presence  even if virtual  in the Oficina de Musica de Curitiba (Curitibas Music Workshop) is an important step reassuring the ensembles value and presence in the international scene, against all odds.

Held between 17 and 31 January, Oficina de Musica de Curitiba (Curitibas Music Workshop) hosts a variety of artistic activities revolving around music.

The activities are held all across the city. They include concerts, presentations and seminars with a big stress placed on educational activities. Each year, the festival is attended by tens of thousands of people, musicians, music lovers, regular listeners from Brazil and other countries.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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Lucknow, Jan 24 : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said the state was now moving towards becoming 'Atmanirbhar UP'.

The Chief Minister, while speaking on the occasion of 'UP Diwas' said the state was firmly on the path of progress and development.

This is the fourth edition of the UP Diwas, the celebration of which began only after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath came to power in the state.

The celebrations of the foundation day will continue for three days till January 26.

Uttar Pradesh Diwas or the Uttar Pradesh Day is observed as the foundation day of this state. It was on this very same day in 1950 that Uttar Pradesh was renamed. Earlier, the state was known as the United Provinces.

This idea of celebrating the day was proposed by the then Governor Ram Naik and the first UP Diwas was celebrated in 2018.

The main programme is being held at Awadh Shilpgram with state Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as the guests.

Besides the state capital, events are being held in all the 75 districts of the state.

This year the theme of Uttar Pradesh Diwas is 'Self-reliant Uttar Pradesh: Women, youths, Farmers: Development of all, Honour to All.' Dignitaries and people contributing in different fields will be honoured on the occasion. The state government will also be presenting 'Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman' this year to deserving individuals.

The program aims to motivate local talents by encouraging folk music, culture and practices that are instrumental to enriching a society, taking it forward by building exemplary figures.

An app of the MSME department 'Udhyam Sarthi' is being launched on this occasion.

The largest mask made from Khadi was also unfolded at the event.

As part of the celebration, the day will witness a number of programmes, to encourage handicrafts, songs and plays. There have been talks of 'Shilp Mela', 'Shabri-Ram' play, a band display by acid-attack survivors and acts by transgender artistes.
Immunisation and technology experts are urging Federal Parliament to pass new laws requiring social media giants to maintain a list of the most viral COVID-19 material to help combat misinformation as Australia prepares to roll out a vaccine.

The Doherty Institute in Melbourne, which has undertaken pivotal research informing Australias COVID-19 response, is among several health organisations that have signed an open letter urging politicians to act immediately to demand transparency from companies such as Facebook and Google.

The Morrison government expects the first vaccines from pharmaceutical company Pfizer to arrive in Australia in February. Credit:AP

A live list of the most popular COVID-related material being shared on social media

can and should be generated  and updated in real time  by the major big tech platforms, the letter, which will be published online on Monday, says.

Such a live list would help Australian medical experts identify and understand misinformation

and to create community engagement responses.
Mr Clement Nii Lamptey Wilkinson, the Ga West Municipal Chief Executive, has called on Ghanaians to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols to help prevent the spread of the disease.



He said the disease was real and that the only way to avoid the spread was for everyone to observe the wearing of the nose mask, regular washing of the hands under running water, sanitizing of the hands and social distancing.



Mr Wilkinson made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Amasaman when the Water and Sanitation for Urban Poor (WSUP), a non-governmental organization, with the support of the UK Government donated personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the Ga West Municipal Assembly to assist in the fight against the spread of the COVID-19.



The items include 27 veronica buckets, 27 packets of Lifebuoy soaps, 15 boxes of sanitizers, which were to be distributed to communities and schools in the municipality.



He urged parents to take the lead in observing the protocols for their children to learn from them since the virus was no respecter of age.



Mr John Alate, the Programmes Manager of WSUP, who made the presentation, gave the assurance of his organisations continuous support to help prevent the spread of the disease.

Source: GNA









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DEER LODGE, Mont.  For nearly a century, passenger trains rumbled at least three times weekly through this broad, grass-rich mountain valley in central Montana, home to more cattle than people, until Amtrak pulled the plug on the North Coast Hiawatha in 1979.

But with a new president known as Amtrak Joe and Democratic control of both houses of Congress, a dozen counties across the sparsely populated state are hoping that a return to passenger train service through the cities of Billings, Bozeman, Helena and Missoula, and whistle stops like Deer Lodge in between, is closer than it has been in four decades.

Residents of the very rural parts of the state have to travel 175 miles to get on a plane or to seek medical services, said David Strohmaier, a Missoula County commissioner who is one of those behind the newly formed Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority to raise money and lobby for a return to passenger rail in southern Montana. Rural communities see it as an economic development opportunity but also as a social lifeline for residents who might not have any other means to travel long distances for necessities.
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - The unrelenting increase in COVID-19 infections in Spain following the holiday season is again straining hospitals, threatening the mental health of doctors and nurses who have been at the forefront of the pandemic for nearly a year.

In Barcelonas Hospital del Mar, the critical care capacity has more than doubled and is nearly full, with 80% of ICU beds occupied by coronavirus patients.

"There are young people of 20-something-years-old and older people of 80-years-old, all the age groups," said Dr. Joan Ramon Masclans, who heads the ICU. "This is very difficult, and it is one patient after another."

Even though authorities allowed gatherings of up to 10 people for Christmas and New Year celebrations, Masclans chose not to join his family and spent the holidays at home with his partner.

"We did it to preserve our health and the health of others. And when you see that this isnt being done (by others) it causes significant anger, added to the fatigue," he said.

A study released this month by Hospital del Mar looking at the impact of the spring's COVID-19 surge on more than 9,000 health workers across Spain found that at least 28% suffered major depression. That is six times higher than the rate in the general population before the pandemic, said Dr. Jordi Alonso, one of the chief researchers.

A COVID-19 patient receives treatment in the ICU of the Hospital del Mar, in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. The unrelenting increase in COVID-19 infections in Spain following the holiday season is again straining hospitals, threatening the mental health of doctors and nurses who have been at the forefront of the pandemic for nearly a year. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

In addition, the study found that nearly half of participants had a high risk of anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks or substance- and alcohol-abuse problems.

Spanish health care workers are far from the only ones to have suffered psychologically from the pandemic. In China, the levels of mental disorders among doctors and nurses were even higher, with 50% reporting depression, 45% reporting anxiety and 34% reporting insomnia, according to the World Health Organization.

In the U.K., a survey released last week by the Royal College of Physicians found that 64% of doctors reported feeling tired or exhausted. One in four sought out mental health support.

"It is pretty awful at the moment in the world of medicine," Dr. Andrew Goddard, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said in a statement accompanying the study. "Hospital admissions are at the highest-ever level, staff are exhausted, and although there is light at the end of the tunnel, that light seems a long way away."

Dr. Aleix Carmona, a third-year anesthesiology resident in Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia, didnt have much ICU experience before the pandemic hit. But as surgeries were cancelled, Carmona was summoned to the ICU at the Moises Broggi hospital outside Barcelona to fight a virus the world knew very little about.

"In the beginning, we had a lot of adrenaline. We were very frightened but we had a lot of energy," Carmona recalled. He plowed through the first weeks of the pandemic without having much time to process the unprecedented battle that was unfolding.

It wasnt until after the second month that he began feeling the toll of seeing first-hand how people were slowly dying as they ran out of breath. He pondered what to tell patients before intubating them. His initial reaction had always been to reassure them, tell them it would be alright. But in some cases he knew that wasnt true.

"I started having difficulty sleeping and a feeling of anxiety before each shift," Carmona said, adding that he would return home after 12 hours feeling like he had been beaten up.

For a while he could only sleep with the help of medication. Some colleagues started taking anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs. What really helped Carmona, though, was a support group at his hospital, where his co-workers unloaded the experiences they had bottled up inside.

But not everyone joined the group. For many, asking for help would make them seem unfit for the job.

"In our profession, we can handle a lot," said David Oliver, a spokesman for the Catalonia chapter of the SATSE union of nurses. "We dont want to take time off because we know we will add to the workload of our colleagues."

The most affected group of health care workers, according to the study, were nurse's aides and nurses, who are overwhelmingly women and often immigrants. They spent more time with dying COVID-19 patients, faced poor working conditions and salaries and feared infecting family members.

Desiree Ruiz is the nurse supervisor at Hospital del Mars critical care unit. Some nurses on her team have asked to take time off work, unable to cope with the constant stress and all the deaths.

To prevent infections, patients are rarely allowed family visits, adding to their dependency on nurses. Delivering a patients last wishes or words to relatives on the phone is especially challenging, Ruiz said.

"This is very hard for ... people who are holding the hand of these patients, even though they know they will end up dying," she said.

Ruiz, who organizes the nurses shifts and makes sure the ICU is always staffed adequately, is finding it harder and harder to do so.

Unlike in the summer, when the number of cases fell and health workers were encouraged to take holidays, doctors and nurses have been working incessantly since the fall, when virus cases picked up again.

The latest resurgence has nearly doubled the number of daily cases seen in November, and Spain now has the third-highest COVID-19 infection rate in Europe and the fourth-highest death toll, with more than 55,400 confirmed fatalities.

But unlike many European countries, including neighboring Portugal, the Spanish health minister has for now ruled out the possibility of a new lockdown, relying instead on less drastic restrictions that arent as damaging to the economy but take longer to decrease the rate of infections.

Alonso fears the latest surge of virus patients could be as detrimental to the mental health of medical staff as the shock of the pandemic's first months.

"If we want to be cared for adequately, we also need to take care of the health care workers, who have suffered and are still suffering," he said.

___

Follow AP coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at:

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

A COVID-19 patient receives treatment in the ICU of the Hospital del Mar, in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. The unrelenting increase in COVID-19 infections in Spain following the holiday season is again straining hospitals, threatening the mental health of doctors and nurses who have been at the forefront of the pandemic for nearly a year. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

People walk past the entrance of Hospital del Mar, in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. The unrelenting increase in COVID-19 infections in Spain following the holiday season is again straining hospitals, threatening the mental health of doctors and nurses who have been at the forefront of the pandemic for nearly a year. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A COVID-19 patient receives treatment in the ICU of the Hospital del Mar, in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. The unrelenting increase in COVID-19 infections in Spain following the holiday season is again straining hospitals, threatening the mental health of doctors and nurses who have been at the forefront of the pandemic for nearly a year. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A medical team prepares to rotate a COVID-19 patient in the ICU of the Hospital del Mar, in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. The unrelenting increase in COVID-19 infections in Spain following the holiday season is again straining hospitals, threatening the mental health of doctors and nurses who have been at the forefront of the pandemic for nearly a year. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A COVID-19 patient receives treatment in the ICU of the Hospital del Mar, in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. The unrelenting increase in COVID-19 infections in Spain following the holiday season is again straining hospitals, threatening the mental health of doctors and nurses who have been at the forefront of the pandemic for nearly a year. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

In this Jan. 19, 2021 file photo, COVID-19 patients receive treatment in the ICU of the Hospital del Mar, in Barcelona, Spain. The unrelenting increase in COVID-19 infections in Spain following the holiday season is again straining hospitals, threatening the mental health of doctors and nurses who have been at the forefront of the pandemic for nearly a year. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
Kanye West has been a fixture in pop culture for several years, as is his soon-to-be-ex-wife Kim Kardashian West. Momager Kris Jenner has been a key player in many of the issues that the family faced, and has often incurred the wrath of her Grammy-winning son-in-law.

Kanye West attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 09, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California | Rich Fury/VF20/Getty Images for Vanity Fair

Kanye West and Kris Jenners tension goes way back

Wests Twitter account has often been a place where the Power rapper has been able to freely speak his mind, often embarrassing and upsetting his family members in the process.

West was active on Twitter through 2020, and often revealed information about his personal and professional life that mightve been better left in the drafts. West, for example, was candid about the topic of divorce in their family and later apologized for making his wife look bad.

Some of Wests since-deleted tweets were also directed at his mother-in-law. He shared that he was very upset when Kardashian West attempted to fly out to Wyoming with a doctor to try to help him.

Kim was trying to fly to Wyoming with a doctor to lock me up like on the movie Get Out because I cried about saving my daughters life yesterday, he said, referring to one of his 2020 presidential campaign events where he revealed that Kardashian West wanted to have an abortion when she was pregnant with their first daughter, North West.

Tweets directed at Jenner soon followed. Kriss [sic] dont play with me, he said, You and that calmye are not allowed around my children. He added that both Jenner and Kardashian West tried to lock [him] up and posted a screenshot of a text message that he sent to Jenner telling her that she was avoiding his phone calls.

Kris Jenner | Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Kanye West is on thin ice with the Kardashian-Jenner family

Despite all the intra-familial drama that the Kardashian-Jenner clan have had, theyve always been known to stand up for each other. As rumors swirl that the two are reportedly considering a divorce, its likely that the whole family hasnt been communicating with West.

Neither West nor Kardashian West have issued an official statement on their marriage. Page Six first reported that Kardashian West was in contact with a divorce lawyer, though she was reportedly also trying counseling to save their marriage. However, it seems there may be irreconcilable differences, as theyre rumored to have stopped counseling.

Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West | Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images

RELATED: Did Kris Jenner Start The Rumors About Kanye West and Jeffree Star?

Kanye West and Kris Jenners relationship today

With West and Kardashian West reportedly heading for Splitsville, its safe to say that things between West and the rest of the family arent completely cordial. However, it appears that Jenners businesswoman and publicist mind is still at play in handling how the drama will play out publicly.

Jenners communications firm recently issued a cease-and-desist letter to viral TikToker Ava Louise, who first started rumors about West having an affair with beauty guru Jeffree Star.

Any tension between West and Jenner today is being kept under wraps, as Wests Twitter account remains inactive and talks of the impending divorce are all being reported through the grapevine.
Photo taken on Jan. 1, shows a Fuxing bullet train is ready to leave Xiongan Railway Station in Xiongan New Area, north Chinas Hebei province, in the morning sunshine of the first day of the year 2021. (Photo by Sun Lijun/Peoples Daily Online)

Before the arrival of the year of 2021, the Beijing-Xiongan intercity railway linking Chinas capital city Beijing with Xiong'an New Area, a state-level new area in north Chinas Hebei province, opened to traffic.

It has shortened the travel time between Beijing West Railway Station and Xiongan New Area to 50 minutes, and made it possible for passengers to reach the newly-built Beijing Daxing International Airport from the new area in 19 minutes.

Since April 1, 2017, when China announced its plans to establish Xiongan New Area, the new area has witnessed how a blueprint has been turned into road maps, project schedules, and construction drawings within a few years.

As the first large-scale transport facility that broke ground since the establishment of the new area, Xiongan Railway Station was completed on schedule and stared to serve travelers from all directions thanks to two years of hard work of constructors.

On nearly 300 construction sites of the new area, more than 100,000 builders are working tirelessly according to schedules of projects while ensuring strict measures for the prevention and control of the COVID-19, striving to make their own contributions to the high-quality development of the Xiongan New Area.

Photo taken on Jan. 1, shows an aerial view of the Xiongan Railway Station along the Beijing-Xiongan intercity railway in rays of the morning sunshine. (Photo by Sun Lijun/Peoples Daily Online)

In the first more than two years after its establishment, Xiongan New Area had focused its efforts on planning, as it didnt want to rush into construction before it had a clear plan.

Chinese President Xi Jinpings call for global vision, international standards, distinctive Chinese features, and future-oriented goals in the planning and construction of Xiongan New Area has served as an important guideline for the development of the area.

So far, top-level design for the new area, including planning and policy systems, has been basically completed.

At present, construction of key districts and projects are in full swing in the new area, which has witnessed changes with each passing day as builders devote themselves to the construction of infrastructure including transport, water conservancy, and public service facilities, a close-to-nature forest system, and resettlement housing.

While major construction projects make Xiongan New Area more beautiful, various other projects and schemes are also underway across the area, creating positive changes in the area in a gradual and orderly manner.

In the construction of the Xiongan Railway Station, builders adopted building information modeling (BIM) technology, which enable engineers to provide an accurate description and calculation for the use of every inch of steel in the facility.

Resettlement buildings in Xiongan New Area have been delivered after strict quality inspection. Construction supervisors have made sure that every little detail of the houses met relevant standards before they were accepted, including the exposed screw threads at the mechanical joints of reinforcement bars in walls.

Photo taken on Dec. 19, 2020, shows construction workers busy with the final construction of the west square of the Xiongan Railway Station in Xiongan New Area, north Chinas Hebei province. (Photo by Liu Shuaiye/Peoples Daily Online)

The efforts to explore smart building and ensure strict quality control have laid a solid foundation for high-quality and high-standard construction of projects in the Xiongan New Area.

Not long ago, the administrative committee of Xiongan New Area issued measures for the trial implementation of residence permit and points-based household registration system in the new area, marking an important step in the new areas endeavor to deepen the reform of its population management system and services.

In recent years, builders have come to Xiongan New Area from various parts of the country to chase their dreams, and have created a brand new area which is praised as Chinas city of the future.

Some recalled that when they first came to the new area, the high-standard modern Xiongan Railway Station was still quiet wilderness.

As wave after wave of builders diligently strive for excellence and realize their own value in the development of Xiongan New Area, the new area is expected to maintain its fast growth momentum, and finally amaze everyone with a spectacular look in the new era.
A man from Texas facing federal charges for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol will also have to defend himself against a charge of threatening to assassinate Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Garret Miller faces several criminal charges from his participation in the riot, which he wrote about extensively on his social media accounts. For example, he posted a video from the Capitol on his Twitter account with the message From inside congress, according to the criminal complaint.

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Shorlty after the riot, Miller replied to a tweet from Ocasio-Cortez in which she expressed support for impeaching then-President Donald Trump. First he defended the action of the rioters. We acted with honor, he tweeted. He followed that up with another tweet: Assassinate AOC. Miller has been charged with threats, knowingly entering a restricted building, and violent entry, among others.

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Millers lawyer, Clint Broden, told the Guardian that the charges are based on an inappropriate comment made in the heat of the moment on Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortezs Twitter feed. In comments cited by the New York Times, Broden also said that his clients posts on social media reflect very ill-considered political hyperbole in very divided times and will certainly not be repeated in the future. Miller, Broden said, accepts responsibility for his actions.

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Miller also used social media to express his anger at the Capitol Police officer who shot and killed a rioter. Miller said he wanted to find him and hug his neck with a nice rope. In a subsequent Facebook message, Miller said the officer was not going to survive long, adding that it was huntin season.

Ocasio-Cortez commented on the news of Millers charges, first with a bit of a joke and then a more serious reflection. Well, you did! tweeted the New York lawmaker on the news that Miller posted a selfie from inside the Capitol with the caption just wanted to incriminate myself a little lol. Ocasio-Cortez then went on to note that while you have to laugh its also important to keep in mind that they were this brazen because they thought they were going to succeed.

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On one hand you have to laugh, and on the other know that the reason they were this brazen is because they thought they were going to succeed.  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 23, 2021
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)

Rep. Jeff Van Drew: Mass National Guard Deployment During Inauguration Was Overkill

Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) has called the deployment of tens of thousands of National Guard troops on inauguration day hypocrisy and overkill.

Democrat-turned-Republican Van Drew, who serves as a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, told Newsmax on Saturday that he thought it was hypocritical of Democrats to send tens of thousands of National Guard troops to defend President Joe Bidens inauguration when they thought it was unnecessary to deploy the same troops to protect public safety in several cities attacked by rioters over the summer.

We didnt need as many National Guard as we had in D.C., Van Drew said. It looked like, literally, you were getting sworn in in Venezuela, as opposed to the United States of America. It was pretty crazy, and it was overkill.

Back then, they didnt want any to come in, it would look too militaristic, he said of the situations in Democrat-run cities like Portland. So, which is it? I dont know. I think theres a moderation point, he added.

He noted that most of the recent attention about domestic terrorism has been focused on the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol breach, while rioting and violence by Antifa and other leftist advocates did not receive the same attention.

We dont talk about that and that was really violent, Van Drew said. Weve had situations in the summer where cars were blown up, police officers were shot, buildings were completely destroyed, business areas were completely decimated.

Following Bidens inauguration, far-left activists gathered and participated in rioting and property destruction in Seattle and Portland.

Van Drews comments came at a time of intense scrutiny over the decision to force National Guard members to rest in an underground parking garage after being sent to protect Washington. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle expressed outrage and dismay over the decision, including Van Drew.

What I am so tired of is politicians who love to give fancy speeches about how great our military is, but thats the way they get treated, he said. That was unconscionable. It was unbelievable, it was unacceptable.

The U.S. Capitol Police denied telling the guard to leave the U.S. Capitol. The incident is now being investigated by the Senate Rules Committee and the troops have since been relocated back into the Capitol complex.

A spokesperson for the National Guard told The Epoch Times on Saturday that at least 5,000 National Guard members will remain in Washington through until mid-March.

As we continue to work to meet the final post-inauguration requirements, the National Guard has been requested to continue supporting federal law enforcement agencies with 7,000 members and will draw down to 5,000 through mid-March, Maj. Matt Murphy told The Epoch Times via email.

We are providing assistance such as security, communications, medical evacuation, logistics, and safety support to state, district, and federal agencies, he added.

In the lead up to Jan. 20, tens of thousands of National Guard troops were sent to Washington to support inauguration day operations. The troops presence, as well as ramped up support from other security agencies, created a sense of heavy militarization in the nations capital.

Over 26,000 National Guard troops were augmented in the security operations for Jan. 20. The decision to vet National Guard troops for political views prior to inauguration day garnered criticism from several officials.

Zack Stieber contributed to this report.
Washington: One of President Joe Biden's top economic aides on Sunday will press Democratic and Republican senators for a fresh $1.9 trillion in coronavirus relief to help struggling Americans and avert a larger economic crisis.

Brian Deese, director of the National Economic Council, said he would speak to the senators to make the case for a large rescue plan.

"We can't wait," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. "Just because Washington has been gridlocked before doesn't mean it needs to continue to be gridlocked."

The COVID-19 pandemic has killed more than 417,000 Americans, thrown millions out of work and is infecting more than 175,000 Americans per day, posing an immediate crisis to the Biden administration.

Biden, who took office on Wednesday, campaigned on a promise to aggressively take on the pandemic, which his predecessor President Donald Trump often downplayed and provided conflicting information about.

While Congress has already authorized $4 trillion to respond, the White House argues that another $1.9 trillion is needed to cover the costs of responding to the virus, as well as providing enhanced jobless benefits and payments to households.

"The bottom line is this: We're in a national emergency, and we need to act like we're in a national emergency," Biden said on Friday before signing executive orders on economic relief.

Though Bidens Democratic Party holds slim majorities in the House and Senate, the legislation will likely need bipartisan support to clear procedural hurdles and emerge from the Senate.

A number of Republicans have already balked at the price tag.

Senator Mitt Romney, a moderate Republican, said he would listen to what the White House had to say, "but the total figure is pretty shocking," he told "Fox News Sunday."

"Spending and borrowing trillions of dollars from the Chinese among others is not necessarily the best thing we can do to get our economy to be strong long term," Romney added.

Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said he was hopeful for a show of bipartisanship in the Senate. "The object is trying to see if there's an area of agreement we can launch when it comes to this rescue package," he said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

The new president has said one of his top priorities would be unifying a bitterly divided country. Trump's tenure drew to a close with his second impeachment by the House of Representatives after supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 in a failed attempt to overturn his election loss. Five people died in the violence.





This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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Frontline workers such as gardai and prison officers have called for greater clarity on when they will receive Covid vaccinations.

The vaccination roll-out started the elderly and healthcare workers before those between 65 and 69-years-old with underlying health conditions are vaccinated.

After those groups have been vaccinated next on the list is key workers (to be further refined) which worker representatives say creates an ambiguity as to who it applies to.

The category which is the sixth out of 15 categories in total is likely to be the most contentious as various worker representatives and industry groups lobby to have their members included.

This group does not currently include teachers, special needs assistants or childcare workers who are in their own category further down the list.

Representatives of shop workers have recently argued they should be in the sixth category but their inclusion seems unlikely and RGDATA who represent grocery shops and convenience stores said it appears their members are in category 13.

Garda representatives have called for their members to be prioritised and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said this week that there were around 1,600 officers absent due to the virus which was putting significant pressure on resources.

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Garda Representative Association President Frank Thornton told the Sunday World that gardai are second pillar of the public service response to controlling the virus.

The Governments rollout plan is silent on the status of gardai but our members appear to be classified as key workers essential to societal and economic activity. This means we are not likely to be vaccinated until some time in April.

We have written to the Minster of Health indicating our dissatisfaction with this.

"The GRA believes gardai are critical frontline workers who should be treated as a priority group.

"With approximately 18,000 Garda Siochana employees, of which 15,000 are sworn members, it should be possible to administer the first doses of vaccine over two days.

Gardai are regularly exposed to some of the most likely vectors of the disease such as those suffering mental ill-health, severe addiction and destitution; activists opposed to public health policy and members of the public behaving recklessly.

The hundreds of Fixed Charge Penalty Notices and cautions issued in recent weeks and the many instances over the past 10 months in which our members were required to disperse gatherings that contravene public health guidelines show the high degree of public interaction involved in policing the outbreak.

He said the high levels of interaction with the public also creates the risk of gardai being vectors of the disease among the general population which was especially concerning in respect of their work in the community; making personal calls and delivering necessities to vulnerable people around the country.

This also shows the increased danger of exposure faced by our members and their families and also points to the risk of resources being stretched at a time when the need for gardai to police the pandemic has increased.

We are not seeking to skip any queue in respect of medically vulnerable people. Our request is that we are prioritised as critical frontline public servants for vaccination at the earliest opportunity.

This will reduce the numbers of gardai forced to isolate and ensure they remain available to protect communities around the country. It will also fulfil the employer duty of care to our members as working people.

Prison officers have said once the likes of healthcare workers, the elderly and medically vulnerable are vaccinated they feel their members should be a priority to receive the vaccine.

Gabriel Keaveny, assistant general secretary of the Prison Officers Association, told the Sunday World there are outbreaks across the prison system but there is currently no timeline on when officers will be vaccinated.

At the moment were dealing with outbreaks in Cloverhill, Portlaoise, Loughan House and Wheatfield. The reality is every prison has Covid positive prisoners practically

He said there were a number of clear reasons why Prison Officers should be high on the vaccination list.

We are an institutional setting so if there is an outbreak it is likely to take a large number of people with it.

"The recent outbreak at Wheatfield meant 80 staff were unable to attend because they Covid positive or close contacts.

The army have told us they cannot help us so we have no access to any additional staffing from anywhere. There are only 3,200 of us over the 14 sites. If there is an outbreak you wouldnt find it taking too long for that to be depleted.

There are a finite number of officers. Its well established a large number of the prison population have healthcare requirements. There is little prospect of us reducing the prison population because they did let people out at the start and then there is the heightened risk associated with institutional settings.

We feel were getting to a critical stage. If the number continued wed be seriously concerned that wed reach a situation where were unable to staff a prison.

Mr Keavney said he wrote to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly on January 13 but has yet to hear back.

RGDATA wrote to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly this week to argue the case for shop workers to be higher on the list for vaccinations.

Under the current plan it seems as if essential retail and food logistics workers will not be considered for a vaccine until Stage 13), RGDATA director general Tara Buckley said.

If this remains the position, the levels of absence from shops currently being experienced are likely to be exacerbated with clear and present threats to the maintenance of food supplies nationally.

Earlier this month the Mandate Trade Union said retail workers were seeking early access to the vaccine.
Health workers in Rio de Janeiro were among the first people to receive the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine on Saturday after Brazil received its first two million doses from the Serum Institute of India.

During a symbolic ceremony at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation headquarters, Estevao Portela, a medic from the National Infectolgy Institute was chosen to be the first person vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

First landing in Sao Paulo, then transferred to another aircraft and flown to Rio de Janeiro, the cargo carrying the vaccines was taken to Brazil's state-run Fiocruz Institute.

Vaccines went through a security analysis at FioCruz during the early hours of Saturday and were given the green light for distribution by the Ministry of Health.

Mauricio Zuma, director of pharmaceutical company Bio-Manguinhos which is currently developing a COVID-19 vaccine said the inoculation of the AstraZeneca vaccine will boost the effort to immunise all vulnerable people.

Fiocruz President Nisia Trindade called the day a day of ''hope'' as Brazil has the second-highest coronavirus death toll in the world with more than 216,000 COVID-19 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins university.

Brazil started its vaccination campaign on Monday using the Chinese CoronaVac vaccine, produced by biopharmaceutical company Sinovac.

Hospitals across the country have been strained amid reports that a new variant of the new coronavirus is more contagious, and some states have seen a shortage of oxygen supplies.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)

Panaji:

Goans thronged wells, ponds and other water bodies to celebrate festival Sao Joao on Saturday. Finding its origin in the erstwhile Portuguese rule, the festival is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, who baptised Lord Jesus in the river of Jordan.



Celebrations began across Goa since morning with youngsters wearing headgears made up of flowers and leaves, jumping into the wells and screaming Viva Sao Joao.



The festival is celebrated annually on June 24 at the onset of monsoon by people cutting across religious lines, while tourists also join revellers with great zeal.

ALSO READ: Goa set to celebrate 'Sao Joao' festival as monsoon sets in



Traditionally, a group of youth travel all over a place to take a plunge inside wells, ponds, streams, and then claim a reward of seasonal jack fruit, pineapple from relatives and friends.



Dominick Gonsalves, a resident of St Cruz locality near Panaji, said things have changed over the time but the spirit for the festival remains intact.



Now the wells are contaminated and unsafe but the enthusiasm remains the same, said Gonsalves. Another Sao Joao enthusiast, Minguel Afonso, a sexagenarian, said, Sao Joao brings back memories of my childhood, how we used to feast on the locally made sweets. There used to be some traditional games that we played. All that is now past.



As a part of the festival, a procession of colourfully decorated boats is taken out in Siolim village in north Goa, which is also a major tourist attraction. The state tourism department has also launched special packages for travellers to visit Goa for Sao Joao.

ALSO READ | Ambubachi Mela 2017: Kamakhya Temple closes door for 3 days; know festival dates and significance

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Joe Biden is poised to repeal Donald Trump's ban on transgender people enlisting in the US military.

Mr Trumps order went into effect in spring 2019, reversing a decision by Barack Obama, whose administration had said transgender people could openly serve.

Under the directive, currently-serving transgender individuals who have received a diagnosis of gender dysphoria could continue to serve in their preferred gender and undergo gender-affirming surgery.

However, it prevented people who had not fully undergone gender transition to enlist.

I have great respect for the community. I think I have great support  or I've had great support from that community. I got a lot of votes, said Mr Trump at the time. But the transgender  the military is working on it now. They're doing the work. It's been a very difficult situation.

 What are the top priorities for Biden's first 100 days?

Reuters reported that the new policy could be announced as early as Monday.

The White House did not respond to enquiries from The Independent, while the Pentagon directed questions back to the White House.

There are about 1.3 million active personnel serving in the US military, but no official figures on the number of trans members are available.

Mr Biden's plan to repeal the ban is supported by newly confirmed defence secretary Lloyd Austin.

If youre fit and youre qualified to serve and you can maintain the standards, you should be allowed to serve and you can expect that I will support that throughout, Mr Austin said at his confirmation hearing.

Additional reporting by Reuters
'Rio', a prized horse of the 61 Cavalry Regiment, is no stranger to ceremonial duties, and when he saunters down Rajpath carrying the contingent commander on his back this Republic Day, the bay-colour charger will make his 18th appearance at the grand event.

A pure Hanoverian breed, 'Rio', aged 22, was born in India, and has been participating in the Republic Day parade since he was four, says Captain Deepanshu Sheoran, who will be leading the contingent of the world's only serving horse-mounted cavalry regiment, for the third time.

"Rio is a very special horse. He understands the words of the commander, and it's a matter of great pride that on this Republic Day, he will make his 18th appearance on Rajpath as the member of the 61 Cavalry, and will carry a contingent commander on his back for the 15th time," Sheoran told PTI.

Raised in 1953, the 61 Cavalry, based in Jaipur, has been a prominent feature at the Republic Day parade since its inception.

It was set up after amalgamation of units of six erstwhile royal state forces, including Mysore Lancers, Jodhpur Lancers and Gwalior Lancers.

The regiment's ancestors in 1918 had fought the crucial Battle of Haifa in Israel, alongside the British armed forces.

Sheoran, 27, who hails from Kashipur, Uttarakhand, says, riding on a horse down Rajpath in a ceremonial uniform is itself an exhilarating and humbling experience, and mounted on 'Rio' makes it extra special.

"He (Rio) has been specialised for ceremonial services, and we take good care of him. He also listens to our words and follows diligently," says the young officer who picked up equestrian skills during his NDA days.

Sheoran, a fourth-generation member of the armed forces from his family, is all praises for his cavalry regiment, which he hails as the "link between the past and the present" of the country's army.

"I joined NDA (National Defence Academy) in 2011 and IMA (Indian Military Academy) in 2015. It was during NDA days that I picked up equestrian skills and in 2014 represented the country in the under-25 tent-pegging event at a competition in South Africa, with India, Pakistan and South Africa as the contestants. I was adjudged the best rider, and so my interest and affinity for horses grew," Sheoran said.

Asked if it was a challenge to prepare for the event amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, "yes, it was a big challenge".

"The number of horses has been reduced this time to 43, so just a little behind me will a JCO, also on a bay horse and the trumpeter on a gray horse, and following them will be a mounted contingent in a 5x8 formation," he said.

During the practice, a lot of precautions were taken, from maintaining social distancing to ensuring regular hand sanitisation, the officer said.

"We used to practice with less horses, and did not share equestrian gears, and wore masks all the time. Though it's my third Republic Day participation as the contingent commander of this famed regiment, it felt very new this time," he added.

Sheoran calls himself an animal lover and said he shares affinity for horses.

"When we begin to understand a speechless animal, that's when we become true animal lovers. Currently, I am preparing for the next South Asian games trials, and I have two private horses, one called 'Victoria', whom I got from England, she is 5, and the other one is 'Francisco Dream' and she is 10," he said.

Sheoran first led the contingent in the 2018 and then in 2020, and says his love for horses had only magnified.

"Yes, this will be my third time, but walking on Rajpath can never be an ordinary experiment, any time. And, this time, I feel more confident to lead the contingent of the 61 Cavalry," he said.

The regimental insignia is adapted from Gandaberunda of the Mysore Lancers, consisting of a twin-headed mythical bird, and a scroll below with the words 'Sixty First Cavalry'. The shoulder plate has '61C' embossed in brass. The motto of the regiment is 'Ashva Shakti Yashobal'.

"61 Cavalry is also known for its achievements in equestrian events and other sporting arena. It has won 12 Arjuna Awards, besides winning accolades in other games. We believe in the power of horses, as our motto says," he said.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The services of Delhi Metro will be partially curtailed on Republic Day (26 January 2021) as part of the security arrangements for the Republic Day celebrations as per the instructions of Delhi Police. All metro parking lots will remain closed from 6 am on 25 January to 2 pm on the 26 January 2021.

"Metro services on Line-2 (HUDA City Centre  Samaypur Badli) of the Delhi Metro will be partially regulated on Tuesday, the 26th of January, 2021 (Republic Day). This is being done as part of the security arrangements for the Republic Day celebrations," the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said in a statement.

Here are the details of the Metro corridor modified schedule

1) Line 2 (HUDA City Centre - Samaypur Badli): Entry & Exit at Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan Metro stations will remain closed from start of revenue services till 12:00 noon.

2) Central Secretariat station will only be used for interchange of passengers between Line 2 and Line 6.

3) Entry and exit at Patel Chowk and Lok Kalyan Marg Metro stations will remain closed from 08:45 AM to 12:00 Noon.

With just three days to go for Republic Day, India is all set to display its military might during the annual parade. However, the Republic Day parade of this year will be very different from previous years as it is for the first time that it will be held amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This will be the first R-Day parade without a chief guest in more than five decades. UK PM Boris Johnson, who had initially accepted India's invitation to be a chief guest, had cancelled his visit due to the rapid rise of Covid-19 cases in the United Kingdom. There was no chief guest during the Republic Day parade in 1952, 1953 and 1966 before this.

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Kolkata: The VHP leadership on Sunday (January 24) Came down heavily on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not delivering her speech at the main 'Parakram Diwas' celebration hereafter 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans greeted her, saying it reflects her "anti-Hindu" mindset and efforts to appease a particular community.

A visibly agitated Banerjee, who was called to deliver her speech at the Netaji birth anniversary ceremony at Victoria Memorial on Saturday (January 23), had fumed over the "insult" and said, it was a government programme and not a political event.

"What Mamata Banerjee did yesterday reflects her anti-Hindu mindset and her efforts towards appeasement politics. Lord Ram is the soul of the country. Why does she get angry with 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans? We fail to understand," international joint general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Surendra Jain told PTI.

When a section of the crowd continued with their chanting, the chief minister had said, before returning to her seat, "I thank the Prime Minister and the Union culture ministry for holding this programme in Kolkata. This is a government programme and not a political programme. There has to be dignity. It doesn't behove anybody to invite people and insult. I won't speak. Jai Bangla, Jai Hind."

BJP leader and grandnephew of Netaji, Chandra Kumar Bose, said there was nothing wrong with the slogan and Netaji's birth anniversary should not be mixed with politics.

The Congress and the Left Front had backed Banerjee and slammed the BJP for the incident.

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New infections in recent months and a contagious new variant threatening to accelerate the pandemic have prompted some governments to revert to their harshest social-distancing measures.

In Hong Kong, the authorities said on Saturday that they had locked down part of a densely packed neighborhood and started to test everyone there, one of the most drastic measures that the Chinese territory has taken since the coronavirus surfaced there last winter.

The local government said on Saturday that it had restricted access to some parts of the Jordan District, one of Hong Kongs most crowded, and that people there would be prevented from leaving until they had been tested, the first such lockdown in the territory. Battalions of police officers were seen guarding the areas perimeter as health workers in head-to-toe protective gear walked inside.

About 200 buildings in the Jordan area were affected, and more than 1,700 police and other officers were expected to be deployed, The South China Morning Post reported.
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A recommendation to abolish the states 12-year-old Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission has been modified to keep the organization active but under closer scrutiny by the Texas Historical Commission.

Everything is working out now, and we are still in existence, said Lynne Aronoff, chairwoman of the Holocaust commission. We believe that well emerge from this important process stronger and improved as a result.

The change comes as educators prepare for Texas Holocaust Remembrance Week, which begins Monday and runs through Friday.

A staff report released in November by the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, which reviews state agencies every 10 years to determine whether they should stay as is, change or be eliminated, proposed dissolving the Holocaust commission, saying it has never functioned as intended, cannot show measurable benefit to the state and should be abolished.

But after receiving numerous protests  including from state Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, who authored the bill that created Remembrance Week  the Sunset Commission replaced that proposal with a recommendation that the Holocaust group be brought under close oversight as an advisory committee of the Texas Historical Commission, with another sunset review set for 2031.

On ExpressNews.com: Holocaust liberator from San Antonio haunted by memories

The Legislature still must vote on the Sunset Commissions recommendation and has the ultimate say on which agency would oversee the group. The Texas Education Agency and the State Board of Education also have been mentioned as agencies that could handle oversight of the Holocaust commission.

Aronoff said shes hopeful the multiphase sunset review process will strengthen the commission, resulting in better operational guidance and metrics for success.

One area criticized in the sunset review was the lack of financial audits and oversight of the 27 matching grants issued by the commission from 2013 to 2019. The grants totaled $241,172, including three that combined awarded $13,493 to the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio. Larger grant allocations have gone to museums in Houston, Dallas and El Paso.

Lisa Krantz /Staff photographer

In addition to no financial audits, the grant program lacked performance criteria and review, the sunset review found.

Reports on the review and public input are posted on the Sunset Commission website, sunset.texas.gov.

Nehemia Nammie Ichilov, who has guided the Holocaust museum in San Antonio through the pandemic, said the review process has been done a little bit backwards.

The Holocaust commission has had less than two years to comply with a 2019 state law that provided more direction than the commission had when it was created a decade earlier. Texas was among the first states to recognize the need for Holocaust education, he said.

Texas has gone one step further and said this is something that we want to make sure has a central focus, Ichilov said.

For Remembrance Week, which coincides with the anniversary of the liberation of prisoners at Auschwitz on Jan. 27, 1945, the museum has posted a schedule of two live online webinars daily on its website, hmmsa.org, providing stories of Holocaust survivors, often told through surviving family members.

Museum staff used a grant from the Holocaust commission to develop live and prerecorded presentations for the special week.

The San Antonio Public Library has been working with the museum on commemoration activities, including online exhibits, take-and-make kits available at all library locations and a self-directed Holocaust Remembrance Walk at Semmes Branch Library, 15060 Judson Road. For more information, go to the librarys website at www.mysapl.org.

The commissions website, thgc.texas.gov, offers educational materials on the Holocaust and overviews of other past or ongoing genocide events in Cambodia, Darfur, Bosnia, Rwanda, Burundi and the Middle East. The commission does not provide a mandated curriculum, but has materials and guidance for individual school districts to observe the week of remembrance.

Because of the pandemic, San Antonios Holocaust museum has gone 100 percent online, providing virtual tours, Ichilov said. Although many images from the Holocaust are too graphic for kindergarten or elementary-age students, the museum fulfills a state directive to provide early education by focusing on values.

We want to teach everybody who comes to the museum how to be an upstander. To use Elie Wiesels quote, The opposite of love is not hate, its indifference, Ichilov said, referring to the late philosopher and Holocaust survivor. We want to be able to teach the children that indifference is not an acceptable behavior. That when you see something wrong, you become an upstander.

The education initiative establishes a foundation for students, as they grow, to understand the Holocaust, the systematic genocide by Nazi forces of Germany of about 11 million people, including two-thirds of the Jews in Europe, along with political dissidents, homosexuals, the disabled and others.

Without that foundation of empathy and understanding, its easy for students to discount the atrocities as something that wasnt as terrible as what they saw firsthand  a denial of truth that U.S. Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, supreme Allied commander, warned about, Ichilov said.

Its not that they dont want to believe that 6 million Jews, including one and a half million children, perished in the Holocaust. They simply dont have a frame of reference or a foundation to believe that happened, he said.

On ExpressNews.com: Holocaust exhibits in San Antonio have resistance theme

With the U.S. experiencing interesting times  a global pandemic, self-isolation and civil and political unrest  the missions of the museum and the Holocaust commission are all the more critical, Ichilov said.

For those who are either Holocaust deniers, or who are simply not interested in addressing the topic because they dont want to have to struggle with their own reality of what that would mean to how they define the world, its important that we continue to tell the story and keep the memory of those who perished alive, he said.

Ichilov, who became director of the museum in March, believes that people want to do the right thing but that there are times when some need to struggle with their own voices and their own conscience.

We need to make sure that we put as many opportunities for them to struggle with that in front of them, so that they can come to their own conclusions, he said. Because when we try to convince people of what they should or should not believe, it doesnt accomplish sustainable change.

shuddleston@express-news.net

Hong Kong: 6.9k tested in restricted area

About 6,900 people underwent testing at the temporary specimen collection stations in the specified restricted area in Jordan yesterday according to preliminary records, the Government said today.

The Government made a restriction-testing declaration and issued a compulsory testing notice in respect of the Jordan restricted area, requesting people subject to compulsory testing to take the test before midnight yesterday.

Speaking to the media after inspecting the restricted area this morning, Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung thanked the residents for their co-operation and understanding.

He added that the Government is confident the restrictions will be lifted by 6am tomorrow.

On the basis of whats happening now, we have confidence that we should be able to do it. Because we have already done screening for around 7,000 people yesterday in terms of COVID-19 testing. I think the number of people coming out today would be relatively small, so the labs can handle the testings.

Working staff from the Government visited more than 3,240 households in the restricted area yesterday, involving around 6,200 residents. Details of the residents were registered to facilitate follow-up on testing condition in the future.

Home visits will continue today and those who have not undergone testing will be arranged to take the test at specimen collection stations.

Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui joined Mr Cheung during the inspection of the restricted area and emphasised that residents' needs are being met.

In Hong Kong, we do have meal services for the needy, people with special needs and the elderly. So during this operation, we do have that service. And we do have several hotlines including one for ethnic minorities as well. For any special cases, we would be on the ground to handle them. Basically, we try to accommodate people as best as we can.

This story has been published on: 2021-01-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Beyond forbidding walls and taut, guarded fences, beyond wild-eyed Paul Revere warnings about roiling waves of desperate people lapping at our door, beyond the fear, cruelty and suspicion of a nativist Stephen Miller as official government policy, we would like to think this weeks new beginning in Washington also inaugurates a new beginning for immigration reform.

For those lawmakers, Republicans and Democrats, interested in actually getting things done, the task of establishing reasonable and pragmatic metes and bounds for the nation offers a real opportunity, just as it did in 2013. Thats when a Democratic-led Senate passed comprehensive immigration reform legislation that would have provided a path to citizenship for the undocumented, paired with tough border-security measures. Supporters of that ambitious legislative package included Republican Sens. Marco Rubio and Lindsey Graham, but in the House a nascent Tea Party sent GOP members scurrying like startled quail. No vote was ever taken.

Were pleased that President Joe Biden has made immigration reform a legislative priority, pleased that he immediately signed executive orders dismantling several of the more egregious policies of his predecessor. Biden acknowledged, however, that executive orders are mere starting points. Actual immigration reform  the durable kind that requires legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by the president  has proven devilishly difficult over the years, and theres little reason to think this time will be any different.

We choose to hope, though, that under Bidens leadership, members of both parties realize that fair, orderly and reliable immigration policy is good for this country  the comprehensive kind and, if need be, even the piecemeal kind.

Bidens Day One orders last week included immediately halting construction of the border wall. They put deportations on hold, lifted the so-called Muslim Ban affecting travel, and preserved the DACA program that allows undocumented immigrants brought here as children to stay without fear of deportation.

The hard part remains: Convincing Congress to find a permanent solution, and to address the estimated 11 million immigrants who live and work in the U.S. without proper documentation, including an estimated 1.7 million in Texas. The new administration calls for an eight-year pathway to citizenship, granting five-year temporary residency status for qualified applicants, who would then be able to apply for a green card or permanent residency status, conditional on passing background checks and paying taxes.

The Biden package would provide DACA recipients, some agricultural workers and recipients of the program known as Temporary Protected Status a faster path to citizenship by letting them apply for green cards immediately. After three years, green card holders would be allowed to apply for citizenship if they pass additional background checks, learn English and become familiar with U.S. civics.

The new legislation would increase the number of immigration judges working in the backlogged immigration court system  something many Republicans, including both Texas senators, have called for  and would fund legal counsel for children and other vulnerable immigrants. And it would authorize regional processing centers in Central America to register and process those applying for refugee resettlement.

Bidens immigration-policy focus is a reminder that we are a nation of immigrants, as were often told. True, of course, but the new administration cannot rely on high-minded admonitions.

Biden and company must make the case that our immigration policies not only are in line with our values and priorities, but also are sensible. They must make sense to the Energy Corridor high-tech company that needs workers from overseas, to the Brazoria County farmer who relies on seasonal workers, to the aspiring medical student from India or Nigeria or China who will inevitably contribute to this community.

Open borders do not make sense. A nation closed off to the rest of the world makes no sense either.

When it comes to making immigration work, a big, sprawling Texas city that we know well has a message for Congress, particularly Republican lawmakers. Look to one of the most diverse cities in the nation, a city that relies on international trade for its economic vitality and on newcomers for its continuing cultural vitality.

Houston is proof positive that immigration works for everyone. Crafting sensible, fair and reliable immigration policy will make it work even better.
During Gov. Henry McMaster's State of the State address earlier this month, he called on the Statehouse to eliminate all state income taxes for military retirees.

"Many states have already done this," McMaster said. "It is past time for the General Assembly to act on this issue."

Since taking office in 2017, McMaster has pitched the same idea every year. Military advocates say it would bolster the state's economy and attract more veterans to move to South Carolina.

But each year so far the proposal has fallen to the wayside of the Palmetto State's packed legislative agenda. And in 2021, there are a bevy of issues for the Statehouse to tackle that could leave the bill to collect dust for yet another year.

Relief is needed as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cripple South Carolina businesses and families. Lawmakers have to turn their attention to redistricting with the census complete. The General Assembly is still faced with determining the fate of state-owned utility Santee Cooper.

But even with a full schedule, retired Army Maj. Gen. William Grimsley, the secretary of the S.C. Veterans Affairs Department, is optimistic the bill will see movement this year.

"There's an appetite for it," Grimsley said. "I think there's a desire from the General Assembly to turn those words from McMaster's speech into action."

Bills outlining the measure have been filed in the S.C. House and Senate; both are still caught in committee.

As of this year, 31 states have full exemptions for military retiree income tax. Notably, neighboring states Georgia and North Carolina do not have such a provision, but nearby Tennessee, Florida and Alabama all do.

While the move has been used successfully by other states, some experts wonder if the gesture outweighs the projected $30 million in lost South Carolina tax revenue that would come with exempting military retiree income.

David Brunori is a professor at George Washington University and a senior director at the consulting firm RSM US, specializing in state and local taxation. He said that typically any tax exemption of retirement income isn't smart fiscal policy.

"It's a bad idea," Brunori said. "Sound tax policy is when you have a broad base and low rates, but tax all income. But the politics would suggest that taking care of veterans is a good idea. When you narrow the tax base, you have to find the money somewhere else."

Brunori adds that a better policy would be exempting low-income veterans instead of generals or admirals who may make hefty pensions who are in a better position to take a high-paying job after leaving the service.

And, notably, military retirees could be big income earners in the state.

There are nearly 60,000 military retirees among the states more than 400,000 veterans. These former service members bring in around $1.6 billion in Department of Defense-funded retirement income, according to the S.C. Military Base Task Force. Most of them live in the Lowcountry.

Grimsley counters that plan would be rolled out over a four- or five-year period so the tax revenue loss wouldn't happen all at once.

"We have to bound ourselves in reality," Grimsley said. "We would be doing a phased-in approach so there isn't sticker shock the first year."

The tax exemption is supported by numerous members of the General Assembly, including Rep. Bobby Cox, R-Greenville. The former Army Ranger-turned-politician said states are competing for veterans to add to their workforce. He thinks the tax cut would make more military retirees move to South Carolina.

"We can also bring that military work ethic to our state," Cox said. "You're cutting taxes on a community that has served our country, and then they're giving back."

Another element that could push the bill forward is the increased attention and speculation being given to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.

Speculation has grown about the Pentagon closing the historic training base in the wake of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act passed last year.

Included in the bill was an amendment that required the boot camps training to become fully co-ed in five years. In South Carolina, men and women both train at the base, but they do not participate in every activity together.

Parris Island has been working to meet the mandate. During his annual address, McMaster pointed out that making the state more military friendly could alleviate some worry.

"The decision-makers at the Department of Defense take note of such actions or lack of them as they weigh decisions on base closures, realignment and new missions for Americas military," McMaster said. "Our states military installations are at risk, like all others."

If scrutiny of Parris Island's future grows under President Joe Biden's administration, it could be a catalyst for state lawmakers to pass more military-friendly bills such as the tax exemption proposal.
People clash with police during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in St. Petersburg, Russia on January 23, 2021. (Image: AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Russian police arrested more than 3,000 people on January 23 in nationwide protests demanding the release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the Kremlin's most prominent foe, according to a group that counts political detentions.

The protests in scores of cities in temperatures as low as minus-50 C (minus-58 F) highlighted how Navalny has built influence far beyond the political and cultural centers of Moscow and St. Petersburg.

In Moscow, an estimated 15,000 demonstrators gathered in and around Pushkin Square in the city center, where clashes with police broke out and demonstrators were roughly dragged off by helmeted riot officers to police buses and detention trucks. Some were beaten with batons.

Navalnys wife Yulia was among those arrested.

Police eventually pushed demonstrators out of the square. Thousands then regrouped along a wide boulevard about a kilometer (half-mile) away, many of them throwing snowballs at the police before dispersing.

Some later went to protest near the jail where Navalny is held. Police made an undetermined number of arrests there.

The protests stretched across Russias vast territory, from the island city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk north of Japan and the eastern Siberian city of Yakutsk, where temperatures plunged to minus-50 Celsius, to Russias more populous European cities. Navalny and his anti-corruption campaign have built an extensive network of support despite official government repression and being routinely ignored by state media.

The situation is getting worse and worse, its total lawlessness," said Andrei Gorkyov, a protester in Moscow. "And if we stay silent, it will go on forever.

The OVD-Info group, which monitors political arrests, said at least 1,167 people were detained in Moscow and more than 460 at another large demonstration in St. Petersburg.

Overall, it said 3,068 people had been arrested in some 90 cities, revising the count downward from its earlier report of 3,445. The group did not give an explanation for its revision. Russian police did not provide arrest figures.

Undeterred, Navalny's supporters called for protests again next weekend.

Navalny was arrested on Jan. 17 when he returned to Moscow from Germany, where he had spent five months recovering from a severe nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin and which Russian authorities deny. Authorities say his stay in Germany violated terms of a suspended sentence in a 2014 criminal conviction, while Navalny says the conviction was for made-up charges.

The 44-year-old activist is well known nationally for his reports on the corruption that has flourished under President Vladimir Putin's government.

His wide support puts the Kremlin in a strategic bind  officials are apparently unwilling to back down by letting him go free, but keeping him in custody risks more protests and criticism from the West.

In a statement, the U.S. State Department condemned the use of harsh tactics against protesters and journalists this weekend in cities throughout Russia and called on Russian authorities to immediately release Navalny and all those detained at protests.

Navalny faces a court hearing in early February to determine whether his sentence in the criminal case for fraud and money-laundering  which Navalny says was politically motivated  is converted to 3 1/2 years behind bars.

Moscow police on Thursday arrested three top Navalny associates, two of whom were later jailed for periods of nine and 10 days.

Navalny fell into a coma while aboard a domestic flight from Siberia to Moscow on Aug. 20. He was transferred from a hospital in Siberia to a Berlin hospital two days later. Labs in Germany, France and Sweden, and tests by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, established that he was exposed to the Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent.

Russian authorities insisted that the doctors who treated Navalny in Siberia before he was airlifted to Germany found no traces of poison and have challenged German officials to provide proof of his poisoning. Russia refused to open a full-fledged criminal inquiry, citing a lack of evidence that Navalny was poisoned.

Last month, Navalny released the recording of a phone call he said he made to a man he described as an alleged member of a group of officers of the Federal Security Service, or FSB, who purportedly poisoned him in August and then tried to cover it up. The FSB dismissed the recording as fake.

Navalny has been a thorn in the Kremlins side for a decade, unusually durable in an opposition movement often demoralized by repressions.

He has been jailed repeatedly in connection with protests and twice was convicted of financial misdeeds in cases that he said were politically motivated. He suffered significant eye damage when an assailant threw disinfectant into his face. He was taken from jail to a hospital in 2019 with an illness that authorities said was an allergic reaction but which many suspected was a poisoning.


74.76% of participants said that their colleagues had raised concerns about their mental health.

In 2020, healthcare professionals have seen themselves having to work in an environment unlike any theyve seen before. The coronavirus pandemic has brought excessive weight onto the healthcare sector, as doctors, nurses and staff worked to take care of those who were infected. Between the panic surrounding the pandemic, the required PPE and endless uncertainty, concerns have been raised throughout the pandemic about how healthcare professionals would manage to cope and how their mental health would be affected.

We surveyed 104 healthcare and pharmaceutical professionals across the US, between the ages of 25 and 60 to gauge how working through COVID-19 has affected their mental health to find out more about the nations frontline workers wellbeing.

How has working through the pandemic affected mental health?

When asked if they felt working throughout COVID-19 had a negative impact on their mental health, 69.23% said YES and 30.77% said NO.

When participants were asked about the mental health of their colleagues, 74.76% said that their coworkers around them had expressed that their mental health had been negatively impacted, while 25.24% said that their colleagues had not expressed this.

Are healthcare industry workers getting adequate support at this time?

Another main concern for healthcare professionals is whether or not their superiors and employers have been offering adequate levels of support during this time. We asked respondents about this, and the results show that this is a close call.

51.96% of participants said that they DID feel that they were getting enough mental health support from their superiors and employer, while 48.04% DID NOT feel that the support was adequate.

How do healthcare professionals rank their mental health?

We asked participants to rank their mental health before the outset of the pandemic, and at the height of it on a scale from 1-10, 10 being the highest. Results were as follows.

Mental health rankings before the pandemic:

From our results we can see that a vast majority of participants ranked their mental health as 8 before the outbreak of the pandemic, but the results for rankings during the pandemic are much more spread out. The majority (only just) put themselves at 6 or 7 for this time. This could indicate that users were not as confident ranking their mental health for during the pandemic as they were before.

If you want to see the full set of results from our study and download an infographic for use on your website then head to our website UK Healthcare Chairs.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-21 17:11:00|Editor: huaxia

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More than 210,000 people have died from COVID-19 in Brazil, second only to the United States. Now the Latin American country has launched a mass immunization campaign against COVID-19 with the Chinese CoronaVac vaccine. Watch video for more. 
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, one of the UAEs leading financial entities, continued to advance its sustainable development agenda within the country and abroad through clean-energy initiatives, in 2020 with its total project allocations surging to AED622 million ($169 million).

Notwithstanding challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Fund completed five crucial renewable energy projects in five partner countries, including Cuba, Somaliland, the Bahamas, Barbados, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The projects worth AED117.3 million not just enabled the countries to reduce their carbon footprint by infusing a total of 14.38MW into the energy mix, but they also brought about a host of economic benefits.

ADFD Director General Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi said these projects highlighted the funds strong commitment towards fostering socioeconomic growth in the developing world through sustainable initiatives.

"We doubled our effort to ensure that we delivered the projects to our partner countries, especially during such a time of crisis. The aim was to help them maintain their economic and social-development trajectories by enabling them to meet developmental challenges during the pandemic," he noted.

"These projects also underscored the Funds preparedness and ability to deal with any difficulties," he said.

"Renewable projects remain high on our agenda as their impact is felt on multiple levels, from commerce to the environment. Moreover, the turbulence in 2020 forced us to focus on what really matters, while it made all of us realise the value of partnership and cooperation," he added.

In January last year, ADFD announced an allocation of AED384 million ($104.5 million) to eight renewable-energy initiatives under the seventh cycle of its partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena).

It signed three loan agreements worth AED121 million (US$33 million) with the West African nations of Togo, Niger and Liberia. In July, it financed a waste-to-energy project in the Maldives, which earned a certification from Global Innovation Institute (GINI), a leading international professional certification, accreditation and membership association in the field of innovation.

Under the facility, eight projects were to be funded in Antigua and Barbuda, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cuba, the Maldives, Nepal, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The announcement brought cumulative funding to AED1.28 billion ($350 million), in line with the commitment made by ADFD across seven funding cycles to Irena recommended projects.

The Fund also delivers its impact through the AED183.65 million (US$50 million) UAE-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund (UAE-CREF) that it finances with an aim to deliver renewable energy projects across 16 Caribbean Island nations to help reduce reliance on fossil-fuel imports, increase energy access and enhance climate change resilience. Launched in 2017, the UAE-CREF is the largest renewable energy initiative of its kind in the Caribbean region.-TradeArabia News Service
She's been holed up at home isolating after returning to the UK from Dubai.

But Arabella Chi has kept busy on Instagram as she shared two sexy lingerie snaps with her 609,000 followers on Saturday.

The Love Island star, 29, flaunted her newly-bronzed tan and toned figure as she knelt on a bed in the underboob-flaunting black underwear.

Smouldering: Arabella Chi, 29, posed on a bed sporting sexy black lingerie with an underboob-baring sheer panel to display her enviable curves

Arabella gave the camera a sultry stare as she posed in the sexy ensemble.

Her black bra featured a sheer panel across the lower bust which revealed her enviable curves and showed off her tiny heart tattoo.

The stunning model accessorised with layered gold chains and let her dark blonde hair loose.

Top model: The Love Island star gave the camera a sultry stare as she showed off her toned tummy

She captioned the photo: 'Eventually everything connects.'

Arabella was one of a flock of influencers who flocked to Dubai in recent weeks while the UK remains under lockdown.

The Persian Gulf country has far fewer COVID-19 related restrictions, and many have criticised British stars for making the trip.

Arabella said she had travelled to Dubai for a photoshoot and meetings with modelling agencies.

But it now appears she's back in the UK, as she took to her Insta stories on Saturday to ask about locations for a London photoshoot.

Jet-setter: Model Arabella was one of a flock of influencers who spent time in Dubai in January while the UK went under national lockdown, but insisted her visit was for work

The star also took to time to respond to fans' concerns about whether or not she was following the rules.

She said: 'Quite a lot of you have messaged me [asking] am I self-isolating?

'Oh my god yes, of course I am self-isolating.'

And added: 'I'm sticking to the rules so don't worry guys.'

Homebody: The reality star appears to be back in the UK after she posted an Insta story asking for help finding a minimalistic location for a photoshoot in London next week

She went on to explain that she signed up for England's Test to Release scheme.

The scheme allows travellers entering from certain countries to reduce their mandatory 10-day isolation.

Travellers are allowed to stop isolating upon receipt of a negative Covid test taken after at least five days of isolating.

Arabella said: 'So hopefully I'll be able to do that.

'But yeah, guys, I'm literally I'm in bed right now actually just looking at home stuff.'

And it sounds like the stunning star is inspiredArabella already has 'quite exciting' plans to upgrade her bathroom.
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The Chairman of Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State, Salihu Dovo, has been killed by gunmen who kidnapped him early Sunday morning, local residents have said.

They said the kidnappers called an official of the local government to announce they had murdered Mr Dovo and also mentioned where to recover his corpse.

Some community members suspect his abductors were hired assassins.

They called an official of the Council to inform him of the killing, telling them to go and search for his corpse in the bush, one of our sources said.

Members of the community went into the bush and started looking for his body and it was found not long ago. The body is being taken to town now, the source said.

The gunmen had stormed Mr Dovos residence in Sabon Gari, Jalingo at about 1 a.m. He was taken away amidst suspicions of kidnap before he was murdered by his assailants.

When contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, David Misal, confirmed the incident, saying a suspect has been arrested.

 As I am talking to you now, his corpse is deposited in the hospital.

The commands detectives had swung into action just as one suspect (has been) arrested, Mr Misal, a deputy superintendent of police, said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Indian scientists have done their duty by developing the COVID-19 vaccine and 'now we have to fulfil ours' by defeating those spreading rumours and lies about the inoculation

Quoting provisional reports, the Union health ministry said over 16 lakh healthcare workers across India have received COVID-19 vaccine jabs till Sunday evening, the ninth day of the nationwide immunisation drive.

The inoculation drive was launched on 16 January and over three crore healthcare and frontline workers have been prioritised to get the jabs.

The ministry said that 31,466 beneficiaries were vaccinated on Sunday till 7.30 pm in five states  Haryana (907), Karnataka (2,472), Punjab (1,007), Rajasthan (24,586) and Tamil Nadu (2,494)  through 693 sessions.

"Only 10 adverse events following immunisation have been reported till 7.30 pm on the ninth day of the vaccination drive," it stated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Delhi that Indian scientists have done their duty by developing the COVID-19 vaccine and "now we have to fulfil ours" by defeating through right information, every network spreading lies and rumours about the vaccination.

Meanwhile in Andhra Pradesh, an ASHA worker died in the Government General Hospital in Guntur on Sunday with her fellow workers alleging that she died following coronavirus vaccination. News agency PTI, quoting doctors, reported that in Telangana's Warangal too, a 45-year old Anganwaadi teacher who was administered COVID-19 vaccine nearly a week ago, died after complaining of chest pain overnight.

Centre issues guidelines for Kumbh Mela

The Centre has issued guidelines for the Kumbh Mela in Uttarakhand's Haridwar, reported LiveMint. As per the guidelines, all devotees attending the mela should register with the Uttarakhand government and compulsorily obtain a COVID-19 negative certificate from Community Health Centre/ District hospital/ Medical college in their state.

According to a Hindustan Times report, the guidelines state The Government of Uttarakhand would widely publicise, as also convey to all other state governments, that devotees with negative RT-PCR test report (test done 72 hours prior to the date of visit) shall only be allowed to enter the Kumbh mela site," adding that the test reports may be carried in hard copies or in mobile phones by the devotees.

The Centre, in guidelines issued on 22 January but made public on Sunday, has asked the state government to ensure that only healthcare and other frontline workers who have received COVID-19 vaccine are deputed for Kumbh mela duties.

As around 10 lakh people are expected to attend the mela on a regular day and about 50 lakh on the six days considered auspicious days, the Centre has asked the state government to augment the bed capacity across state hospitals, the report said.

Testing facilities will also be increased with setting up of mobile testing facilities, including container-based RT-PCR mobile labs within the mela site and/or at temporary hospitals that would be established, the guidelines state and further add that Uttarkhand government should circulate a statement to all states well in advance, clearly specifying that vulnerable population (ageing over 65 years, pregnant women, children below the age of 10 years, those with underlying comorbid conditions) shall be discouraged from attending the mela.

According to the LiveMint report, the Maha Kumbh Mela began on 14 January and will end in April. Due to the pandemic, this year the Kumbh Mela will be held for 48 days in Haridwar instead of three-and-a-half months.

16,13,667 heath workers vaccinated till Sunday evening

In a statement the Union Health Ministry said, that the cumulative number of healthcare workers vaccinated against COVID-19 has reached 16,13,667 till 7.30 pm on Sunday through 28,613 sessions as per the provisional report, adding that the final report will be completed by late in the night.

The total number of beneficiaries, who were vaccinated till 7.30 pm on Sunday since the launch of the drive, include 1,47,030in Andhra Pradesh, 76,125 in Bihar, 53,529 in Kerala, 1,91,443 in Karnataka, 61,720 in Tamil Nadu, 25,811 in Delhi, 78,466 in Gujarat and 84,505 in West Bengal, according to the provisional reports.

Earlier in the day, the ministry had said that India took only six days to administer 10 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses, a number which is higher than that of countries like the US and the UK. The UK took 18 days whereas the US took 10 days to reach the 10 lakh mark, the ministry said.

Addressing tribal guests, National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers and tableaux artists who would be a part of the upcoming Republic Day parade, Modi said such youth organisations have always played a role in dealing with challenging times.

"In COVID times also, the work done by you is laudable. When the government and administration needed it, you came forward as volunteers and provided help," he said at the 'At Home' event. "Whether it was spreading awareness about the Aarogya Setu App or coronavirus infection spread, the work done by you was praiseworthy," Modi said.

The prime minister said the youths should now step forward to assist in the COVID-19 vaccination programme by providing the right information to the people.

"You need to take it to the next level now. Your reach is in all parts of society. I request you to come forward to help the country with the COVID-19 vaccination programme. You have to provide the right information on vaccines to the poor and general public," Modi said.

"Indian scientists have done their duty by developing the coronavirus vaccine and now we have to fulfil ours. We have to defeat every network spreading lies and rumours with the right information," Modi said.

Two beneficiary deaths in Andhra, Telangana

Meanwhile in Telangana, an Aanganwadi teacher who was vaccinated on 19 January was found dead on Sunday morning, doctors said. The woman had taken some medicines on Saturday night as she was having chest pain and slept in her house at Shayampeta on the outskirts of Warangal.

Her body was shifted to state-run Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital for postmortem and samples were also collected there and sent for testing to ascertain the cause of death, its Superintendent Dr K Nagarjuna Reddy said.

She is the second person, who had taken COVID-19 vaccination, to have died in the state after complaining of chest pain. Earlier, a 42-year-old healthcare worker in Nirmal district died on 20 January but a health official had said preliminary findings suggested it was unrelated to vaccination.

In Andhra Pradesh, ASHA workers staged a demonstration in front of the Government General Hospital in Guntur, demanding that a compensation of Rs 50 lakh be paid to a fellow worker's family, alleging that she died following coronavirus vaccination.

A leader of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions that led the protest picked up an argument with District Collector Samuel Anand when he visited the hospital to console the family members of the ASHA worker, who died on Sunday.

Anand said the exact cause of the ASHA worker's death would be revealed only after a post-mortem but maintained that not a single Adverse Event Following Immunisation was reported in the district as 10,099 healthcare staff were vaccinated in the first eight days.

The Collector said he would send a proposal to the state government for payment of compensation to the ASHA worker's kin, on the lines of that paid to frontline health workers who succumbed to COVID-19 . He also promised a house site besides a job to an eligible member of the family.

The 44-year old ASHA worker complained of severe headache and fever on 22 January, three days after she took a shot of the coronavirus vaccine.

"We first took her to a private hospital and later shifted to the GGH as her condition worsened. She was a very fit person and rendered tireless service during COVID-19 time," the ASHA worker's brother said. He denied that she suffered a brain stroke as was being said by the GGH doctors.

In Delhi, Director General (Prisons) Sandeep Goel said, "Around 60 paramedical staff of the prisons department have been vaccinated so far. They were vaccinated on different dates at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital. The vaccination will help boost the morale of the jail officials and security forces personnel, who were at a high risk of catching the virus due to the nature of their job." According to a senior jail official, the prisons department has around 200 paramedical staff.

The department had asked around 3,600 staff members, including security personnel, to enroll themselves for receiving the coronavirus vaccine shots.

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik claimed during the day that the state has emerged as a leading state in the vaccination drive with

1.5 lakh total vaccinated beneficiaries and 3452.81 vaccinations per million populace.

With all necessary arrangements made in time, the state government has managed the vaccination process efficiently so far, Patnaik said.

Aviation ministry writes to health ministry

News agency PTI reported that the civil aviation ministry had told the Union health ministry that frontline workers in the aviation sector should be considered for COVID-19 vaccination on priority basis after health workers have been given the jabs.

As per the guidelines issued by the health ministry on 28 December last year, initially around 30 crore Indians will be vaccinated, including around three crore healthcare and frontline workers, and approximately 27 crore people of over the age of 50 years. The frontline workers mentioned in the December 28 guidelines does not include aviation sector employees but personnel from the armed forces, prison staff, municipal workers, among others.

In a letter dated 20 January, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Pradeep Singh Kharola told his counterpart in the health ministry Rajesh Bhushan: "You will agree with me that the crew, engineers, technicians, ground staff, frontline workers in aviation have certain risk elements while performing their duties in a most diligent manner and make air transportation a safe mode of transport."

Recently, airlines and airports had approached MoCA and highlighted the need to vaccinate their staff on priority basis, albeit once the medical personnel are covered, Kharola mentioned in the letter, which has been accessed by PTI.

"Considering that the frontline workers of airlines and airports are also involved in movement of vaccines, this MoCA recognizes the merit in the proposal and requests the MoHFW (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) to include frontline workers of airlines and airports along with frontline workers mentioned in the operational guidelines released on 28 December, 2020," he added.

If the request is considered favourably, MoCA would coordinate for enumeration of these personnel to be covered under the vaccination programme, Kharola noted.

He said airlines and airports have been in forefront in extending their services to passengers and movement of cargo within the country and across the borders.

India records 14,849 new cases

India's COVID-19 caseload on Sunday rose to 1,06,54,533 with 14,849 people testing positive for the coronavirus infection in a day, while the number of recoveries surged to 1,03,16,786, according to the health ministry.

The toll due to the viral disease has climbed to 1,53,339 with 155 more fatalities, the ministry's data updated at 8 am showed. The national COVID-19 recovery rate has reached 96.83 percent, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.44 percent, the data showed.

The active COVID-19 caseload of the country remained below two lakh for the fifth consecutive day. There are 1,84,408 active cases of the coronavirus infection in the country currently, which account for 1.73 percent of its total caseload, the data stated.

Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal account for 75 percent of the total active cases in the country. The total recovered cases have surged to 10,316,786, the ministry said adding 84.30 percent of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 states and UTs.

Kerala has reported the maximum number of single-day recoveries with 5,283 recoveries. Maharashtra follows with 3,694 new recoveries. The ministry said that 80.67 percent of the 14,849 new COVID-19 cases recorded in a span of 24 hours are concentrated in six states and UTs.

Kerala reported the maximum daily new cases numbering 6,960 in a day. Maharashtra has recorded 2,697 new cases while Karnataka registered 902 new cases yesterday.

Seven states and UTs account for 79.35 percent of the 155 case fatalities reported in a span of 24 hours. Maharashtra reported 56 deaths. Kerala and Delhi follow with 23 and 10 new deaths, respectively.

SC to hear plea seeking one more chance for UPSC aspirants

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea seeking grant of one more chance to appear in the UPSC's civil services examination to those aspirants who could not appear in their previous attempt last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The crucial hearing assumes significance in the wake of the Centre's assertion last Friday that it was not in favour of granting one more opportunity to the civil services aspirants who could not appear in their last attempt in 2020.

A bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar had taken note of the submissions of Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing on behalf of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on 22 January and had asked the government to file an affidavit to this effect.

"We are not ready to give one more chance. Give me the time to file an affidavit... yesterday night, I received instruction that we are not agreeable, 'the law officer had told the bench.

The bench, which also comprised justices BR Gavai and Krishna Murai, had asked the law officer to supply the copy of the affidavit to the counsel of civil services aspirant Rachna who had moved the court with the plea for grant of extra chance to crack the test.

Earlier, Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta had told the bench that the government was considering the issue of granting one more opportunity tothose civil services aspirants who could not appear in their last attempt to crack the UPSC exam.

The top court on 30 September had refused to postpone the UPSC civil services preliminary exam, which was held on 4 October , because of the COVID-19 pandemic and floods in several parts of the country.

However, it had directed the Central Government and the Union Public Service Commission to consider granting an extra chance to candidates who otherwise have their last attempt in 2020, with corresponding extension of the upper age-limit.

The bench was then told that a formal decision can be taken by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) only.

With inputs from PTI




Haiti - FLASH : An irritated driver opens fire on a Tap-tap injuring 8 people





On Saturday, in Saint-Marc, more precisely in the locality of Portail Guepe, a minor accident turned into a nightmare.



In question a Tap-Tap filled with passenger who would have scratched a private Pathfinder vehicle of green color, provoked a disproportionate reaction from the driver who chased the Tap Tap on which he began to shoot with a handgun, gunshot wounds eight people including the driver before fleeing.



The victims : Jhonson Deriphon, Jinette Destinoble, Lucson Pierre Louis, Placide Mathurin, Roselande Louisma, Rosina Charles, Shelove Elisme and Wilna Remise were rushed to Saint-Nicolas hospital.



The insane driver of the Pathfinder is actively wanted by the police.



PI/ HaitiLibre



















A quiet High Street in Shrewsbury during England's third national lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. (PA Images via Getty Images)

coronavirus latest news

Coronavirus cases are still on the rise in at least 32 areas of England despite infections decreasing on average across the country.

COVID-19 cases are going up in areas like Preston, Redditch, Dorset and Coventry, according to the latest data from PA.

It comes as the country is battling with a devastating second wave fuelled by a new variant first discovered in the South East that could be 30% more deadly.

A surge in infections and deaths has pushed the NHS to the brink of being overwhelmed and sparked a nationwide lockdown.

Read: The 9 areas of England where 1 in 20 people could have had COVID last week

This week the countrys average R rate has dropped below one and infection numbers are on average beginning to decrease with most areas seeing a decline.

However, Englands chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty warned on Friday that the situation in the UK remained extremely precarious with the virus still on the increase in some parts of the country.

Whitty said: In terms of the infection rate, if you took the country as a whole and just averaged it, then the number of infections is broadly going down but it is at a very high level, and it is extremely precarious  I really want to stress this.

Watch: COVID-19: Scientists warn against early easing of lockdown as PM warns of more deadly variant

A very small change and it could start taking off again from an extremely high base, and there are some areas of the country and some age groups in which it does not appear to be going down  for example in people (aged) 20-30, the evidence is that it may still be increasing in some parts of the country.

It is not solidly going down and it is very, very high.

Whitty said the peak of deaths may well be still in the future, before warning: If people took this moment and said, Right, it is over, it would get back into very deep trouble very fast and the NHS is absolutely at the top of what it can manage.

If that happened again, we would be in really, really deep trouble.

Story continues

Of the 315 local areas in England, 32 (10%) have seen a rise in case rates while 281 (89%) have seen a fall and two are unchanged, according to the latest PA analysis.

People walk along the pier in Bournemouth, Dorset, during England's third national lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The figures are from the seven days to January 18 and are based on tests carried out in laboratories and in the wider community.

Data for the most recent four days (January 19-22) has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases.

The rate, expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people, is going up in these 32 areas, based on Public Health England data published on January 22 on the Governments coronavirus dashboard:

Walsall, 741.6, (2117), 737.4, (2105) Redditch, 717.8, (612), 591.1, (504) Worcester, 687.6, (696), 676.7, (685) Dudley, 682.5, (2195), 647.4, (2082) South Staffordshire, 592.3, (666), 576.3, (648) Leicester, 569.1, (2016), 531.3, (1882) Coventry, 510.6, (1897), 506.8, (1883) Bolsover, 510.2, (411), 440.7, (355) Solihull, 508.8, (1101), 502.8, (1088) Preston, 503.0, (720), 484.9, (694) Middlesbrough, 501.5, (707), 471.7, (665) West Lancashire, 476.8, (545), 469.8, (537) Erewash, 475.9, (549), 392.6, (453) North Warwickshire, 426.0, (278), 366.2, (239) Shropshire, 417.5, (1349), 416.9, (1347) Redcar and Cleveland, 408.3, (560), 406.9, (558) Blaby, 406.8, (413), 385.1, (391) Chesterfield, 381.3, (400), 362.2, (380) Somerset West and Taunton, 372.6, (578), 361.0, (560) Broxtowe, 368.3, (420), 338.5, (386) North West Leicestershire, 365.8, (379), 326.2, (338) Hinckley and Bosworth, 358.0, (405), 313.8, (355) North East Derbyshire, 330.2, (335), 310.5, (315) Plymouth, 319.7, (838), 309.0, (810) Dorset, 311.2, (1178), 310.7, (1176) South Holland, 299.9, (285), 287.3, (273) Warwick, 292.9, (421), 269.9, (388) Mendip, 283.8, (328), 260.4, (301) Newcastle upon Tyne, 277.4, (840), 271.1, (821) Northumberland, 272.6, (879), 243.5, (785) Melton, 242.1, (124), 230.4, (118) West Devon, 179.2, (100), 127.2, (71)

Knowsley in Merseyside continues to have the highest rate in England, with 1,531 new cases recorded in the seven days to January 18, the equivalent of 1,014.8 cases per 100,000 people.

This is down from 1,331.7 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to January 11.

Slough in Berkshire has the second-highest rate, down from 1,061.9 to 936.9, with 1,401 new cases.

Sandwell in the West Midlands is in third place, down from 923.7 to 898.5, with 2,951 new cases.

Read more

Patrick Vallance warns UK death rate is 'awful' and COVID could be around forever

China faces largest COVID outbreak since March

Meanwhile, new infection rates per 100,000 people are increasing the fastest in Redditch and Erewash.

Redditch saw 591.1 cases per 100,000 in the seven days to January 11 but this jumped 717.8 in the seven days to January 18.

In Erewash, 392.6 cases per 100,000 were recorded in the week up to January 11 compared to 475.9 in the week up to January 18.

Watch: COVID-19: New mutation in every park of UK except Northern Ireland. What we know

Sharad Pawar to be discharged from hospital in 2 days

Thousands march to Mumbai to protest farm laws, Sharad Pawar to join

India

oi-Deepika S

Mumbai, Jan 24: Thousands of farmers have left from various parts of Maharashtra to participate in a rally at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Monday against the Centre''s three new farm laws. NCP chief Sharad Pawar, whose party is a member of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi government, is expected to attend that rally.

On Monday, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and some other prominent leaders of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the state will address the rally, the release said.

The state Congress unit, which is an ally of the MVA, has already extended its support to the protest.

Farmers from various places gathered in Nashik and left from there on Saturday. Many peasants also joined them on the way, the AIKS said.

Fire at Serum Institute very tragic and unfortunate: Sharad Pawar

They halted at Ghatandevi near Igatpuri hill town for overnight stay.

On Sunday morning, a number of peasants marched down the Kasara Ghat to head for Mumbai, while many left in vehicles.

"The rally is being held to support and expand the two-month-long farmers'' struggle in Delhi for a repeal of the three farm laws and for a central law to guarantee a remunerative Minimum Support Price (MSP) and procurement all over the country," the statement said.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a pro-farmer body, has given a nationwide call for a struggle from January 23 to 26, including rallies to Raj Bhavans (governor houses) in states.

Accordingly, over 100 organisations came together and formed the Samyukta Shetkari Kamgar Morcha (SSKM), Maharashtra, in a meeting held in Mumbai on January 12.

The SSKM has called for a joint sit-inat the Azad Maidan in Mumbai from January 24 to 26.

On January 25, there will be a public meeting at 11 am, the release said.

Besides NCP chief Pawar, state Congress president and revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat, and Shiv Sena leader and state tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray will also address the rally, it said.

Later, the protesters will march to the Raj Bhavan and submit a memorandum to Governor B S Koshyari.

The main demands of the protesters include repeal of the three "anti-farmer" laws, and a central law guaranteeing remunernative MSP and procurement, the release said.

The protesters have also decided to hoist the national flag at the Azad Maidan on the occasion of the Republic day on January 26, and take a pledge to make the struggle of peasants and workers successful, it added.

Enacted in September last year, the three laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country.

Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at several border points of Delhi, demanding a repeal of the three farm laws.

Multiple rounds of talks between the government and farmer unions have failed to break the impasse so far, while the Supreme Court has appointed a panel for resolution of the issue.

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Story first published: Sunday, January 24, 2021, 16:38 [IST]

Metro Manila (CNN Philipines, January 24)  A province-wide lockdown in the whole Mountain Province may be imposed amid a surge in cases of the new coronavirus variant reported in Bontoc town, its mayor said over the weekend.

Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey said in a statement on Saturday evening that there could be an expansion of lockdowns in the town, including its other villages or the whole province, depending on the contact tracing results being done after at least 12 residents tested positive for the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant that first emerged in the United Kingdom.

"Given the detection of the UK variant in Bontoc, the extension of the lockdowns is likely, and may also expand to all the 16 barangays of the town and perhaps to the whole Mountain Province, depending on contact tracing results," Odsey said.

READ: Bontoc, Mountain Province sees 200% increase in COVID-19 cases

The Department of Health reported on Saturday that the 12 Bontoc residents were among the 16 reported cases of the B.1.1.7 variant which is described to be more contagious than previous ones. Eleven cases with the variant virus were recorded in one Bontoc village alone.

According to Odsey, the "dramatic increase" in positive cases prompted the municipality to impose a two-week lockdown until end of January on Barangay Samoki, and a one-week lockdown on Barangays Bontoc Ili, Caluttit, and Poblacion in Central Bontoc until January 24. The four villages were also placed under "critical zone" until the end of the month.

Odsey, who has tested positive for COVID-19 himself, said that the local government of Bontoc is coordinating with the national government for the provision of testing kits for a mass testing initiative. They have also sought deployment of additional contact tracers and other health personnel as a number of their medical frontliners in the local hospital and the municipal health office have also contracted the virus.

READ: Bontoc town mayor tests positive for COVID-19

"As president of the Mountain Province League of Mayors, we have coordinated with our fellow mayors here about intensified and collaborative COVID response in all towns, including stricter border control," Odsey said.

Of the 16 cases, the other two patients are overseas Filipino workers who returned to the country last Dec. 29 from Lebanon via a Philippine Airlines flight. The remaining two are local cases detected in La Trinidad, Benguet and Calamba City, Laguna.

Effective last Saturday evening, La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda imposed an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in the municipality. All business establishments must also be closed at 8 p.m., except for drug stores and gasoline stations, the order read.
House Committee on Foreign Affairs ranking member Michael McCaul (R-Texas), questions witnesses during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 16, 2020. (Kevin Dietsch/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

US Lawmaker Urges Biden to Keep His Promise to Address TikTok Security Risks

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is urging President Joe Biden to address concerns posed by popular Chinese video-sharing app TikTok.

I encourage the Biden admin to stick to its concerns about CCP [Chinese Communist Party] social media companies like TikTok, which put our personal data & natl security at risk, McCaul stated via Twitter on Jan. 23. The lawmaker pointed to Bidens remarks made during a campaign stop in Minnesota last year.

On Sept. 18, 2020, Biden said that TikTok was a matter of genuine concern, given the apps popularity in the United States and the potential for China to access U.S. user data. He also said that, if elected president, he would get cyber experts to go into it deeply to get the best solutions to deal with the risks associated with the app.

In August last year, then-President Donald Trump ordered ByteDance, TikToks China-based parent company, to divest from the app within 90 days. A month later, Trump approved a partnership deal in principleTikTok would be allowed to continue operating in the United States and ByteDance would create a new company called TikTok Global, with U.S. companies Oracle and Walmart having stakes in the company.

While both U.S. companies have remained committed to the September 2020 deal, the partnership hasnt been formalized.

Meanwhile, TikTok filed a lawsuit against Trumps order in August last year; the ban was temporarily blocked after a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction on Sept. 27, 2020.

Earlier this month, the U.S. government and TikTok agreed to an extension until Feb. 18 for both sides to submit documents in the court battle, according to Business Insider.

Under the Trump administration, U.S. officials sounded the alarm that Chinese tech hardware and software could be exploited by Beijing for spying, citing Chinas national intelligence law that mandates companies and individuals to cooperate with Chinese intelligence efforts when needed.

TikTok isnt the only Chinese mobile app that has drawn U.S. concerns. On Jan. 5, Trump signed an executive order banning U.S. transactions with eight Chinese apps, including Ant Groups Alipay, Tencent QQ, and WeChat Pay.

In October last year, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced a measure (S.4869) aimed at safeguarding U.S. national security from high-risk foreign mobile apps, in particular those from China.

Under his proposal, apps defined as high-risk foreign software would come with a warning label alerting users about data and security risks, such as the softwares ownership and country of origin.

Companies that own the high-risk software would be required to submit certain corporate information, such as what user data are being accessed and internal content moderation policies, to both the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department.
Chief Minister



on Sunday underlined the need to censor "obscene" content on OTT (Over the Top) platforms and said the Centre is seriously thinking in this regard.

Chouhan's comments came against the backdrop of a controversy over web series "Tandav" and registration of multiple FIRs in many states, including Madhya Pradesh, against its makers for hurting religious sentiments.

"Obscene content is being served on Young children are also getting affected due to Internet and mobile phones. After seeing such content on mobile phones, a 12-year-old boy recently misbehaved with a six-year-old girl," Chouhan said.

He was speaking at the launch of PANKH abhiyan as part of the "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" drive.

"Young minds are getting affected by such content. Shouldn't such content be censored? Children are like a soft clay and learn what they watch. The Government of India is considering it (censor on OTT) seriously," the senior BJP leader said.

An over-the-top is a streaming media service offered directly to viewers via the Internet. OTT bypasses cable, broadcast, and satellite television platforms.

Chouhan said the people who commit crimes against women will not be spared.

"Similarly, drug mafia who makes youth addicted to drugs won't be spared. Drugs ruin lives. These criminals make young children and girls drug addicts and force them to commit wrong deeds. Young children commit criminal acts by watching pornographic videos. Government and society should come together to stop such cases," he said.

Chouhan said he had introduced the "Ladli Laxmi Yojana" for girls so that they should not be considered a burden by their families.

He reiterated the demand for a debate on increasing the legal age of marriage for women from the current 18 years to 21 years, on par with men.

The chief minister also underlined the need to usher in reforms in "our judicial system, which does not spare the people who commit crime against daughters in the name of human rights".

Chouhan said the ruling BJP government will "crush" criminals who commit crimes against women.

He also advocated capital punishment for criminals involved in rape cases.

Speaking on PANKH drive, the CM said, "P stands for protection, A for awareness, N for nutrition, K for knowledge and H for health. Under this drive, various schemes for the welfare of girls and women will be implemented at a fast pace," the CM said.

Chouhan also said that society should come forward to create awareness about women and girls.

(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.)
Dr Do Pham Nguyet Thanh, born in 1995, an expert at the Biomedical Research Center under the Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, has been honored as one of HCMC 2020 Outstanding Young Citizens thanks to her active contributions to the community.
A participant holds a placard reading "One for all, all for one" during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia on Jan. 23, 2021. (Maxim Shemetov/ REUTERS)

Police Crack Down on Russian Protests Against Jailing of Navalny

MOSCOWPolice detained more than 3,000 people and used force to break up rallies across Russia on Saturday as tens of thousands of protesters ignored extreme cold and police warnings to demand the release of government critic Alexei Navalny.

Navalny had called on his supporters to protest after being arrested last weekend as he returned to Russia from Germany for the first time since being poisoned with a nerve agent he says was slipped to him by state security agents in August.

The authorities had warned people to stay away from Saturdays demonstrations, saying they risked catching COVID-19 as well as prosecution and possible jail time for attending an unauthorised event.

People take part in a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Vladivostok, Russia on Jan. 23, 2021. (Sergei Shevchenko /REUTERS)

But protesters defied the ban and, in at least one case in temperatures below -50 Celsius (-58 Fahrenheit), turned out in force. Leonid Volkov, a Navalny ally, called on them to do the same next weekend to try to free Navalny from what he called the clutches of his killers.

In central Moscow, where Reuters reporters estimated up to 40,000 people had gathered in one of the biggest unauthorised rallies for years, police were seen roughly detaining people, bundling them into nearby vans.

The authorities said just some 4,000 people had shown up, while the foreign ministry questioned Reuters crowd estimate.

Why not just immediately say 4 million? it suggested sarcastically on its official Telegram messenger channel.

Ivan Zhdanov, a Navalny ally, put turnout in the capital at 50,000, the Proekt media outlet reported.

US Condemns Harsh Tactics

Navalnys wife Yulia was briefly detained at the rally before being released. Some of Navalnys political allies were detained in the days before the protest; others on the day itself.

At one point, protesters surrounded a sleek black car with a flashing light used by senior officials, throwing snowballs at it and kicking it. A group of policemen were also pelted with snowballs by a much bigger crowd.

The OVD-Info protest monitor group said that 3,134 people, including 1,201 in Moscow and 471 in St Petersburg, had been detained at rallies in around 100 towns and cities.

The United States condemned what it described as harsh tactics used against protesters and journalists and called for Navalnys immediate and unconditional release.

We call on Russian authorities to release all those detained for exercising their universal rights, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

The European Unions foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said in a post on Twitter that he deplored the authorities disproportionate use of force, while Britains foreign minister, Dominic Raab, condemned the use of violence against peaceful protesters and journalists.

Navalny, a 44-year-old lawyer, is in a Moscow prison pending the outcome of four legal matters he describes as trumped up. He accuses President Vladimir Putin of ordering his attempted murder. Putin has dismissed that, alleging Navalny is part of a U.S.-backed dirty tricks campaign to discredit him.

Some protesters marched on the prison, where police were waiting to arrest them.

Images of protesters with injuries such as bloodied heads circulated on social media.

Law enforcement officers restrain a protester during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Omsk, Russia on Jan. 23, 2021. (Alexey Malgavko /REUTERS)

The scenes were reminiscent of the months-long unrest in Russias neighbouring ally Belarus where anti-government protests flared last August over allegations of voter fraud.

One Moscow protester, Sergei Radchenko, 53, said: Im tired of being afraid. I havent just turned up for myself and Navalny, but for my son because there is no future in this country.

State prosecutors opened criminal cases into alleged violence against police officers by protesters.

In Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, nearly 1,000 people demonstrated against Navalnys arrest. Small demonstrations were also held in Bulgaria and some 200-300 people protested in Paris.

Police in Siberias Yakutsk, one of the coldest cities in the world, where the temperature was -52 Celsius (-62 F) on Saturday, grabbed a protester by his arms and legs and dragged him into a van, video footage showed.

In Moscow, some journalists covering the protests were detained, drawing a rebuke from the U.S. Embassy.

Russian authorities arresting peaceful protesters, journalists, spokesperson Rebecca Ross said on Twitter. Appears to be a concerted campaign to suppress free speech, peaceful assembly.

There were outages on mobile phone and internet services, the monitoring site downdetector.ru showed, a tactic sometimes used by authorities to make it harder for protesters to communicate among themselves.

In a push to galvanise support ahead of the protests, Navalnys team released a video this week about an opulent palace on the Black Sea they alleged belonged to Putin, something the Kremlin denied. As of Saturday the video had been viewed more than 70 million times.

Navalnys allies hope to tap into what polls say are pent-up frustrations among the public over years of falling wages and economic fallout from the pandemic.

By Anton Zverev and Andrew Osborn
Last year, for the first time since 1999, Kenya recorded zero rhino deaths to poaching.

We are incredibly proud of that, says Brigadier John Waweru, who left the navy to take up the role of Director General of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) two years ago. Its not just luck, its down to lots of hard work and dedication, especially in a pandemic year.

Elephant poaching has also reduced from 350 a year five years ago to just 11 in 2020, which is the lowest recorded yearly total ever. I believe it is not a pipe dream to get Kenyas poaching level to zero.

Stop the Illegal Wildlife Trade We are working with conservation charity Space for Giants to protect wildlife at risk from poachers due to the conservation funding crisis caused by Covid-19. You can donate HERE

In the past the east African nations high levels of rhino and elephant poaching have threatened the survival of both species and fuelled the corruptive, corrosive illegal wildlife trade.

In 2016, 14 Kenya rhinos were slaughtered, and nine the following year. The deaths dont just decimate critical wildlife populations, they also put the livelihoods of millions who depend on tourism for a living at risk.

(The Independent )

Last year was a year like no other. Mr Waweru says the pandemic caused a 92 per cent drop in tourism revenue in Kenya, and there were widespread fears of a poaching uptick due to fewer eyes on the ground. Yet those fears proved to be unfounded.

While Covid continues to be a huge crisis, there was no poaching increase, said Mr Waweru. Wildlife has flourished.

Without tourists I think poachers might think KWS had gone to sleep, but instead we did the reverse and enhanced our efforts.

At the start of the pandemic we found there was more interest in bushmeat poaching, but thanks to a sustained, aggressive campaign to help people understand it is not an alternative to beef, we were able to curtail it quickly.

Mr Waweru says that it is only by educating and empowering Kenyans in the protection of wild animals that the war against poachers will eventually be won.

To succeed there must be a very close interaction with the people that live alongside wildlife, he says.

The KWS provides training and support to help people to co exist with wildlife and to understand their value to all of us.

Poachers do not operate in isolation. Thanks to the interaction we have with communities, anyone who sees or suspects wildlife crime alerts us. In this way we can alienate or apprehend potential poachers.

Wildlife does not belong to KWS, it belongs to every Kenyan; it is our shared heritage.

Kenya Wildlife Service has stepped up its fight against illegal wildlife trade, says Director General Brigadier John Waweru (General Brigadier John Waweru)

You could be forgiven for thinking the camo-uniformed, highly regimented KWS is an arm of the military rather than sitting under the department of tourism.

Set up in 1989 amid widespread corruption and insecurity in African parks, the KWS has worked alongside charity partners to transform wildlife security and stabilise the tourism sector.

In the three decades since, Kenyas elephant population has more than doubled to an estimated 34,000, along with 1,258 rhinos.

Protecting these endangered animals, in addition to the mosaic of other wildlife, is a hugely complex and unending task.

Mr Waweru believes his military background enables him to face the challenges of being KWSs Director General.

When I was a naval officer I patrolled and apprehended those involved in illegal fishing or dumping.

As an enforcement arm, when you go out and you expect to see resistance; to meet someone who is armed, just like you.

So I understand what kind of dangers KWS troops face daily. I have been shot at when I was a UN military observer in Bosnia.

When Mr Waweru began his new role after 36 years of public service, he announced that there would be changes in KWS, with all staff encouraged to focus their efforts on implementation, in line with his mission to restore the organisation to its former glory.

There was also warning that anyone who attempted to pull in the opposite direction would have to be let go. Collaboration, conservation and enterprise are Wawerus ethos, with a strong emphasis on mutually beneficial partnerships.

Kenya has suffered heavy poaching in the past, and inefficiency and low morale within the teams conserving and managing wildlife, says Mr Waweru.

I think there was a time of a bit of lethargy, but now there is a feeling of renewed energy in KWS. And we can see the results of that energy in how we are successfully protecting wildlife.

KWS does not work in isolation, but through strong relationships with the police, intelligence services and other organisations such as Kenya Forest Service or charity Space for Giants.

KWS established the Case Progression Unit, unique in Kenya, with the close support of Space for Giants, the international conservation organisation that The Independent's Stop The Illegal Wildlife Trade campaign supports.

Kenya Wildlife Service Director General Brigadier John Waweru officially opens Bachuma Gate Visitor's office in Tsavo East National Park (KWS)

"What used to happen was rangers would put in all the effort, and face all the risk, to arrest suspected wildlife criminals, but they'd walk free from court days later because cases against them were flawed," said Katto Wambua, Space for Giant's Wildlife Justice Senior Advisor.

"The illegal wildlife trade will be defeated just as much in the courtroom as in the bush. It's a testament to KWS's coordinated approach to beating wildlife crime, and the DG's leadership, that they set up and continue to support the Case Progression Unit. It allows the law to be the strong deterrent against wildlife crime that it should be.

Mr Waweru says KWS feels privileged to work with Space for Giants on this pioneering initiative, and he welcomes the work being done by The Independent's Stop The Illegal Wildlife Trade campaign.

Mr Waweru adds by strengthening partnerships wth stakeholders and communities, working with huge dedication to secure wildlife in all spaces we operate in - which is about 18 per cent of Kenyas landmass - we will continue to see the results.

No one has a better job than me. Im one of the luckiest people on earth.
Doris Hobday has spoken of her grief at losing identical twin sister Lilian Cox to coronavirus. (Facebook/TiptonTwins)

The UKs oldest identical twin has slammed Boris Johnsons handling of the COVID crisis after losing her sister to the virus.

Lilian Cox, who was also hospitalised with COVID, praised the doctors and nurses who treated her as fantastic but branded the Prime Minister a w*****, saying a lockdown should have been put in place far earlier.

She and identical twin Doris Hobday, who at 96 were the UKs oldest identical twins, were both rushed to hospital after contracting coronavirus.

But while Cox was discharged from Sandwell General Hospital two weeks later, her sister died on January 5.

Watch: One of Britains oldest identical twins Doris Hobday dies after contracting COVID

Speaking to the Sunday People, Cox said: The nurses and doctors were fantastic but Boris is a bloody w*****.

I think lockdown should have happened a lot earlier  then there would not have been half as many deaths.

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What you can and can't do under current lockdown rules

She told the newspaper she did manage to speak to her sister  who she described as her best friend  by phone when they were in hospital and urged her to fight for her life

The sisters, known as the Tipton Twins, lived on the same street and later lived next door to each other in an assisted living complex.

They became household names in 2019 when they appeared on ITVs This Morning and kept their 40,000 followers on social media regularly updated on their lives, including during lockdown when they formed a support bubble.

According to the Sunday People, Cox is now recovering at her daughters home in Dudley and has started a memorial fundraiser for the Beacon Centre for the Blind, which helped her sisters late husband.

She said: Shell be remembered by thousands. I think we spread a lot of joy together.

Watch: What is long COVID?
The UAE emirate of Sharjah attracted 24 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects worth $220 million (AED 808.6 million) during 2020, as per a Wavteq study on Sharjahs FDI annual performance.

The Year 2020 was arguably one of the most challenging years in human history. However, the pandemic has revealed the resilience of cities like Sharjah, which continued to grow amid crisis by allowing global investors leverage opportunities offered by its diverse economy, business-friendly environment and low operating costs, among other competitive advantages, a Wam news agency report said.

There has been a 60 percent increase in the number of FDI projects between Q3 and Q4. While certain sectors were impacted, others witnessed remarkable growth, offering substantial investment opportunities for businesses in the fields of e-commerce, health and medical research, and personal protective equipment, among others. This boost in economic activity in new and emerging sectors led to the creation of 1,117 new jobs in Sharjah, the study said.

Over the year, Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), the investment promotion office operating under the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), continued to bolster investment activity in Sharjah with a wide range of services and facilities, including a real-time analysis of local markets, which helped incoming businesses identify suitable opportunities. Investor confidence in Sharjah continued to grow in 2020, with 24 new investment projects worth $220 million 2020.

Reflecting on how IIS quickly adapted to the volatility that characterised the year, Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah (IIS), said 2020 had "taught us the competitive advantage of adaptability, which will continue to inform the manner in which IIS would leverage future investment trends."

"The Covid-19 outbreak caused global foreign direct investment (FDI) to shrink by 21% - 61%, according to a Wavteqs report. It also states that job opportunities in the medical equipment manufacturing sector increased by 53.4%, and in life sciences by 45.4%, the highest since 2012. Jobs in e-commerce, financial technologies and logistics also grew at a quick pace during 2020," he added.

Best investments in 2021

Al Musharrkh remarked that Wavteq had forecast an increase in FDI in various vital primary sectors in the next 12 months, predicting a 74% hike in life sciences, 55.6% in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), 49.7% in food and agriculture industries, 46.2% in logistics and distribution, while the cleaning technology industry is expected to grow at a rate of 30.2%. Secondary sectors, including e-commerce, medical technology, education technology, cybersecurity, financial technology, and smart logistics, is expected to bring high-yield investment opportunities for innovation-driven SMEs.

Lessons learned

Apart from the need to increase investment in future industries, 2020 taught us that we must focus on SMEs, start-ups and emerging innovation-based businesses which are the backbone of social capital and economy and have a direct impact on microeconomic indicators, Al Musharrkh said. An analysis of The Global Entrepreneurship Index indicated that countries with high per capita GDP have a higher share of entrepreneurial enterprises, he noted.


New Delhi: The Centre has issued standard operating protocols (SOP) for the upcoming Kumbh mela at Haridwar in Uttarakhand on Sunday (January 24) amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

As per the SOP, all devotees desirous of attending the mela must register with Uttarakhand government. They also have to obtain a compulsory medical certificate from Community health centre or district hospital or medical college in their states.

The National Security Guard (NSG) Commandos will also be deployed at the mela. Uttarakhand Police Commissioner Ashok Kumar said, "to take action against the anti-national elements, two NSG teams will be deployed during Kumbh Mela. The NSG teams will also train our Anti-Terrorist Squad, after meeting with Major General VS Ranade, NSG (IG Operations).

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government authorised Garhwal Commissioner and the Kumbh Mela official to allocate works up to worth Rs 5 crore and Rs 2 crore respectively to speed up preparations for the mela. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Friday (January 22) evening, PTI quoted Cabinet minister Madan Kaushik as saying.

The Uttarakhand Government has also asked the Centre for 20,000 additional vaccines in the wake of Kumbh Mela. The state COVID-19 Control Room chief Dr Abhishek Tripathi divulged that the state government has sent a proposal for the same to the centre.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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Huntington, WV (25701)

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Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 52F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

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Three soldiers died when suspected jihadists carried out twin attacks on the army in central Mali overnight, military sources said Sunday.

"Two simultaneous terrorist attacks in the night of Saturday to Sunday caused the deaths of three soldiers," a military source told AFP detailing raids at Boulkessy and Mondoro in the centre of the Sahel country.

A security source confirmed the attacks and death toll.

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The framers of the Constitution gave the president unlimited power to grant reprieves and pardons, a means to correct overzealous prosecutions and to temper justice with mercy. They thought public opinion, or the threat of impeachment, would constrain presidents from making corrupt or capricious use of clemency. They were wrong.

Recent presidents often have abused their power to help their friends and political allies, often circumventing the usual process for vetting clemency petitions and acting on their way out the door.

This hit home last week when President Donald Trump commuted the life sentence of Jaime Davidson.

Davidson was found guilty in 1993 of playing a role in the 1990 drug robbery that led to the murder of undercover Syracuse police officer Wallie Howard. Trump granted clemency to Davidson and 143 others just hours before he left office, leaving a one-paragraph explanation we are still trying to unpack.

The news blindsided Syracuse police, prosecutors and Howards family and friends, who couldnt understand why a self-proclaimed law-and-order president would commute the sentence of a convicted cop-killer.

Syracuse.com reporters are sorting through the claims and counterclaims made by the convicted trigger man in Howards death, Robert Bam-Bam Lawrence, on whose words Davidsons conviction was based. Lawrence recanted his testimony, then recanted the recantation.

We do know that since Davidsons conviction in 1993, dozens of judges all the way up to the Supreme Court had heard  and rejected  claims that he was railroaded. Davidson sought a pardon through normal channels at the Department of Justice and was turned down, twice. There is no public explanation for those denials.

Davidsons commutation appears to rest on the advocacy of Alice Johnson, the woman Trump freed from federal prison after being lobbied by the celebrity Kim Kardashian. The White House news release says, in part, Notably, witnesses who testified against Mr. Davidson later recanted their testimony in sworn affidavits and further attested that Mr. Davidson had no involvement.

Former federal prosecutors who tried the case still believe it holds up. They were not consulted on the clemency petition. But Lawrences flip-flop raises a shadow of a doubt. Who can we ask for an explanation? No one. The Trump administration ended mere hours after the presidents clemency blitz.

Modern-day presidents have made a habit of granting controversial pardons and commutations in their final days. George H.W. Bush pardoned five figures implicated in the Iran-Contra scandal. On his last day in office, Bill Clinton pardoned fugitive financier Marc Rich and his own brother, Roger. Barack Obama pardoned Chelsea Manning, the former soldier who leaked classified information to WikiLeaks. Trump pardoned political adviser Stephen Bannon, campaign fundraiser Elliott Broidy and former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

Lame-duck presidents, who wont face voters again, dont have to answer for their decisions.

That is partly by design. In Federalist No. 74, Alexander Hamilton wrote, Humanity and good policy conspire to dictate, that the benign prerogative of pardoning should be as little as possible fettered or embarrassed. George Washington used this latitude to pardon the ringleaders of the Whiskey Rebellion. Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon. Jimmy Carter gave amnesty to Vietnam War draft resisters. Hamilton and his contemporaries did not foresee a chief executive who would use the pardon power for his own corrupt ends.

Many criminal justice advocates say presidential grants of clemency are too infrequent and haphazard. There are calls for the new Biden administration to reform the process by creating a bipartisan commission or panel of judges to review and expedite clemency petitions, especially in light of long mandatory minimum sentences that were common in the 1980s and 1990s. Worthy petitioners certainly shouldnt need to have a Kardashian plead their case.

Congress cannot constrain the presidents pardon power through legislation. But it could and should amend the Constitution to prevent outgoing presidents from issuing pardons from a few weeks before Election Day until after the inauguration.

This is just the kind of common-sense reform that both parties could get behind -- similar to constitutional amendments limiting the president to two terms after FDR violated that norm and providing a mechanism to remove an incapacitated chief executive after the Kennedy assassination. When it comes to the pardon power of presidents, politics and self-interest should take a back seat to justice, fairness and mercy.

About Syracuse.com editorials

Editorials represent the collective opinion of the Advance Media New York editorial board. Our opinions are independent of news coverage. Read our mission statement. Members of the editorial board are Tim Kennedy, Trish LaMonte, Katrina Tulloch and Marie Morelli.

To respond to this editorial: Submit a comment through the Google form above, or submit a letter or commentary to letters@syracuse.com. Read our submission guidelines.

If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion leader, at mmorelli@syracuse.com
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Despite dozens of deaths of people shortly after they were vaccinated against coronavirus, scientists say the evidence available so far does not incriminate the new anti-COVID vaccines.

Health agencies stress however that the vast majority of post-vaccination fatalities were elderly, already vulnerable and often sick.

Here's a review of the situation:

Elderly, vulnerable

Norway sparked alarm last week when it reported the deaths of 33 of some 20,000 retirement home residents who had received a first shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

At least 13 of the fatalities were not only very elderly but also considered frail with serious ailments, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health said.

While it noted that no analysis had yet been carried out on the causes of the deaths, it suggested that with the aged and vulnerable the normal side effects of vaccination such as fever or nausea could have contributed.

Outside Norway the news raised widespread concern and fed anti-vaccine scepticism, prompting the authorities to stress that no link had been established between the vaccine and post-jab deaths.

In France, of 800,000 people vaccinated, nine deaths of chronically ill residents of care and retirement homes were recorded by Friday.

The national medicines agency ANSM said that based on available evidence, "Nothing leads to the conclusion that the reported deaths were linked to vaccination."

Other examples include 13 deaths of elderly people recorded in Sweden and seven in Iceland, all with no link established.

In Portugal, a care worker died two days after being inoculated but the justice ministry said a post-mortem found no direct link.

France's interior ministry on January 18 listed 71 "observations of death" in Europe of people who had the inoculation, but offered no further details.

Continued monitoring

The European Medicines Agency said that despite the deaths, "to date no specific concerns have been identified with Comirnaty", the commercial name for the Pfizer shot.

The EMA noted that the authorities investigate fatalities to determine whether the vaccine was responsible.

National and European agencies check any problems with vaccinations reported by health professionals, pharmaceutical firms and patients themselves.

For the moment, the number and type of deaths among those vaccinated are not considered abnormal, with no cause-and-effect relationship identified.

In many countriessuch as France, Norway, Britain and Spainthe frail and elderly are first in line for vaccinations.

"It is not unexpected that some of these people may naturally fall ill due to their age or underlying conditions shortly after being vaccinated, without the vaccine playing any role in that," the UK medicines regulator MHRA said.

Transparency, reassurance

The deaths are a highly sensitive issue, and approaches to informing the public vary.

France and some Nordic countries have reported post-vaccination deaths and detailed the potential side effects of the jabs even if no link has been established.

But Britain's MHRA said it would make a statement at a later date, possibly seeking to avoid spreading alarm.

"We will publish details of all suspected reactions reported in association with approved COVID-19 vaccines, along with our assessment of the data on a regular basis in the future," it said.

In any event, European health officials say the deaths do not call into question the safety of the vaccines.

Norway has not changed its vaccination rollout, even if it has recommended doctors consider the overall health of the most frail before giving them the jab, the policy of numerous other countries.

Globally, more than 60 million doses have been received in at least 64 countries or territories, according to an AFP tally on Saturday.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

 2021 AFP
South Carolina lawmakers will revisit an age-old question this year: whether to cleave apart the state's largest agency, an almost 4,000-employee behemoth with responsibilities ranging from infectious disease to hospital permits to air quality to dam safety.

The issue, supporters of the idea say, is that the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control has grown too large and that it has struggled to retain leadership. The agency has two huge missions: promoting public health across the state, and protecting air, water and land.

A bill to separate the two has already been introduced by state Senate President Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney. Peeler has attracted co-sponsors from both parties, all four of which said the agency's performance during the coronavirus pandemic made it an ideal time to examine it.

But the structure laid out in the first draft of the bill is disconcerting to some who have worked at DHEC in the past, or who interact with the agency now. DHEC's public health mission would become the centerpiece of a new health agency. Its environmental management would be split between two existing agencies: The Department of Natural Resources and the state Department of Agriculture. Neither agency handles as many regulations as DHEC does, or issues as many permits. Both are smaller; the Department of Agriculture has just 137 employees.

"Jesus Christ.  That is a horrible idea," Catherine Templeton, a DHEC director from 2012 to 2015, said of splitting the agency's environmental functions. "Administratively, you just can't do that."

Several other people interviewed for this article said that it was a poor choice to spread out the environmental programs at the agency. Mary Shahid, an attorney who represents companies and private citizens who go to DHEC for permission to build, said the arrangement would add red tape for those who often need several permits from the agency for the same project.

"I think that would significantly weaken environmental protection," Shahid said.

Peeler would not participate in an interview after several requests to his spokeswoman, but said in an emailed statement: "Restructuring DHEC will take vigorous analysis and I look forward to hearing input from my colleagues and groups who will be affected by reforming DHEC." Cosponsors of the bill also noted it's a starting point for a discussion on what to do with the agency.

Specifically, the measure, Senate Bill 2, would:

Create a new Department of Behavioral and Public Health, which would also absorb most of the existing Department of Mental Health and the Department of Alcohol and Other Substance Abuse Services, now both separate agencies.

Abolish the DHEC board and make the leader of the new health department a Cabinet position, selected by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate.

Move some environmental functions to DNR, including the Office of Coastal Resource Management that weighs in on beachfront building, dam oversight, issues related to the Savannah River, and air and water pollution programs.

Move all other environmental programs to the Department of Agriculture, among them hazardous, infectious and radioactive waste management, milk and home-based food production, restaurant inspections, stormwater management and groundwater use.

The idea to split DHEC has the support of Gov. Henry McMaster, who urged lawmakers to debate the topic in his recent State of the State address. A spokesman for the governor said he is not committed to any specific legislation yet.

"Any solution is likely going to involve existing agencies absorbing functions of DHEC that are more in line with those agencies core functions, but its going to take some serious analysis to determine how to do it in a way that best serves South Carolinians," spokesman Brian Symmes wrote.

Laura Renwick, a spokeswoman for DHEC, said the decision to restructure the agency "is a policy issue that the Legislature would need to make a decision on," and that staff would work to make sure lawmakers are informed.

Uniting and splitting

Walt McLeod served as general counsel for DHEC from the late 1960s to mid-1990s. In the beginning of his career, McLeod said programs to stem water pollution were grouped with what was then called the State Board of Public Health, so the public didn't get sick from drinking water or swimming in it.

Those two functions were briefly split apart but reunited in 1973 into DHEC. Over the decades the environmental functions of the agency "mushroomed," he said, as the movement to preserve air, water and land for its own sake gained steam in the Nixon era and beyond.

Until McLeod left in 1996 to take a seat in the General Assembly, small groups of legislators continued to suggest cutting up the agency, but "it was a modest attempt destined to fail."

Some people contacted for this article, including McLeod, thought it wasn't necessary to separate DHEC. While it's a large government functionary, they argued, the two sides of the agency already work somewhat independently.

But there are some drawbacks to having the two lumped together. Mike Rowe, who left DHEC in 2013, said the arrangement was a headache in budget season when he had to convince legislators to fund environmental programs.

DHEC makes budget requests to the health care segment of the state House's Ways and Means Committee. A subcommittee that handled natural resources would have provided a more even playing field, Rowe said.

"We never could go over there and make an argument for hiring civil engineers, air quality (staff), geologists  people we needed to solve environmental problems when the health side is going for women and infant children," he said. "We were dead before we ever got in the car to go downtown."

Another concern is attracting a leader for an agency with two massive mandates.

DHEC, like other public health agencies around the country struggled to find a new director this year after Rick Toomey stepped down in June. The agency's board didn't announce a replacement until late December, leaving the state's public health authority without a permanent chief for six months of the coronavirus pandemic.

State Sen. Thomas McElveen, D-Sumter, is cosponsoring the bill to divide the agency. He said that because of the dual missions, "I don't know how enticing it would be for a competent and capable person to take that (top) job."

Environmental concerns

Many of the people who thought DHEC should be separated did not agree with the current form of the bill. Splitting the environmental programs between two agencies, they said, would be detrimental.

The scope of the Environmental Affairs division is massive: The agency conducted over 61,000 inspections and managed more than 47,500 permits in 2019, Renwick said.

As in many states, DHEC is responsible for carrying out air, water and solid-waste mandates that come from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA gives South Carolina broad block grants to carry out those programs.

Under her tenure as director, Templeton could transfer that funding from one section to another if there was a need; for example, closing coal plants meant fewer fees to fund air-quality standards, and Templeton made up the difference with grant money. Separating the jobs given to the state by EPA would make it impossible to administer that money, she said.

Sara Bazemore, a private practice attorney who spent much of her past career on the environmental side of DHEC, said that staff with similar jobs need to be able to confer with each other quickly. As written now, the bill wouldn't just separate broad air, water and land programs but split apart subsections of DHEC, like the Bureau of Water.

"It's all water, and it's all tied together," she said. "I just think it would be difficult logistically."

Another concern comes in giving the Department of Agriculture responsibility for environmental protection. The department handles some inspection and food-safety programs, but another part of its mission is attracting new agribusiness to the state.

One major business, potato megafarmer Walther Farms, became embroiled in controversy a few years ago as it sought to withdraw water from the Edisto River. In 2018, after a long legal battle, Walther won the right before the S.C. Supreme Court to keep a DHEC permit for 800 million gallons a month.

Andrew Wunderley, of Charleston Waterkeeper, worried whether it's wise to let an agency devoted to farmers issue permits on what resources farmers can use.

"If you have (Agriculture) making decisions about groundwater withdrawals, you can very quickly have a conflict of interest," Wunderley said. "It doesn't seem like a good place for those types of decisions to be."

Laura Cantral, executive director of the Coastal Conservation League, said that while the Department of Agriculture was effective in supporting farms and protecting consumers, it "shares little with DHECs environmental responsibilities."

Eva Moore, a spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture, declined to comment on the bill.

Alternate arrangements

Some of those who agree with splitting DHEC argue it would be better to separate it into a new health agency and a new environmental regulator, an arrangement that exists in other states. Templeton, for example, agrees with a division but thinks it's crucial that the environmental programs stay together.

Moving both sides into new agencies is the explicit goal of bill cosponsor McElveen, who said it would be best for "one to become two."

State Sen. Greg Hembree, R-North Myrtle Beach, is another cosponsor, and said he's most motivated by reforming the public health side of the agency. But he was open to the idea of a new environmental department. He argued it wouldn't necessarily grow the size of state government either, because the new health agency is slated to absorb two smaller agencies.

Cosponsor Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington, said that the bill is "a pathway" to discovering how to best reform DHEC; Sen. Sandy Senn, R-Charleston, said she wants both sides of the agency to come out working better, and said the bill is "going to go through the sausage-making factory."

Lawmakers could also put all of DHEC's environmental programs into DNR, Wunderley suggested, since that agency already works on natural resource issues.

"There's a lot of overlap there that seems to make sense," he said.

Ultimately, McLeod said the organizational structure isn't the reason that DHEC has had some stumbles during the coronavirus pandemic. He argued that the real problem is that the agency's corps of public health workers was hollowed out over time.

DHEC has warned state lawmakers repeatedly that budget cuts had stymied its ability to respond to a pandemic, The Post and Courier reported.

"The reason it can't be (totally effective) now is that it doesn't have the people to do the job," McLeod said.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that Templeton is in favor of separating DHEC, but not dividing its environmental programs.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

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Periods of rain. Low 43F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch..

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Periods of rain. Low 43F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch.
DP World, UAE Regions flagship free zone Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with UAE-based STAR-K Kosher Certification to educate its partners in the food and agricultural commodities sector about kosher certification, aiding them to get certified as kosher.

The MoU was signed by Ahmad Al Haddad, Chief Operating Officer, Parks and Zones, DP World, UAE Region and Rabbi Ahron Haskel, President, STAR-K Kosher Certification in the Middle East, Europe and Africa, in the presence of Rabbi Yanki Hoffman, Vice President, STAR-K Kosher Certification in the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

DP World, UAE Regions strategically located logistics hub comprising the Jebel Ali Port and Jafza caters to all segments of the food and agriculture industry including food processing, grain/cereal processing, meat processing, edible oil processing, tea/coffee processing and sugar refining. With its premium facilities, Jafza is a preferred destination for import and export of products like sugar, meat, cocoa, dairy products, coffee, tea, fruits, spices and other goods.

Jafza has a dedicated food and agriculture cluster of 1.57 million sq m with over 550 companies from more than 70 countries, employing over 6,000 people. 38 per cent of these companies are from the Middle East, 23 per cent from Asia, 19 per cent from Europe, 10 per cent from Africa, 8 per cent from North America, 1 per cent from South America and 1 per cent from Oceania.

Ahmad Al Haddad, Chief Operating Officer, Parks and Zones, DP World, UAE Region said: The UAE is a melting pot of cultures. The country is home to people from various countries and is accepting of traditions from varied cultures. With the recent developments between the UAE and Israel, we expect the demand for kosher food to be on the rise. We are delighted to team up with STAR-K Kosher Certification. Through this partnership, we hope to utilise their expertise from time to time by hosting digital and physical seminars for our clients. With this endeavour, we hope to enlighten our partners in the free zone about the benefits of getting a kosher certification.

Rabbi Ahron Haskel, President, STAR-K Kosher Certification, said: "STAR-K Kosher Certification has provided kosher supervision for over 50 years. Over the years, we have gained the reputation of providing prompt service with the help of our team of experts including technical staff, a network of rabbinic Kashrus administrators, food scientists and field supervisors. It is important, especially now, in light of the Israel-UAE peace agreement, to make entities in the food industry aware of the added value of kosher-certified products not only for the Jewish community here, but also for anyone looking for healthy and halal-compliant options."

With smart services like Dubai Trades "E-Delivery Order" that allows supply chain stakeholders to handle their complex import processes to ZADI, an innovative unified food import platform aimed at facilitating the import and re-export of food shipments throughout Dubai ports, Jafza has made it easier for investors and business owners in times of the pandemic by minimising the need for manual transactions and personal visits.

Ahmad Al Haddad and Rabbi Ahron Haskel
By Brett Wilkins, staff writer at Common Dreams. Originally published at CommonDreams

Digital rights advocates reacted with alarm to a report published Friday detailing how Defense Intelligence Agency analysts in recent years bought databases of U.S. smartphone location data without first obtaining warrants.

The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is part of the Department of Defense and is tasked with informing military and civilian policymakers about the activities and intentions of foreign governments and nonstate actors.

The new revelation, first reported by the New York Times, initially came in the form of DIA responses to questions from Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) regarding the agencys warrantless purchase of commercial location data generated by phones both inside and outside of the United States.

Wyden asked the DIA to clarify its interpretation of Carpenter v. United States, a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision barring law enforcement agencies from requesting personal location information from a cellphone company without first obtaining a search warrant from a judge.

DIA does not construe the Carpenter decision to require a judicial warrant endorsing purchase or use of commercially-available data for intelligence purposes, the agency replied, implicitly acknowledging its exploitation of an apparent loophole in the case that DIA believes permits its warrantless acquisition of location data from third-party brokers.

heres the defense intelligence agency memo confirming that the government is buying commercially available smartphone location data w/o a warrant pic.twitter.com/DXGH24PRph  chris mills rodrigo (@chrisismills) January 22, 2021

Furthermore, Wyden asked whether DIA operatives differentiated between phone location data obtained inside the U.S. and abroad.

DIAs data provider does not supply separate streams of U.S. and foreign location data, the agency explained, and so DIA processes the location data as it arrives to identify U.S. location data points, which it segregates in a separate database.

DIA personnel can only query this database of U.S. location data when authorized by the DIA chief of staff and DIAs office of general counsel, it added. Permission to query DIAs database of commercially acquired U.S. device location data has been granted five times in the past two-and-a-half years, when DIA first started buying this source of data.

Last September it was revealed that the U.S. military was purchasing device location data from appsincluding a Muslim prayer app used by tens of millions of people around the worldand using it for counterterrorism purposes.

The military industrial complex and the surveillance state have always had a cozy relationship with tech, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) said at the time. Buying bulk data in order to profile Muslims is par for the course for themand is absolutely sickening. It should be illegal!

Holy hell. The U.S. military is buying location data harvested from a Muslim prayer app with over 98 million downloads worldwide and using it for counterterrorism. This is absolutely unacceptable. https://t.co/2faYrh3SXY  Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) November 16, 2020

To that end, the ACLU in December filed a lawsuit to determine how and why federal agencies are buying access to bulk databases of Americans cellphone location information and skirting the Fourth Amendments warrant requirement.

And as The Hill reported Friday, Wyden plans to introduce legislationthe Fourth Amendment Is Not for Sale Actwhich would prohibit government agencies from buying personal information from data brokers.

I think weve really reached the point where you have so much data floating around that governments can essentially buy their way around the Fourth Amendment, Wyden lamented last November.

In a Senate speech on Wednesday, Wyden condemned the status quo in which the government, instead of getting an order, just goes out and purchases the private records of Americans from these sleazy and unregulated commercial data brokers who are simply above the law.

Digital and pivacy rights advocates agree.

The government cannot simply buy our private data in order to bypass bedrock constitutional protections, senior ACLU staff attorney Ashley Gorski told The Hill. Congress must end this lawless practice and require the government to get a warrant for our location data, regardless of its source.

The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency shouldnt be spying on Americans, without a warrant, by paying data brokers for location info generated by our phone apps. https://t.co/1KUtaJG1jw  EFF (@EFF) January 22, 2021

News of the DIA warrantless data acquisition came a day after Avril Haines was sworn in as President Joe Bidens director of national intelligence. Haines will oversee the nations 18 intelligence agencies, including the DIA.

Wyden supports Haines appointment, in part due to what he called her commitments related to transparency issues. A broad range of progressive groups, however, strongly opposed her nomination.

During her Senate confirmation hearing earlier this week, Wyden asked Haines about government abuse of commercially available location data.

I would seek to try to publicize, essentially, a framework that helps people understand the circumstances under which we do that and the legal basis that we do that under, she replied. I think thats part of whats critical to promoting transparency generally so that people have an understanding of the guidelines under which the intelligence community operates.
OnSceneTV

A pedestrian was killed early Saturday in a hit-and-run crash on Interstate 69 in Houston's Upper Kirby area, police said.

Police responded shortly after 1 a.m. to the southbound lanes of the Southwest Freeway near Kirby Drive, where they found a man struck several times by a vehicle, said Sgt. P. Pham of the Houston Police Department. The man, who has not been identified, died.
LEADING loyalists are facing a backlash from within their own communities over the Irish Sea customs border and its effect on the union.

A senior UVF source told Sunday Life its bosses had "messed up" over their support for Brexit, which appears to have enhanced the prospect of a united Ireland.

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The damning assessment comes on the back of meetings between the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) and Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) - an umbrella body which counts paramilitary representatives amongst its members.

UVF boss Winkie Irvine and UDA chief Jimmy Birch were among the LCC delegation that sat down recently with senior civil servants to discuss the customs border.

The Belfast Telegraph reported that they were "briefed on the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol" by NIO permanent secretary Madeleine Alessandri and three other officials.

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The summit came amid growing unease in loyalist communities about the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland, and concerns about empty supermarket shelves and lorries stuck at shipping ports.

A UVF source said: "The UVF and UDA leaderships have to carry the can for this in loyalist communities, the DUP as well.

"They all advocated for Brexit and voted to leave the EU. They told people the union was safe and that Brexit secured Northern Ireland's position within the UK. Now they are running to the NIO complaining about what they have voted for. They were warned about the threat of a customs border dividing Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, but dismissed it, which was a big mistake to make."

After meeting with NIO officials, the LCC said government must "ensure there would be no actual or perceived diminution in Northern Ireland's constitutional position".

It also warned the NIO that it would be "monitoring" the treatment of Northern Ireland citizens under the new dispensation and, "if necessary", would "consider sponsoring legal action to protect the position of unionists".

Some have taken this as a veiled threat, however UVF figures have denied there is any implied menace.

Our source added: "There won't be any loyalists taking to the streets over this like the flag protests. That didn't work then and won't work now."

LCC member Robert Williamson described the NIO meeting as "forthright and hard-hitting".

"People spoke their minds. It was important for the NIO to be told the feeling in loyalist working-class estates," Mr Williamson told the Belfast Telegraph.

"There is a lot of fear that our identity is being diluted. There are concerns about empty supermarket shelves and lorries queued at ferry ports."

Insisting that unionist rights must be protected by the Good Friday Agreement, he added: "The Agreement should not be a green document. There are a million unionists in Northern Ireland and the agreement is there to protect us too."


The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission lists Tse as a Priority Organisation Target, a designation the criminal intelligence commission chief Mick Phelan has previously said is reserved for those entities suspected of causing significant harm to the nation. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Tses arrest will be heralded not just in Australia but by the US government and authorities in New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and across Europe, places which have all served as markets or supply hubs for Tses organisation. Policing authorities say that, more than any other alleged Asia Pacific drug trafficker, Tse represents the modernisation and corporatisation of organised crime. The syndicate he allegedly helps control is an amalgam of once competing Chinese Triad groups that have variously worked with Australian bikies, South American cartels and European crime bosses. The Company mostly avoided generating media headlines and viewed violence as bad for business as it industrialised drug production via super laboratories in Myanmars lawless Shan State and accessed massive stockpiles of precursor chemicals in southern China.

The syndicate is alleged to have dispatched expendable shore parties to its most profitable market in Australia to handle wholesale distribution to local drug bosses. When these shore party drug runners or domestic distributors were occasionally busted by the AFP or state agencies, Tse allegedly shrugged it off as a business expense. He also had inside help. A police intelligence report circulated among overseas agencies warned The Company had corrupted policing and security agencies across Asia. A former investigator told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald that Tse had boasted Macau in my pocket. In 2019, Tse even obtained the contents of a highly confidential Australian Federal Police document circulated among partner forces which alerted him to the fact that he was a high value police target. That fact makes the story of his investigation and planned extradition pieced together by The Age and Herald over two years and conversations with more than a dozen Australian and Hong Kong serving and former investigators  even more remarkable. Tracking a drug boss

In 2011, the Australian Federal Police began monitoring a millionaire Melbourne greengrocer with an unusual profile. Vietnamese born Australian national Suky Lieu was under surveillance as he met well established Italian mafia clan bosses in Melbourne. He also dined with Asian organised crime figures and he knew bikies. Intelligence suggested he was a man in demand because of his access to a seemingly endless supply of imported narcotics being distributed in Sydney and Melbourne. A quietly spoken and determined federal police drugs investigator, Roland Singor, along with a small team of AFP investigators and analysts began closely tracking Lieu as part of probe codenamed Volante. Media and press releases surrounding Lieus eventual arrest in 2013 depicted him as a Mr Big on par with Tony Mokbel. But phone taps later aired in Lieus court case revealed he was more akin to a logistics manager who was following orders from afar. Last year, AFP deputy commissioner Karl Kent described the organisation as being a huge threat to Australia  not only in terms of illicit drugs but in terms of people smuggling, in terms of firearms. Credit: We were seeing a lot of offshore conversations where they were talking about supply and demand price, concealments, projects that they were undertaking, recalled Singor when he was interviewed last year by 60 Minutes and The Age and Herald.

Singor was guarded about the precise content of the phone interceptions and classified intelligence captured in 2012. But Victorian court records reveal Lieu appeared most deferential when dealing with a man in Hong Kong with the Cantonese nickname Sam Gor or Brother Three. He was based offshore, a very, very cautious individual. He didn't directly deal with people here in the nuts and bolts, Singor said. If something went wrong for example, or a seizure occurred, or money was intercepted here, his broker and his managers would interact and then refer to the fact that the big boss wasn't happy, that they had to answer for these seizures. Following offshore leads can take years and cost millions and infuriate budget-conscious senior police in Canberra. Even so, Singors federal police crew in Melbourne pushed for more time and money. Their lobbying paid off. We started to hear about a reference to a very high-ranking member of this organisation who had global reach, had global control, and had a serious ranking globally as an international trafficker, says Singor. He was referred to as Sam Gor, the Brother Three in Cantonese. Adding to Singors intelligence picture was a classified and highly controversial probe codenamed Dayu and run between 2008 and 2012 by the Australian Crime Commission (later renamed the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission).

In an operation still mostly hidden behind court suppression orders and secrecy classifications, the ACC had allowed and even facilitated the movement of drug money from Australian to Asia in the hope it would help identify offshore crime bosses who had taken over the drug trade from traditional domestic crime groups. Letting dirty money cross international borders rather than seizing it pushed the risk appetite of Australian law enforcement chiefs to breaking point and despite impressive results, Dayu would ultimately fizzle out amid bitter inter-agency turf wars and allegations of rogue conduct. But before it did, investigators believed they had identified a Chinese triad-led international organisation whose members whispered about a boss they called Grandfather. The ACC named it The Grandfather Syndicate but as investigators eavesdropped on more conversations involving the group's members, they chose the name used by the group itself: The Company. The Company A 2012 ACC intelligence briefing claimed the multinational organisation was made up of about two dozen "seats" or executive management positions held by formerly warring triad bosses across Asia, who shifted in seniority and location according to demand and supply. It claimed money from drug ventures was laundered in Australia and poured into a range of ventures including "high-profile internet gambling facilities across south-east Asia, Asian hotel chains and resorts, commercial construction companies, property companies in Hong Kong and Vietnam", as well as casinos.

Among The Company 's most valuable assets was its infiltration" of governments and police and security agencies across Asia. According to the ACC briefing, "the pooling of resources of the main triad groups has allowed them to merge their contacts, assets and holdings. These contacts, intelligence briefings warned, included high-ranking Asian government officials and their relatives, including figures with close ties to Hun Sen regime in Cambodia, a top politician in Vietnam and a Chinese government official who had worked with Interpol. Singor and the AFPs Operation Volante picked up where the crime commissions Operation Dayu left off, filling in a still-emerging intelligence picture about the operations of The Company. Court records reveal Singor and his fellow AFP detectives tracked millions in cash back to Crown Casino in Melbourne. The cash, generated by Suky Lieu's drug sales, was given to a high-roller tour business known as a junket operator. Crown licensed and paid that business to attract wealthy gamblers to come to its Southbank casino. Millions laundered through Crown's casinos in Melbourne and Perth. Credit:Scott McNaughton

The court records detail how this junket in turn wired millions of drug dollars to Hong Kong. Some of the alleged orders to do so were issued by Brother Three and were recorded on phone taps aired during the prosecutions of Suky Lieus associates. At Crowns Perth casino, another high-roller tour junket closely linked to Brother Three was turning over even more money  hundreds of millions of dollars in cash via gamblers who arrived on private jets from Macau in 2015. The still-ongoing Bergin inquiry in NSW into Crowns organised crime dealings recently heard how this Perth junket was owned by a business also running a chain of Hot Pot restaurants in Macau. The Bergin inquiry heard how a Crown manager had warned back in 2015 that this junket was linked to Macaus underground network. The Macau police provided Australian authorities a further sliver of intelligence about the Hot Pot junket. A suspected silent partner in the Hot Pot business was an extremely discrete but obscenely wealthy businessman. His name was Tse Chi Lop but some of his associates referred to him in Cantonese as Sam Gor.

Tse Chi Lop was Brother Three. Closing in on Tse By 2015, Tse, a short, middle-aged and pudgy faced man who looked more accountant than crime boss, was firmly on the radar of drug enforcement agencies across the globe. Police believe Tse, a Canadian national born in Guangdong Province in Southern China in 1964, became a low ranking member of a Triad crime syndicate known as the Big Circle Gang before migrating to Canada in the 1980s. In 1996, the FBI arrested him in connection to a drug importation ring in the US that was sourcing heroin from the Golden Triangle in Asia. Police intelligence suggests that, after serving nine years in jail, Tse re-established his Triad connections, including to the notorious head of the 14K triad organisation, Wan Kuok Koi, a gangster more commonly known as Broken Tooth.

While the ostentatious Broken Tooth was busy generating news headlines, including by launching a crypto-currency, investing in Myanmars casino industry and promoting the Chinese Communist Party's enormous Belt and Road global infrastructure agenda, Tse was suspected by police to be easing quietly into one of The Companys top "seats" or executive positions. Critical to The Companys success was its supply hubs in corruption-prone Asian countries and regions like Shan State in Myanmar, which is governed by ethnic warlords. An International Crisis Group report last year noted that the drugs trade would not be possible without high-level corruption in those countries  including China, Laos and Thailand  through which large consignments of drugs or their precursors are smuggled. The other key to The Companys success was corrupting logistics and shipping companies in drug-hungry markets like Australia, where voracious consumers are prepared to pay a premium for ice, cocaine and other drugs.

The AFPs Operation Volante had shut down Lieu and 35 others, the key alleged Australian distribution hub for Tse, but it was quickly replaced. In April 2017, the AFPs Operation Jacaranda seized a record 903 kilograms of methamphetamine also linked to Tse. At the time, it was Australias largest ice bust. Six months later, the federal police and Taiwanese authorities intercepted another huge drug shipment that had arrived in Western Australia. The syndicate was also implicated in the seizure of 600 kilograms of methamphetamine from a yacht moored at Naha port in Okinawa. It was billed in the media as Japans largest drug bust. As months of investigations turned into years, the federal police patiently tracked Tse and his associates via a newly badged operation codenamed Kungar. Federal police liaison officers in Myanmar, Washington, Thailand, China and Hong Kong worked with trusted counterparts in local agencies to gather fresh intelligence on The Companys operations. Last year, Reuters reported that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime had estimated The Companys meth revenue in 2018 at $8 billion a year, but said it could be as high as $17.7 billion.

In December 2019, the AFP intercepted yet another drug shipment from Bangkok: 1.6 tonnes of methamphetamine and 37 kilograms of heroin worth an estimated $1.2 billion. Police also arrested a couple running a shipping and freight logistics business, who are accused of helping smuggle the contraband past authorities. Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Karl Kent described the seizure last year in an interview with 60 Minutes as another record bust, bigger than any before it. But his comments also marked a decided shift in the AFPs rhetoric. Bigger busts were not indicative of success but the endless war of attrition against powerful and shadowy crime conglomerates. This has raised deep concerns in every jurisdiction in this country about the volume that we're seizing because it tells us that there is a significant volume, probably about the same, that we're missing, Kent said. Financial sanctions Kent hinted in his interview that Tse was still being hunted, but that police were also focussing on new strategies to disrupt and deter powerful international syndicates who could replace bosses almost as quickly as they could find fresh drug mules.

The American government would move first. On December 9, the US Treasury Department blacklisted Tses close associate Wan Kuok Koi, aka Broken Tooth, using "Magnitsky Act" financial sanctions that were originally designed to crush corrupt Russian oligarchs. The listing of Broken Tooth was aimed at the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and more politically symbolic than practical. But it also prevented the triad boss from dealing with any US financial outlet or business. In its formal statement, the Treasury Department said Broken Tooth was a member of the CCPs Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, a Beijing advisory body. It also accused him of using the CCPs Belt and Road project to legitimise his criminal activities. This continues a pattern of overseas Chinese actors trying to paper over illegal criminal activities by framing their actions in terms of ... major initiatives of the CCP," the Treasury statement said. Australia has no equivalent financial sanctions regime.

To catch Tse, the AFP would have to rely on an old and time consuming tool: a Mutual Assistance Request from Attorney-General Christian Porter to the Taiwanese government, where Tse was suspected to be hiding, or to any of the other countries where he travelled. Throughout 2019, lawyers from the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions extracted evidence about Tse from the case against Suky Lieu as it finalised a brief of prosecution. Brother Three was finally to face justice in Australia. Who are the other Brothers? His arrest in the Netherlands and plans to extradite him, while undoubtedly a significant law enforcement success, leaves many questions.

In his interview last year, Deputy Commissioner Karl Kent cautioned that locking up the next El Chapo or Brother Three was less a priority than finding ways to attack the infrastructure that organised crime groups need to prosper. It's not just about that individual. It's the whole network and how can we have an effect on their business mode, he said. There is evidence these strategies are already working. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission is dedicating resources to expelling from Australia all the casino junket operators linked to The Company. By the end of 2020 it had crippled the operations of the worlds biggest junket company. Policing agencies are lobbying the federal government to introduce an Australian version of the Magnitsky Act, allowing authorities to financially blacklist suspected crime bosses and corrupt officials. The greatest legacy of Brother Three may be to force policing agencies to rethink how they operate and measure success. Make no mistake, someone will take their place and they'll take their place very, very quickly, Kent said last year.
The steering committee of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) is set to meet shortly to clear the decks for the World Solar Bank (WSB), which is expected to be headquartered in India, said two people aware of the development. India may become its lead member by taking a 30% stake in it through a $600 million equity commitment.

This would be the first multilateral development bank (MDB) headquartered in India and comes even as Beijing has taken the lead in creating the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the New Development Bank (NDB).

ISA and Brickworks Analytics has prepared a feasibility study report for setting up the WSB and former NDB and ICICI Bank chief K.V. Kamaths help was sought for building a multilateral lending institution from the ground up. Kamath hasnt charged any fee for the proposed MDB and has helped frame the terms of reference of the Brickworks report.

Among the growing cities in India, New Delhi, Bangalore and Ahmedabad/GIFT City would be the best suited locations to host the WSB," said the Brickworks Analytics report reviewed by Mint.

The international steering committee members comprising France, India, the UK, Netherlands, Cuba, Guyana, Fiji and Nauru are expected to discuss issues such as WSBs governance structure, resource mobilization and the country where it should be headquartered. The WSB plans to disburse around $50 billion to ISA member countries over the next 10 years.

GIFT City may be shown as the potential place if India is chosen to have the HQ," said one of the persons mentioned above requesting anonymity.

The idea of a WSB has gained traction as many ISA member countries may have difficulty raising finances on their own. This also comes against the backdrop of around 800 million people not having access to power.

We plan to make presentations to all leading member and prospective member countries (which are now all 193 UN member countries) in the coming weeks, including Germany and Japan, explaining the need and logic of the WSB and how essential it is to usher in universal energy access and gender justice," ISA director general Upendra Tripathy said.

Setting up the WSB may require a total equity capital of $10 billion, a committed capital of $8 billion, and a paid-up capital of $2 billion. This will help mobilize debt to the tune of around seven times the equity value.

The setting up of the NDB by BRICS countries demonstrates that the WSB has a place in todays context and, importantly, that it can be done in a profitable manner. More so when the purpose of the institution is to look at green energy, which indeed is the future," Kamath said.

Setting up the WSB will add heft to Indias credentials as a clean energy champion that was bolstered by co-founding the ISA, the first treaty-based international government organization headquartered here. Mint had first reported about the proposed bank on 25 June 2018.

An external spokesperson for Brickworks Analytics declined to comment, citing confidentiality. Queries emailed to a spokesperson for Indias ministry of new and renewable energy late on Tuesday night remained unanswered.

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Dutch police have arrested the alleged leader of one of the worlds biggest drug gangs.

Officers said they detained Tse Chi Lop, a Chinese-born Canadian accused of running The Company, an organisation believed to dominate the 50bn-a year Asia-Pacific drug trade, on Friday.

Mr Tse, who has been compared to Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, was arrested without incident at Amsterdams Schiphol Airport, Dutch police spokesperson Thomas Aling has said.

He was already on the most-wanted list and he was detained based on intelligence we received, Mr Aling said.

The alleged gang leader was arrested on a warrant issued by Australia.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 27 May 2021 A man waits to receive a dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, in the rooms of the Claudia Comte exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Castello di Rivoli near Turin AFP/Getty World news in pictures 26 May 2021 A girl, with her face painted with the colours of the opposition flag, looks on during a demonstration against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and presidential elections, in the opposition-held Idlib, Syria Reuters World news in pictures 25 May 2021 A Buddhist monk climbs atop a giant statue of Buddha, to wash and decorate on the eve of Buddha Purnima, a holiday traditionally celebrated for Buddha's birthday also known as Vesak celebrations, in Bhopal AFP/Getty World news in pictures 24 May 2021 Lava from the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo cuts through Buhene north of Goma, Congo AP World news in pictures 23 May 2021 Cyclists at the start of the 15th stage of the Giro dItalia, a 147km race between Grado and Gorizia AFP/Getty World news in pictures 22 May 2021 Swiss Guards take their position prior to the arrival of the European Commission President at San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican for a private audience with the Pope AFP/Getty World news in pictures 21 May 2021 A dog that has been trained to sniff out the coronavirus disease, screens a sweat sample at Chulalongkorn University, in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters World news in pictures 20 May 2021 Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr in action during a F1 practice session at the Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo Reuters 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/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/Getty 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. 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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. 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He is expected to be extradited after appearing before a judge.

In a separate statement, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said its department had issued an arrest warrant for Mr Tse in 2019 in connection with an investigation known as Operation Volante.

Operation Volante had been launched with the goal of dismantling a global crime syndicate operating in five countries, the police force said.

The syndicate targeted Australia over a number of years, importing and distributing large amounts of illicit narcotics, laundering the profits overseas and living off the wealth obtained from crime, the AFP said.

In 2013, the police force had announced that the same operation had resulted in the arrest of 27 people for importing and trafficking substantial quantities of heroin and methamphetamine into Australia.

Speaking in 2019, Jeremy Douglas, the Southeast Asia and Pacific representative for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), claimed Mr Tse was in the league of El Chapo or maybe Pablo Escobar.

The organisation he is accused of running, which is also known by the name Sam Gor, which means Brother Number Three in Cantonese, is believed to be connected with at least 13 cases of drug trafficking since January 2015, according to Reuters.
Cyclone Yaas: How mangrove forest in Odisha acted as protective barrier against Nature's fury yet again?

Will quit if Centre brings law allowing only one member of family in politics: Mamata nephew

India

pti-Deepika S

Kultali, Jan 24: In a direct challenge to his detractors in the BJP, TMC MP and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee''s nephew Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday said he will quit politics if the Centre brings a law allowing only one member of a family in politics.

Banerjee said he will publicly hang himself if the corruption charges levelled against him are proved to be true.

The Diamond Harbour MP, while addressing a rally in Kultali assembly constituency, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should table a bill banning more than one member of a family from active politics and the next moment, Banerjee will no longer be in the political arena.

"From Kailash Vijayvargiya to Suvendu Adhikari, Mukul Roy to Rajnath Singh, there are other members of your families who occupy important posts in the BJP.

"If you ensure that there will be only one family member in active politics, there will be only Mamata Banerjee from our family in the TMC from the next moment. I promise that," he said.

Taking exception to BJP leaders calling him an "extortionist", Banerjee challenged them to prove their allegations and said he will publicly hang himself if the charges against him are proved to be true.

West Bengal elections 2021: Zero tolerance towards money and muscle power says EC

Referring to the Victoria Memorial incident during a programme on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on Saturday, he said ''Jai Shri Ram'' slogans were deliberately raised to prevent Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from delivering her speech.

The chief minister had refused to deliver her speech after the slogans were raised in the presence of the prime minister, saying she felt insulted.

"We are proud that Mamata Banerjee made it clear that if Netaji is insulted by such slogans during a government function, we will rise in protest. Bengal will rise in protest," the TMC MP said.

"You can chant Jai Shri Ram thousand times, but at temples, at religious functions, at your place but not in this fashion at a government programme to commemorate an icon like Netaji," he said.

By not allowing her to make her speech in such a programme, they also insulted the people who elected her to the assembly. This reminded people of the vandalism of the Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar bust in 2019, he said.

Coming down heavily on BJP leader Sovan Chatterjee, the TMC leader said, "After waking up from hibernation after three years, he is now making a false claim that he was instrumental in my victory in Diamond Harbour in 2014. He should know what people in the area think about him."

Without naming Chatterjee, a TMC turncoat who joined the BJP in 2019, Banerjee challenged him to contest any of the 31 seats in South 24 Parganas district.

On Banerjee''s comments on dynasty politics, state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh said that the TMC MP had never raised such demands earlier and is making such statements now as the party is faced with imminent defeat in the assembly elections due in April-May.

VHP slams Mamata Banerjee for protest over 'Jai Shri Ram' chant

India

pti-Madhuri Adnal

Kolkata, Jan 24: The VHP leadership on Sunday came down heavily on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not delivering her speech at the main 'Parakram Diwas' celebration here after 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans greeted her, saying it reflects her "anti-Hindu" mindset and efforts to appease a particular community.

A visibly agitated Banerjee, who was called to deliver her speech at the Netaji birth anniversary ceremony at Victoria Memorial on Saturday, had fumed over the "insult" and said, it was a government programme and not a political event. "What Mamata Banerjee did yesterday reflects her anti-Hindu mindset and her efforts towards appeasement politics. Lord Ram is soul of the country. Why does she get angry with 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans? We fail to understand," international joint general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Surendra Jain told PTI.

Declare Netajis birthday as national holiday: Mamata Banerjee

When a section of the crowd continued with their chanting, the chief minister had said, before returning to her seat, "I thank the Prime Minister and the Union culture ministry for holding this programme in Kolkata. This is a government programme and not a political programme. There has to be dignity. It doesn't behove anybody to invite people and insult. I won't speak. Jai Bangla, Jai Hind."

BJP leader and grandnephew of Netaji, Chandra Kumar Bose, said there was nothing wrong with the slogan and Netaji's birth anniversary should not be mixed with politics. The Congress and the Left Front had backed Banerjee and slammed the BJP for the incident.
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(CNN)  The UK's decision to wait up to 12 weeks before giving people their second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine should be scrapped, senior doctors have said, reigniting a debate over the British government's unorthodox inoculation strategy.

Britain is prioritizing giving more of its most at-risk citizens a first dose of a vaccine, and has delayed appointments for a second jab.

But the decision has been debated in the medical community, and the chairman of the British Medical Association (BMA) urged ministers to follow the "best practice" and cut the wait time to six weeks for the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.

Pfizer/BioNTech recommend the second dose takes place 21 days after the first, and have said there's no data to support a 12-week gap.

"What we're saying is that the UK should adopt this best practice based on international professional opinion," BMA chairman Dr. Chaand Nagpaul told the BBC on Saturday. The organization has sent a letter to the UK's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, warning against the delay.

"Most nations in the world are facing challenges similar to the UK, in having limited vaccine supply and also wanting to protect their population maximally," Nagpaul added. "No other nation has adopted the UK's approach."

In a statement to CNN, a BMA spokesperson said the letter informs Whitty of "the growing concern from the medical profession regarding the delay of the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as the UK's strategy has become increasingly isolated from many other countries."

The group told CNN they were also concerned about the availability of the vaccine in the coming weeks, saying their members feel that "given the unpredictability of supplies, there may not be any guarantees that second doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be available in 12 weeks' time."

"The Association is urging the (Chief Medical Officer) to urgently review the UK's current position of second doses after 12 weeks," they said.

Britain is vaccinating its citizens at one of the quickest rates in the world, thanks partly to its spread-out dosing strategy. More than 5 million Brits have received at least one dose of either the Pfizer or the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, and more than 400,000 people are receiving the jab on a daily basis.

Public Health England's medical director Yvonne Doyle defended the plan, telling the BBC on Saturday it was necessary to bring the virus under control.

"The more people that are protected against this virus, the less opportunity it has to get the upper hand. Protecting more people is the right thing to do," she said.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been in use in the UK since early December, when it became the first country in the world to approve it.

When Britain first announced its plans, Pfizer said it did not have data to demonstrate that just a single dose of its vaccine would provide protection against the disease after more than 21 days.

"Pfizer and BioNTech's Phase 3 study for the Covid-19 vaccine was designed to evaluate the vaccine's safety and efficacy following a 2-dose schedule, separated by 21 days," Pfizer said in a statement last month. "There are no data to demonstrate that protection after the first dose is sustained after 21 days."

But the chief medical officers for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland explained the move in a letter to health care professionals after the vaccine was approved, saying it was based on the "balance of risks and benefits," and that the "great majority" of initial protection came from the first jab.

The debate comes as Covid-19 deaths soar in the UK. While new cases are declining since Britain went into a third lockdown this month, the country reported its highest-ever daily fatality toll on Wednesday, with 1,820 deaths, giving a total of 97,517, according to John Hopkins University.

This story was first published on CNN.com.

9th Circuit upholds California's ban on indoor worship despite causing 'irreparable harm'

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The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals denied a San Diego area churchs request to overturn Californias COVID-19 restrictions on indoor worship gatherings although it acknowledged that the congregation is suffering irreparable harm due to the temporary ban.

On Friday, the court affirmed a federal judges denial of South Bay United Pentecostal Churchs request to block Gov. Gavin Newsoms restrictions on in-person, indoor worship services as part of an effort to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

Although South Bay has demonstrated irreparable harm, it has not demonstrated that the likelihood of success, the balance of equities or the public interest weigh in its favor, U.S. Circuit Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw wrote in the courts opinion.

Although there is no record evidence that attendance at South Bays services in particular has contributed to the spread of the virus, the record does evidence outbreaks tied to religious gatherings in San Diego County and in the Southern California region.

Wardlaw, a Bill Clinton appointee, added that it is difficult to see how allowing more people to congregate indoors will do anything other than lead to more cases, more deaths, and more strains on Californias already overburdened healthcare system.

We are mindful that even in a pandemic, the Constitution cannot be put away and forgotten. But we do not think this is what California has done, Wardlaw stated. Although South Bay may not be able to hold indoor worship services, California has left open other avenues for worship that pose substantially less risk for further spread of COVID-19.

The opinion stated that California permits unlimited attendance at outdoor worship services and deems clergy and faith-based streaming services essential.

The panel, however, left the door open for legal challenges to the states attendance caps in counties that are categorized under less restrictive tiers for virus mitigation.

According to The Sacramento Bee, the vast majority of counties in the state are listed as purple-tiered counties where indoor worship services are not permitted. Meanwhile, only four counties are in less-restrictive tiers.

In red-tier counties, worship is permitted indoors at a 25% capacity or 100 people. In orange-tier counties, indoor services can be held at 50% capacity or a maximum of 200 people, whichever is fewer.

We cannot, however, conclude that the 100- and 200-person attendance caps on indoor worship under Tiers 2 and 3 of the Blueprint survive strict scrutiny, the ruling explains.

COVID-19 has killed nearly 37,000 Californians and infected more than 3 million, according to the states tracking website. The state also reports that over 19,000 patients have been hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Sunday.

The Chula Vista-based church has argued in court that houses of worship are essential.

In December, the church attempted unsuccessfully for a second time to convince U.S. District Court Judge Cynthia Bashant to lift Newsoms worship restrictions.

Eight weeks after Bashant had denied the churchs challenge, the 9th Circuit ordered Bashant to rehear the case in light of the Supreme Courts decisions in Harvest Rock Church, Inc. v. Newsom and Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo.

In the Cuomo case, the high court in November temporarily blocked worship restrictions in New York. In December, the 2nd Circuit ruled in favor of religious groups and blocked worship restrictions put in place to mitigate the virus.

In the Harvest Rock Church case, the Supreme Court ordered a lower court to rehear a challenge to Newsoms worship restrictions in light of its ruling on similar measures implemented in New York.

In a decision released in December, Bashant once again declined to lift worship restrictions, citing the need to balance religious liberty and public health in the midst of a rapidly evolving  and escalating  pandemic.

While she acknowledged that not being able [to] congregate indoors imposes a burden on Plaintiffs religion, she contends that the burden is a temporary one, with widespread vaccination close in sight.

The state of California has faced numerous lawsuits stemming from the governors gathering restrictions as well as restrictions on other activities.

South Bays legal efforts date back to the spring when the church took its case all the way to the Supreme Court in an attempt to convince the justices to invalidate Newsoms guidelines that required churches to limit attendance at in-person worship services to 25% of a buildings capacity with a maximum of 100 attendees.

The global coronavirus hit another grim milestone on January 23 as it reached nearly the 100 million infections mark, according to the world virus tracker. As many as 2.1 million fatalities have been recorded globally since the pandemic hit. The US remains the hardest impacted nation with 25,566,789 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, and 427,635 deaths. The newly sworn-in Joe Biden's administration sprang to action after President signed executive orders mandating measures critical to preventing the spread of coronavirus.

Meanwhile in India, the daily cases of the novel SARS-CoV-2 have been on a significant decline as Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified testing in the country's worst-affected states. The country recorded a total of 10,655,435 confirmed cases since the start of the outbreak, with 153,376 fatalities. Simultaneously, with rigorous testing and contact tracing, India launched a COVID-19 vaccinator drive, additionally, shipping vials of domestically manufactured vaccine to Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Morocco, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Thus far, nearly 15.82 hundred thousand in the high risk and vulnerable groups category have been inoculated in the mass campaign since January 16 with an SAE rate as low as 0.08 per cent. Brazil, with the third-largest global caseload, nearly 8,816,254 total infections, received 2 million doses of coronavirus vaccine from India on January 23.

One year ago, the first case of #COVID19 in the U.S. was reported to CDC. Cases continue to rise across the country.



The current 7-day average of new cases is 208,548.



Help slow the spread.

 Wear a mask.

 Avoid crowds.

 Stay 6 feet apart.



More: https://t.co/7N3muFMo9i pic.twitter.com/p5XJiqyq65  CDC (@CDCgov) January 20, 2021

Read: British Firm Claims To Have Created COVID-19 Vaccine That Will Work Against All Strains

Read: One Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Administered In India In Just 6 Days: Health Ministry

There's isnt 'enough vaccine': Brazil

At a presser, Brazils Health Ministry announced that the 2 million doses from India will be used to inoculate priority groups in the nation, however, the shipment only covers very few in the population. Mario Scheffer, professor of preventive medicine at the University of Sao Paulo told AP: Counting doses from Butantan (a Sao Paulo state research institute) and those from India, there isnt enough vaccine and there is no certainty about when Brazil will have more or how much". He added, that the vaccine shortfall might interfere with the countrys capacity in the near-term to reach collective immunity and defeat the coronavirus pandemic.

Read: Immune System Of Recovered COVID-19 Patients May Evolve To Fight Coronavirus Variants: Study

Read: 'Consider Aviation Sector On Priority For COVID Vaccination': MoCA Writes To MoHFW
Almost 3,800 New COVID-19 Cases Reported in KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff

FRANKFORT - Kentucky officials confirmed 3,795 new coronavirus cases and 49 virus-related deaths on Saturday.Gov. Andy Beshear says the statewide rate of positive COVID-19 cases was down again, staying below 11% for a second straight day at 10.56 percent.Virus cases in Kentucky have surpassed 344,000 since the pandemic began.The state says its virus-related death toll has reached at least 3,386. Beshear attended a memorial ceremony Friday outside the state Capitol to honor the Kentuckians who have died from the virus.
At the award handover ceremony (Photo: VNA)

HCM City - Thirty enterprises have received the Ho Chi Minh City Golden Brand Award from the municipal Peoples Committee for their outstanding achievements in building and developing brands for products and services.

The municipal Peoples Committee assigned the Department of Industry and Trade and the Saigon Times Group to launch the award.



The award attracted 64 enterprises in different industries within one month after launch. It will be held annually.



The 30 enterprises are leading companies or at the top of their business and production industries.



Their total revenue in 2019 reached nearly 252.8 trillion (11 billion USD), or 21.8 percent of the citys total revenue of retail sales of consumer goods and services. Their total after-tax profit reached almost 32.7 trillion VND.



According to the evaluation of the Voting Council, most of the products and service brands of the winning enterprises have undergone a long process of establishment and development. They have had a firm position in the marketplace and a good reputation in customers minds and made active contributions to the citys economic development.



Bui Ta Hoang Vu, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, said the 30 products and service brands are typical ones, representing the three core values of quality prestige, impressive brand, and ahead of trends.



Chairman of the HCM City Peoples Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong said building and developing brands has always been the focus of the Party and the State, and it is also an important factor for sustainable development.



The city pledges to support the promotion and development of corporate product brands, and support innovation and digital transformation to take advantage of the fourth revolution; and prioritize investment in logistics infrastructure, create smart and efficient connections, and reduce costs and improve competitiveness, Phong said.



HCM City will develop a plan to support businesses winning the award, Phong added.
Knockbacks from vaccine suppliers are going to feature in the remaining fight against Covid-19, HSE CEO Paul Reid said.

Yesterday, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the news that AstraZeneca told the EU it will be receiving a reduced number of vaccines for February and March is a real setback.

Before this, Minister Donnelly said any adult who wants the vaccination in Ireland should have it by September of this year.

The news from AstraZeneca, which has advised the EU of a reduction in vaccine supply in Feb and March, is a real setback. The numbers are still tentative and AstraZeneca is due to provide more exact figures at a meeting early next week. Will provide an update as soon as possible.  Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) January 23, 2021

Mr Reid said any announcement on when everyone will have received the vaccine by needs to be qualified based on delivery and getting guarantees on scheduled delivery.

Speaking on RTE Radio Ones This Week about AstraZeneca supplying less vaccines than expected, he said: Personally I think this is going to be a feature of the supply issue with the various suppliers that we get knockbacks and setbacks.

However, he said despite this news he has been reassured that a scheduled delivery from AstraZeneca will arrive in February and the commencement of administering the vaccine for over 70s will begin in the middle of the month.

The HSE boss added: We are not quite sure of the impacts beyond that in terms of how long it will take us to complete that.

He said similarly when supply was cut from Pfizer it triggered very significant concerns across the EU and the government, and that a very strong conversation is expected to happen this week to assess the impacts.

He added: There's a range of other suppliers that we want to see coming on following approval from the EMA and that will give us greater contingency planning, but right now where we just have the pfizer supply, hopefully, the Moderna one and now and hopefully the AstraZeneca.

But, there is that level of unpredictability right now, all across Europe in particular.

On when the HSE will return to testing close contacts of confirmed cases of Covid-19, Mr Reid said he is very anxious for this to return but that cases would need to be below 2,000 for a number of days.

Egypts Ministry of Social Solidarity and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have launched on Sunday an economic empowerment project to enhance access for Egyptian youth and women to appropriate jobs with sustainable wages.

The ILOs project, dubbed Egypt Youth Employment: Economic Empowerment under Forsa Programme, is funded by the Norwegian government.

The project is part of the social protection programme Forsa, launched by the ministry in 2017. Forsa mainly targets working age members of needy households included or almost included in the conditional cash transfer program Takaful wi Karama and disabled people.

Social Solidarity Minister Niveen El-Qabbaj, Director of the ILO office in Cairo Eric Oechslin, and Norwegian Ambassador to Egypt Lene Lind attended the signing ceremony of the project.

The Egypt Youth Employment: Economic Empowerment program seeks to enhance the capabilities of partner institutions and civil society organisations in fields related to youth and women empowerment, Nashwa Belal, director of the project said.

These fields include supporting freelance work for women and youth and empowering society to back entrepreneurship projects, Belal added.

El-Qabbaj, during the ceremony, affirmed the importance of expanding entrepreneurship activities and other income-generating activities for poor families as well as women and youth.

She said that womens participation in the labour market certainly helps improve the life conditions of families financially and culturally.

El-Qabbaj referred to the ministrys efforts to back needy families through providing cash support, securing job opportunities, and training that qualifies them for these opportunities.

We have included economic empowerment in all of our programs, including in social protection for informal employment, the national program for family development, and the presidential program Hayah Karima (Decent Life), the minister said.

She added that these efforts aim at improving the life conditions of the families and thus achieving noticeable progress in the local development indications.

ILOs Oechslin expects the project to contribute to responding to the coronavirus economic and social impacts that affected many sectors of society.

Ambassador Lind affirmed Norways keenness to back the Egyptian government in enhancing economic development as part of its commitments to contribute to achieving the UNs sustainable development goals.

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Romney Says Impeachment Trial Against Trump Should Go Forward

House representatives who voted to impeach get significant GOP backlash

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) asserted Sunday that the impeachment trial against former President Donald Trump should proceed, saying that it is not unconstitutional.

Romney told CNN on Sunday: Well, Ive read a number of law review articles, and I think if you put aside the partisan columns if you will written in various publications and look at those that are written by academics, youll find that the preponderance of the legal opinion is that an impeachment trial after someone has left office is constitutional.

I believe thats the case. Ill, of course, hear what the lawyers have to say for each side, but I think its pretty clear that the effort is constitutional, he said.

Romney, one of Trumps biggest critics in the GOP, told Fox News the Houses article of impeachment suggests impeachable conduct, adding that he will do my best as a Senate juror to apply justice as well as I can understand it. Romney was the only Republican to vote to convict Trump during his first impeachment trial.

About 10 Republicans voted alongside Democrats to impeach Trump in the House earlier this month. Some experts have said that those GOP House membersincluding Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.)are now at risk of losing reelection because of their stance on impeaching Trump, considered by many to be the most popular figure in the Republican Party.

The impeachment centered around a speech Trump gave to supporters on Jan. 6 as a group breached the Capitol building. Trump, for his part, has condemned the violence while saying that his speech was fine and didnt incite violence.

The Republicans who impeached Trump in the House and any GOP senator who votes to convict in the forthcoming trial will likely be on the chopping block come reelection time in 2022 or 2024.

The stance taken by Liz [Cheney] was very contentious here in Wyoming, said Republican Bryan Miller, a retired Air Force officer who is expected to run against her, reported Politico. This isnt going to be a passing thing that just goes away. Its growing and growing and growing every day across the state. People are unhappy.

Newly elected Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Mich.), another impeachment backer, is getting challenged by war veteran Tom Norton in 2022. Gene Koprowski, a former official at the Heartland Institute think tank, is running against Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), who frequently criticized Trump and his assertions of election fraud during the November 2020 election.

Meijer said last week in an ABC News interview that his political career may likely be over for voting to impeach Trump.

I have never seen a greater amount of backlash for any one single vote taken by any one single member of our Republican congressional delegation in Ohio, said former Ohio state lawmaker Christina Hagan, who may run against Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio), who backed Trumps impeachment.

I have heard from Republicans in positions of power, within party leadership and all the way across the spectrum to faithful volunteers and business leaders throughout the region who are expressing serious frustration and distaste.
If snow arrives in central Pennsylvania Monday night as expected, the heaviest accumulation is anticipated to fall north of I-80, according to the National Weather Service at State College.

Precipitation south of I-80 doesnt look pleasant, as ice is forecasted across southern Pennsylvania Monday night and continuing into Tuesday, forecasters said. The highest ice accumulation is expected in the Laurel Highlands in western Pennsylvania.

The weather models show that current conditions could bring snow, then sleet, and then freezing rain to central Pennsylvania Monday evening, which will continue into Tuesday. However, it will then turn into plain rain.

Current projections show that on Monday up to four inches of snow could fall in Harrisburg, up to three inches of snow could fall in York, and up to three inches could fall in Lancaster.

Ice is not likely to accumulate in central Pa. during the upcoming wintry mix expected on Monday. Photo: NWS State College

As to the National Weather Service at State Colleges Saturday evening weather briefing, ice doesnt appear to be a threat to the Midstate.

The next weather update is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Sunday.

Read more from PennLive

Up to 4 inches of snow expected in central Pa. early next week: forecasters

Cold and windy weekend could be followed by snowy work week
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"Only BJP can solve the biggest problem of Assam  floods. We have made Assam free from bullets and agitations. Give five years more to BJP and we will make Assam free from flood too," News18 quotesd Shah as saying.



Speaking at another rally in Kokhrajar on the occasion of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Accord Day, Shah said that the accord, inked a year ago, has initiated the process of ending insurgency in the North East.

Addressing the 1st anniversary celebrations of the historic Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Accord in Kokrajhar, Assam. Watch live! https://t.co/PG1XjWHPl5  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 24, 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the process to end insurgency in the Northeast by signing the Bodo Peace Accord. Efforts were made for settlement for Bru-Reang issue and 700 members of eight armed groups laid down arms, The Indian Express quoted Shah as saying.

The Union home minister distributed rehabilitation packages among a section of surrendered militants during the day.

"I have come here to iterate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP are committed to fulfil all clauses of the BTR Accord, which will pave the way for peace and development in the region." Shah added.

Peace has returned to Bodo areas due to the accord. There used to be killings and abductions here, but I can assure that in a few years, this region will become the most developed part of Assam, Hindustan Times quoted him as saying.

Shah further announced that Rs 500 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of a road network in the Bodo region.

The BTR Accord, designed to usher in peace in the Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD), was signed on 27 January last year by the Centre, the Assam government, all four factions of the National Democratic Front of Boroland and the then Bodoland Territorial Council chief Hagrama Mohilary.

Attacking the Congress, Shah said that the grand old party had signed many agreements with different militant outfits in the past, but failed to keep the promises it made. The Congress, during its rule, could not quell violence and bring peace, "but it would not refrain from giving us advice", the senior BJP leader said.

"The presence of all communities in today's rally is a befitting reply to the ones who had indulged in violence and bloodshed in the Bodo areas as the people here have proved that they are all children of Mother India," Shah insisted.

Shah said the political rights, culture and language of all communities of Assam are secure under the BJP government.

"The prime minister was in Assam on Saturday, and he distributed land pattas (certificates) to more than one lakh indigenous people. The state government has already made Bodo the associate language of Assam. Several measures have been taken to protect, preserve and promote the rich culture, language and heritage of all communities of the state," the Union minister said.

According to a report by NDTV, Shah claimed that the BJP and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) win in the BTC elections last December "is a trailer (to the) Assam polls."

"Now that the United Peoples' Party Liberal (UPPL) has become a part of NDA, we are sure that we will win the Assam Assembly polls with a thumping majority. The BTC polls were a trailer... I have come to appeal to you that just as we were made victorious during the semi-final, we must be triumphant in the final too," PTI quotes him as saying.

Only the BJP, under the leadership of Modi, can make Assam corruption-free, terrorism-free and pollution-free, Shah further stated.

Listing the steps taken so far in accordance with the Bodo accord clauses, the Union minister said a committee has been formed to survey tribal-dominated areas, and the number of seats in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) has been increased to 60. A Bodo kachari welfare council has also been constituted for the benefit of people from the community who do not live anywhere near BTR, he said.

According to the NDTV report, Shah, who is on a two-day visit to the state, did not say anything about the Citizenship Amendment Act, even as activists of the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) burnt copies of the CAA as part of its protests across the state against Shah and Modi's visit.

According to the Hindustan Times , at the Nalbari rally, Shah also accused new political parties formed on the back of anti-CAA protests of indirectly aiding Congress by trying to divide the BJP's votes.

With inputs from PTI

An Iowa mom wants others to take COVID-19 seriously after her son landed in the hospital with a rare, but potentially life-threatening complication from the virus.

Eleven-year-old Jaxson Green is back home in Creston, Iowa, and doing well, but in November, he was in the ICU. He and his mom, Heather Green, shared his story with our sister station KCCI.

His journey began on Nov. 2, after testing positive for a seemingly mild case of COVID-19.

"He was sick for a couple days with fever, headaches and body aches," Heather Green said.



Jaxson soon recovered and headed back to school after his quarantine period was over. His mom thought the worst was over. She said all of that changed on Nov. 20.

"Before he went to bed he told his dad he wasnt feeling very good and had a low-grade fever," Heather Green said. "At 2:30 in the morning he woke up, grabbing his chest, telling his dad it hurt and he couldnt breathe and he had a bloody nose. Jaxson just described it as just gushing down his shirt and he passed out."

After being taken to a hospital, Jaxson was rushed to Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

"I like passed out on the ride," Jaxson said. "It was like the pathway to death. It felt weird."

Heather Green described it as the scariest thing she's ever been through.

"It was kind of my worst nightmare," she said. "It gives me goosebumps reliving it all over again."



Jaxson landed in the cardiac ICU, where doctors diagnosed him with myocarditis--inflammation of the heart muscle.

Dr. Melissa Cullimore, a pediatric critical care specialist, treated Jaxson. She said myocarditis is a rare but serious COVID-19 complication.

"Luckily, most children do very well with COVID. But the few that do get this complication, are very, very ill," Cullimore said.



"We've actually had some children with myocarditis from COVID, who even with medication, we couldn't fix that and we had to put them on machines to pump their blood for them," she said. "So this is an extremely serious condition. Children do die from myocarditis."

Cullimore said Jaxson's case is unique because myocarditis doesn't typically have such a delayed onset. Another complication called MIS-C does, however. It stands for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children.

Cullimore said children with MIS-C have inflammation in at least two systems in the body. Myocarditis can be one component. Children can also have inflammation of the brain, lungs, intestines or blood for instance.

"Jaxsons case is unique because we really only found inflammation in his heart muscle, but it occurred a couple weeks after he had COVID, which is more when were seeing MIS-C," she said.

Because of that, doctors are unsure if Jaxson had a late case of acute myocarditis, or if they caught an impending case of MIS-C before it developed.

What's unclear, and in the back of Heather Green's mind, is whether Jaxson will be dealing with long-term complications from the disease following this episode.



"Its always in the back of my mind like when he gets sick again, is this gonna happen again?" Heather Green said. "Is his heart weakened now? Like, all the studies show that his heart is fine, but his heart was fine before COVID."



In fact, she said Jaxson had no pre-existing conditions.

"I've barely ever been sick ever," Jaxson said.



Cullimore said that seems to be a trend in children.



"What's very worrying to me is the vast majority of children who are getting this COVID inflammatory issue are previously healthy children like Jaxson," she said.

Cullimore said it's unclear if the disease will impact Jaxson's future.

"It's hard to answer that question right now, we just don't know enough about COVID," she said. "We haven't watched any patients in the U.S. with COVID for even a full year yet. So we are definitely concerned, but maybe we're hopeful that the longterm complications won't be as severe as we're watching out for."

Jaxson is now enrolled in a nationwide study, organized by Boston Children's Hospital, that's gathering data and running tests to figure out why certain children end up with severe complications from COVID-19.



Heather Green says Jaxson's ordeal dramatically changed her outlook on COVID-19.

"Before this happened to us, I truly thought it was more of a hoax," she said.



Now, she's urging everyone to do their part.

"Wear your masks when you're out and about, and properly," Heather Green said. "Maintain your social distancing."

Heather Green said after Jaxson returned from the hospital, he was frequently winded in the weeks following. She said he is doing a lot better, but still gets winded at times during activities.



"We've gone sledding and he can go for a good hour, but then he's out for the rest of the day," she said.

Cullimore said even though fewer than 3% of children end up hospitalized due to COVID-19, Jaxson's case shows that the virus can have serious impacts on children.



She encourages parents to keep a close eye on their children if they catch the virus and they shouldn't be afraid to call their child's doctor even if they're having a seemingly minor complication.


Sen. Mitt Romney said Sunday that former President Donald Trumps second impeachment trial is warranted, describing Trumps repeated efforts to meddle in the presidential election and his incitement of supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 as serious attacks on democracy.

Romney told Fox News Chris Wallace that Trumps conduct  including pressuring Georgia officials to concoct a victory for himself and incitation toward insurrection the day Congress certified Joe Bidens win  was a serious attack on the very foundation of our democracy. Its something that has to be considered and resolved.

The Utah senator and former governor of Massachusetts didnt fully tip his hand when asked whether hed vote to convict Trump. But Romney rejected his Republican colleagues notion that Democrats should have responded to calls for unity by foregoing Trumps impeachment just days before he left office.

If were going to have unity in our country, its important to recognize the need for accountability, for truth and justice, said Romney, who previously maligned Trumps and his allies efforts to invalidate millions of votes for Biden.

Romney cited a January phone call in which the president pressured Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find 11,780 votes to help him win the key state, one of several battlegrounds Biden flipped to secure 306 Electoral College votes to Trumps 232.

Romney also cited Trumps 2019 call that got him impeached the first time, when he pressured Ukrainian officials to dig up dirt on Biden while withholding military aid to the country. Romney was the lone Republican senator voting to convict the president last year.

Its pretty clear there has been an effort to corrupt the election of the United States, not by Biden, it was by Trump, Romney said Sunday.

The New York Times reported over the weekend that a Justice Department official aligned with Trumps views on debunked conspiracy theories plotted to replace the acting attorney general in yet another effort to press Georgia to sway the election in Trumps favor.

Trump has called for further elections investigations and reform. But bipartisan local, state and federal election officials have found no evidence that widespread fraud or irregularities impacted the presidential race. Dozens of judges of both major parties, including several Trump appointees, have tossed lawsuits from Trumps campaign and Republican allies. Trumps own Department of Homeland Security and former attorney general found no evidence that fraud or irregularities led to Bidens win.

Romney noted he would listen to the cases presented by prosecutors and Trumps defense and decide to the best of his ability. But he used language similar to a speech he gave on the Senate floor in the immediate aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack, when he called it an insurrection incited by the president of the United States.

The House of Representatives earlier this month voted to impeach Trump on a single article. Trump engaged in high crimes and misdemeanors by inciting violence against the government of the United States, willfully making statements that, in context, encouraged  and foreseeably resulted in  lawless action at the Capitol, such as: if you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a county anymore, according to the charge.

Just days before the deadly Capitol attack, Romney warned that Trumps call for thousands of supporters to amass in Washington, D.C. on the day Congress certified Bidens electoral votes could prove dangerous.

This has the predictable potential to lead to disruption, and worse, Romney said at the time. I could never have imagined seeing these things in the greatest democracy in the world. Has ambition so eclipsed principle?

Opening arguments in the Senate trial are set to begin the week of Feb. 8, according to lawmakers. Trump is the first president to be impeached twice and the first to be on trial when hes already out of office.

According to the Constitution, conviction requires support from two-thirds of the Senate; presuming all 50 Democrats vote to convict, they would still need at least 17 Republicans to join them. More than a dozen GOP lawmakers, including Romney and Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska, have not ruled out convicting the president.

If convicted, Trump can be barred from holding office in the future with a simple majority vote by the Senate.

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Woman imprisoned at 19 grateful to God for using Trump to grant her presidential pardon

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A woman who received a pardon from former President Donald Trump before his last day in office last week said she's "thankful to God that He can use any vessel to bless you.

Syrita Steib of New Orleans, Louisiana, is a criminal justice advocate. But before that, she was serving time in prison after she was convicted of stealing cars and burning down a car dealership in Texas in 2000 at age 19. She was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and 20 years in state prison.

Although she was released from prison in 2009, the judge ordered her to pay $1.9 million in restitution.

One of the people who advocated for Steib's pardon was former New Orleans Saints player Benjamin Watson.

On Tuesday night, Trump pardoned Steib along with 142 others, including New Orleans rapper Lil Wayne.

She no longer has to pay back the $1.9 million and said she's in awe that Trump was the person God used to release her from that burden.

I think Im still trying to soak it in, Steib said in a Wednesday interview with CBS News affiliate WWL. [Im] really, really thankful to God that He can use any vessel to bless you.

Steib told WWL that before she committed the crimes she excelled in academics and even had a full scholarship to Xavier.

School was one thing that I really excelled in so when I got arrested, I had a full scholarship to Xavier in physics and engineering and I also was in the military, she said to WWL. When I got out, I just knew I needed to go back to school.

Although she graduated from LSU Health and Science Center in 2014, Steib told WWL that she initially struggled to get into college because of her felony conviction.

Steib lobbied the Louisiana state legislature to pass the ban the box bill that prohibits colleges and universities from asking about an applicant's criminal history. It was passed and signed into law in 2017. She's now working to get similar bills passed in other states across the country.

She also founded Operation Restoration, an organization that helps women get established after they're released from prison. According to the website, Operation Restoration is committed to providing current and formerly incarcerated women with the resources necessary to sustainably transition home through higher education, employment training, job placement, case management, and advocacy.

After receiving the presidential pardon, Steib declared in an interview with The New Orleans Advocate that Its a possibility that you can leave behind your mistakes and be completely transformed.
Here are todays leading news stories:

Society

-- Vietnam recorded no new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, according to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control. The countrys tally stood at 1,548, with 1,411 recoveries and 35 deaths.

-- Over 10,000 people including delegates and members of service teams and relevant units had tested negative for the novel coronavirus once as of Saturday before they are set to attend the 13th National Party Congress next week. Their second tests are expected to be complete on Sunday.

-- Residents in Hanoi were allowed to visit the trains of the Nhon-Hanoi Railway Station metro line on Saturday. The trains are open to visitors from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on January 23 and 24.

-- Authorities in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue are collecting feedback from experts and scientists regarding the plan on restoring Thai Hoa Palace, one of the most important landmarks of Hue Imperial City.

-- The Hanoi Labor Federation on Saturday organized the Tet Sum Vay (Tet Reunion) program and announced over VND60 billion (US$2.6 million) worth of support for laborers in difficult circumstances.

-- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Police on Saturday held a ceremony to establish the police department of Thu Duc City and appointed Colonel Nguyen Hoang Thang, who was police chief of the erstwhile Thu Duc District, as head of the agency.

-- The Ministry of Public Security confirmed on Saturday they had broken up a prostitution brokerage ring that offered sex tours worth $5,000-7,000 each.

Business

-- Thirty enterprises have received the Ho Chi Minh City Golden Brand Award from the municipal Peoples Committee for their outstanding achievements in building and developing brands for products and services.

Education

-- A fair for university enrollment and career counseling organized by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper and the Ministry of Education and Training opened at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology on Sunday morning.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A special feature of this year's Republic Day celebrations at Aligarh Muslim University would be an online function to mark the burial of a time capsule containing a document that carries the history of the 100 year journey of the institution, an official said on Sunday.

AMU spokesman Rahat Abrar told PTI, "This document which has been prepared by a group of scholars marks the narrative of the march of this institution since it became a university in 1920. The steel capsule which weighs 1.5 tonne would be buried at a depth of 30 feet in front of Victoria Gate, the iconic structure, which marks the heart of this historic institution." He added that the historic ceremony would be carried out by Vice Chancellor Professor Tariq Mansoor.

It was in 1877 that the original avatar of the institution came into existence as the Muslim Anglo Oriental College. At that time too, the university had buried a similar time capsule containing the history leading to the establishment of this institute. In 1920, the college was raised to the level of a university by an Act of Parliament.

Meanwhile, university authorities have not clarified whether there is any proposal to excavate the earlier time capsule.
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Not-so-sweet tea. Kristin Cavallaris best friend, Justin Anderson, hit back at Madison LeCroy after she stirred up drama with Cavallaris estranged husband, Jay Cutler.

Read article

The hairstylist posted a TikTok addressing the situation on Saturday, January 24  one day after the Uncommon James founder, 34, and former Bears quarterback, 37, posed together for a photo.

Courtesy of Kristin Cavallari/Instagram; Courtesy of Madison LeCroy/Instagram

Its the making something out of nothing for me, he captioned the video, in which hes seen sipping an icy drink.

Read article

Anderson didnt mention LeCroy, 30, in the TikTok post, but did include ba ba doo, ba ba dee ee in the caption  a nod to Mia Sables song Its Easy, which also serves as the Southern Charm theme song. He made his intentions clear in the comments, responding to a fan who asked if he was referencing reconciliation rumors sparked by Cavallari and Cutlers identical Instagram posts.

Im talking about Madison using Kristin and Jay to try and get peoples attention. It was never gonna work, he responded, adding that LeCroy fooled everyone with the victim stuff on the Bravo show.

The Very Cavallari alums bestie called the Greenville, South Carolina, native drama, telling TikTok commenters, If everyone stops saying Madisons name  shell stop making stuff up for attention. He called her comments cheap.

LeCroy finally told her side of the story on Sunday, January 24, after teasing it in several posts. It looks to me like Im gonna have to drop some receipts, she told followers via her Instagram Story before posting a series of screengrabs. The reality TV star posted an alleged text exchange between herself and Cutler in which the pair discuss plans for him to fly out to visit her.

A second alleged exchange, shared by LeCroy, appears to show the Indiana native defending her comments about Cavallari and Cutler. I respect you and I respect your family and I would never say anything to jeopardize you and your family, one message read. In another, LeCroy said, I am disgusted by this whole situation, adding that she wants no part of being involved in payback or drama. She then shared a photo of herself and Cutler wearing matching camouflage outfits, which she captioned, Too bad it didnt work out.

Read article

Before unloading on social media, LeCroy uploaded a sexy snap of herself sunbathing in a red bikini, writing that she was Unbothered. Summer House star Lindsay Hubbard commented on the photo that she was confused. LeCroy replied, Call me sis and Ill tell you.

LeCroy, who addressed rumors of a romance with Cutler on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen on January 7, shared Cutlers alleged texts two days after the Hills alum and the former athlete posted the same photo, showing her leaning against him, on Instagram. They both captioned the pic, The world is full of users. 10 years. Cant break that. The posts immediately got the rumor mill going, as fans flocked to the comments with questions about the status of the duos relationship.

Cavallari and Cutler announced their split in April 2020 after seven years of marriage. They share three children: Camden, 8, Jaxon, 6, and Saylor, 5.
President Donald Trump speaks at the "Stop The Steal" rally on January 6. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Attorneys representing people arrested in connection with the Capitol riot are focusing on Trump.

They're blaming him for inciting the deadly siege with his spread of disinformation about the election.

The allegations bolster House Democrats' impeachment case against Trump and expose him to more legal risk.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The rioters were adamant when they stormed the US Capitol: Joe Biden and the Democrats had stolen the 2020 election from Donald Trump. Congress wasn't doing anything to stop it, so it was up to patriotic Americans like themselves to save the country.

Now many of the insurrectionists, facing a multitude of federal charges and lacking the protection of a presidential pardon, are changing their tune and laying the blame for their actions squarely at the former president's feet. It's an inconvenient development for Trump, who is not only staring down a looming Senate impeachment trial but also may face criminal liability for his actions.

"Let's roll the tape," said Al Watkins, the defense attorney representing one of the defendants, Jacob Chansley. Chansley is more widely known as the "QAnon Shaman" and made headlines for roaming the halls of Congress while wearing a fur hat, carrying a spear, and covered in face paint. He was later arrested and charged with multiple felony counts, including unlawfully entering the Capitol and engaging in disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

"Let's roll the months of lies and misrepresentations and horrific innuendo and hyperbolic speech by our president designed to inflame, enrage, motivate," Watkins told KSDK, a local NBC affiliate in Missouri.

Read more: How the Senate could vote to bar Trump from ever holding federal office again and kill any chances of a 2024 run now that the House has impeached him

Jeffrey Cramer, a former federal prosecutor who spent 12 years at the Justice Department, didn't mince words when addressing the allegation.

Story continues

"This goes directly to Trump's impeachment trial" and any criminal case he could face, Cramer said. "His words and actions for months directly led to an armed and deadly insurrection at the Capitol. He can't argue that nobody took him seriously or that his words didn't provoke violence."

A lawyer representing Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

'Wouldn't have been there if it wasn't for the president'

Watkins also alluded to Trump's repeated assertion at a rally preceding the siege that he would join his supporters as they marched to the Capitol that day (which he didn't do).

"What's really curious is the reality that our president, as a matter of public record, invited these individuals, as president, to walk down to the Capitol with him," Watkins told KSDK, adding that his client "regrets very very much having not just been duped by the president, but ... allowed that duping to put him in a position to make decisions he should not have made."

"You'll never take back our country with weakness," Trump told his fanatics at the January 6 rally, which took place as Congress was convening to finalize Biden's victory. "You have to show strength, and you have to be strong. We're going to have to fight much harder. After this, we're going to walk down, and I'll be there with you. We're going to walk down - we're going to walk down."

At the end of the 70-minute speech that was riddled with grievances and falsehoods about the election, Trump said: "If you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore."

And then he unleashed the mob.

Read more: Trump's incitement of the deadly US Capitol riot adds to an already massive tsunami of legal peril he's facing upon leaving the White House. Here's what awaits him.

One woman who was arrested and charged after she was accused of participating in the riot told a reporter that she and her friends traveled to Washington, DC, from Texas specifically because the president "asked us to go."

"He said, 'Be there,'" Jenna Ryan told a local news outlet in Texas. "So I went and I answered the call of my president."

Days after the failed coup, the House of Representatives charged Trump with "incitement of insurrection." The single article of impeachment accused Trump of having "repeatedly issued false statements asserting that the Presidential election results were the product of widespread fraud and should not be accepted by the American people or certified by State of Federal officials."

It also accused him of having "willfully made statements that, in context, encouraged - and foreseeably resulted in - lawless action at the Capitol."

Trump supporters occupy the Capitol and the inauguration stands on January 6. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images

Lori Ulrich, the defense attorney representing 22-year-old Riley Williams, struck a similar chord in a court appearance Thursday.

Williams was arrested and charged with entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct, theft of government property, and obstruction. She has also been accused of helping steal a laptop from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office during the siege, and a person who claimed to be her former romantic partner told the FBI she "intended to send the computer device to a friend in Russia, who then planned to sell the device to SVR, Russia's foreign intelligence service," court filings said.

At Thursday's federal court hearing, Ulrich acknowledged that Williams had participated in the insurrection but said, "It is regrettable that Ms. Williams took the president's bait and went inside the Capitol." She added that the charges against her client were "overstated."

Enrique Latoison, a lawyer representing another man charged in connection with the siege, told The New York Times his client wouldn't have been at the Capitol at all if not for the president's words.

The Justice Department's statement of facts accompanying its criminal complaint against Latoison's client Robert Sanford also indicated that he believed he was acting on the president's orders. In addition to participating in the siege itself, Sanford is accused of "hurling" a fire extinguisher at a group of police officers and injuring three of them.

"The group had gone to the White House and listened to President Donald J. Trump's speech and then had followed the President's instructions and gone to the Capitol," the document said.

'Hard for him to argue that nobody would listen to his words and riot'

The multitude of court filings stemming from the insurrection and recent allegations from the defendants' lawyers will likely play a pivotal role in Trump's upcoming impeachment trial in the Senate. The House will transmit the article of impeachment to the Senate on Monday, and according to the Constitution, the upper chamber must begin its impeachment trial by 1 p.m. the day after the article is submitted.

But for Trump, an impeachment trial is the least of his worries. Democrats hold a slim majority in the Senate - 51 votes, including that of the vice president - and it's highly unlikely that enough Republicans will break ranks to reach the two-thirds majority that's required to convict and remove a president from office and bar him from ever holding public office again.

Trump's bigger concern may lie in whether he'll face criminal prosecution over his actions.

"The fact that the rioters are saying all they did was follow the urging of POTUS goes to whether or not Trump's words incited a riot," Cramer said, though he added the defense likely wouldn't help the rioters in their cases. "Hard for him to argue that nobody would listen to his words and riot."

Michael Sherwin, the acting US attorney in Washington, DC, said earlier this month that federal prosecutors weren't ruling out anything or anyone as they investigated the deadly riot - and that includes the now former president.

When asked if prosecutors would examine statements Trump made at the rally before the siege, Sherwin replied, "Yes, we are looking at all actors here, not only the people that went into the building, but ... were there others that maybe assisted or facilitated or played some ancillary role in this."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Sydney councils proposal to expand its borders has been slammed as a whimsical land grab that fails to pass any test of public interest by neighbouring councils.

Georges River Council has proposed taking over suburbs such as Monterey, Ramsgate, Dolls Point and Sans Souci that are currently part of Bayside Council.

The notice of motion from Labor councillor Vince Badalati said the amalgamation of parts of Bayside Council would result in Prime Minister Scott Morrisons federal division of Cook, located north of the Georges River, falling within Georges River Council.

The Georges River Council is attempting to take over Bayside Council. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

A community survey conducted by the council said the proposal would unite identified communities of interest around the Kogarah town centre: Further, the proposal would create service efficiency opportunities for the maintenance, promotion and use of important sport and recreation assets.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  It was 1998 and Kathy Knapp had a decision to make.

Leave her very urban, all-the-conveniences-within-miles of Dallas life, or move to a place in the middle of nowhere that had more cows than people and was anything but convenient.

Knapp said some might not understand why a person who had spent her life in some of the countrys largest urban areas  Chicago, Los Angeles and Dallas  would agree to move to Pie Town, New Mexico.

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................................................................

The unexpected, but unironic, answer was pie.

Knapp, 65, is the owner of the Pie-O-Neer shop in Pie Town but she announced in July that after more than two decades in business, she was closing permanently. The shop has gained national recognition, being featured in numerous publications, shows and even a documentary.

Knapp said she and her partner Stanley King had already planned on selling the place and retiring in a few years, once they found buyers to take over the operation, but the pandemic condensed their timeline.

The Pie-O-Neer is usually closed for the winter and opens on Pi Day, March 14. It was the only day it was open in 2020.

Knapp said she didnt know then it would be the last day she baked pies for the community.

Shortly after, the governor banned indoor dining and the lingering pandemic made staying open too much of a financial challenge. Knapp said she dragged her feet until early July before pulling the plug.

Knapp officially announced the closing on her Facebook page.

Then she went for a walk, unable to read the comments. Knapp said there were moments of weeping and disbelief after she publicly stated her intentions.

A sweet infatuation

From the beginning, the pie shop was the love affair Knapp never imagined having, but one that grabbed her almost immediately.

While traveling across the country in 1995, Knapp and her mother Mary Knapp stopped at the Thunderbird Trading Post in Pie Town. It didnt serve pie, but it was for sale.

Knapp decided to buy it for her mother, Mary Knapp. Her mother put the pie back in Pie Town, transforming the trading post into a cafe.

She had people coming from 20 miles away to eat biscuits and gravy every morning, Knapp said. It was her baby, but for health reasons the elevation was too much for her, and she couldnt breathe so she had to move.

Knapp had to make a choice. Sell the place or take over for her mom.

Knapp had been going back and forth between Dallas and Pie Town helping out her mom, so she had gotten a taste of what life might be like there.

You have to understand, Pie Town was like something out of movie for me, she said. It was devoid of anything, and there is something attractive about that.  I knew I wanted to be here more than anywhere else.

It wasnt just the scenery either. It was the feeling of accomplishment she got when she perfected a pie and the satisfaction of making others happy with her cooking. Knapp had never worked in food service or baked much before taking over the restaurant.

Its a totally a different experience when someone walks in and you make them a sandwich and then before you know it, you are sitting there talking to them, she said. It was an instant high.

Pie & community

One of the shops very first customers was local rancher Monika Helbling, who purchased a ranch and moved to Catron County in 1983. She said there were no pie shops or cafes then, only the trading post.

It was 1995 and I remember my daughter Jessica was a third-grader in Quemado at the time, Helbling said. She was so excited to tell me that a cafe had opened in Pie Town. She said Mommy, they are selling burgers. 

Knapp gave Helblings daughter  who is now an adult  her first job. Finding work can be a difficult task in a town with less than 150 people.

An era is ending, Helbling said.  A lot of people regret her era has come to a close. For any cafe or small business in an area like this, its tough.

Pie Town is located in Catron County, 84 Miles west of Socorro, along U.S. Route 60, and immediately north of the Gila National Forest. It had 126 residents in 2000, according the census. That number peaked at 186 in 2010 but has now fallen to 111, according to most recent census data.

The city got its name after Clyde Norman began baking apple pies and handing them out at the gas station he opened after his failed attempt at mining there. He initially called the station Normans Place but when more people came asking for his pies, he changed the sign to Pie Town. He eventually sold the place to Norman Craig who continued the pie-making tradition with his wife and children.

The name became official after the post office opened a branch there in 1927.

According to town lore, the postal inspector suggested a more conventional name, but Craig told him the name would be Pie Town or there would be no post office.

The town holds a pie festival every year on the second Saturday of September that features a pie contest, music, food and games. Other nearby attractions include the Gila National Forest, the Plains of San Agustin and the Very Large Array radio telescope.

Not to fear though. There is still pie in Pie Town.

Two other cafes opened after Knapps. One has closed, but the Gatherin Place remains along U.S. 60. The shop is under new management and changed its to Pie Town Pies earlier this month.

Knapp is working on a cookbook featuring her pie recipes. She and King plan to open and run a bed and breakfast artist retreat, along with pie-baking classes, at the Silver Creek Inn in Mogollon once the pandemic subsides. She is hopeful her shop will have a happy ending as well.

We are not pushing the pie shop to sell. We are looking for the next pie people, she said. You have to be a certain kind of crazy to come to the middle of nowhere and hang a shingle, and hope to the universe its going to work.
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Rahul Gandhi demands withdrawal of new regulations in Lakshadweep; Writes to PM Modi

Mamata arrives 30 minutes late for Cyclone Yaas review meet with PM Modi, leaves after handing over documents

PM Modi likely to address the World Economic Forum on 28th January; Xi Jinping among listed speakers

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Jan 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to address the World Economic Forum on 28th January, via video conference. Chinese President Xi Jinping to also address the forum.

The Davos Agenda 2021 will be held virtually from January 25 to 29 under the theme of a crucial year to rebuild trust, the Swiss-based WEF announced on Monday.

The Davos Agenda will bring together global leaders at the forefront of the world's response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and the attendant economic crisis, with the aim of developing forward-looking and sustainable solutions for a post-COVID world.

Over 1,500 businesses, government and civil society leaders from more than 70 countries and regions will attend the online meeting, according to a press release.

In addition to the Chinese president, around 19 heads of state and government will attend the meeting, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Chinese official media reported.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, January 24, 2021, 11:25 [IST]
Donald Trumps last-minute pardons issued just as he left the White House last week may include major "gaps" that could allow President Joe Biden's Justice Department to continue seeking prosecutions against recipients, according to legal experts.

The former president granted a flurry of clemencies to several of his loyalists and advisers, as well as celebrities like rapper Lil Wayne, before he skipped the Inauguration Day ceremonies and headed to Florida.

Mr Trump seemingly ignored legal protocols and processes while issuing those final pardons, just as he had done when granting clemency to former aides over the last four years, according to Andrew Weissman, a top Justice Department official under Barack Obama and a senior fellow at New York University School of Law.

Mr Weissman, who also served on the special counsel team led by Robert Mueller that investigated Russian interference in the 2016 election, said in a blog post on a national security forum last week: In issuing his pardons, Trump, true to form, followed no process.

If the Biden administrations Department of Justice wants to rectify some of Trumps abuse of the pardon power, there are now options at its disposal, Mr Weissman wrote in his post published on Just Security.

He went on to note how some of the former presidents pardons were oddly written in narrowly drawn ways that would easily allow prosecutors to file additional charges against someone like Paul Manafort.

The former presidents former campaign chair was granted a pardon in December of last year that granted him clemency for his conviction of the 10 total charges he faced at the time in courts in both Virginia and the District of Columbia.

However, as Mr Weissman noted, that wording would allow him to face trial for additional charges that could come about in pending or future investigations  as well as the 10 hung counts for charges he was ultimately not convicted on in 2020.

Many may wonder what the reason is for the striking difference between the sweeping Flynn pardon in November and the narrow pardons issued on December 22-23, 2020. Was it by design or an oversight? Is this an example of what some noted about the Trump administration: malevolence, fortunately matched by incompetence? Mr Weissman wrote. Or did lawyers in the White House Counsels office seek to advance only the narrowest pardons possible, so as not to exacerbate Trumps abuse of his office?

He concluded: Regardless of the answer, which may never be known, the narrow pardons leave the Biden administration ample room to stand for the rule of law.

Ryan Goodman, a former special counsel at the Department of Defence, said Mr Manafort and others were not out of the woods in a tweet while suggesting it could be simple for the Justice Department to pursue charges in the days ahead.

Mr Biden has reportedly sought to avoid making investigations into his predecessor a key priority for his administration, while simultaneously indicating his Justice Department may hold former officials accountable if found guilty of crimes under the previous White House.

In a November interview with NBC News, Mr Biden said about Mr Trump: I will not do what this president does and use the Justice Department as my vehicle to insist that something happened.

He added: What I'm focused on is getting the American public back at a place where they have some certainty, some surety, some knowledge that they can make it.
Television host Larry King makes a speech at the Seoul Digital Forum 2011 in Seoul, South Korea, on May 25, 2011. (Xinhua/Park Jin Hee)

King is best known for the nightly interview TV program "Larry King Live," which aired on CNN from 1985 to 2010.

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Larry King, a veteran U.S. talk show host and former CNN interviewer, died on Saturday at the age of 87 after media reported earlier this month that he had been diagnosed with COVID-19.

"With profound sadness, Ora Media announces the death of our co-founder, host, and friend Larry King, who passed away this morning at age 87 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles," said a statement posted on King's social media account.

King hosted CNN's "Larry King Live" for over two and a half decades and retired in 2010 after clocking in at more than 6,000 episodes.

"For 63 years and across the platforms of radio, television and digital media, Larry's many thousands of interviews, awards and global acclaim stand as a testament to his unique and lasting talent as a broadcaster," said Ora Media, a television production company co-founded by King, in the statement.

"Whether he was interviewing a U.S. president, foreign leader, celebrity, scandal-ridden personage, or an everyman, Larry liked to ask short, direct, and uncomplicated questions," noted the statement.

King was born in Brooklyn, New York, on Nov. 19, 1933. He got his start as a broadcaster at a small radio station in Florida in 1957. King is best known for the nightly interview television program "Larry King Live," which aired on CNN from 1985 to 2010. After his CNN career, King went on to be the host of Ora Media shows "Larry King Now" and "Politicking With Larry King."

"We mourn the passing of our colleague Larry King," CNN President Jeff Zucker said in a statement posted online, adding that King had a history-making career spanning radio and television.

"His curiosity about the world propelled his award-winning career in broadcasting, but it was his generosity of spirit that drew the world to him," Zucker noted.

King was honored with two Peabody Awards and 10 Cable ACE Awards in his career. He was also the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2011 News and Documentary Emmys.

No cause of death was given by Ora Media in the statement. Earlier this month, citing sources close to the family, CNN reported that King had been undergoing intensive treatment for over a week after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Besides Type 2 diabetes, King has also reportedly faced some other medical issues over years, such as heart attacks, angina and lung cancer.


conveyed his intention to strengthen the "special relationship" with the UK in his first call as the President with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, during which the two leaders re-committed to the NATO alliance and agreed to cooperate on combating climate change and containing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conversation with Johnson over phone on Saturday was Biden's third involving a foreign leader since his inauguration on Wednesday, after he spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Friday.

"Great to speak to President this evening. I look forward to deepening the longstanding alliance between our two countries as we drive a green and sustainable recovery from COVID-19," Johnson said in a tweet.

It seem that a new trade agreement was not on the list of priorities for both sides. While the Downing Street readout of the phone call referred to Johnson reiterating his intention to resolve existing trade issues as soon as possible, the White House communique of the call only referred to "strengthening the special relationship".

"The president conveyed his intention to strengthen the special relationship between our countries and revitalise transatlantic ties, underscoring the critical role of NATO to our collective defense and shared values," the White House said.

"Building on the UK and US' long history of cooperation in security and defence, the leaders re-committed to the NATO alliance and our shared values in promoting human rights and protecting democracy. They also discussed the benefits of a potential free trade deal between our two countries, and the Prime Minister reiterated his intention to resolve existing trade issues as soon as possible," a Downing Street spokesperson said.

The UK is keen to conclude a post-Brexit free trade agreement with the US, but the new American administration has been less vocal over this amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

The global health crisis and vaccination programme in both countries and around the world as well as climate change were areas of more mutual agreement, with security and defence through strengthening the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) also high on the agenda in contrast with former President Donald Trump's hard ball with the alliance.

During the call, President Biden noted the importance of cooperation, including through multilateral organisations, on shared challenges such as combatting climate change, containing COVID-19, and ensuring global health security, the White House said.

The leaders also discussed the need for coordination on shared foreign policy priorities, including China, Iran, and Russia, it said.

"The Prime Minister warmly welcomed the President's decision to re-join the Paris Agreement on climate change, as well as the World Health Organisation and the COVAX programme to ensure equitable access for vaccines, the Downing Street spokesperson said.

On climate change, Johnson is said to have also praised President Biden's early action on tackling climate change and commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050.

"The leaders looked forward to meeting in person as soon as the circumstances allow, and to working together through the G7, G20 and COP26 this year, the spokesperson added.

The UK will be hosting the G7 summit in Cornwall in June, which is expected to be Biden's first visit to the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also due to join the summit for its guest country sessions.

The new White House incumbent is famously anti-Brexit but all early indications are that his views on the UK's exit from the European Union (EU) are unlikely to overshadow US-UK relations in future.

In his call with Mexico's President, Biden and Obrador agreed to work closely to stem the flow of irregular migration to Mexico and the US, as well as to promote development in the Northern Triangle of Central America.

"The president outlined his plan to reduce migration by addressing its root causes, increasing resettlement capacity and lawful alternative immigration pathways, improving processing at the border to adjudicate requests for asylum, and reversing the previous administration's draconian immigration policies, the White House said.

They also recognised the importance of coordination to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, it 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.)
The Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 might have been shot down from the sky, claims a new book about the doomed airlines. The plane was a scheduled international passenger flight that disappeared from the radar on March 8, 2014, before making a turn It was flying from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to its planned destination, Beijing Capital International Airport.

In the latest development in the mystery around the incident that took place before the Malasia Airlines plane vanished and crashed into the sea with at least 239 people, the author Florence de Changy claims that it did not make a u-turn. De Changy is an investigative journalist. She further added that Boeing-777 could have been shot down by a fighter jet, missile or a new laser-guided weapon system being tested in the region at the time.

Read - Relatives Of Plane's Victims Cast Flowers Into Indonesia Sea

At least two major underwater searches have shed some light on the unknown circumstances of the plane while one of the leading theories was of a mass murder-suicide by the pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah. Several other accounts had predicted that the plane had made a u-urn less than an hour into its planned route before sinking into the ocean. The debris of the aircraft has been reportedly discovered on the French island of Reunion, on the coasts of Tanzania and Mozambique as well as on the shores of Madagascar.

Following a lengthy investigation, Florence de Changy claims that the plane had stayed on course for another 80 minutes only until 2:40 AM before plummeting into the Gulf of Thailand, near Vietnam. In her book, The Disappearing Act: The Impossible Case Of MH370, she has also reportedly stated that the plane carried illicit cargo. She also said that the crew made contact with Vietnamese air traffic control before the crash took place.

Read - Relatives Visit Site Of Indonesia Plane Crash

Laser weapons system was being tested

While talking to The Sun, she explained that a new laser weapons system was being tested at the time. According to her, shooting the plane down could have either been a blunder or a last resort in order to stop the planes special cargo falling into the wrong hands. De Changys theory indicates that the disaster took place around 2:45 AM in north Vietnam. As per the report, intelligence sources have told her two US radar planes contacted the MH370 between 1:21 AM and 2:25 AM. Further, another third aircraft made contact at 1:30 AM before the Malaysia Airline crew spoke to the air traffic control Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam at 2.37 AM for landing announcement.

Read - Indonesia Ends Search For Crashed Plane's Victims, Debris

Read - Widodo Promises Compensation For Plane Crash

(Image credits: The Associated Press)
One of the architects of the negotiate-arbitrate model aimed at tackling Google and Facebook's monopoly in Australia has been tapped to lead Seven West Media's regulatory and government affairs team.

The Kerry Stokes-controlled media company has appointed former Nine Entertainment executive Clare Gill to lead government and regulatory affairs as the fight to introduce laws to level the playing field between local media companies and international tech giants heats up.

Former Nine executive Clare Gill will start her new role at Seven in February.

Ms Gill left Nine (owner of this masthead) after four years in late 2019. Nines chief executive Hugh Marks and Ms Gill were under scrutiny in 2019 for hosting a $10,000 a head fundraiser for the Liberal Party.

Seven, which owns The West Australian newspaper, is expected to have a more vocal position on the news media bargaining code, given Ms Gill's experience working on ways to regulate Google and Facebook in her time with Nine.
Emma Sheerin encouraged the public to respond to her committee consultation on a Bill of Rights (NI Assembly/PA).

It is time to establish which entitlements should be enshrined in a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, an Assembly member has said.

Brexit and commitments contained in the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) deal, which restored power-sharing, lend added impetus to the conversation, Emma Sheerin added.

She chairs Stormonts Bill of Rights Committee and is running a public consultation seeking views on what any legislation would look like.

BLOG: What difference would a Bill of Rights make?

Read: https://t.co/7vcHZk5Jsi

There's just over 1 week until our public consultation closes. Take this chance to have your say about which human rights you'd like to see protected in Northern Ireland.

YOUR SAY ON YOUR RIGHTS.  AdHoc-BillofRights (@NIABillofRights) January 20, 2021

Ms Sheerin said: We have a very different society now than in 1998 and a lot of things have changed.

Those with rights deficits are not those of 80 years ago.

She hoped the consultation would help inform her committee on what rights were important to all, including the young.

Under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, the Human Rights Commission was asked to consult and advise on the matter.

It delivered advice to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 10 December 2008.

But very little progress has been made since then.

The issue was revisited in the agreement which led to the restoration of power-sharing last year.

That said the establishment of cross-party and cross-community support will be critical to advancing a Bill of Rights.

We wrote to @DUPleader, @moneillsf, @naomi_long, @ClareBaileyGPNI and @SteveAikenUUP on International #HumanRights Day asking them to commit to delivering a strong and inclusive Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. One that can inspire, unite and protect all the people here.  pic.twitter.com/4BYckOzwC5  Human Rights Consortium NI (@BillofRightsNI) January 15, 2021

Ms Sheerins committee was set up following the NDNA agreement.

The committee is tasked with looking at the implications of a Bill and what rights it might include.

Its public consultation ends on January 29 and it has already taken extensive evidence from experts.

That included the head of Northern Irelands judiciary, Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan.

He said the impact of Brexit on law was yet to be seen, giving evidence late last year, and it does not necessarily follow that civil and political rights are going to be materially impacted.

He added that the nature of cases before courts had changed to include social rights since the Human Rights Act was introduced into UK law in 1998.

The committees public consultation can be accessed here: http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-business/committees/2017-2022/ad-hoc-committee-on-a-bill-of-rights/survey-on-the-creation-of-a-bill-of-rights-for-northern-ireland
(Natural News) Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have shown that they are very afraid of the American people. They know that the vast majority of the citizens voted for President Donald Trump.

(Article by Shari Dovale republished from RedoubtNews.com)

However, assisted by a large Marxist-Democrat-Socialist network, the overthrow of the current administration and the subversion of the will of the people was completed on Wednesday, January 6th.

They have blamed our legally elected President Trump for the storming of the US Capital as a distraction and excuse for their plans to turn this great country into a Communist Police State. It was shown that ANTIFA was involved in that destruction, though Pelosi refused to accept that, calling conservatives Trumpites.

Trump called for peace and asked everyone to go home. The Communists in our government tried to suppress that truth and lie, saying he called for an insurrection.

Trump has also said that there will be a peaceful transition of power on January 20th, the Constitutionally scheduled day for the inauguration of the next administration.

However, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi are afraid to give the people these 13 days, less than 2 weeks, to adjust to the change in our country. They are afraid to give President Trump these few days to close the books on this first term, in which he was so successful.

In a statement, Schumer called for Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th amendment to have President Trump forcibly removed from the White House. During her weekly press conference, Nancy Pelosi echoed these sentiments.

They have already got their cronies at BIG TECH to censor President Trump by banning him from using their platforms. They believe this will keep him from reaching out to the people, or speaking his thoughts.

Now they seem to want to begin their lockdown of all things conservative by keeping President Trump from doing anything else in these next 13 days. They have even begun making noise about the possible prosecution of this man.

This is the beginning of the Police State. Increase the censorship of conservatives. Prosecute anyone that objected to their agenda. Punish the people of this country!

Pelosi referred to Conservatives as These People and Trump Thugs during her press conference. This is nothing more than a call to punish anyone that does not endorse their radical Left-Wing agenda.

There have been other calls, as well. Former Clinton Secretary of Labor from 1993 to 1997, Robert Reich, has proposed retribution against every politician that he doesnt like or agree with, in the form of a Truth And Reconciliation Commission.

Pelosi, during her press conference, pointed fingers at any member of congress that challenged the electoral college votes.

Keith Olbermann, notorious conservative-hater, said before the election,

The task is two-fold: the terrorist Trump must be defeated, must be destroyed, must be devoured at the ballot box, and then he, and his enablers, and his supporters, and his collaborators, and the Mike Lees and the William Barrs, and Sean Hannitys, and the Mike Pences, and the Rudy Gullianis and the Kyle Rittenhouses and the Amy Coney Barretts must be prosecuted and convicted and removed from our society while we try to rebuild it and to rebuild the world Trump has destroyed by turning it over to a virus.

And the list will continue.

Pelosi is obviously afraid that Trump might  what? Release classified documents, or possibly issue executive orders, or even pardon someone that might go against her agenda?

Pelosi is afraid, and it will only get worse. She seems to be calling for a right-wing revolution to justify what the Left is already planning to do.

As other Totalitarian regimes have all shown, when they fear the people, they react even worse.

The Marxist-Democrat-Socialist Party has stolen the country from its citizens. As I have said before, this is the deliberate, and planned, eradication of our way of life, of our freedoms, of our civil liberties.

The Marxist-Democrat-Socialist agenda will include a $4 trillion tax hike. The former vice president wants to repeal the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, cut the child tax credit in half, get rid of the small business deduction, double the corporate income tax to over 40 percent, and add a 15 percent minimum tax on businesses.

But they wont stop there.

In Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, those earning $50,000 to $75,000 received an average tax cut of over 13 percent. I wonder how the people in these Swing States will feel when they are paying more in taxes than they are taking home?

Joe Bidens plans will mean tens of thousands of missing jobs, thousands of dollars in new government burdens for families, and even lost revenue for state governments.

Are you ready for the Communism?

Read more at: RedoubtNews.com
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Recently, airlines and airports had approached MoCA and highlighted the need to vaccinate their staff on priority basis, albeit once the medical personnel are covered. (PTI/file)

New Delhi: Frontline workers in the aviation sector should be considered for COVID-19 vaccination on priority basis after health workers have been given the jabs, the civil aviation ministry has told the Union health ministry.

As per the guidelines issued by the health ministry on December 28 last year, initially around 30 crore Indians will be vaccinated, including around three crore healthcare and frontline workers, and approximately 27 crore people of over the age of 50 years.

The frontline workers mentioned in the December 28 guidelines does not include aviation sector employees but personnel from the armed forces, prison staff, municipal workers, among others.

In a letter dated January 20, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Pradeep Singh Kharola told his counterpart in the health ministry Rajesh Bhushan: "You will agree with me that the crew, engineers, technicians, ground staff, frontline workers in aviation have certain risk elements while performing their duties in a most diligent manner and make air transportation a safe mode of transport."

Recently, airlines and airports had approached MoCA and highlighted the need to vaccinate their staff on priority basis, albeit once the medical personnel are covered, Kharola mentioned in the letter, which has been accessed by PTI.

"Considering that the frontline workers of airlines and airports are also involved in movement of vaccines, this MoCA recognizes the merit in the proposal and requests the MoHFW (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) to include frontline workers of airlines and airports along with frontline workers mentioned in the operational guidelines released on December 28, 2020," he added.

If the request is considered favourably, MoCA would coordinate for enumeration of these personnel to be covered under the vaccination programme, Kharola noted.

He said airlines and airports have been in forefront in extending their services to passengers and movement of cargo within the country and across the borders.
Who knows what to do with 1m kilos of smuggled turmeric? By Chrishanthi Christopher View(s): View(s):

Sri Lanka Customs, saddled with one million kilos of imported turmeric, is awaiting orders from the government on its disposal.

A consignment of 62 containers containing 27 metric tonnes arrived last July after the ban on turmeric in December 2020 was imposed. The stocks are being stored at the Customs storage facility in Orugodawatte, Colombo.

A directive to importers to return the consignment to country of origin, as the government directed, has met a slow response because of accumulated demurrage fees for storage at the Customs yard.

Customs Spokesman Sunil Jayaratne said part of the seized turmeric  about 1000kg  had been handed over to the Ayurveda Department free of charge.

However, now they have refused to accept more turmeric because local turmeric can be purchased fresh from the market, he said.

We are awaiting orders about its disposal, Mr. Jayaratne said.

The Export Agriculture Department has promised to have local turmeric available in the market in the first week of February. A harvest of 22,000 metric tonnes is expected locally, which will turn out as 3,500kg of cured turmeric.

Director of Exports, Dr. A.P. Heenkanda, said this amount would cover more than half the countrys requirement.

The country needs around 7000kg of dried turmeric annually.

Meanwhile, the smuggling of turmeric from neighbouring India to the north-western coastal areas continues, with law officers scuttling several attempts by smugglers to bring in the scarce rhizome.

In the first three weeks of this year alone, there have been reports of two incidents in Colombo and the north-western naval areas in which nearly 10,000kg of smuggled dried turmeric was seized.

On January 16, the navy seized 1,260kg in Dematagoda and arrested two people.

The previous week, the navy found 8,700kg in two Indian dhows, arresting 12 Indian nationals.

On average, two turmeric smuggling attempts a week have been intercepted by the navy, coastal police and the Special Task Force over the past six months. The smugglers come over in fishing boats and dinghies from neighbouring India.

Another smuggled consignment came from Dubai  25,540kg of turmeric hidden among onions at the Colombo Port last month. Also in December, 7,800kg was found hidden in wheat from India.

Mr. Jayaratne said about 50 metric tonnes of turmeric smuggled in by boat was in the possession of Customs.

While Customs have not been authorised to burn the product, police last December took action to burn 25,900kg of turmeric they had seized.

Customs, which bears the responsibility of prosecuting suspects, said that of 25 cases of smuggling only two have been investigated. Action on the remainder had been delayed due to the pandemic.

Superintendent N.P.P. Ratnayake said logistical problems prohibited staff from travelling between districts during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The risk involved in travelling has restricted us, he said.

This situation has allowed smugglers to gain bail easily as government policy is not to overcrowd prisons for fear of coronavirus spreading. Smugglers also believe the situation would lead the Government to be lenient towards them.
A drug used to treat gout could slash the risk of Covid-19 patients requiring hospital treatment, a new study has found.

Taking a daily dose of the anti-inflammatory treatment colchicine reduced the risk of coronavirus patients with underlying health conditions being admitted to hospital by 25 percent, the study of 4,000 subjects suggested.

The Canadian scientists behind the research said the results were 'clinically persuasive and should change clinical practice,' The Times reported.

While other experts called the study's findings encouraging, they said more details were needed to be published.

Martin Landray, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Oxford, said the research was 'really, really exciting'.

'My first response was: this looks really interesting  if it's real and clinically meaningful,' Landray, who was not involved in the research, said.

A drug used to treat gout could slash the risk of Covid-19 patients requiring hospital treatment, a new study has found [Stock photo]

Colchicine, which costs only 30p, is also among the drugs being tested as part of the RECOVERY trial, run by the University of Oxford.

RECOVERY is the world's largest clinical trial of treatments for patients hospitalised with Covid-19.

No drugs are currently able to cure Covid-19, although the trial did discover the steroid dexamethasone can reduce the risk of death among the most seriously ill.

RECOVERY was also the study that found that hydroxychloroquine  an anti-malarial drug touted by Donald Trump - was ineffective at fighting the coronavirus.

Dr Jean-Claude Tardif, professor of medicine at the University of Montreal, who led the separate Canadian colchicine study, said that the findings met the standard for statistical robustness and had been submitted to a journal.

He added that he was prepared to release more data if the journal's editor allowed, The Times reported.

The Canadian study also suggested that colchicine cut the risk of death by 44 percent and the risk of patients requiring mechanical ventilation by half. These findings, however, did not meet the levels required to be statistically significant because too few patients 'had reached these endpoints,' The Times reported Tardif as saying.

Patients involved in Dr Tardif's study began taking colchicine in pill form for about one month soon after receiving a positive PCR test result.

The patients were over the age of 40 and had a least one underlying health condition including obesity, diabetes or high blood pressure. Individuals over the age of 70 were able to take part whether they had an underlying health condition or not.

The study looked at patients in six countries: Canada, America, Brazil, Greece, Spain and South Africa.

Colchicine can have side effects, including diarrhoea, and the trial found that more patients who got the placebo reported side-effects than those who had received the drug.

'Our research shows the efficacy of colchicine treatment in preventing the 'cytokine storm' phenomenon and reducing the complications associated with Covid-19,' Dr Tardif said.

He added that the drug had the potential to 'prevent Covid-19 complications for millions of patients'.

WHAT IS THE RECOVERY TRIAL? More than 12,000 coronavirus patients in the UK have already volunteered to take part in a drug trial run by the University of Oxford to find treatments for Covid-19. The programme is called the RECOVERY Trial (The Randomised Evaluation of COV-id19 thERapY) and is the one of the world's biggest randomised trials, meaning it compares experimental therapy to normal 'standard of care'. The trial got the support of Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty and doctors around the country when it launched. Volunteers have since joined the trial from more than 160 NHS trusts around the country and scientists are hopeful more people will continue to sign up if they become seriously ill with Covid-19. Drugs assessed so far include low-dose Dexamethasone,a steroid used to reduce inflammation; azithromycin, a commonly used antibiotic which may have antiviral properties; the steroid Tocilizumab; anti-inflammatory Colchicine used to treat gout; aspirin; convalescent plasma; and the Regeneron antibody cocktail. It also ruled there was 'no clinical benefit' to anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine or the HIV treatment combination of lopinavir-ritonavir. RECOVERY announced in June that dexamethasone had been successful in the trial and that it could cut the risk of dying by a third for seriously ill patients. A total of 2,104 patients were randomised to receive 6mg of dexamethasone once a day, either by mouth or by intravenous injection for 10 days. Their outcomes were compared with 4,321 patients given standard care alone, which involves painkillers and, in some cases, antibiotics. For patients on ventilators, the drug cut the risk of death from 40 per cent to 28 per cent (30 per cent reduction). In patients who required oxygen, the risk was reduced from a quarter to a fifth. Advertisement

Other scientists have theorised that colchicine may be able to help coronavirus patients by limiting immune system overreaction, which contributes to serious cases.

'Colchicine is an attractive drug to evaluate in the RECOVERY trial as it is very well understood, inexpensive and widely available,' said Oxford University Professor Peter Horby, who is co-chief investigator for RECOVERY trial, said when the drug was added to its list for research in November.

'Inflammation [caused by an overactive immune system] is a key component of severe COVID-19, and can lead to lung damage, the need for mechanical ventilation, and death.

'Colchicine has a wide range of anti-inflammatory effects and has been used for centuries to treat gout and, more recently, other inflammatory conditions.'

Professor Landray, RECOVERY's other co-chief investigator, said that his trial was some four to six weeks away from being able to say whether colchicine had benefited patients involved.

In the RECOVERY trial, around 2,500 patients hospitalised with Covid-19 in the UK are being given the drug and compared to 2,500 patients who do not receive the treatment.

An initial dose of 1,000 micrograms is followed up with 500 micrograms every 12 hours for ten days. The researchers are primarily focused on seeing if the gout treatment reduces the chance of death after 28 days.

If more data from Canada or the RECOVERY trial confirms colchicine's efficacy, it could be an important step in helping to treat coronavirus patients.

Last week, a treatment from US drugs company Eli Lilly was found to be 80 percent effective in stopping infections among care home residents.

However the Eli Lilly drug is expensive and needs to be administered intravenously, making it more difficult to distribute than the inexpensive colchicine, which comes in pill form.

The RECOVERY trial is ongoing at around 176 hospitals in the UK, where the recovery of patients is compared to those who do not receive the drugs.

Another treatment in the trial is tocilizumab. A recent study found patients given the drug were 87 per cent more likely to see their symptoms improve within 28 days than patients not given the drug.

Tocilizumab, manufactured by the Swiss drug giant Roche, is an anti-inflammatory drug typically given to people with rheumatoid arthritis.

It works in coronavirus patients by stopping the potentially fatal 'cytokine storm'  an overreaction of the immune system causing inflammation.

It is hoped colchicine will work in the same way, and therefore allow people to recover from severe bouts of disease.

Other RECOVERY targets are aspirin and convalescent plasma, which is donated from recovered patients

Results published in June revealed Dexamethasone, a cheap steroid that has been around for decades, could reduce the number of patients needing ventilators by 35 per cent.

The findings were hailed at the time by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as being 'the biggest breakthrough yet' in the fight against the pandemic.

Colchicine, which costs only 30p, is also among the drugs being tested as part of the RECOVERY trial, run by the University of Oxford [Stock photo]

The Oxford academics also are investigating the effectiveness of a therapy called REGN-COV2 made by the American biotechnology company Regeneron.

This is the first tailor-made Covid-19 therapy to enter a major trial and was what was used to treat Donald Trump.

REGN-COV2 is made using antibodies  disease-fighting substances produced naturally by the immune system  found in genetically-engineered mice and in actual Covid-19 patients who have recovered from the disease.

Scientists hope the therapy will give people the same ability to fend off the disease as survivors.

RECOVERY has also been integral in helping understand which drugs are not able to fight Covid-19.

For example, as well as hydroxychloroquine, it ruled out the HIV drug combination lopinavir-ritonavir as a potential treatment.
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Provincial Minister for Law Raja Basharat called on Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at CM office on Saturday

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2021 ) :Provincial Minister for Law Raja Basharat called on Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at CM office on Saturday.

Matters regarding law and order situation, overall political situation in the province and the measures taken for safeguarding the lives and property of the people came under discussion during the meeting. The Law minister also informed the Chief Minister about the preparations of local bodies elections.

Usman Buzdar directed to take all necessary steps for maintaining law and order situation in the province and said that no stone should be left unturned in this regard.

He said that rule of law will be ensured at any cost and violation in this regard will not be tolerated.

He said that new local bodies system will empower the people at grassroots level in real manner and people's problems will be solved at their doorstep. The new era of development will be started in every urban and rural areas of Punjab.

Usman Buzdar said that opposition was busy in politics of agitation whereas PTI government was serving the people.

PDM has no agenda, people have totally rejected opposition's politics of chaos and anarchy, CM said.

These elements have lost their reputation in the public, said CM and added that Prime Minister Imran Khan was the only hope for the nation.

CM said that the incumbent government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan will continue its journey towards progress and development.

Provincial Minister for Law Raja Basharat said that all out measures had been taken for securing the lives and property of the people of the province. Consultation for the local bodies elections was being carried out.

The government was introducing such local bodies system which will solve the people's problems at grassroots level.

He said the PDM was trying to make political point scoring at every important issue. Opposition had totally forgotten the national interest, however, the people by remaining indifferent from their public meetings have shown the opposition true face.

Raja Basharat also apprised the Chief Minister about the measures taken for maintaining law and order in the province.
Brood X is here

Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Natalie Goldberg of Santa Fe has written memoirs, essays, poetry and a novel.

Shes known for her books on the craft of writing. Perhaps the most influential of them is 1986s Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within.

Now Goldberg excitedly explores different literary territory with the publication of Three Simple Lines: A Writers Pilgrimage into the Heart and Homeland of Haiku.

She learns that the Japanese language adheres to the syllabic formality of five syllables in the first line, seven in the second line and five in the third. And Haiku is usually taught in the West as three lines of the same 5-7-5. However, the formal 5-7-5 pattern often taught in schools in the West does not necessarily work in English, Goldberg explained.

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Goldberg writes that the Beat poet Allen Ginsberg introduced her to the liberating small sensation of space one experiences when hearing a haiku.

In Three Simple Lines she tells of taking a six-week haiku class that Ginsberg taught in the summer of 1976 at the Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado. He introduced Goldberg to haiku and pointed to the four great Japanese haiku writers, all male: Basho, Buson, Issa and Shiki.

What, no women among them? Goldberg wonders.

Fast-forward to 2012 and her pilgrimage to Japan. Goldberg writes about traveling to visit the grave of Buson, the 18th century haiku master and painter. The day before her departure she takes a bus, a cab and walks until she at last reaches Busons grave in a quiet, remote temple at the edge of Kyoto.

Goldberg pays her respects to Buson, first prostrate, then standing.

 What can I say? I tell Buson. Your haiku have touched me, centuries later, in another country. Thank you.  She bows standing and reverentially offers up a Buson haiku: Autumn night/it feels lonelier/than last year On a later trek to Japan, she visits Bashos grave.

She said Three Simple Lines is the third in a personal collection of three cancer books.  She wrote 20 pages of it, then put her pen down to fight the disease. When she knew she would survive, Goldberg said, she returned to writing the book: I said, See, cancer, you didnt get me. 

While writing, Goldberg joined a monthly haiku study group in Santa Fe. One chapter relates the group dynamics and the friendly give-and-take in critiquing each attendees haiku. She has returned to group meetings and keeps writing haiku. Eventually what I begin to enjoy most is simply not knowing how to do it.  I like not being good, not having a clue, Goldberg writes candidly.

And what of Goldbergs hunt for a female haiku master? She tells of arriving home from a retreat center in Vallecitos and unexpectedly locating a book on a shelf she vaguely remembers having bought before an earlier trip to Japan. It had sat unopened.

The book is Chiyo-ni: Woman Haiku Master. She was born in 1703 shortly after Basho died. Goldberg quotes from Chiyo-ni: For decades she was considered equal and the counterpart of Basho. More importantly, she was known and respected because she lived the Way of Haiku: aware and open to every moment.

The epilogue of Three Simple Lines swings back to Ginsberg, her beloved teacher, colleague and friend. While working on a manuscript Goldberg is experiencing unexplained sleeplessness, sobbing and grieving. Ginsberg, she soon learns, had died. This was one of her haikus to his memory: Spring wind/blossomed you/into another world.

Book of the week


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KINGSTON, R.I. (AP)  Jeremy Sheppard posted 16 points and nine rebounds as Rhode Island topped Fordham 52-42 on Sunday.

Ishmael Leggett had 12 points and seven rebounds for Rhode Island (8-8, 5-4 Atlantic 10 Conference), which earned its fourth consecutive home victory. Makhel Mitchell added nine rebounds and four blocks.

Jalen Cobb had 11 points and six rebounds for Fordham (1-7, 1-7), whose losing streak stretched to five games. Joel Soriano added seven rebounds.

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For more AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and http://twitter.com/AP_Top25

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This was generated by Automated Insights, http://www.automatedinsights.com/ap, using data from STATS LLC, https://www.stats.com
How piquant that the MP leading Labours charge to keep the 20 Universal Credit uplift topped the charts for spending the most taxpayer cash last year  39,225  on a grace-and-favour flat.

The 3,269-a-month rent is enough to let Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and his family live in the poshest parts of London. So much for his common-touch image.

The 40-year-old has been the MP for Stalybridge and Hyde since 2010, with a career that has included being parliamentary private secretary to Ed Miliband when he was Labour leader.

How piquant that the MP leading Labours charge to keep the 20 Universal Credit uplift topped the charts for spending the most taxpayer cash last year  39,225  on a grace-and-favour flat

And he doesnt just limit his expenses to rent. Hes also in the top six per cent of all MPs by total expenses and allowances to the taxpayer  221,548 last year.

Incidentally, in 2019, close behind in the list for biggest accommodation bill was ex-Tory MP Charlie Elphicke, who swapped his 34,000 public-funded flat for cheaper digs at Her Majestys pleasure, after he was found guilty of sexual assault.

Ricci-style abuse cases are here too, says MP Jess

Christina Riccis abuse case has highlighted one of the darkest sides of the pandemic.

Christina Riccis abuse case has highlighted one of the darkest sides of the pandemic

The Hollywood actress was granted a restraining order from husband James Heerdegen after she alleged he began abusing her in December 2019.

Court papers showed Ricci, right, told him she wanted a divorce but the process was delayed last March because of the pandemic, and she found herself trapped in a house with a violent abuser  and was then attacked twice while quarantining in June. Heerdegen denies all allegations of abuse.

Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence Jess Phillips tells me the case illustrates the risk Covid backlogs in the courts can have, putting victims at greater risk. Phillips has just been told that her own harassment case against an alleged stalker will not come to court until December 13. Phillips said the man sent her death threats and really awful abusive messages, including about gang rape. The court date will be nearly two years since she started proceedings and, she points out that, as a prominent MP, she has likely been fast-tracked.

The MP says there will be plenty of cases like Riccis in the UK, and is urging the Government to put in better safeguards. Theyve got to accept that in a delay, there will be repeat incidents, she says.

What of the cross-government charm offensive using Zoom calls to repair the bruised egos of Tory MPs since Cabinet enforcer Dominic Cummings exited stage right?

Ministry of Defence officials organised such a call with Defence Secretary Ben Wallace to hear about the Armys role in the vaccine rollout. He was mid-schmooze when screens went black.

Not Russian or Chinese hackers  turns out the MoD (annual budget 40 billion) hadnt coughed up for a Zoom subscription past the free 40-minute limit, leaving some MPs wondering if officials were making a case for a bigger departmental budget.

Sunak told pupils at Oughtibridge Primary School in Sheffield that becoming Chancellor a year ago was scary and had been a complete surprise

Has fretting about whether to impose big tax rises been keeping Rishi Sunak awake at night? In a call with schoolchildren the Chancellor, below, said he was sleeping six to seven hours, which is not too bad but still not enough.

Perhaps he should copy his boss Boris and have afternoon naps, something that the PMs aides revealed last week happens quite often.

Sunak told pupils at Oughtibridge Primary School in Sheffield that becoming Chancellor a year ago was scary and had been a complete surprise.

One of these two descriptions will also apply to the tax hikes he no doubt has in store for us to pay for the pandemic.
A single Toni Pearen relocated to Hollywood in pursuit of stardom in the 1990s, like many other Australian actresses.

And on Sunday's episode of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, the now-married star, 48, shared juicy details of her dating life in Los Angeles with Abbie Chatfield.

Toni recalled a very intense date with none other than American actress Marisa Tomei's brother.

Past dating life: I'm a Celebrity's Toni Pearen (pictured), 48, recalled her very intense date with American actress Marisa Tomei's brother while living in Los Angeles, on Sunday's episode

'I actually never had an American boyfriend when I was there because American men are intense,' the former E Street actress began.

'I remember I met this guy, I used to go to this cafe every single day. Do you know who Marisa Tomei is? She's an actress, like quite a famous actress,' Toni told Abbie.

'Her brother,' Toni continued. 'He asked me out. He was fine. It was fine. We kissed. Nothing amazing.'

However, the brunette beauty went on to recall the very bizarre detail in their date that had her running for the hills.

Shock request: Toni told Abbie Chatfield (right) how Marisa's brother bizarrely asked her to take his dog, after splitting with his girlfriend, after just the first date

'That night, he calls me, and he goes, "As you know, I just broke up with my girlfriend and everything, and we have a dog. And I've just moved to this apartment and I can't take my dog. Could you take my dog?"'

Flabbergasted by the request after just one date, Toni told Abbie: 'I was like, "Um, no, I can't take your dog. I don't even know you".'

Abbie, who rolled around the floor in fits of laughter, later said in a piece to camera: 'I thought I had awful dating stories, but she has some beauties, absolute beauties.'

Marisa is an acclaimed Hollywood actress, having appeared in a multitude of films such as What Women Want, Anger Management, and Parental Guidance.

Hilarious: Abbie, who rolled around the floor in fits of laughter, later said in a piece to camera: 'I thought I had awful dating stories, but she has some beauties, absolute beauties'

Siblings: Marisa's brother is also an actor, Adam Tomei, 53. It's uncertain whether Toni was referring to Adam, or whether Marisa has a half-brother. Marisa and Adam are pictured in 2013

Acclaimed: Marisa, 56, is an acclaimed Hollywood actress, having appeared in a multitude of films such as What Women Want, Anger Management, and Parental Guidance

The 56-year-old Academy Award winner's brother is also an actor, Adam Tomei, 53.

It's uncertain whether Toni was referring to Adam, or whether Marisa has a half-brother.

Toni rose to fame in the 1990s, playing Toni Windsor on E Street from the age of 17.

Fame: Toni rose to fame in the 1990s, playing Toni Windsor on E Street from the age of 17. She then moved on to a pop career, releasing hit singles such as In Your Room, I Want You and Walkway Lover. Pictured in 1990

She then moved on to a pop career, releasing hit singles such as In Your Room, I Want You and Walkway Lover.

Toni appeared briefly on Home and Away in 1994, before moving to America the following year, where she lived until 2002.

After returning to Australia, Toni landed a role hosting Australia's Funniest Home Video Show in 2003, leaving the show in January 2008.

These days, Toni lives away from the spotlight, running a talent school, The Talent Co, with her business partner Raelee Hill.

She is married to Will Osmond and the couple share son Lucky and daughter Ever.
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The Telegraph

American soldiers have mistakenly revealed the exact locations of US nuclear weapons in Europe by uploading details as part of revision exercises that were publicly available to view, a report claims. An investigation by Bellingcat alleges that soldiers attempting to learn intricate security protocols uploaded a multitude of sensitive information to the internet, including not only the bases at which the weapons are held, but in which exact vaults they are stored. The US Air Force has launched an investigation into "the suitability of information shared via study flashcards." Questions and answers were written on flashcards, which have now disappeared, and appeared to show the positions of cameras, the frequency of patrols around the vaults, secret duress words that signal when a guard is being threatened and the unique identifiers that a restricted area badge needs to have, Bellingcat said. The cards had been uploaded as long ago as 2013 on websites including Cram, Quizlet and Chegg, and accessed as recently as April this year. Some of those sites have the visibility of the cards set to be viewed by anyone by default. The presence of US nuclear weapons in Europe acted as a deterrent to the Soviet Union during the Cold War and also meant European countries would not need to develop their own.

Adam Sandlers starring roles in a litany of classic comedies have made him a household name. From Happy Gilmore to 50 First Dates, it comes as no surprise that Sandler is one of the wealthiest men in the movie business. While audience members have diverse opinions on Sandlers work, none can deny his overall success. Still, his years on-screen are riddled with might have been  movies that could have changed the course of his career and perhaps even have earned him that elusive Oscar nomination.

Sandler is a staple in comedic cinema

RELATED: Fans Want a Sandlerverse Movie That Unites Adam Sandlers Films and He Says Hes Interested

Sandler was born a New Yorker and grew up in New Hampshire. He returned to his home state to attend NYUs Tisch School of the Arts and began taking on small roles before he had even graduated. He caught the eye of Dennis Miller while dabbling in stand-up comedy, whose connections took Sandlers career to the next level.

Miller presented Sandler to the producer of Saturday Night Live, earning him a five-year stint as a writer for the show. His work on the comedic skits made for a natural transition to humorous movie roles and Sandler was off and running. He held significant roles in seven movies throughout the 90s including The Waterboy, which grossed $186 million from a $20 million budget.

Despite its financial success, The Waterboy still saw many negative reviews  a pattern that would emerge among Sandler films in the coming years. Although Sandler has amassed a strong fan base over the years, many movie-goers are beginning to find his characters and acting style formulaic. This leaves many wondering if Sandlers loyalty to laughter stifled his career.

Sandler came close to landing many career-defining roles

Adam Sandler | Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Sandler has an impressively high output of movies, seeming to always have a new project in the works. Its understandable that in his nearly four decades of acting, hes had to make some hard decisions between roles. Casting directors have faced tough choices, as well, with big-budget hits offering them their pick of Hollywoods top names. As a result, Sandler has come incredibly close to portraying some of cinemas most iconic characters.

According to Nicki Swift, Sandler was considered for the cast of 2005s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory remake. He would have starred as Willy Wonka, a quirky role that was eventually taken on by Johnny Depp.

Although aloof chocolatier doesnt seem too far out of Sandlers wheelhouse, some roles were more surprising. ScreenRant reports that Sandler almost starred alongside Tom Cruise in Collateral, though this role ultimately when to Jamie Foxx. While Sandlers career isnt completely devoid of dramatic performances, its hard to imagine him as a terrified cabbie. Still, the part may have been his chance at an Oscar nomination.

Perhaps most shockingly, Sandler rejected the role of the Bear Jew in Quentin Tarantinos Inglorious Basterds  a part that was written specifically for him. The incredible success of the film makes it hard not to view this decision as a mistake, but Sandler still seems to be doing just fine.

Sandlers screen time is far from over

The cast of HUSTLEstarring Adam Sandler as a basketball scout who discovers a player abroad with a rocky pastjust got better. Queen Latifah, Robert Duvall, Ben Foster, Juancho Hernangomez, Jordan Hull, Maria Botto, Ainhoa Pillet & Kenny Smith join Sandler in the upcoming film pic.twitter.com/JKM5UOsEoI  NetflixFilm (@NetflixFilm) October 19, 2020

The 54-year-old actor seems to be expertly adapting to the viewing tastes of fans. In the past years, hes had many full-length projects released in partnership with Netflix, including Sandy Wexler and Murder Mystery. The success of the latter earned Sandler an additional four-film deal with the company, according to The Verge.

It would appear that Hollywoods most polarizing comedy star isnt leaving the screen any time soon.
Phuket Opinion: A jab for health, hygiene and safety

PHUKET: The recent proposal by Phuket tourism industry leaders for Phuket to start receiving international tourists from October pins its hopes all on one thing, the COVID vaccine, as if it will solve all our problems.

opinionCOVID-19CoronavirushealthSafetyculture

By The Phuket News

Sunday 24 January 2021, 09:00AM

Women have the temperature checks at a Phuket market while not wearing helmets on a motorbike. Photo: PPHO

Just this level of thinking is scary. On one hand, the proponents might actually believe it. On the other hand, it may have been focussed on purely to make sure that the government officials receiving the plea to re-open tourism have a simple, singular concept on which to base their decision.

By October, we will be 18 months into the COVID saga, and more than six months into the experts warning that structural damage to Phukets tourism industry was already well underway. On that point alone, we are grateful that it is finally being understood that the longer the COVID crisis is allowed to drag on, the more the decision of whether or not to continue with isolationist protection policies is being taking out of politicians hands.

Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew pointed out that by October he wanted to see 70% of the islands population vaccinated to boost confidence amongst tourists, Thai and foreign, and among the local people living on the island so that the virus will not spread like wildfire if and when it arrives.

We presume that means anyone else working on the frontlines in the tourism industry are to be vaccinated as a requisite for employment. This includes our invisible workers who are critical to our tourism industry, including housekeeping, laundry and kitchen staff, not just hotel front desk staff, tour operators and taxi drivers.

It will have to also include any out-of-province workers returning to Phuket to regain employment. If the exodus after the first lockdown last year is any indication, that will be another 40,000-odd people.

Yet all this belies the key issue: safe, hygienic behaviours are our best form of defense. Pinning all our hopes, as Phuket Tourist Association President Bhummikitti Ruktaengam put it, on a vaccine is well-wishing.

It also highlights how despite the huge campaign by the government for people to observe safer, more hygienic practices, the base understanding is that it is better to take the responsibility out of the publics hands. In short, people still cant be trusted to do the right thing. After all this time, the massive efforts to educate  nay, retrain  the public still have not created a culture of safety.

At this stage, financial hardship is the key motivator for people to change their ways. We can only hope this will inspire deeper change, but soon in the hope of alleviating that suffering as soon as safely possible.

New viruses will keep on coming. We have already seen waves of new infections from new variants. The next time  and there will be a next time, as literally such is life  there will be no vaccine immediately available, and all we will have at the beginning of the outbreak is our cleanliness and habits as our frontline of defense.

The arrival of a COVID vaccine is much-welcomed news, and will go a long way to helping Phuket recover from the ongoing economic crisis, but making health, hygiene and safety intrinsic values is still a long way off. Its a pity we cant create a vaccine for that.

Janhvi Kapoor's Good Luck Jerry Shoot Halted Once Again By Protesting Farmers Due Lack For Support From Bollywood

Shooting of actor Janhvi Kapoor's upcoming film "Good Luck Jerry" was disrupted after a group of farmers held a protest here.

The incident took place near Civil Lines area Patiala on Saturday when protesting farmers opposed the filming of the movie.

Shouting slogans against Bollywood, protesters lamented that no actor extended support to farmers' agitation against the Centre's three farm laws.

We are telling the film industry which is holding its shooting in Punjab to at least speak in favour of farmers who are agitating against the legislations, said a protester Rajwant Singh Sandhu.

Another protester said, We are opposing Bollywood actors for not extending support to farmers.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Janhvi Kapoor (@janhvikapoor)

They also slammed the Centre for imposing black laws on the farming community.

Some farmers held protest outside the hotel where the film's crew is staying.

A police official on Sunday said the protests were peaceful.

Earlier this month, shooting of "Good Lucky Jerry" had briefly come to a halt at Bassi Pathana in Fatehgarh Sahib after a group of farmers had insisted that Janhvi make a comment on the ongoing farmers' protest.

Following the incident, the "Dhadak" actor shared an Instagram Story in support of the farmers. Unlike other posts, Instagram Stories disappear after 24 hours from the time they are published.

"Farmers are at the heart of our country. I recognise and value the role that they play in feeding our nation. I hope a resolution is reached soon that benefits the farmers," Kapoor had written.

Farmers from Punjab and Haryana have been camping at Delhi's borders for several weeks, demanding the repeal of the farm laws and a legal guarantee on the minimum support price for crops.

They claim that the new laws will weaken the MSP system. But the Centre says the MSP system will remain and the new laws only provide more options for farmers to sell their produce.

Brood X is here

Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield.
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I was honored to be part of an assembly of faith leaders that supported, counseled, and prayed for President Donald Trump. As a Christian leader, I feel as though one of the believers highest callings  after surrendering to Jesus Christ  is to support and submit to our governing authorities (see Romans 13:1-7). Given the invitation and opportunity, Id gladly do so for our new president, Joe Biden.

I have prayed privately and publicly for American presidents going back to President Carter. Ive prayed for presidents I agree with and presidents I disagree with. I believe it is what every Christian is called on by God to do. Paul wrote, I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4, NLT). I intend to do just that for our new president.

The varying forms of pray (praying, prayer, prayed, etc.) are found over 370 times in the Bible. It is an exercise that Gods people should do on a consistent basis. The question arises, then, how do we pray for the president? Since prayer is meant to be a joyous, life-giving, and powerful experience, yielding real results (see Jeremiah 33:3), how can we best support the president, vice president, and, for that matter, any governmental authority through prayer? Let me suggest four ways to pray:

Regularly. Pray for President Biden and his staff on a regular basis. Pray that hed govern responsibly, righteously, and with rigor. Pray that he would surround himself with those who will give him sound and godly counsel. As the apostle Paul encouraged us, Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This means we should frequently pray for President Biden.

Customarily. Customary prayers are a known, practiced manner of praying. Customary prayers are prayers given in a more formal manner. So pray for the president at the dinner table and during your family prayers, and encourage your church to pray for him. President Biden is leading the US under Gods sovereignty; pray that he would seek the security of the Savior on the national stage.

Instinctively. A Christians first reaction when anything happens should be prayer. The first thing Christians can do is the most powerful thing they could do. Typically, the first thing we should try is the last thing we do try. Prayer should not be our last resort; it should be instinctive, an honest expression of the needs of our country. During the next four years, whenever you hear of a policy decision, an international crisis, or a cabinet appointee, pray immediately for God to give the president wisdom and clarity. When you see him speaking on the news, meeting with heads of state, and answering the press, let your reflex be a prayerful one.

Specifically. Our prayers should be specific and have perspective. Early Christians began their prayers by recognizing who they were praying to, which elevated their perspective (see Acts 4:24). When you pray realizing that you are communicating with the Creator, Sustainer, Life-giver, and Redeemer of the world, it becomes easier to have faith. So be specific. Dont generalize; rather, itemize. Pray for the specific needs of our president, country, and world. Pray that the president would garner Gods perspective.

You may disagree wholeheartedly with the presidents policies, ideas, and values. You may bristle against his principles and his viewpoints. You can dissent; you can argue; you can engage in the process to change it. You can and you should  thats democracy at work. But first and foremost, pray. You can always do more than pray after you pray, but you can never do more than pray until youve prayed.

As Martin Luther reminded us, To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. We have the greatest opportunity as a Christian community  to help breathe life, through prayer, into the sails of our countrys new captain.
Medicine Is Made for Men New York Review of Books

Jim Haynes: A man who invited the world over for dinner BBC

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NYC man chooses to go to jail rather than give dog back to his employer NY Post

10 Best Herbs to Grow Indoors TreeHugger

Harvards top astronomer says our solar system may be teeming with alien technology New Statesman

The new mosquito bringing disease to North America BBC

The Limits of Caste London Review of Books

Hank Aaron Was More Than a Man Who Hit Home Runs Jacobin

From white gold to white elephant TLS

America Has a GPS Problem NYT

The True Story of Indonesias US-Backed Anti-Communist Bloodbath Jacobin

#COVID-19

Bidens going to preside over the deaths of half the total Trumps already responsible for, and neither he nor anyone in the Trump-hating, science-believing community seems too bothered. Pre-emptively ruled out a lockdown, now says nothing can be done. Astounding. pic.twitter.com/LKnLuDNgCt  Branko Marcetic (@BMarchetich) January 23, 2021



Capitol Seizure

Very good to see this from @RashidaTlaib, and I hope House and Senate Republicans who are equally concerned about this new Domestic War on Terror take seriously what she says here about forming an alliance against it: https://t.co/aXJcmABzsx pic.twitter.com/14pUwzyxvT  Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) January 23, 2021



Trump Transition

New Cold War

This City Journal article looks back at the incredible devotion of the New York Times to one story: https://t.co/XDmE1dSITO pic.twitter.com/3IK4ZDWHjk  Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 23, 2021

Biden Transition

Class Warfare

Nearly half (49%) of minority small business owners and a third (33%) of all small business owners were unable to pay their rent this month. https://t.co/Y88gpZwH3B  Axios (@axios) January 21, 2021

India

Iran

Was This Fakenews An Attempt To Get Khamenei Banned From Twitter? Moon of Alabama

Russia

Antidote du Jour (TH):



See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
Dublin-based UFODrive - which bills itself as one of the world's first fully-sustainable car rental firms - has raised more than 1.4m in a crowdfunding drive in just over a week.

The company has made a fleet of Elon Musk's high-end Tesla cars - as well other premium electric vehicles - its key selling point through an all-digital rental platform that allows customers complete the entire rental process via an app.

UFODrive, which was set up two years ago by CEO and former financial services executive Aidan McClean and chief operating officer Renaud Marquet, has 17 rental hubs in eight countries, including Ireland.
South Africa: President mourns gallant Mthembu

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the passing of Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu, as a great tragedy, particularly at a time when government is striving to return to a path of integrity, selfless service and transformation.

Mthembu, who passed away on Thursday due to COVID-19 related complications, was laid to rest at Pretoria Memorial Park Cemetery on Sunday.

In a moving eulogy delivered at the official funeral service held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ackerville, Mpumalanga, President Ramaphosa said Mthembu worked ever so hard on a daily basis to advance the cause of his political home, the African National Congress. He gave selflessly of his time and energy to the government he swore to serve, the Constitution he pledged to defend and protect, and his greatest loyalty was reserved for the country and its people.

"As we pay homage to him today, let us remember him for what he was, a servant leader, who loved the people of this great land and put them above the love of party, leader, and of self," said President Ramaphosa.

In honouring Mthembu, the President said his mission of renewing and rebuilding his beloved movement, and restoring the nations faith in government by building an ethical State must be continued by those left behind.

Minister Mthembu was a kind and gentle soul but when it came to corruption, to self-serving leadership and brazen abuse of power, you would see another side to him.

"He was never deceived by the false smiles and empty promises of those who sought to enrich themselves at the expense of the poor and the weak.

He called them out and he didnt care if they were more powerful than he was. He risked his life for the liberation of our country and despaired as we stumbled and lost our way.

"It is the greatest tragedy to have lost him, particularly at this time, as we strive to return to a path of integrity, of selfless service and transformation, President Ramaphosa said.

He praised Mthembu for being a beacon of hope when the nation was close to despair, lifting spirits and bringing clarity, certainty and the utmost professionalism to every task he was assigned.

Mvelase was among those infinitely rare individuals in our politically-charged society. He was admired and respected across party lines. It has been profoundly touching to witness how the news of Jackson Mthembus passing stilled the clatter and bickering that has consumed us in recent times and united us in our sorrow.

One dare hope that the sentiment that has been displayed at Jackson Mthembus passing is a reminder that we have far more in common than we may choose to believe, whether as members of society or as political parties, President Ramaphosa said.

He described Mthembu's loss as one he felt acutely, calling him a dear friend, whose many virtues he observed over the many years of the friendship they shared.

"He was generous in spirit and had a charming personality. He had the endearing ability to lift my mood and fortify my resolve in even the most difficult situations.

He had a sense of humour that was often most irreverent. He laughed  with his entire body  about things that he probably shouldnt have, just as he cared deeply about everything that he should, an emotional President Ramaphosa said.

Renewed vigour to fight COVID-19

Speaker of Parliament, Thandi Modise, who described Mthembu as a great leader and father, urged the nation to rededicate themselves to fight Coronavirus.

Parliament has lost a public representative. Weve lost a man who could mediate, and if we called him, he would say 'Im here'. He understood that when you are a Member of Parliament, you speak on behalf of the people, Modise said.

Mthembus daughter, Thuli, said her dad made joy and laughter his daily bread.

We promise that your love will continue holding us together. Your legacy and love will live on through us, Thuli said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-01-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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The US-led military coalition which has been formed to fight the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group has reportedly sent a new convoy of trucks to Syrias province of Hasakah. As per reports by RT Arabic television news network, a convoy of 5 trucks crossed the Waleed border, entering Syria from Iraq's northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. This comes after Israeli warplanes fired several missiles towards central Syria. The attack killed a family of four, including two children and four others have been injured, reports AP.

Syrias state-news agency SANA quoted an unnamed military official saying that the missile attack took place shortly before dawn. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office did not comment on the reports. However, the Syrian military official said the attack was aimed at several targets in and near the central province of Hama. It also added that Syrian air defense units shot down most of the missiles.

Read: India Raises Concern On Use Of Chemical Weapons At UNSC; Highlights Syria's Conflict Issue

'India firmly opposes any use of chemical weapon'

In another significant development, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador TS Tirumurti told the UN Security Council that terror groups have taken advantage of the decade-long conflict in Syria to establish themselves and pose a threat to the entire region, asserting that the world cannot afford to give these terrorists any sanctuary or dilute its fight against them. While speaking at the UNSC meeting on Syria Chemical Weapons, he said, "India remains concerned about the possibility of such weapons falling into the hands of terrorist organisations and individuals. The UNSC virtual meeting on Syria Chemical Weapons was India's first open meeting in the Council as the country began its tenure as non-permanent member for the 2021-22 term.

Read: US: Lawyers Call For Suspension Of Rudy Giuliani's Law Licence, Demand Investigation

Tirumurti said that India has consistently called for a comprehensive and peaceful resolution of the Syrian conflict through a Syrian-led dialogue, taking into account the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria.He also said that India has firmly condemned any use of chemical weapons anywhere, at any time, by anybody, and under any circumstances. He underlined that India not only strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons, but also holds the view that "there can be no justification for their use".

Read: Iran Calls On US Prez Joe Biden To 'unconditionally' Lift US Sanctions

Also Read: Outgoing US Envoy To UN Berates China, Says 'world Must End Taiwan's Exclusion'

(Image Credits: AP)
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has announced a large-scale tour of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to Russia and the South Caucasus. On January 24-25 he will hold negotiations with the leadership of Azerbaijan, on January 26 he will visit Moscow, and on January 27 in Yerevan. The main topic of discussion will be the future of Nagorno-Karabakh. Tehran is trying to probe the current situation in the region. In Baku, Zarif will discuss the delimitation of the de-occupied section of the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran.

In addition, Tehran hopes to dispel rumors of a stronger Turkish presence in Azerbaijan. The fact is that Azerbaijan, along with Russia and China, is considered one of Tehran's closest partners, and Turkey is Iran's competitor in the Middle East. Moreover, Baku maintains close partnership relations with the Iranian leadership, despite the threat of sanctions pressure from the West.

The tour is intended to instill confidence in Tehran that it can soon count on the South Caucasus region, including Russia, in overcoming the sanctions pressure. US sanctions are seriously damaging the Iranian economy. The administration of US President Joseph Biden has not yet announced its strategy with regard to Iran, and the EU countries, on which a lot depends in the Iranian economy, have not risked going against the American bans. All this forces pragmatic Tehran not to lose sight of the slightest changes in the regional policy of the South Caucasus, especially since Iran has no illusions that the United States will soon discuss the issues of easing sanctions policy and return to the framework of the nuclear deal.

Probably, key issues of cooperation in the field of infrastructure projects will be discussed both in Baku and in Moscow, if only because the Russian state corporation Russian Railways owns all the railways of Armenia, participates in the construction of a section of the railway artery that will connect Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and Armenia will provide a rail link to Russia and Iran. Finally, the railway communication between Russia and Turkey will be restored, which was interrupted as a result of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict.

Tehran welcomes the peacekeeping mission in Karabakh and the fact that the parties can temporarily postpone the problems that are not being resolved at the current stage, but are ready to move forward where possible - first of all, in the area of unblocking the regions. Obviously, Tehran wants to take part in this process, especially since the future railway artery, which should pass through the Armenian city of Meghri, is located in close proximity to the Iranian border. In the coming years, a new railway will be built on the territory of Karabakh, which will change the transport configuration of the entire Caucasus. Part of the work on road rehabilitation has already begun: in December, with the assistance of Russian experts, an initial survey of the border sections of the railway infrastructure in Nakhchivan and Armenia was carried out.

There is also an important political aspect of the post-war world order in Karabakh. The West has largely lost its position in the Karabakh settlement, but this does not mean that the extra-regional forces will not try to restore the previous balance of power by slowing down the peacekeeping process. In this regard, Iran, conservative in regional security issues, assesses the situation in such a way that neutrality can become a problem for the Iranian leadership, especially if the interests of the Biden administration affect the South Caucasus.
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Recent surges of COVID-19 in India, S America left people gasping for breath before our eyes: UN chief

Fake: No new clash took place in Galwan Valley in early May

India-China border standoff: Corps commanders meet for ninth round of talks in Ladakh's Chushul

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Ladakh, Jan 24: Corps Commander-level meeting between armies of India and China has started in Chushul on Sunday, with an aim to resolve the ongoing dispute over Chinese aggression along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh area.

This is the ninth round of Corps Commander-level talks being held.

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.

'The focus of the talks is going to be on the disengagement process,' said a source.

The meeting comes at the peak of winter when sub-zero temperatures have forced both sides to reduce deployment.

On January 12, Army chief Gen MM Naravane had said that Indian troops will hold their ground as long as it takes to achieve the 'national goals and objectives' even as he hoped for an amicable resolution of the prolonged standoff through talks. The standoff erupted on May 5 last.

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 held another round of diplomatic talks under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs. However, no concrete outcome emerged from the talks.

India-China to hold 9th round of military commander level talks today

Following the sixth round of military talks on September 21, the two sides had announced a slew of decisions including not to send more troops to the frontline, refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground and avoid taking any actions that may further complicate matters.

This round 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 father of two Rochester, New York kids abducted and taken to Alabama earlier this week has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, according to Monroe County Jail inmate records.

Dimitri Cash Sr., 29, has been charged with second-degree robbery, second-degree kidnapping and first-degree burglary, jail records show. Police have not yet said whether the charges are related to his kids abduction.

He was booked Saturday morning and arraigned. His bail was set at $100,000 and his bond was set at $300,000.

Shekeria Cash, 3, and Dimitri Cash Jr., 5, were found on a floorboard underneath blankets Wednesday when federal law enforcement pulled over a car, Forsythe said. Police were able to find the kids by tracking the car , which had been rented in Rochester and driven to Alabama.

After the kids were found, police stopped short of calling Cash a suspect. He was often referred to as someone officers wanted to talk to.

Greece, N.Y. Police Chief Andrew Forsythe said Wednesday that a woman was in custody in Alabama after she was found with the kids. At the time, Forsythe did not identify the woman and she had not been formally charged.

The Cash kids were abducted Monday from their foster parents on English Road in Greece, near Rochester.

A woman who lived at the kids foster home walked to the front of her Greece residence after hearing a loud crash on the first floor, police said. She was investigating the sound when she saw two ski-mask-wearing men smash a window and break into her home, police said.

The womans seven foster children  all under the age of 11  were upstairs. The suspects kidnapped the Cash kids. The children were considered to be in imminent danger of serious harm or death.

READ MORE: Amber Alert issued for boy, girl kidnapped from Rochester area by men wearing ski masks

Forsythe gave the following account of what happened after the two suspects entered the home:

When she saw the two masked men the foster mother screamed. Two of her foster children, startled by her screams, came downstairs to see if she was OK.

The woman pulled the two kids close and wrapped her arms around them. The suspects bound the three together with duct tape  placing tape over the womans mouth to muffle her screams.

One of the children, a boy, suffered a cut lip.

The men then went upstairs and found the Cash siblings. After forcibly taking Shekeria and Dimitri from the home, the suspects stole the foster mothers van and drove away with the kidnapped children.

Using GPS, police later tracked the stolen van to White Hall Drive. The van was empty and abandoned.

This wasnt a spur of the moment type of event, Forsythe said Wednesday.

Less than 48 hours after the kids went missing, the car, forensics done on phones and GPS tracking led law enforcement to the address in Alabama, more than 1,000 miles from where the kids originally went missing.

Forsythe said the kids were eating chicken nuggets and watching Tom & Jerry cartoons after they were home in Alabama. Theyll be taken back to their foster parents when they return to Rochester, he said.

Dimitri Cash Sr.s next court date is Jan. 28 at 4:30 p.m.
Atmospheric water generators (AWGs) could be one of the solutions used to combat the ever-present threat of droughts and water shortages in South Africa.

This is according to South African entrepreneur Ray De Vries, who founded Air Water  a company that imports and sells AWGs to home users and businesses.

Depending on the model and atmospheric conditions, these machines can produce anywhere from 33  10,000 litres of water per day, De Vries told MyBroadband.

Air Water has built five humidity harvesting plants which can generate enough water from the air to fill up to 10,000 x 500ml bottles per day.

To put this into perspective, that is enough bottled water for the needs of 100 to 200 restaurants, De Vries explained.

According to De Vries, the smaller machines were very popular in the Eastern Cape  which is in the midst of the fourth drought for which the company has provided its solutions.

This humidity harvester is the answer to the massive water crisis facing schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants and other commercial operations that face closing down in a time of drought, De Vries said.

The company also exports and supplies water making machines to hotels in Majorca, the Bahamas, Seychelles and has plans for Mauritius and a hotel chain in Texas.

How it works

The AWG machines can be used anywhere that the temperature is above 10 degrees Celsius and humidity levels are over 35%.

They work by drawing air and cooling it down to dew point, where condensation takes place and hydrogen and oxygen are converted into liquid water.

This water is then passed through a multi-step filtration process, sterilised using UV light (and no chlorine or chemicals), and stored.

The water can then be dispensed as and when needed.

The image below illustrates the entire process fr0m drawing the air to ejecting water.

Machine types

De Vries said that there were various capacity machines to choose from for both home and commercial use.

Home units are typically capable of making between 33 and 150 litres per day and have a power rating of around 350W  about the same as a plasma TV.

The company itself has moved to using multiple smaller machines rather than a single large one that met a particular output requirement.

De Vries said this offered a number of advantages, including:

More mobility due to lower weight

Spreading the risk in case of malfunction

Scalable to various capacities

Use single phase so can be used in conjunction with solar power sources

Cheaper cost.

Air Water uses the AW70 to harvest humidity, which allows for generating up to 70 litres of water from the air per day.

The machines consist of fans, a condenser, UV steriliser, and electronics which include a control panel, sensors, and the like, De Vries stated.

The AW70 is R14,999 (excl. VAT), and Air Water uses 40 machines per plant.

The price to produce a 500ml bottle of water works out to around 50c, De Vries said, but can vary depending on where you are located.

Widespread application

De Vries said that the company had no primary market apart from drought areas or where the water is so polluted it cant be used as drinking water.

Examples of use-cases are:

Marine and yachting to make water whilst moving as opposed to carrying heavy loads of (usually plastic) of water

Commercial bottling plants supplying hotels and restaurants

Clinics and schools

Lodges and resorts

Kidney dialysis

He added that one of the most satisfying aspects of his business, de Vries said was the fact that for every litre of water consumed from the air it means that a litre has remained in the dams for the use of other South Africans.

The water is made where it is needed as opposed to taken to where it is needed, De Vries said.

He added that this meant transportation by vehicles and/or pipeline is eliminated and the water can be generate immediately in the location it is required.

Below are images showing the Air Waters AWGs and their various components as well as the end result.
HAIKOU, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- South China's Hainan Province plans to build itself into an international tourism consumption center in the next five years.

According to the government work report delivered Sunday at the annual session of the provincial people's congress, the added value of tourism will account for 12 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) of Hainan in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

Hainan will open 160 new domestic and international air routes bringing the total to 646 within five years, increasing the number of accessible cities to 200 and the passenger throughput to 60 million.

Chinese authorities on June 1, 2020, released a master plan for the free trade port, aiming to build the southern island province into a globally influential, high-level free trade port by the middle of the century.
Cats peer through grated windows down a service lane behind the main street of a muggy, overcast Thames.

In a nondescript white building in the coastal town, residents are concerned about what they call a cat prison; a barren room where moggies meow and climb barred windows to try and escape.

The owners are living rough in their car so they can afford to house the cats.

They deny any mistreatment.

However, they do not have resource consent to run a cat-breeding operation at the site, and have been given five days to either comply or vacate the premises.

Thames-Coromandel District Council and the SPCA are investigating.

A Thames woman, who didnt want to be named, says she was told about the cats on Service Lane Seven just before Christmas.

As an animal lover and former vet she is horrified.

She says when she went to see the building for herself she saw cats with coughs and sniffles, and some appeared to be malnourished.

There are more than 40 cats living in the commercial building, but the owners say none are being mistreated. Photo: Dominico Zapata/Stuff.

Concerned for their welfare, she complained to Thames-Coromandel District Council, the SPCA, police, Coromandel MP Scott Simpson, mayor Sandra Goudie and the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Im in tears, Im just distraught for the cats, the woman says.

Nothing is being done. These cats have been there [since] before Christmas, and apparently one or two of them escaped and got into the sandpit of the kindy next door.

The building was ripe with the smell of cat urine when Stuff visited last week.

Cat owners Eve and Graeme Belmont say they have been breeding them for around four years.

We fell into it by accident. We really love cats and have always got along with animals more than people, Graeme says.

They say they moved from Dargaville in December.

The couple chose the building in Thames due to its cheap rent, and planned to renovate the property.

We are living in our car at the moment, because were tight on money, Graeme says.

The couple say they had been selling cats on Trade Me but are taking a break while the cats settle into their new home.

They deny neglecting or mistreating any of the cats.

Cat breeders Eve and Graeme Belmont have had trouble finding suitable accommodation for their cats. Photo: Dominico Zapata/Stuff.

Initially the couple didnt allow Stuff inside the building to see the animals, because theres flooding issues.

However, when a Stuff reporter and photographer returned a week later they were permitted to enter.

Around 20 cats were seen  alarmed by the presence of strangers, yet friendly.

Mother cats and their litters were in large crates against the walls, and male cats were kept separately in another room.

There was a range of breeds including Russian Blues, Burmese and Siamese, and Birman.

There were also a few moggies, which Eve says the couple had fallen in love with, but theres no money in them.

All cats appeared to be in a healthy condition with access to food, water and litter trays.

Thames-Coromandel District Council communications manager Laurna White says a complaint was received on December 23, and the councils bylaw team visited the site that same week.

The couple who lease the building showed our staff member around and explained the cats were their pets, she says.

An SPCA spokesperson confirms the organisation has been alerted to the situation and is investigating.

Eve says the SPCA requested the cats have ventilation, so the couple created a make-shift gate so the garage door could stay up.

There are no specific rules or requirements for breeding establishments, but breeders do have to comply with the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and the Animal Welfare (Companion Cats) Code of Welfare 2007.

White says if the couple planned to run a cat-breeding business from the site, they will need resource consent.

They indicated this was a long-term plan and are aware a consent will be needed.

It will cost an initial deposit of $2100 for the council to process a non-complying resource consent, and enforcement action could be brought against any person who was found to have breached the Resource Management Act.

Laura says an animal boarding or breeding facility will be a non-complying activity under the council's Proposed District Plan.

When asked if they had resource consent, Graeme says the couple didnt realise it was required until it was raised by the council.

In Dargaville I suppose, the council is a little more relaxed because we didnt have one there.

Since the council and SPCA have come knocking, the landlord has given them five days to get resource consent or leave, Graeme says.

We dont know what to do now.

-Stuff/Sharane Hope

has authorised the emergency use of Russia's Sputnik V, the third anti-COVID-19 vaccine approved by the country against the deadly coronavirus, authorities said on Sunday.

The government has given a go-ahead to a local pharmaceutical company for the import and distribution of the Russian-developed Sputnik V, the Dawn newspaper quoted an official as saying.

Sputnik V is the third vaccine to be approved for the emergency use in the country, the report said.

In a meeting conducted by the registration board of the Drug Regulatory Authority of (DRAP), another vaccine has also been given EUA (emergency use authorisation) which was developed with the backing of Russian Development Investment Fund, the official said.

A local pharmaceutical AGP, he said, had been authorised as the sole importer and distributor of the Russian vaccine, according to the paper.

reported 48 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the number of fatalities due to the disease to 11,295, while 2,070 patients were in a critical condition, according to the ministry of National Health Services.

The ministry further reported that 486,489 people have recovered, meaning that the number of active patients was 34,628.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country reached 532,412 after 1,594 new infections were detected in the past 24 hours.

The authorities so far have carried out 7,642,665 tests in the country, including 40,285 in the last 24 hours.

On January 17, DRAP authorised the Oxford University-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use in Pakistan.

A couple of days later, the regulatory body approved Chinese state-owned firm Sinopharm's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, the second shot to be given approval for the use in the country.

Last week, Hungary became the first European Union country to approve the Sputnik V vaccine for public distribution. A short time later the UAE also announced the same decision making it 12th country outside of which have authorised its use.
A woman in the Hamptons has spoken out to claim that she was 'ousted' from a property where she ran horse stables, which now hosts next-door neighbors Alec and Hilaria Baldwin's horse rescue charity.

Jan Warner, 60, told the New York Post in an interview published Saturday that she was forced to shut down 'Jan's Barn' in 2017 after the landlord demanded a year's rent in advance.

Today, the property is rented by the Baldwins, who stable rescue horses and also rent out stalls to their well-heeled friends for $1,500 a month, and managed by Pat Granfield, a close friend of Hilaria, according to the Post.

An attorney for the Baldwins, Marc Simon, told DailyMail.com that all proceeds from the boarded horses go to support the rescue charity, and notes that 'Alec and Hilaria created the rescue as a public service for the community.'

Warner lamented that she had lost her longtime business, and suggested that her wealthy neighbors might have engineered her ouster, saying: 'I think Alec and Hilaria didn't like the fact that I didn't have this immaculate, perfect place.'

Simon disputes Warner's claim that the Baldwins had anything to do with the termination of her lease, and said that the stable property owner 'grew dissatisfied with Jans maintenance of the Property and her inability to maintain rent payments' and evicted her in 2017.

Jan Warner (front) ran stables next to Alec Baldwin's Long Island mansion, before a rent dispute led to her outster and Hilaria's close friend Pat Granfield (rear) took over

Hilaria Baldwin is seen with husband Alec in 2016. A woman in the Hamptons has spoken out to lament that she was 'ousted' from a property that she rented next door to the Baldwins

Alec Baldwin poses for a photo in 2018 at the stables he rents in the Hamptons, where the family runs a charity to house rescue horses. An attorney for the Baldwins strongly denies that they had anything to do with Warner's eviction from the property in 2017

Warner claimed that her wealthy neighbors might have engineered her ouster, saying: 'I think Alec and Hilaria didn't like the fact that I didn't have this immaculate, perfect place.'

Warner claimed that she had paid rent of $2,000 a month for the stables in Amagansett through a handshake agreement with the landlord, Job Potter. But in 2017 Potter abruptly asked for a year's rent in advance, Warner said.

'I couldn't pay the whole year upfront and he knew that,' Warner told the Post, saying she believed it was the landlord's 'way of getting rid of me.'

A lawyer for the Baldwins said that the couple had nothing to do with Warner's departure from the property.

The attorney claimed Potter had issues with her ability to keep up with the rent and that 'it was widely known throughout the neighborhood that the property was not maintained in a habitable condition, but rather was run-down and in a condition of squalor, and posed dangerous risks.'

Simon, the attorney, said that the Baldwins' only connection to the matter was that their house is adjacent to the stables property. He said that after the property owner evicted Warner put the horse farm on the market, the Baldwins spoke with him about renting it for a horse rescue and entered into a lease in January 2018.

'Alec and Hilaria used their own funds to rehabilitate the Property at a significant cost, and by the spring of 2018 horses were able to be maintained on the Property in a safe and friendly environment,' Simon said in a statement.

He said the stable currently houses six rescue horses and six boarded horses, and that all proceeds from boarding support the charity. Simon said that the Baldwins do not keep their own horses there, he said.

'The Rescue hosts free events for children to interact with the animals, along with free programs for children with autism,' Simon said. 'Local newspapers published event listings so that families would know to join.'

Jan Warner, 60, said that she was forced to shut down 'Jan's Barn' in 2017 after the landlord demanded a year's rent in advance. The property is seen above

Pat Granfield, who now manages the stables for Alec and Hilaria, is a well-dressed equestrian who owns a home on the Upper East Side

'The two of them are real tight and they're both real hoity toitys,' Warner said of Granfield (above) and Hilaria

People who boarded their horses at the barn with Warner disputed that she let the property fall into disrepair, telling the Post that although the barn wasn't pristine or Hamptons-chic, it was welcoming and beloved by both rich and poor.

'There's no one I'd trust more with my horses than Jan Warner,' financial services professional Kelley Foster told the Post. Warner now lives in an East Hampton trailer park and works for Foster in a private stable.

Granfield, who now manages the stables for Alec and Hilaria, is a well-dressed equestrian who owns a home on the Upper East Side.

Warner previously knew Granfield, because Warner had allowed her to stable her horses and give riding lessons there, according to the Post.

'The two of them are real tight and they're both real hoity toitys,' Warner said of Granfield and Hilaria, saying Granfield was a frequent guest of the Baldwins and boasted of having the 'best rose' with the couple.

Warner and her friends call Granfield 'Equine Barbie,' and claim her knowledge of horses is inferior to Warner's.

Granfield told the Post of her work at the Baldwin stables: 'I'll say we're just doing simple and good work for animals and the community.'

The East End stable controversy comes after Alec appeared to leave Twitter last week amid the fall-out from wife Hilaria's on-going scandal in which she was accused of faking her Spanish heritage and accent.

The East End stable controversy comes after Alec appeared to leave Twitter last week amid the fall-out from wife Hilaria's on-going Spanish heritage scandal

The 62-year-old SNL actor posted a tweet on January 18 saying: 'Twitter is like a party where everyone is screaming. Not much of a party. Goodbye for now.'

The Academy Award-nominee's departure from the social media site is the latest episode in the unfolding scandal around his wife and mother of their five children, Hilaria, who has been accused of faking her Spanish heritage when she was born in Boston, Massachusetts .

The 30-Rock star previously defended his 36-year-old wife saying in a video in December where he called Twitter is 'a lot of s***'.

Baldwin, who previously won an Emmy for his portrayal of President Donald Trump on SNL, added: 'You have to kind of hack your way through the debris of Twitter. Twitter is just a vast orchard of cr**.'

On January 3 Hilaria Baldwins sister-in-law Chynna Phillips defended her in a YouTube video Tuesday saying: 'It's an awkward and embarrassing time for her'.

The online frenzy began on December 21 when a woman tweeted: 'You have to admire Hilaria Baldwin's commitment to her decade long grift where she impersonates a Spanish person.'

In the next few days several videos of Hilaria's past TV appearances resurfaced showing her commitment to a Spanish accent, including one in 2015 where she seemingly forgot the English word for 'cucumber'.

A video of Alec on The Late Show in 2013 emerged days after in which he impersonated his wife's 'Spanish' accent, telling David Letterman: 'My wife is from Spain.'

And Hilaria herself indicated in one 2020 interview that she moved from Spain to the US when she was 19 to attend New York University.

Hilaria's biography on her agency's speakers site stated that she was born on the island of Majorca and raised in Boston, without specifying a timeline for her upbringing.

Her agency later removed that reference and simply listed her professional work history after.

While Hilaria has long described her mother as Spanish, records revealed that Hayward is in fact a fourth-generation Massachusetts resident.

She was was born Hillary Hayward-Thomas to Dr Kathryn Hayward and David Thomas, who worked as professors in the US for years before retiring to Majorca in 2011, according to Page Six.

She attended $64,900-a-year The Cambridge School of Weston in Massachusetts.

Several former classmates came forward to confirm that Hilaria was in fact raised in Weston, Massachusetts, by professor parents without a hint of a foreign accent.

Majorcan friends of her parents, who moved to the Spanish island in 2011, said last month that she speaks to them in English.

In January it was revealed that in 2009 she took two attempts to fill out her W9 tax form, dithering between two names, before filling in the name she was born with.
A psychologist who engaged in sexual conduct with a female client in her home has had his registration to practice cancelled.

Paul Joseph, also known as Paora Joseph, a psychologist from Whangarei, New Zealand was accused of sexual misconduct for one or more therapy sessions with a female client.

Mr Joseph is said to have lain naked with the client and suggested that she and her flatmate should have a threesome with him.

Psychologist, Paul Joseph will have his registration cancelled after he engaged in sexual conduct with a female client in her home. Pictured: psychologist stock image

He faces charges for engaging in sexual conduct with the woman in her home, taking advantage of the clients vulnerable mental state.

According to the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, the incidents took place from 2004-2005.

He denied all charges, according to the NZ Herald.

However, evidence brought forward during the four-day hearing in December 2020 suggested otherwise.

'The tribunal is satisfied that Mr Joseph engaged in this conduct with [the patient] when he knew or ought to have known by virtue of the current and past therapeutic relationship with [her], that she was vulnerable at the time he encouraged and engaged in sexual intimacy with her,' the decision said.

'In acting in the manner established in the charge, Mr Joseph abused his position of power and trust and breached his professional and ethical obligations as a registered psychologist.'

Mr Joseph suggested the woman and her flatmate have a threesome and would lay naked with his client during sessions. Pictured: psychologist stock image

Mr Joseph's conduct was branded 'seriously below' the standards of a registered psychologist.

The decision described it as 'immoral and unethical and serious neglect of professional duty'.

The tribunal cancelled his registration from January 15, a delayed date so that he could hand over his current clients.

He will not be allowed to reapply to register again for two years.

Upon re-registration, Mr Joseph will be required to pay for and complete an ethics and professional boundaries course.

He will be required to undergo a psychological examination as well.

The tribunal also ordered that he pays for 30 per cent of the costs for the investigation and hearing.

This added up to more than $64,000.

The tribunal's complete reasoning for their decision has not been released.
She recently revealed she is expecting her first child with boyfriend Charles Drury.

And Lauren Goodger cut a casual figure as she arrived at a studio in Hackney alongside her agent on Saturday.

The former TOWIE star, 34, opted for a laid back look for the outing, donning a black jumper along with a pair of matching tracksuit bottoms.

Out and about: Lauren Goodger cut a casual figure as she arrived at a studio in Hackney alongside her agent on Saturday

The star's bump was not clearly visible as she clutched her coat to her stomach while she also sported a pair of white trainers.

The former Celebrity Big Brother star completed her look by letting her brunette locks fall loose down her shoulders.

After chatting outside for a while, Lauren stepped into the studio and was later seen departing in a waiting car.

Lauren confirmed she is expecting her first child with boyfriend Charles Drury, 23, on January 18, three months after announcing their relationship.

Casual: The former TOWIE star, 34,opted for a laid back look for the outing, donning a black jumper along with a pair of matching tracksuit bottoms

Mother-to-be: The star's bump was not clearly visible as she clutched her coat to her stomach while she also sported a pair of white trainers

Laid back: The former Celebrity Big Brother star completed her look by letting her brunette locks fall loose down her shoulders

The TV personality confirmed she is three months pregnant in her new magazine column and will welcome the couple's first baby in July.

She admitted her new boyfriend was initially sceptical after she told him her pregnancy test had returned a positive result. Lauren said of her happy news: 'It's exciting and were really happy. It's difficult, but we've just got through it.'

Recalling the moment she discovered she was pregnant, Lauren explained: 'I was in bed not well with a cold and I was meant to come on that day and Im always quite regular.

'We went and bought a test from a bargain shop and I did it - I couldnt believe it! I rang him and he was like: "Youre lying, youre joking." He didnt believe the test! I did a digital one as well and he walked around with it in his bag for about three days.'

Work: After chatting outside for a while, Lauren stepped into the studio and was later seen departing in a waiting car

Expecting: Lauren confirmed she is expecting her first child with boyfriend Charles Drury, 23, on January 18, three months after announcing their relationship

Exciting times: The TV personality confirmed she is three months pregnant in her new magazine column and will welcome the couple's first baby in July

The happy news comes after Lauren moved Charles, whose former girlfriends include retired glamour model Katie Price, 42, into her Essex home in late October within weeks of meeting him.

A source told The Sun: 'Charles has moved into her Essex home and they're really loved up. She's head over heels for him - friends can't believe how fast she's fallen for him. Everyone's hoping she's finally found The One.'

It comes after Lauren recently admitted she would be up for doing a Mummy Diaries-style reality show in the future to document her journey through motherhood.

Honest: She admitted her new boyfriend was initially sceptical after she told him her pregnancy test had returned a positive result

'Exciting': Lauren said of her happy news: 'It's exciting and were really happy. It's difficult, but we've just got through it'

Call: 'We went and bought a test from a bargain shop and I did it - I couldnt believe it! I rang him and he was like: "Youre lying, youre joking" '

She added: '[Charles] didnt believe the test! I did a digital one as well and he walked around with it in his bag for about three days'

When one fan asked her on Instagram 'would you do a first time mum show like Sam/Billie and Ferne - Yours would be great x', she replied with a nodding gif, suggesting that this would definitely be something she would consider.

Lauren was quizzed by one fan on how her bump is 'so big already'.

The media star shared a picture of herself out and about, and replied: 'I do have a bump I did straight away it's hormones but it's not as big as some pics.'

Lauren also candidly admitted that she wasn't 'trying' to get pregnant, when a fan quizzed her on the topic and said she was hoping to conceive.

Big step: Lauren moved Charles, whose former girlfriends include retired glamour model Katie Price, 42, into her Essex home in late October within weeks of meeting him

Romance: A source told The Sun : 'Charles has moved into her Essex home and they're really loved up. She's head over heels for him'

The ex-girlfriend of Mark Wright, responded: 'No we wasn't but we was very active haha so it happened straight away. But try not over think it just enjoy and relax and it will happen.(sic)'

Elsewhere during the insight into Lauren's life she also revealed she found out she was pregnant 'very early' after suspecting that she may be expecting Charles' baby.

She also joked that her beau's family were 'very proud' for 'getting her' and revealed that they call her all of the time.

Lauren previously shared the moment she told her boyfriend Charles she was expecting their baby.

Couple: Lauren and Charles are thrilled to be expecting their first child together

Back on our screens? Lauren recently admitted she would be up for doing a Mummy Diaries-style reality show in the future to document her journey through motherhood

Sharing a snap with Instagram followers, Lauren revealed she had written 'Hi Daddy' on her positive test to surprise her slumbering boyfriend when he woke up.

The snap shows Charles, who Lauren affectionately calls Charlie, fast asleep while Lauren shows off the personalised pregnancy test.

Revealing she was just 'one or two weeks pregnant' at the time, Lauren captioned the photo: 'When I did my first pregnancy test at home and surprised Charlie.'

'He didnt believe it in happy shock and carried it around all day I was only 1 or 2 weeks aww tell me your stories how you knew you was preg.'
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:
Varun Dhawan, the Bollywood heartthrob has finally tied the knot with his lady love Natasha Dalal. The couple exchanged the wedding vows in a traditional ceremony that was held at Alibaug, today. The wedding, which was an intimate affair, was attended by the family members and close friends of Varun Dhawan and Natasha.

Varun Dhawan took to his official social media pages and shared two candid pictures that were clicked during the wedding ceremony. "Life long love just became official ", wrote the charming actor in his post. The film industry members, fans and well-wishers are now showering the newly-wedded couple with congratulatory messages on social media.

Photos Courtesy: Varun Dhawan Instagram/Viral Bhayani

Varun Dhawan And Natasha Dalal Are Married: This Is How The Groom Arrived At The Venue!

Natasha Dalal, the bride looked breathtakingly gorgeous in the wedding outfit in the white wedding lehenga, which is teamed up with matching diamond jewellery and choodas. Varun Dhawan, on the other hand, looked dashing in a white sherwani, which is teamed up with a pastel blue shawl.

Varun Dhawan fell in love with Natasha Dalal, who was his batchmate in school, much before he made his entry into the films. However, the couple remained tight-lipped about their relationship for the longest time, as Natasha prefers to stay away from the limelight. But Varun Dhawan later made the relationship public through his official Instagram page and has been sharing pictures with his lady love since then.

Also Read:

'Dulha' Varun Dhawan Chills With His Squad In Alibaug At His Wedding Festivities

Varun Dhawan And Natasha Dalal To Head Off To Turkey For Their Honeymoon?
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen (C) listens while inspecting military troops in Tainan, Taiwan, on Jan. 15, 2021. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

US Criticizes China After Latest Military Incursion Against Taiwan

TAIPEI, TaiwanThe U.S. State Department has voiced concerns about Chinas continued military aggression against Taiwan, after China breached the islands air defense zone with 13 military aircraft.

We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwans democratically elected representatives, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement on Jan. 23.

He added: We will continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability. Our commitment to Taiwan is rock-solid and contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and within the region.

Beijings coercion against Taiwan is nothing new, as the Chinese communist regime claims the self-ruled island as a part of its territory and has repeatedly threatened to use military force to bring the island under its fold. However, the coercion intensified under the Trump administration, which elevated engagement with Taiwan through more arms sales and the lifting of restrictions on U.S. contact with Taiwanese officials.

Chinese jets violated Taiwans airspace about 380 times in 2020 and have continued to carry out such incursions on a nearly daily basis this year, according to Taiwans Ministry of National Defense.

On Saturday, less than a week into Joe Bidens presidency, China made its largest-scale military incursion this year, when the Chinese regime sent 13 military aircrafteight bomber planes, four fighter jets, and an anti-submarine aircraftto fly over Taiwans southwest waters.

Taiwan is a de-facto independent nation-state, with its own democratically elected government, military, currency, and constitution.

The United States will continue to support a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people of Taiwan. The United States maintains its longstanding commitments as outlined in the Three Communiques, the Taiwan Relations Act, and the Six Assurances, Price added.

Washington ended its diplomatic ties with Taipei in favor of Beijing in 1979 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. The TRA authorizes the United States to provide the island with military equipment for its self-defense.

In 1982, former President Ronald Reagan also made six security assurances to Taiwan, including that the United States pledges not to set a date for ending arms sales to the island, and that it would neither consult Beijing on any arms sales nor revise the TRA.

It remains to be seen how President Joe Biden will maintain U.S.-Taiwan relations.

Bidens nominee for Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, said during his Senate nomination hearing on Jan. 19 that Beijing would be making a grievous mistake if it decided to use military force against Taiwan.

We need to make sure that they [Taiwan] have the means to deter aggression, Blinken said. He added that he would like to see Taiwan even more engaged in the world.

On Jan. 21 in a daily briefing, Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying voiced opposition against how Taiwans de-facto ambassador to the United States Hsiao Bi-khim had attended Bidens inauguration ceremony.

Hua said China was firmly against any official interactions between the United States and Taiwan. She also called on the U.S. government to prudently and properly handle issues relating to Taiwan.

Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked the State Department for its support via Twitter on Jan. 24.

Based on shared values & interests, were committed to our partnership with the #US in furthering peace & stability in the #IndoPacific, the ministry said.

Also on Sunday, Taiwanese lawmaker Wang Ting-yu applauded the State Department for its powerful statement on his Facebook page. He added that it was worth watching any concrete military or political actions the U.S. government might take next with regards to Taiwan.

Wang also added that the Chinese Communist Party was testing the new Pentagon chief with its large-scale military incursion against Taiwan on Saturday.

On Jan. 22, the Senate confirmed Bidens nominee, Lloyd Austin, as the new Secretary of Defense.

The Shelton Fire Department responded to the following calls this past week.

At 8:55 a.m., the Echo Hose Co. No. 1 responded with a ladder truck to assist EMS at a Center Street address.

At 9:37 a.m., the Echo Hose Co. No. 1 and the White Hills Co. No. 5 responded with a ladder truck to the Shelton High School, 120 Meadow St., for a fire alarm activation. There was no fire. A steam leak in a classroom caused the alarm.

At 6:38 p.m., the Echo Hose Co. No. 1 and the Pine Rock Co. No. 4 responded to an Edgewood Avenue for an appliance fire. The fire, which was in a kitchen oven as a result of self-cleaning operation, was out upon firefighters arrival.

At 8 p.m., the Echo Hose Co. No. 1 and the Pine Rock Co. No. 4 responded with an engine and a ladder truck to a fire alarm activation at the Ripton Housing Complex, 423 Howe Ave. There was no fire.

Tuesday, Jan. 12

At 11:51 a.m., the Huntington Co. No. 3 and the White Hills Co. No. 5 responded with an engine to an Oak Glen Drive address for an odor of gas in the home.

At 4:06 p.m., the Echo Hose Co. No. 1 responded with a rescue truck to the front of a Long Hill Avenue address for a vehicle leaking oil.

At 6:59 p.m., the Huntington Co. No. 3 responded with a unit to a Timberlane Drive address for a carbon monoxide alarm activation.

At 11:38 p.m., the Huntington Co. No. 3 responded with an engine to a Dogwood Drive address for an activated carbon monoxide alarm activation.

Wednesday, Jan. 13

At 7:19 a.m., Echo Hose Co. No. 1 and the Huntington Co. No. 3 responded with an engine and a rescue truck to a motor vehicle accident on route 8 southbound near exit 12.

At 4:02 p.m., the Huntington Co. No. 3 and the Echo Hose Co. No. 1 responded with an engine to the Walgreens parking lot for a propane leak from a portable tank.

At 4:54 p.m., the Huntington Co. No. 3 responded with an engine and a rescue truck to a motor vehicle accident on Old Stratford Road at route 8 exit ramp.

Thursday, Jan. 14

At 12:47 p.m., the Pine Rock Co. No. 4, Echo Hose Co. No. 1 and the White Hills Co. No. 5 responded with two engines, a rescue truck and two ladder trucks a structure fire at a Waterford Lane home. Upon arrival firefighters found a single family wood frame home partially engulfed in fire. Firefighters using several handlines brought the fire under control with an hour but not before the home sustained extensive fire, smoke and water damage. All occupants escaped from the home safely. The home was left unlivable. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries during firefighting operations. According to the fire marshal, the fire occurred when a contractor left a floor fan on a kitchen stove and when doing so accidentally turned on the gas burner causing the fan to ignite when left unattended.

At 3 p.m., the Echo Hose Co. No. 1 responded with an engine to a Victory Street address for an illegal open burn.

Friday, Jan. 15

At 4:04 p.m., the White Hills Co. No. 5 and the Echo Hose Co. No. 1 responded with an engine and a ladder truck to a report of smoke in the area of Leavenworth Road. Upon arrival firefighters found an illegal open burn in the rear yard of a home in the area.

Sunday, Jan. 17

At 10:30 a.m., the Huntington Co. No. 3, Echo Hose Co. No. 1 and the Pine Rock Co. No. 4 responded with an engine and two ladder trucks to a fire alarm activation at an Armstrong Road address. There was no fire.

At 4:28 p.m., the Echo Hose Co. No. 1 responded with a unit to a public service call at a Freedom Way address.

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Staff at Gate Gourmet at Dublin Airport have rejected the giant Swiss airline services group's insistence that it had properly consulted with them before changing their terms and conditions of employment.

The company, which provides catering and cleaning services to many airlines at the airport, had planned to let go almost three-quarters of its 123 person workforce but said the changes to hourly rates and annual leave entitlements had allowed it to reduce job losses to 39.

But a group of staff had lodged formal grievances in December and warned that they planned to refer the matter to the Workplace Relations Commission's conciliation service.

The staff claimed they were never consulted about the Gate Gourmet plan, which had been agreed on a temporary basis by trade union Siptu. A ballot on a cost-cutting proposal that was carried out by Siptu the week before Christmas overwhelmingly rejected the plan.

In a detailed response to staff last week, Gate Gourmet said it was rejecting their grievance claims. It said it had reviewed all the communications between itself, its employees and Siptu and that it did not accept that any of the changes were imposed unilaterally or that staff were not provided with adequate notice.

Gate Gourmet said it could not reinstate terms and conditions of employment "due to the detrimental impact this imposes on the viability of the business and job retention".

Staff subsequently wrote a reply to the company to formally appeal this decision on the basis that "no formal agreement has been reached in relation to any of the matters associated with our formal grievances".


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The enemy used proscribed 120mm mortars, as well as 82mm mortars, grenade launchers, machine guns, rifles.

Escalation was reported in Donbas on January 23 as Russia-led forces mounted nine attacks on Ukrainian positions.

"In the past 24 hours, nine ceasefire violations were reported in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) zone," the press center of the JFO Headquarters said in a morning update on Facebook on January 24.

Read alsoRussia deliberately trying to block Donbas talks  Kravchuk

In particular, enemy troops opened fire with proscribed 120mm mortars, as well as 82mm mortars, a heavy anti-tank grenade launcher, and a large-caliber machine gun to attack Ukrainian positions near the village of Yuzhne in the Pivnich (North) sector.

Near the village of Hnutove, Russia-led forces used a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher, a heavy machine gun, and rifles.

Near the village of Vodiane, the Russian occupation forces opened fire with a grenade launcher and rifles. They used various types of grenade launchers, large-caliber machine guns in the suburbs of the town of Avdiyivka and a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher near the village of Opytne.

No Ukrainian Army casualties were reported over the period under review.

Since the beginning of the current day, January 24, no ceasefire violations have been recorded in the JFO zone.

Other related news reports

Reporting by UNIAN
With 2020 in the rear view, its easy to simply say good riddance and leave everything from last year behind. But despite all the hurdles, speed bumps, shutdowns and other obstacles thrown in front of Michigans brewers, weve found that theyre hanging onto some silver linings and carrying those with them into a new year of beer.

From successful pivots to carryout menus, from increased appreciation of growlers and crowlers, to expanded patios and outdoor options and more, heres what Michigan beermakers found to appreciate from the toughest year in brewing since Prohibition:

Mike Gross, Silver Harbor Brewing Company, St. Joseph

We knew we had an amazing community but what we didn't know was how much stronger we'd become through COVID. We had community support throughout, in terms of ordering beer online, grabbing take out and just an overwhelming level of support and patiences.

In addition, we rallied with other local business owners to create new experiences like Street Dining this summer where we blocked off the street, had live music, fired up the grill and had socially distanced tables creating this cool buzz in the City. We also learned a lot about streamlining our food business with online ordering, delivery and pickup.

This was never a big part of our business so we learned how to do this well and see this as being a real plus even when we return to "normal" taproom operations.

Courtney Lorenz, founder, Cultured Kombucha Co., Traverse City

While 2020 brought many unexpected pivots to Cultured Kombucha Co., it also brought out many strengths as we endured continuous change. We've learned what it is to be truly nimble, how to listen more intently to our audience, and learned how we can best serve our communities' needs indirectly. 2020 Brought out great new product insights, an abundance of exciting R&D, and most importantly, showed us how pulling together as a team is our most valuable asset.

Jon Johnson, Shamrock Station Winery and Brewery, Berrien Springs

The only real bright spot for us is that we finally got the chance to open Sept. 26  and we had nearly 1,000 customers come through our doors on opening day! Cant wait for next spring!

Christopher Lasher, marketing director, Griffin Claw Brewing Co., Birmingham

Perhaps our greatest achievement was switching all taproom operations to carry-out immediately during the first shut down. Carry-out is something we never focused on and was such a small part of our taproom operations, which has now become one of the largest aspects.

The next big achievement was becoming one of the first distilleries in Michigan to produce and provide sanitizer. Early on there was news of a sanitizer shortage so we immediately began coming up with our own sanitizer utilizing our distillery. At first it was just for our staff and guests to utilize, as well as giving a free sanitizer bottle with every carry-out order until we quickly realized the shortage was much more dire. We were also able to sell thousands of gallons to the state of Michigan at cost, who then distributed the sanitizer throughout the entire state of Michigan to other first responders and hospitals.

So all said, this may be the proudest positive moment of the year, rising up, adapting and putting our people to work to help when we were needed and able. The best part was we did not have to lay off a single employee thanks to this.

Leah Tyrell, co-owner, Silver Spruce Brewing, Traverse City

I think the biggest positives were the resiliency of our staff to have to completely change how we did things with very little notice and how wonderful our customers have been to us. It is probably easier to just pick up a six-pack at the store when you are already there, but so many people went out of their way to buy beer to-go from us or gift certificates for a later date and to ask how we were doing through all of this.

This most recent order that allows for outside service has really surprised us as to how many people will come drink outside during the winter in northern Michigan, it really shows what a great craft beer community we have in our town.

Austin Wines, digital brand manager/spirit ambassador, Grand Traverse Distillery, Traverse City

We halted spirit production on a dime to transition into the production of sanitizer for frontline workers in the early days of the pandemic. Later in the year, when other distilleries were still halted or focused on sanitizer, we were fortunate enough to see a demand for our spirits rise  in some instances whiskey sales doubled and tripled.

People werent just drinking more, but learning about their favorite products and the processes that craft them. With much of the world at a standstill, 2020 was the perfect time to reconnect with neighbors, fall in love with the land, and discover all that Michigan has to offer. 2020 was many things, but by the end of it all, and with the support of our community, the world felt a little bit smaller  and we are all the better for it.

Megan Worden, Northern United Brewing Company, Dexter

For both North Peak and Jolly Pumpkin, we always knew our staff was strong, resilient, and biasedly the best but they shined extra bright when we needed them the most. Same with our customers. We definitely experienced a new heightened sense of community and support.

North Peak has a new beer launching called Hope, based on our collaboration Like A Boss with Girls Pint Out of Ypsilanti, Michigan. It was designed and brewed exclusively by women on International Womens Day 2020, but that release was delayed and ultimately diminished because of COVID-19. Now we persevere  brewing it again as Hope.

Jolly Pumpkin saw a lot of positivity in their shift to cans. The new format was very well received and we will continue to release more of our beers in cans throughout 2021.

John and Marie Powers, owners, Homegrown Brewing Company, Oxford

We've had to pivot several times during 2020 as the rules changed from dine-in to carryout and back again several times, and we've gotten quite good at being nimble! Our staff and our loyal customers have been so supportive which made us realize how willing people really are to support the small businesses.

We've initiated several programs to give back to our community and our staff: the Pay it Forward Meals which allowed us to keep our kitchen staff busier during carryout  only times while making meals for the people in our community who needed a little help and the online Staff Tip Jar which raised funds for our under-employed team members.

We expanded our patio in the warmer months with more picnic tables and a dog-friendly area. This area worked out so well that we plan to continue it into 2021 and beyond.

We've converted our live music program to online, streamed concerts. This keeps our musicians engaged with their fans while bringing in some revenue, and we've enjoyed hosting them.

Ernie Pacsai, owner, Supernatural Brewing, Livonia

There's a lot to be positive about with the beer industry in 2020! And it's not all just the increase in to-go/alcohol consumption. We are a small local brewpub with food, so we have been hit hard by the lockdowns ... but we are making lemonade out of these lockdown lemons!

The pandemic allowed us all to look up from what we were doing to see the brave unsung heroes around us. The staff of the local hospitals, literally putting their lives in harms way to help the sick in our communities. The brave compassionate team that works at the local Angela Hospice center, taking care of our very sickest (COVID or not!).

Our own staff, coming in each day to greet a customer who is just looking for a smile and a little bit of normal. SuperNatural has a "Healthcare Heroes" program, where we send meals to entire floors at these facilities to let the wonderful folks know that we see what they are doing and how much we appreciate it!

Business-wise, sales are way down and it's hard to make a little local business work, even in the best of times. But we are choosing to fight hard and use our wits, hands, imagination and perseverance to beat this ... and be even better for our efforts.

Christa Brenner, creative and marketing manager, Shorts Brewing Company, Bellaire/Elk Rapids

2020 was a challenging year for sure.

The biggest win is just how much the love and support we've gotten from our community  both locally and afar. Our community and team showed up and met the challenges of 2021 head on. We literally had to pivot daily with the CDC changes. We've gotten so much love and support for our COVID procedures, even though we had to talk some smack to the bullies in a social post that went viral in August.

We created multiple beers for charity, and launched Craft Libations for Collective Liberation  an anti-racism task force with our friends at Title Track. We saw double the sales of growlers and a crazy increase in packaged product, but I'd bet that was an industry wide trend.

On a production side, we launched Lil Huma, a session IPA and brought Arcadia Brewing Co's well-loved heritage brands back to market  lots more to come in 2021 from those brands.

Travis Preuter, co-founder and CEO of Big Lake Brewing, Holland

Our community got us through 2020. Not only did they go above and beyond to support us with takeout orders and patio drinks, they also empowered us to give back to the heroes of the pandemic.

We worked with our staff and our distributor, Imperial Beverage, to come up with and create "Healthcare Heroes," a Hazy IPA to honor and support healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic. So far, we have donated funds to Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Holland Hospital and Ann Arbor's St. Joseph Hospital, where the label and beer name were conceived by the nursing staff. We plan to donate to other hospitals in the state in 2021.

While we couldn't host our regular events in 2020, the pandemic safety guidelines forced us to think outside the box a bit and come up with community events we could still host or support, like a Lake Michigan beach cleanup at Holland State Park, as well as sponsoring a fishing tournament where all the fish caught went to a local food pantry.

Paul Vander Heide, Vander Mill Ciders, Grand Rapids

We saw a number of positives this year. We were able to refocus on our local relationships, strengthening our team as went through these difficult times together, and we also reimagined our purpose and vision for our products in the marketplace. Looking forward to continued innovation in 2021!

Ryan Balicki, co-counder, Copper Hop Brewing Company, St. Clair Shores

As a new brewery that just opened up in December 2019, if you would have told me we would be closed for three months, and reduced capacity for another seven in our first year of business, I would have probably told you that we wouldn't be in business anymore. Fortunately, that is not the case.

The biggest thing that we will be carrying over to 2021 and every year for the foreseeable future is the addition of our second outside patio area. We just received our final approval from the city to make our side patio permanent, and could not be happier with what this means for our business and our customers.

We have been amazed at the amount of people willing to bear the elements to enjoy a beer outside in the middle of winter, and now they will be able to enjoy it year round for years to come.
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MUMBAI: Bollywood sweethearts and long-time couple, Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal are getting married this weekend in Alibaug and according to Pinkvilla, they will be heading to the scenic country of Turkey for their honeymoon getaway. Wedding Sutra reported that the couple will be staying at the striking Ciragan Palace Kempinski in Istanbul. The renowned hotel is considered to be one of the most lavish hotels in the world.

Earlier, Filmfare had reported that they would not be taking a vacation until Varun had finished shooting for his upcoming films, but an update stated that they will be visiting Turkey soon.

Varun-Natasha wedding



The couple is set to tie the knot on Sunday, followed by a reception bash on January 26. According to TOI, the guest list includes Varuns close friends Karan Johar, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor among others. Other B-town celebs who are said to be attending include Manish Malhotra, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Raj Kundra, Shashank Khaitan, Vashu Bhagnani, and Remo D'Souza. The wedding will be held in the Mansion House Resort in Alibaug, which is 20 minutes away from Mumbai via a speedboat.

Both Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal studied in Maneckji Cooper and have been friends since the sixth grade but their romance started much later. In interviews, Varun has revealed that he had always pursued Natasha but she rejected him several times before she started to reciprocate the love. He also mentioned how she plays a pivotal role in his life as his rock and the stabilising factor in his life.
Lawton, OK (73501)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 75F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 58F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Conor McGregor is going to make himself a very rich, or richer, man when he steps into the octagon once more at UFC 257.

The Irishman already has guaranteed earnings of five million dollars for turning up against Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi, while his opponent only has a guaranteed sum of one million dollars.

These earnings will differ once the income from pay-per-view purchases is counted up, plus there is the impact of sponsorship money.

Once everything is said and done, McGregor is estimated to have earnt 20 million dollars from this fight alone.

McGregor and Poirier meet for the second time in their careers at UFC 257 on Saturday night, with The Notorious having won the first matchup.
A UCC first-year student from Bandon, Co Cork. She is a volunteer with the European Youth Parliament Ireland, which she is keen to make more inclusive and accessible

I got involved in the European Youth Parliament when I was in fourth year in Colaiste na Toirbhirte in Bandon. I heard about it from a friend and went along. I hadnt much interest in debating before that, but I went along to see what it was like anyway.

It was a three-day event that simulates the European parliament, so you do committee work in a group on different resolutions. Then, on the final day of the regional event, you present in a general assembly.

I had a fear of public speaking and it was my first time standing up in front of 100 people, but I had a great time and I think it really gave me an opportunity to come out of my shell. It was one of the best things I did in transition year, and became such a big part of my life.

The fact that I liked it so much came as kind of a surprise to me. Before that first time, I would have felt that it was something for all the big debating schools, and the private schools, but it was interesting to see that it wasnt just that.

In our all-girls school, something like European Youth Parliament wasnt a big thing

to get involved in, but we had some great teachers in fourth year who really pushed us to get involved.

The European Youth Parliament is youth-run. The oldest people involved would be about 25. Im now very involved in the organisational side of things.

What makes it different to other debating organisations is that its not so much about competition as teamwork. At regional events, you are put into groups like economic or cultural committees that mimic how the actual European Parliament works. There has been a lot of Brexit in the last few years.

When I became involved in organising the events, we did school calls to encourage them to send delegates. Without fail, the big debating schools, like the private ones and so on, would send loads. Country schools or DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) schools are not so well represented, and in order to have a well-rounded delegation, you need as wide a reach as possible.

I became interested in making it more accessible to those who might be intimidated by the idea, or who might not be able to come for financial reasons. In 2019, the idea of a delegate sponsor scheme was tested out.

It costs 60 to attend a weekend event. That covers food and accommodation, but its a barrier to some people. We trialled the delegate sponsor scheme with local councillors in Dublin city and county, and asked them to donate the 60 for one student to attend.

It was a great success, and about 10 councillors supported it. The Dublin event was in Dalkey, and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Council gave a lot of support.

We had planned to take it wider in 2020 and contact TDs, but obviously the year didnt work out as planned. All the events went online, and, while its not the same, it allowed us to reach more people, because online people are not limited by expense or travel issues.

Im now in my first year in UCC, studying history, politics, English and art history. Politics was always something I was interested in but being involved in the European Youth Parliament really opened my eyes to the lack of women in politics and that is something I have become passionate about.

In our last parliament session online, it was 70pc girls, so there is a shift taking place. Its good to see the interest from girls, but sometimes they lose it as they get older because they dont see themselves represented in politics.

My role model is Holly Cairns, the Social Democrat TD for Cork South-West, whos very involved in making changes to maternity care. I think thats something I could do in the future, not that Ill be running for election or anything. l





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Written in free verse for young adults, Laurie Halse Andersons Shout tells of a young girl who feels the world works against her, and how she finds a voice and uses it to shout. It speaks to that YA audience sensitive to injustice but unsure how they can have any influence or effect.

Listen

The Youth Vote, available wherever you get your podcasts, is an American production that benefits from a huge pool of activists. It covers climate change to how courts and elections operate, to why it matters to have young voices heard.

Take action

Information on the European Youth Parliament is available on its website, including dates and details of forthcoming events, which will remain online for now. Teachers and students can sign up, and find out more about helping the EYP with inclusivity. See eyp.ie
LONDON  Britains disclosure Friday that a new variant of the virus could be deadlier than the original raised a stir about why such alarming information was put out when the evidence was so inconclusive. But there is little debate over its impact: It has silenced those who called for life to go back to normal any time soon.

The British government is expected to announce in coming days that it will prolong and tighten the nationwide lockdown imposed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson this month. Schools may stay closed until Easter, while travelers arriving from overseas could be required to quarantine in hotels for 10 days.

For Mr. Johnson, who has faced unrelenting pressure from members of his own Conservative Party to begin easing restrictions, the warning about the variant was a powerful argument that Britain could be in the middle of a severe new phase of the pandemic  and that relaxing restrictions now could be calamitous.

While scientists agree that the evidence of the variants greater lethality is preliminary, inconclusive and based on limited data, they said it nonetheless served the governments purposes in the debate over lockdowns, in which Mr. Johnson, pulled between science and politics, has often shown an aversion to taking hard steps.
Nigel Farage has condemned plans to close the City's last physical trading floor permanently, urging traders to fight for its future.

The Brexiteer called on traders to 'stamp their feet' to save the London Metal Exchange's world-renowned trading ring  and blamed its Hong Kong owners for its likely closure.

Farage, who was a trader at the exchange in the 1980s and 1990s, told The Mail on Sunday that he was 'very, very sad' when he heard the 144-year-old market planned to make all trading electronic.

The ring, where traders normally huddle around red sofas and shout orders to set the world's metal prices, is the last physical trading floor in Europe.

Passion: Traders at the London Metal Exchange before the pandemic

It has been closed since March because of the pandemic, with all pricing and trading done electronically. Now it may never reopen.

Making an impassioned plea, Farage said saving the ring would preserve London's crown as the global centre of metals trading.

'It's going to change from something that's been dramatically human,' he said, 'into a series of battery hens trading on the screen.

'I know the world moves on, and the world changes. But I feel very, very sad about it.

'Something unique culturally is going, and it's been something that has dominated the world. It's been number one. All over the world, people have tried metal exchanges at different times to challenge the LME. And do you know what? None of them ever have.'

Farage argued that 'physical meeting together' in the ring is a more accurate way of pricing and trading complex metals contracts, adding: 'That's something I'm not convinced works on a computer.'

He said that his experience of working at the exchange also influenced his belief in Brexit.

'It was one of the things that made me a Eurosceptic, because it was a truly global marketplace,' said the Brexit Party founder and former MEP and Ukip leader.

'I thought to myself in the late 1980s and early 1990s 'why are we tying ourselves so closely to one market, when actually at the LME what we are proving is we can do things internationally?'

'So the two have always been very, very closely linked.'

Farage argued that 'physical meeting together' in the ring is a more accurate way of pricing

Farage's views set him at odds with Matthew Chamberlain, the chief executive of the LME.

Chamberlain told The Mail on Sunday that he believed the future of the exchange was electronic, as trading volumes in the ring continue to fall.

'Even just before the pandemic closure, only about 10 per cent of our total business was being transacted on the ring,' he said.

He argued that electronic pricing during the pandemic had been successful and had given more traders and brokers access.

He added: 'We've been clear with what we as the management team think: electronic is the way of the future, and we think we should now move in that direction.'

Hong Kong's stock exchange group snapped up the metals exchange in 2012 for 1.4billion, which Farage reckons set the trading ring on course for eventual closure.

He said of bosses at the Hong Kong stock exchange: 'I had a suspicion right from the very start that once they owned the LME, they would first try and get their money back from it by increasing the fees, which they did.

'They would be more than happy for one of the markets in Shanghai or wherever to become the place that sets the daily price for metals transactions.

'So I'm less surprised by this, but still extremely disappointed.'

Hong Kong's stock exchange group snapped up the metals exchange in 2012 for 1.4billion

The exchange is asking for feed back on the plans before coming to a final decision in April.

Farage is calling on trading members to rally against the move, saying: 'Do you really think computer systems can suit this?

'If you've got even the slightest concern, you better try and keep the floor open. You've got to lobby the exchange. I think the members should stamp their feet a bit.'

Supporters of the ring's closure said it could be a chance for the exchange to clean up the image of its laddish culture.

The LME came under fire when one of its commodity trading companies, Gerald Group, hosted an event at the Playboy Club in swanky Mayfair in 2018. The following year, the exchange released a code of conduct and issued a ban on daytime drinking.

Farage admits that there was a boozy culture in the 1980s. He was reportedly told to leave the trading firm Credit Lyonnais Rouse after bringing a drunk friend on to the trading floor after a long lunch.

He said: 'It was quite laddish, but then the City was in those days and things have changed a bit. It was of course very male dominated.'

But he added: 'If anything, it was the epitome of Thatcher's Britain where, regardless of your accent, or where you went to school, you could prosper. I worked with old Etonians, I worked with titled people, and I worked with the lads who came up from Southend-on-Sea.

'The camaraderie between everyone that worked around the ring was extraordinary.

'And after 5 o'clock when the pubs opened, even though you'd been competing against each other all day, it was almost like you were all part of a great big club. There were terrific friendships, industrial scale socialising.'

Though Farage did admit: 'Clearly the days of everyone coming back sloshed  that probably had to change.'


Over a thousand protesters gathered in Jerusalem on Saturday to demand the resignation of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu over corruption charges.

Smaller rallies were staged at intersections and bridges across the country.

They were the latest in a series of protests that have taken place every week since the summer, mainly at a Jerusalem square near Netanyahus official residence.

They have continued despite lower turnout in the cold winter evenings.

Netanyahu faces charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three cases involving billionaire associates and media moguls.

He denies wrongdoing, but the protesters say he cannot run the country properly while under indictment.

The governments handling of the coronavirus crisis has also fuelled the protests.

In March, Israel will hold its fourth national election in less than two years.

Almost a quarter of the country's population has already received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine amid Israels world-leading inoculation drive, which Netanyahu has placed at the center of his reelection campaign.

However, this appears to have done little to restrain the protests.

With the country's third lockdown still in place, Israel's economy has been hit hard by virus restrictions amid surging infection rates.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
ANTARCTICA: US Space Agency NASA had recently come across a strange 'rising' landmass in the frozen expanse of Antarctica via satellite observation. The discovery has left scientists perplexed and led to an investigation into the seven-mile-long jagged structure, as reported by the Daily Express. Some speculated the shape could've been formed due to the crash landing of an object which then slid across the ice. However, scientists have not validated this claim yet.

Aviation journalist suggested the structure could be a result of a crash-landing

Aviation journalist, Joe Pappalardo, told Daily Express, "It looks like something landed there extremely quickly and skated to a halt", when talking about the image of the discovery. He also remarked how the possibility of a crash landing in Antartica is reminiscent of the worst air disaster in New Zealands history. The journalist was referring to the tragic Mount Erebus incident which occurred on November 28, 1979 when Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashed into the mountain. All 237 passengers and 20 crew members died in the crash.

However, analyst, Marc DAntonio disputed the crash-landing theory as the image didnt resemble the aftermath of a plane crash, according to him. Rather, he said, "It looks like someone was scraping along the ice to make the gigantic furrow. But if we look at this object over here, this little rock shows the shadow - it is an elevated feature."

NASA scientist identifies the structure as a rare glacier

The mystery was finally solved when NASA scientist, Dr. Kelly Brunt visited the site of the jagged ice structure on the frozen seas of McMurdo Sound and explained it as 'a rare type of glacier feature created by millions of tonnes of ice flowing from the base of Mount Erebus into the frozen seas.'
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- With more than one million coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine first doses already administered in New York state, many residents are eagerly waiting to get the shot. And many New Yorkers are wondering if there will be enough to satisfy the already booked appointments.

After much of the citys allotted doses were administered, officials said earlier this week a shipment of 103,000 Moderna vaccines were delayed.

The bottle line is this: the pace of vaccination is dramatically outstripping our supply. We need more doses to vaccinate the people of our city, said Avery Cohen, a City Hall spokesperson.

City Hall has said that the weekly allocation of 100,000 doses from the federal government isnt enough to sustain New York Citys vaccination effort. However, a weekly shipment is due in the beginning of this week, according to City Hall.

On Saturday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo blamed the shortage on the fact that the former Trump administration opened too many eligible categories without sufficient supply of the vaccine.

It should have been opened as you had allocation. Anyway, that is not what we did, its not what they did. And now you have a period of confusion and anxiety because youre trying to hit seven million people at 250,000 a week, Cuomo said.

He said New York has the capability to administer up to 100,000 per day.

The boroughs two city-run vaccination hubs at Port Richmond and Staten Island Tech High Schools were closed Thursday and Friday due to vaccine shortages. (Courtesy photo)

HUBS CLOSE

The boroughs two city-run vaccination hubs at Port Richmond and Staten Island Tech High Schools were closed Thursday and Friday due to vaccine shortages.

The two Staten Island locations are a part of 15 citywide that were closed through the end of the week due to the delayed shipment.

All scheduled appointments were automatically rescheduled for exactly one week from the original appointment date at the same time.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced earlier on Wednesday that the city was forced to reschedule 23,000 first dose appointments across the city. Those appointments were spread out among the 15 vaccination hubs.

In addition, the opening of the mass vaccination site at Empire Outlets was delayed due to the vaccination shortages, Mayor Bill de Blasio confirmed on Wednesday.

Other vaccination sites that are run by the citys Health + Hospitals agency remained open, including the Gotham Health/Vanderbilt clinic, which is the boroughs first mass vaccination site.

WHERE CAN I GO TO GET VACCINATED?

There are several Staten Island locations administering the vaccine. The city launched a website, NYC Vaccine Finder, to help residents find the closest vaccination hub to them  there are currently 14 Staten Island sites listed:

Appointments can also be made here, or by calling 877-829-4692.

NYC Health+Hospitals Gotham Health/Vanderbilt clinic is the only 24/7 site open on Staten Island currently.

Once you have confirmed an appointment, you must complete the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine form. This can be completed online or at your vaccination site.

Proof of eligibility must be brought to your appointment. This may include an employee ID card, a letter from an employer or affiliated organization, or a pay stub, depending on the specific priority status. If you are eligible due to age, you should bring a government-issued form of ID that includes your date of birth.

Due to a shortage of vaccines in New York, some sites may be closed or have limited availability.

Many Staten Islanders have experienced difficulty getting appointments and long lines at understaffed medical centers while attempting to get the vaccine.

*** CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK ***

Latest updates on vaccinations:

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Aran Crafts Ireland, pictured, is one of the Irish brands taking part in this year's Showcase Ireland. Ireland's Creative Expo will take place as a virtual showroom this year, from January 25-29.

Supported by the Design & Crafts Council Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, Showcase is one of the industry's largest international trade fairs where designers and craft-makers show their collections to retail buyers from across the globe. Aran Crafts, based in Kildare, specialises in beautiful woollen pieces using only 100pc natural fibres including merino wool, Donegal wool, and cashmere. LH Sweater, 68, see arancrafts.com

Notion: Dress to impress

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Sustainable brand Queens of Archive is currently available at a pop-up store, and online, at Arnotts. Inspired by the style of Anita Pallenberg, Chrissie Hynde, and Marianne Faithfull, fans of the brand include Laura Whitmore and Imelda May. LH

'Marianne Darcy' dress, 185, Queens of Archive, arnotts.ie

Necessity: Bringing home Bacon

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The fascinating life of Francis Bacon, as told by Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Mark Stevens and Annalyn Swan. From his traumatic childhood to his travels through Paris, Berlin and London; the early, unsuccessful years, and the journey to his eventual status as one of the greatest painters of the 20th century. LH 'Francis Bacon: Revelations', 30, HarperCollins

Notion: Dry January

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If you're determined to see out Dry January but need...something, non-alcoholic, Australian spirits brand Lyre was introduced to Ireland just before Christmas, with a range of 13 spirits and liqueurs, including an absinthe, a Bourbon whisky, a dry vermouth, and this gin. LH

Lyre's Dry London Spirit, 25.99, SuperValu nationwide

Necessity: Drink up

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Irish baby brand Cognikids is upholding the national mood to get out and about more in 2021 with add-on accessories to its Sip cup. The rubbery outer layer, with its easy-grip holes, promotes independent drinking and the new lid and straw elements allow for no-spill sipping on the go. In a range of cute colours, including this chic dusty pink. SC Sip cup, 12.99; lid and straw, 9.99, both packs of two, see cognikids.com

Notion: Foodie feast

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Lennox Street Grocer opened in Dublin's Portobello just before Christmas, with baked goods, coffee and 'pantry items'. Sibling proprietors Christopher and Claire Arnold, pictured, both with a background in food and wine, have a January focus on fruits of the sea, and have the full complement of Irish seaweed products (from 4.15), which they suggest as a protein-rich salt substitute for a clean January. SC Lennox Street Grocer, 38 Lennox St, Portobello, D8, see lennoxstreet.ie

Necessity: Hair dryer

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Dry shampoo has become a staple of modern life, particuarly as WFH makes washing your hair every day seem like overkill. Still, let's keep our standards up. Gold Dust King Luxury Dry Shampoo contains no talc or alcohol, ingredients that can leave hair dusty and dried out, but also has no propellant gases, which help your typical product to spray on. With this stuff, you dab it on to the hair with a sponge applicator, while corn starch absorbs oil and natural moisturisers keep the hair soft. SC Gold Dust King Luxury Dry Shampoo, 12.95,

see kinghairandbeauty.com

Notion: Patch test

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Patchology started out making patches for the medical industry and then moved into delivering skincare ingredients by the same method. We love these gel-based eye masks, with anti-inflammatory calendula, evening primrose extract and lavender for a full nest-and-chill January treat. SC Patchology Moodpatch Down Time Eye Gels, 12 for pack of five, Brown Thomas; Arnotts; Avoca and selected pharmacies nationwide

The United Nations has warned its staff not to travel with Pakistani-registered airlines amid concern that some of the nations pilots may not be qualified to fly planes.

In a note to staff obtained by Pakistani media on January 23, the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) said that, due to an investigation into dubious pilot licenses, caution is advised on the use of Pakistan-registered air operators.

It is unclear when the UN note was issued to staff.

Pakistan in June announced it was grounding 262 pilots suspected of dodging their exams following an inquiry into industry practices spurred by a May crash that killed 97 people.

The UN advisory means staff working in the country cannot use most domestic airlines even when flying within the country.

UN staff can use Tajikistan-registered Somon Air, Afghanistan-registered Kam Air, and Uzbekistan Airways to travel within Pakistan, Pakistani agency The News reported.

Four Pakistan-registered planes have crashed over the past decade, killing about 450 passengers and crew.

In May, a plane en route from Lahore crashed into a residential area in Karachi.

Former Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan at the time blamed the crash on human error, saying the pilot failed to follow protocols.

Based on reporting by Dawn, The News, and CNN

Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - The spokesperson for the Tunisian ministry of Health Saturday sounded the alarm in the face of the rampant spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), describing the situation as "very serious"

By Jason Lim





Freedom of expression is enshrined in the constitutions of all democratic nations, but does that mean that there is also a freedom to express oneself anonymously? This is not a new question, but has taken on an enhanced salience due to the recent attack on the Capitol by Americans who were motivated by disinformation and radicalized by QAnon conspiracy theories. Some of the disinformation were propagated by known and verifiable personalities, but much has been fanned by anonymous voices. Exhibit 1 is the "Q" of the QAnon, who is still unknown.



Korea actually tried to legislate this problem away back in 2007 when there was a dawning appreciation that cyberbullying hidden behind the cloak of anonymity was becoming a serious social problem. The National Assembly passed a law that mandated that people's real identities be validated through their social registration number and actual names used in any posting or other online activities. The driving rationale behind the law was that online anonymity afforded a lack of transparency and accountability that gave rise to irresponsible behavior by the netizens.



It failed for a variety of reasons. However, the biggest finding was that such law, even when enforced, failed to curve online behavior, especially misinformation that was often sensational. According to a 2013 paper by David A. Caragliano, "real name registration policy did not deter wild and unfounded positions from being promoted online. According to one claim, which appeared to win wide credibility, Koreans were genetically predisposed to Mad Cow Disease."



In 2012, the law was struck down as unconstitutional, with the court ruling that, "The system does not seem to have been beneficial to the public. Despite the enforcement of the system, the number of illegal or malicious postings online has not decreased. Instead, users moved to foreign Websites and the system became discriminatory against domestic operators. It also prevented foreigners who didn't have a resident registration number here from expressing their opinions online."



In the meanwhile, cyberbullying continued, claiming one victim after another, including Sulli, a 25-year-old actress who killed herself in 2019 after being subjected to years of malicious and unfounded online attacks. Cyberbullying, however tragic and offensive, is one thing. However, what happens when violent rhetoric, misinformation and conspiracy theories attack at the very foundation of democracy itself?



Anonymity might have been acceptable prior to the internet. But we now have the scalability problem. The sheer ubiquity of select online platforms amplifies the efficacy of anonymity to become a powerful tool for authority and power without the corresponding responsibility and accountability. It makes it too easy for faceless voices to gain a large audience  no longer bound by physical space  for misinformation, othering, anger, conspiracies, and anything that might get them attention. Because anonymity protects them from having to be accountable, they use less restraint than they would in situations in which they have to actually own their words. The events of Jan. 6 have shown us that words have the power to create an alternate belief system that can proselytize millions and make the faithful immune to facts and can actually incite them to violence under certain conditions.



But eliminating anonymity on the internet, even if it can be done technically, carries the huge risk of turning the country into a totalitarian state like China that can censor any speech that doesn't tow the party line and dole out penalties to people who can no longer hide behind anonymity. Combine that with ubiquitous CCTV and passive facial recognition systems, you have a modern surveillance state with fearsome capabilities to stifle any speech and compel "correct" behavior. This would surely ring the death knell for democracy under the guise of accountability and responsible behavior. Defending democracy shouldn't result in killing it.



Perhaps I am not solving the right problem. Or, I am solving the right problem, but the solution is worse than the problem. If responsible and accountable speech is the desired end-state, and online anonymity is to be protected, then what other levers does the society have to drive a healthier engagement and public discussion behavior?



As with any difficult problem, the answer is not cut and dried, which makes it inherently unsatisfying. Human behavior is not something that can be directly legislated. However, what can be done is to create system of incentives  carrots and sticks  that targets the underlying logic of the click-bait marketplace, driving anonymous voices to outcompete one another with extremism one-upmanship in a race towards the bottom.



This is a logic that's focused and amplified by the ubiquity and monopolies of the few giant social media sites that determine which voices you get to see and share. On second thought, anonymity might not be the problem. Perhaps it's the sheer ubiquity and monopoly of the social media giants that calls for the Sherman Anti-Trust Laws for the digital age to break up the monopolies that are price-fixing people's motivations to behave ever more extremely to an ever-increasing group of similarly minded tribes. And incentivizing us to engage in an "uncivil" war.





Jason Lim (jasonlim@msn.com) is a Washington, D.C.-based expert on innovation, leadership and organizational culture.


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Years before COVID-19 emerged as a worldwide threat, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District developed a plan to handle exactly such a catastrophic public health scenario.

Metro Healths Operational Pandemic Flu Plan drew lessons from the H1N1 influenza pandemic of 2009. The 115-page documents stated goal was to minimize serious illness, hospitalizations, and death; to preserve critical infrastructure; and to minimize social disruption in the San Antonio and Bexar County region.

The plan was developed after the federal government poured millions of dollars into state and local governments to help them prepare as outbreaks of avian and swine flu viruses erupted across the globe.

EXPRESS-NEWS APP: Breaking news, Spurs scores, COVID updates and more  at your fingertips.

Now that the pandemic nightmare has occurred  one triggered not by a new influenza virus, but a new coronavirus  those plans have streamlined some elements of the local response, most notably the rapid creation of four mass vaccination sites.

But a shortage of vaccine across the country, as well as lagging distribution, has made it impossible for health providers to enact the citys plan in full. Public health experts have placed the blame largely on the federal government, which stopped planning the vaccine rollout once shipments arrived in states.

Its been a nightmare from day one, said Assistant City Manager Colleen Bridger, the citys coronavirus czar. People dont understand, they dont know whether its the federal government or the state government or the local government. And I dont blame them. I dont expect them to understand that. They see that government isnt responding to their needs.

And its a really difficult position to be in right now to have zero control over what youre trying to do, and yet be the boots on the ground who everybody looks to and asks, Why isnt this better?

The Trump administration had pledged to vaccinate 20 million Americans by the end of 2020. But instead of rolling out a nationwide distribution plan to guide the states, it left them on their own to decide who should get vaccines  and when doses would arrive.

Almost six weeks into vaccine distribution, about 16 million people had received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control data as of Friday.

President Joe Biden has vowed a more robust vaccination campaign than his predecessor. Shortly after his inauguration last week, he signed a flurry of executive orders meant to boost the nations COVID-19 response on a range of fronts.

To speed vaccinations, the president directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to set up 100 vaccination centers in a month, and he authorized agencies to use the Cold War-era Defense Production Act to compel private industry to produce needed supplies.

The federal government from the very beginning should have recognized that their role doesn't stop at giving vaccines to states, said Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and public health professor at George Washington University. Because of the chronic under-funding of state and local health departments, there was no way that state and local health departments couldve done all this work on their own.

In Texas, that process so far has been marred with confusion and delays. The state reserved the first vaccines for health care workers on the frontlines of the pandemic, but then abruptly opened up eligibility to the next tier of recipients  anyone 65 and older or with a chronic health condition.

More than 1 million San Antonians were suddenly eligible. Residents flooded phone lines and crashed websites to sign up for appointments at the citys few mass vaccination sites, spurring fear among some public health professionals that the most vulnerable residents without access to that technology would be left out.

That kind of free-for-all fits those who have privilege. Who is able to call a phone hot line 500 times? Wen said. Thats not the way it should be, and we know with a system like that, those who dont have access to the same resources are going to be left behind.

Because vaccine supplies have been limited, Metro Health officials say they havent able to stand up immunization events at schools, community centers and mobile clinics to meet residents where they live  let alone vaccinate as many residents as theyd planned at mass sites.

Metro Healths pandemic plan calls for initially vaccinating 4,000 people a day at each site. But the short supply of vaccine has forced the agency to limit vaccinations at its Alamodome clinic to half that  about 2,000 doses a day, even as a winter surge continues to infect thousands of San Antonians every day.

Constricted by the shortage, health providers at the citys three additional sites  the Wonderland of the Americas mall on the near North Side, the Elvira Cisneros Senior Community Center on the South Side and the Alicia Trevino Lopez Senior Center on the far West Side  are vaccinating only about 1,500 people day.

Every single one of our mass vaccination sites could double the number of vaccinations they give every day, tomorrow, if we had more vaccine, Bridger said.

University Health, Bexar Countys public hospital system, could more than triple its daily numbers at the Wonderland mall by early February, vaccinating about 5,000 people a day, if more doses become available, officials said.

But so far, shipments of vaccine have been unpredictable and often contain fewer doses that health providers anticipate, Bridger said.

As of Friday, the state reported that it had allocated a total of some 235,000 doses to Bexar County since December, but it is unclear how many doses it has actually distributed. That number could be significantly lower: Fewer than 121,000 doses had been administered as of Friday.

I dont think that plan anticipated the shortness of supply that were dealing with, Bridger said. Thats really the biggest challenge that we have right now, is we dont know when were going to get doses, and we know that the doses we get are not nearly enough to do what everybody needs us to do.

Overdue and underprepared

As the avian flu spread across the globe in 2005, President George Bush asked Congress for $7.1 billion in emergency funding to help the nation prepare for a pandemic. Lawmakers approved $3.8 billion, $350 million of which was earmarked to improve state and local preparedness.

The funding set off efforts to craft pandemic response plans, ensuring that health officials in cities and states would know what to do if patients flooded hospitals and they needed to open mass vaccination sites capable of immunizing thousands of people per day.

Any community that fails to prepare, with the expectation the federal government will come to the rescue, will be tragically wrong, Michael Leavitt, then-secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, cautioned Texas government leaders and public health officials in 2006 at the states Pandemic Influenza Summit.

When it comes to a pandemic, we're overdue and underprepared, Leavitt said.

The citys pandemic plan, most recently updated in 2014, predicted that a pandemic outbreak in any given community will last about six to eight weeks for each wave of the pandemic. The document warned that multiple waves ... of illness could occur with each wave lasting two to three months.

Metro Health seemed to anticipate receiving the bulk of available vaccine. Its plan called for providing vaccine to any organization with the medical ability to use it, and prioritized inoculating first responders and key government officials to maintain continuity of government operations.

San Antonio epidemiologist Cherise Rohr-Allegrini oversaw pandemic flu planning for Metro Health during that era. She and other officials knew it wasnt a matter of if a pandemic would arrive  but when. She said they also knew from the beginning that when that happened, the nation would face a severe shortage of vaccine while production and distribution slowly ramped up.

The federal control on the vaccine rollout has been hugely problematic, but we knew in 2006 even that it was going to be problematic with any pandemic, Rohr-Allegrini. As a local entity... we may not be able to decide when were going to get it and how much were going to get it, but we can decide how were going to distribute it, and we have control over that working with those partners.

What Rohr-Allegrini hadnt expected was that the federal government would provide so little guidance on vaccine distribution  and then the state of Texas would limit cities from deciding how to provide the vaccine in their communities.

Operation Warp Speed, the federal governments program to accelerate the development and distribution of vaccines, had anticipated using the military to distribute the shots but ultimately thrust that responsibility onto the states.

In its first weeks of allocating vaccine doses in December, the state disregarded the readiness of health authorities such as Metro Health to set up mass vaccination sites swiftly, instead distributing its stockpile to hundreds of registered health providers in Texas that included hospitals, pharmacies and physicians offices. It wasnt until almost a month into distribution that Texas pivoted to a model that focuses more on mass vaccination sites.

But some public health experts worry that the mass vaccination sites that are open to entire communities will miss Texans who are most at risk of becoming severely ill and adding to the strain on hospitals.

If the 65-year-old diabetic in poor condition, living in a crowded house with 10 people gets COVID, theyre likely to have severe illness, theyre likely to go to the hospital, and their whole household is likely to get it because they cant isolate, said Rohr-Allegrini. Probably a few more of them are going to go into the hospital, which means a drain on hospital resources  that means those are three beds that are not going to be available to a heart attack victim or a stroke victim.

Rohr-Allegrini is among public health officials who want the hardest-hit neighborhoods in cities to be first in line for vaccines. Dallas and Tarrant counties, for example, have recently considered plans to prioritize vaccines to residents in the most vulnerable ZIP codes.

But the state put a stop to Dallas plan this week, threatening that it would stop sending the county vaccines if it didnt reserve a significant proportion of doses for eligible people across the city.

That is negligence, said Rohr-Allegrini of the states actions. That is horrifying to me because we know, and there's a number of stories now showing in different cities, the people that have been vaccinated already are the wealthiest people with the lowest risk and were not getting it into the populations that need it.

Chris Van Deusen, a spokesman for the state health department, said the state has directed providers to ensure theyre vaccinating people in the hardest hit neighborhoods, but they cannot do that to the exclusion of literally everyone else and still remain a hub provider.

It has meant that San Antonio health officials have had to walk a fine line to ensure they reach residents who need the vaccine the most  and meet state requirements.

Knocking on doors

Metro Healths pandemic plan calls for focusing on vaccinating hard to reach populations, such as people who lack health insurance and transportation and have lower incomes.

To help meet that goal, the city sends its community health workers into high-risk parts of San Antonio every day to register 300 people for vaccinations at the Alamodome, Bridger said.

Were not limiting, she said. Were targeting. So 1,400 appointments a day are gone in five minutes through the system, and thats open to anybody who lives anywhere.

Bridger is hoping for expanded access in the near future.

God willing, there is going to be more vaccine supply available to us, she said. When that happens, we are going to go to mobile vaccination shots, we are going to go to a much easier opportunity for people to sign up. There will be vaccine at your local pharmacy. The problem right now is, theres 25,000 doses a week in Bexar County, and we have 1 million people who are eligible, and each of those people need two doses.

The problem is were trying to squeeze 1 million people through a hole designed to serve 9,000 a week, Bridger continued. Theres no way to do that.
An ongoing observational study has proven that the use of Hydrogen Peroxide (HP) prevents people from contracting the COVID-19.



The study experimented with the frequent use of HP by eight frontline nurses in the COVID-19 management team at a district hospital.



Reverend Emeritus Prof. Andrews Seth Ayettey, who leads the study, said the initial findings revealed that the nurses who used the HP did not contract the disease and had tested negative since May 2020.



He said 62 of the nurses, who did not use the hydrogen peroxide contracted COVID-19 by end of December 2020.



Prof. Ayettey recalled that the study begun in March 2020 to find out what effect HP, as a mouthwash for oral hygiene, had on coronaviruses.



Working with a team of doctors and medical scientists with backgrounds in virology, immunology, biochemistry, oral health, oncology, medicine, and therapeutics, we discovered from the literature that these viruses are inactivated with low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, he said.



Based on the science, team members and their families and friends started using one per cent HP for mouth washing and throat gargling to establish evidence of protection from the virus.



A friends wife, three elderly children, and mother-in-law who all tested positive for the virus were encouraged to use HP for mouth washing, throat gargling and nose cleansing, in addition to their prescribed medications. Their subsequent test came out negative.



Prof Ayettey said prophylactic use of HP had been recommended by both the American Dental Association for dental practice, which had been adopted by the Dental Department at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.



He noted that HP was an important component in hand sanitisers and recommended by the World Health Organisation.



He urged the public to explore all remedies that could offer reasonable protection and aid in treating the disease, in addition to the established public health measures outlined by the government.



He advised Ghanaians to observe the social distancing, wear their nose masks, wash hands regularly with soap under running water, and use alcohol-based sanitisers to stay safe of the virus.

Source: GNA









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New Delhi:

Navdeep Singh tops CBSE NEET UG Results 2017 from Muktsar in Punjab. The National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test result was announced at the official website cbseresults.nic.in and cbseneet.nic.in. The CBSE NEET Results 2017 declaration notification was announced earlier on the official results portal of Government of India.

The top ten CBSE NEET UG exams : 1. Navdeep Singh, 2. Archit Gupta, 3. Manish Mulchandani , 4. Sankeerth Sadananda, 5.Dogra Abhishek Veerendra, 6.Deric Joseph, 7.Kanishh Tayal, 8.Nikita Goyal, 9. Aryan Raj Singh, 10. Tanish Bansal.

While Harsh Agarwal is Bihar topper with AIR 16, securing 685 marks.

Punjab's Navdeep Singh has bagged the top rank. Navdeep secured 697 marks out of 700. The second and third ranks have been bagged by Madhya Pradesh's Archit Gupta and Manish Mulchandani respectively.

Qualifying marks for admissions in open category is 131 and that for students in the reserved category is 107.

A total of 11,38,890 students had appeared for the NEET,out of which 6,11,539 have passed the medical entranceexamination which was held on May 7. Of these, 2,66,221 were male aspirants while 3,45,313were females.

Also Read: CBSE NEET Result 2017 ANNOUNCED; check your marks here

Eight transgenders also appeared for the test,out of which five have qualified. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had onJune 12 set in motion the process for declaring the result of NEET-2017 after the Supreme Court gave a go-ahead to the board.

The apex court had on May 24 stayed an interim order of the Madras High Court, which had restrained the CBSE from publishing the result of NEET 2017. The highest number of candidates --9,13,033-- had appeared in English while 1,20,663 students had taken the testin Hindi.

With PTI Input
Youd hope that one of the big things Scott Morrison learnt in 2020 was to have more respect and trust in his public servants. After all, they must get much of the credit for helping him  and the premiers  respond to the pandemic far more successfully than most other rich countries. What Morrison did right was take their advice.

Morrison began his time as Prime Minister by making his disrespect and distrust of public servants crystal clear. He was blunt in telling them he didnt need their advice on policy matters, just their full co-operation in faithfully implementing the decisions he and the Cabinet made.

Scott Morrison began his time as Prime Minister by making his disrespect and distrust of public servants crystal clear. Credit:AAP

The Coalition has continued its Labor predecessors practice of imposing annual efficiency dividends  fixed percentage cuts in the money allocated to pay public servants wages and admin costs  which by now amount to annual rounds of redundancies, with those more senior public servants with policy experience being the ones most likely to get the heave-ho.

This has robbed the public service  and its political masters  of much benefit from its institutional memory of what works and what doesnt. The government prefers to get its advice from the young people with political ambitions employed to help in ministers offices.
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MBABANE  Government will have to facilitate payment of E4.5 million to families of three politicians who recently died of COVID-19-related illnesses.

These are Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, the late former Prime Minister, Christian Myekeni Ntshangase, the late Minister of Public Service and Senator Jimmy Hlophe. The Times SUNDAY can reveal that the family of Ntshangase, who was buried yesterday at Mkhwakhweni in the Shiselweni Region, stands to get E1 526 640 as a death benefit provided in Circular No.2 of 2013.

active politics

The package for Senator Hlophe, who returned to active politics in August 2020, amounts to E1 111 632 while the family of the late former prime minister deserves a payout, at minimum, of E1 908 168. Article 4.2 (i) of Circular No.2 of 2013 states that parliamentarians are insured as part of the fund against accidents and death in terms of a contract concluded by government with an insurance company. It is provided in the circular, which spells out the terms and conditions of service for the politicians, that the insured benefits include a group life insurance of two times annual salary.

died in office

For the politicians family to get the money, the backbencher (MP without ministerial position) or minister must have died in office. At the time of his death, Ntshangase, who died on January 16, 2021, was entitled to a monthly salary of E63 610.65 while Senator Hlophes basic salary was E46 318.50. The senator died last Wednesday. The late prime minister, who died on December 13, 2020, was salaried at E79 507.42 per month. Two times annual salary, one of the MPs said is the basic salary calculated by 24 months. This newspaper could not establish if the death benefit is taxed or not, but an insurance broker who works closely with politicians said it was tax-free. Its weird to tax a death benefit, he said, preferring to address the issue on condition of anonymity.

Reads part of the Circular: Parliamentarians are insured as part of the fund against accidents and death in terms of a contract concluded by Government with an insurance company.

For purposes of Circular No.2 of 2013, parliamentarians refer to the prime minister, deputy prime minister, presiding officers, ministers, regional administrators, deputy presiding officers, members of Parliament, Tindvuna Tetinkhundla and Bucopho Betinkhundla.


Beijing, Jan 24 : Eleven miners were rescued on Sunday after being trapped underground for two weeks following a blast in a gold mine in China's Shandong province.

Rescuers lifted two workers, bringing the overall number to 11, Xinhua news agency.

The first rescued miner was lifted from the mine early Sunday morning.

The worker, said to be in extremely weak condition, was rushed to a hospital for treatment.

Currently, 633 people and 407 equipment are at the site for rescue operations.

Twenty-two miners were trapped about 600 metres underground since the mine blast on January 10 in Qixia, under the city of Yantai.

Rescuers had managed to establish contact with only 10 of the miners, who were in good physical and psychological condition.

One worker is believed to have died.

Mining accidents are not uncommon in China, where the industry safety regulations can be poorly enforced, according to a BBC report.

In December 2020, 23 miners died after a carbon monoxide leak at a coal mine.

In September, 16 workers were killed at another mine on the outskirts of Chongqing, also due to carbon monoxide.

In December 2019, an explosion at a coal mine in Guizhou province, south-west China, killed at least 14 people.
Mamata Banerjee's refusal to not deliver her speech at the main 'Parakram Diwas' celebration here after 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans greeted her has given the Bharatiya Janata Party fresh ammunition to attack her ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections. While the party questioned her "appeasement politics" while reciting Islamic prayer at a state government event, VHP leadership came down heavily on the CM saying that it reflects her "anti-Hindu" mindset and efforts to appease a particular community.

"If CM Mamata Banerjee can recite an Islamic prayer at a West Bengal government event, why does she have a problem being greeted with Jai Shree Ram? Appeasement? She disgraced Bengal and insulted Netajis legacy by her conduct at the event to commemorate Netajis anniversary," the Bengal BJP tweeted.

If CM Mamata Banerjee can recite an Islamic prayer at a West Bengal government event, why does she have a problem being greeted with Jai Shree Ram?Appeasement?She disgraced Bengal and insulted Netajis legacy by her conduct at the event to commemorate Netajis anniversary. pic.twitter.com/OpQ7MR60m2 BJP Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) January 24, 2021

International joint general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Surendra Jain told PTI, "What Mamata Banerjee did yesterday reflects her anti-Hindu mindset and her efforts towards appeasement politics. Lord Ram is soul of the country. Why does she get angry with 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans? We fail to understand."

When a section of the crowd continued with their chanting, the chief minister had said, before returning to her seat, "I thank the Prime Minister and the Union culture ministry for holding this programme in Kolkata. This is a government programme and not a political programme. There has to be dignity. It doesn't behove anybody to invite people and insult. I won't speak. Jai Bangla, Jai Hind." BJP leader and grandnephew of Netaji, Chandra Kumar Bose, said there was nothing wrong with the slogan and Netaji's birth anniversary should not be mixed with politics.

The Congress and the Left Front had backed Banerjee and slammed the BJP for the incident.

A visibly agitated Banerjee, who was called to deliver her speech at the Netaji birth anniversary ceremony at Victoria Memorial on Saturday, had fumed over the "insult" and said, it was a government programme and not a political event.
Another type of clandestine hide-out uncovered by law enforcement was the discovery of an illegal distillery during Prohibition. According to the local newspapers, two federal agents had received word of a large operation located in southwest Napa County. Their investigation took them to the remote Napa County area known as Lovall Valley. This isolated farming area was, and remains, accessible only by a rural road out of the town of Sonoma. There was, and is, no direct route to Lovall Valley from Napa County.

Traveling by car, the agents explored the entire rural community of isolated family farms. Having seemingly exhausted all the possible distillery sites, this pair of officers made an unexpected choice. One officer elected to stay behind to further investigate the area on foot while his partner drove back to Sonoma.

Shortly after the pair split up, the serenity of the typically quiet Lovall Valley was shattered by gunfire. According to the newspapers, the agent on foot literally crossed paths with two rum-runners driving a truck filled with illegal liquor bound for San Francisco. A gun battle ensued between the three men. Miraculously, the officer sustained no injuries, not even a scratch. However, he managed to wound both of the rum-runners, one of whom died from his wounds the next day.
On the Efforts to Silence Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity

Commentary

Fox News Channels political commentators Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity are under attack, with many calling for their removal from the airwaves.

While this is perhaps a predictable extension of cancel cultures ongoing persecution of those who uphold traditional values, the attack on these men is a particularly offensive attempt at censorshipa line in the sand.

This is because theyre among the few remaining voices in North American journalism with the courage and commitment to report views and facts that challenge the wisdom of progressive thinking. They also defended and respected President Donald J. Trump, who was endlessly and unjustly attacked and maligned by most in the media who betrayed the tradition of fair and balanced reporting.

Carlson and Hannity have been accused, among other things, of spreading harmful propaganda and downright fiction, according to one source.

This is rich, considering what the mainstream media has been doing in recent years. We need to understand this clearly: Carlson and Hannity make no pretense of being objective newscasters such as the late Walter Cronkite or the current Lester Holt. Theyre commentators who present their opinions in the same way the acclaimed William F. Buckley once did.

The problem is that people who want just the facts cant get them anymore in the legacy media, such as The New York Times, because its so tainted by wokeness, political correctness, and the anti-Trump parade. So they turn to Carlson, Hannity, and others such as Laura Ingraham for relief and common sense.

I dont know Carlson or Hannity personally, and Im not in the pay of either of them. I have never spoken or communicated in any way with either of them. Im an independent Canadian writer, a semi-retired reporter/editor with more than 40 years of experience, including work in war zones and positions in Canada at both large daily (Winnipeg Free Press) and small weekly newspapers. At the age of 62, I dont fear retribution from those who might wish to silence me for defending my American colleagues.

After a lifetime of seeking and reporting the truth as best I couldnot always succeeding, at times being in error, but having won many awards for my body of work, which includes five booksI decided, inspired by the brilliant books and columns of Conrad Black, to speak up and defend traditional values, our basic freedoms, and others who embrace them.

And since my late father, Clayton Bird, fought to defeat fascism and protect our freedoms in World War II as the pilot of a Halifax bomber, I also owe him, and his peers, a great debt of gratitude.

Thriving on Diversity

Democracy, like nature itself, thrives on diversity. Just as monoculture in agriculture is scorned as damaging to soils and crops alike, so too does a single voice in democracy lead to sterility and rot. We need a rich panoply of opinions like a meadow needs grasses, shrubs, and wildflowers, so they can help each other grow and thrive. We need progressive voices to help society evolve and improvebut we also need conservative views to protect the wisdom weve inherited.

Just as yin needs yang in Chinese philosophy for balance and harmony, so, too, does democracy need divergent views for a healthy intellectual life, for testing ideas and rejecting those that prove unfit and fallacious and embracing those that pass tests of reason and utility.

The truth emerges not from a single sourcesurely we learned that from Pravdas propaganda in the Soviet Union and from the Chinese regimes current censorshipbut from a multiplicity of competing viewpoints that challenge each other, allowing the best to prevail.

You dont have to agree with all that Carlson and Hannity say. I dont, and they dont expect us to. What matters is that they give many millions of people a different perspective to that in the mainstream media; they offer a conservative point of view to balance and question the progressive creed of those who now dominate our elected offices, the halls of academia, legal institutions, public schools, and the bastions of popular culture.

Attack on Free Speech

Whatever your nationality, you will recall that the First Amendment in the U.S. Bill of Rights protects freedom of speech and freedom of the press, which covers TV news and commentary. The United States has been the worlds bulwark of free speech for 245 years, since 1776.

In modern history, the only affront to freedom of speech in America similar to what we see today occurred during the post-war period of McCarthyism in the late 1940s and early 1950s when people suspected of harboring communist sympathies were removed from their jobs. William L. Shirer, an esteemed war-time radio reporter and author of the best-selling The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich about Hitlers destructive rule, was among those silenced.

Today the situation is reversed. Its progressives, some clearly sympathetic to the Antifa-Marxist fringe of the Democratic Party, who are doing the persecuting, and they do so with impunity. We saw this last summer when Antifa and related groups toppled statues, injured hundreds of police officers, burned cruisers and private businesses, and actually took control, for many weeks, of portions of inner cities such as Seattle. Yet they were allowed this rampage in direct violation of the law. The mainstream media insisted these were peaceful protests. Thanks to Carlson and Hannity, we got some sanity on this madness.

In his inaugural address, President Joe Biden correctly declared that The American story depends not on any one of us  but on all of us. Yes it does, and that includes all of your voices, our voices, including those of Carlson and Hannity. Biden is right, so dont censor them, help them and others carry on their good and necessary work.

Brad Bird is an award-winning Canadian reporter and editorial writer with a masters degree in political studies. His book Me and My Canoe (Pemmican Publications) relates his many wonderful experiences paddling the Mississippi River to New Orleans.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

U.S. Republican and Democratic lawmakers called for new sanctions against Moscow if the Kremlin moves to enforce stringent restrictions and punishing fines that threaten RFE/RLs news operations in Russia.

The letter, dated January 22, also called on President Joe Bidens administration to do more to bolster RFE/RLs operations in Belarus, which has been roiled by months of anti-government protests following Alyaksandr Lukashenkas declaration of reelection in August.

Opposition groups say that vote was rigged and many Western nations have refused to recognize Lukashenkas declaration.

Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor announced this month it was imposing hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines on RFE/RLs operations in Russia, accusing it of failing to comply with new restrictions under the countrys foreign agent law.

Among other things, the law requires certain news organizations that receive foreign funding to label content within Russia as being produced by a foreign agent.

The law also puts RFE/RL journalists at risk for criminal prosecution.

An independent nonprofit corporation that receives funding from the U.S. Congress, RFE/RL has not complied with the order. The mounting fines could potentially force the company to shutter its presence within Russia.

Russian regulators have singled out RFE/RL, whose editorial independence is also enshrined in U.S. law, over other foreign news operations in Russia.

If Moscow proceeds with these actions, then we are prepared to work with your administration in considering using existing U.S. laws to punish Russia, said the letter, which was signed by Representatives Greg Meeks and Michael McCaul, the top Democrat and top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Three other lawmakers also signed.

Those laws include the Magnitsky Act, the Global Magnitsky Act, and the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act -- all of which have been used heavily over the past nine years to target Russian officials with visa bans and freezing assets.

The Biden administration has signaled that it plans to take a new approach in U.S. relations with Russia, extending a major arms-control treaty while also voicing support for opposition groups, including anti-corruption crusader Aleksei Navalny.

However, Russian officials have already made several aggressive moves, including accusing Washington of being behind the massive anti-government protests that swept across Russia on January 23 in support of Navalny.

Navalny was jailed a week ago when he flew to Moscow after recuperating in Germany from a poisoning attack that he blames on Putin. The Kremlin has denied any involvement.

Crisis In Belarus Read our coverage as Belarusians continue to demand the resignation of Alyaksandr Lukashenka amid a brutal crackdown on protesters. The West refuses to recognize him as the country's legitimate leader after an August 9 election considered fraudulent.

RFE/RLs news operations are a crucial tool to strengthen our allies democracies and prevent the democratic backsliding that opens the door for Russia, China, and other autocratic competitors to advance their own nefarious interests, the letter said.

Since early in Vladimir Putins presidency, the Kremlin has steadily tightened the screws on independent media. The country is ranked 149th out of 180 places in the World Press Freedom Index produced by Reporters Without Borders.

Following the August presidential election, Belarusians took to the streets, accusing Lukashenka and government authorities of falsifying the vote. The protests, unprecedented in their size, have continued on a near-daily basis, despite a government crackdown.

The election result has been rejected by many Western countries, who have called for a new vote.
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The second wave of Bollywood film releases, including big-star ventures, is about to hit over the top (OTT) platforms as producers remain unsure about a theatrical release with cinemas running at 50 percent capacity.

According to industry insiders, John Abraham's Mumbai Saga has been sold to Amazon Prime Video for around Rs 65 crore. The films makers, however, have not confirmed the news yet.

Next is Parineeti Chopra's Girl on The Train, which will be released on Netflix. Other films that are in talks with OTT platforms for direct digital release include Kartik Aaryan's Dhamaka, and Sanya Malhotra's Pagglait.

While coronavirus-induced restrictions on audience are a big factor, limited traction in theatres for films like Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari and Indoo Ki Jawani will also be weighing on producers mind. Suraj Pe did a business of Rs three crore and Indoo Ki Jawani could only manage Rs one crore.

So far, amid big star ventures, only Salman Khan's Radhe is officially slotted for Eid holiday. Other offerings like Akshay Kumar's Sooryavanshi and Ranveer Singh's 83 still dont have a release date.

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

It was Ayushmann Khurrana's Gulabo Sitabo that started the trend of direct to digital releases during the lockdown.

As many as 24 Hindi films have released on OTT in the last 10 months.

Film trade experts think that small and medium budget films may continue to release on OTTs directly, as producers who may not have a capital holding capacity are likely to go to video-streaming platforms.

But Karan Taurani, Vice-President, Elara Capital, said movies going to OTTs was not a threat to cinemas as it was a temporary shift.

OTTs paying hefty premiums for small and medium wouldnt be sustainable for a long time.

OTTs paid 80 percent higher premiums to small and medium-size films and 120 percent higher premiums for bigger ventures during COVID-19 lockdown as compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Experts think that as shoots have resumed, OTTs will focus on web series.

"Its only a matter of one large Hindi film coming to cinemas and doing as well as (south film) Master, which in turn will persuade producers to release their films," Taurani said.
NORFOLK - Farmers that have yet to renew their chemigation permits are encouraged to do so right away as the deadline is Tuesday.
Russia is ready to hold a dialogue with the new Biden administration to further strengthen the bilateral ties, a Kremlin spokesman told Interfax news agency, adding that President Vladimir Putin was willing to talk if his US counterpart was ready to resolve differences between the two nations. The relations between Moscow and Washington had thawed over allegations on Ukraine for election meddling during the Trump presidency.

The two nations' ties remained strained on matters of Syria after at least seven American soldiers were injured in a collision with a Russian vehicle. Both Russian and US governments blamed each other for the collision in north-eastern Syria as footages broadcasted by the Russian nationalist website, Rusvesna.su, showed Russias desert military convoy ramming into US armoured vehicle with Russian helicopter flying overhead.

US defence spokesperson accused Russian troops of entering restricted security zone where US troops were stationed. The two countries accused each other and relations dismantled as Russia back the Syrian government while the Americans lent support to Kurdish fighters. In the recent statement made in the states press, Kremlin expressed willingness to resume talks with the newly formed Biden administration.

Read: Russia: Police Arrest Over 3,000 Protesters Demanding Alexei Navalny's Release

Read: US Condemns Russia's Use Of Harsh Tactics Against Protesters, Journalists

US State Dept. condemns Russia

Earlier in a strong reaction to the reports of Russias unsanctioned rallies calling for the release of Kremlin critic Navalny, Spokesperson for the US State Dept. Ned Price condemned Moscows use of force to silence the demonstrators. The US strongly condemns the use of harsh tactics against peaceful protesters and journalists in Russia today. We call on Russia to release those detained for exercising their rights, including Aleksey Navalny, and to credibly investigate his poisoning, a spokesperson for US State Dept. said. Demonstrators gathered in defiance of Russian authorities around Pushkin Square in the city centre to demand Putin's rivals release. Violent scuffles broke out between the Police and the protesters as helmeted officers manhandled the mob.

Read: Russia Accuses US Embassy Of Publishing 'protest Routes' To Back Kremlin Arch-foe Navalny

Read: Alexei Navalny's Wife Detained By Russian Police At Moscow Protest
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost two-thirds of their top line when Joe Thornton and Auston Matthews were ruled out at the same time earlier this week, and now they might be looking for a little bit of a boost upfront. While Matthews isnt expected out long with his minor issue, Thornton is out for at least a month with a fractured rib. Add in Nick Robertsons knee injury from earlier in the month and it didnt come as much of a surprise when Sportsnets Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday Headlines that the Maple Leafs are looking around for an addition at forward.

Its not that the Maple Leafs have no depth, as they showed when Adam Brooks stepped into the lineup and scored a powerplay goal against the Edmonton Oilers, but some of the newcomers havent been able to contribute much so far. Alexander Barabanov and Wayne Simmonds have both been held entirely scoreless through the first six games while Jimmy Vesey has two goals and no assists. When the Maple Leafs traded away Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson to clear cap space in the offseason, they hoped these players could pick up some of the secondary scoring loadso far, they havent.

Of course, Toronto is already performing a delicate salary cap dance this season, moving players up and down from the taxi squad whenever they can to try and bank cap space. It resulted in the loss of goaltender Aaron Dell when they were forced to place him on waivers and doesnt leave a lot of flexibility to make a trade.

The team isnt going to be shipping out one of their high-priced talents, meaning any improvement would have to come on the margins of the roster at this point. Perhaps one option would be moving a defenseman as high profile KHL signing Mikko Lehtonen and top prospect Rasmus Sandin cant find their way into the lineup on a regular basis. Still, if they remove any of that depth the same issue could crop up quickly with an injury on the backend.
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - A Brazil Indiana man is in jail after investigators say he molested two girls. According to Indiana State Police, Matthew Pugh was arrested Saturday morning.

The investigation started with Sullivan city police and led to an arrest warrant in late December.

State police arrest Pugh.

Investigators say he molested two girls under the age of 14.

He is being held in the Sullivan county jail.

Tensions had reached a boiling point over a natural gas pipeline in northern British Columbia when a Wet'suwet'en hereditary chief said he made a phone call that changed everything.

Wet'suwet'en supporters and Coastal GasLink opponents continue to protest outside the B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, February 27, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Tensions had reached a boiling point over a natural gas pipeline in northern British Columbia when a Wet'suwet'en hereditary chief said he made a phone call that changed everything.

Na'moks, who also goes by John Ridsdale, was among a group of hereditary chiefs whose opposition to the project on Wet'suwet'en traditional territory last year sparked demonstrations and rail blockades across Canada, and provoked debates about Indigenous rights and reconciliation.

He was on his way to Victoria to stand with Indigenous youth occupying the B.C. legislature steps when he called home as the new coronavirus spread across Canada.

"I thought we were making great strides," Na'moks said in an interview.

"We made a few calls home and they said, no, you're coming home."

Na'moks said he has been at home near Smithers ever since.

Very little seemed like it could draw attention away from the movement but a global pandemic met the threshold.

Nearly one year later, talks between the hereditary chiefs and the provincial and federal governments over a rights and title agreement are behind schedule but ongoing. With the pipeline excluded from the agreement, however, tensions remain poised to rise again as work continues and the consequences for both resource development and reconciliation hang in the balance.

"We're still in it," Na'moks said. "It makes it difficult. Who expected a pandemic? But that doesn't mean we've stopped."

National attention turned to a remote forest service road in northern British Columbia after the B.C. Supreme Court granted Coastal GasLink a new injunction against opponents who blocked the route to a work site.

It was the second time in two years that the company turned to the court and ultimately the RCMP to clear the path for its workers after it said attempts at dialogue were unsuccessful.

The 670-kilometre Coastal GasLink pipeline was approved by both the province and all 20 elected First Nations councils along its path to transport natural gas from northeastern B.C. to a processing and export facility on the coast in Kitimat.

However, Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs claimed the project had no authority without consent through their traditional system of governance, inspiring supporters across the country to act in solidarity. The hostilities diffused in March when the chiefs announced alongside B.C. and federal officials that they'd reached a tentative agreement setting terms to discuss rights and title. They announced they would sign the agreement in April, opening negotiations over its implementation.

The chiefs were in their second or third round of consultations with community members over the agreement when Na'moks said the pandemic made it impossible to meet.

Talks with government officials have resumed virtually, but they're delayed by about a year, he said.

Although the pipeline is not part of the agreement, the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs have a number of other areas of concern. They include full recognition of their jurisdiction over child wellness, water and 22,000 square kilometres of territory.

Na'moks said they want to be clear that the relationship is a nation-to-nation one.

"This in no way resembles any form of treaty, we're not here for a treaty," Na'moks said.

Some elected Wet'suwet'en council members who argued last year that they should be at the negotiating table remain disappointed that they're not.

Karen Ogen-Toews, a councillor with the Wet'suwet'en First Nation, said the pipeline conflict exacerbated rifts within the community that still need healing. She believes the rail blockades meant provincial and federal officials signed under duress.

"Our people have been divided," she said. "That needs to be dealt with before we can move forward as a Wet'suwet'en nation."

The elected councils may be colonial constructs, she said, but it doesn't change the fact that they've played an important leadership role for decades and want the best for their people, too.

For Ogen-Toews, who is also CEO of the First Nations LNG Alliance, signing an agreement with Coastal GasLink was an opportunity to continue that work. Jobs on the project represent an opportunity to close the socio-economic gap between non-Indigenous and Indigenous people, who face greater rates of poverty, unemployment, poor housing and poor health.

It doesn't mean she isn't critical of the company either.

"I think the procurement opportunities can be increased, can be better," she said. "We dont want just the bare minimum. We would like more opportunities."

Coastal GasLink did not respond directly to a question about procurement opportunities.

But in a statement, the company said it is delivering significant benefits to Indigenous and local communities. To date, nearly $1 billion in contracts have been awarded, $875-million of which has been won by Indigenous groups or businesses, the statement said.

Until the governance question is sorted out, Ogen-Toews said she believes the rights and title issue should come to halt.

"At the end of the day it's our people, it's our clan members, our band members who are the same people who will be impacted."

Work continues on the Coastal GasLink project and opponents are still resisting, even if gatherings are prohibited under public health orders.

Molly Wickham, who also goes by Sleydo, is the spokeswoman for the Gidimt'en checkpoint, one of the camps along the forest road where Mounties arrested pipeline opponents in 2019 and 2020.

She said she never expected the Wet'suwet'en resistance to dominate the front pages of newspapers forever and has spent a lot of the past year thinking about more lasting change.

"We all know, who are in this movement, that there's a lot of work and a lot of strategizing and a lot of thinking about, how do we make this a sustainable movement for Indigenous sovereignty for the long term?"

The answer she's landed on is "quite complex," she said.

Occupying the territory is a major step. It's not only important for Indigenous people to reconnect with ancestral lands, but also adds weight to any arguments they make in Canadian courts, she said.

Wet'suwet'en members began reoccupying the territory before Coastal GasLink was proposed, she said. She moved her own family into a cabin on the territory in 2014.

Reclaiming systems of government is another step forward, even if some knowledge has been interrupted by colonialism, Wickham said.

There's also strength in numbers. There's no way government would have agreed to negotiate had it not been for others, like Mohawk supporters who led rail blockades in Ontario, she said.

"I see it as a collective struggle," she said. "Absolutely every situation is unique but we're all in this together."

Wickham said she doesn't believe the rights and title negotiations affect what happens on the ground with Coastal GasLink. As long as the work is ongoing, she's prepared to resist.

"It doesn't matter whether they talk for another year or another 10 years. The Wet'suwet'en remain opposed to this project and will take action in accordance with our government," she said.

Occupations on the scale seen in 2019 and 2020 aren't likely while COVID-19 remains a real threat. In the past, the opposition relied heavily on allies who flocked to the territory to occupy the camps, so elders wouldn't be put at risk, she said.

But local members have begun occupying new parts of the territory nonetheless, including a hunting blind in a ravine near Wedzin'kwa, also known as the Morice River, which has been a focal point of the movement to protect the land.

The river is critical habitat for salmon and is central to Wetsuweten identity and survival, she said.

A Coastal GasLink work schedule suggests the company plans to divert part of the river to lay pipe and locals are prepared to fight if that happens, she said.

Coastal GasLink did not respond directly to a question about whether the new occupations were affecting progress or whether diverting or drilling under the river was planned in spring.

Beyond the pandemic, the provincial election also saw a new Indigenous relations minister take charge of the Wet'suwet'en file.

Murray Rankin served as British Columbia's lead negotiator in talks with the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs in 2019 before replacing cabinet minister Scott Fraser, who did not seek re-election last year.

Rankin, who has a background in Indigenous law, sees his role as offering assistance as the Wet'suwet'en mend internal conflicts and confirm a governance structure.

"It's obviously for them as a nation to decide amongst themselves how they wish to go forward. I want to do whatever I can in assisting in moving forward in a positive way," Rankin said.

The unresolved issues could be seen as dating back to 1846, when Britain asserted sovereignty. Or it could date to the 1997 Delgamuukw case, which won the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs and their Gitxsan neighbours recognition of their Aboriginal title as an ancestral right in the Supreme Court of Canada. The court did not specify where it applied.

"The chief justice said we're all here to stay and encouraged the governments of Canada and British Columbia to negotiate a lasting resolution. Well, here we are a generation later and we're doing that work," Rankin said.

"I wish we had done it earlier, but there's no time like the present to make progress."

During his time as negotiator, Rankin said it was made clear that the agreement over rights and title would not affect Coastal GasLink, which was a permitted and approved.

"They were coincident in time, but our work did not involve CGL, nor does the current negotiation involve that particular project," he said.

The tentative agreement is only a starting point to engage the province, federal government and Wet'suwet'en nation in a process for determining what their relationship looks like in the future, he said.

In addition to the ongoing negotiations, the province is also working with non-Indigenous communities and others with a stake in the outcome.

"We want to make sure that when we do come up with an agreement that it attracts the support of the communities affected," he said.

Of course, the pandemic isn't helping.

"You can imagine how difficult it is to negotiate by Zoom, negotiating by Zoom is never easy. The pandemic has required us to honour the health protocol," he said, but "that is to the detriment, I think, of the honest conversations that occur when you're sitting around a table."

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett declined an interview request, but in a statement she said the Supreme Court encouraged parties in the Delgamuukw case to pursue good faith negotiations and that's what Canada is focused on.

"We firmly believe strong and self-reliant Indigenous nations that are able to fulfil their right to self-determination will lead to healthy and sustainable Indigenous communities with improved well-being and economic prosperity. Supporting Indigenous communities as they choose their path to rebuild their nations is critical to reconciliation and renewing our relationship," the statement said.

"Our commitment to continue our negotiations to implement Wetsuweten rights and title is strong."

When Coastal GasLink announced in 2018 that it had signed agreements with all 20 First Nation along its proposed path, then-president Rick Gateman declared it an important milestone.

"When we first began this project over six years ago, our goal was to build more than just relationships with First Nations communities in B.C.; it was to build trusted partnerships, and that has made all the difference," he said in a statement at the time.

Gary Naziel, an elected councillor of the Witset First Nation on Wet'suwet'en territory, called it a testament to what can be achieved when industry and First Nations work together.

In addition to opposition from the hereditary leadership, the project has faced the added challenge of COVID-19.

In an update Friday, the company said one quarter of construction is complete but long-term impacts on the project schedule were still being assessed.

The company declined to make anyone available for an interview but provided a statement on what happened a year ago.

"When we reflect on the events of early 2020 and the blockades across Canada, we are reminded of the importance of constructive dialogue based on mutual respect, working together to resolve the issues that affect all of us and perhaps more importantly, the vital importance of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples," it said.

"These are discussions that transcend a single project."

The company continues to communicate with Indigenous communities across the route, including hereditary and elected Wet'suwet'en representatives, it said.

"While we understand there are those who will never support the project, we appreciate the opportunities to remain engaged in open dialogue."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 24, 2020.


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former President Donald Trump considered replacing the acting attorney general with an official willing to pursue unsubstantiated claims of election fraud, and he pushed the Justice Department to ask the Supreme Court to invalidate President Joe Bidens victory, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.

Citing people familiar with the matter, the Journal said the efforts in the last weeks of Trump's presidency failed because of resistance from his Justice appointees who refused to file what they viewed as a legally baseless lawsuit in the Supreme Court.

Other senior department officials later threatened to resign if Trump fired then-acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, several people familiar with the discussions told the Journal.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters on Saturday.

Senior officials including Rosen, former Attorney General William Barr and former acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall refused to file the Supreme Court case, concluding there was no basis to challenge the election outcome and the federal government had no legal interest in whether Trump or Biden won the presidency, some of these people told the Journal.

Then-White House counsel Pat Cipollone and his deputy, Patrick Philbin, also opposed Trumps idea, which was promoted by his outside attorneys, these people said.

After his Supreme Court plan got nowhere, Trump explored replacing Rosen with Jeffrey Clark, a Trump ally who had expressed a willingness to use the departments power to help Trump continue his unsuccessful legal battles contesting the election results, the people told the Journal.

Trump backed off that plan after the threats from senior Justice Department leadership to resign if Rosen were removed, people familiar with the discussions said.

The plan to oust Rosen was first reported by the New York Times.

A Trump adviser, asked to respond to the U.S. media reports, said the former president "has consistently argued that our justice system should be investigating the broader, rampant election fraud that has plagued our system for years. Any assertion to the contrary is false and being driven by those who wish to keep the system broken."

Story continues

Democrats reacted with fury on Saturday to the New York Times' report, with Senator Richard Durbin, incoming chairman of the Judiciary Committee, saying he would investigate efforts to use the Justice Department to further Trump's efforts to overthrow the election results. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calling on the department's inspector general, Michael E. Horowitz, to investigate this attempted sedition.

Trump's relentless and baseless claims of election fraud - and his refusal to acknowledge Biden's victory - culminated on Jan. 6 when Trump urged a rally of his supporters to march to the Capitol to protest the certification of the results. The resulting rampage led to five deaths, including a Capitol police officer.

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives impeached Trump for a second time a week later for inciting the insurrection at the Capitol, and a Senate trial on the charge will begin the week of Feb. 8. Biden took office on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Timothy Gardner and John Whitesides; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Daniel Wallis)
For the first time in over five decades that India will not have a chief guest at Republic Day 2021 parade. The decision was taken after UK PM Boris Johnson's decided cancel his visit due to the spread of a mutant strain of the coronavirus in the UK

With just one day to go for Republic Day parade on 26 January (Tuesday), India is all set to display its military might during the annual parade. However, this year's parade will be different from previous years as it is for the first time that it will be held amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath tomorrow are likely to see a number of changes including smaller marching contingents, shorter distance for the parade and fewer spectators compared to the previous years.

India will mark its 72nd Republic Day this year, and it will be the first major public event in since the COVID-19 outbreak.

This is also the second year in a row that the parade will be held under the shadow of protests. In 2020, the parade was held under raging protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

This year, the event will occur amid the backdrop of farmer's protests. Thousands of farmers from across the country have been protesting at several Delhi border points against the Centre's new agriculture laws for nearly two months.

The unions representing the farmers have already begun holding tractor rallies at villages in Punjab to mobilise people for the demonstration on Republic Day.

In view of the pandemic, the celebrations will take place with many changes, including a shorter route for the parade and less public participation in the event. The overall scale and size of the parade have also been restricted.

No chief guest

For starters, there will no chief guest this year. As per the Ministry of External Affairs, there will be no foreign leader as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations due to the global situation arising out of the coronavirus pandemic.

It will be for the first time in over five decades that India will not have a chief guest at the Republic Day Parade.

"Due to the global COVID-19 situation, it has been decided that this year there will not be a foreign head of state or head of government as the chief guest for our Republic Day event," said MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava, during a media briefing earlier this month.

The decision was taken after UK prime minister Boris Johnson's last-minute decision to cancel his visit due to the spread of a mutant strain of the coronavirus in the UK.

Johnson, accepting India's invitation to be the Republic Day chief guest, called it "a great honour".

Smaller crowds

As per PTI, 25,000 spectators will be allowed to witness the celebrations as against a normal crowd of around 1 lakh and that children below 15 years of age will not be allowed entry.

The tickets for the general public have been also been limited to 4,500 this year.

Similarly, the size of the marching contingents is likely to be brought down from around 144 in each contingent to around 96. Each member of the contingent will be wearing a mask, as per the protocol laid down by the government to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 .

Meanwhile, the seating arrangements for the public and dignitaries have been made keeping in mind social distancing norms. Chairs have been separated by several feet.

Shorter parade

The parade  which usually starts from Vijay Chowk and winds its way down to the Red Fort and covers a distance of 8.2 kilometres  is expected to terminate at the National Stadium. This means that it will cover just about one third or about 3.3 km, reported Mint.

As per The Indian Express, the tableaux will be allowed to perform at Red Fort. Among the 32 tableaux in the parade, the Union Territory of Ladakh will be participating for the first time. It will showcase the Indian Astronomical Observatory, located at Hanle near Leh, one of the worlds highest sites for optical, infrared and gamma-ray telescopes.

The heritage of the ancient city of Ayodhya, replica of the Ram temple, glimpse of 'Deepotsav' and various stories from the Ramayana epic will be depicted in the tableau of Uttar Pradesh which will be showcased in parade. The bedecked tableau has a sitting model of Maharishi Valmiki at the front and the replica of the temple is at the back

This year will also see Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth being a part of the IAFs tableau featuring mock-ups of a light combat aircraft, a light combat helicopter and a Sukhoi fighter jet fitted with made-in-India missiles. One of the major attractions will the Rafale fighter jets doing a 'vertical charlie' at the end of the flypast. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will also display a vintage Dakota aircraft.

'Safe bubbles' and increased security

Over 2,000 Indian Army personnel have arrived in Delhi since late November for Republic Day and Army Day parades and they are being kept in a "safe bubble".

The "safe bubble", created in the Cantonment area, comprises a large number of camps and those selected to stay in them will have almost "zero connectivity" with the outside world till the Republic Day celebrations on 26 January are over.

The Delhi Police has also come up with an elaborate plan for security during the event. Nearly 75 percent (more than 65,000) of the citys 87,000 police personnel will be on duty, supported by heavy barricading at many intersections, checkpoints on arterial roads, iron barricading at borders, and sniffer dogs and metal detectors along Rajpath and the India Gate roundabout, through which the Republic Day Parade passes, a senior police officer told ThePrint.

In a new addition this year, at least 122 soldiers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces will be taking part in the parade. According to a press statement issued by the High Commission of India in Dhaka, this is only the third time since Independence that a foreign military contingent has been invited to participate in the national parade.

Veteran Day's parade, CAPF motorcycle stunts cancelled

According to Hindustan Times, the veterans parade by ex-servicemen and women, too, has been called off, and so has the parade by recipients of the national bravery awards.

Government officials told the newspaper said these events were cancelled because the elderly and children are more susceptible to contract COVID-19 .

Even the motorcycle stunts by troops of the army and the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel have been cancelled.

Farmers' tractor rally

Thousands of farmers are set to participate in a tractor rally on 26 January in Delhi, as farmers' leaders claimed on Saturday that the Delhi Police has granted permission for the mega event.

However, Delhi Police Additional Public Relation Officer Anil Mittal was quoted by PTI as saying, "We are in the final stages of talks with the farmers."

It is unlikely that this rally will effect the parade as farmers have agreed to begin only after the completion of the official parade on Rajpath and not to venture beyond areas adjoining the protest sites. Farmers union leaders have also underlined the rally will be peaceful and they will stick to the pre-decided route.

Over two lakh tractors are expected to take part in the parade and there will be around five routes. The tractor parades will be taken out only after 12 pm, after the Republic Day Parade on Delhi's Rajpath concludes, according to protesting farmer unions.

Farmer leaders said that five routes have been decided in-principle and farmers will cover 100 kilometres with tractors on every route, and added that 70 to 78 percent of the routes will culminate inside Delhi while the remaining will be outside the National Capital.

PTI quoted sources as saying that one possible route for the tractor parade from Singhu border will be to Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar and it will pass through the Kanjhawala and Bawana areas and then return to the protest site.

Farmers camping at the Tikri border point will start their tractor parade from the protest site and cover areas like Nangloi, Najafgarh, Badli, and Kundli-Manesar Palwal (KMP) Expressway, they said.

For farmers camping at the Ghazipur border point, their tractor parade will cover areas like Apsra border-Ghaziabad-Duhai and return to Ghazipur, the sources said.

Meanwhile, a control room has been set up by the unions to make arrangements for the 26 January tractor parade.

A farmer leader said that 2,500 volunteers will be deployed to facilitate the movement of tractors, but their number could be increased depending upon the crowd.

With inputs from PTI
The effort by Democrats to impeach and convict President Trump is raising questions that, in a well-functioning society, would be reserved for law school exams. In such a society, Trump wouldnt have acted as he did during his final days and Democrats would be content with the fact that those were his final days.

One question raised is whether a president can be impeached after he leaves office. A second is who presides over such an impeachment trial.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides when a sitting president is tried by the Senate. But in the case of an ex-president, the answer is less clear.

The Constitution says: When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside. But Donald Trump is not the president. Thus, if he can be tried as an ex-president, the Constitution doesnt require that the Chief Justice preside. The presumption, I suppose, is that he will not preside  that, instead, the vice president will, as she normally does over Senate proceedings.

I imagine the main reason for having the Chief Justice preside in the case of a sitting president is to avoid a conflict of interest. The vice president might well have an interest in the outcome of such a trial because she would ascend to the presidency in the event of removal.

Kamala Harris is not conflicted in this case in that way. She will not become president if Trump is convicted.

Nonetheless, Harris has a conflict of interest, and not just because shes a partisan Democrat asked to preside over a partisan proceeding. If Trump is convicted, he can then be barred, by a simple majority vote, from holding office again. If not convicted, Trump might well be on the ballot as a presidential candidate in 2024, either as the Republican nominee or the nominee of his own party.

Harris will likely be on the ballot in 2024, maybe as the Democratic candidate for vice president or maybe as its presidential nominee. Thus, she has a personal stake in the outcome of the impeachment trial (though whether it cuts in favor of conviction or against it can be debated).

Personally, I hope Harris presides. An impeachment trial of an ex-president doesnt deserve the dignity of the Chief Justices presence. With Harris presiding, the proceeding will look all the more absurd and all the more partisan. So, quite possibly, will Harris.

In addition, Harris may make rulings that further alienate her from Republican members. Thus, it might diminish the chances for collegiality in the Senate, which I hope are already slight.
Police on Saturday evening detained protesters outside the Moscow prison where Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is being held. Rows of demonstrators lined the streets outside Matrosskaya Tishina prison, calling for Navalny's release. A large group of officers in riot gear could be seen arriving and detaining several protesters in a police van.

It came after a day of protests across Russia, with more than 2,100 people arrested. Navalny was arrested last week when he returned to Moscow from Germany, where he had spent five months recovering from a severe nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin and which Russian authorities deny. He faces a court hearing in early February to determine whether his suspended sentence in a case for fraud and money-laundering - which Navalny says was politically motivated - is converted to three and a half years behind bars.

(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)

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Our clinic is a place rich in diversity and culture. Many of our patients are recent immigrants, coming from over 50 different countries. While they bring a zest for opportunities living within the United States, they often face many barriers in seizing them. Most notably, the language barrier is very present and one that has been exacerbated during the COVID pandemic.

COVID has changed many things, and one most visible to us as Pediatricians is the closure of schools. For a period of time, school districts within central Ohio adopted a hybrid model. However, with rising numbers, some have decided to stay fully online.

This means that the children are now again isolated from many resources that would have been available to them. While the schools have done a herculean task in developing home instruction, there are just some things that cannot be done via zoom. Notably, for non-native English speakers or those who struggle with English, they can easily hide from the Zoom cameras to not show this. In real life, teachers are trained to look for this and to help quickly.

Without this help, the task falls on the parents to augment their teaching, and for many, this is just not possible. Parents strive to do all that they can to promote their childs flourishing. As you can imagine, it can be frustrating for a parent who is not fluent or confident in their English proficiency to navigate resources within their childs school or to even teach topics discussed in class. While parents may not be able to teach lessons learned through school, we have tried to encourage parents to still teach their children in their own ways.

We had earlier written about the use of maps in every one of our exam rooms to help our families feel welcome. Now the maps are serving another positive purpose as well. One example highlights this: A mother who immigrated to Ohio from West Africa several years ago came in with her elementary school-aged son. When asked where they came from, mom quickly replied and then added that Emmanuel, her sons name, is commonly used in her country. She then proceeded to tell us that the name meant God is with us (if interested, our names mean God is my strength and Helper of mankind respectively), and why she chose it, eliciting a masked smile from her son. With little prompting, she then discussed her country and even showed us pictures of the city she grew up in. Her son sat there amazed by moms passion and the joy she had in sharing this with us. Now she was the teacher and a very capable one at that, and we were the students. Emmanuel took notice, entranced by moms teaching.

Many of our immigrant childrens struggles have due to COVID-induced schooling modifications are real and not going away any time soon. These need to be accounted for as schools regroup and prepare for longer online times than they anticipated. As pediatricians, we can help with this by either reaching out for an individual patient (our social workers have been great with this) or with broader legislative and financial discussions. But we can also, for several brief moments, empower our parents to feel better about themselves, to let them realize that they can teach their children more effectively than they realize, and to not lose hope.

As this mom was leaving the room, we thanked her for the mini-lecture about her country, to which she replied, No, thank you, smiling so broadly that even the mask could not hide it.

Gabriella Gonzales is a pediatric resident. Alexander Rakowsky is a pediatrician.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Sorting out truth to reveal reality is a goal of mine. This presents a new basis for living that is a firm foundation upon to which to build a new life. A higher perception appears. The past has no more influence over my old reactions. My vision moves forward from the fearful past into seeing everything as good.

Looking at personal character flaws offers new glasses to see what is really going on and how to become a better person. Realizing that situations were learning experiences through this journey of life, I do not have to judge them as bad. They are necessary to move beyond the experience for energy to shift into a higher vibration of understanding. What is the lesson from this event?

I recently had a deep meaningful occurrence. I was on a road that was not marked that is was a detour from the regular route into town. I drove and drove ending up in another town and needed to return to my city for an errand. It wasted time and gasoline. The trip was to obtain a new disability placard for the car. When I presented the paperwork, I found the doctor had mismarked the information. I would not get the usual two cards, but only one. This would cause a problem because I use one in each car.

As I returned home from this unpredictable event, I was doubled over in physical pain in my stomach. I asked myself where was the pain coming from and went into meditation for answers. I found two answers. I was not in shame for this not falling smoothly together. The painful piece of the puzzle was that I never had a voice in this predicament or in growing up. The lack of a sign to warn me of a detour and the doctor's mistake were out of my control. My anger came up like a volcano exploding.

In my rageful outburst, the space was cleaned out from the past stuffed feelings and it felt like relief. Realizing that currently I have found my voice in support groups, with friends, and in counseling, I no longer need to stay angry, because I have a say today in my activities. It was time for that buried ire to leave. This meant I was free from its influencing my current decisions and behaviors. I feel a difference within me of being more complete, like some of my soul was healed.

Healing the inner me is the answer. I can no longer pretend who I am. I need to allow all old stuffed feelings to leave from this deeper level. I understand that my consciousness is what people see in me. Am I projecting fearful, angry, shamed, or other feelings? Releasing these old emotions is necessary for growing into the authentic me, created in the love of the universe that are higher frequencies. This is the real shift into maturity. In the Bible, it is explained as building your life on solid ground.

It is not possible to have anger and faith at the same time. I chose to walk in faith and put myself in the arms of love that is my inheritance. A firm foundation creates a new basis for life. Through faith and trust, it is possible to rise above the past. This is often referred to as being born again.

When appropriately addressed it brings maturity. When turning my life over to a Creative Intelligence, a Spirit of the Universe underlying the totality of things, I feel a new power and direction to continue in my spiritual journey. My new walk in faith moves me from my childish reactions. It is not my job to look for love, but to find the barriers that stop my connection to that higher frequency. I yield to being in a consciousness of inner peace.

Love has always been within my heart. I was afraid to listen and be vulnerable. This is my defining moment, a decision to move beyond past difficulties. When my energy of consciousness rises into a higher awareness, my feet are on solid soil while my eyes see beyond the old problems.

Negative emotions of prior years stopped blessings like a shield in front of me. They had to leave emotionally, to clear the channel for a conscious connection to a higher power. Being in gratitude daily opens my heart to receive my inheritance waiting for me. The wrath that came up had to leave so I could grow beyond the past into living in the "NOW". It actually was necessary for my growth and to clear out the channel to God.

I need to give up being the manager of my life. For me surrendering for caring guidance and direction from my heart was the most difficult decision and action I have taken. I choose to replace that ego driven life to become an agent of love. This was the turning point in my life. Many call it maturity or Christ Consciousness.

With a new foundation, it is possible to move into forgiveness, compassion, and unconditional love that transports being in the world, but not of it. Fresh feelings of harmony, serenity, and joy fill me. Gratitude for the burdens and tribulations of the past leaving is a relief. The new me is a spiritual being letting go of human burdens and errors as I grow back to my source. Reality is living in the moment. This is a gift and why it is called The Present.

Marilyn Redmond was currently accepted into the prodigious book "Who's Who in America". Her books are being distributed internationally to prisons by the Edgar Cayce Organization. She is an ordained spiritual minister for counseling, readings, regression, and healing. Marilyn can help you find health, happiness, and prosperity. She is an internationally board-certified regressionist for past life therapy and on the American Board of Hypnotherapy. In addition, she is a teacher, speaker, and medium. Marilyn gives readings and healing information from the other side for illness, relationships, and issues in your life. Her work offers tools, information, and help for you to grow beyond disease and difficulties into health and happiness.
Eugene Goodman steering Capitol rioters away from Senate chamber (Twitter)

A bipartisan group of Senators has introduced a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Eugene Goodman, a US Capitol police officer who single-handedly led a group of rioters away from the Senate chamber just moments before they breached the door during the 6 January attack on the Capitol.

Its one of the highest honors the body can offer a civilian, and piggybacks on a similar effort from the House of Representatives earlier this month.

The Officer Eugene Goodman Congressional Gold Medal Act describes how the officers quick thinking left an indelible mark on American history. The bill was introduced by senators Thom Tillis, Chris Van Hollen, Chris Coons, Sherrod Brown, and Ben Cardin.

Officer Eugue Goodmans selfless and quick-thinking actions doubtlessly saved lives and bought security personnel precious time to secure and ultimately evacuate the Senate before the armed mob breached the chamber, the act reads. By putting his own life on the line and successfully, single-handedly leading insurrectionists away from the floor of the Senate Chamber, Officer Eugene Goodman performed his duty to protect Congress with distinction, and by his actions, Officer Goodman left an indelible mark on American history.

Officer Goodman delayed the approach of the mob, announced their location to other officers, diverted them towards addition waiting officers, buying time for senators to evacuate with minutes to spare.

The officer, who previously served in the Armys XVIII Airborne Corps, was also honored with escorted vice president Kamala Harris at the inauguration, and made acting deputy sergeant at arms of the Senate, after top security officials resigned following the catastrophic breach that led to the Capitol attack.

While Mr Goodman is being honored for his service during the riot, others are being punished. Opening arguments in Donald Trumps second impeachment trial will begin in early February, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer announced on Friday.

Story continues

Earlier in the week GOP senators Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz were the subject of an ethics complaint for their role in challenging the certification of the presidential election results on the day of the riot.

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Capitol riot hero Eugene Goodman applauded as he escorts Kamala Harris

Lawmakers move to award officer Eugene Goodman congressional medal

Jill Biden visits Capitol troops with cookies amid garage row

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One of President Joe Biden's top economic aides on Sunday will press Democratic and Republican senators for a fresh $1.9 trillion in coronavirus relief to help struggling Americans and avert a larger economic crisis.

Brian Deese, director of the National Economic Council, said he would speak to the senators to make the case for a large rescue plan.

'We can't wait,' White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Sunday. 'Just because Washington has been gridlocked before doesn't mean it needs to continue to be gridlocked.'

The COVID-19 pandemic has killed more than 417,000 Americans, thrown millions out of work and is infecting more than 175,000 Americans per day, posing an immediate crisis to the Biden administration.

Biden, who took office on Wednesday, campaigned on a promise to aggressively take on the pandemic, which his predecessor President Donald Trump often downplayed and provided conflicting information about.

'The bottom line is this: We're in a national emergency, and we need to act like we're in a national emergency,' Biden said on Friday before signing executive orders on economic relief

'We can't wait,' White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. 'Just because Washington has been gridlocked before doesn't mean it needs to continue to be gridlocked'

While Congress has already authorized $4 trillion to respond, the White House argues that another $1.9 trillion is needed to cover the costs of responding to the virus, as well as providing enhanced jobless benefits and payments to households.

'The bottom line is this: We're in a national emergency, and we need to act like we're in a national emergency,' Biden said on Friday before signing executive orders on economic relief.

The newly elected president added that he believed his relief plan would help to lift five million children from the ranks of the poor and slash child poverty in half.

The plan includes additional stimulus checks of $1,400, tax breaks and $400 extra in unemployment benefit.

Overall, these policies would reduce the poverty rate by 3.6 points, to 9 percent  which would be below pre-pandemic levels and lift nearly 12 million Americans out of poverty, according to an analysis reported by CNBC.

Though Biden's Democratic Party holds slim majorities in the House and Senate, the legislation will likely need bipartisan support to clear procedural hurdles and emerge from the Senate.

Brian Deese, director of the National Economic Council, said he would speak to the senators to make the case for a large rescue plan

Brian Deese held a call with a group of Senators - eight Democrats and eight Republicans - on Sunday in an attempt to drum up the necessary bipartisan support of the bill to push it through the Senate.

'President Biden and his advisors will continue to engage and consult bipartisan groups of lawmakers, including today, to make the case why urgent action is needed to get relief to hard-hit communities and families and more resources to public health officials so we can ramp up vaccinations,' one source told CNN.

A number of Republicans have already balked at the $1.9 trillion price tag.

Senator Mitt Romney, a moderate Republican, said he would listen to what the White House had to say, 'but the total figure is pretty shocking,' he told Fox News Sunday.

'Spending and borrowing trillions of dollars from the Chinese among others is not necessarily the best thing we can do to get our economy to be strong long term,' Romney added.

Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said he was hopeful for a show of bipartisanship in the Senate. 'The object is trying to see if there's an area of agreement we can launch when it comes to this rescue package,' he said on NBC's Meet the Press.

Biden signs executive orders as part of the COVID-19 response in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 21

Senator Mitt Romney, a moderate Republican, said he would listen to what the White House had to say, 'but the total figure is pretty shocking'

Pressed on whether Biden will hold out for bipartisanship agreement to pass the package amid growing reports of Republican unease, White House chief of staff Ron Klain said the administration does want to see the proposal passed quickly, but that engaging both sides is not the 'enemy' of speed.

'We're reaching out to people,' Klain said. 'I don't think bipartisanship and speed are enemies of one another. The need is urgent.'

The new president has said one of his top priorities would be unifying a bitterly divided country.

Trump's tenure drew to a close with his second impeachment by the House of Representatives after supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6 in a failed attempt to overturn his election loss. Five people died in the violence.
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Argentina's groundbreaking abortion law went into force Sunday under the watchful eye of women's groups and government officials, who hope to ensure its full implementation despite opposition from some conservative and church groups.

Argentina became the largest nation in Latin America to legalize elective abortion after its Senate on Dec. 30 passed a law guaranteeing the procedure up to the 14th week of pregnancy and beyond that in cases of rape or when a woman's health is at risk.

The vote was hailed as a triumph for the South American country's feminist movement that could pave the way for similar actions across the socially conservative, heavily Roman Catholic region.

Before the new legislation came into force, the only non-punishable terminations of pregnancy were in cases of rape or risk to the mother's health and up to the 12th week of pregnancy, but these were often not performed in more conservative provinces.

Sandra Vazquez, director of Casa Fusa, a health centre that has been advising women about legal abortions, welcomed the new law.

"It puts the poor and the rich, the entire population, on an equal footing to be able to access a service that is voluntary, that is legal," she said.

Abortion counsellor Virginia Braga said many of the women she advised in the past years were so determined to abort, even if that meant putting their lives at risk, given that "forced pregnancy is a situation experienced as torture".

Tamara Grinberg, 32, who had a clandestine abortion in 2012, celebrates that from now on "a woman can go to a hospital to say 'I want to have an abortion' and have support."

When she aborted those who "gave a hand" were counted. Today "there are many networks of women, which is a fight won by feminism," she said.

However, the law's supporters expect backlash including potential lawsuits from anti-abortion groups in Argentina's conservative provinces and some private health clinics potentially refusing to carry out the procedure.

Pope Francis had issued a last-minute appeal before the vote and church leaders have criticized the decision.

The Argentine Catholic Church has repudiated the law and conservative doctors' and lawyers' groups have urged resistance. Doctors and health professionals can claim conscientious objection to performing abortions, but cannot invoke the right if a pregnant woman's life or health was in danger.

A statement signed by the Consortium of Catholic Doctors, the Catholic Lawyers Corporation and other groups called on doctors and lawyers to "resist with nobility, firmness and courage the norm that legalizes the abominable crime of abortion."

The anti-abortion group Unidad Provida also urged doctors, nurses and technicians to fight for their "freedom of conscience" and promised to "accompany them in all the trials that are necessary."

Under the law, private health centers that do not have doctors willing to carry out abortions must refer women seeking abortions to clinics that will. Any public official or health authority who unjustifiably delays an abortion will be punished with imprisonment from three months to one year.

The National Campaign for the Right to Legal, Safe and Free Abortion, an umbrella group for organizations that for years fought for legal abortion, often wearing green scarves at protests, vowed to "continue monitoring compliance with the law."

Argentina, the third-largest country in Latin Americato legalise abortion, joined a list that includes Uruguay, Cuba, Guyana, French Guiana, Mexico City and the Mexican state of Oaxaca.

This step has motivated women's movements from other Latin American countries to resume their campaigns to guarantee abortion, among them El Salvador, which together with Nicaragua, Honduras and the Dominican Republic prohibit it without exceptions and punish it with jail.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) spent R229 million on unregistered COVID-19 medicine from Cuba, and then lost 40% of the consignment because they forgot that the cooling rooms doors were open.

The Mail & Guardian reported in October 2020 that the SANDF spent millions on Interferon alfa-2b from Cuba despite the Department of Health banning it from being used to treat COVID-19 symptoms.

Interferon alfa-2b is an antiviral or antineoplastic drug which is typically used to treat cancers like leukemia and melanoma and virus infections like chronic hepatitis B.

The drug is based on the same protein that your body naturally produces  interferon  and was originally sequenced and produced in a laboratory at the University of Zurich.

It was also produced in the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Havana, Cuba, under the name Heberon Alfa R.

There have been clinical trials into the use of Interferon alfa-2b to treat COVID-19 symptoms, but do date there are no published results in peer-reviewed scientific literature.

South Africas Department of Health currently recommends against the use of interferon for the treatment of COVID19 in hospitalised patients.

This recommendation did not stop the SANDF from buying over R200 million of Heberon Alfa R from TecnoImport, a Cuban state-owned company.

Professor Shabir Madhi from the school of pathology at the University of the Witwatersrand said it was illegal for the SANDF to import medicines without the required permission.

He told the Sunday Times there was no scientific rationale for doing a clinical trial of Interferon alfa-2b as it has already been shown to be ineffective in the WHO solidarity trial in the treatment of COVID-19.

Last year the Auditor General launched an investigation into the SANDF importing Heberon Alfa R despite the warning against its use by the Department of Health.

To make matters worse, the SANDF has lost around 40% of the consignment of Heberon Alfa R because cooling room doors were left open.

The Mail & Guardian previously reported that the Heberon Alfa R drugs have been stored inside the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS) base depot.

The Rapport newspaper has now revealed that the SANDF has destroyed 40% of the consignment because it left the doors of the cooling room where it was stored open.

This was uncovered by Auditor General investigators who visited the SAMHS base depot and found the doors were left open for more than a day.

The DA asked Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula for details about the issue last year, but she did not answer these questions.




Haiti - News : Zapping...





Self-defense courses for women

A self-defense course was offered by trainer Joseph Dominique Moleto last month for members of women's groups close to "Kay Fanm" and women newly welcomed and supported by the organization. Certain self-defense techniques allow you to free yourself from dangerous situations even when the aggressor is stronger than you. Once the pandemic has passed, Kay Fanm hopes to be able to open self-defense workshops to the general public.



53 Covid-19 test sites in Haiti

53 sites are available throughout Haiti to test and diagnose cases of Covid-19, according to the list published by the Ministry of Health.

Download the list of sites : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/sites-prelevement-covid-19.pdf



"REL" exhibition at Maison Dufort

Eight artists Celeur, David Boyer, Dubreus Lherisson, Guyodo, Jhonny Cineus, Killy, Max Gregoire Benjamin and Pasko, unfold and reveal themselves in about fifty creations. An exhibition presented by Le Center d'Art, in partnership with Haiti and Printemps de l'Art, to be discovered until February 27, 2021, at Maison Dufort (9 de la 2e Rue du Travail).



Solar powered reading centers

The Reading and Cultural Animation Centers (CLAC) of Grande Riviere du Nord and Trou-du-Nord received this week, their new solar energy system, as part of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Culture, the International Organization of La Francophonie and the National Book Directorate (DNL) for which the relaunch of CLAC activities must include the renewal of basic infrastructure, the equipment of spaces with solar energy. The DNL also clings to the reorientation of the mission of the animators towards more modern initiatives and responding to technological (access to the Internet) and communication requirements.



Canadian Caucus of Black Parliamentarians

The Ambassador of Haiti to Canada Wien-Weibert Arthus had a virtual exchange with Greg Fergus, President of the Canadian Caucus of Black Parliamentarians on Haitian-Canadian bilateral relations and on the major projects of Haiti for 2021



Haiti - Spain

"I spoke with Mrs. Anna Terron Cusi, Director of the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP), as part of the series of institutional meetings aimed at consolidating relations between Haiti and Spain. We have explored avenues of cooperation around the modernization of the State, constitutional reform and the possibility of twinning between Haitian and European public administrations declared the Ambassador of Haiti to the Kingdom of Spain, Dr. Louis Marie Montfort Saintil.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















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President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday mourned the passing of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abdullahi Ibrahim.

Mr Ibrahim, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, served as the Minister of Education, Science and Technology and later as Minister of Transportation under the earlier military regime of Mr Buhari as Head of State from 1984 to 1985.

The deceased later served as the AGF in the regime of the military Head of State, Abdusalami Abubakar, who handed over to the civilian administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999.

PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that Mr Ibrahim died of COVID-19 at the Garki General Hospital, Abuja, on Sunday.

In a statement by presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, Mr Buhari said the deceased was an exemplary lawyer and statesman with impeccable integrity who will be remembered for his selfless service to the country.

The President described Mr Ibrahim as an extraordinary philanthropist who rendered legal services without charge to many who could not pay.

He said the deceased would be remembered for doing so much to empower the girl child, including access to education.

He added, His work as member of the Nigerian team that negotiated the Maritime Boundary Treaty between Nigeria and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the Unitisation Agreement of the Zafiro/Ekanga Oil Fields has left an indelible mark on the trajectory of this countrys history and development. His accomplishments will continue to make us proud.

On behalf of his family and the entire nation, President Buhari extends condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family and the government and people of Kogi State.
Insurance fraud seems like it might be an easy thing to do. Insurance companies are often so huge, one wonders how they might not even notic...
When Jeff Driscoll changes from his flannel shirt and jeans into his kosho ryu kenpo uniform, hes almost unrecognizable  except for his Harley Davidson necklace. When Driscoll is not teaching the Japanese martial art that he has an eighth-degree black belt in, he enjoys riding his Harley.

Driscoll may sound like a 1980s action movie hero, but as his students enter the Driscoll Institute of the Martial Arts on Centre Street in Pottsville, the sensei gives them a warm welcome.

Tim Stehr, an auto mechanic from Ashland, told Driscoll he felt great as he came in. Driscoll joked that he wishes he could be reincarnated as Stehr, only a few inches taller. Stehr has practiced martial arts since he was 12, but he said his knowledge has vastly improved in the two years he has studied with Driscoll.

This is truly a lot of fun for me, Stehr said. I consider this a great exercise in physical and mental discipline.

Hello, birthday girl! Driscoll told Laura Reed, of Pottsville, as she entered the dojo.

If the dojos open, I try to be here, said Reed, who has been practicing there for five years and celebrated her birthday on Wednesday. When I first came here, I was kind of lost and was looking for something. Over the years I built up my confidence. I know that I could protect myself if I need to. I also know that I could walk away if I need to.

That aspect of kosho ryu kenpo is something that Driscoll holds in high esteem.

We train in fighting, he said, in violence, so we dont have to fight.

His classes not only teach self-defense techniques but awareness of ones surroundings, so that his students can avoid violence before it happens. He said that martial arts is the rare field that values hard work in an age of instant gratification.

It is a form of exercise, but it goes way deeper than that, Driscoll said about kosho ren kenpo.

The martial art was brought to the United States from Japan by James Mitose in 1936. As a kid in Pine Grove, Driscoll wanted to learn martial arts but did not have the opportunity until he was 20. He opened the Driscoll Institute in 1986 and since then has trained people across the United States and Europe. The institute is a slice of Japan in the middle of Pottsville. Among the artifacts that Driscoll has collected over the years are two replica suits of samurai armor.

At the center of the dojo is a kamiza, Japanese for high place. Similar to an altar, the kamiza is where the spirit of the dojo resides, but it is not religious in nature. On it rests two samurai helmets, a bottle of sake and a picture of Hanshi Bruce Juchnik, the 22nd-generation headmaster of kosho ryu kenpo. Driscolls students bow to the kamiza at the start and end of each lesson.

The martial arts is constantly evolving, Driscoll said. The amount of material in this system is staggering. Theres just so many concepts and principles to wrap your head around.

This may sound intimidating, but Driscoll said it is a misconception that only young people in peak physical shape can start doing martial arts. Another misconception Driscoll hears a lot is that when you get your black belt, you have to register your hands as lethal weapons.

When you get your first-degree black belt, he said, it simply means that you have begun to master your basics. Its not a rank that you are considered any kind of master or anything. Now the learning really begins.

Wes Schwartz, a chiropractor from Minersville, has a fourth-degree black belt in kosho ryu kenpo and has been learning from Driscoll since 1996, when he was 10.

I was the fat kid in school, Schwartz remembered. Overweight, out of shape, no confidence.

The healing arts and shiatsu massage classes at Driscolls dojo inspired Schwartz to go to school to become a chiropractor.

It was the discipline you got through here, Schwartz said, when you started learning to give commands and set goals and follow them through. Give your best and stuff, even when youre not feeling your best. Not only in here but out there. He pointed at the city outside the window.

Schwartz sounds a lot like his mentor, who is interested in his students welfare inside and outside the dojo. When the kids in his childrens classes get straight As, Driscoll throws a pizza party. Schwartz now has a role in teaching the child classes, and often sees young people who remind him of himself at that age.

Were basically a big family, said Tristen Clews, a 19-year-old student at Delaware Valley University. She first joined the dojo when she was an elementary school student in Saint Clair.

I was a very shy kid who was bullied at school, she said.

The class not only taught her how to defend herself but also improved her social skills. Driscoll has noticed other benefits in his young students as well, such as increased self-esteem and decreased stress.

Teaching is a very rewarding profession, Driscoll said. Some kids started with me when they were five and left when they went to college. I teach kids how to work hard and set goals for themselves and strive to be better.

After some classes at the Driscoll Institute, Clews did karate moves at her elementary school talent show. Nobody picked on her after that.
One of the most prominent objectives of the Movement, as its leaders state and as the perceived reality proves, is it' s application of the Islamic Law. This is what the Muslims in that land notice after the dissemination of security and stability, eradication of gangs, highwaymen and drug dealers, burning of hashish and opium fields, and other works. That is why everyone sensed the jeopardy of that Movement, and as such the regional powers tried to encircle it. Pakistan found in the Movement the object of pursuit in that it preserves it 's interests represented by the route of trade with the nearby Islamic Republics. Accordingly, the Pakistani army supported the Movement by providing fuel and food, and by facilitating the movement of students from Pakistan The honesty of Taliban in application of Islamic Law without equivocation or defect was apparent. This confirms the sincerity of the Movement' s objectives in spite of the intimidations of the United Nations to cease it's food relief programmes in Afghanistan. The Movement dealt with intimidations strictly and suspended education till it reconstruct the educational system upon pure Islam ic principles, free from Western Kufur effects. This is in addition to the establishment of the punishment laws (Al- Hodood) and enforcing Islamic law upon the people in all their transactions. The Taliban - Arab Mujahideen Relations With the movement of Sheikh Usama bin Ladin to Afghanistan upon the compliance of the Sudanese government with the American-Saudi pressure to expel him, Sheikh Ibn Ladin resided in the company of one of the leaders of Hizbi Islami, Sheikh Younis Khalis in the Nankahaar region. He was then surrounded by the Arab Mujahideen who dispersed, after the end of the Jihad against the Communist invaders, in Pakistan and areas of Afghanistan because they were pursued by Arab intelligence officials, even though many of them were occupied with seeking knowledge, business or securing sustenance for themselves and their families. The Arab pressure, especially that of the Saudi, for handing over Ibn Ladin (Abu Abdullah) increased. Sheikh Younis Khalis refused this instruction and said to Sulaiman Al- Ali, the Saudi family ambassador to Afghanistan: "O Sulaiman! We are the Afghans. If the livestock in the lands of the two Holy Mosques; the cattle, sheep and camels; sought our protection, we will surely protect it in the best manner and we would not hand it over to no one. So, in what way do we deal with a man who we saw from him nothing but support, Jihad and bestowment? And these are the graves of his brethren and their martyrs are in every region of Afghanistan?? This will not be!". When Taliban entered Jalal Abad and its rule became stabilised, the Movement' s deputations passed by the Sheikh saluting him in honour and dignity. One of the commanders said to Sheikh Usama - this account is from an eyewitness: "O Sheikh! Our lands are not the lands o f the Afghans, but it is the lands of Allah; and our Jihad was not the Jihad of the Afghan, but it is the Jihad of the Muslims. Your martyrs that are in every region of Afghanistan, their graves testify to that. You are between your families and kinsmen, and we bless the soil that you walk upon". This was translated to practice when the leaders of Taliban refused to even discuss the matter of handing him over with the Saudis when they visited their country to obtain recognition of their government. The Planned Conspiracies The emergence of the Taliban Movement and its control over more than 80% of the Afghani lands has undoubtedly upset the equilibrium, on the regional and international level. Thus, conspiracies were installed to influence it, in order to preserve the interests of various sides. These dangers that face the Movement materialise as follows: Firstly: The trials of assimilation. Secondly: The Shiite-Communist confederation The first factor is regarded as the more serious danger on the Movement due to the following reasons: The integration of many leaders from different parties to the Movement. The concern being the lack of solid organisational correlation with the chief leaders, which may be utilised by the enemies of Allah like the United States and it's puppets. The Saudi attempts to attract some of the leaders by way of exploiting the glistening lands of the two Holy Mosques in accepting them as visitors for Umrah and Hajj and by showering them with money and gifts. The United Nation's activities in using its programmes to control or influence some of the regions, especially its food and health programmes. The activities of the American-Arab intelligence who spread their officials in different Afghani cities, especially the capitals. It is no surprise if they were involved in the bombing of the police headquarters in Jalal Abad. The activities of the Pakistani government in order to control them, noting that Afghanistan represents an important ground for the general politics of Pakistan, even with the different successor government, its enmity with India, Iran and others remain the same.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican authorities said over the weekend they recovered 19 bodies, some burned and shot, in a vehicle left in an uninhabited region of Tamaulipas in northern Mexico.

Authorities located the bodies inside and on the back of a burnt out pickup truck after travelling to the site, the Tamaulipas state prosecutor's office said in a statement.

A citizen had tipped them about a burning vehicle.

Authorities said they found another burnt vehicle on the site, located near the border with Nuevo Leon state, but no bullet shells.

"Preliminary investigations point to the fact that the cause of death were shots from firearms, and that then the bodies were set on fire," the statement said.

"One of the lines of investigation is that the events could have happened at a place other than that of the discovery."

The area is known for "constant fights between rival criminal groups that traffic drugs, arms and migrants," a source close to the investigation, who declined to be named, said.

(Reporting by Henry Romero and Lizbeth Diaz in Mexico City; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Some folks are calling for the firing of a Terre Haute police sergeant.

The Reform Movement of Terre Haute organized a protest outside police headquarters Saturday afternoon.

Protesters say Terre Haute police sergeant Brad Newman should be fired for the racist comments he shared online.

In December, Newman posted on his personal Facebook.

In the post, he said the United States should bomb China because of the new coronavirus.

When a commenter asked if he was serious, Newman responded "yes" and added it's time to set an example.

The Terre Haute police department suspended Newman for 6-days without pay after getting complaints about the post.

Newman also had to participate in social media training.

In this suspension letter obtained by News 10 earlier this year, a police officer noted he believed Newman was sincere in his apology and believed the comments were not read how Newman intended.

Organizers of this protest say Newman's words were clear.

They say a suspension is not enough.

They want him fired.

"The problem is Brad Newman, but the problem is also very much a police department that protected him and is protecting him right now and is hiding behind his lies that he's just misunderstood. Brad Newman is not misunderstood. Brad Newman is understood very clearly and he's made it very clear who he is, that he's a violent bigot and he needs to be out of this police department right now," says organizer, Reform Movement of Terre Haute, Emma Crossen.

News 10 did reach out to Sergeant Newman and the Terre Haute police department for comment.

Newman did not respond.

Chief Shawn Keen did not address the protest.

He only said information regarding Sergeant Newman's discipline had already been released.

The Terre Haute Officers Local 133 Facebook posted this status after the protest:

"The IUPA supports the right to free speech which is extended to each of us equally.

As a body, we caution those who would condemn a person for expressing his or her right to free speech. In regards to todays small demonstration, we may disagree with their intention, we will let that be known, but there was no call to action, no attempt to stop the expression of speech, and no repercussions after the gathering.

JFK maybe have put it best, The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.

As always, thank you for your continued support of our first responders!"
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.

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NEW DELHI: This year, India will celebrate its 72nd Republic Day as it prepares to memoralize the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950. Historically, this day is observed by festivities such as the well-known Delhi Republic Day parade at Rajpath, which honours the Indian military forces and our rich cultural heritage. Usually, the parade is a lively event with more than 100,000 people attending but the celebrations will be toned down this year due to the pandemic. Here is how Republic Day will be celebrated in the midst of a pandemic:

Who is the chief guest for Republic Day 2021?

There will be no chief guest this year, making it the first Republic Day parade without a chief guest in 50 years. Initially, British PM Boris Jonhson was invited to come to India. However, he was forced to cancel his visit due to the outbreak of a new Covid strain in the UK. Before this, India didnt have a chief guest for the parade in 1952, 1953 and 1966.

What time is the flag hoisting and Republic Day parade?

The flag hoisting event will be held at 8 am on Tuesday, January 26.

How many people are allowed to attend?

This year the spectators have been limited to 25,000 compared to 150,000 last year. Similarly, the number of media representatives has been cut from 300 to 200. Children under the age of 15 will not be allowed to attend.

What will the Republic Day parade 2021 showcase?

The Republic Day parade will begin from Rashtrapati Bhavan and end at India Gate. The route followed will be from Vijay Chowk via Rajpath, Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate Princess Palace, Tilak Marg to finally India Gate. Rafale fighter jets, instated into the Indian Air Force (IAF) last year, will take part in the parade for the first time. The parade will also be featuring one of Indias first women fighter pilots - Bhawna Kanth and a contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces.

No motorcycle stunts this year

Due to COVID-19 safety norms gravity-defying stunts by motorcycle-borne men, a major attraction for the crowd at Republic Day celebrations on the Rajpath, will be missing this year, while the spectator size too has been reduced to 25,000 from 1.25 lakh last year. Besides this, the parade of gallantry awardees and children who have earned bravery awards will also not be there at the 72nd Republic Day event, on account of social distancing, officials said. The number of mediapersons invited to the ceremonial event has also been reduced.

COVID-19 safety norms will be strictly in place throughout the event.

A military band from the Bangladesh Army will also take part in the parade. This year, Bangladesh marks the 50th anniversary of its Independence. The young union territory of Ladakh is all set to make its debut in the extravaganza on Rajpath with a beautiful tableau depicting the iconic Thikse Monastery and its rich cultural heritage.

The Ministry of Information and Biotechnology will depict the 'Vocal for Local' initiative of the government.

"There will be nine tableau from ministries, including Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Electronics and IT, Ministry of Ayush, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; and six from the defence arm, including of IAF, Navy, Indian Naval Coast Guard, two from the DRDO and one from BRO (Border Roads Organisation)," the official said.

The tableau of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will showcase the efforts made by scientists to manufacture COVID-19 vaccine indigenously. The tableau would depict various stages of pre-trial and trial phases of vaccine, a scientist from the DBT said during a media preview held at a camp at Delhi Cantonment.

Live TV
The UKs heath minister warned that coronavirus vaccines may be less effective against new variants of the disease, such as those found in South Africa and Brazil, and that stricter border controls are therefore justified. We dont know the degree of that, Matt Hancock said in an interview on Sky News on Sunday, commenting on the extent of any potential reduced efficacy of the vaccines. In the meantime, weve got to have a precautionary principle that says lets not bring these new variants back to the UK Hancocks ...

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


President Joe Biden waves as he departs after attending Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Patrick Semansky/AP)

President Joe Biden has attended Mass for the first time since taking office, worshipping on Sunday at the church he frequented when he was vice president.

Mr Biden, the nations second Catholic president, attended Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washingtons Georgetown neighbourhood, a few miles from the White House.

It is where the nations only other Catholic president, John F Kennedy, often went to Mass.

Mr Biden entered through the front entrance, where a Black Lives Matter banner was hanging on one side and a banner with a quote from Pope Francis was on the other: We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life.

Expand Close President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, left, depart after attending mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Patrick Semansky/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, left, depart after attending mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Patrick Semansky/AP)

The president, in a brief exchange with reporters, said the service was lovely.

He was accompanied to church by his son, Hunter, and two of his grandchildren, Finnegan and Maisy.

His motorcade made a brief stop on the way back to the White House for a takeway from Call Your Mother, a popular deli near the church.

The president remained in his armoured vehicle while his son picked up the order.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Friday that Mr Biden had not yet settled on a home church in the nations capital but said that she expected Mr Biden will continue to regularly attend services during his presidency.

Expand Close President Joe Bidens motorcade drives through the Georgetown neighbourhood of Washington (Patrick Semansky/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp President Joe Bidens motorcade drives through the Georgetown neighbourhood of Washington (Patrick Semansky/AP)

At home in Delaware, Mr Biden and his wife, Jill, were regulars at St Joseph on the Brandywine in Greenville.

They alternated between the Saturday and Sunday services depending on their travel schedules throughout the 2020 campaign.

Catholic faithful have an obligation to attend Sunday services but church teaching allows for the commitment to be fulfilled by attending a service on the evening of the preceding day.
The day began with the annual Walk for Life West Coast Mass, celebrated at 10:30AM by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone and 12 priests at St. Mary's Cathedral. The Cathedral's capacity, under Covid regulations is 480, and worshippers spilled out onto the plaza. Just 2 days previously, Cordileone had issued a stunning rebuke to Speaker Nancy Pelosi "No Catholic in good conscience can favor abortion. 'Right to choose' is a smokescreen for perpetuating an entire industry that profits from one of the most heinous evils imaginable. Our land is soaked with the blood of the innocent, and it must stop."

At 12:30PM Walkers gathered at Civic Center Plaza. Because of Covid regulations there was no Rally. Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J. and the Rev. Clenard Childress spoke from the bed of Walk co-chair Dolores Meehan's pickup truck. Fr. Fessio gave a moving tribute to Joe Scheidler, the grandfather of the pro-life movement, who passed away last week. His voice breaking, Fessio said "Well done, good and faithful servant." The Rev. Childress, who has been a stalwart of the Walk since 2005 told the crowd: "You are the remnantthere has never been a more important Walk for Life West Coast!This is a time of faith. That is why you are here right now. You did not come here because of circumstances. You are here because of justice!"

Meehan told the crowd "You are a beautiful remnant. You're all standing in the breech for women who have been hurt by abortion, for all the kids who have died by abortion and for all those who need our help today!" Summing up the day she said "We are incredibly grateful to Our Lady and the San Francisco Police Department for giving us such a safe event!" For the first time in 17 years there was no opposition.

Muntean reflected "When we started the Walk, George W. Bush was President. We have Walked through four years of the Bush administration, eight years of the Obama Administration, four years of the Trump Administration, and we will Walk through the Biden Administration.and whoever comes after! We have Walked under three Popes and three Archbishops. Whoever is in the White House, whoever is in the Statehouse, whoever is in the doghouse, we will not falter or fail. We will lovingly and peacefully embrace our responsibilities to the littlest among us and to the women hurt by abortion. If this is what pro-lifers can do in this strange year all I can say is wait till next year!"

Founded in 2005 by a group of San Francisco Bay Area residents, the Walk for Life West Coast's mission is to change the perceptions of a society that thinks abortion is ever the answer.

For more details, or interviews, Dolores Meehan or Eva Muntean (415) 658-1793.

SOURCE Walk for Life West Coast
As one of the audience touched by the power of "Days and Nights in Wuhan," renowned Chinese director Xu Zheng suggested the documentary should be released to the world so that the true picture of the Chinese people fighting COVID-19 can be understood.



"Any normal people watching this film would shed tears," Xu said, with tears still in his eyes, "We should let Americans see this. We should let the world see this. And then they will understand how much Chinese people suffered from the pandemic, and how strong, kind and merciful they regard life, and how they survive."

Currently, there's no plan to release the film overseas.

Xu also praised the medical workers, whose images are recorded in the film, for the "light of love" they brought to their patients.

The documentary builds a storyline around the lives of ordinary people, including patients, medical personnel, volunteers and residents, as the virus spread last year through the central Chinese city of Wuhan that was the epicenter of the original pandemic. The film made its national debut on Friday.

Xu was among a great many in the audience who were deeply touched by the film, especially Wuhan's own residents. "I cried, but I'm not afraid, for this film made us feel the warmth and strength of those involved," said one audience member. Another added, "Those in the film are ordinary people, but they stood out in the critical time."

Those figuring in the film also went to watch. Li Jingjing, a local citizen who lost her mother and grandmother during the pandemic and was captured by the camera during the darkest hour, brought two flowers to the theater and placed them on the seats. "I want to watch the film with them, spiritually. I want to see my mother alive on the screen."

Meng Xianming, an old man seen in the film who eventually beat the coronavirus, was also one who watched it. "I never thought of the possibility that I would die. The medical workers are my family."

After watching the film, doctor Yao Shanglong, a recovered COVID-19 patient, also pointed out Wuhan had become a heroic city and its citizens were responsible with big love.

The 95-minute documentary was weaved together by director Cao Jinling with scenes selected from 1,000 hours of footages shot by 30 cinematographers working at the frontline. "I hope the film could become a shimmering light in the darkness, the sparkler in the coldness," Cao said at the premiere held at China National Film Museum on Jan. 16. The museum archived this film for collection as the common memory of 2020.

The general producer of the film, Li Wei added the original intention of the project was to record every ordinary day in the extraordinary time. "Seeing how every ordinary people and every family endure in the pandemic will inspire us to understand more about love and go forward without fear."

To maintain a restrained, calm and objective tone, the filmmakers made sure there was absolutely no narrative and scripted dialogue in the film; everything was kept true to itself to show what had happened during the 76 lockdown days and nights in Wuhan.

The film is the first anti-pandemic film released to theaters. While there are resurgent cases of COVID-19 currently in China, it came at the proper time when people needed a film like this - truthful and warm - to review and seek inspiration, said Bai Yansong, a famous TV anchor, "You will feel more and strongly about the value of life and love."

More than 220 filmmakers, actors and celebrities, from Jackie Chan, Zhou Xun to Jackson Yee, have agreed to help promote "Days and Nights in Wuhan." China Movie Channel worked with them and local theaters around China to organize more than 300 charity screenings.
A Russian police officer has been fired after he posted a short video message on social media in support of arrested Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny and other people he called political prisoners.

Ruslan Agibalov, who served in Kursk, a town located 460 kilometers southwest of Moscow, was fired for dishonorable behavior less than an hour after posting the video to YouTube on January 22, a day before nationwide protests in support of Navalny.

In the 100-second post, which has garnered more than 20,000 views, Agibalov said he feared his children would grow up in a country where they could be killed or jailed for expressing their dissatisfaction with the government.

"I am also afraid that when my children grow up, they will ask me the question: 'Dad, what have you done to ensure that we live in a free and prosperous country?' And I will have nothing to say to that," Agibalov said.

The police officer said he was also driven to his action following analysis of various criminal cases, including the arrest of former Khabarovsk Governor Sergei Furgal and what he called the suspicious deaths of various critics of President Vladimir Putin, including well-known hip hop artist Kirill "Detsl" Tolmatsky and popular TV news anchor Sergei Dorenko.

The arrest of Furgal in 2020 sparked large-scale protests in the Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk.

Tens of thousands of Russians took to the streets across the country on January 23 in the largest demonstration in years to call for the release of Navalny, who was arrested earlier in the week upon his return from Germany, where he was recovering from a poisoning by a military-grade nerve agent.

Navalny called the poisoning an assassination attempt by the state to silence him.

Based on reporting by Kommersant and AFP
Thousands of people participated in weekly demonstrations over allegations of corruption on Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Meanwhile, people demanded their resignation on corruption charges. Netanyahu has been charged with bribery, fraud and betrayal in three cases involving billionaire allies and media. However, he has refused to do anything wrong. The protestors have also been accused of negligence in dealing with the covid epidemic on Netanyahu.

Protests have been going on every week since last summer near PM's residence in Jerusalem. Thousands of protestors gather and shout anti-Netanyahu slogans. There may be re-elections in Israel in March this year. This will be the fourth election in the country within 2 years. By Saturday, more than 2.5 million (2.5 million) people in Israel with a population of 9 million (9 million) have been vaccinated for the first.

Where it has been revealed that the protests were carried out in the midst of the third nationwide lockdown in the country. The country recently announced a lockdown for the third time and schools were closed. Vaccination campaign is underway to deal with corona virus. The trial against Netanyahu was about to begin this week on corruption charges, but it has been postponed sine die due to the epidemic.

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A rodeo official has died after being charged by a bull in what has been described as a freak accident during an event in Tamworth on Saturday night.

Police say Bruce Green, 62, wasnt riding but assisting with an event at the Tamworth Rodeo Roundup at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre when he was critically injured about 9.10pm.

Bruce Green, 62, died in hospital after he was charged by a bull at a Tamworth rodeo on Saturday night.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated Mr Green at the scene before taking him to Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital where he died.

The Australian Bushmens Campdraft and Rodeo Association said Mr Green was a long-serving board member of the organisation and the most extraordinary club member of the Lawrence Rodeo Committee, who had given selflessly to friends, family and the sport.

NSW Mum Makes COVID-Killing Disinfectant

If you had told Sophie Westlake this time last year that she would soon create a disinfectant to battle a virus causing a global pandemic, she would have keeled over in laughter.

But 2020 was as full of surprises for Westlake as for anyone.

The mother of four, who lives in the southern highlands of NSW, is behind Virosol, a household product approved by the TGA as proven to kill COVID-19.

Australian-made Virosol got the TGA stamp of approval in August, and its certified to kill 99.9 percent of bacteria and COVID-19.

Disinfectants are an important part of addressing the risk of surface transmission of the virus. Australias science agency, the CSIRO, has found that the SARS-Cov-2 virus can survive on surfaces like glass and mobile phone screens for up to 28 days.

When the virus hit Australias shores at the start of 2020, Westlake was particularly concerned.

Her husband, Steve, suffers from myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles.

He has had several lymph nodes removed from his chest, and infections have seen him hospitalised nine times in the past few years.

Like many Australians we were in lockdown, and obviously I was very concerned about keeping my family safe during this pandemic, Westlake told AAP.

She rang around retailers, manufacturers and suppliers to find out what disinfectants they had available for household use that were proven to kill COVID-19, but had no luck.

So Westlake struck off on her own.

I was sitting on the couch and my husband and I were talking about what to do and he just looked to me said, lets just do it ourselves, she said.

She started researching what killed an enveloped virus, then spent six months working with an international laboratory with a Sydney outpost to ensure the product was effective in tackling COVID-19 and would get TGA approval.

While the team at the TGA was terrific to work with, it wasnt easy, I can tell you that much, she said.

Westlakes 15-year-old daughter Emilie-Rose pitched in with marketing ideas and names suggestions.

The other kids, aged between 3 and 13, helped with ideas for bottle design and colours.

Westlake ensured that every element of the product and supply chain was local, including sourcing the bottles and labels.

She also wanted it to be easy for menso took up her husbands advice that it just be a spray function, with no need to wipe.

Within the first few hours of launch, Westlake sold more than 8,000 bottles of Virosol. Its now available online and in several stores in Moss Vale, with sales peaking when outbreaks occur through the country.

Although she has a science background and runs multiple small businesses with her husband, developing a disinfectant and engaging with the TGA was completely new for Westlake. But she is modest about what shes done.

As far as Im concerned, its a very Aussie thing to do. I think its inherent in our culture. We dont faff about. If we put our mind to it, we just do it, she said.

According to its website, Virosols active ingredient is Benzalkonium chloride (BAC).

Hannah Ryan in Sydney

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Dr. Anthony Fauci says that he was muzzled by the Trump administration which 'blocked' him from appearing on the left-leaning MSNBC cable news channel and its marquee primetime star Rachel Maddow.

The 80-year-old director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told Maddow, who made repeated attempts to book him on her program during the course of the pandemic, that he wanted to appear on her show 'for months.'

Fauci was asked by Maddow on Friday if the press and the public would hear more regularly from him as well as other government experts who are guiding the nation's leaders through a once-in-a-century pandemic.

'I've been wanting to come on your show for months and months,' Fauci told Maddow.

'You've been asking me to come on your show for months and months.

Dr. Anthony Fauci (right), the federal government's top infectious disease expert, told MSNBC's Rachel Maddow (left) on Friday that he wanted to appear on her show 'for months' but was 'blocked' from doing so by officials in the Trump administration

'It just got blocked because they didn't like the way you handle things and they didn't want me on,' Fauci told Maddow, a fierce critic of former President Donald Trump (seen above in Harlingen, Texas, on January 12)

'And it's just gotten blocked. Let's call it what it is.

'It just got blocked because they didn't like the way you handle things and they didn't want me on.'

Fauci told Maddow that Trump administration officials were perplexed when he told them he wanted to appear on her show.

'When they sat down, 'Why would you want to go on Rachel Maddow's show?',' Fauci said he was asked.

During an appearance in the White House briefing room on Thursday, Dr. Anthony Fauci made it clear he's happy to be working for President Joe Biden

Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, let loose in his first appearance in the White House briefing room in months

'Well, because I like her and she's really good,' Fauci says he told administration officials.

Under President Joe Biden, Fauci says he and other public health experts will be far more accessible.

'I think you're going to see a lot of transparency,' he said.

'You might not see everybody as often as you want but you're not going to see deliberate holding back of good people when the press asks for them.'

Fauci added: 'It was a tough situation, it really was.'

Fauci's comments to Maddow echoed similar remarks made by his then-colleague on the White House coronavirus task force, Dr. Deborah Birx.

Birx has claimed she was 'censored' by the White House and 'always' considered quitting the task force - but she stayed in the role anyway.

She told CBS Face The Nation she asked herself every morning and night if she could make a difference to tackling the pandemic that has so far left more than 400,000 Americans dead.

'I mean, why would you want to put yourself through that every day?' she said in a clip from the full interview set to air Sunday.

'I had to ask myself every morning, is there something that I think I can do that would be helpful in responding to this pandemic and it's something I asked myself every night.'

Birx said many close colleagues she had worked with during her long career before the White House started questioning whether she had become too political.

Fauci made his first appearance at President Joe Biden's side on Thursday at an event on new executive orders tied to the coronavirus pandemic

Fauci talked about the strain he felt giving briefings under President Trump such as this briefing in April 2020

Fauci's face palm moment in March went viral

'Colleagues of mine that I had known for decades... decades in that one experience, because I was in the White House, decided that I had become this political person, even though they had known me forever,' she said.

She admitted she was aware in the lead-up to the presidential election that the White House race had become a factor in what and how much was being communicated to the public about the deadly virus.

But while she claimed she was 'censored' by the White House, Birx denied ever having withheld information on the pandemic herself.

Since Biden was sworn into office, Fauci has described how he feels 'liberated.'

During an appearance in the White House briefing room on Thursday - the first time he spoke there since last spring - Fauci revealed his true feelings about Trump.

He didn't mention the former president by name but he was clear about the differences of work life in the Biden administration versus that under Trump's.

'One of the new things in this administration is: if you don't know the answer, don't guess. Just say you don't know the answer,' he said, comparing his first few days working for Biden to his months of counseling Trump on the coronavirus pandemic.

'One of the things that was very clear as recently as about 15 minutes ago, when I was with the president, is that one of the things that we're going to do is to be completely transparent open and honest if things go wrong.

'Not point fingers but to correct them and to make everything we do be based on science and evidence. I mean that was literally a conversation I had 15 minutes ago with the president, and he has said that multiple times,' he noted.

Given his new, free-speaking style, he was asked if there was anything he wanted to clarify or amend that he said during the Trump administration.

'No, I mean I always said everything,' Fauci said. 'That's why I got trouble sometimes.'

He made it clear he was not joking.

'I was very serious about it, I wasn't joking,' said Fauci, who also serves as chief medical adviser to Biden, when asked about his comments.

Fauci had a contentious relationship with Trump in the president's final months in office.

Fauci's comments to Maddow echoed similar remarks made by his then-colleague on the White House coronavirus task force, Dr. Deborah Birx. Birx has claimed she was 'censored' by the White House and 'always' considered quitting the task force - but she stayed in the role anyway

Birx and Donald Trump during a White House press briefing in March. Birx, who served as the White House coronavirus task force co-ordinator under Trump, told CBS Face The Nation she asked herself every morning and night if she could make a difference to tackling the pandemic

WATCH: @margbrennan: "Did you ever consider quitting?"



Birx: "Always...I had to ask myself every morning: is there something that I think I can do that would be helpful in responding to this pandemic?"



More on Sunday's @FaceTheNation on @CBS https://t.co/7fk9mlPpvJ pic.twitter.com/qh380bdpcF  Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) January 22, 2021

Trump wanted to focus on reopening the economy as Fauci and other medical experts wanted to keep stronger restrictions in place to keep the COVID virus from spreading.

And there was the famous face-palm moment.

In March, as Fauci stood behind Trump at the podium in the briefing room, the doctor appeared to chuckle to himself before covering his face with his palm as Trump railed against 'the Deep State Department.'

Fauci was sidelined by the Trump White House, rarely appearing in press briefings and kept from doing interviews with major news outlets.

He spread his message about COVID through local news interviews and podcasts.

Trump made his displeasure with Fauci known. He called him a Democrat and publicly mulled firing him although that would have been difficult as Fauci is a career federal employee.

Fauci had to have a security detail due to death threats against him and his family.

In reflecting on his relationship with Trump, Fauci noted on Thursday he took no joy in contradicting the former commander in chief.

'It was very clear that they were things that were said, regarding things like hydroxychloroquine and other things like that. That really was an uncomfortable because they were not based on scientific fact, I can tell you I take no pleasure at all in being in a situation of contradicting the president,' he said.

Trump took a dose of hydroxy in an effort to ward off the coronavirus - a practice many experts expressed doubt about. Trump ultimately got the virus and recovered.

Fauci noted the strain he felt talking about the pandemic, which has killed more than 400,000 Americans, while working under Trump.

'You didn't feel like you could say something and there wouldn't be repercussions,' he said.

Of the new administration's stance toward him, Fauci said: 'It is somewhat of a liberating feeling.'

'The idea that you can get up here and talk about what you know, what the evidence -- what the science is, and know that's it, let the science speak, it is somewhat of a liberating feeling,' Fauci noted.

But he did reject a claim that the Biden administration were 'starting from scratch' with vaccine distribution which had been reported earlier Thursday by CNN.

'No, I mean we're coming in with fresh ideas, but also some ideas with the, with the previous administration, you can't say it was absolutely not usable at all,' he said.

'So, we are continuing but you're going to see a real ramping up of it.'

Fauci made his first appearance at Biden's side on Thursday, when the president called for the nation to summon a 'full scale war-time effort' to beat back the coronavirus.
The United Nations has reported that The Company makes as much as $17 billion a year moving drugs to Japan, New Zealand and many other countries, relying on supply and distribution networks that cross the Asia-Pacific region. But no nation has tracked Mr. Tse as closely as Australia, and for good reason: The syndicate he runs is believed to be responsible for 70 percent of the illegal drugs that reach Australia, where meth in particular has ravaged rural areas.

The syndicate targeted Australia over a number of years, importing and distributing large amounts of illicit narcotics, laundering the profits overseas and living off the wealth obtained from crime, the Australian Federal Police said in a statement.

In the lead-up to his arrest, Mr. Tse developed a reputation for building a stable, illicit drug distribution network while staying largely out of sight. In wealth and ambition, he was sometimes compared to Pablo Escobar of Colombia or Joaquin El Chapo Guzman of Mexico  brash, violent drug barons who each in their own time controlled American and European drug markets.

Mr. Tses style and public persona, at least what is known of it, has been far more demure. And until Friday, that approach seemed to work.

Image A handout photo of Mr. Tse. Credit... Via Reuters

In 1998, a decade after he moved to Canada, Mr. Tse was found guilty of importing heroin into the United States. But he served only six years in prison after his lawyer begged for leniency, explaining to a judge in the Eastern District Court of New York that Mr. Tses son had a lung disorder and his ailing parents needed care. He promised to open a restaurant.
Multnomah County Sheriffs deputies recovered the body of a 50-year-old woman Saturday after her car was swept away and buried by a landslide in the Columbia River Gorge earlier this month.

Jennifer Moore was driving her SUV as part of a caravan of cars of family members who were evacuating the Dodson and Warrendale areas at about 1:15 a.m. on Jan. 13. Authorities had advised residents of the area to leave their homes due to torrential rains that night that had increased the risk of flash floods and landslides.

Moore was driving on Northeast Frontage Road in Dodson, east of Multnomah Falls, when the landslide hit.

A day later, searchers found part of her car that they said appeared to have detached from the rest of the vehicle. They continued to search for her body, which they estimated was buried under 15 feet of mud, logs and other debris.

This afternoon, deputies recovered the body of Jennifer Moore. We want to acknowledge @Corbett_Fire @OregonDOT @MCSOSAR for their help in bringing closure to the Moore family and greater Dodson community. Crews will continue working to clear debris from the area. pic.twitter.com/hNZ6RpBZYG  Multnomah Co. Sheriffs Office (@MultCoSO) January 23, 2021

A private company, Concrete GPR, helped the sheriffs office and the Corbett Fire District find the precise location of the rest of the car using a powerful metal detector. Searchers used heavy machinery, including front loaders and dump trucks, to dig through the debris, which posed a danger of shifting or sliding again.

Its not the outcome everyone would have hoped for, River Patrol Unit Sgt. Steve Dangler said in a news release, but at least at this point, it brings closure to the family and allows them to begin the grieving process.

The sheriffs office said the Oregon Department of Transportation will continue to clear debris from the area. Frontage Road and the exit for Ainsworth State Park remained closed Saturday afternoon, and people visiting the area should check www.tripcheck.com for the latest information.

According to the Catholic Sentinel, Moore was a member of St. Henry Parish in Gresham, the mother of two children at Jesuit High School, about to celebrate her 18th anniversary with her husband and an oncology charge nurse at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Portland.

-- Aimee Green; agreen@oregonian.com; o_aimee
George Osborne's family business has borrowed more than 4 million in taxpayer-backed loans to survive the pandemic.

Osborne & Little, the upmarket wallpaper and furnishings firm co-founded by the former Chancellor's father, baronet Sir Peter Osborne, has borrowed 3.6 million from its bank through the coronavirus 'business interruption' loan scheme.

The loan is underwritten by the Government, meaning taxpayers would pick up the bill for up to 80 per cent of the debt if Osborne & Little was unable to repay the money.

George Osborne's family business has borrowed more than 4 million in taxpayer-backed loans to survive the pandemic. Pictured: Osborne with David Walliams and David Furnish

The company also has made 'full use' of the Government's furlough scheme, asking the taxpayer to fund the wages of 'a significant proportion' of its 153 staff.

The company also borrowed $846,000 (618,000) through the US government-backed Paycheck Protection Program loan scheme in America. George Osborne, 49, became a non-executive director last July.

The firm made a 542,000 pre-tax loss in the year to the end of March 2020 after sales fell six per cent to 29.1 million. Sales in the US, its biggest market representing 56 per cent of overall sales, fell two per cent to 16.3 million.

The company also has made 'full use' of the Government's furlough scheme, asking the taxpayer to fund the wages of 'a significant proportion' of its 153 staff. Pictured: Osborne in 2013

Before the company took out the loans, directors had warned there was 'material uncertainty' over the firm's ability to continue as a going concern and called the Covid-19 crisis 'an unprecedented economic shock'.

But they say they are confident the firm will return to profit over the 12 months to March 2021.

Osborne & Little did not respond to a request for comment.

Fairbanks, AK (99707)

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Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High 49F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph..

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Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 36F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph.
Warrior

It was bound to happen. The second Gulf War started on 20 March. The conflict, whose consequences are still with us, was to last well beyond 2003. In March, the US Navy SEALs launched its biggest operation ever, aimed at taking out Iraqi oil platforms and gaining control of Al-Faw. War continued in Afghanistan, too, with a large number of special forces engaged in that theatre, including the SEALs and their French counterparts, the Special Operations Command. On 4 July, 2003, to boost the morale of US troops, Arnold Schwarzenegger went to Iraq to present Terminator 3, which had been released in the United States two days earlier. A few months later, he was to become the 38th Governor of California. A Republican, he was elected in the traditionally blue state for a second term, thanks to his environmental policies. Meanwhile, on 3 January, future environmental warrior Greta Thunberg was born!



Perhaps it was no coincidence that one of the highest-grossing films of the year was Finding Nemo, a cute sea world story. A favourite with young and old alike, it also raised awareness of the ever-increasing threats to our oceans. Climate change moved centre stage, too, with a fierce heatwave hitting France that summer, killing over 15,000 people. All in all, though, 2003 was a year of conflict: one in which a watch-loving screen hero became The Gubernator; and one that also saw the birth of a future eco-warrior, the victory of a small, feisty fish  and a Warrior King in Lord of the Rings 3. It follows that for 2003, we need a watch that has nothing to fear from conflict, or the elements. Introducing the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms  fitting military hardware to represent this warrior year.

Fifty Fathoms  Blancpain

Why Blancpain?

In 1953, Blancpain created the first modern diving watch. Doing so required a little luck. This came in the persons of Bob Maloubier and Claude Riffaud, the founders of the first French combat divers unit, who were in search of a reliable watch. They contacted one manufacturer after another, only to be met with refusals, until at last one said yes: Jean-Jacques Fiechter, CEO of Blancpain. And so the Fifty Fathoms was born, notable features of which included the new unidirectional bezel. The watch was to equip many special forces, from French frogmen to US Navy SEALs. Cousteau wore it on his wrist during the filming of The Silent World, the documentary that revealed the beauty of the oceans to a mass audience.

Fifty Fathoms  Blancpain

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 2200a 50th Anniversary  Big Nemo

In 2003, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms (FF) turned 50. The Le Brassus-based brand celebrated its golden jubilee with a limited edition of 150 watches. The 40.5-millimetre watch drew inspiration from the design of the original FF, in particular the superb Bakelite bezel, in sapphire crystal here  a first, I believe. It was relatively small in size and came mounted on a steel bracelet. The piece was accompanied by an astonishing tool to fit the rubber strap that also came with the watch and was itself reminiscent of the Bund straps (short for Bundesrepublik) on the watches of German pilots. That was doubtless no coincidence: Blancpain had developed an FF for the German combat divers, too. This particular 50-year-old was an immediate success, resulting in Blancpain including it in its collections.

The Take from The Devils Advocate

When the topic is war, he naturally pricks up his ears right away! But hes not so interested in all that stuff about protecting the oceans. The 2003 Fifty Fathoms is a beautiful timepiece, rejuvenating the FF without slavishly copying it. Thats no easy feat, but its one Blancpain pulled off. It might have been better not to have a date on it, and not to have gone so over the top on the Blancpain engraving adorning the side of the case. The rubber strap is admittedly really cool, but its also fiddly to change. These are just details, though; truth is, the 2003 FF is a watch that signalled the start of better fortunes for Blancpain.

*On the occasion of GMT Magazine and WorldTempus' 20th anniversary, we have embarked on the ambitious project of summarising the last 20 years in watchmaking in The Millennium Watch Book, a big, beautifully laid out coffee table book. This article is an extract. The Millennium Watch Book is available on www.the-watch-book.com, in French and English.

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After Chuck Yeager managed to become the first human to go past the barrier in 1947, America quickly started making supersonic planes. The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is one of the earliest such pieces of technology, having had its first flight in 1958.The F-4 was designed as a two-seat, twin-engine interceptor and fighter-bomber. It could reach a maximum speed of 1,470 mph (2,370 mph), or Mach 2.23, and had a combat range of 420 miles (680 km). The F-4 was capable of carrying cannons, Sidewinder missiles and, if need be, even nuclear ordinance.Being a supersonic plane, the kind that requires a bit more skill and training to fly than the war-era machines, there are not that many of them in private hands presently. In fact, there allegedly is only one, and youre looking at it.Described as the world's only privately owned F-4 Phantom capable of flight, it resides in California, where for the past ten years has been the object of a long and careful restoration process  we're told work on the airplane is presently about 85 percent done.The supersonic winged machine is supposedly the 11th pre-production F-4s, and one of three to be used by the U.S. Navy to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of U.S. Naval Aviation in 1961. Although not taking part in any actual combat, this plane was damaged by the launch of a Sidewinder missile, and then suffered an engine failure. It was retired by the Navy in 1964, with 461 hours of flight.Although restoration work on this plane is not complete, the owner is selling it, as is. The asking price is $3,250,000.
The National Guard will maintain a presence in Washington, D.C. with a minimum of 5,000 troops remaining in the nation's capital through at least mid-March, a spokesman revealed over the weekend.

'As we continue to work to meet the final post-inauguration requirements, the National Guard has been requested to continue supporting federal law enforcement agencies with 7,000 members and will draw down to 5,000 through mid-March,' Major Matt Murphy of the National Guard Bureau told The Epoch Times on Saturday.

He continued: 'We are providing assistance such as security, communications, medical evacuation, logistics, and safety support to state, district, and federal agencies.'

Thousands of National Guardsmen and women were deployed to Washington, D.C. over the last few weeks after the storming of the Capitol on January 6. There were concerns another major demonstration or attack could be coordinated for Joe Biden's inauguration.

At least 5,000 National Guard troops will remain in Washington D.C. through mid-March

The presence was requested as a D.C. homeland security official said: 'We do anticipate that there will be another National Special Security Event occurring in the joint session of Congress'

More than 26,000 National Guard troops were on duty January 20 for Joe Biden's Inauguration

The massive militarization of the nation's capital came after the January 6 storming of the Capitol by thousands of pro-Trump protesters

While more than 26,000 National Guard members from all over the country were on duty on January 20 as part of a massive militarization of the nation's capital, there was little to no disturbance.

According to several agencies, troops experienced no security threats.

Overall, three people were arrested in Washington, D.C. on Inauguration Day.

A massive exodus of troops was seen following inauguration  the number of on-duty guardsmen and women decreased from more than 26,000 on Wednesday to 10,600 as of Thursday.

Officials are planning ways to return even more troops to their home states in the coming days as at least three governors have now requested the return of their National Guard members.

Since Inauguration, Republican Governors Chris Sununu from New Hampshire; Ron DeSantis from Florida; Greg Gianforte of Montana; and Greg Abbott of Texas all announced they are bringing their troops home from Washington.

'I've ordered the immediate return of all New Hampshire National Guard from Washington D.C.,' Sununu said in a tweet. 'They did an outstanding job serving our nation's capital in a time of strife and should be graciously praised, not subject to substandard conditions.'

Abbott said on Twitter on Thursday: 'I have instructed General Norris to order the return of the Texas National Guard to our state.'

DeSantis said in a tweet Friday night: 'Last night, I ordered our Adjutant General to bring Florida National Guard soldiers home from the National Capital Region.'

The Florida governor has echoed the disenchantment of other state leaders with how the FBI vetted all troops brought into Washington, which resulted in at least 12 being removed.

He told 'Fox & Friends' it was time for troops to leave the 'half-cocked mission.'

Legislators expressed outrage earlier in the week with how their reservists were being treated while deployed in the nation's capital.

Pictures emerged early on showing members sleeping on the floors of Congress and more recently it was revealed they were now ordered to spend their time resting in the middle of 12 hour shifts in a parking garage.

U.S. Capitol Police denied telling the guard to leave the U.S. Capitol. Lawmakers have vowed to figure out what happened.

At least four governors are recalling their troops back to their respective states after ire ensued when images emerged of National Guardsmen and women being forced to take their breaks in a parking garage

In the middle of 12 hour shifts, service members were told if they needed a nap or break they needed to use parking garages rather than the halls of Congress

'We remain an agile and flexible force to provide for the safety and security of the Capitol and its surrounding areas,' a National Guard Bureau spokesperson said. 'Our troops are going to hotel rooms or other comfortable accommodations at the end of their shifts.'

While many guardsmen and women are returning to their respective states soon, a D.C. homeland security official claims there are still threats that require a military presence in the district.

Christopher Rodriguez said the city is requesting continued support from the Guard with traffic management and crowd control through January 30.

He said: 'we do anticipate that there will be another National Special Security Event occurring in the joint session of Congress.'

Rodriguez said the numbers of troops needed is still being calculated.

'Some agencies are requesting continuity of operations, additional support, and recuperation time for their forces to regroup. Approximately 7,000 National Guard personnel are anticipated to provide that assistance through the end of the month,' the guard said in a statement on Thursday.
A surge in coronavirus cases in Zimbabwe has included the deaths of two Cabinet ministers in 48 hours.

The government announced Friday night that Transport Minister Joel Matiza had died of COVID-19. On Wednesday, the president's office said Sibusiso Busi Moyo, Zimbabwes minister of foreign affairs and international trade, had died of complications related to COVID-19.

Zimbabweans have taken to social media to blame the deaths on President Emmerson Mnangagwas government, which takes senior officials abroad for treatment instead of rehabilitating the country's collapsed health care delivery system.

Critics say Mnangagwa and his predecessor, the late Robert Mugabe, never bothered to upgrade hospitals or adequately pay health workers, who have recently been on strike for more personal protective equipment and better salaries.

Munashe Bradnick, 31, an accountant, noted that Zimbabweans were not celebrating the deaths of senior government officials.

I am not so much about their deaths, but how they lived," Bradnick said. "At a personal level, I am mourning the lives that they spent killing others, looting resources, instead of spending on education and health, which would have saved them at this crucial moment.

So, reminding them that they should have spent money on education and not looting is not a celebration. But it is just a lesson to those who are remaining in ZANU-PF. We must not be killed for demanding better health because COVID is not a respecter of persons. When it comes, it does not respect your office, doesnt respect your status in society. It just kills you. So here we are not celebrating anything, we are just reminding them that life is sacred. Even for us, we need to survive.

Following the surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths, Zimbabwes deputy health minister, Dr. John Mangwiro, said in a statement that complacency and negligence over the festive season were major causes. He said people should take more precautions and adhere to the dusk-to-dawn curfew government imposed early this month.

Clifford Hlatshwayo, spokesman for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change Alliance, said the recent surge in coronavirus cases confirmed that lockdowns alone had failed to contain the pandemic.

Zimbabwe [has] more than 90 percent of its population in the informal sector and those in the streets just roaming around," he said. "Those are the people who do not have money to go to China. Government [is] able to jet to China to get proper medical things. Our health institutions are in a sorry state. And for years the government has not shown interest in upgrading them and making sure that our health institutions are equipped with proper and adequate equipment. Our frontline workers do not have adequate PPEs, drugs, even oxygen.

In a state of the nation address broadcast Saturday on national television, Mnangagwa said his government was assessing coronavirus vaccines that have been developed worldwide, but he was worried about the spike in COVID-19 cases in Zimbabwe.

Coronavirus has now infected more than 30,000 citizens and killed nearly 1,000, including four Cabinet ministers and several senior officials.
As a new administration begins, local leaders in Webb County are divided on what Donald Trumps legacy will be.

Local Democratic leaders tend to say history will not be kind to Trump. They believe he was a president that did not show empathy in a time when the country needed it.

History will not remember the former president kindly, Webb County Treasurer Raul L. Reyes said. An era of darkness in our nation has ended, and once again our country has demonstrated that love trumps hate.

Webb County Democratic Party Chair Sylvia Bruni agreed Trump will not be remembered fondly because of his behavior.

Unfortunately, sadly, for all of our country and so many who suffered as a result of his behaviors, hes already being labeled the worst president in U.S. history for his actions from the very beginning of his administration, instigating and enabling dissension, obstruction and most recently insurrection, Bruni said. Of all the harm done, perhaps one of the most tragic has been his determined efforts to obstruct the science that would have led to the speedier resolution of the COVID pandemic that has gripped our nation, leading to the death of over 400,000 souls. History will not be kind to him.

Webb County Republican Party Chair Tyler Kraus, however, said Trump will be remembered in history over the years as something good for the country. He said history books will be favorable to the president as they see objectively who the president was and what he did.

President Trumps legacy will be of peace and prosperity, Kraus said. Our country was doing better than it ever has until the coronavirus came from China and decimated our economy. Just a few of the accomplishments that President Trump achieved in office are as follows: lowest Hispanic and African-American unemployment in the history of our country, strongest economy in the history of our country, prison reform so that low-level offenders can have a second chance at life, bringing manufacturing back to our country, reforming our broken health care system, lowering taxes, strengthening our military, and the list goes on.

Kraus said Trump will be remembered as a great president for the nation who was attacked by the media relentlessly.

History will be kind to President Trump, Kraus said. In time, all Americans will appreciate how great of a president he really was. President Trump never could catch a break from the media. They repeatedly attacked him and attempted to destroy his reputation. It was sickening to watch. We will never forget how the biased media outlets portrayed him.

Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz said he prefers not to judge the president but leave it to the people and historians to state what the legacy was and what his administration meant for the country.

I will leave the judgment of his presidential legacy to pundits and qualified historians, Saenz said. Only time will truly tell the long-term consequences and impacts, whether beneficial or not, of his policies and behavior.

jorge.vela@lmtonline.com
The foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuanian urge the Russian authorities to release detainees.

The Baltic states have called on the European Union to slap new sanctions against Russian officials responsible for suppressing protests in support of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu posted a joint statement on Twitter on January 24.

"We strongly condemn the detention of peaceful protesters in Russia. They must be released immediately. All of us in the EU must be decisive in imposing restrictive measures against Russian officials responsible for arrests," the statement said.

Read alsoNavalny arrested for 30 days, urges Russians to take to streets (Video)

Protests in Russia

On January 23, rallies were held in Russia in support of the Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, who was arrested a few days earlier, upon return to Russia from Germany.

Russian law enforcement agencies violently handled detentions during the mass protests.

During the rallies, 3,296 protesters were detained. This is a record high number of detainees in Russia's modern history.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine condemned the violence against participants in the rallies in support of Navalny in Russia.

Reporting by UNIAN
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Health Minister C Vijayabhaskar, a medical doctor, received the COVID-19 vaccination here on Friday.

"I got vaccinated today as a member of the medical fraternity and to instil confidence among the fellow healthcare personnel. I have not taken this as a minister," he told reporters after receiving the Covaxin shot at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital here.

He said there should not be any kind of hesitation among the public to get themselves vaccinated.

"I request all to get vaccinated and safeguard themselves from COVID-19", he added.

"...the session site had Covaxin which they (hospital staff) administered to me and I was proud to see the field functionaries following all protocols," he said.

Later responding to a query, Vijayabhaskar said 10.45 lakh Covishield vaccine doses and 20,000 Covaxin does have arrived in the state so far and 166 session sites have been set up to provide the vaccination.

The minister said he opted for Covaxin since it was a 'Made in India' product and only 908 people including himself had got it administered in the state so far.

He said the government has identified six lakh medical personnel and over 40,000 people have got themselves vaccinated so far.

Recently, Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan got himself vaccinated at the Mahamta Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital in Tiruchirappalli.

According to the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, as of Thursday, 42,947 people on priority list, including health workers have been immunised since the launch of the vaccination drive on January 16.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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TORRINGTON  The Susan B. Anthony Project, which provides support to men, women and families impacted by domestic violence, depends on donations and sponsorship to keep its programs going. One group of sponsors are local businesses.

For the last few years the agency has offered a HERO Program, which stands for Helping Empower and Rebuild Others, giving businesses a way to donate money and involve their employees.

This year SBAP is recognizing four local participants in the HERO PRogram: Energy Fitness Factory, Lily and Vine Floral Design and Wrights Barn and Cafe, all in Torrington; and Litchfield Hills Fitness in Litchfield.

To be a HERO, businesses are asked to collect donations from employees and customers to benefit SBAP. Those gifts are then matched by the business. All donations collected support SBAPs services for women, men, and children experiencing domestic and/or sexual violence.

Free of charge to victims and survivors, services include a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, transitional living services, court and medical advocacy, individual counseling, and support groups, all of which help victims to live safer lives, according to SBAP.

We are so grateful to these businesses for becoming HEROs to our clients and for supporting our work, said Ashley Cerruto, SBAP Business Development Associate. Even during this time when local businesses are facing their own challenges due to the pandemic, they have stepped up and shown their commitment to supporting victims and creating a safer community.

The funds are collected in a box provided by SBAP and displayed by the business. The collection box also provides outreach information to the public, including take-away cards with the agencys 24-hour crisis hotline phone number.

The HERO program is equally invaluable for outreach as it is a fundraising, Cerruto said. For those who may be experiencing violence, or know someone who is, these HERO boxes can serve as a lifeline, offering critical information on how they can find help.

Businesses interested in becoming a Susan B. Anthony Project HERO, or who are interested in supporting the agency via event or program sponsorships or volunteering, should contact Cerruto via email at acerruto@sbaproject.org or by phone at 860-489-3798.

From the website: Founded in 1983, Susan B. Anthony Project promotes safety, healing and growth for all survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, and advocates for the autonomy of women and the end of interpersonal violence. SBAP provides 24/7/365 crisis and support services, as well as education and prevention programs, free of charge, to two cities and 18 towns in Northwest Connecticut. For more information about the services and programs offered by Susan B. Anthony Project, visit http://sbaproject.org, or call 860-489-3798. The 24-hour crisis line is 860-482-7133.

Innovative tech trends in 2021 are expected after people spend much of 2020 indoors. However, some are going to shine because of the demands of the pandemic.

Many tech trends in 2021 could be pushed forward by the pandemic and many digital transactions that came with staying indoors as more people adjust their expectations from technology.

Many companies started relying on AI systems and other computer powers to support their day-to-day operations. Employees worked from home and businesses moved online, setting a bar for what they needed from tech trends in 2021 and, perhaps, the years that will follow.

Here are some tech trends that would likely have massive attention this year and beyond, according to Venture Beat's Usman Shuja:

Rapid AI Service Practicality, Security Among Awaited Tech Trends in 2021

With the risk of the pandemic to workers, the growth in artificial intelligence (AI) and industrial autonomous technologies is expected to be rapid in 2021.

Forbes pointed out that over the course of the pandemic, AI gained a strong foothold in the corporate world. Now, about 54% of financial services firms expressed that they want to invest more in it.

Related story: What's Next for AI in 2021? Here's What Experts Think

Boston Consulting Group also said in a report that more than 80% of companies also plan to accelerate their move to digital. It just so happened that only 30% of these transformations have been met or exceeded their target value.

That said, more products and services are expected to get into the IoT (internet of things) that already holds a wide range of items for users.

AI offers practicality to almost any business and with the need to offer remote solutions, companies had a sense of urgency to make digital transformations.

For big names like Amazon, this advancement is already a work-in-progress. BBC reported that Amazon has plans to expand its Go store chain where customers don't have to go through checkout.

These types of stores simply use cameras and AI tracks what customers took when they left the store. It then just bills when they leave.

Machine Learning Tech Trends in 2021 Offers More Autonomous Deep Learning Solutions

Many already predicted that machine learning will have a rapid boost amid the pandemic, with new cutting-edge models and better tool support, said Towards Data Science. However, there's one subset of it that needs to be magnified: deep learning.

Deep learning pioneer Dr. Geoffrey Hinton told MIT Technology Review that deep learning could do "everything," even go as far as replicating human intelligence.

But this improvement still has a long way to go.

Dr. Manuela Veloso at Carnegie Mellon University said AI should first be incorporated with symbiotic autonomy where it can receive more than simple yes/no feedback from users.

It is important to note that there are some ethical issues that come with deep learning like concerns of discrimination, violating human rights, accountability and others.

Advances in Quantum Computing Could Predict the Next Pandemic

Quantum computing, or the points at which a quantum computer can compute a multitude of data faster than a normal or classical computer, is far from widespread use. However, 2020 did allow for some milestones in some industry leaders like IBM, Amazon and Google, reported Tech Republic.

Some believe the fast computation power of these computers can affect the development and delivery of vaccines in a future pandemic, if not for the one faced by the world right now.

Read also: Amazon Offers To Help Biden Ramp up Vaccine Distribution

If done correctly, quantum computers have the potential to do simulations that today's high-performance computers find challenging.

If quantum computers could quickly map out or simulate things, a drug for the next pandemic would already be available before people even had to make it.

The growth doesn't stop with these three advancements, and nothing really goes awry if the predictions don't happen, but seeing giant leaps forward in today's technologies could yield exponential results.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 22:31:13|Editor: huaxia

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MUSCAT, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The rate of positive COVID-19 cases has dropped in Oman since mid-October but is likely to increase, the health minister said on Sunday.

"The number of infections is likely to increase considering the continuation of the pandemic globally," the official Oman News Agency (ONA) quoted Ahmed Al Saidi as saying.

The Omani health ministry on Sunday announced 558 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 133,044.

Meanwhile, 1,532 people recovered during the past 72 hours, taking the overall recoveries to 126,262, while four deaths were reported, pushing the tally up to 1,521, according to a ministry statement quoted by ONA. Enditem

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is a fierce advocate of fair wages and a former presidential candidate who lost the Democratic nomination to now-President Joe Biden. And thanks to his practical clothing choices he is also now the center of a seemingly endless flood of altered pictures that dominated some corners of the internet in the hours after Bidens socially distanced inauguration on Wednesday.

Amid the dark suits and bright coats dotting the Capitol steps, Sanders was photographed sitting masked, cross-legged and bundled up in a bulky coat and mittens against the frigid weather in Washington, D.C. Soon after, the image, taken by photographer Brendan Smialowski for Getty Images, began to circulate on social media inserted into a wide array of photographs and scenes from movies and artworks.

On a day all about Biden, it was in some ways appropriate that Sanders, whose strongest political support in the presidential race came from young voters, would nonetheless be the star of the days biggest meme by doing nothing but sitting and crossing his arms. In their primary competition, Sanders enjoyed a significantly larger online following than Biden, especially among those who often communicate through memes.

Though other memes starring Sanders were often used to say something  he wore what appears to be the same coat in a 2009 fundraising video in which he is once again asking for your financial support, a line that has been repurposed in a litany of ways  there was no such deeper meaning to the newest meme. Instead of using his image to make an argument, he was simply placed into new contexts, with his pose, outfit and expression themselves serving as the joke.

While the day belonged to Biden, the meme served as an amusing sideshow, a bit of fun and levity after four years in which presidential politics brought Sanders supporters few reasons to be in a good mood.

It wasnt the only meme inspired by Inauguration Day: Others touched on the former first lady Michelle Obamas outfit and on Lady Gaga, who sang the national anthem dressed not entirely unlike a character from the Hunger Games. But even with Janet Yellen, Bidens nominee for Treasury secretary, dressed just as warmly, it was Sanders, the incoming chair of the Senate Budget Committee, who seemed far the favorite.

Early posts about him started with simple reviews of his practical, relatively unglamorous outfit. Some saw their uncles and fathers in his choice to put warmth over style.

Then came the memes, in which social media users took the original image of Sanders and found new locations for him and his coat. He was inserted into history. Sat at the bowling alley with The Dude. Enjoyed the sun at a closed state beach in New Jersey with that states former governor, Chris Christie.

Still others brought the Sanders image to the movies, showing him on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise in Star Trek, and as a member of the Avengers.

The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame capitalized by selling its own version of the pose. Nick Sawhney, a software engineer in New York, created a tool that allows you to insert Sanders into any street address in Google Maps street view.

The senators avatar looked busy. It visited a museum and sat on the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones. It dropped in on a curling match and photobombed a Leonardo da Vinci painting.

There was a cameo in Mario Kart, a news conference in Mexico and a trip to the surface of the moon. He took a tour of New York City.

BuzzFeed News reported that Sanders got his mittens from Jen Ellis, a second-grade teacher in Essex Junction, Vermont, who made gloves on the side. She said she sent him a pair after he lost a bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016.

Ellis tweeted that the mittens were made from repurposed wool and lined with fleece.

In an interview with CBS, Sanders laughed off the attention.

In Vermont, we dress, we know something about the cold, he told Gayle King. And were not so concerned about good fashion. We just want to keep warm. And thats what I did today.

Mission accomplished, King said.
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Some of the biggest superannuation funds are proposing the Morrison government hands out $5000 to low-income earners for retirement after one million young workers cleared out the majority of their super to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.

The futures of young workers who have lost livelihoods and career paths during the coronavirus-induced recession have sparked global concern. Unions and super funds are warning this cohort needs special attention from the federal government.

The economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic is under way, but workers groups fear youth will bear the scars. Credit:

The Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees pre-budget submission requests a federal government contribution into super of up to $5000 for those earning less than $39,837 who withdrew money from their retirement accounts last year. AISTs members include major funds managing billions of dollars of assets like Australian Super, Hostplus, Cbus and Hesta. The lobbyists will also encourage the Morrison government to continue with the legislated plan to increase the compulsory super rate from 9.5 per cent to 12 per cent by 2025.

About a million workers under the age of 35 whittled their superannuation to only hundreds of dollars or closed their accounts after withdrawing up to $20,000 as part of an emergency scheme introduced by the government at the height of the pandemic, according to an analysis by AIST.
For anyone hoping to find a way to pass the time in lockdown, then look no further that this fiendishly tricky brainteaser - which is proving to be quite the challenge to even the most experienced of puzzlers.

The colourful graphic, created by Vitabiotics, tasks people across the nation to find the 'brain', 'eye' and 'heart' among the foods rich in B vitamins - including cheese, eggs and milk.

According to the creators, the current record stands at an impressive 35 seconds. So, do you think you can beat it?

Tricky brainteaser, created by Vitabiotics, challenges people across the nation to find the 'brain', 'eye' and 'heart' among the foods rich in B vitamins (pictured)

The jam-packed brainteaser has been created to help highlight the important role B vitamins play over these winter months.

Unlike its better-known neighbour Vitamin C, Vitamin B is not actually a single nutrient but a group of eight vitamins that play many different roles in the body.

A spokesperson from Vitabiotics said: 'We wanted to create this brain teaser to remind people that b vitamins can contribute to normal energy release if they need support at this time of year.'

So, how are you getting on? Do you give up? Scroll down to find the answers circled in red.

The three hidden organs - the 'brain', 'eye' and 'heart' - can be found circled in red (pictured)

Another difficult brainteaser, designed by GoSimpleTax to tie in with the Self Assessment deadline at the end of the month, asks the nation to find the the taxman who is not wearing a face covering.

According to the creators, the current record stands at an impressive 9 seconds, so how quick do you think you can find him?

The illustration shows several men suited and booted in their best attire - most of which are putting safety first by donning face masks.

Another brainteaser, created by GoSimpleTax, challenges the nation to find the the taxman who is not wearing a face covering (pictured)

However, there's one who is breaking government guidelines and can be seen without one.

He's in there somewhere, but you've got to be quick!

Do you want a clue? Feast your eyes towards the left-hand side of the image. If you've given up, scroll down to find the answer circled in red.

The answer can be found towards the left-hand side of the image and is circled in red (pictured)

Looking for another puzzle? Why not give this one a go...

The illustration, created by UK-based online retailer GiftsOnline4U.com, shows a bottle of Prosecco being poured into four flutes linked via a selection of pipes.

The task is to figure out which of the glasses the liquid will reach fill with fizz first - and it's harder than it first appears.

The time to beat is 45 seconds - but can you work it out any quicker?

The task is to figure out which of the glasses the liquid will reach fill with fizz first - and it's harder than it first appears

Need a clue? Perhaps it isn't as straightforward as it first seems...

If you're still struggling, consider the size of each vessel as well as the heights of the adjoining pipes.

Solution: The correct order they will fill is 2, 4, 1 and then 3.

Hungarian cartoonist Gergely Dudas, better known as Dudolf, challenged players to find the only four-leaf clover in this vibrant springtime scene.

The seek-and-find puzzle, shared on his website, shows a number of brightly-coloured pigs milling around a field covered in grass and clovers - but only one has the lucky four leaves.

Think you have what it takes to find the lucky charm?

Hungarian cartoonist Gergely Dudas, better known as Dudolf, challenged players to find the only four-leaf clover in this vibrant springtime scene

Although the task might sound simple, it is easy to get distracted by the adorable pigs. Dudolf has also included plenty of three-leaf clovers to throw you off track.

Need a clue? Look at the top right quadrant of the image and look for a yellow and grey image.

If you're still not having any luck then the answer is below.

The four-leaf clover is tucked away in the top right of the image, between a yellow pig and a grey one

You can also try this travel-themed brainteaser.

Players are challenged to spot the rogue wallet hidden among the piles of luggage.

It's a tough one, as there are several suitcases all piled high with essential travel items, from passports to clothes and shoes.

The puzzle was created by the UK hotel chain Jury's Inn - so, do you think you're eagle-eyed enough to find the wallet?

Players are challenged to spot the rogue wallet hidden among the piles of luggage in this tricky brainteaser

If you're struggling to locate the wallet, it might help you to know that there's a green bank note peeping out the top of it.

Still baffled?

Cast your eye towards the left-hand side of the image and scan the area around the bottom of the open blue suitcase.

If you've given up or want to check you're right, scroll down for the big reveal.

There it is! The wallet, with a few green bank notes peeping out the top, is partly concealed beneath the wheel of a suitcase

Earlier this month a puzzle challenged player to find the only red-nosed reindeer in a busy festive scene.

Created by London-based discount code provider Savoo, it shows a herd of reindeer with brightly-coloured noses prancing through the snow.

There is a 30-second record to beat - do you think you can do it?

Scroll down for the reveal

A brainteaser challenges puzzlers to find the only red-nosed reindeer in a busy festive scene

With so many reindeer covering this wintery scene, locating the one animal with a red nose can be quite tricky.

The puzzle is made harder by the addition of wrapped presents covered in different coloured paper and decorative bows.

Need a clue? Try searching towards the bottom right area of the puzzle.

Think you've found the ruby reindeer? Or are you completely stumped? Scroll down to find the answer!

There he is! The red-nosed reindeer is leaning down towards the bottom-right corner of the picture. Did you manage to find him within 30 seconds?

If you liked that brainteaser, why not give this challenging puzzle a go?

The puzzle, created by UK-based communications firm Moneypenny, challenges players to find the single telephone hidden among the speech bubbles.

There is a 55-second record to beat - so can you find it any faster?

Scroll down for reveal

Players are tasked with tracking down the phone symbol hidden among the sea of 'hellos'

With such a busy scene, puzzlers could be forgiven for finding this challenge a little harder than most.

But if you're struggling, try taking a closer look toward the bottom right-hand side of the screen.

Need another clue? Check out what is nestled between 'Hola' and 'Bongu'.

Scroll down to look at the answer below if you've given up or want to check whether you've got it right.

The phone can be seen nestled between 'Hola' and 'Bongu'. The time to beat was 55 seconds - but did you find it any faster?

But if you want more seek-and-find fun this next tricky festive brainteaser challenges you to spot the only grumpy child in a bustling Christmas market

The illustration, created by UK-based Rimmers Music, tasks you with finding the unhappy attendee who is covering his ears with mittens.

The current record stands at three minutes - but can you solve it any quicker?

The illustration, created by UK-based Rimmers Music, tasks you with finding the unhappy attendee who is covering his ears with mittens

The scene is bustling with layered-up locals shopping for presents, holding sheets of music and clinking mugs of mulled wine - making it almost impossible to spot the boy in the crowd.

But, if you're struggling, try focussing your attentions to around the base of the Christmas tree.

Need another clue? He is dressed all in green...

The boy can be found standing between the base of the Christmas tree and the wooden cabin selling sweet treats

And this isn't the only festive brainteaser on offer with the puzzle below released in a bid to get the nation into the Christmas spirit.

The festive-themed graphic, created by UK-based home furnishings retailer Terrys, challenges puzzlers to track down the only nutcracker without a moustache.

However, the current record stands at an impressive 46 seconds. So, can you find him any faster?

A brainteaser, created by UK-based home furnishings retailer Terrys, challenges players to track down the only nutcracker without a moustache (pictured)

With so many nutcracker men huddled together, puzzlers could be forgiven for finding this challenge a little harder than most.

And if you're struggling to spot the man without facial hair lurking in the crowd, try taking a closer look toward the left-hand corner.

Need another clue? He is dressed all in blue...

If you're struggling to spot the man without facial hair lurking in the crowd, try taking a closer look toward the left-hand corner (answer pictured)

Sill keen for more? The below puzzle challenges players to spot the six Christmas presents hidden in the cosy scene.

Online furniture store Furniturebox created the baffling brainteaser to spread some festive fun, despite celebrations being a little different this year.

The colourful illustration is filled with similar objects that are sure to distract even the most eagle-eyed puzzlers.

It takes an average of 90 seconds to find them all - but how fast can you do it in?

Online furniture store Furniturebox created the baffling brainteaser for puzzlers to spot the six hidden Christmas presents

If you're struggling to spot the presents lurking in the living room scene try taking a closer look toward the fire place.

Still can't spot them? Some of the others can be found sitting on the rug...

Scroll down to look at the answer below if you've given up or want to check whether you've got it right.

The colourful illustration is filled with similar objects to distract even the most eagle-eyed puzzlers

This next challenge tasks you with finding the robot disguised as a snowman in a vibrant winter scene.

The illustration, created by UK-based electronics company RS Component, is made all the more difficult by the fact that there are a number of other snowmen dressed and on display in the scene.

Do you have what it takes to spot the frosty robot from the real snowmen?

Do you have what it takes to find the snowman hiding in this Winter scene in a brainteaser created by electronics company RS Components?

Try your luck and scroll down to find the right answer circled below.

Struggling? The best way to find the robot snowman is to focus on each accessories each snowman is wearing in the picture, some wear hats, other have scarves and one has...!

Need a little extra help? Focus your attention to the right of the picture.

Think you found it or giving up? Find the answer below, along with other brainteasers to keep your brain working.


Kenya Moore and Marc Daly tried to make it work -- more than once.

But the couple have decided to split again after three-and-a-half-years of marriage and 16-months since their first breakup.

Daly announced he was ending his marriage with the 49-year-old Real Housewives Of Atlanta star for the second time in a statement released exclusively to The Root on Saturday, January 23.

Split again! Marc Daly announced he and Kenya Moore have decided to end their marriage, in a statement to The Roots on Saturday, January 23

'After recently attending mediation, Kenya and I have agreed to end our marriage,' Daly's statement began.

'I will always have great care for her and look forward to amicably continuing to co-parent our daughter Brooklyn with an abundance of love and wisdom.'

The banker-turned-restauranteur, 50, went on to reveal that he intends to focus much of attention now to helping the underserved and people of color in his Brooklyn community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

A source told Us Weekly back in October 2019 that Daly 'had multiple affairs' during his relationship with the beloved reality star.

The former couple's split comes 16-months since their first breakup; they are pictured with daughter Brooklyn in a post during more happier times in November 2020

Reality world: Moore has been a main RHOA castmember from seasons five through 10, and again for seasons 12 and 13; she and her estranged husband are pictured on the show

The pair got married in a private ceremony in June 2017, and welcomed Brooklyn, two, in November 2018.

It was just 10-months later, in September 2019, when they separated for the first time.

'It is with profound sadness that I regret to inform my fans that I am divorcing my husband, Marc Daly,' Moore told Us Weekly at the time.

'Due to recent and ongoing circumstances, I can no longer continue in the marriage. My sole concern and focus is and will always be my daughter, Brooklyn, my miracle baby. She was made in love and true commitment. I ask for our privacy to be respected moving forward.'

On the move: Moore has not yet publicly addressed the split, but she did share a video clip on Saturday of herself and Brooklyn boarding a private jet

Groovy: Ciara' s song, Level Up, could be heard playing in the background

But eventually Moore and Daly reconciled and decided to give their marriage a second chance.

Moore has not yet publicly addressed the split, but she did share a video clip on Saturday of herself and the former couple's two-year-old daughter Brooklyn boarding a private jet with Ciara's song, Level Up, playing in the background.

The video also shows images of their flight and Moore standing on a beach in a tropical paradise when they landed.

The Michigan native has been a main RHOA castmember from seasons five through 10, and again for seasons 12 and 13.

Holiday: Moore's video also showed where she and her daughter are going to soak in the sun in a in a tropical paradise
John Riordan is not a fan of the traditional office. And during 2020, his long-held vision of a remote-working revolution finally came to pass - albeit imperfectly - when Covid-19 restrictions compelled companies to allow employees to work from home.

The director of support at Shopify, the Canadian e-commerce giant that enables merchants to set up stores online, has run the Irish operations from his home in the Cork suburb of Douglas since Shopify hired its first 50 employees in Galway in 2015. Throughout its entire Irish expansion - Shopify now employs more than 400 people here and has the "opportunity to become a 1,000-person employer" - its staff have either worked from home or a co-working hub.

For Riordan, there is one primary reason why more tech firms in Ireland didn't emulate Shopify's fully-remote model until they had to: a failure to trust that employees would do the work if they weren't under supervision.

He says: "If you look at the 2016 census data, between 23,000 and 32,200 people were commuting from Wicklow, Wexford, Meath and Kildare to Dublin for work. And what were they doing at work? Taking out the laptop they brought from home and making calls on phones they brought from home. Ireland has built a significant industry around tech, so why do we require people to migrate into a city to do the work with tools they brought from home? One word - mistrust.

"Until March of last year, you couldn't do anything on the basis of trust. But now we've seen that studies showing people are more productive or neutral at home far outweigh the studies that show it's less productive. It all goes back to 'I don't know that people are doing the work at home because I can't see them'.

For Riordan, the National Remote Work Strategy unveiled in mid-January by Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar doesn't go far enough. Under the strategy, which is due to be implemented by December, new legislation would give employees a legal right to request remote-working arrangements. If the employer doesn't provide valid grounds for refusing a request, the employee can go to the Workplace Relations Commission. There will also be a legally admissible code of practice on the "right to disconnect" from calls, messages and emails outside normal hours, investment in remote working hubs around the country, a review of tax breaks, and a potential acceleration of the National Broadband Plan.

Riordan says: "It's a good move, but not far-reaching enough. Ireland has the opportunity to become a remote-work mecca, now that it's the largest English-speaking country in the EU. We have one of the youngest workforces in Europe and we are probably the most liberal country in Europe. One of the most successful things this little country has done in the last 10 years from an international perspective is the Wild Atlantic Way and really marketing a wide swathe of the country, which is incredibly attractive for remote work.

"But other countries are already competing for that remote worker. Tulsa in Oklahoma is offering people a $10,000 (8,200) grant to move there. We need to move quicker on taxation allowances, which is now at a paltry 3.20 a day."

Almost a year after Ireland reported its first case of Covid-19, mandatory remote work has blurred the lines between our home and working lives. As the Government's strategy points out, "it is important not to conflate the experience of homeworking during the Covid-19 pandemic with remote working under a regular scenario". Still, months of operating in survival mode, with many workers trying to fit in Zoom calls with schooling children at the kitchen table, means some employees will yearn for a return to the office - at least for a few days a week. For other employees, the experience has confirmed the advantages of working from home and that taste of autonomy means they don't want to stuff the genie back into the bottle and return to lengthy commutes to the office.

Indeed, as the vaccination programme rolls out during 2021 and it eventually becomes safe to go back into the office, a tug of war may emerge between workers who now share Riordan's appreciation of remote work and conservative-minded employers who expect a full return to pre-pandemic presenteeism.

One poll from DataSolutions of 500 Irish workers indicated that a third of Irish office workers would leave their current employer if they were not offered the option to work from home, either part-time or full-time, on a permanent basis.

However, there may be a push-back from employers of all sizes. In the autumn, some multinational companies told Varadkar they were "very keen" for some staff to return to their offices as soon as possible. Minutes of a virtual meeting between Varadkar and 13 IDA Ireland clients show unnamed companies cited impaired teamwork and collaboration, as well as legal and tax issues over staff working remotely from their home countries, as reasons for wanting employees back at their office desks.

The Institute of Directors in Ireland has been monitoring the attitudes of its 3,000 members - which mostly comprise CEOs and company directors - towards remote working. In November, it published a survey that showed just 10pc of members think all or most staff will work remotely in the future. Just 39pc believe remote working has been a positive and productive experience for their organisations, while 24pc said it has not been and 35pc were undecided, even though just 12pc were worried about productivity rates.

Chief executive Maura Quinn said the institute is finishing off a new survey and so far it has shown "that a significant number of our membership expect it will be quarter three before staff are back in the office. Whether people want to go back to the office is a separate piece.

"We will probably see a hybrid model of staff coming into the office for a few days and working remotely the rest of the time. But what is likely is that significant numbers of people will want to return to some kind of communal workspace, whether it's existing offices or hubs. From talking to other directors and leaders, they feel that their staff are missing the office and that people are lonely at home and miss human interaction.

"It's also very difficult for new employees to get a sense of a company's tacit culture at home. That would be how you deal with customers, how you answer the phone - things like that. If you are a new employee and you've never had exposure to how you do that, it's difficult to pick that up remotely. The other issue is problem-solving and people work best collaboratively to solve a problem. You need to bring people into a room for that; if you are on a Zoom call, you can't see people's body language."

Remote working on a permanent basis would prove especially isolating for graduates who are starting off in their careers and require mentoring and training, Quinn believes.

"Someone was telling me the other day about the trainee solicitor at their company," she says. "Normally, as part of the training, they would sit in on client meetings with the trainee and watch how the engagement with clients was handled. That is a huge amount of informal learning and it's very difficult to do that remotely.

"You can imagine the whole impact on social lives, too. Say you work from home for Google or another big tech company; one of the reasons you joined was because they have a young workforce and it's a chance to meet people. So you are not going to the bar or for dinner on a Friday night with them and that has a huge knock-on effect. People are feeling anxious and depressed."

While Quinn expects there will be "lots of conversations between staff and employees about working from home", she doesn't believe these conversations will take place until the pandemic is over. "We all expect this lockdown will be extended and, from an employer's point of view, you can only deal with the timeline you have in front of you," she says. Varadkar's target for the remote working strategy to be rolled out by the end of 2021 is "ambitious and there will have to be a huge amount of consultation with unions and employers first".

Riordan believes it would be foolish for employers not to be planning now for the future of their workforce.

"Any business leader who is not looking at the post-pandemic landscape has their head in the sand," he says. "We are going to end up in a situation where people who love working from home will want that as the number one priority from their employer. If they are working for companies that don't want that, they will just leave."

Tracy Keogh, co-founder of Grow Remote, a community project that aims to increase employment opportunities in regional areas by connecting remote workers with companies, says any organisation that intends to apply a hybrid model - combining remote work with office work - in a post-Covid workplace will need to lead by example.

"If your whole leadership team just goes back to office on day one, it will be a magnet that will pull everyone else back in," she says.

Tech giants such as Microsoft and Dropbox promised the remote-first model last year. Dropbox spent months rethinking its offices and workplace practices and told staff in October that offices "will no longer be for daily individual work - all solo work and most meetings will take place in a distributed environment".

Some Irish startups have followed their lead. Shane Ryan, founder of Fiid, which supplies plant-based meals to chains such as SuperValu, said the company is leaving it up to its staff to decide how much time they want to spend at Fiid's Smithfield office.

"We've had lots of interesting conversations over the last nine months about the future of the office for us and we ultimately decided to scale back the size of our space, which presented a significant cost saving," he says.

"We've seen how efficient we can be as a fully distributed team - we grew our business by 80pc in 2020 through the pandemic. We've left it up to our team to work in whatever capacity works for them personally. We're extremely target-driven, so as long as we are all clear on where we are going and what needs to be done to get there, we're not precious on where exactly that gets done. It's the more informal social elements that we miss, so having a base is important from a cultural perspective."
TWO Newcastle West men who were refused entry to a nightclub then refused to leave the scene, Kilmallock Court heard.

Charlie McDonagh, aged 38 and Thomas Quilligan, aged 32, both of Sharwood Estate, Newcastle West pleaded guilty to Section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 - failure to comply with the direction of a member of An Garda Siochana.

Inspector Pat Brennan said the incident occurred at Fireworks nightclub in Newcastle West at 0.25am on July 1, 2019.

They were refused entry. They began pushing staff in an effort to gain entry. Gardai were called. The two defendants were asked by gardai to leave the scene. They refused to do so, said Insp Brennan, who added that Mr McDonagh has 27 previous convictions.

Michael ODonnell, solicitor for Mr McDonagh and Mr Quilligan, said from the very outset Mr McDonagh wishes to apologise.

They had gone past the door and had bought their tickets. One of the wives got stopped outside. They started looking for her and returned outside to the door. They acted totally wrongly, said Mr ODonnell.

The solicitor said Mr McDonagh is 38-years-old and has six young children.

He has no previous convictions for this type of behaviour. The other matters are road safety, said Mr ODonnell.

Judge Marian OLeary fined Mr McDonagh 400.

With regard to Mr Quilligan, Mr ODonnell said he too apologises.

He was in the company of others. He was drawn into it. He is a married man with four young children, said Mr ODonnell.

Judge OLeary also fined Mr Quilligan 400 for refusing to leave the scene.
In a history making week when Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first-ever African American and Asian American female Vice President of the United States, Nigeria was also recording a historic first for a female public servant.

The Muhammadu Buhari administration recorded a feat with the appointment of Uzoma Emenike as Nigerias first female Ambassador to the United States.

Until her recent appointment, Mrs Emenike, who hails from Umukabia-Ohuhu in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia, was Nigerias Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland and Iceland.

Over the course of her career, Mrs Emenikes drive for excellence shines through.

During that time, she was rated among the best performing ambassadors.

This was a major reason the President submitted her name for reappointment last year, even though some others who were appointed at the same time with her were dropped.

With her recent appointment by the president as Nigerias Ambassador to the U.S., she now takes over from the late 83-year-old Nsofor, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court.

Being the first female to be in that position has set a new standard, with analysts noting that her appointment has changed the landscape for Nigerian female diplomats.

She is among the 52 non-career and 43 career ambassadors whose deployment was recently approved by the president.

This comes six months after the National Assemblys confirmation of the list of ambassadors-designate submitted by the President.

Profile

Having joined the Nigeria Foreign Service about 30 years ago, Mrs Emenike served in Protocol Department and Africa Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

From there, she was posted to the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan, Cote DIvoire in 1992, where she served for six years.

On her return to Nigeria, she was deployed to other departments of the Ministry and served meritoriously.

During this time, she represented Nigeria in numerous bilateral and multilateral missions, locally and internationally.

A retired career diplomat, Mrs Emenike holds a PhD in International Diplomacy from the University of Reading, UK, alongside four other degrees  two masters (Diplomacy and MBA); LLB, and a Bachelor.

They include a B.Sc, Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria, and an LL.B from the University of Reading in the UK while her Masters degree in International Law and Diplomacy was from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.

She also obtained another Masters in International Management from University of Reading, U.K., She has certificates in French and Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomacy, Nigerian Diplomatic Service Academy.

Mrs Emenike is also an author. Her published articles include: The AFRICA We Envisage in 50 Years Time and Europe Needs Africa.

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She also wrote a book on Nigerian diplomacy, entitled, Africa: The Centre-Piece of Nigerias Foreign Policy (2015).

Interestingly, when she met the Irish President, Michael D. Higgins, a few years ago for her swearing-in ceremony in Dublin, he told her then he had read her book.

On the home front, Mrs Emenike is married to Ikechi Emenike, a brilliant economist and highly successful entrepreneur, and they are blessed with four children.

Those close to her say she is compassionate, but firm and dedicated to getting things done the right way.

Having worked in several missions abroad before retiring from the public service, Mrs Emenike brings a wealth of experience to the office.

Her appointment is seen as one that would further deepen bilateral relations and trade between the U.S. and Nigeria.

(NAN)

Silicon Valley Tech has decided to head on to Miami and Austin, Texas. Mayor seeks to persuade them to a more business-friendly climate promised in Miami.

Inhospitable regulatory and tax environment

In recent weeks, Mayor Francis Suarez of Miami has asked numerous questions from top managers in the tech world, from Tesla CEO Elon Musk to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. He also recently met with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Chairman Peter Thiel of Palantir.

"There is no other secret sauce other than my Twitter account," Suarez said as he shaved and prepared messages from technical managers for another day. "There is absolutely no doubt that a significant part of the reason they are moving is that they feel there is an inhospitable regulatory and tax environment."

With its first chief technology officer's appointment, Miami will attempt to respond to these Silicon Valley deals on Tuesday. Suarez said the new CTO would "provide concierge services" for high-tech companies when they come to Miami, such as streamlining bureaucratic procedures.

While Silicon Valley is by no means ceasing to be the hub of the technology industry, there is an undeniable exodus to cities like Miami for some of Silicon Valley's elite: Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian moved in 2017 from San Francisco. A year later, in 2018, a venture capitalist, Shervin Pishevar, purchased a house in Miami Beach. Jonathan Oringer, who created and became an investor in Shutterstock, moved to Miami at the end of 2020, as did other prominent venture capitalists, including Keith Rabois and David Blumberg.

Miami is not only undergoing this migration. Oracle, the tech giant, revealed last month that it was moving its corporate headquarters from Redwood City, Calif., to Austin, Texas. Palantir, which decamped for Denver, included er such transfers, while Musk said he had moved to Austin last month. Hewlett Packard Enterprise also made an announcement last month that it moved its headquarters to a suburb of Houston from San Jose, California.

"Adam Bauer, spokesman for Hewlett Packard Enterprise, wrote in an email that tax considerations did not "push" the decision to move the company to Texas and that "relocation is entirely voluntary for Bay Area team members in positions listed as eligible.

ALSO READ: Trump Offers Washington DC Hotel To National Guards Kicked Out of the US Capitol

But the reasons why many companies are moving are more complicated than people would assume. Tax experts suggest corporations should not usually switch their corporate headquarters to obtain company tax benefits. Instead, having them pay staff comparatively less where the cost of living is lower can be a long-term play.

In a famously politically liberal state such as California, businesses can often attempt to evade or minimize the consequences of current or potential state and municipal-specific laws.

Experts in tax law claim businesses such as Oracle, which has long had additional offices in many American cities, including Miami and Austin, will have to pay the same taxes irrespective of where they are located.

"The tax bill does not change from a corporate tax perspective moving from California," Gabriel Zucman, an economics professor and tax specialist at the University of California, Berkeley, emailed.

But tax experts suspect that Oracle and its peers will phase out higher-paid workers in California in favor of lower-paid staff in Texas overtime. These businesses may also ease off offering increases to workers because they work somewhere with a lower cost of living.

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 16:51:16|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- China's textile and garment exports grew 9.6 percent year on year to 291.22 billion U.S. dollars in 2020, official data showed.

In breakdown, textile exports surged 29.2 percent from a year earlier to reach 153.84 billion U.S. dollars. Garment exports shrank 6.4 percent to 137.38 billion U.S. dollars, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

In December alone, the country's textile exports expanded 12.6 percent year on year to 12.29 billion U.S. dollars.

Garment exports in December increased 2.8 percent year on year to 13.91 billion U.S. dollars. Enditem
7 in a day: Number of terrorists gunned down in valley in 2021 stands at 31

Since the Ramadan of 2017, these terrorists from Tamil Nadu planned a violent Jihad

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Jan 24: Since the Ramadan of 2017, several meetings were organised in Tamil Nadu in which plans were made to undertake violent Jihad, the National Investigation Agency has said.

In its chargesheet filed against 10 persons, the NIA said these terrorists had formed a Jihadi gang called 'Shahadat is our Goal.' The probe into the case revealed that the accused persons were radicalised by violent jihadi ideology.

The prime accused Sheik Dawood and Mohamed Rifas had conspired with co-accused and organised meetings at various places in Tamil Nadu, since Ramadan, 2017, with the intention of radicalising and recruiting the co-accused and others for shahadat (getting themselves killed) to establish Islamic rule in India.

The accused had created various social media groups, especially on WhatsApp and were disseminating materials advocating violent jihad, including the videos and speeches of the Sri Lankan ISIS/ Daish leader Zahran Hashim.

Major arrest in Wilson murder case: TN ISIS operatives wanted to wage violent Jihad

Accused persons had also prepared pamphlets titled "Shahadat is our Goal" calling for violent jihad to liberate their associates lodged in prisons. In furtherance of the conspiracy, accused Sheik Dawood and Mohammed Rifas had also attempted to carry out terrorist acts by procuring illegal firearms in order to liberate their associates lodged in prisons.

The case was originally registered at the Keelakarai Police Station in Ramnathapuram district of Tamil Nadu after the arrest of accused Mohamed Rifas , Muparish Ahamed and Abupakkar Sithik from Keelakarai. Lethal weapons including swords along with pamphlets pertaining to the terrorist gang were seized from the possession of the accused persons.

Searches were conducted by NIA at the premises of the accused persons in May, 2019 and Mohammed Rashid was identified as an active member of the terrorist gang.

Scrutiny of forensically retrieved data from the seized digital devices and their e-mail and social media accounts, has revealed that the accused persons including Mohammed Rashid, had conducted multiple conspiracy meetings under leadership of Sheik Dawood and Mohamed Rifas with the intention of waging violent jihad in Tamil Nadu, as part of their efforts to establish Islamic rule (Shariah). The accused, in pursuance of the conspiracy, had also attempted to procure illegal fire arms. Further investigations are on.

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Story first published: Sunday, January 24, 2021, 8:59 [IST]
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Tanya Trujillo, who was appointed to the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission in July 2019, has joined the Biden administrations Interior Department.

The water lawyer and native New Mexican will serve as the principal deputy assistant secretary for water and science. The position oversees the work of the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Trujillo was one of more than 20 whose appointments to Interior leadership positions were announced last week.

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Jennifer Van der Heide, Bidens incoming Interior chief of staff, said the team members exude talent and experience.

We look forward to working with the dedicated civil servants at the Department to fulfill Interiors missions, advance President Bidens vision to honor our nation-to-nation relationship with Tribes and uphold the trust and treaty responsibilities to them, address the climate and nature crises, and build a clean energy future that creates good-paying jobs and powers our nation, Van der Heide said.

Trujillo has made a name for herself in the water world with her expertise on Colorado River supply issues, calls for prudent water management and negotiations of Native American water rights settlements.

She has worked as the lower basin project director for the Colorado Sustainability Campaign and the executive director of the Colorado River Board of California.

Her departure leaves a vacancy on a New Mexico commission responsible for big state water decisions.

In 2020, Trujillo voted to end planning work on the Gila Diversion project. The state had spent more than $16 million planning a controversial project to dam and divert the Gila River for farmers in southwestern New Mexico.

Trujillo said at the June 2020 ISC meeting that the group should instead find a balanced approach to spending federal money on water infrastructure that would benefit all residents.

I do strongly urge us to find a path forward to continue to work on planning efforts in southwest New Mexico, she said.

On Tuesday, the commission elected Bidtah Becker as vice chair, a position previously held by Trujillo.

I have huge shoes to fill, Becker said.

The power to appoint a new commissioner lies with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Trujillo received degrees from Stanford University and the University of Iowa College of Law.

She worked as an Interior Department lawyer during the Obama administration. Her resume also includes work as general counsel to the Interstate Stream Commission, legislative aide to former U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M.,and as an advisory board member for the Rio Grande Agricultural Land Trust.

Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal.
Family members in Italy sound the alarm about the disappearance of a third deck mate serving on a cruise ship. The traces of AG, 25, originally from Ortona (Chieti), have been lost in Denmark.

His colleagues found some of his personal belongings on the bridge but the young man has disappeared.

Searches were also activated at sea, which remained unsuccessful.

The relatives have alerted the diplomatic channels fearing that something serious has happened to him, showing many doubts as to whether it could be a voluntary removal. Even the mayor of Ortona, Leo Castiglione, expressed a message of closeness to the family, waiting for light to be shed on the disappearance.

(Unioneonline / ss)
Protesters expected to gather in Sydney tomorrow will risk being fined if the event exceeds the cap of 500 people for outdoor protests under public health orders.

About 2800 people have indicated they are planning to attend the annual Invasion Day protest at the Domain on Tuesday morning.

Last years Invasion Day march in Sydney. Credit:Rhett Wyman

However, COVID-19 public health orders limit protests within Greater Sydney to a maximum of 500 people, or 3000 people outside Sydney.

Police Minister David Elliott said police will be out enforcing the public health orders.
A Korean gentleman and his son. Circa late 19th century. Robert Neff Collection



By Robert Neff



In the 1880s, Lillias Underwood, an early American missionary in Korea, wrote:



"No matter how old one is, without a top-knot [a Korean] is never considered a man, addressed with high endings, or treated with respect. After assuming the top-knot, no matter how young, he is invested with the dignities and duties of a man of the family, takes his share in making the offerings and prayers at the ancestral shrines, and is recognized by his ancestors' spirits as one of the family who is to do them honor, and whom they are to protect and bless."



Facial hair was also valued by Korean males. An American gold miner in the northern part of Korea recalled one of his Korean subordinates asking him for a page from his hometown newspaper. The page had an image of a full-bearded man and the Korean miner cut it out and pinned it to the wall of his room. Allegedly, he prayed  either to the picture or to his own god  to one day be granted a similar beard.



With hair being so highly prized by the Korean male population it might surprise you to know that an 1885 patent request in the United States for "a new and improved Hair-Cutting Machine" had its origin in Jemulpo (modern Incheon). According to the inventor: "The object of my invention is to provide a new and improved machine for clipping and cutting the hair on persons' heads, which is so constructed that it need not be operated by hand nor connected with exterior mechanism."



It probably comes as no surprise that the inventor wasn't Korean. He did, however, work for the Korean government: he was Vladimir S. Bekofsky, an employee of the Corean Customs Service and possibly the first Russian to live in Jemulpo.





A Korean teacher and his male pupils. Circa late 19th century. Robert Neff Collection



Born in Archangel, Russia on July 15, 1845, at some point Bekofsky made his way to Vladivostok where he found employment as a marine engineer. Although the Russian port was relatively new, Bekofsky apparently thought he could make better money in Shanghai and eventually moved there at the beginning of 1883.



He appears to have had a rather adventurous spirit (along with a wife and two daughters to support) and when he learned the Korean government was establishing its own Customs Service, he immediately submitted his application  carefully noting that he held "a government certificate as an engineer theoretical and practical,"  and was promptly hired.



In mid-June 1883, Bekofsky arrived in Jemulpo which, at this time, was mainly a collection of wooden shacks. He was placed in charge of construction and within two months had the Customs Service's foreign employees comfortably situated in new quarters. However, some of these employees were married and did not wish to be separated from their families  including Bekofsky  and soon began to move their families to the port.



In late September, Bekofsky's wife and two daughters arrived and took up residence in Hwato  an area just outside of Jemulpo  in, ironically considering his occupation, a dilapidated house that was later declared to be unhealthy. Unsurprisingly, his daughters found little to amuse them in Korea and apparently returned to Shanghai after spending only a short time in the primitive port.





The port of Jemulpo in the 1890s. Robert Neff Collection



Mrs. Bekofsky, however, elected to remain with her husband until the Gapsin Coup in December 1884 disproved the description of Korea being the "Land of the Morning Calm." Unrest in the capital and fear that it would spread, compelled the handful of Western women in the port to be removed to Nagasaki  they did not return until late the following month.



When his wife returned, they moved into the General Foreign Settlement of Jemulpo where it was thought they would be free from the infrequent-violence and rampant disease. It also was closer to his office and gave him more time to tinker with his inventions.



Not only did he invent the earlier-mentioned "Hair Cutting Machine" but also a car-coupler (for trains) in July 1886, a music recorder two months later and, in January 1887, a Balanced Cooking-Stove  "a practically balanced stove designed particularly for use on shipboard" because it would "always maintain a horizontal position, no matter to what extent the ship may roll."



Shortly after inventing the Balanced Cooking-Stove, Bekofsky completed his contract with the Korean government and immigrated to New York with his family. Unfortunately, like many of these early sojourners, once he left Korea he disappeared from the pages of history.





Bekofsky's patent request for his hair-cutting machine in 1885
Australias collective history is multi-layered, with proud stories and darker undercurrents intertwined with our national identity. Like most countries the world over, there is no single defining feature that captures the essence of being Australian. As we pause to recognise Australia Day again this year, many of us will ponder exactly what it is that we commemorate on January 26.

The date itself is the anniversary of the landing of 11 British ships at Sydney Cove and the arrival of more than 1500 convicts, settlers and administrators to found a new colony. But January 26 represents just one chapter of a more complex narrative that begins with 65,000 years of occupation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, includes federation and the bringing together of colonies, and continues with our embrace of diverse streams of ambitious migrants.

An Invasion Day march in Sydney on January 26, 2020. Credit:Rhett Wyman

One of Australias most prominent Indigenous leaders, Noel Pearson, has eloquently described our national heritage as comprising three parts, our ancient heritage, our British inheritance and our multicultural triumph.

In an extended essay in 2014, Mr Pearson declared Australia was on the cusp of bringing these parts of our national story together, a union that he suggested would come through constitutional recognition of Indigenous people.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese premier Xi Jinping will be among the top world leaders who will participate in the six-day online Davos Agenda Summit of the World Economic Forum (WEF), scheduled to be held between January 24 and 29.

However, the newly elected US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson are missing from the list of the head of the states who would be attending the e-version of the yearly congregation of the rich and powerful of the world that happens every year at the ski resort of Switzerland.

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Japan PM Yoshihide Suga and others are also slated to participate at the event.

As per the schedule released on the WEF website, Covid 19 pandemic and vaccination drives across the world will dominate the event. Other key topics would be climate change and restoration of economies.

The decision to host the event online comes amidst the Covid 19 pandemic situation, as the World Economic Forum writes in its statement, the pandemic has accelerated systemic changes that were apparent before its inception. The fault lines that emerged in 2020 now appear as critical crossroads in 2021. However, WEF will host its physical annual meeting in May in Singapore.

Key themes for discussion

Content is split across 7 key themes that allow you to explore the diverse topics addressed during the meeting. They are likely - How to save the planet (revolves around Covid 19, climate change), Fairer economic (financial and monetary systems of different countries), Tech for good (Big data and other tech disruptions), Society and future of work (Remote work culture, gender parity), better businesses, healthy future and beyond geo-politics.

The 'Davos Agenda' will also mark the launch of WEF's 'Great Reset Initiative' and begin the preparation of the special Annual Meeting during spring.

Key event and who will participate

Jan 24: The concert will be presented as a shared expression of trust, connection and hope and it features orchestras and choirs in Beijing, Drakensberg, Florence, Kabul, Philadelphia, Vienna and Sao Paulo, with the cellist Yo-Yo Ma and music director Marin Alsop. The concert was filmed on location despite the COVID-19 challenges.

Jan 25: Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a special address on Monday, while the day will also see several sessions including on the COVID-19 crisis, restoring economic growth and stakeholder capitalism. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also address a session.

Jan 26: The speakers would include South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, as also IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva.

Jan 27: Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in, Italy Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are among the listed speakers for Wednesday.

Jan 28: In addition to Narendra Modi, Jordan King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and Argentina President Alberto Fernandez will also deliver their special addresses.

Jan 29: Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will speak on Friday, the last day of the summit.

Other major speakers would include Christine Lagarde, and Bill Gates, Punit Renjen of Deloitte, Brian T Moynihan of Bank of America, Al Gore, Ishaan Tharoor, Mark Carney, Angel Gurria of OECD, Ajay Banga, K T Rama Rao, Masayoshi Son of Softbank and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of WHO.

Union Agricultural Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Harsh Vardhan will also speak at the event.

How to follow:

WEF earlier this month released a guide on how to follow Davos Agenda on our digital channels. In the statement, it wrote, "It is essential for leaders from all walks of life to work together virtually for a more inclusive, cohesive and sustainable future as soon as possible in 2021."

Twitter

The official meeting hashtag is #DavosAgenda. Follow tweets on this hashtag to keep up with everything going on in the meeting. WEF will be live-tweeting key sessions, posting Fleets, and updating you on sessions.

Facebook

Follow wef.ch/facebook page for daily updates, livestreamed sessions, and video highlights from the event

Linkedin

Top stories, highlights and more will be uploaded to the wef.ch/linkedin page.

Instagram

Key photographs, reels, stories and quizzes from the event will be featured on wef.ch/instagram

YouTube

Livestreamed sessions and video roundups will be uploaded to the YouTube channel: wef.ch/youtube

Podcast

Subscribe to The Great Reset for daily coverage.

TikTok

Follow the account on TikTok: wef.ch/tiktok

(With inputs from agencies)

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Video footage shows Jeffrey Sabol dragging an officer down the stairs and beating him with a flag pole

A Colorado geophysicist who participated in the U.S. Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6 and allegedly assaulted a police officer, attempted to flee to Switzerland and attempted suicide.

Jeffrey Sabol, 51, was held without bail on Friday and remains behind bars after being arrested at the Westchester Medical Center, according to The Associated Press.

Pro-Trump protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, a mob that eventually stormed the Capitol, breaking windows and clashing with police officers, killine one. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Krause of White Plains said the allegations against Sabol were very disturbing, deeply troubling during a virtual hearing in White Plains Federal Court. Krause said he should remain in jail as he is a danger to the community and at-risk of fleeing the country.

What we see is Mr. Sabol, part of a group of people dragging a law enforcement officer down the steps of a building at the Capitol, where that officer has been repeatedly assaulted by a number of people, apparently including Mr. Sabol, Krause said.

Read More: Trump paid Capitol rally organizers over $2.7 million

U.S. Attorney Benjamin Gianforte said during the hearing on Friday that Sabol admitted to authorities that he assaulted an officer in a fit of rage. Gianforte said that Sabol booked a flight from Boston to Zurich, Switzerland days following the riots.

What is one of the many things Switzerland is known for? One of them is being a non-extradition country. He thinks he wont get shipped back home to face the music, Gianforte told the judge.

Gianforte said that Sabols suicide attempt was a the product of guilt, though Krause said he didnt factor the incident into his decision to deny bail.

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Video footage shows Sabol  in a Carhartt jacket and helmet  and a group of protestors dragging an officer down the stairs and beating him with a flag pole. Sabol can be seen holding a police baton across the officers neck, according to Daily News.

Read More: Extremists planned Capitol siege, used radio to track lawmakers: FBI

Story continues

Switzerland issued a travel warning on Jan. 16 following the riots according to the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

In connection with the change in presidency, the US authorities are warning of possible demonstrations and clashes, particularly around government buildings in Washington and in other US states, the warning said.

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The post Man books flight to Switzerland after assaulting a cop during Capitol Riot appeared first on TheGrio.
GODFREY  A Godfrey mans custom furniture business is barrelling along, and demand is so high that he will soon move into a larger space to accommodate the demand.

Im having a barrel of fun to say the least, said 33-year-old Ryan Jenkins, who owns and operates Second Hand Barrels. As the name implies, Jenkins sells used, White Oak distillery barrels, either unmodified or fashioned into planters, cabinets, tables, glass holders, and any kind of furniture that clients can imagine.

Sometimes the demand is so great that Jenkins feels like hes over a barrel.

Its crazy what its become, Jenkins said of his home-based business. I try to create a supply of barrel craft to keep in stock, but a lot of times Im just trying to keep up making it to order. Ive always got full barrels and planters ready to pick up at any time.

The business grew out of a pastime that Jenkins had of buying and selling things to make a few extra dollars. In 2010 a relative made Jenkins aware of two oak barrels that were being sold from the Dr. Pepper plant in St. Louis. Jenkins bought the barrels for $50 each, put them on Craigslist, and had 150 calls in one day from prospective buyers.

So of course, being in the state of mind to buy and re-sell, I figured I needed more barrels, Jenkins said.

But obtaining more of the White Oak wares wasnt as easy as shooting fish in a barrel.

I called hundreds of different places. I combed the Midwest for barrels, and finally made contact with a couple of guys in Kentucky and drove down there to fill my pickup truck, Jenkins said. I listed the new set of barrels at a higher price and sold all of them within a weekend.

The success of selling the unaltered products caused Jenkins to think outside the barrel, and thats when he started crafting planters and furniture from the in-demand containers. One of his most sought-after creations is a cradle style planter where the barrel is sawed vertically, creating an oblong rather than a round planter.

Jenkins is no longer scraping the bottom of the barrel to come up with the raw material for his products. He has developed relationships with several large distilleries in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio and elsewhere and buys the barrels in truckloads of up to 300 at a time.

Second Hand Barrels will move into a commercial facility on Stanka Lane in Godfrey in March, and Jenkins then plans to expand his sales across the Midwest. Jenkins works full time so he, his wife and niece work on barrel projects during evenings and weekends. Jenkins two young sons also help with such tasks as drilling drain holes for the planters.

Jenkins didnt have a lot of woodworking experience when he rolled out the barrel for his new business, but noted that his wood-carving grandfather was an artist who created incredibly realistic figures in wood.

Theres so much heritage to barrels. They are for the most part still hand-made and the preferred wood is Missouri White Oak, Jenkins said. People from across the world buy barrels from the United States because of this White Oak, which is also the official state tree of Illinois.

More information about Second Hand Barrels is available on Facebook or by calling 618-610-7582.
Published:

18 January 2021

By Alexandru Circiumaru, Research Assistant in the EUPlant Project

In her first State of the Union Address, the president of the European Commission (the Commission), Ursula von der Leyen, expressed her clear intention to turn the next ten years into Europes Digital Decade, outlining a three-part vision about how this can be achieved.[1] Although this vision is predominantly focused on developing new technologies, it is incontestable that the success of this project also depends on how EUs fundamental values, as outlined in Article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU), will be promoted and protected during this new digital age.

The overarching purpose of this blog is to suggest potential ways of how the fundamental values dimension of the Digital Decade could be achieved. To do so, two types of challenges will be presented together with the tools that the EU has to deal with them. The first part will consider digitalisation challenges a term meant to encompass the challenges that high-end technologies pose to EUs values and potential ways to address them such as data protection and competition law, while the second will discuss internal challenges related to core values - with a focus on the rule of law backsliding crisis[2] which has recently reached a new peak, Hungary and Poland blocking the budget and the COVID-19 recovery fund in protest of the proposed mechanism on rule of law conditionality. Concluding remarks will then be provided.

Digitalisation Challenges: Freedom, Non-discrimination and Democracy in the Digital Age

While innovation is certainly a key issue, another important aspect of Europes Digital Decade is preservation. In this case, preservation takes the meaning of ensuring that the core values on which the EU was built are well protected from the risks raised by emerging technologies such as facial recognition or algorithmic citizenship.

The negative impact that technology can have on democracy and fundamental rights is well documented. The Cambridge Analytica case, for example, has brought to light a number of risks for free elections and ultimately democracy. In that case, personal data, collected by social media platforms has been used to target indecisive votes with tailored political ads through the same platforms.[3] This is a clear example of the dangers associated with the mishandling of data and of the technology required to process it.

Algorithmic decision making has also proven to be problematic. For example, when algorithms were used to decide who should be entitled to benefits in the Netherlands, it has been proven that they were discriminating against minorities. Similarly worrying biases have also been discovered in algorithms used to establish who should be granted bail, both in the UK and in the US.

Another reason for concern is the seemingly unlimited power that big tech seems to hold. These companies dominate their markets, making it nearly impossible for smaller players to enter them therefore ultimately restricting the choice of consumers. This power also turns them into gate-keepers, a term used to describe their power to decide who and what basis has access to their services and the data they collect. Their gate-keeping power is also relevant in relation to content moderation, which refers to whether there should be an obligation for these platforms to remove illegal content such as hate-speech or instigation to violence. The case of Myanmar, where it has been argued that Facebook was used as a tool to incite to genocide, shows the consequences of a platform not stepping in when necessary. More recently, a number of gatekeepers have shown their power by permanently banning the President of the United States from using their services.

The European Commission has opened several investigations into whether some of these tech giants are abusing their dominant position. While the cases against Google are already famous in light of the record-breaking fines imposed, probes have also been recently opened against Facebook and Amazon.

In this context, it is perhaps not surprising that tech companies are fighting back, trying to maintain the status quo based around self-regulation. They do so by attempting to play a bigger role in decision-making processes, either through more aggressive lobbying or by attempting to set the agenda and leverage their expertise, for example by releasing their own ethical principles on AI in an attempt to pre-empt action from regulators.

These are all important challenges not only for Europes goal of digital sovereignty but also for its core values. At least so far, the EU has shown an acute awareness of the challenges it faced and determination to raise up to them. Both these traits have been manifested in proposals for regulation all falling under the umbrella of the EUs Digital Strategy.

The Digital Strategy is broad and encompasses various important issues. From regulating the behaviour of gatekeepers and their responsibility to remove illegal content to Artificial Intelligence and the collection and transfer of data.

Other than its Digital Strategy, the EU has found other tools to address issues related to the digital sector in its competition enforcement toolbox. The cases against tech giants have been briefly mentioned above but the role of competition policy goes further. The Commission is at the moment considering a proposal for a new competition tool that would be dedicated to the digital sector (although might not be limited to it). The purpose of this tool, it is said, would be to ensure that the Commission has the necessary tools to preserve the competitiveness of markets a clear reference to the digital markets, largely dominated by big tech companies.

The Commission has also recently released the European Democracy Action Plan which deals with some issues related to the digital sector such as political advertisement on online platforms.

While this is all encouraging, whether or not the EU will indeed rise to the challenges it faces depends very much on the final version of these proposals and whether they will be adopted at all.

Internal Unrest

To this point, it must be kept in mind that the vision of the Commission is not always the same as that of the other EU institutions and raising up to the challenges described above needs a common approach between institutions and solid, comprehensive legislative acts.

For EUs values to be properly protected during this new, digital age, it must be clear what these values are. Despite the appearances, this question is by no means an easy one to answer, especially in light of the on-going rule of law backsliding crisis which has recently culminated with Hungary and Polands veto of the budget and recovering fund in protest of the rule of law conditionality mechanism.[4] Extensively covered in literature, the rule of law crisis is an example of the tensions that can arise between the EU institutions and, more broadly, between the European Union and its Member States. In a delicate area such as digital, which is an important area of economy, and in light of so many lobbying tensions it is likely that these differences will be exacerbated.

It seems likely that some member states will be more focused on fostering innovation and cutting red-tape while others will be more focused on regulation. Indeed, this can already be seen from the approaches taken so far. Spain, has, for example, already started consultations on a Charter for Digital Rights.

Finding a balance will be a very delicate process. It is not an overstatement to say that the EU is currently at a crossroads, faced with the challenges of regulating complex, ever-evolving technologies which have already confirmed their potential to change the world. Its digital sovereignty depends on whether this balance can indeed be achieved.

Conclusion

EUs plans for the digital world are certainly ambitious, not least because of their novelty. The EU seems to be well equipped to create its own digital decade and has so far taken decisive action in this sense. However, the biggest obstacles come from within and, at least for the time being, it is difficult to predict whether the EU will be able to surpass them.

Footnotes

[1] State of the Union 2020 - President von der Leyen's speech, available at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/strategic-planning/state-union-addresses/state-union-2020_en

[2] For a detail discussion on rule of law backsliding see L Pech and KL Scheppele, Illiberalism Within: Rule of Law Backsliding in the EU (2017) 19 Cambridge Yearbook of European Legal Studies 3.

[3] Stephanie Hankey, Julianne Kerr Morrison and Ravi Naik, Data and Democracy

in the Digital Age, The Constitution Society, available at: https://consoc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Stephanie-Hankey-Julianne-Kerr-Morrison-Ravi-Naik-Data-and-Democracy-in-the-Digital-Age.pdf

[4] At the time of writing it seems that Hungary and Poland will be finally withdrawing their veto, not without imposing conditions however - https://www.euronews.com/2020/12/08/pressure-grows-on-hungary-and-poland-over-1-8-trillion-budget-veto
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 09:30:35|Editor: huaxia

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TRIPOLI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Saturday welcomed the municipal election in the western city of Algaraboli, some 60 km east of the capital Tripoli.

The Mission commended the efforts of the Central Commission for the Municipal Council for ensuring a secure and professionally-conducted electoral process in the city, the UNSMIL tweeted.

The UN mission also welcomed the re-run in two polling centers in Swani Bin Adam town in southern Tripoli for the elections held on Jan. 7.

It stressed the importance of transparency and integrity for each council election to ensure that "credible and inclusive council elections are delivered to all Libyan voters and particularly women, youth and people of special needs." Enditem

Since 80s China occupying this area, construction of villages not a new thing: BJP MP Tapir Gao

Arunachal governor urges Centre for infra development along Indo-China border

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Itanagar, Jan 24: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra on Saturday requested the Centre to initiate measures for the development of infrastructure along the India-China border in the state.

The governor, speaking at the inaugural day of the 69th plenary of the North East Council (NEC) at Shillong under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, pointed out that better road infrastructure is necessary for the state with difficult terrain and high mountains.

During the last couple of years, the Centre has assisted the state in this direction but a lot more is to be done for the improvement of infrastructure along the India- China border.

"The state government is paying full attention to law and order in the three districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding and four police stations of Namsai, Roing, Mahadevpur and Sunpura which are under the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA)," he said.

The state has recently got an officer of Major General rank on deputation as the security advisor to the state, the governor said.

"For internal security and law and order, the government is strengthening the police set up but it needs the assistance of the Centre for putting in place crime and criminal tracking network and system in each district. Efforts are underway to boost training, working efficiency and morale of the state police force," he said.

The governor highlighted the need for enhancing the electricity power grid, potable water distribution system and increasing the number of advanced landing grounds.

Brig (Retd) Mishra highlighted the need for funds to construct foot suspension bridges at remote places to improve the mobility of Army jawans and civilians.

He requested Shah, also the NEC chairman, to continue providing necessary help for the development of Arunachal Pradesh.

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Story first published: Sunday, January 24, 2021, 10:11 [IST]
The Catholic Bishops of Australia are calling on the government to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, saying the elimination of nuclear arms would contribute significantly to world peace.

By Lisa Zengarini

Bishops in Australia have urged the Government to join the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which seeks for the first time to establish a comprehensive ban on the development, testing, production, stockpiling, stationing, transfer, use and threat of use of nuclear weapons.

The Treaty was adopted in 2017 and came into force on 22 January. Until now, it has been ratified by 51 States, including the Holy See.

Australia, however, is amongst the countries which havent signed it.

Immoral possession and use

In a letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Bishop Terry Brady, Delegate for Social Justice in the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC), called on the government to do so, explaining that the elimination of nuclear weapons would be a major step towards creating peace in the world.

Experience has taught us that the threat of mutual destruction  with the possibility of the total destruction of humankind and our common home  cannot provide a foundation for peace and security in the multipolar world of the twenty-first century, the prelate writes.

He adds that nuclear weapons "are incapable of addressing terrorism, asymmetrical conflicts, cybersecurity, ecological problems, or poverty.

Highlighting that any use of nuclear weapons "is clearly immoral as they are inherently indiscriminate and their impact is uncontainable in time and space, the letter notes that the continued availability of nuclear weapons poses an unacceptable risk of deliberate or accidental use, and it diverts resources from the things that positively foster peace.

Development, not destruction

Recalling Pope Francis Message at a UN Conference on the prohibition of nuclear weapons in 2017, the Bishop reiterates that: International peace and stability cannot be based on a false sense of security, on the threat of mutual destruction or total annihilation, or on simply maintaining a balance of power and must be built instead on justice, on integral human development, on respect for fundamental human rights, on the protection of creation, on the participation of all in public life, on trust between peoples, on the support of peaceful institutions, on access to education and health, on dialogue and solidarity.

Bishop Brady remarks that these positive foundations of peace are commitments that successive Australian governments have held, but the impact of these efforts is however undermined by the continuing existence of nuclear weapons which create fear, undermine relationships of trust, and constrain dialogue.

He therefore concludes: It is time for Australia to begin the process of stepping away from all involvement with nuclear weapons by signing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
India said it will administer homegrown coronavirus vaccine COVAXIN in seven more states from Monday as it seeks to inoculate 30 million healthcare workers across the country.

The government this month gave emergency-use approval to the vaccine, developed by Bharat Biotech International Ltd and state-run Indian Council of Medical Research, and another licensed from Oxford University and AstraZeneca PLC that is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.

The expansion from the 12 states now administering COVAXIN includes the southern state of Kerala, which has a high COVID-19 caseload, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat, the government said late on Saturday.

Some doctors have expressed doubt about COVAXIN, which was approved without efficacy data from late-stage clinical trials. The government says it is safe. The Lancet medical journal said on Thursday the drug produced an immune response in a small group of adults.

Authorities have inoculated nearly 1.6 million health workers overall using the two vaccines, the government said on Sunday.

India is also exporting doses, including commercial shipments to Brazil and Morocco, and free shipments to the Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

India recently trained immunisation-programme managers from 13 foreign countries using Indian vaccines, the government said.

With 1.35 billion people, India has reported 10.65 million coronavirus infections - the highest after the United States - with 153,339 COVID-19 deaths.

The vaccination drive, targeting frontline workers, is to be expanded later to cover 270 million people older than 50 or deemed at high risk because of pre-existing medical conditions.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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Thousands of farmers from across 21 districts of Maharashtra have gathered at Nashik on Saturday and began a march to cover the 180 kilometres to state capital Mumbai.

Visuals showed a sea of farmers waving flags and carrying banners snaking their way through the roads of the Kasara Ghat region between the two cities, a report in NDTV said.

The farmers who are agitating against the farm laws are expected to reach Mumbai in a few hours, where they will participate in a rally at the famous Azad Maidan on Monday.

NCP president Sharad Pawar on Friday had said he will take part in the protest in Mumbai to express support for farmers agitating against the new agri- marketing laws enacted by the central government. Talking to reporters in Kolhapur, around 375km from here, the former Union agriculture minister noted that the agitating farmers have rejected the Centre's offer to suspend the new laws for 18 months.

"The government proposed suspending the laws for 18 months. But the farmers have rejected it. They (farmers) have asked the government to repeal the laws and then sit for discussion. "The protesting farmers well-wishers from Maharashtra met me, met the chief minister. They told us they will on January 24 or January 25 unite all those who are supporting the agitating farmers.

"They invited us for the same. We said okay we will come," Pawar said. Farmers, agitating for nearly two months outside Delhi, are demanding a repeal of the agri laws which seek to encourage private trade, contract farming and remove stock limit on foodgrains.

Meanwhile, around 1,200 farmers in 90 vehicles have left from Nashik on Saturday under the aegis of the All India Kisan Sabhas (AIKS) Maharashtra began march to Mumbai.

The rally in Maharashtra is part of the call given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which is leading protests in Delhi, to intensify and broaden the struggle from January 23 to 26. More farmers are expected to join the rally in Mumbai.

In three day sit-in at Mumbais Azad ground, the farmers will submit a memo to the Governor on January 25. On January 26, there will be a Republic Day flag hoisting at Azad Maidan.

Farmers near Delhi borders will take out a tractor rally on the Republic Day, sources in Delhi Police have confirmed adding that police are considering multiple routes for the rally.

Routes will be like dedicated loops. There will be multiple routes for Farmers tractor rally. Farmers leaders will have to agree that they will follow them strictly, police sources said on Sunday.

Sources add that the protesting farmers need to abide by each and every rule of the rally issued by Delhi Police. Further, no anti-national slogans or posters is allowed during the rally.
China reported 80 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, mostly in the northeast where some residents complained they were short of food amid an ongoing local lockdowns, down from Friday's 107.

The numbers pale in comparison to many countries, where new daily infections can measure in the thousands, but the world's most populous country is determined to keep the spread in check ahead of next month's Lunar New Year holiday when millions travel to their home provinces.

Saturday's toll included 65 domestic cases, with more than half in the northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang and Jilin.

China, which this weekend marked the anniversary of the world's first coronavirus lockdown in the central city of Wuhan, is facing its worst wave of local cases since March last year.

The virus was first identified in Wuhan at the end of 2019.

Some residents in Tonghua, a city of about 2 million in northeastern Jilin province which has been locked down since Jan. 18, complained on social media that the lockdown had left them short of food and medicines, triggering an apology from local officials.

"We will do our best to improve the distribution capacity and supplement the supply of materials for citizens," Jiang Haiyan, Tonghua deputy mayor, told a media briefing on Sunday.

Efforts to tackle the outbreak had caused a shortage of manpower, she added.

Lockdowns in other parts of the country have also caused a rise in food prices.

More cases were also confirmed at a chicken processing plant in Harbin city which last week reported a small cluster. It had 20 confirmed cases and 59 asymptomatic cases by Sunday, reported Xinhua.

The total number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, fell to 92 on Saturday from 99 cases a day earlier.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in mainland China now stands at 88,991, while the death toll remained unchanged at 4,635.
(Newser)  A growing number of Republican senators say they oppose holding an impeachment trial, the AP reports, a sign of the dimming chances that former President Donald Trump will be convicted on the charge that he incited a siege of the US Capitol. House Democrats, who will walk the impeachment charge of incitement of insurrection to the Senate on Monday evening, are hoping that strong Republican denunciations of Trump after the Jan. 6 riot will translate into a conviction and a separate vote to bar Trump from holding office again. But GOP passions appear to have cooled since the insurrection, and now that Trump's presidency is over, Republican senators who will serve as jurors in the trial are rallying to his legal defense.

story continues below

I think the trial is stupid, I think its counterproductive, said Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.. He said that "the first chance I get to vote to end this trial, Ill do it because he believes it would be bad for the country and further inflame partisan divisions. Arguments in the Senate trial will begin the week of Feb. 8. An early vote to dismiss the trial probably would not succeed, given that Democrats now control the Senate. Still, the Republican opposition indicates that many GOP senators would eventually vote to acquit Trump. Democrats would need the support of 17 Republicansa high barto convict him. A few GOP senators have agreed with Democrats, though not close to the number that will be needed to convict Trump.

(Read more Trump impeachment stories.)

The video call was announced on short notice, but more than 900 people quickly joined: a coalition of union officials and racial justice organizers, civil rights lawyers and campaign strategists, pulled together in a matter of hours after the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill.

They convened to craft a plan for answering the onslaught on American democracy, and they soon reached a few key decisions. They would stay off the streets for the moment and hold back from mass demonstrations that could be exposed to an armed mob goaded on by President Donald J. Trump.

They would use careful language. In a presentation, Anat Shenker-Osorio, a liberal messaging guru, urged against calling the attack a coup, warning that the word could make Mr. Trump sound far stronger than he was  or even imply that a pro-Trump militia had seized power.

And they would demand stern punishment for Mr. Trump and his party: Republicans at every level of government who incited the mob must be removed or resign, read one version of the groups intended message, contained in Ms. Shenker-Osorios presentation and reviewed by The New York Times.
A French court will open a historic trial on Monday on a lawsuit filed by a 79-year-old Vietnamese-French woman against 26 United States chemical firms that are held responsible for the deposition of Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam in wartime.

Tran To Nga is expected to defend her lawsuit at the Crown Court of Evry City in a suburb of Paris.

Nga, who was born in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang in 1942, was a correspondent for the Liberation News Agency.

She covered the battlefield in southern Vietnam and was infected with dioxin.

A medical examination in France showed that she survived with dioxin levels in her blood much higher than the normal limits.

Determined to seek justice for victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam, Nga has spent the past years suing 26 U.S. chemical companies that produced and commercialized a large amount of Agent Orange.

Three against 20

During the war in Vietnam, the U.S. sprayed nearly 80 million liters of herbicide with Agent Orange onto Vietnamese territory, resulting in physical and emotional suffering for millions of Vietnamese people exposed to the chemical and their descendants.

Nga is the only case that can sue these firms on behalf of Agent Orange victims in Vietnam as she is a victim herself and a Vietnamese-French citizen who lives in the only country whose law allows such an international lawsuit.

Therefore, this can be considered as the final fight for justice for nearly five million dioxin victims in Vietnam.

During Mondays trial, there will be a litigation session between lawyers of Nga and U.S. chemical companies responsible for the production and commercialization of Agent Orange during the war.

A total of 26 chemical companies were sued in the beginning, but 12 of them have been sold or shut down over the past years.

At the trial, 20 lawyers of 14 U.S. chemical companies, namely Bayer-Monsanto, Dow Chemical, Harcros Chemicals, Uniroyal Chemical, and Thompson-Hayward Chemical among others, will have four hours to debate, while Ngas three lawyers will only have one hour and 30 minutes.

A photo of Tran To Nga is posted along with an article by Le Monde on January 19, 2021.

The lawyers who will be representing Nga are William Bourdon, Amelie Lefebvre, and Bertrand Repolt. They have been representing Nga for the past six years at no charge.

During a trip to Vietnam to visit Agent Orange victims two years ago, Bourdon told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the lawsuit sought justice not only for Nga but also for millions of others.

The French lawyer expressed his strong belief that they had to win the case, stressing that they would do everything to achieve victory.

Bourdon said that his love and compassion for the victims had provided him with the motivation and energy to keep on fighting.

Over a decade of seeking justice

In May 2009, Nga testified at the International People's Tribunal of Conscience in Paris for Agent Orange/dioxin victims in Vietnam.

She was later accompanied by Bourdon and his partner Andre Bouny, who is a writer and president of the International Committee of Support (CIS) to support victims of Agent Orange.

After that, Nga decided to file a lawsuit against the U.S. chemical firms held accountable for this.

From 2009 to 2013, Nga prepared her lawsuit by translating many documents and papers related to the case from French into English.

In May 2013, the Crown Court of Evry City approved Nga's petition against the 26 U.S. chemical companies.

On April 2014, the Crown Court of Evry City opened the first session with a list of 19 American companies that had produced the chemicals used in the war in Vietnam.

There have been 19 procedural sessions since then.

On June 29, 2020, the court issued a notice on Nga's case and requested that procedural sessions be closed on September 28, so that the trial with litigation sessions could begin on October 12 the same year.

The litigation session on October 12, 2020 was then postponed to January 25, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Fifth National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam was held from March 27-31, 1982 in Hanoi. The Congress reviewed the victories that the Party and people have won in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland since 1975.

The fifth National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam takes place from March 27-31, 1982 in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Chairman of the State Council Truong Chinh leads a delegation of the Party and State of Vietnam to visit the Soviet Union, November 4, 1982. (Photo: Archives/VNA)

Party General Secretary Le Duan visits Gia Sang Steel Mill, Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Plant, early 1986. (Photo: VNA archives)

Prime Minister Pham Van Dong symbolically throws a stone, marking the start of the blocking of the Da River for building the Hoa Binh hydro-electric power plant, January 9, 1986. (Photo: VNA)

Tens of thousands of Cambodian people stand along the two sides of the road in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to say goodbye to Vietnamese volunteers who had fulfilled their international missions, June 1984. (Photo: VNA)

General Secretary of the Cambodian People's Party, head of state of the People's Republic of Kampuchea Heng Samrin and the people of Phnom Penh warmly welcome President of the Council of State Truong Chinh who makes an official visit to Cambodia, June 1985. (Photo: VNA)

Oil and gas rig No. 1 at Bach Ho oil field offshore Vung Tau, early 1984. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi-based Thang Long bridge is officially inaugurated on May 9, 1985, becoming the most modern bridge in Southeast Asia at that time. The work symbolises the Vietnam-Soviet Union friendship. (Photo: VNA)

Fifth Party Congress: For happiness of people

VNP/VNA archives

Second Party Congress leads nation in resistance, national construction The second National Party Congress passed a resolution to operate the Party in a public way and renamed it the Vietnam Workers Party.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 01:39:04|Editor: huaxia

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DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian authorities on Saturday directed the country's regional and district commissioners to control the transportation of pigs to curb the spread of the African swine fever.

Mashimba Ndaki, the Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, made the directive after the disease has been reported in the country's six northern districts.

In Tanzania's northern district of Kahama in the Shinyanga region, some 500 pigs had been killed by the African swine fever

Anamringi Macha, the Kahama district commissioner, said last week the pigs had been killed since the African swine fever, a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease of domestic and wild pigs, broke out in late December 2020.

In March 2018, more than 900 pigs were killed by the African swine fever in southern Tanzania's region of Ruvuma. Enditem
The billionaire brothers buying supermarket Asda have gatecrashed a bidding battle for fashion chain Topshop, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Blackburn's Zuber and Mohsin Issa have been locked in top secret talks to buy the fashion brand for the past fortnight and launched a late bid last week.

The Issas' arrival at the auction for Topshop puts them head to head with online fashion giant Asos, which has also emerged as a serious contender in the past few days.

US fashion giant and Juicy Couture owner Authentic Brands, whose interest was first revealed in the MoS, also lodged a bid last week.

Shake-up: Many Topshop stores could be closed if it is sold to an online retailer

The Issas last week drafted in former Topshop boss Lord Rose to run part of their empire. They are understood to have already drawn up plans to put the fashion label into their Asda superstores next to its low price George At Asda clothing range.

'The brothers have big plans for Asda and Topshop would be a great way of attracting in new customers that aren't natural George shoppers or haven't been in Asda for a while,' said one source with knowledge of the auction process.

Arcadia, which owns a host of other brands including Burtons, Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge and Wallis which are also up for sale, collapsed last month after being ravaged by the pandemic.

Administrators at Deloitte have been drafted in to sell the business by next month. It is understood they are hoping to top a sale price of 400million for the whole group, chiefly from selling Topshop.

The intentions of mysterious Chinese bidders Shein are currently uncertain although they are understood to have been the fourth firm to put in a final bid for the chain.

One source said some the bids are 'closely matched' but added that a preferred contender is likely to emerge in the coming days.

Zuber and Mohsin's 6.8billion deal to buy Asda was agreed In October. But the complex deal will not be finalised until later this year.

The Issas are understood to be financing any Topshop deal separately with their private equity partners TDR Capital rather than through Asda or their EG Group petrol forecourt empire, which is based in Jersey.

Last week, the 18 billion turnover EG Group drafted in new chairman Lord Rose, former chief executive of Topshop owner Arcadia and who sold the group to Sir Philip Green and his family in 2002.

Next dropped out of the auction last week. Boohoo has shown an interest but its offer for the business is understood to have so far been lower than rivals.
The Prime Minister has refused to commit to joining the Western Australian opposition leader's campaign trail.

WA Liberal leader Zak Kirkup was delivered a potentially fatal blow on Saturday when Scott Morrison's spokesperson said the leader may not be able fly over due to calendar conflicts.

'He is assessing all the options at the moment,' the spokesman said. 'It could go either way at this stage.'

WA Liberal leader Zak Kirkup (pictured) invited Scott Morrison to join him on his campaign trail

Pictured: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison inside a Volvo truck during a visit to the Wacol Volvo truck production facility in Brisbane on January 22

'But it just depends on the PM's calendar. It depends on the whole situation at the time.'

The spokesperson said Mr Morrison have have to reassess closer to the date but added that he 'loves' going to WA, despite going there in his own campaign during the 2019 federal election.

Mr Kirkup, who has struggled to make a good impression on WA residents, is trying to win people over after a disastrous election result in 2017 that saw Labor leader Mark McGowan win 41 of the 59 seats.

Pictured: Mr Morrison standing in the rain during a visit to the saleyards in Winton, Queensland, on January 19

Despite a lack of Liberal presence in the Legislative Assembly, Mr Morrison has remained extremely popular in the state with federal party winning 11 of 16 seats in 2019.

While Mr Kirkup has blamed coronavirus border restrictions on Mr Morrison's refusal to accept the invitation, ACT residents do not have to quarantine upon arrival in WA.

'While we're hopeful he'll be able to get across during the campaign, the reality is that Covid travel restrictions might make that too difficult to plan in advance,' Mr Kirkup said, according to The West Australian.

The Prime Minister will spend the next month in Federal Parliament in Canberra, which would allow him to fly in to the western state and help with the campaign immediately.

Pictured: Mr Morrison feeds a goat during a visit to Tully family property Bunginderry Station outside Quilpie, Queensland on January 19

A police spokesperson told the publication that Mr Morrison would be allowed to fly to WA from any other state under special exemptions.

'The Prime Minister and his staff, if performing a Commonwealth function, could be granted a modified quarantine direction which accommodates their Commonwealth duties and provides an exemption to the 14 days of self-quarantine if arriving from a low-risk jurisdiction,' the spokesman said.

Mr Morrison flew to Queensland in October to assist Liberal leader Deb Frecklington's campaign.

The state election in Western Australia will be held on March 13.
As one of his first acts, Biden offered a sweeping immigration overhaul last week that would provide a path to US citizenship for the estimated 11 million people who are in the United States illegally. It would also codify provisions wiping out some of President Donald Trump's signature hard-line policies, including trying to end existing, protected legal status for many immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and crackdowns on asylum rules.

It's precisely the type of measure that many Latino activists have longed for, particularly after the tough approach of the Trump era. But it must compete with Biden's other marquee legislative goals, including a $1.9 trillion plan to combat the coronavirus, an infrastructure package that promotes green energy initiatives and a public option" to expand health insurance.

In the best of circumstances, enacting such a broad range of legislation would be difficult. But in a narrowly divided Congress, it could be impossible. And that has Latinos, the nation's fastest growing voting bloc, worried that Biden and congressional leaders could cut deals that weaken the finished product too much  or fail to pass anything at all.

This cannot be a situation where simply a visionary bill  a message bill  gets sent to Congress and nothing happens with it," said Marielena Hincapie, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, which advocates for low-income immigrants. Theres an expectation that they will deliver and that there is a mandate now for Biden to be unapologetically pro-immigrant and have a political imperative to do so, and the Democrats do as well."

If Latinos ultimately feel betrayed, the political consequences for Democrats could be long-lasting. The 2020 election provided several warning signs that, despite Democratic efforts to build a multiracial coalition, Latino support could be at risk.

Biden already was viewed skeptically by some Latino activists for his association with former President Barack Obama, who was called the deporter in chief" for the record number of immigrants who were removed from the country during his administration. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont defeated Biden in last year's Nevada caucuses and California primary, which served as early barometers of the Latino vote.

In his race against Trump, Biden won the support of 63% of Latino voters compared with Trump's 35%, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 110,000 voters nationwide. But Trump narrowed the margin somewhat in some swing states such as Nevada and also got a bump from Latino men, 39% of whom backed him compared with 33% of Latino women.

Biden became the first Democratic presidential candidate since 1996 to carry Arizona, in part because of strong grassroots backing from Mexican American groups opposed to strict GOP immigration policies going back decades. But he lost Florida by underperforming in its largest Hispanic county, Miami-Dade, where the Trump campaign's anti-socialism message resonated with Cuban- and some Venezuelan Americans.

Biden also fell short in Texas even though running mate Kamala Harris devoted valuable, late campaign time there. The ticket lost some sparsely populated but heavily Mexican American counties along the Mexican border, where law enforcement agencies are major employers and the GOP's zero-tolerance immigration policy resonated.

There were more warning signs for House Democrats, who lost four California seats and two in South Florida while failing to pick up any in Texas. Booming Hispanic populations reflected in new U.S. census figures may see Texas and Florida gain congressional districts before 2022's midterm elections, which could make correcting the problem all the more pressing for Democrats.

The urgency isn't lost on Biden. He privately spent months telling immigration advocates that major overhauls would be at the top of his to-do list. As vice president, he watched while the Obama administration used larger congressional majorities to speed passage of a financial crisis stimulus bill and its signature health care law while letting an immigration overhaul languish.

It means so much to us to have a new president propose bold, visionary immigration reform on Day 1. Not Day 2. Not Day 3. Not a year later," said New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, his chamber's lead sponsor of the Biden package.

Menendez was part of a bipartisan immigration plan championed by the Gang of Eight" senators that collapsed in 2013. Obama then resorted to executive action to offer legal status to millions of young immigrants. President George W. Bush also pushed an immigration package  with an eye toward boosting Latino support for Republicans before the 2008 election  only to see it fail in Congress.

Menendez acknowledged that the latest bill will have to find at least 10 Republican senators' support to clear the 60-vote hurdle to reach the floor, and that he's under no illusions" how difficult that will be.

Former Rep. Carlos Curbelo, a moderate Republican from Florida, said Biden may find some GOP support but probably will have to settle for far less than whats in his original proposal.

Many Republicans are worried about primary challenges," Curbelo said, adding that Trump and his supporters championing of immigration crackdowns means there's political peril there for Republicans."

But he also said Democrats could alienate some of their own base by appearing to prioritize the needs of people in the country illegally over those of struggling U.S. citizens and thus appearing to overreach from the perspective of swing and independent voters."

Indeed, Democrats haven't always universally lined up behind an immigration overhaul, arguing that it could lead to an influx of cheap labor that hurts U.S. workers. Some of the party's senators joined Republicans in sinking Bush's bill.

Still, Latinos haven't forgotten past immigration failures and have often to blamed Democrats more than Republicans.

Chuck Roca, head of Nuestro PAC, which spent $4 million on ads boosting Biden in Arizona, said that while Hispanics have traditionally tended to support Democrats, he has begun to see trends in the past decade where more are registering as independent or without party affiliation. Those voters can still be won back, he said, but only if Latinos see real change on major issues such as immigration even if it's piecemeal."

They have to get something done if they want to start to turn around the loss of Latino voters," said Rocha, who headed Latino voter outreach for Sanders presidential campaign. They have to do everything in their power now to get Latinos back."

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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Australias national honours and awards system is a lost opportunity to incorporate Indigenous traditions into our shared culture, while building their recognition internationally.

Each Australia Day and Queens Birthday, outstanding Australians are honoured in recognition of their contribution to improve our country. It remains contestable that theres value in an elitist awards system, but so long as it exists Australians should at least understand it.

Margaret Court will be recognised on Australia Day with a Companion of the Order of Australia. Credit:Getty Images

Despite the appropriate respect for the awards, many Australians are befuddled by what AOs, AMs, OAMs and ACs mean, or even their value, which is brought into question when they are awarded to controversial Australians.

And despite legitimate criticism at the time, this was one of the points made by former prime minister Tony Abbott in 2014 when he reintroduced Australian knights and dames. While his actions misunderstood Australias modern multicultural character, his fundamental critique of the honours system had merit.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Here are the places with the highest property tax rates in Ohio, all located in Cuyahoga County, according to a cleveland.com analysis of data from the Ohio Department of Taxation.

No. 1 - The small portion of South Euclid that is part of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights school system. Combining all local and county taxes there, the overall rate is $4,219 per $100,000 of home value for 2020 taxes being billed in 2021.

No. 2 - The Shaker Square neighborhood of Cleveland, where some homes are in the Shaker Heights school system, at $4,093.

No. 3 - University Heights at $4,049.

No. 4 - Cleveland Heights at $4,026 for for the portion of the city in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights school system.

No. 5 - Shaker Heights at $4,008.

No. 6 - Garfield Heights at $3,965 for the portion of the city that is in the Garfield Heights school system.

Thats Rich!, the personal finance column at cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, examined the new property tax rates, and explained why they are up sharply in some places.

Find the new rates and recent trends for every place in the seven-county Greater Cleveland area at this link - Compare Greater Cleveland, Akron property tax rates, and learn why they have changed this year: Thats Rich!

Also, previously:

See median prices and price history for every city, village and township in Cuyahoga County.

See median prices and price history for every neighborhood in Cleveland

RITA income tax filers can claim a refund for working at home during coronavirus, but might not get the money

President Biden extends student-loan breaks through September; heres what to consider even if you can afford to keep paying; Thats Rich!

Some Ohioans now receiving $300 extra in weekly unemployment; others may have to wait a month to apply for benefits extended weeks ago

What you need to know about the new stimulus checks, and $300 extra weekly in unemployment benefits

2021 personal finance calendar: key dates for tax documents, student grants and loans, Obamacare, Medicare and more

Tis the season for the stock markets typical Santa Claus Rally

7 end-of-the year money-saving ideas: picking tax brackets, IRA withdrawals, loan refinancing, more

Heres how to make a case to lower your property tax bill

Extended warranties are free with credit cards; dont waste the benefit

Is a gift card the right gift? Some ideas, cautions, and protections to know under the law

You can go to college tuition-free if youre 60 or older by auditing classes in Ohio

Your guide to Obamacare open enrollment 2021: costs, shopping tips, income cutoffs

How to be sure youre getting a fair deal on auto insurance during COVID-19 with traffic, accidents down

Is Medicare Advantage right for you? And how to judge the 2021 plans for Greater Cleveland, Akron

The first $300 supplemental unemployment checks are done; plus answers on Medicare enrollment and stimulus checks: Thats Rich Q&A

Medicare open enrollment starts Oct. 15; what you need to know
Vogue Williams ensured she caught the eye on Sunday as she made her latest appearance outside Global Radio studios in London.

The mother-of-two looked typically stylish in a ruched black turtleneck and matching skirt while preparing for her weekly breakfast show on Heart FM.

Vogue, 35, added to her look with a pair of smart knee-length boots, while a sweeping blue winter coat rounded things off.

Here she comes: Vogue Williams ensured she caught the eye on Sunday as she made her latest appearance outside Global Radio studios in London

Accessorising tastefully, the presenter added to her look with a large leather handbag as she prepared to sign on for her latest shift.

Vogue - a parent to children Theodore, two, and Gigi, six months with husband Spencer Matthews - recently admitted that she hadn't been home to Ireland in over a year, in part due to lockdown restrictions.

Addressing fans in an Instagram Q&A, the presenter said that she was planning a long trip to her motherland once restrictions have eased as she wants her two children to develop an appreciation for her home country.

Looking good: The mother-of-two looked typically stylish in a ruched black turtleneck and matching skirt while preparing for her weekly breakfast show on Heart FM

Tasteful: Vogue added to her look with a pair of smart knee-length boots, while a sweeping blue winter coat rounded things off

A fan asked: 'Ideally, how much time would you like to spend in Ireland every year?!' to which the model replied with: 'I love Ireland so much!

'Ideally I would like to spend 3 months a year there. I haven't been home in over a year so as soon as I can I'm gonna stay a couple of weeks for sure. It's really important for the children to grow up knowing and loving Ireland as much as I do.'

Vogue also revealed that she and husband Spencer would like another baby although the Irish star admitted that both her pregnancies were 'difficult'.

Replying to a fan who asked: 'Will you be having anymore beautiful children?', Vogue responded with: 'We would love one more for sure! We always said four but our house is v busy so we would have to see!'

Finishing touches: Accessorising tastefully, the presenter added to her look with a large leather handbag as she prepared to sign on for her latest shift

Vogue recently faced backlash as it was claimed last week she'd broken the rules on travelling while London was in Tier 4 b y flying abroad for the family break.

However she stated their family holiday was within the guidelines and wrote on social media: 'I would like to assure my lovely Instagram family that I have not broken the government guidelines since rules and guidance came into effect last March.

'I also had Covid tests to ensure I travelled safely and I adhered to all safety guidelines recommended. It's not ideal to be away working during these times but it had been booked in since last year.'
Smoking kills one in two older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, a study has found, and experts are calling for more funding to boost culturally appropriate smoking cessation services.

The report from the Australian National University found smoking caused 37 per cent of deaths at any age in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, but that increased to about half of deaths in those aged over 45.

Research has found the rate of smoking-related death in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults is more than one in three. Credit:James Alcock

Using data from 1388 people over 10 years, it also found those who never smoked lived 10 more years than those who smoked.

The papers co-author Associate Professor Raymond Lovett, a Ngiyampaa (Wongaibon) man, said that life expectancy gap was quite close to the gap nationally between Indigenous and non-Indigenous adults.
The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) in its five years of existence has made equity investments of less than Rs 5,000 crore in infrastructure projects, sources said. That works out to less than Rs 1,000 crore per year on average.

The Rs 40,000-crore was set up in December 2015 as an institution for enhancing infrastructure financing by investing in greenfield (new), brownfield (existing) and stalled projects.

According to sources, has made an equity investment of Rs 4,689 crore, while the co-investment by its partners stood at about Rs 7,053 crore at the end of September 2020.

The quasi-sovereign wealth fund's total equity investment along with partners stood at Rs 11,742 crore as of September 2020.

At the same time, the long-term debt investment was at Rs 7,935 crore, taking aggregate investment to the tune of Rs 19,677 crore.

Set up as Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), the currently manages three funds with distinct strategies Master Fund, Fund of Funds and Strategic Opportunities Fund. NIIF's total assets under management (AUM) is at over USD 4.4 billion across the three funds, as per the latest factsheet provided by the NIIF.

As far as the road sector is concerned, NIIF has taken the brownfield route to enter the segment following acquisition of Essel Devanahalli Tollway and Essel Dichpally Tollway last year. The acquisition was done through NIIF Master Fund.

In November 2020, the Union Cabinet approved proposal for an equity infusion of Rs 6,000 crore by the government in NIIF Debt Platform sponsored by the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), comprising of Aseem Infrastructure Finance Limited (AIFL) and NIIF Infrastructure Finance Limited (NIIF-IFL).

Of the total amount, only Rs 2,000 crore would be allocated during the current year 2020-21, while the remaining amount in the next fiscal.

However, in view of the unprecedented financial situation and availability of limited fiscal space due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, the proposed amount may be disbursed only if there is readiness and demand for debt raising, the official statement had said.

NIIF will take all necessary steps to use the equity investments from domestic and global pension funds and sovereign wealth funds expeditiously.

The proposal to invest Rs 6,000 crore as equity into NIIF is part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 package announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on November 12, 2020.

The NIIF Strategic Opportunities Fund has set up a debt platform comprising an NBFC Infra Debt Fund and an NBFC Infra Finance Company. NIIF through its Strategic Opportunities Fund (NIIF SOF) owns a majority position in both the companies and has already invested Rs 1,899 crore across the platform.

The Strategic Opportunities Fund (SOF fund) through which the NIIF investment has been made will continue to support the two companies apart from investing in other suitable investment opportunities, it had said.

The current proposal seeks Government of India's investment directly to further scale the potential and impact of the two entities in the infrastructure debt financing space.

"This will also support the efforts of the platform to raise international equity.

"With the fresh infusion of equity by the government, besides the equity already infused by NIIF SOF and potential equity participation from the private sector, the debt platform is expected to raise enough resources to extend a debt support of Rs 1,10,000 crore to projects by 2025," it had 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.)
The 13th National Party Congress, to open next week, is a milestone in the development of the Party and the nation, according to a high-ranking Party official.

Vo Van Thuong, Politburo member, permanent member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat and head of the Committees Information and Education Commission (Photo: VNA)

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Vo Van Thuong, Politburo member, permanent member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat and head of the Committees Information and Education Commission, said the congress will set forth a vision to mid-21st century, aiming to turn Vietnam into a socialist-oriented developed country.

Accordingly, Vietnam is set to become a developing nation with modernity-oriented industry and surpass the low-middle-income level by 2025; a developing nation, with modern industry and high middle income by 2030; and a developed nation with high income by 2045, the official elaborated.

The congress will review the implementation of the resolution adopted at the 12th National Party Congress and other documents such as the platform of national construction during the transition to socialism and the socio-economic development strategy for 2011-2020, and the assessment of the 35-year renewal and 30 years implementing the 1991 Platform.

According to Thuong, over the past five years, the entire Party, people and army have carried forward solidarity and made efforts to complete set targets and tasks, creating a premise for the next tenure.

He cited the countrys annual average GDP growth at 6 percent during the 2016-2020 period, along with achievements in education-training, science-technology, culture and social affairs, with the poverty rate dropping to below 3 percent.

Vietnam has paid attention to natural resources management, environmental protection and climate change adaptation, he added.

The country has made strides in disease prevention and control, especially COVID-19, he said, stressing the countrys socio-political stability, consolidated national defence and security, expanded external relations, and improved position, prestige and role in the regional and international arena.

Due attention has been placed on Party building and rectification, and the fight against corruption, wastefulness and other bad deeds has reaped marked results, the official went on.

Thuong said documents to be submitted to the congress have been prepared thoroughly and contributed by all-level Party committees, National Assembly deputies, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political organisations, officials and Party members, people from all walks of life, and overseas Vietnamese.

Regarding preparations for the important political event, Thuong said the work has been basically completed, adding the organising board and relevant agencies and units are continuing with preparation review.

The Information and Education Commission has charted information and communications plans, and instructed art performance programmes to celebrate the congress, he continued.

He stressed the launch of a website on the 13th National Party Congress in six languages  Vietnamese, English, Russia, China, France and Spanish, a press centre for the congress, and an exhibition showcasing books on the event.

Thuong used the occasion to laud the role played by press agencies in disseminating the congress, contributing to consolidating public trust in the Party and promoting emulation movements.

VNA

Question Everything! Purpose and Intent of this website: The Great Reset Conspiracy Smoothie



A viral conspiracy theory blends together legitimate critiques with truly dangerous anti-vaccination fantasies and outright coronavirus denialism.



By Naomi Klein January 24, 2021 " Information Clearing House " - Back in June, the World Economic Forum, best known for its annual Davos summit, kicked off a lunge for organizational relevance at a time when it was already clear that, for the foreseeable future, packing thousands of people, injected-cheek by lifted-jowl, into a Swiss ski resort to talk about harnessing the power of markets to end rural poverty was a nonstarter. The effort was called the Great Website  I mean the Great Reset. And through articles, videos, webinars, podcasts, and a book by WEF founder Klaus Schwab, it provided a coronavirus-themed rebranding of all the things Davos does anyway, now hastily repackaged as a blueprint for reviving the global economy post-pandemic by seeking a better form of capitalism. The Great Reset was a place to hawk for-profit technofixes to complex social problems; to hear heads of transnational oil giants opine about the urgent need to tackle climate change; to listen to politicians say the things they say during crises: that this is a tragedy but also an opportunity, that they are committed to building back better, and ushering in a fairer, greener, healthier planet. Prince Charles, David Attenborough, and the head of the International Monetary Fund all figured prominently. That kind of thing. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter In short, the Great Reset encompasses some good stuff that wont happen and some bad stuff that certainly will and, frankly, nothing out of the ordinary in our era of green billionaires readying rockets for Mars. Indeed, anyone with even a cursory knowledge of Davos speak, and the number of times it has attempted to rebrand capitalism as a slightly buggy poverty alleviation and ecological restoration program, will recognize the vintage champagne in this online carafe. (This history is explored in an excellent new book and film by the law professor Joel Bakan, The New Corporation: How Good Corporations Are Bad for Democracy.) Through its highly influential Global Competitiveness Report, the WEF has played a leading role in the transnational campaign to liberate capital from all encumbrances (like robust regulation, protections for local industries, progressive taxation, and  heaven forbid  nationalizations). Long ago, however, Schwab realized that if Davos didnt add some do-gooding to its well-doing, the pitchforks that had started amassing at the foot of the mountain would eventually storm the gates (as they came close to doing during the 2001 summit). And so the giddy sessions on new markets in Malaysia and new startups in California were complemented with somber ones on melting ice caps, United Nations development goals, impact investing, stakeholder capitalism, and corporate global citizenship. In 2003, Schwab introduced the tradition of each January summit having a big theme, starting with the appropriately chastened Building Trust. The new Davos tone, though, was truly set in 2005, when actor Sharon Stone, upon hearing Tanzanias president speak of his nations need for mosquito nets to battle malaria, leapt to her feet and turned the session into an impromptu charity auction to purchase the nets. She raised $1 million in five minutes, and a new Davos era was on its way. The Great Reset is merely the latest edition of this gilded tradition, barely distinguishable from earlier Davos Big Ideas, from Shaping the Post-Crisis World (2009) to Rethink, Redesign, Rebuild (2010) to The Great Transformation (2012) and, who can forget, Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World (2018). If Davos wasnt seeking a better form of capitalism to solve the spiraling crises Davos itself systematically deepened, it wouldnt be Davos. And yet search for the term global reset and you will be bombarded with breathless exposes of a secret globalist cabal, headed by Schwab and Bill Gates, that is using the state of shock created by the coronavirus (which is probably itself a hoax) to turn the world into a high-tech dictatorship that will take away your freedom forever: a green/socialist/Venezuela/Soros/forced vaccine dictatorship if the Reset expose is coming from the far right, and a Big Pharma/GMO/biometric implants/5G/robot dog/forced vaccine dictatorship if the expose hails from the far left. Confused? Thats not on you. Less a conspiracy theory than a conspiracy smoothie, the Great Reset has managed to mash up every freakout happening on the internet  left and right, true-ish, and off-the-wall  into one inchoate meta-scream about the unbearable nature of pandemic life under voracious capitalism. Ive been doing my best to ignore it for months, even when various Reset researchers have insisted that all of this is an example of the shock doctrine, a term I coined a decade and a half ago to describe the many ways that elites try to harness deep disasters to push through policies that further enrich the already wealthy and restrict democratic liberties. There has been a tsunami of examples of the real shock doctrine since the pandemic began: Trumps attacks on Washingtons regulatory architecture; Education Secretary Betsy DeVoss amped-up campaign for school choice, rather than, say, giving public schools the resources they need to keep children safe; Silicon Valleys multiheaded power grab, which I wrote about as the Screen New Deal; the Modi governments cruel attacks on price protections for Indias farmers (setting off a wave of heroic protests)  and so many more. What Schwab and the WEF are doing with the Great Reset is both more subtle and more insidious. Schwab is, of course, absolutely right when he says that the pandemic has revealed many deadly structural failures of capitalism as usual, as does the accelerating climate crisis and the hoovering of the planets wealth up toward the Davos class, even in the midst of a global pandemic. But like the WEFs earlier big themes, the Great Reset is not a serious effort to actually solve the crises it describes. On the contrary, it is an attempt to create a plausible impression that the huge winners in this system are on the verge of voluntarily setting greed aside to get serious about solving the raging crises that are radically destabilizing our world. Why? For the same reason I keep hearing Facebook ads on NPR podcasts telling me how much Facebook wants to be regulated. Because if our corporate overlords can create this impression, it is less likely that governments will listen to the rising chorus of voices calling on them to do what is required to actually combat spiraling poverty, joblessness, climate breakdown, and informational degeneration: regulate the companies that have created these crises, and tax them, break them up, and, in some cases, put them under public control. The Great Reset is an attempt to create a plausible impression that the huge winners in this system are on the verge of voluntarily setting greed aside to get serious about solving the raging crises that are radically destabilizing our world. So no, the Great Reset is not just another name for the Green New Deal, as many a right-winger with a digital chalkboard and an unhealthy AOC obsession is absurdly claiming. It is, first and foremost, about blocking a real Green New Deal, which most assuredly would not have the support of BP , Mastercard, the Prince of Wales, and all of the other Great Reset partners. And yet, in recent weeks, a slew of right-wing commentators on Fox News, as well as Brazils minister of foreign affairs and prominent opposition politicians in Australia and Canada, have claimed to be confused about this and are suddenly giving oxygen to what was, until recently, a marginal conspiracy. Laura Ingraham, Tucker Carlson, and Ben Shapiro have all been terrifying their huge audiences with claims that green socialism is about to be forced down their throats via Schwabs Great Reset, which, they explain, is the very same thing as President-elect Joe Bidens Build Back Better plan, which is itself a thin cover for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs Green New Deal. (Like an early fan of an indie punk band, Glenn Beck has been using his perch at The Blaze to point out that he was ranting about the Great Reset when it was just a gleam in Schwabs eye.) Do these people honestly think that Schwab is in cahoots with AOC and using the pandemic to put BP out of business  with the full cooperation of BP? Of course not. But President Donald Trump is on his way out, and the Green New Deal is popular  precisely because it is as far away from Davos as it could be, grounded in a polluter-pays ethos and in programs like a jobs guarantee and universal health care that enjoy broad working-class support. For right-wing politicians and the oil companies that back them, the more climate action can be conflated with an organization known for its traffic jams of private jets and its Bond villain founder, the easier it will be to resist any climate plan at all. Thats why the earliest alarmism about the Great Reset came from the Heartland Institute, ground zero of the climate change denial machine. This messaging is gaining traction not because people are suckers but because they are mad  and they have every right to be. Lockdown policies have demanded months of individual sacrifice for the collective good without providing the most basic collective protections to keep families from slipping into starvation and homelessness, or to keep small businesses afloat. Meanwhile, trillions have been spent to backstop markets and bail out multinationals, and pandemic profiteering is rampant . Is it any wonder that so many find it entirely plausible that the same elites who expect them to swallow all the coronavirus-related sacrifices while they party in the Hamptons and on private islands would also be willing to exaggerate the risks of the disease to get them to the accept more bitter green medicine, for the common good? As that first Davos theme made clear, trust between the people and the mountaintop has been broken  and it most certainly has not been rebuilt. For a glimpse of how all of this fits together, take a look at what is going on in Alberta, Canada, under its truly reprehensible premier, one Jason Kenney. Kenney came to power pledging to serve as a shameless valet for the Alberta oil patch, specifically its extra-fast-planet-cooking tar sands. He promised to ram through all pipelines, no matter the opposition, and create a war room to surveil all opponents. Back in March, in the early days of the pandemic, I observed that Kenney deserved the award for the most craven Covid-19 disaster capitalist because he had just laid off 20,000 education workers, supposedly to cover pandemic costs, even as he lavished $7 billion in public subsidies on the Keystone XL pipeline, despite the lockdowns having created a massive glut in crude oil. He followed up in the fall by laying off 11,000 health care workers, a clear effort to use the Covid-19 crisis to open the door to partial U.S.-style health care privatization. It has surprised no one that Kenney has also presided over a U.S.-style coronavirus explosion, with the provinces positivity rate recently topping 10 percent (higher than the average south of the border). Now Kenney, a self-proclaimed big-government-bashing libertarian, has been reduced to begging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for funds to build field hospitals. Is it any wonder he has been looking to change the subject? Last week, Kenney did exactly that, selecting a question about the Great Reset during a Facebook livestream. The premier feigned horror at the idea that Klaus Schwab could possibly see Covid-19 as an opportunity to advance policy goals, describing the plan as a grab bag of left-wing ideas for less freedom and more government and failed socialist policy ideas. Warming up to his subject, he declared: Im not going to be taking any policy direction from Klaus Schwab and his ilk.  Heck no! We are not going to exploit or take advantage of a crisis to advance a political agenda.  Its very distasteful and regrettable that influential people would explicitly seek to take advantage of a crisis like this to advance their own political vision and values. The online right rejoiced: Jason Kenny Shows Real Leadership Rejecting Klaus Schwabs New World Order! declared one outlet, and I cant bear to link to the many, many others. Sadly, Kenneys aversion to crisis opportunism comes late for the thousands of newly unemployed education and hospital workers in his province, or for the hundreds of patients who will soon be getting treatment in its field hospitals. And though Kenney was quick to say that the Great Reset was not a conspiracy theory and that the coronavirus is real, his statements were immediately seized upon by the growing numbers of people who are seriously convinced that Covid-19 is a hoax cooked up by Davos globalists to eliminate their private property, poison their brains with 5G, and take away their right to go to the gym. In Alberta, thousands of those people participated in maskless Walk for Freedom marches last week. I have no doubt that Kenney meant it when he told them to cut it out, just as he no doubt wants Covid-19 to stop ravaging his province, along with his reputation. But what he wants far more is to stop the momentum toward climate action in coronavirus recovery plans so the oil companies that underwrite his party and government can wring out a few more profitable quarters. And he, along with growing numbers of similarly craven politicians the world over, sees fueling the Great Reset conspiracy as the most effective means of achieving that goal. Very disappointed by this large event in Calgary.



Its irresponsible to gather in large numbers, especially at this point in the pandemic. It shows a disregard for health care workers & the vulnerable. There are lots of ways to protest govt policies without risking viral spread. https://t.co/uC4dddj6hJ  Jason Kenney (@jkenney) December 5, 2020 None of this is to say that Schwabs Reset push is benign and unworthy of scrutiny. All kinds of dangerous ideas are lurking under its wide brim, from a reckless push toward more automation in the midst of a joblessness crisis, to the steady move to normalize mass surveillance and biometric tracking tools, to the very real (though not new) problem of Bill Gatess singular power over global health policy. The irony, though, is that the fact-Vitamix currently whirring around the Great Reset actually makes it harder to hold the Davos set accountable for any of this, since legitimate critiques have now been blended together with truly dangerous anti-vaccination fantasies and outright coronavirus denialism. It also makes it harder to talk about the profound realignment our economies and societies desperately need, a vision a group of us laid out in the short film we released way back in October called The Years of Repair  because now all talk about how we change for the better in response to the cruelties that Covid-19 has unveiled is immediately smeared as part of the Great Reset. As the historian Quinn Slobodian recently wrote, years after The Shock Doctrine was published, the right was now appropriating this narrative for its own ends. Meanwhile, the less fantastical but extremely real shock doctrine maneuvers currently waging war on public schools, hospitals, small farmers, environmental protections, civil liberties, and workers rights receive a fraction of the attention they deserve. Is it all a plan, another kind of elaborate conspiracy? Nothing so elegant. As Steve Bannon kindly told us, the informational strategy of the Trump era has always been to flood the zone with shit. Four years later, we can see what this looks like in practice. It looks like far-left and far-right conspiracists sitting down over a tray of information-shit sandwiches to talk about how the Great Reset is Gatess plan to use the DNA from our Covid-19 tests to turn the United States into Venezuela. It makes no sense, and thats just fine by the likes of Bannon, and Kenney as well. Because if you want to keep waging war on the Earths life-supporting ecology, a great way to do it is to deliberately pollute its democracy-supporting information ecology. In fact, the pollution is the point. Naomi Klein is a senior correspondent at The Intercept and the inaugural Gloria Steinem endowed chair of media, culture and feminist studies at Rutgers University. She is an award-winning journalist and best-selling author, most recently of "On Fire: The Burning Case for A Green New Deal." She has also written "The Battle for Paradise," "No Is Not Enough," "This Changes Everything," "The Shock Doctrine," and "No Logo." - " 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
UPDATE: The sentencing has been rescheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9.

BAY CITY, MI  In the early morning hours of Thanksgiving Day 2016, a house in Bay Citys South End erupted in flames. Amid the charred ruins, firefighters found the body of a man.

Subsequent investigation revealed the man had been stabbed to death and his house set on fire to conceal the killing.

Today, more than four years later, one of two young men convicted of the murder and related crimes is finally on the cusp of learning how much prison time hell receive.

A jury on May 22, 2018, found Rodrick D. Williams guilty of second-degree murder, felony murder, larceny in a building, armed robbery, and carjacking in the death of Steven A. Bouza, 59. Williams was 16 at the time of the murder and 17 when the jury convicted him.

Williams, who turned 21 on Jan. 17, has been in police custody since officers arrested him on Nov. 30, 2016. Initially held at the Bay County Juvenile Home, Williams was transferred to the Bay County Jail on Jan. 18, 2017, making him the longest-serving inmate currently in the facility, according to Jail Administrator Capt. Troy A. Stewart.

In a few days time, Williams residency in the jail could end, as Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran is scheduled to sentence him on Tuesday, Jan. 26. The judge has set the sentencing to continue through Friday, Jan. 29.

The lengthy delay between Williams conviction and looming sentence stems from his young age when he committed the murder.

In Michigan, a felony murder conviction comes with a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole. However, the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012 ruled such a punishment for juvenile convicts is unconstitutional. The nations highest court in 2016 clarified the decision was retroactive, affecting current prisoners.

The prosecution and defense agreed to postpone Williams sentencing until they received guidance from the Michigan Supreme Court and the state Legislature, both of which have enacted laws and procedures. According to Michigan statute, the judges options are to sentence Williams to life with parole or a term of years, the minimum of which cant exceed 25 to 40 years.

In the years since his conviction, Williams has repeatedly waived his right to be sentenced within a year of his conviction. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic further delayed Williams sentencing. Sheeran has also called numerous hearings assessing Williams and the cases status.

Defendant Rodrick D. Williams listens with defense attorney Andrea J. LaBean while his verdict is revealed in the court room of Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran during the delivery of the verdicts on Tuesday, May 22, 2018. Henry Taylor | MLive | htaylor@mlive.com

Case background

During Williams May 2018 trial, Bay County Prosecutor Nancy E. Borushko argued Williams and friend Demarckeon M. Marcus Jackson on the evening of Nov. 22, 2016, went to Bouzas home at 205 18th St. in Bay City. There, Williams choked and then stabbed Bouza nine to 12 times in the torso with two different knives, prosecutors alleged. Williams and Jackson, who was 20 at the time, then ransacked Bouzas house of items such as an Xbox, watches, and cash and stole both of his vehicles.

Williams and Jackson returned to Bouzas house the morning of Nov. 24 Thanksgiving Day  and set it on fire in an attempt to conceal their crimes, Borushko alleged.

Jackson in February 2018 pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed robbery. As part of his plea deal, Jackson testified for the prosecution during Williams trial. He said the two had been visiting Bouza and twice went into Bouzas basement, with Williams on both occasions saying he planned to kill Bouza.

Jackson said he distracted a seated Bouza with conversation when Williams attacked him.

During her closing arguments, Borushko played a recording of a Facebook call Jackson made to Williams while the former was in police custody.

Man, bro, Im pissed, Jackson says in the recording. Why you stab that (expletive), bro?

Man, I had to, G, Williams replies in the recording.

Defense counsel Andrea J. LaBean argued Jackson, who had known Bouza better than Williams had, was the actual killer. Once he was caught by police, Jackson pointed the finger at Williams, LaBean said.

Judge Sheeran in June 2018 sentenced Jackson to two concurrent terms of 35 to 60 years in prison, with credit for 566 days already served.

I definitely regret everything that happened in this situation, Jackson said at his sentencing. If I could take it back, I would. Its just been hard for me and obviously the family, and I just want to say sorry to the family and what theyre going through right now, cause Steven was a good guy.

Demarckeon M. "Marcus" Jackson sits beside attorney Sally B. Warren at his sentencing hearing on June 20, 2018.(Jacob Hamilton | MLive)

Bouza had invited Jackson and Williams into his home, only for his charitable nature to be exploited and taken advantage of by these two murderers, said his brother, Mike Bouza, at Jacksons sentencing. What did they gain? What did they profit? A few hundred dollars. A joyride in a stolen car. And a new toy to play with on TV.

The judge also strongly admonished Jackson.

Bouza literally offered and gave shelter to those who needed it, food to those who were hungry, and drink to those who were thirsty, Sheeran told Jackson. That was his life. You took advantage of it and celebrated it by going for a joyride, buying junk food for your friends, and tipping the clerk at the 7-Eleven with money that you stole from a man that you killed. Then you drove off into the night in the Cadillac that you killed for. How far different than the way your victim lived his life.

You put yourself in prison, and you put yourself there for a long time, Sheeran continued. You also put yourself in your own personal hell, but I would suggest theres a way out of that hell for you and thats by acting like Steven Bouza did -- caring for other people, caring for their physical needs, any need they might have, to the extent that you start living your life for other people and even in prison youll have those opportunities.

Jackson, now 24, is currently incarcerated at Carson City Correctional Facility. His earliest possible release date is Nov. 30, 2051; his maximum release date is Nov. 30, 2076.

The victim

Bouza graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1975 and thereafter began working for Consumers Energy, retiring on July 1, 2016.

Steve was a gentle man, with a heart of gold and always found a way to help anyone in need, his obituary states. His family was his world and loved them dearly. Steve was often the chauffer for his nieces from school or the driver on shopping trips with mother Shirley, which he joking referred to as the War Department.

An image of Steven A. Bouza used during Rodrick D. Williams' trial as shown in the court room of Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran during the delivery of the verdicts on Tuesday, May 22, 2018.

Bouza was described as a go-to guy for vehicle maintenance. He enjoyed polka music, Three Stooges movies, and most importantly, being there to always love and support his family.

He was survived by his mother, a younger brother, two younger sisters, and four nieces.

MLive-The Bay City Times was unable to reach Prosecutor Borushko or defense attorney LaBean for comment.

Read more:

Suspects arraigned in brutal Bay City Thanksgiving homicide

Teen found guilty of murdering Bay City man

Man pleads guilty to second-degree murder in 2016 Thanksgiving slaying

Man calls brothers murderer immature, greedy human feces at sentencing
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Washington, D.C. was on lockdown when Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States last Wednesday.

And with good reason.

Americans were still shaken by the events of Jan. 6, when supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol, leaving death and destruction in their wake.

Those protestors were trying to stop the Congress from certifying that Biden was indeed the duly elected president of the United States.

Given that, what kind of mayhem would these rioters perpetrate on Inauguration Day, when Biden was set to formally take office?

Not much, as it turned out.

Rumors that pro-Trumpers would storm state capitols on Wednesday turned out to be merely that: Rumors. There were no big demonstrations. There were no riots. There were no uprisings.

Remember the photo of the single, sad pro-Trump demonstrator who showed up in Albany? That pretty much summed how the air had gone out of the pro-Trump balloon.

If anything, the end of the Trump presidency and the continuing legal blowback from the U.S. Capitol storming has left Trump supporters at loose ends. They seem a bit lost. Maybe theyre regrouping or taking a breather. Theyre not marching in the streets.

But that doesnt mean that we didnt see anti-Biden protests following the inauguration. Its just that the protestors were left-wingers, not right.

Swerve!

Maybe you missed it. The violent Antifa protests didnt get a lot of news coverage.

Imagine that.

In Portland, Ore., about 75 protestors vandalized the Democratic Party headquarters, breaking windows and spraying graffiti.

And 150 demonstrators marched on the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland. They vandalized the building, a federal building, with anti-Biden and anti-police graffiti.

Police had to use tear gas to break up the crowds.

Rioting, anyone?

Protestors carried signs saying, We dont want Biden. We want revenge and We are ungovernable.

Welcome to the White House, Joe. These are your people, not the other guys.

In Seattle, a crowd of about 100 Antifa protestors vandalized the historic first Starbucks outlet, smashed other windows, sprayed graffiti and burned an American flag.

Heres what they were chanting, according to media reports: Fk Trump, fk Biden too. They dont give a fk about you!

Much of this was taking place while just about every television channel was showing the glittering kumbaya events celebrating the Biden inauguration.

You didnt think the networks would cut away from all the rainbows and unicorns in order to show violent, anti-Biden protests, did you?

No, the cable stations were much too busy wiping the tears out of their eyes over the Biden inauguration to focus protests. I guess its not news when the left decides to riot and make threatening noises about the president of the United States.

And no, these werent Proud Boys in disguise. This wasnt a QAnon feint. Just like it wasnt Antifa that actually stormed the U.S. Capitol.

No, this was the work of violent, extreme-left demonstrators. Or protestors. Or rioters, if you like. Whatever you call the perpetrators, this wasnt peaceful protest.

Will the Facebook and Twitter overlords will look to see if their platforms were used to help organize the protests? How many of those who make threats and call for violent protest will be banned from social media?

Biden, by the way, has yet to denounce the rioting and violence. He was pretty quick to condemn the rioting at the U.S. Capitol. I guess its just a matter of degree.

And, go ahead, tell me that the media reaction would have been the same if these were right-wing rioters smashing things up and lighting fires. Scrawling Fk Biden graffiti on walls. Smashing up a Democratic Party headquarters. Attacking a federal building.

But not all violent protest is created equal. If its violence on the extreme left, Democrats breeze by as if theres nothing so see here. Or they applaud.

Thats one thing that hasnt changed under the new Biden administration.
Taiwans health authorities have implemented their broadest lockdown measures yet in an effort to keep a widening outbreak of Covid-19 from spiraling out of control.

Patients, carers and medical staff at a hospital in the northern city of Taoyuan at the center of a growing outbreak will have to quarantine at home for 14 days effective immediately, Taiwans health minister Chen Shih-chung said at a briefing in Taipei Sunday. That would also include all people they live with, and the number of people involved could total as many as 5,000, Chen said.

The order covers anyone who entered the hospital between Jan. 6 and Jan. 19. Everyone affected will have to continue monitoring their health for a further seven days and take a Covid test after leaving quarantine.

The latest steps are the toughest measures taken yet by health authorities as they struggle to contain the virus after it began spreading at Taoyuan General Hospital in northern Taiwan earlier this month. The outbreak poses the biggest threat to Taiwans largely successful response to the coronavirus pandemic so far.

Taiwan has recorded just 889 cases and seven deaths in total since the beginning of the pandemic but officials have reported a steady stream of local infections linked to the hospital over the past few weeks. Earlier in the day, Chen said there were five new cases Sunday, one of which was a man who had stayed at the hospital several weeks ago, plus one of his family members.





This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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Wellington: New Zealand has reported its first case of community transmission in more than two months, although there was no immediate evidence the coronavirus was spreading.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield on Sunday said the case was a 56-year-old woman who recently returned from Europe.

Since leaving quarantine, the woman visited about 30 locations, which were yet to be made public.

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield speaks to media about the new case of community transmission on Sunday. Credit:Getty Images

Like other returning travellers, she spent 14 days in quarantine. She twice tested negative before returning home on January 13.
A Scottish flag flies next to British Union Jack flag outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, on April 24, 2019. (Russell Cheyne/Reuters)

Scottish Nationalists Lay Groundwork for Second Independence Referendum

LONDONThe Scottish National Party (SNP) published a Roadmap to Referendum on Saturday, laying out plans for another vote on Scottish independence just as the United Kingdom grapples with COVID-19 and the impact of Brexit.

General view during the First Ministers Questions at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, on Jan. 13, 2021. (Andy Buchanan/Pool via Reuters)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who would have to agree to a new referendum, argues there is no need for a new vote after independence was rejected by Scottish voters in 2014.

But the SNP has said that if it wins a parliamentary majority at elections scheduled for May 6, it will pass its own bill so that a referendum can take place once the pandemic is over.

It says that the UK government will either have to agree to it or take legal action to dispute the legal basis of the referendum.

Such a legal challenge would be vigorously opposed by an SNP Scottish government, said the document, dated Jan. 24.

Polls show that Scottish nationalists are on course to win a record majority in elections for Scotlands devolved parliament.

Scots voted 55-45 percent against independence in a referendum in 2014, but Brexit and the British governments handling of the COVID-19 crisis have bolstered support for the SNP, with most polls showing a majority now favour breaking away.

A poll published on The Times website on Saturday showed another potential threat to the future of the UK, with 51 percent of Northern Irish voters saying they favoured a referendum about their future within the next five years, compared to 44 percent who oppose it.

Support for a United Ireland stands at 42 percent according to the polls, versus 47 percent who object to Northern Ireland leaving the UK.
In Moscow last week, President Vladimir Putin hosted the prime minister of Armenia and the president of Azerbaijan. It was the first meeting of the three leaders since the end of the six-week-long war over the Nagorno-Karabakh region last fall. They agreed to create a working group that will advise on how to reopen regional transport connections. It is to report back in March.

A key task will be to propose how to open a new transportation corridor, one that will traverse an obscure stretch of land, but with long-range implications for some of the worlds great energy producing regions.



A little piece of land

The tripartite ceasefire agreement that halted the war in November calls for restoring all economic and transport links through this contested part of the South Caucasus. It requires Armenia to guarantee the safety of transport links, to allow the free movement of people and goods between Azerbaijan and its southwestern exclave, known as the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Azerbaijans exclave came about in an arrangement made by the Soviets following their occupation of the South Caucasus in 1920. It is a separate part of the country surrounded by Armenia, Iran, and Turkey. Currently, Nakhchivan has no direct road and railway connection with the main part of Azerbaijan. It is serviced by roads and pipeline in Iran.

While it may seem an odd geographical feature in a remote part of the world, its of potentially great importance. Nakhchivan touches on Turkey, just slightly, along a 10-mile long border with the far eastern Kars region of Turkey. The Turks insisted upon gaining this little strip of land in the Treaty of Kars of 1921, which finalized borders between Turkey and the USSR.

Now, with an impending agreement to open a free flow of traffic through southern Armenia, a linking of the mainland of Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan and thence to Turkey appears possible. Getting this Nakhchivan Corridor through Armenia was a key part of Azerbaijans demands in the November agreement.

It is the latest move to more closely connect the two allies. In a Memorandum of Understanding signed last winter, the presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey agreed to build a railroad connecting Nakhchivan to the city of Kars in eastern Turkey. It will connect to the 500-mile-long Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, which opened in 2017 to carry cargo and passengers between Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. A pipeline is also in the works, bringing natural gas from Turkey into Nakhchivan. This will supplement the current supply of natural gas from Iran and give Baku more negotiating leverage with Tehran in arrangements to supply the exclave with gas. The new pipeline could open next year.

Turkey turns east

The replacement of Iranian gas should help Turkey, which has been importing an increasing amount of LNG from the United States, to improve relations with Washington. But the commercial and geopolitical implications of a corridor directly linking Turkey to Azerbaijan are just beginning to be considered. Turkey would appear to be the big winner. It will likely have a permanent troop presence in Azerbaijan as a result of the recent war. So its reach will extend to the Caspian Sea and possibly to the countries of Central Asia beyond.

Georgi Derluguian, Professor of Social Research at NYU Abu Dhabi and an expert on the politics of the South Caucasus, sees a resurgent Turkey wanting to move eastward.

"Turkey was in a quite vulnerable position for a long time after the founding of the Turkish Republic (in 1923), he says. Now, for the first time, Turkey is proactive."

Derluguian notes that in recent years Turkey has been increasingly asserting power in the Middle East. Now it could begin to influence events in Central Asia. Such appears to be an objective of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose greater presence across the Caspian might be welcomed by countries facing difficult choices in an unstable region.

"Here Erdogan sees an opportunity to export Turkey's influence to Central Asia, where they speak Turkic languages, so there is a plausible claim that they're kindred co-ethnics," says Derluguian.

This raises the prospect, and for some the specter, of a vast Turkic corridor reaching from the borders of China westward to the Mediterranean. It could become a major trade route carrying goods and possibly energy from Central Asia westward, skirting Iran to the south. It might also open new routes for Chinas Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

Nothing will happen quickly, however, as means of transport across the Caspian will need to be enhanced. Moreover, the major infrastructure through the South Caucasus has been largely put into place. Azerbaijan and Turkey are well connected to the north of Armenia through Georgia, which plays a key role as transit country for rail and pipeline.

Georgia is now a central part of the 2,200-mile Southern Gas Corridor, which brings gas from the Caspian to Europe, providing an important alternative to Russian gas and improving security of supply for Europe.

This corridor is now complete. The South Caucasus Pipeline (also known as BakuTbilisiErzurum Pipeline), which runs parallel to the BakuTbilisiCeyhan oil pipeline, began delivering natural gas in 2006. It links to the Trans Anatolian Gas Pipeline (TANAP) through Turkey to Greece, which began operations in 2018. Now the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) from Greece to Italy is in place, beginning operation last fall with the first Azerbaijani gas delivered to Europe in December.

This pipeline system conveying natural gas from the Caspian Sea to Europe is well below capacity and should see expanding volumes in future years. This, together with the BTK railway, are new pieces of infrastructure that will not be duplicated anytime soon, ensuring that for the foreseeable future Georgia will remain a key transit country between Turkey and its ally to the east.

Getting started on friendly terms

While no disruption to current routes of commerce and energy through the South Caucasus appears imminent, the Nakhchivan corridor will likely be an object of increasing interest if significant agreements can be worked out. Many factors are at play.

There is the actual infrastructure, which will require expensive upgrades through an area that is quite mountainous. A rail line that traverses the Zangezur region through Armenias southern Syunik province once connected southwestern Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan. It was an important freight line for Armenia, which suffered from its closing off by Azerbaijan and Turkey during the Karabakh war in the early 90s. There is also a road along the Aras River that borders Iran.

Last month the Russian government indicated that it would like to see the rail line restored. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has also recently stated his intention to have it rebuilt. It could connect to others in Nakhchivan, including the new line to Kars and the BTK railway in Turkey, and to another north-south line to Iran.

Another problem is politics. Under the terms of the tripartite agreement signed in November, the corridor through Armenia is to be secured by border agents of the Russian Federal Security Service. Nevertheless, Armenia could create difficulties for the transit route through its territory. Russia, for its part, might wish to slow the eastward progress of its rival Turkey. And Iran will have concerns, being weary of a new route that reduces its revenues and its influence in Baku.

These countries might push for something more limited that would be useful just for local traffic between Azerbaijan and its exclave. Such a stance would likely discourage the Turks and Azerbaijanis from making the major infrastructure investments that would be required for a major transport corridor.

Perhaps anticipating this, and wanting to quell resistance while seeking to maximize the corridors potential, President Aliyev has recently struck a conciliatory tone. Last month he said he wanted an inclusive approach, with Russia, Turkey, Armenia and Iran all welcome to access a new route from Nakhchivan. He emphasized that a shared approach will be important for future multilateral cooperation.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has also recently indicated general support, saying that the opening of transportation routes with Azerbaijan would be important for his countrys economic prosperity. Indeed, Armenia would likely be rewarded with upgraded infrastructure as well as transit fees. Iran, too, could benefit if intelligent agreements about the emerging corridor are put into place.

The working groups report, to come later this winter, will bear watching. But there is no doubt that progress on the Nakhchivan Corridor will require delicate geopolitical balancing.

"Russia cannot trust Turkey, says Georgi Derluguian. For all the public rhetoric through clenched teeth, they are objectively mortal rivals in too many places, and their recent history of relations is replete with tensions."

"I would look very skeptically at loudly proclaimed new possibilities, he says. Too many reefs ahead and too few reasons to expect cooperation."

By Alan Mammoser for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Tunisia to block the wage bill and subsidy to the energy sector, warning of an increase in the budget deficit to more than 9 per cent of the gross domestic product if the recommended measures were not applied

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A Chinese girl wears a protective mask as she rides her scooter outside the gate of the Forbidden City, which remains closed to visitors, in Beijing, China, on April 19, 2020. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Beijing City Requires Mass Virus Testing for Roughly 2 Million

The government of Beijing city is intensifying efforts to contain the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus as a recent outbreak continues to worsen.

On Jan. 22, Beijing authorities declared at a pandemic prevention and control press briefing that all residents in Dongcheng and Xicheng districts will be required to take nucleic acid testing, with a total population of more than two million involved.

A video uploaded onto the Chinese internet shows large numbers queuing up in long lines on the street to get tested. In the video, a male voice with a distinct Beijing accent said it would take two hours to wait his turn.

Both districts are in downtown Beijing, near the seat of the Chinese regime government and administrative offices.

City authorities have announced that all international arrivals to Beijing must take serum antibody tests and quarantine for a month.

Mass Nucleic Acid Testing Overnight

Beijing authorities ordered nucleic acid testing and symptom surveying across Daxing district, Beijing, since Jan. 20.

Several residents told the Chinese-language Epoch Times that they had to queue up for hours in the cold winter night. They called it a harrowing experience.

Other residents posted about their experience on social media.

Screenshot of a young mothers social media post about mass testing requirements in Beijing. (Screenshot via Weibo)

A young mother posted on the Weibo platform that she and her child kept waiting for three hours in the cold.

Downplaying Severity of Outbreak?

Beijing reported three new cases of COVID-19 on Jan. 22, in a residential compound called Ronghui, Tiangongyuan subdistrict, Daxing district.

As a result, lockdown has been expanded to another five residential compounds in the district. Before, six areas in the district were already locked down.

However, the public believes that actual infections could well outnumber what was officially announced.

A resident of nearby Hebei Province told the Chinese-language Epoch Times that mass testing betrayed the severity of the virus.

He said the pandemic in his home city, Baoding, was also serious. However, Hebei authorities were downplaying the current outbreak, telling healthcare workers that nucleic acid testing was a political task that must be completed, and that any filming or recording was banned. Anyone who broke the rule would be held legally accountable, according to him.

A doctor in central Hubei Province surnamed Wang (alias) told the Chinese-language Epoch Times that the Chinese regime might have underreported the number of diagnosed patients.

We cannot root out the possibility that China has been doing so consistently, Wang said.

False Negatives

Wang also explained why instances of false negative tests results keep occurring in mainland China.

According to him, healthcare testers may not be skillful enough.

Also, during mass testing, ten samples may be included in one tube. If the amount of virus material is not large enough, a false negative is likely to appear, said Wang.

A false negative is potentially dangerous because an infected patient could unknowingly spread the virus in communities and within their circles of friends.

At the end of the interview, Wang emphasized the importance of wearing masks, social distancing, avoiding hand contact, and frequent handwashing, which can drastically reduce the risk of being infected.
I think if Biden's inauguration speech means anything, I hope it means unity, said Gabriel Paul, a junior journalism major.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn into office Wednesday morning while the nation and world watched.

Biden was declared the winner of the presidential election on Nov. 7, four days after Election Day. Months after the results, former President Donald Trump denied losing the election and filed lawsuits in multiple states claiming voter fraud. Americans across the nation felt the divisive tension at its peak two weeks ago during the Capitol insurrection. Trump is currently facing a second impeachment for inciting violence at the Capitol.

After four years under former President Trump, students felt there was a polarizing political divide among Americans. Despite this, they remained hopeful about the future.

Stephen Smith, a junior sport management major who supported Trump in November, watched the inauguration live. He found the sentiments of unity to be a nice touch but hopes it's just not a lot of feel-good stuff.

Issues on the line

Leading up to the November election, Biden ran a campaign heavy with policy promises. UGA students are eager to see him fulfill those promises now that he has taken office.

Under the Trump administration, the U.S. left the Paris Agreement, an international treaty to combat climate change. On his first day in office, Biden signed an executive order rejoining the Paris Agreement.

Hannah Lee, a junior landscape architecture major, hopes to see Bidens administration take more action toward acknowledging and changing how the U.S. deals with climate change.

I hope to see even more things implemented with climate change, because I feel like that's the number one direct threat to humanity right now, Lee said.

Danielle Burrows, a senior journalism and international affairs major, hopes Biden will defer student loans. Student loan debt in the U.S. reached nearly $1.6 trillion in early 2020, according to Forbes.

Having to repay those loans hinders so many people from doing what they want to do because they're already 10 steps behind, Lee said.

Smith said hes afraid of policies Biden may implement that may affect him when he gets out of college. His concerns included higher taxes and more influence from the pro-choice movement.

I think there's going to be a lot more leeway made for abortions to happen, and that makes me sick to my stomach because there's children that are going to never get to live because of selfish choices, Smith said.

Bidens first day

Biden signed 17 executive orders on his first day in office. Some of them repealed Trumps proclamations, including the Muslim travel ban and stopping the construction of southern border wall.

Burrows said it was interesting to see how Biden signed away the Muslim travel ban, something so divisive, in a few minutes. Bidens quickness to undo some of Trumps policies gave Lee hope about Biden keeping his promises.

I think taking this stuff early on is proving that he's gonna do what he said he's going to do now, or at least it's a good start to it, Lee said.

While some students were cheerful and hopeful about the halted construction of the southern border wall, Smith saw it as a threat to American citizens.

I knew that the wall was gonna get stopped because Trump's not president anymore, but obviously I'm not a fan of that. I don't want a bunch of illegal immigrants pouring into our country, Smith said.

Smith said he wants the immigration process to be easier for incoming immigrants but doesnt believe anyone should be allowed to illegally immigrate to the U.S. However, Paul thought the wall was an absolute waste of money.

I thought it was just a gimmick, Paul said. Honestly, I mean if you think about the southern border wall, no matter how big that wall is like people are still going to come in.

The future of America

Smith hopes the regulations Biden puts in doesnt take away his freedoms, but is hopeful for the future.

I'm hopeful I hope that it's okay, but I think we'll start to see some true colors over these next few years of what the Democratic Party is going to try and push through, and for me, that's not enjoyable, Smith said. But until then we'll see what happens.

Lee, however, sees Bidens inauguration as a change that she hopes can help with the COVID-19 pandemic.

I think it's like a welcome change from the administration that we had in the past, especially the one that kind of instilled a lot of fear into people who weren't white or a white male or people that weren't supportive of him, Lee said. When we see some good things in the future because like the past four years for very rough.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is resisting pressure to resign in the run-up to a critical vote in the Senate that could topple his fragile administration, newspapers said.

While the premier isnt currently planning to quit, he may change his mind if he fails to recruit enough senators ahead of a vote on Wednesday or Thursday to approve the annual report of the justice minister, daily Corriere della Sera said.

Conte is struggling to prove he still commands a majority in the Senate after the defection of a key ally on Jan. 13. Il Messaggero reported that Conte may consider resigning before the vote if he sees no room to secure a majority.

I did what I could but the numbers remain uncertain," Bruno Tabacci, a lawmaker seeking to broaden Contes support, said in an interview with La Repubblica on Sunday. I suggested an act of clarity to Conte: step down to form a new government. And if he doesnt succeed, we go to elections."

While winning confidence votes in both houses of Parliament last week, he fell short of an outright majority in the Senate. To make up the shortfall, Conte is targeting senators from Silvio Berlusconis Forza Italia, centrists, unaffiliated lawmakers and even members of Italy Alive, the party led by former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi that abandoned the coalition.

So far, the vote count in the Senate would hold at the 156 mark he won in a confidence vote last week, Corriere said, adding that it could be even fewer for the justice motions. That did represent more than half the votes cast, but fell short of the 161-seat threshold that he needs to pass key legislation including budget laws.

Italian bonds fell Friday, bringing 10-year yields to 0.75%. The premium over German bonds, a key gauge of risk in the region, widened 8 basis points to 126 points, the highest level since November.

Although some of the premiers allies are also raising the specter of early elections, this is widely considered an unlikely option, officials who asked not to be named discussing confidential talks said on Friday.

Several coalition members are against going to the polls in the near future as they fear that a vote would usher in the center-right opposition led by Matteo Salvini. They have also cited the pandemic, a recession and the need to manage the European Unions recovery package as reasons to avoid an election. Some lawmakers in the center-left Democratic Party are seeking to restart talks with Renzi to avoid an election, La Repubblica reported.

If we were to go to elections, it might not be this government that presents the Recovery plan," Vincenzo Amendola, minister for European affairs, told La Stampa. It would be very serious for the country and a paradox for the government allies who have fought and won a battle to improve it."





This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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SALT LAKE CITY  Republican lawmakers in several more states want to loosen gun restrictions by allowing people to carry concealed firearms without having to get a permit, continuing a trend that gun control advocates call dangerous.

Fifteen states already allow concealed carry without a permit, and lawmakers in nine others have proposed allowing or expanding the practice. GOP governors are backing the changes in Utah and Tennessee. Another bill expanding permitless carry in Montana has passed the state House.

Most states require people to do things like get weapons training and undergo a background check to get a permit to carry a gun hidden by a jacket or inside a purse. Groups like the National Rifle Association and state lawmakers who support gun rights argue those requirements are ineffective and undermine Second Amendment protections.

The proposed changes come after gun sales hit historic levels last summer  reflected in FBI background checks  amid uncertainty and safety concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, the struggling economy and protests over racial injustice. Since then, a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol.

Against that backdrop, the efforts to loosen concealed carry requirements are a frightening trend for Shannon Watts, founder of the gun control group Moms Demand Action.

It is dangerous to allow people to carry hidden, loaded handguns possibly without a background check or any training, she said, adding that the annual rate of aggravated assaults with a firearm has increased 71% in Alaska since the state became the first to allow concealed carry without a permit in 2003.

The proposal in Utah would allow any U.S. citizen 21 and older to carry a concealed weapon without the now-required background check or weapons course. The bill does allow gun owners who want to carry a concealed weapon out of state to get a permit to do so after a background check and safety course.

Newly elected GOP Gov. Spencer Cox has said he supports the idea, in contrast to his predecessor and fellow Republican Gary Herbert, who vetoed a similar bill in 2013.

Supporters of the change argue that other state laws against such things as felons having guns and anyone carrying a firearm while intoxicated are enough to ensure guns are used safely.

I have that right to protect myself, the Constitution says we have the right. Why are we putting a barrier for law-abiding citizens? said Rep. Walt Brooks, the Republican lawmaker sponsoring the bill that got an early nod of approval from a House committee Friday. The software company president has represented rural southern Utah for about four years.

He pointed to a multistate study published in 2018 by the Journal of the American College of Surgeons that found loosening concealed carry permit laws didnt lead to more homicides or violent crime. Utah does not require a permit for guns carried openly.

In Tennessee, Republican lawmakers are expected to push again to allow most adults 21 and older to carry firearms  concealed or openly  without a license that now requires a background check and training.

GOP Gov. Bill Lee backed the idea last year, though the proposal and others were put on hold amid the pandemic.

The push in Tennessee came after the GOP-dominant General Assembly relaxed the states handgun law in 2020 by allowing people to obtain a concealed-carry-only handgun permit that didnt require them to demonstrate the ability to fire a weapon.

In Montana, the House recently passed a bill to allow people to carry concealed firearms without a permit in most places.

Similar bills that would allow or expand concealed carry without a permit have been introduced in Texas, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Alabama and Georgia.

In Texas, where the NRA plans to incorporate soon and where some lawmakers bring concealed handguns to work at the state Capitol, the GOP has listed the issue as one of just eight legislative priorities. The idea has failed to gain traction for years, though, and with the pandemic promising to be the predominant force in the upcoming session, its prospects are once again uncertain.

___

Lindsay Whitehurst of The Associated Press wrote this story. AP writers Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee, and Paul J. Weber in Austin, Texas, contributed to this report.
Politicians call for assurances over future operations at landfill site after investigation into a huge fire concludes

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jan 24th, 2021

Two local politicians are demanding assurances over future operations at a landfill site in Wrexham after an investigation into a huge fire was concluded.

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates and Johnstown councillor David Bithell held talks with senior Natural Resources Wales officers after the blaze at Hafod Quarry in late May, calling for a full inquiry to take place and for the site not to resume operations until it had concluded.

The local representatives maintained regular contact with the regulator on behalf of residents, providing updates to the community and publishing NRWs responses to a series of questions.

They have now issued a further joint statement following the conclusion of the investigation this week, which found no evidence to suggest that site operator Enoverts actions caused the fire.





Ken Skates MS and Cllr David Bithell said: NRW is an independent regulator and we must respect the findings of the investigation.

However, many local residents contacted us about this at the time and they will be disappointed with this outcome considering the seriousness of the incident and previous complaints about the site. A warning letter to Enovert will offer little comfort to them.

The investigation did identify that improvements are needed in relation to the application of landfill cover materials, which led to a non-compliance of the permit. Enovert has been notified of this breach and will be required to complete a number of corrective actions to secure compliance with the permit going forward.

Last year, after the fire, we made our position clear  we wanted to see tightened monitoring and we, like the local residents we represent, wanted action to reassure people that their concerns are being heard and addressed.

The community now desperately needs reassurances from NRW, as the regulatory body, that all necessary mitigation measures are put into place as soon as possible  and that this will be published and communicated to them. At the very least, residents living nearby must have a clear and unequivocal assurance that the site is operating within its environmental permit.

NRW has agreed to provide a fuller update to the liaison committee which will further explain what was concluded in the investigation, what further action Enovert will be required to take and how the site will operate in the future. We look forward to more detail being published.

In a statement, Mark Silvester, CEO of Enovert, said: I confirm we have received a Warning Letter issued by NRW following the fire that occurred at our Hafod Landfill Site last year.

The findings of NRWs investigation concur with those of our own completed in June 2020 following which the Company took immediate steps to implement a series of improvements ensuring continued compliance with its environmental permit.

We again offer our apologies to the local community impacted at the time and thank the North Wales Fire Service for attending the incident.

Enovert will now formally respond in writing to NRW confirming the actions the Company has already taken and agreeing timescales for completion of the further actions required following issue of the warning.

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I miss Albuquerque. A few weeks ago, I left the desert to finish up graduate school in the rainy town of Eugene, Oregon. I love it here. I grew up watching the Twilight films, so its always been my dream to live in the Pacific Northwest. But.

Theres a part of me that craves Albuquerque. My current state of homesickness might be because the day Im writing this is the 15th anniversary of High School Musical, a film based in Albuquerque that shaped who I am as a person. It was actually filmed in Utah, but I, like many New Mexicans, often choose to ignore that fact. Simply put, Albuquerque is the best. From turquoise to tacos, it has it all!

If youre living in the 505, well, Im jealous, but Im also here to remind you to appreciate the citys quirks. Here are five little Albuquerque things that I pinky promise youd miss if you moved away:

1. Sandia Mountains. This is an obvious one, but I definitely took them for granted. Sure, Oregon has some green hills and bumps, but nothing compared to the romantic, watermelon-colored mountains of Albuquerque. This may sound a little out there, but Im convinced the Sandias dont just reflect the colors of the sky but the mood of Albuquerque residents. Their color always matches my emotions. Theyre iridescent, forever altering from pinks to blues. On your drive home today, take in the beauty of the Sandias for me  pretty please.

2. Local businesses. Ah, what I would do for a slice of green chile pineapple pizza from Dions, with a side of ranch, of course. Or, to share a slice of key lime pie with my mom at Flying Star. Charleys 33s and CDs has always held a special place in my heart  did you know its the largest independent record store in New Mexico? The list of unique local businesses in Albuquerque could go on forever. Im counting on you to support them while Im away.

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................................................................

3. Sunshine. When I decided to move to Oregon, everyone told me Id miss the sun. I would say, No way! The rain is going to be magical, just (like) Hilary Duffs iconic candlelit Come Clean music video. She looked so good in the rain. Well, as it turns out, those people were right. I miss the sun. I need the sun. Its rejuvenating to my soul. So if its sunny out there in Albuquerque, which it probably is, go for a walk. Soak up that sun.

4. Roadrunners. So, Oregon has a lot of squirrels, but I have yet to see one roadrunner. I dont know about you, but I get so excited whenever I see one of those majestic birds dashing across the road. To me, theyve never seemed like real birds. They look like tiny dinosaurs. They symbolize everything that New Mexico is: enchanting. As you whiz down Paseo, watch out for roadrunners. Keep those babies safe.

5. My mom. Well, you might not know her, but shes awesome. From our trips to Blockbuster (RIP) to midnight premieres at Century Rio 24, the best memories of my life have been made with her in New Mexico. During quarantine, we went on countless masked trips to Trader Joes  the one on Paseo, of course  and watched all of the Harry Potter movies for the first time. I miss my mom. Right now, Im sitting alone in my studio apartment and would do anything to share a box of Cheez-Its with her. So, if youre blessed enough to be in Albuquerque with family, give them a hug. Tell them you love them.

I hope this little homesick-inspired list that I put together brightened your day and reminded you what an awesome city you live in. In an episode of I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball asks, Whats so hot all of a sudden about being born in Albuquerque? Well, theres a lot of things. Dont forget to enjoy them!
As the global COVID-19 infections are nearing a grim milestone of 100 million cases, the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that his agencys COVAX scheme has reached an agreement with Pfizer-BioNTech for 40 million doses of coronavirus vaccine for poorer countries. Further, assuming WHO clearances, he informed that 150 million doses of AstraZenecas COVID-19 vaccine will be delivered in the first quarter of 2021 under COVAX assuming WHO safety clearances.

WHO chief said, Thats why today Im glad to announce that COVAX has signed an agreement with Pfizer/BioNTech for up to 40 million doses of its vaccine. Additionally, pending WHO emergency use listing, we expect almost 150 million doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine to be available for distribution by COVAX in the first quarter of this year.

The WHO secretary-general also said that both announcements together mean that under COVAX initiative the vaccinations will begin delivering in February if the UN health agency can finalise a supply agreement for the COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech along with emergency use listing for the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine candidate. By the end of this year, WHO-backed COVAX initiative, he said, is on track to deliver at least two billion doses.

He said, COVAX is on track to deliver 2 billion doses by the end of this year. This agreement also opens the door for countries who are willing to share doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to donate them to COVAX and support rapid rollout.

Read - 'Very Grateful': French Envoy Thanks India For Shipping COVID Vaccines To Fight Pandemic

Read - Atmanirbhar Bharat Vision Fulfillment: Minister On Vaccines

Coronavirus Infections Close To Grim 100 Million Mark

The global coronavirus toll hit another grim milestone on January 23 as it reached nearly the 100 million infections mark, according to the world virus tracker. As many as 2.1 million fatalities have been recorded globally since the pandemic hit. The US remains the hardest impacted nation with 25,566,789 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, and 427,635 deaths. The newly sworn-in Joe Biden's administration sprang to action after President signed executive orders mandating measures critical to preventing the spread of coronavirus.

Read - COVID-19 Vaccine Research Could Lead To Drugs Against HIV And Cancer: Report

Read - Sri Lanka To Receive COVID-19 Vaccines From India Next Week: President
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The Defence Headquarters of the Nigerian military said the Air component of Operation Thunder Strike has neutralised (killed) several armed bandits at Chikwale Forest in the Mangoro area of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

John Enenche, Coordinator Defence Media Operations, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

Mr Enenche, a major general, said the operation was conducted on Saturday following credible intelligence reports indicating the significant presence of bandits in the area, about 20km West of the Kaduna-Abuja Highway.

Accordingly, after series of confirmatory aerial surveillance missions, the Air Component dispatched an appropriate force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships to attack the location.

Overhead the target area, the NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft spotted scores of bandits, mounted on motorcycles and dressed in black attire, heading towards Niger State.

The attack aircraft therefore took turns in engaging the bandits, who were seen firing at the attack helicopter as it strafed them, he said.

The coordinator said many of the bandits were neutralised in the strikes, while some escaped with various degrees of injuries.

He added that aerial surveillance missions were being intensified in coordination with ground troops to locate the fleeing bandits.

(NAN)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  A Pennsylvania legislator shared on Facebook an image mocking the appearance of the states recently departed health secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, a transgender woman who has been nominated to serve in the Biden administration, and then offered a general apology Saturday.

State Rep. Jeff Pyle, a Republican from Armstrong and Indiana counties in western Pennsylvania, said on Facebook that he had no idea the post mocking Levine would be ... received as poorly as it was but that tens of thousands of heated emails assured me it was.

I owe an apology and I offer it humbly, Pyle said, not specifically apologizing to Levine or other transgender people, but later repeating an apology to all affected.

Levine has not commented. The state health department did not immediately respond to an email seeking a reaction to Pyles initial post or his apology.

Comments on his Facebook page had called for him to resign.

President Joe Biden tapped Levine a day before his inauguration be his assistant secretary of health, leaving her poised to become the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Pyle, who was first elected in 2004, cited a conversation with the Democratic leader in the state House who explained the error of my post. He stressed that he did not come up with the meme but merely shared it, though he said he should not have done so.

From this situation I have learned to not poke fun at people different than me and to hold my tongue. Be a bigger man, he wrote.

Pyle wrote he would leave Facebook soon but was not resigning and would focus on a Butler Community College project and the economic revitalization of Pennsylvania amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Australias national honours and awards system is a lost opportunity to incorporate Indigenous traditions into our shared culture, while building their recognition internationally.

Each Australia Day and Queens Birthday, outstanding Australians are honoured in recognition of their contribution to improve our country. It remains contestable that theres value in an elitist awards system, but so long as it exists Australians should at least understand it.

Margaret Court will be recognised on Australia Day with a Companion of the Order of Australia. Credit:Getty Images

Despite the appropriate respect for the awards, many Australians are befuddled by what AOs, AMs, OAMs and ACs mean, or even their value, which is brought into question when they are awarded to controversial Australians.

And despite legitimate criticism at the time, this was one of the points made by former prime minister Tony Abbott in 2014 when he reintroduced Australian knights and dames. While his actions misunderstood Australias modern multicultural character, his fundamental critique of the honours system had merit.
Protests erupted in dozens of cities across Russia yesterday to demand the release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the Kremlin's most prominent foe.

Police arrested more than 2,100 people, who took to the streets in temperatures of -50C. Navalny's wife, Yulia, was among those detained.

Demonstrators filled Moscow's Pushkin Square, chanting: "Putin is a thief". Many were dragged off by riot police to buses and detention trucks, some beaten with batons.

The protests stretched across Russia's vast territory, demonstrating how Navalny and his anti-corruption campaign have built an extensive network of support.

Despite accusations that Navalny's team was allegedly trying to recruit teenagers for the protest, most of the crowd was middle-aged and not necessarily supporters of the opposition leader.

"It's not about Navalny," Lyudmila Beketova (60) said. "When a person first gets poisoned and then gets arrested when he comes home and - even the most disabled grandma will come out in protest."

Supporters called for more protests again next weekend.

Navalny was arrested last Sunday after returning to Moscow from Germany, where he spent five months recovering from nerve-agent poisoning he blames on the Kremlin and which Russian authorities deny.

They say his stay in Germany violated the terms of a suspended sentence in a 2014 criminal conviction. Navalny claims the convic- tion was for made-up charges.

The 44-year-old activist is known for his reports on corruption in Putin's Russia. His wide support puts the Kremlin in a bind, risking more protests if it keeps him in custody, but apparently unwilling to let him go free.

Navalny faces a hearing next month to determine whether his 2014 sentence is converted to three-and-a-half years behind bars.

 Associated Press
Shes a skinny legend, Barbara. She even shared her love for Wisconsin and corn on the cob while doing an interview with Larry King. It quickly became a meme-worthy moment, with the late host of Larry King Now joking about it on social media.

Heres more on the conversation between King and Trixie Mattel, the winner of RuPauls Drag Race: All-Stars 3.

RuPauls Drag Race winner, Trixie Mattel, on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen | Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Trixie Mattel competed on RuPauls Drag Race season 7

Oh, honey, shes much more than just a competitor on RuPauls Drag Race season 7. After competing in the reality series, Trixie Mattel returned for the spinoff, titled RuPauls Drag Race: All-Stars 3.

Prior to her win on All-Stars 3, Trixie Mattel appeared in the YouTube series UNHhhh and released original folk music, earning thousands of streams on Spotify. To promote The Trixie and Katya Show, as well as her other ventures outside of the reality competition series, Trixie Mattel appeared on Larry King Now.

RELATED: Iggy Azalea Sending Trixie Mattel Voice Messages of Her Reading Trixie and Katyas Guide to Modern Womanhood Is Friendship Goals

Larry King interviewed the legend, icon, and star

Aside from her appearances on RuPauls Drag Race and The Trixie and Katya Show, Trixie Mattel did an interview on Larry King Now. Although King didnt know much about drag, this legend, icon, and star was quick to answer any questions with a joke.

The performer discussed everything from tucking to Kings drag name, to which Trixie Mattel was quick to respond Larry Queen. She also discussed where shes from and where she hopes to be in 10 years.

I sort of think if everything was hunky-dory, what I do wouldnt seem so interesting, Mattel said. Part of what makes drag cool is the edge and the other factor. And with our show, The Trixie and Katya Show, because everything right now is so (gasp), people want to turn on their TV and see a couple idiots in chicken suits and lipstick, talking about whatever they want.

RELATED: Former RuPauls Drag Race Contestants, Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova Debut their UNHhhh podcast

Trixie Mattel and Larry King talked about their love of corn

During her interview with Larry King, the drag performer discussed her impact on the drag scene. She ranked herself about 12th in terms of the worlds biggest drag queens and RuPaul number one. Then, the conversation took a turn.

RuPaul, sort of like on Drag Race, RuPaul takes his megastardom and he doesnt just give you the corn, he teaches you to grow the corn and its up to you to grow the corn, Trixie Mattel said of the reality competition series. Do you like corn?

Yeah, on the cob? Larry King responded.

Totally, Trixie Mattel said. Oh, yeah.

Following the interview, Larry King tweeted, I have a sudden hankering for a side of corn at dinner tonight, tagging the drag performer. The post to social media earned several thousand likes from fans of the former Drag Race contestant and the talk show host.

New episodes of RuPauls Drag Race premiere on a weekly basis on VH1.
The launch of the communication campaign titled Do you control asthma or does asthma control you

The campaign aims to help patients quickly assess their levels of SABA (short-acting beta2-agonist) reliance with six questions on the programme website and Facebook fanpage. These platforms will be updated with the latest treatment guidelines for patients to actively control their conditions and encourage active consultations with health professionals about how to best control asthma.

The over-reliance on SABA reliever therapy is among the key obstacles in asthma treatment in Vietnam. Asthma patients frequently over-rely on SABA reliever therapy to treat the symptoms of asthma, without knowing that it can mask the worsening of symptoms. The link between SABA overuse and an increased risk of asthma attacks has recently led to updated recommendations from the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) that seek to avoid establishing a pattern of reliance on SABA early in the disease.

GINA no longer recommends SABA alone as the preferred reliever therapy and instead recommends the use of low dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-formoterol therapy as-needed as the preferred reliever therapy across all asthma severities. These updated global recommendations represent a significant change in asthma management over the past 30 years.

According to the latest treatment guidelines from the Ministry of Health (MoH), reliever medications alone should not be used in asthma treatment as they can increase the risk of patients having an exacerbation or even fatality risk.

Addressing the event, Assoc. Prof. Luong Ngoc Khue, director of Medical Service Administration (MSA), said that, Ensuring quality asthma care is one of the governments healthcare priorities, as stated in the national strategy for non-communicable diseases prevention 2015-2025 by the prime minister.

In 2020, the MoH issued national guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of asthma for adults and children over 12 years which warns that the frequent or excessive use of reliever medication can poise the risk of hospitalisation and fatality, and asthma treatment in Vietnam is gradually following this guideline. The progress of improving asthma care will require contributions from regulators, healthcare professionals (HCPs), and the whole community. Through the communication campaign on the Healthy Lung website and fanpage, programme organisations are calling for the participation of all parties in the management and control of asthma.

The SABINA pharmacy programmes preliminary data from 14 provinces and cities in Vietnam shows that up to 68 per cent of asthma patients bought three or more reliever medications in 2020. According to GINA 2019, the use of three reliever pills a year will double the risk of hospitalisation. Overuse of SABA has been associated with adverse outcomes such as increased airway overreaction, decreased bronchodilator response, which may lead to an increased risk of emergency admission and possibly increased fatality risks. For that reason, patients and the community need to actively update on how to manage asthma properly in mainstream media.

Nitin Kapoor, chairman cum general director, AstraZeneca Vietnam

Nitin Kapoor, chairman cum general director of AstraZeneca Vietnam shared: AstraZeneca aims to play a leading role in reducing the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially respiratory diseases by working together with healthcare partners. We are committed to enhancing these partnerships to improve awareness and quality of asthma care, to eliminate preventable asthma attacks, and ultimately improve patients lives.

Sending the question to the public Do you control asthma, or asthma controls you?, the awareness campaign is taking place in parallel with continued medical education throughout 2020 for healthcare professionals. These activities are part of the Healthy Lung programme, a partnership between AstraZeneca, national governments, and specialised associations in nine Asian countries including Vietnam to raise the profile of respiratory diseases and build the capability of healthcare systems in these countries to manage these diseases.

In 2017, Vietnam was among the first countries to kick-off the programme in partnership with the MSA, the Ministry of Health, and three specialised associations. Building on the success of the first phase of the Healthy Lung programme to improve the quality of outpatient management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Vietnam, the extended programme will continue to enhance the quality of care for the mentioned respiratory diseases while expanding into a new area  lung cancer, with two information hubs: a website and a Facebook fanpage.

According to Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Viet Nhung, president of the Vietnam Lung Association, the latest asthma treatment guidelines highlighted the importance of addressing the SABA reliever overuse, and adhere to maintenance therapy as it is a sustainable solution not only for the healthcare sector but also reduces the cost burden while helping patients avoid unfortunate consequences. The role of grassroots healthcare teams is very important in delivering this mission.

Key statistics on asthma management in Vietnam

Prof. Dr. Ngo Quy Chau, president of the Vietnam Respiratory Association shared: This initiative is a milestone in the spreading of asthma treatment knowledge beyond HCPs to patients and the wider community. I believe this is a practical and effective programme to help improve the quality of asthma care in Vietnam.

Assoc. Prof. Le Thi Tuyet Lan, president of the Ho Chi Minh Association of Asthma, Allergy & Clinical Immunology, also stressed: In my observations, many patients feel attached to their SABA inhaler, mistakenly believing this to be the best way to control their symptoms. They are often unaware that using their SABA inhaler just three or more times a week is a sign of poor asthma control and increases their risk of an asthma attack. We hope asthma patients will realise that SABA over-reliance will increase the risk of exacerbation and terrible consequences that are preventable."

Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) speaks to reporters outside the White House in Washington in this May 3, 2017, file photo. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Michigan Rep. Upton Unanimously Censured by County GOP for Impeachment Vote

A Michigan countys Republican Party voted to censure Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) for his vote to impeach former President Donald Trump earlier this month.

During the Allegan County Republican Convention, members voted Jan. 21 censure and condemn Upton in a unanimous vote, according to a statement, adding that Upton ignored the voice of his voters in Allegan County by voting for Trumps impeachment.

The unanimous voice vote was confirmed during a meeting of the Executive Committee immediately following the convention by another unanimous voice vote, the group said. The AGOP Issues Committee is charged with making recommendations for further action.

Upton represents Allegan County, which is part of Michigans 6th Congressional District.

Upton, in response, said, I always said Id support President Trump when I agreed with him and disagree when I thought he was wrong. Congress should not tolerate any effort to impede the peaceful transfer of power.

Ive gone to bat for southwest Michigan every day Ive been in Congress, bringing jobs, economic growth, and opportunities to our region of the state. And that is exactly what Im going to keep doing.

Upton has been making calls and reaching out to local party folks to listen to them and hear them, knowing they might disagree with his stance, but to move forward, this should be a party that can include a lot of different opinions, ideas, and viewpoints, according to Uptons communications director Josh Paciorek.

Uptons office didnt respond to a request for comment by press time.

The move to censure Upton comes amid a growing backlash against the 10 Republicans who voted with Democrats to impeach Trump.

Members of the House alleged Trump incited violence during his speech before a group breached the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. For his part, Trump condemned the rioters and violence, while asserting that his speech was fine. A number of Republicans in Congress have backed his assertions, with an increasing number of GOP senators saying that its not constitutional to conduct an impeachment trial of a president who isnt in office any longer.

Meanwhile, Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney and member of the House Republican leadership, has perhaps faced the most significant criticism from her own party after she voted to impeach.

Cheney now has a challenger after Wyoming GOP state Sen. Anthony Bouchard announced last week that he will run against her, noting Trumps massive victory margin in Wyoming and Cheneys long-time opposition to the former president.

Wyoming taxpayers need a voice in Congress who will stand up to Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats, and not give them cover. Thats why Im running for Congress, Bouchard said in a statement.
Pettifleur Berenger was the latest star to be sent home from the jungle on Sunday's episode of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

The Real Housewife of Melbourne star, 56, was ejected into a swamp after incorrectly guessing the number of eyeballs in a jar, during a tiebreaker challenge with Alli Simpson.

Both Pettifleur and Alli had incorrectly guessed the number of toads in the 'hell hole of destiny' in a previous challenge, while Ash Williams was saved from elimination.

Gone! Pettifleur Berenger (pictured) was the latest star to be ELIMINATED on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of here! on Sunday, after she incorrectly guessed the number of eyeballs in a jar in a tiebreaker challenge with Alli Simpson

With 120 eyeballs in the jar, Alli, 22, guessed within five eyeballs of the exact number, resulting in Pettifleur being eliminated.

Not yet ready to leave the jungle, Pettifleur praised her co-stars in her exit interview with hosts Julia Morris and Dr. Chris Brown.

'It's changed me like that,' Pettifleur said of having already given up her pedantic ways. 'I think the highlights have been the fun games, the dance, the laughter. I have had nothing but lots of love. We bring out the funnest in each other.'

Ejected: The Real Housewife of Melbourne star, 56, was ejected into a swamp after incorrectly guessing the number of eyeballs in a jar, during a tiebreaker challenge with Alli

Class act: Not yet ready to leave the jungle, Pettifleur praised her co-stars in her exit interview with hosts Julia Morris and Dr. Chris Brown: 'I think the highlights have been the fun games, the dance, the laughter. I have had nothing but lots of love. We bring out the funnest in each other'

The reality star and property developer went on to reveal singer Paulini Curuenavuli as her closest confidant in camp.

'We got super close. She is a beautiful human being, so talented, yet such a beautiful soul,' Pettifleur said of the 38-year-old.

'We clicked and we've got a great friendship, but everyone's really nice. I've been so fortunate to be with a bunch of really beautiful people. There's a lot of love in that camp.'

Close call: Pettifleur and Alli (left) found themselves in an unprecedented tiebreaker after they both incorrectly guessed 20 as the number of toads in the 'hell hole of destiny'. Alli is pictured with Ash Williams

Pettifleur and Alli found themselves in an unprecedented tiebreaker after they both incorrectly guessed 20 as the number of toads in the 'hell hole of destiny'.

Comedian Ash, 38, was safe from elimination, having guessed 42 toads, closer to the exact number of critters in the box.

I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! continues Monday at 7.30pm on Channel Ten
Hurling each other with snowballs is great fun and literally the only sport one can afford when everything around is blanketed in white cover. However, the sport was used a mode of protest in Russia by those seeking release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Protesters hurled snowballs at the police as they demanded Navalny's release.

The video of the unique protest was shared by a journalist on Twitter showing cops being hurled with snowballs. The form of protest seemed totally harmless as the police too did not resort to offensive mode.

Navalny protesters pelting police with snowballs in Moscow.#Russia pic.twitter.com/gY6rceXuO5 Patrick Reevell (@Reevellp) January 23, 2021

Meanwhile, Russian police arrested more than 3,000 people Saturday in nationwide protests demanding Navalny's release. He is being seen as Kremlin's most prominent foe, according to a group that counts political detentions.

The protests in scores of cities in temperatures as low as minus-50 C (minus-58 F) highlighted how Navalny has built influence far beyond the political and cultural centers of Moscow and St. Petersburg.

In Moscow, an estimated 15,000 demonstrators gathered in and around Pushkin Square in the city center, where clashes with police broke out and demonstrators were roughly dragged off by helmeted riot officers to police buses and detention trucks. Some were beaten with batons. Navalnys wife Yulia was among those arrested.

Some later went to protest near the jail where Navalny is held. Police made an undetermined number of arrests there. The protests stretched across Russias vast territory, from the island city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk north of Japan and the eastern Siberian city of Yakutsk, where temperatures plunged to minus-50 Celsius, to Russias more populous European cities. Navalny and his anti-corruption campaign have built an extensive network of support despite official government repression and being routinely ignored by state media.

The situation is getting worse and worse, its total lawlessness," said Andrei Gorkyov, a protester in Moscow. "And if we stay silent, it will go on forever.

The OVD-Info group, which monitors political arrests, said at least 1,167 people were detained in Moscow and more than 460 at another large demonstration in St. Petersburg.

Navalny was arrested on January 17 when he returned to Moscow from Germany, where he had spent five months recovering from a severe nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin and which Russian authorities deny. Authorities say his stay in Germany violated terms of a suspended sentence in a 2014 criminal conviction, while Navalny says the conviction was for made-up charges.

The 44-year-old activist is well known nationally for his reports on the corruption that has flourished under President Vladimir Putin's government.

(With inputs from AP)
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Weather officials are warning of more snow in the areas surrounding Tokyo, mainly in mountainous regions. But they say it is unlikely to accumulate in central Tokyo as the temperatures at high altitude did not dip as much as expected.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says a low-pressure system and a weather front have brought snow to the Kanto-Koshin region.

They say in the 24 hours to Monday morning, up to 25 centimeters of snow is expected to fall in Nagano and Yamanashi prefectures and 20 centimeters in mountainous parts of Kanagawa and Saitama prefectures and Tokyo.

Ten centimeters of snow is forecast for the plains in northern Kanto and 5 centimeters for the plains in southern Kanto.

Weather officials say the snow is expected to continue overnight.

They are urging people to be prepared for possible disruptions to transportation due to snow and ice, and to be careful while walking on icy roads. They are also warning that a buildup of snow could cause greenhouses to collapse.
This weekend the TKC blog community sends an INTERESTING note our way with a local connection that metro news media forgets.



Who is Jamie Metzl???



Newsies can only rely on Google for background but our blog community knows that he's the last candidate to ever give Congressman Cleaver an honest challenge in a political battle that STILL evokes hard feelings among local factions of the Democratic Party.



Accordingly, here's the word from an author, policy maker anddenizen of the national discourse . . .

"It Was All A Lie": Biden-Linked WHO Adviser Says COVID-19 'Likely' Leaked From Wuhan Lab

Deets . . .



Jamie Metzl - who served as Deputy Staff Director of the Foreign Relations Committee under Biden (2001-2003), after serving on the National Security Council (1997-1999) and the State Department (1999-2001) under Clinton, waited until three days after Biden's inauguration to tell the Toronto Sun that he thinks COVID-19 was most likely an accidental lab leak in Wuhan.

Deets . . .



"Theres no irrefutable evidence," said the Kansas-born Metzl, a senior Atlantic Council fellow who was appointed to the WHO expert advisory committee on human genome editing in 2019. "Theres just more evidence and as more evidence arrives, the case for accidental lab leak, in my view, increases."

Meanwhile, for all those who denounce American "conspiracy theories" about the plague. Let's not overlook state-run international media looking to blame the US for the virus.

Developing . . .


In any case, the incoming administration did not flinch. Chinas effort to play to partisan divides wont work, said a spokeswoman for the Biden National Security Council. Antony Blinken, the nominee for secretary of state, tweeted after the Hong Kong arrests that the Biden administration will stand with the people of Hong Kong and against Beijings crackdown on democracy.

The Biden administrations China policy has yet to be defined. But as far as Hong Kong is concerned, there appears to be continuity between the two presidential administrations. The little enclave has bravely resisted Chinas efforts to curtail its Western traditions of free speech, fair courts and a dollop of democracy through mass protests and elections. Yet it has no real defenses against the Goliath on the mainland other than the opinion and pressures of the worlds democracies  the United States first among them.

Western support of the territorys freedoms is important also as a signal to other mature and fledgling authoritarians. Chinas extraordinary justification for rounding up more than 50 opposition figures was that many of them had participated in an unofficial primary vote to select candidates for the 70-seat Legislative Council. Over 600,000 people out of a population of 7.5 million voted, which was enough for Carrie Lam, the Beijing-picked chief executive of Hong Kong, to denounce the process even before the vote as subversive.

While the council is designed so that pro-Beijing lawmakers hold a majority, a decisive victory by the opposition could have enabled it to block the budget. Do that twice, and Ms. Lam would have had to step down. Ms. Lam, in any case, postponed the council elections for a year, using the pandemic as a pretext.

The more than 50 democracy activists who were arrested have not been charged, and most have been released on bail. But the roundup signaled how far Beijing and its backers in Hong Kong are prepared to go with the draconian national security law imposed on the territory last June to geld what remains of its independence and freedoms.
Egypts Minister of Health Hala Zayed announced on Sunday that the coronavirus vaccination campaign for medical teams would start nationwide on Monday.

In a press conference held at Abu Khalia isolation hospital where the first doctor and nurse in Egypt received their first shot of the Sinopharms COVID-19 vaccine, Minister Zayed said that Egypt would secure 100 million shots of coronavirus from different sources.

She also revealed that Egypt would receive new shipments of the vaccines, including Sinopharms vaccine.

The first batch of Sinopharms vaccine - 50,000 dozes - reached Egypt in late December and received the health ministry's approval in early January.

Zayed stated that Egypt already reserved 100 million doses of the Coronavirus vaccine through agreements with two companies to secure 40 million doses in addition to reserving 20 million doses through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

The minister also added that the health ministry was currently registering vaccines from Russian, British and Chinese vaccine factories without naming them and that Egypt has the capability to store 140 million doses of the vaccine.

The Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and the Management of Medical Technology (UPA) announced on Saturday that it has signed a deal with Russian R-Pharma and Indian Serum Institute to purchase 20 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine each.

According to the health ministry, the coronavirus vaccination priority list starts with the medical teams at the isolation, fever, chest and screening hospitals; followed by kidney failure and cancer patients; then the elderly.

The total of medical teams targeted to be vaccinated in chest, fever hospitals is 207,000 people, including doctors, nurses, administrators, and workers.

The minister added that the vaccination process will be based on priority and the shipments she received adding that the rollout was gradual.

The registration for citizens will be online and that the vaccine will be for a small price for those who can afford, revealing no further detail about the pricing of the vaccine.

The vaccine is currently free for medical teams.

During the press conference, Zayed asked the citizens to take all their precautionary measures whether following social distancing or wearing the mask even after receiving the vaccine.

She also commanded the bravery of Egypts Medical teams and praised their sacrifices during the pandemic.

Dr. Abdel Moneim Mohamed and Nurse Supervisor Ahmed Hamdan received the first two doses of the Sinopharm vaccine making them officially the first two Egyptians inside Egypt to receive the first shot.

Egypt have registered officially 161,143 cases of coronavirus including 126,176 recoveries and 8,902 fatalities.

According to both Egypts health ministry and World Health Organization (WHO) the real number of cases are higher than the ones officially registered.

In its latest on the fatalities among doctors alone, the Egyptian Medical syndicate stated the number of doctors who died due to the complications of the pandemic reached 341 on Sunday.

Short link:


Kathmandu: The ruling Nepal Communist Party's splinter faction led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Sunday (January 24) expelled Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli from the party's general membership.

The decision to remove Oli from the party's general membership was taken at the Standing Committee meeting of the faction led by former prime ministers Prachanda and Madhav Kumar Nepal after Oli failed to produce explanation to his recent moves as sought by party leadership, sources said.

Earlier in December, the splinter group had removed Oli, one of the two chairmen of the ruling party, as the party chair. Madhav Nepal was named as the party's second chairman. Prachanda is the first chairman of the party.

The Prachanda-led faction on January 15 sought clarification from Oli alleging that he was carrying out activities that go against the party's policies. The faction decided to strip Oli off even from the ordinary membership of the party after he chose not to furnish any clarification, party sources said.

Oli had been accused of violating party statute by the splinter group.

The latest political development came two days after the NCP's splinter faction led a massive anti-government rally, saying the "unconstitutional" dissolution of the Parliament by Prime Minister Oli has posed serious threats to the country's hard-earned federal democratic republic system.

Prachanda last week said that by dissolving the House, Oli has given a blow to the Constitution as well as the democratic republic system which has been established in the country through seven decades of struggle by the people.

Madhav Nepal, who last month replaced Oli as the chairman of the party by Prachanda-led faction, said that the Constitution has not given rights to the prime minister to dissolve Parliament.

Nepal plunged into a political crisis on December 20 after Oli, known for his pro-China leanings, in a surprise move dissolved Parliament, amidst a tussle for power with Prachanda.

His move to dissolve the 275-member House, sparked protests from a large section of the NCP led by Prachanda, also a co-chair of the ruling party.

Oli, who is the chairperson of a faction of the NCP, has said he was forced to dissolve the House after knowing that the Prachanda-led faction was planning to file a no-confidence motion against him and introduce an impeachment motion against President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

Oli-led CPN-UML and Prachanda-led NCP (Maoist Centre) merged in May 2018 to form a unified Nepal Communist Party following victory of their alliance in the 2017 general elections.

After a vertical split in the ruling party following the dissolution of the House, both the factions, one led by Oli and another led by Prachanda, have submitted separate applications at the Election Commission claiming that their faction is the genuine party and asked to provide them the election symbol of the party. However, the Election Commission is yet to decide the matter.

In December, China sent a four-member high-level delegation to Nepal to prevent a split within the NCP. The team - led by a Vice minister of the Chinese Communist Party, Guo Yezhou - held separate meetings with several top NCP leaders before returning home without much success in its mission.

India has described Oli's sudden decision to dissolve Parliament and call for fresh elections as an "internal matter" that is for the country to decide as per its democratic processes.

I got the country house, the boot room but they didnt make me happy

The man who says hes in love with me, despite never having met me, continued to send long emails. Each one had its own heading, such as, More about me, Last one tonight I promise and New Year opportunities.

A couple of things put me off. First, that he chose as a lunch venue a hotel that would involve me in a five-hour round trip. I know Ive criticised men for only dating within a manageable distance, but Im too busy to drive for five hours to meet a man who heads an email: Quirks.

Then came the inevitable missive that really set off alarm bells: Mostly, my pleasure in sex is giving my partner pleasure. Im not one to boast, as Im rusty, and would probably take ages to get you to the heights you deserve. Better get back to your podcast

Oh. My. God. Who discusses sex with a woman they havent met! Men are mad! And I certainly dont need another man who hangs on my every word. I ignored the sex stuff but told him off about this point. That I cant date a stalker. He promised he would never listen to another podcast or read another word. But they all say, Write what you like until you write what they dont like*. They want their ego, as well as other unspeakable parts, massaged.

Contrary to popular opinion, Im not hard to please. I once had sex with a man** because he bought me a cinema ticket, even though I couldnt follow the film as this was pre-laser eye surgery and pre-hearing aids. My then boyfriend bought me a DVD of The L Word one Christmas (it wasnt even the box set; the protagonists were lesbians), and I still married him!

But then, a month ago, something happened. The model Stella Tennant sadly died aged 50. Her death shook me as I had, 16 years ago, travelled to her home in Berwick-upon-Tweed to interview her, an encounter that literally changed my life. Unlike most famous people, she picked me up from the station in her battered estate car, stuffed full of dry-cleaning and dog towels. I wore Burberry as an homage to her role in the brands new campaign; she wore old jeans and dirty Converse sneakers. Her handsome husband made me a vegan lunch so delicious I still remember each ingredient. We went for a walk with her children and stood, gazing back at her perfect dolls house. She told me she had made enough money from modelling to be set for life, and never had to dip into the family funds (her grandmother was Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire). She dropped me back at the station.

When I got home to London, my husband was on the sofa, having not made dinner. Lets order a curry, I said, smarting that he hadnt asked what Stella was like. We could, he said. But I cant be bothered to find the number.

The contrast between what Stella had and what I had was stark, but I wasnt jealous. I was inspired. I wanted the country house, the boot room, to not wear make-up each time I left the house, to embrace nature. I got all those things, but they didnt make me happy. I remember, after Celebrity Big Brother, I went for dinner with a former housemate. She showed me on her phone the Ferrari shed just taken delivery of. Ah, I thought. I deserve a nice car. Within days, Id taken out a lease on a Mercedes. Only later did I discover it was the former housemates fiance whod bought the Ferrari for her. Stellas marriage had broken up not long before she died. Nobodys life is quite what it seems. Her final inspiration will be that I will no longer waste my life striving for what other people have. Nobodys perfect, after all

*You might think it mean, but as Andrew Neil told my then soon-to-be-ex-husband on TV, If you dont want to be written about, dont date a columnist!

** Osama Bin Laden lookalike

Everyones talking about Liz Joness Diary: The Podcast! 

Join Liz and her trusty (long-suffering) assistant Nicola as they dissect her weekly YOU magazine diary and delve into the archives to relive the bust-ups, betrayals, bullets and so much more in this brilliant podcast. Theyre outspoken, outrageous and utterly hilarious. Find it now at mailplus.co.uk/lizjones, iTunes and Spotify.

Contact Liz at lizjonesgoddess.com and stalk her @lizjonesgoddess
A three-year-old boy has died, months after being hit by a driver on a North Portland street.

The driver hit two children who ran out into North Fessenden Street while playing on the evening of Sept. 2, according to Portland police. The three-year-old boy suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital while the other child was treated at the scene.

Police said they learned Saturday that the boy who was critically hurt died overnight.

Portland police investigators determined there was no cause to charge the driver with a crime.

Neither the boy nor the driver has been publicly identified. Police declined to provide the boys name, citing the familys request.

-- Jaimie Ding

jding@oregonian.com; 503-221-4395;@j_dingdingding
Postscript on a ceremony at Liberty Memorial strangely timed around the time of Inauguration. To be fair, I'm sure that's a coincidence in much the same way and given that CNN is smacking down Tucker for misspeaking about their pandemic death ticker.



Read more . . .
Massachusetts public health officials reported another 3,750 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 67 new coronavirus-linked deaths on Sunday, a day before officials lift a curfew on table service at restaurants and other businesses.

There are currently an estimated 91,507 active cases statewide, according to the state Department of Public Health. Since the pandemic hit the U.S. about a year ago, 475,925 residents have tested positive and 13,844 have died, DPH said.

The latest data is based on 101,327 new molecular tests. Throughout the course of the pandemic, at least 12.9 million tests have been administered in Massachusetts.

The seven-day average rate of positive tests has dipped below 5%, at 4.85%, according to DPH. Excluding testing from higher education institutions, where case totals have been low, the positive test rate is 6.4%.

Based on recent downward trends in cases, Gov. Charlie Baker announced that a 9:30 p.m. curfew for table service at Massachusetts restaurants and other businesses will be lifted on Monday.

As of Sunday, 1,946 people are being treated in the hospital for the virus, including 409 patients in intensive care and 286 who are intubated. The seven-day average of hospitalizations is at 2,130.

This past week, DPH labeled 222 towns and cities as high risk for transmission of the virus, a decrease from the 229 the week prior.

The latest state figures come as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced it is working with officials in the United Kingdom to review recent data suggesting there is a realistic possibility that the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant is not only more contagious but deadlier.

First identified in the U.K. in November, the variant swept through the country and has been transmitted to more than 50 countries, including the U.S.

More than one case has been discovered in Massachusetts, including a Worcester County resident who traveled to the U.K. during the holiday season.

For more on the B.1.1.7. strain, read here.

Public health officials say existing vaccines will still blunt the highly-contagious strain.

As of last week, 359,919 doses have been administered across Massachusetts since Dec. 15 when vaccinations began, according to DPH.

More than 25 million Americans have contracted the virus and more than 417,000 have died since last year, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Total COVID cases by county:

Barnstable County: 8,136

Berkshire County: 4,299

Bristol County: 47,838

Dukes County: 731

Essex County: 74,753

Franklin County: 1,693

Hampden County: 35,170

Hampshire County: 5,349

Middlesex County: 97,870

Nantucket County: 1,041

Norfolk County: 37,970

Plymouth County: 34,003

Suffolk County: 68,799

Worcester County: 56,824

Related Content:
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Report Description

A recent market intelligence report that is published by Data Insights Partner on the global Anti-counterfeit Pharmaceutical Packaging Market makes an offering of in-depth analysis of segments and sub-segments in the regional and international Anti-counterfeit Pharmaceutical Packaging Market. The research also emphasizes on the impact of restraints, drivers, and macro indicators on the regional and global Anti-counterfeit Pharmaceutical Packaging Market over the short as well as long period of time. A detailed presentation of forecast, trends, and dollar values of global Anti-counterfeit Pharmaceutical Packaging Market is offered. In accordance with the report, the global Anti-counterfeit Pharmaceutical Packaging Market is projected to expand by healthy CAGR over the period of forecast.

Market Insight, Drivers, Restraints& Opportunity of the Market:

The false representation in pharmaceutical product in relation to its identity or source is called counterfeiting and the steps taken for prevention are termed anti-counterfeit pharmaceutical packaging. In order to maintain the integrity of the original manufacturers packaging throughout the supply chain, brand owners are adopting security solutions called anti-counterfeiting pharmaceutical packaging. Anti-counterfeit packaging applies directly on the product, its container, packaging, or labeling. It provides an assurance that the packaging code applied by the original manufacturer is unchanged and the product is free from counterfeiting.

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A large portion of all pharmaceutical formulations available in the market are counterfeit. The current market size of counterfeit drugs is more than US$ 82 bn. This poses a threat to the global pharmaceutical market. The counterfeited pharmaceutical products affect both, i.e. patients as well as pharma companies with their brand reputation. More than 30% of total pharmaceutical products in developing markets are counterfeited and approximately 16% drugs sold across several sales channel in developed markets are fake. The rampant counterfeiting of drugs has pushed pharma producers to opt for secure solutions. Anti-counterfeiting packaging is one of the measures that pharma majors are relying on. Pharmaceutical companies have been incorporating anti-counterfeit solutions with their product packages; of these, hologram, barcode, and water is common and considered as a conventional option for the same. However, with advancement in technology, pharmaceutical manufacturers are also integrating new and innovative options with conventional solutions such as integrating authentication overt features with covert elements, forensics, and track & trace elements. These measures have translated into fruitful results for pharmaceutical companies and tier II pharma companies also prefer similar approaches. These effective measures considered by pharma companies resulted in the sudden increase in demand for anti-counterfeit pharmaceutical packaging across the globe.

Manufacturers of pharma products certainly play an important role in maintaining the product authenticity and checking counterfeiting. However, over the past couple of years, the industry has witnessed substantial contribution from other supply chain stakeholders. Manufacturers largely advocating the role of repackagers, wholesaler and distribution and including these nodes of supply chain under accountability perspective.

Repackaging pharmaceuticals companies suffice a wider need of drugs and hence can not be eroded from the industry. The FDA, akin to pharma manufacturers, also regulate pharma repackagers which purvey dealing with lot & batch numbers and expiration date information of pharmaceutical drugs. Furthermore, repackagers of pharma products must adhere to the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) guideline by the FDA an are also categorized under state licensing controls and inspections, particularly in the US.

With the increase in reported cases of illicit drug channeling into the mainstream market, it became critical to integrate repackagers, wholesalers, and distributors with the anti-counterfeiting technology. For instance, if a pharma product has been packaged with tamper proof packaging, repackagers need to repack the package with new tamper proof packaging. This has created an additional demand for anti-counterfeit pharmaceutical packaging solutions in the market, apart from traditional buyers, i.e. pharma producers. Moreover, the trend is prominent for developed markets but has not picked up in high potential but relatively less matured markets such as China and India. Demand for anti-counterfeit packaging technology is likely to rise significantly from other stakeholders of the pharmaceutical supply chain across the globe.

Anti-counterfeit features primarily enable the authentication of an item, either by industry investigators or by the wide public. A security device alone does not reduce the risk of counterfeit, but it is designed to make them easier to detect. Anti-counterfeit product offerings are available in a wide range in terms of price and complexity; however, a system-wide implementation may not be feasible for a developing country. The cost involved in implementing the anti-counterfeiting technology is high. Due to the high cost of implementation of anti counterfeit technology, manufacturer ignore the safety and security of product and decide on cost saving. It is unlikely that any one solution would be appropriate for all applications, as the cost may not be affordable in developing markets. The high cost of RFID may hamper companies from implementing anti-counterfeiting measures.

Segment Covered:

This market intelligence report on the global Anti-counterfeit Pharmaceutical Packaging Market encompasses market segments based on usage features, technology and country.

By Usage Features the global Anti-counterfeit Pharmaceutical Packaging Market has been divided into:

v Covert Features

v Overt Features

v Forensic Markers

v Tamper Evidence

v Track & Trace Technologies

u Serialization

u Identification System

By Technology the global Anti-counterfeit Pharmaceutical Packaging Market has been divided into:

v RFID

u Active Tags

u Passive Tags

u Semi Active Tags

v Security Inks & Coatings

v Security Printing & Graphics

v Hologram

v Mass Encoding

u Barcode Application

u Digital Mass Serialization

u Digital Mass Encryption

v Others(Electromagnetic, surveillance technologies)

By country/region, the global Anti-counterfeit Pharmaceutical 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).

Profiling of Market Players:

This business intelligence report offers profiling of reputed companies that are operating in the market. Companies such as:

3M Track and Trace Solutions

Avery Dennison Corporation

Alien Technology

Authentix, Inc.

CFC International, Inc.

Digimarc Corporation

Impinj, Inc.

Sicpa Holding

ATL Security Label Systems

Applied DNA Sciences

Others

others have been profiled into detail so as to offer a glimpse of the market leaders. Moreover, parameters such as Anti-counterfeit Pharmaceutical 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.

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Salient Features:

 This study offers comprehensive yet detailed analysis of the Anti-counterfeit Pharmaceutical 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 Anti-counterfeit Pharmaceutical 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 Anti-counterfeit Pharmaceutical Packaging caters to the needs of various stakeholders pertaining to this industry, namely suppliers, manufacturers, investors, and distributors for Anti-counterfeit Pharmaceutical 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 Anti-counterfeit Pharmaceutical Packaging Market

v Identification of key factors driving investment opportunities in the Anti-counterfeit Pharmaceutical 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/anti-counterfeit-pharmaceutical-packaging-market/778

Step back in time to see how Sydney Cove (Warrane to be historically correct) looked hundreds of years ago. We fly like Raymond Briggs Snowman past the Harbour Bridge, dip below the surface of the harbour then resurface moments later in 1788. Below is an Aboriginal man standing in a canoe, spear ready in his hand.

This is the powerful 11-minute movie that will preface tomorrows Australia Day concert as controversy continues to build over the commemoration of the January 26 date and amid calls for a representative body for Indigenous Australians to be embedded in the constitution.

Marines stand below the British flag at Sydney Cove as portrayed in the Virtual Warrane for the Australia Day concert. Credit:Bilbie Labs

Virtual Warrane is the work of Indigenous digital artist Brett Leavy, inspired by convict artist, Joseph Lycett, who captured not only the early settlement of Sydney but also scenes of Indigenous people engaging in food gathering, ceremony and hunting.

Theres plenty to contemplate with messages from actor Jack Thompson and chairperson of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council Yvonne Weldon.
ATTICA, Ind. (WLFI) - The Silver Alert for Jamie Kristen Reed has been canceled as of Monday, January 25, 2021.

A statewide Silver Alert was declared Sunday afternoon.

For more information on this cancellation, please contact the Attica Police Department at 765-793-2449.

Previous information:

She was last seen on Friday at 1p.m. She is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, 280 pounds, blue eyes and has brown hair with purple highlights.

She was last seen wearing black framed prescription glasses, a dark blue hooded sweatshirt, blue stretch pants.

Police believe she is driving a gray 2005 Chrysler Town and Country minivan with Indiana license plate 284TFD.

She is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance. Please call the Attica Police Department at 765-793-2449 or 911 with information on her whereabouts.

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is calling for an end to the unrelenting violence in Africas Sahel which has now displaced more than two million people within the borders of their countries for the first time ever

People travelling to Victoria from an 'orange' zone will need to apply for a permit

Australia has gone a week without any locally-acquired Covid cases, with the nation on track to receive millions of Pfizer vaccine doses.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the rollout of Australia's Pfizer vaccine will begin in mid-to-late February, despite overseas shortages.

'We do want to roll out the vaccine and that is why the Therapeutic Goods Administration is going through its normal processes. We are still on track to receive those Pfizer vaccines in mid-to-late February, I am advised,' he told reporters.

'What Australia must do is carefully consider those vaccines through the TGA process.

'That process is under way, we are not about to cut corners, we are not in the same position as the United States, and the UK, where they have seen tens of thousands of new cases and tragically many lives being lost.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the rollout of Australia's Pfizer vaccine will begin in mid-to-late February, despite overseas shortages

Sunday's new cases came from 11,343 tests, but health officials reiterated that testing rates are too low

'We have the virus under control here in Australia.'

Despite the nation recording a full week without new locally-acquired Covid-19 cases, three infections of the UK mutant strain have been detected in Australian Open hotel quarantine.

The strains were found after genomic testing, and extra precautions will be taken.

Sunday's new cases came from 11,343 tests, but health officials reiterated that testing rates are too low.

Sewage testing also detected coronavirus fragments at Warriewood on the northern beaches and North Head, which takes in Manly. Recent sewage testing has also uncovered coronavirus fragments at Liverpool.

'High testing rates are necessary to give confidence that no cases are going undetected in the community,' Dr Christine Selvey said.

Victoria's border has reopened to almost all of Sydney, barring the Cumberland local government area.

All LGAs in Greater Sydney - as well as Wollongong and the Blue Mountains - were downgraded to 'orange' on Victoria's health alert system from 6pm on Friday.

Victoria's border has reopened to almost all of Sydney, barring the Cumberland local government area

People travelling to Victoria from an 'orange' zone will need to apply for a permit, get tested within 72 hours of their arrival and isolate until they receive a negative result - and they will not be barred from entering.

The Cumberland LGA takes in Berala, the centre of a 35-person virus cluster, and its residents remain locked out of Victoria.

Western Australia also relaxed border restrictions, with NSW residents no longer banned from entering the state. However travellers will still be required to self-isolate for 14 days and get a Covid-19 test.

Tasmania has also relaxed restrictions on large parts of Greater Sydney.
Republican legislators are angry that Pennsylvanias high courts ruled against them. Now they want a constitutional amendment to let them choose their own judges.

House Bill 38 passed the judiciary committee Jan. 13 on a 13 to 12 vote. If it passes the full House and Senate by Feb. 18, if could appear on the May 18 primary ballot.

The law would allow the legislature to divide the higher courts into regions, with party leaders drawing the lines for their own benefit.

Lebanon County state representative Russ Diamond is the prime sponsor of HB38.

Diamond says citizens should get to decide at the voting booth if they want this, but primaries in off-year elections are sparsely attended. It is likely that voters will have little understanding of this legislation or its ramifications.

There have been no public hearings on this bill. There has been no debate. No judge has weighed in with their thoughts. Its an attempt to quietly rush through a major change to give the legislature power over the judiciary and disrupt the balance between the three branches of government.

Monica von Dobeneck, Palmyra, Pa.
Los Angeles, Jan 24 : Comedian and host Steve Harvey says his daughter Lori Harvey's boyfriend Michael B. Jordan is a nice guy, but says he still got his eye on the Hollywood heartthrob.

Michael and Lori recently made their relationship official on Instagram. Now, Steve has opened up on what he thinks of the actor, who was recently named People Sexiest Man Alive, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"I still got my eye on him. I mean I like I him, but like I say to all of them, 'I might like you. I might approve of you, but I've got a thumb-sized section of my heart filled with nothing but pure hatred for you'. Just in case I need it," said Steve.

"(Michael is a) nice guy. But I got this little section where all I gotta do is click a switch and I'd hate your a**. You're not the sexiest man in the world to me. Let's be clear about that," he added.

Meanwhile, Michael and Lori wanted to "get to know each other in private" before making their romance public.

"It seems they have wanted to get to know each other in private. They have been careful about being photographed together," a source said earlier.
The ninth round of Corps Commander-level meeting between India and China will be held on Sunday to defuse tension along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and to find a solution to end the nine-month-long military standoff.

The military commanders of India and China will meet in Moldo, opposite the Chushul sector in Eastern Ladakh, according to reports.

The eighth and last round of Corps Commander-level talks between both countries was held on 6 November last year in Chushul in Eastern Ladakh during which the Indian Army strongly insisted on an early disengagement of troops by China from specific friction points in eastern Ladakh.

A joint statement issued after the eight-round of talks read: "Both sides agreed to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, ensure their frontline troops exercise restraint and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation."

India-China border row

India and China have been locked in a bitter standoff along the LAC for nearly nine months. While China began amassing massive military strength along the LAC, India responded with a befitting build-up.

As multiple rounds of talks between India and China have failed to resolve the standoff, the Indian Army has deployed around 50,000 troops in mountainous locations in eastern Ladakh.

China has also deployed an equal number of troops, reports stated.

Earlier, in an interview with a leading Indian news channel, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that India will not reduce its troop strength unless China initiates the process.

While speaking about China opting for an aggressive stance in eastern Ladakh, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief RKS Bhadauria said: "If they [China] can be aggressive, we can also be aggressive."

On 29 and 30 August, India occupied heights along the northern and southern bank of the Pangong Lake, which includes dominating positions overlooking the Chinese military deployed in that area.

The Chinese have been asking India to withdraw troops and tanks first from the southern bank but India has been asking for disengagement from all the friction points in eastern Ladakh.

With agency inputs

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What shops will be open in Mexico City? Although the town continues to have a red epidemiological traffic light, some stores may open their doors with the aim of "reactivate without risking."

In the morning press conference of the local government, Eduardo Clark, general director of Digital Government of the Digital Agency for Public Innovation (ADIP), explained that they are working with representatives of shopping centers and department stores to tentatively restart activities the February 1st.

According to the official, this decision will be subject to the history of hospitalizations and infections in Mexico City (CDMX). If these plans materialize, businesses must follow the following measures:

Capacity of 20% and access restricted to one person per family.

A hours of operation from Monday to Friday between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and remain closed on weekends.

Weekly tests to floor sellers.

Establish mechanisms for online sale and pick up in parking lot.

Mandatory implementation of QR codes in establishments for employees and customers.

According to ANTAD "the economic conditions of the sector have reached a point of no return, which would imply that thousands of workers would lose their jobs, affecting the livelihood of their families" / Image: Depositphotos.com

On Wednesday, January 20, the National Association of Self-Service and Department Stores (ANTAD) requested the Government of CDMX and the State of Mexico (Edomex) to add them to the controlled reopening. Currently, members of the sector and government officials are in talks to reach an agreement.

To learn more: Department stores request their reopening in CDMX and Edomex

The first meeting with ANTAD was held on Thursday, January 21 in the afternoon, where Fadlala Akabani Hneide, Secretary of Economic Development (SEDECO), commented that the capital's government works to favor the economy of this sector without risking the health of the people, so the proposal will be discussed with the City's Epidemiological Council and virtual meetings will continue, in order to find a solution .

What other stores will be open in Mexico City?

Clark announced that the reactivation of activities with businesses in other essential areas would be expanded, and that as of Monday, January 25, they will be able to open stationeries, kitchen supplies, opticians, and construction finishing stores.

For the establishments associated with these businesses to return to their activities, they must strictly comply with sanitary measures, a capacity of 20% and one person per family. They must also register with sanitary measures.covid19.cdmx.gob.mx

On the other hand, outdoor activities will also be allowed, among which the drive-in theater stood out.

Related:

To travel to Germany, Mexicans must present a negative test for COVID-19

Para viajar a Alemania, mexicanos deberan presentar prueba negativa a COVID-19

Las vacunas CureVac y Novavax contra el Covid-19 empezaran Fase 3 en Mexico



Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved

Local exporters need to proactively identify risks and work closely with state management agencies to respond to trade remedies in the increasingly complicated imported markets,

especially the US, which tended to increase trade defence measures.

The US is one of the leading economic and trade partners and the largest export market of Viet Nam.

Experts from the Trade and Investment Promotion Center of HCM City (ITPC) mentioned the matter at a seminar on legal issues when exporting to the US market in the city on January 21.

Tran Phu Lu, deputy director of ITPC said: Viet Nam has participated in many Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), creating conditions for export goods to enjoy preferential tariffs, improving the competitiveness capacity and export turnover. However, a number of investigations and trade protection measures for local products also increased.

According to statistics of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), by the end of 2020, it recorded and handled 193 cases of foreign trade defence on Vietnamese goods, including 108 anti-dumping cases, 22 countervailing cases, 23 tax evasion cases and 40 self-defence cases. So far, Vietnamese export goods have been investigated for trade defence with the affected turnover of up to US$12 billion.

There were 32 initiations of investigations recorded last year, doubling the figure in 2019. The majority of goods subject to trade defence investigations included metals, fibers, and aquatic products, plywood, building materials and chemicals, which were known as the countrys advantages.

The markets that regularly investigate trade remedies for Viet Nam's exports included the US, India, EU, Turkey, Canada and Australia, which accounted for 62 per cent of the trade remedies cases on Vietnamese exports, said MoIT.

It added ASEAN countries were also actively investigating trade remedies with 38 cases, or 20 per cent of the total cases.

Director Lu said: The US is one of the leading economic and trade partners and the largest export market of Viet Nam. However, with a complicated and regulated legal system, it always has many potential risks for Vietnamese exporters. Every year, the number of imported consignments from Viet Nam which are sued and ordered to be destroyed or returned from the market is increasing.

In addition, many key export commodities of Viet Nam easily fall into the sights of investigating trade defence suits, creating difficulties and challenges for Vietnamese businesses, as a result, they are required to pay attention to information when they want to boost their exports to the US market, said Lu.

C. Matthew, Attorney at Dentons International Law Firm, told the seminar: The US is a large consumer market and a trading partner that many countries want to penetrate. However, this is also a market with lots of potential legal risks, especially the increase of trade remedies in recent times. The US will adjust different trade policies to protect the interests of the nation in different phases with different partners.

Matthew said the US tended to increase supervision with commodities and countries with large trade surpluses, which increase abnormally and rapidly in a short period of time and pay special attention to the issue of the true origin of goods.

Matthew said due to favourable conditions such as the attraction of foreign investment leading to increased export production, taking advantage of supply chain disruptions and gaps in the US market, Viet Nam has more chance to enter the market. However, he added the excessive increase in turnover of some products would make them face the risk of lawsuits and trade remedies. If tax is imposed on a product, it could affect the whole industry and make many others leave the market because the US trade defence tax rate was often very high.

Diep Quoc Ke, CEO of ASIA Golden Link INC, recommended: "Prevention is better than cure," suggesting exporters identify risks to avoid investigations or cases on trade remedies, especially for the US market.

Ke said the businesses must understand the US legal system and the federal law as there were separate laws for each state, adding it was important to understand trading partners to avoid high-risk transactions.

Experts also emphasised enterprises importing raw materials or semi-finished products from a third country to process then export to the US needed to pay special attention to the history of the trade of such goods between the United States and the third country and not use raw materials and products that the US was applying trade remedies for export or all products of Viet Nam will be subject to the same commercial defence measures.

Instead, Vietnamese businesses should learn and boost the import of raw materials and goods from the US to serve local production and consumption.  VNS
Alleged Asia drug kingpin arrested after Australia probe

WORLD: The alleged ringleader of Asias biggest crime syndicate and one of the worlds most wanted men has been arrested in the Netherlands, with Australian authorities pushing for his extradition to face trial.

drugscrime

By AFP

Sunday 24 January 2021, 10:34AM

Drug kingpin Tse Chi Lop was arrested by Dutch police at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam on Friday (Jan 22) acting on a request from Australias federal police.

Police had been chasing alleged drug kingpin Tse Chi Lop, 57, for years until his arrest by Dutch police on Friday (Jan 22) acting on a request from Australias federal police.

In a statement today, Australian authorities said a man of significant interest to law enforcement agencies had been detained. A police spokeswoman confirmed his name as Tse Chi Lop.

The Chinese-born Canadian citizen has been compared to Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman.

He has been named by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as the suspected leader of the Asian mega-cartel known as Sam Gor, a major producer and supplier of methamphetamines globally.

Sam Gor is believed to launder its billions in drug money through businesses springing up in Southeast Asias Mekong region - including casinos, hotels and real estate.

Australias federal police said Fridays arrest followed an operation that in 2012-2013 nabbed 27 people linked to a crime syndicate spanning five countries.

The group were accused of importing substantial quantities of heroin and methamphetamine into Australia, long a lucrative market for drug traffickers.

The syndicate targeted Australia over a number of years, importing and distributing large amounts of illicit narcotics, laundering the profits overseas and living off the wealth obtained from crime, the Australian police said.

As part of the 2012-2013 raids across Melbourne, police seized AUS$9 million (B210mn) worth of assets, including cash, designer handbags, casino chips and jewellery.

The arrest of Tse Chi Lop almost a decade after that operations launch is a major breakthrough for Australian authorities.

The countrys attorney-general will now begin preparing a formal extradition request for the alleged drug lord to face trial.

Most of Asias meth comes from Golden Triangle border areas between Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and southwest China which are pumping unprecedented quantities of synthetic drugs into global markets.

A study by the UNODC says Southeast Asias crime groups are netting more than US$60 billion a year.

The production of methamphetamine - either in tablet yaba form or the highly potent crystallised ice version - as well as ketamine and fentanyl, take place primarily in Myanmars eastern Shan state, but much of the precursor chemicals needed to cook them flows across the border from China.

Thailand in 2018 netted more than 515 million yaba tablets, 17 times the amount for the entire Mekong region a decade ago, said the UNODC.

Drug hauls feature near daily in headlines across the region, with traffickers finding more creative ways to ship out their illicit products.
Mideast Church Leaders, Others Urge Biden to Lift Syrian Sanctions

In a joint letter, a group of church leaders and international figures appealed to U.S. President Joe Biden to lift economic sanctions imposed on the Syrian people and "to help Syrians alleviate a humanitarian crisis that threatens to trigger a new wave of instability in the Middle East."

"We wish to lose no time approaching you for an urgent response to the severe humanitarian crisis in Syria," they wrote Jan. 21, after first congratulating Biden on his inauguration.

Michel Abs, secretary-general of the Middle East Council of Churches, sent the letter, signed by nearly 100 political, social and religious officials from the region and the world. The signatories included Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan; Melkite Catholic Patriarch Joseph Absi; and Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II.

They pointed out that in December, Alena Douhan, U.N. special rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures, asked the United States to lift the sanctions.

Their letter cited what was stated by Douhan, that the U.S. sanctions "violate the human rights of the Syrian people" and "exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in Syria, especially in the course of COVID-19 pandemic, by blocking aid, trade and investment necessary for Syria's health system and economy to function."

The appeal noted that Douhan's findings reflect a growing consensus among humanitarian and human rights groups that "this form of collective punishment of the civilian population is driving Syria into an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe."

They stressed that 10 years ago, Syria was the region's food basket, but now it is on the verge of famine.

In June, the World Food Program warned that half of all Syrians were going to bed hungry and the country was on the brink of "mass starvation."

Meanwhile, COVID-19 is spreading, unhindered by a health care system largely destroyed over 10 years of war, the letter said.

"Millions of hard-pressed Syrians will go to bed hungry and cold tonight," the letter stated. "Unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States make the economic plight of the Syrian people worse."
When the people learn that they have been taken for a ride by the professionals and the authorities, the tide would obviously turn against them.

by Mass L. Usuf

This column attempts to address a different perspective on the burial or cremation disagreement. Therefore, no in-depth references will be made to science, myth or racism which are often associated with the issue.

Political rally in Sri Lanka

Focus is directed on the subjects of Procedural Justice and Social Justice. Though the word justice is used, it is not in relation to law or the legal system. The objective is to focus on these two areas in order to ascertain their psychological impact on the masses. In turn, to provide an understanding of the empirical changes in the perception about the President, Prime Minister and the government. Extending the discussion further, crass deficiency in social justice locally can also have international ramifications.

The primary argument is built on the premise of the (Heta nama lakshaya) sixty-nine lakh so called Sinhala voter base and the domineering influence of a certain section of the monks (a handful). The Heta nama lakshaya is itself a flawed argument but not relevant to this column. Generally, government decisions are taken based on merits but the issue of burial or cremation is a maverick exception to this norm. This is where the fairness of any deliberative procedure in the decision-making process has been compromised. Why so, perhaps to satisfy the arbitrarily decided preferred direction to suit the obstinacy of one or several. This is an inappropriate display of power but with a cost attached to it.

Psychological Impact

Researchers studying the outcome of unfair decision-making have remarked on its psychological impact on the masses. Those who have experienced unfairness directly and, those who have witnessed it happening to others, begin to lose confidence in the government and its top administrators.

The conditions for procedural justice have been recognized under six criteria: (a) consistent application, (b) lack of bias, (c) availability and use of accurate information, (d) ability to appeal and correct flawed decisions, (e) ethicality, and (f) representativeness. (Leventhal & Others, 1980).

The failure of the government to consider these qualitative factors in policy formulation and being unfair and unjust prejudicially will shift loyalty. On 09 November 2020, the response to a web poll conducted (though not scientific) by the Daily Mirror provides some sense to the analysis of what the government does and what the masses think that the government is doing. To the question, Do you feel that the government has a clear and consistent policy to combat the current Covid 19 outbreak, the response was a staggering 95.2%, NO.

A major part of this dissatisfaction, inter alia, may be safely attributed to the burial and cremation issue which unnecessarily has invited wide national and international interest. The government must realise at least now that they have placed themselves in a serious predicament. The unprofessional manner in which they have handled the burial issue is inacceptable.

Neural Sensitivity To Justice

The average person is not a scholar of procedural justice and the conditions which go to justify it. However, common sense prevails in the reasonable man. When people perceive decision-making procedures have not conformed to what is manifestly clear and just, the natural instinct of fairness and reasonableness are triggered. The example of the unsubstantiated and unscientific stand of the government denying burial on the face of scientifically evidenced facts, is a case in point. Research has shown that when individuals perceive decision-making procedures as unfair, they express less commitment to the organization administering them and a less willingness to engage in voluntary actions on the organizations behalf (Colquitt, 2001).

The Journal of Neuroscience of 19 March 2014 in a study of Justice Sensitivity Predicts Neural Response . notes as follows:

Morality is a fundamental component of human cultures and has been defined as prescriptive norms regarding how people should treat one another, including concepts such as justice, fairness, and rights. This study provides important knowledge on how individual differences in justice sensitivity impact neural computations that support psychological processes involved in moral judgment and mental-state reasoning. (Keith J. Yoder and Jean Decety).

When the people learn that they have been taken for a ride by the professionals and the authorities, the tide would obviously turn against them. This fact is proven by a recent web poll conducted by the same local newspaper the Daily Mirror on 12 December 2020. A whopping 81.9% voted in favour of allowing burial with restrictions. The level of disagreement earlier in terms of numbers against burial seems to have diminished. The diminution can be attributed to the availability of new evidence that burial is a safe mode of disposal of the covid 19 infected deaths.

Social Justice In Politics

Social justice concerns are typically regarded to be moral concerns. Research reveals, for example, if someone is treated unfairly in a given society, people generally regard this to be morally wrong. Communication Psychology Professor Tobias Rothmund, writes, social justice depends upon procedures, norms, and rules that govern political decisions to preserve the basic rights, liberties, and entitlements of individuals and groups. (The Psychology of Social Justice in Political Thought ).

Leventhal studies (ibid.) show that inconsistency in the application of policies, bias, inaccurate information, not correcting wrong decisions, lack of ethics all symbolizes the direct conflict with the norm of procedural justices. The burial issue is an excellent case study in this regard because it has all these ingredients which defies procedural justice and social justice. They psychologically impact on the neural sensitivity to moral judgment and sense of justice in the people.

A subsequent web poll held by the Daily Mirror on 18 January 2021 accentuates this analysis. Here, it was asked that the government in 2021 should focus on the following:

1) Conducting provincial council polls  0.3%

2) Boosting tourism  1.1%

3) Repatriating migrant workers - 2.8%

4) Obtaining Covid 19 vaccine - 8.2%

5) Resolve dispute over burial and cremations  87.6%

A large majority (87.6%) had voted demanding a resolution to the dispute over burial and cremation. This gives an indicator of how important procedural and social justice are and the manner in which these can psychologically affect the thinking of the masses. The consequence will be that the President, Prime Minister and the government before long will find the 69-lakh vessel almost empty due to the slow leakage from it.

Hyped-Up Nonsense

The religio-cultural and ethnic trauma that people experience due to basic human rights violations impact even on stable governance initiatives. It is good to stop this hyped-up nonsense of burial being a danger to the living humans. This lie cannot be sustained any further. If the government does not act in time, the 69-lakhs will gradually dissipate based on the psychological sensitivity of the people to what should be fair, reasonable and just.

In this context Covid 19 infected cadavers should be allowed for burial secured as per the WHO and Ministry of Health guidelines. And, as per the wishes of the dead person or the family members, those who want to be cremated be allowed to do so.

Pansakula

Irrespective of whether it is a burial or a cremation, the government should also allow the religious rituals to be conducted maintaining health guidelines. The Buddhists should be allowed to have their pansakula and other rituals for their beloved departed. Similarly, for all the other religions too. The unfounded and unscientific fear has to be kicked aside. Lies will have to be replaced with the truth and science be embraced. This should be the way of ensuring the rights of the living persons. The way to protect and respect the dignity of the dead person, who cannot fight for his rights.

To continue to deny this right to the people under the delusion of losing the heta nama lakshaya and the handful of monks is going to be costly. As stated earlier, this voter base will gradually fizzle off as more and more people begin to see the truth. A phenomenon that can be seen evolving with the availability of scientific evidence and the experts voicing their support for burial.

It has been said that the more political authorities are seen as satisfying the criteria for procedural justice, the more they are perceived as trustworthy, legitimate, and entitled to lead. The time is right for those in the government to urge the Executive President to take a firm executive decision and permit burial. Such a firm decision will earn the respect of the heta nama lakshaya which is in fact, the critical mass.

The average reasonable man among the heta nama lakshaya at his own level also evaluate rules, procedures and systems to see if they are fair and just. They are all not fools. There is an abundance of evidence that political authorities and institutions are viewed as more legitimate when they exercise their authority through procedures that people experience as fair. (Leventhal 1980).

The leaders who steered the nation through a health and bushfire crisis are the favourites to become 2021's Australian of the Year.

State and territory finalists for the Australian of the Year are in Canberra ahead of Monday's reveal, when they will find out who will be awarded the top honour.

While ACT Australian of the Year Professor Brendan Murphy and NSW Australian of the Year Shane Fitzsimmons are the favourites to win, they are vying for the gong against passionate campaigners and doctors.

State and territory finalists for the Australian of the Year are in Canberra ahead of Monday's reveal

asmania's 2021 Australian of the Year finalist Grace Tame (pictured) advocate for survivors of sexual assault and #LetHerSpeak campaigner

Victoria's 2021 Local Hero finalist Dr Kirby White

Professor Murphy was chief health officer at the start of the coronavirus crisis and was pivotal in ensuring governments put health advice at the front and centre of the nation's response.

Being named Australian of the Year would mean recognition of the work done by health professionals and the public service throughout the pandemic, he said.

'I'm just a representative of a huge effort,' Professor Murphy told AAP on Sunday.

'Everyone has pulled together and as a nation we've shown just how powerful we can be.'

Queensland's 2021 Local Hero finalist Natasha Johnston was nominated for an award on Australia Day

Like many Australians in NSW and the ACT, Professor Murphy bore witness to former Rural Fire Service boss Shane Fitzsimmons' leadership throughout last summer's deadly bushfires.

Mr Fitzsimmons now heads Resilience NSW, and says becoming Australian of the Year would be an opportunity to promote the importance of volunteers, mental health and community.

Ten firefighters died during the devastating fires, including seven in NSW.

Heartbreaking images of Mr Fitzsimmons awarding bravery and service awards to toddlers instead of their fathers were shared around the world.

'We owe it to all of them to make sure that as they grow up they know the only reason their dad is no longer with them is because they were heroes, out there making a difference in their community,' Mr Fitzsimmons said.

South Australia's 2021 Senior Australian of the Year finalist Professor Richard Bruggemann

Tasmania's 2021 Local Hero finalist Edna Pennicott

ACT's 2021 Senior Australian of the Year finalist Patricia Anderson

Tasmania's 2021 Young Australian of the Year finalist Toby Thorpe

Coronavirus travel restrictions prevented Western Australia's Australian of the Year, the country's first Indigenous doctor Helen Milroy, from attending Canberra for the festivities.

The Northern Territory's Australian of the Year Wendy Page says the pandemic has put health education front and centre, which has helped in her goal of raising awareness of strongyloidiasis, a disease caused by roundworm.

Cases in Australia are primarily in Indigenous communities.

After losing a friend to the disease in 1999, Dr Page was driven to make it notifiable, meaning cases legally need to be reported to authorities.

Queensland's Australian of the Year Dinesh Palipana is the second person with quadriplegia to graduate as a doctor in Australia, and now advocates for doctors with disabilities.

Victoria's 2021 Young Australian of the Year finalist Tayla Harris is in the running

West Australia's 2021 Young Australian of the Year finalist Grace Forrest

South Australia's candidate for the top gong is Tanya Hosch, the AFL's general manager for inclusion and social policy.

She plans to raise awareness and campaign to raise Australia's age of criminal responsibility from 10 years old.

Tasmania's candidate is sexual assault survivor and advocate Grace Tame, who became the first woman in the state to be granted an exemption to speak publicly about her assault.

She is working to put more focus on education and prevention of child sexual abuse, particularly on grooming and the psychological manipulation of abuse.

Founder of the National Homeless Collective Donna Stolzenberg is Victoria's Australian of the Year, and she campaigns for better understanding that poverty is the main cause of homelessness.

Northern Territory's 2021 Young Australian of the Year finalist Stuart McGrath
A recommendation to abolish the states 12-year-old Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission has been modified to keep the organization active but under closer scrutiny by the Texas Historical Commission.

Everything is working out now, and we are still in existence, said Lynne Aronoff, chairwoman of the Holocaust commission. We believe that well emerge from this important process stronger and improved as a result.

The change comes as educators prepare for Texas Holocaust Remembrance Week, which begins Monday and runs through Friday.

A staff report released in November by the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, which reviews state agencies every 10 years to determine whether they should stay as is, change or be eliminated, proposed dissolving the Holocaust commission, saying it has never functioned as intended, cannot show measurable benefit to the state and should be abolished.

But after receiving numerous protests  including from state Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, who authored the bill that created Remembrance Week  the Sunset Commission replaced that proposal with a recommendation that the Holocaust group be brought under close oversight as an advisory committee of the Texas Historical Commission, with another sunset review set for 2031.

On ExpressNews.com: Holocaust liberator from San Antonio haunted by memories

The Legislature still must vote on the Sunset Commissions recommendation and has the ultimate say on which agency would oversee the group. The Texas Education Agency and the State Board of Education also have been mentioned as agencies that could handle oversight of the Holocaust commission.

Aronoff said shes hopeful the multiphase sunset review process will strengthen the commission, resulting in better operational guidance and metrics for success.

One area criticized in the sunset review was the lack of financial audits and oversight of the 27 matching grants issued by the commission from 2013 to 2019. The grants totaled $241,172, including three that combined awarded $13,493 to the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio. Larger grant allocations have gone to museums in Houston, Dallas and El Paso.

Lisa Krantz /Staff photographer

In addition to no financial audits, the grant program lacked performance criteria and review, the sunset review found.

Reports on the review and public input are posted on the Sunset Commission website, sunset.texas.gov.

Nehemia Nammie Ichilov, who has guided the Holocaust museum in San Antonio through the pandemic, said the review process has been done a little bit backwards.

The Holocaust commission has had less than two years to comply with a 2019 state law that provided more direction than the commission had when it was created a decade earlier. Texas was among the first states to recognize the need for Holocaust education, he said.

Texas has gone one step further and said this is something that we want to make sure has a central focus, Ichilov said.

For Remembrance Week, which coincides with the anniversary of the liberation of prisoners at Auschwitz on Jan. 27, 1945, the museum has posted a schedule of two live online webinars daily on its website, hmmsa.org, providing stories of Holocaust survivors, often told through surviving family members.

Museum staff used a grant from the Holocaust commission to develop live and prerecorded presentations for the special week.

The San Antonio Public Library has been working with the museum on commemoration activities, including online exhibits, take-and-make kits available at all library locations and a self-directed Holocaust Remembrance Walk at Semmes Branch Library, 15060 Judson Road. For more information, go to the librarys website at www.mysapl.org.

The commissions website, thgc.texas.gov, offers educational materials on the Holocaust and overviews of other past or ongoing genocide events in Cambodia, Darfur, Bosnia, Rwanda, Burundi and the Middle East. The commission does not provide a mandated curriculum, but has materials and guidance for individual school districts to observe the week of remembrance.

Because of the pandemic, San Antonios Holocaust museum has gone 100 percent online, providing virtual tours, Ichilov said. Although many images from the Holocaust are too graphic for kindergarten or elementary-age students, the museum fulfills a state directive to provide early education by focusing on values.

We want to teach everybody who comes to the museum how to be an upstander. To use Elie Wiesels quote, The opposite of love is not hate, its indifference, Ichilov said, referring to the late philosopher and Holocaust survivor. We want to be able to teach the children that indifference is not an acceptable behavior. That when you see something wrong, you become an upstander.

The education initiative establishes a foundation for students, as they grow, to understand the Holocaust, the systematic genocide by Nazi forces of Germany of about 11 million people, including two-thirds of the Jews in Europe, along with political dissidents, homosexuals, the disabled and others.

Without that foundation of empathy and understanding, its easy for students to discount the atrocities as something that wasnt as terrible as what they saw firsthand  a denial of truth that U.S. Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, supreme Allied commander, warned about, Ichilov said.

Its not that they dont want to believe that 6 million Jews, including one and a half million children, perished in the Holocaust. They simply dont have a frame of reference or a foundation to believe that happened, he said.

On ExpressNews.com: Holocaust exhibits in San Antonio have resistance theme

With the U.S. experiencing interesting times  a global pandemic, self-isolation and civil and political unrest  the missions of the museum and the Holocaust commission are all the more critical, Ichilov said.

For those who are either Holocaust deniers, or who are simply not interested in addressing the topic because they dont want to have to struggle with their own reality of what that would mean to how they define the world, its important that we continue to tell the story and keep the memory of those who perished alive, he said.

Ichilov, who became director of the museum in March, believes that people want to do the right thing but that there are times when some need to struggle with their own voices and their own conscience.

We need to make sure that we put as many opportunities for them to struggle with that in front of them, so that they can come to their own conclusions, he said. Because when we try to convince people of what they should or should not believe, it doesnt accomplish sustainable change.

shuddleston@express-news.net
PTI

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on January 23 warned the steel industry that the government will look for alternatives like synthetic fibre bars if prices were not reduced.

The minister for road transport and highways said the Centre would permit the use of synthetic fibre and composite fibre bars as alternatives to steel products for building roads and bridges, The Times of India reported.

"Every steel producer has got its own iron ore mines. So, jacking up prices is a type of black marketing and the cement industry is also habitual of this. I am going to settle my issue with them. Now we are planning to allow synthetic fibre in place of steel," Gadkari was quoted as saying by the paper.

Also read: Steel sector, users in for more shocks as iron ore prices rise further

The minister's comments come at a time when both cement and steel prices have been increasing, which have led to a spike in the cost of infrastructure projects such as highways.

Also read: The steel industry has formed a cartel: fact or fiction?

Speaking at the foundation day of an industry house in Mumbai, Gadkari said the price hike by the steel industry was "not justifiable" since there was no increase in labour, raw material and power costs.

"Nearly 40 percent of the steel and cement are used in highway construction. If they don't reduce prices, we will formulate alternative policies," he said.

Earlier in January, Gadkari had said there was a cartel in the cement and steel industries, adding that cement manufacturers were exploiting the situation in the real estate sector.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) in December 2020 began an investigation into alleged anti-competitive behaviour by cement companies, including ACC and Ambuja Cements.
By Maiya Keidan, Fergal Smith and Allison Lampert

TORONTO/MONTREAL (Reuters) - Canadian convenience store operator Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc has been quietly reassuring shareholders about its growth strategy after its abrupt plan to buy French retailer Carrefour SA befuddled investors and cast doubt about the stock's short-term prospects.

Couche-Tard's $20 billion approach for Carrefour was rejected by the French government earlier this month on food security concerns. The bid for Carrefour pushed the Quebec-based company into unchartered territory - an untested market, a relative new business segment and its biggest deal yet - surprising shareholders.

"I guess it alleviated a lot of my concerns ... though not entirely," one top-ten Couche-Tard shareholder who participated in a call with the management said. "It was helpful in terms of how they thought they could have created value by combining businesses."

Investors have marked down the stock 10.2% since the news of the bid emerged, and the spread on the company's $750 million bond maturing in January 2050 has widened 12 basis points as investors demanded a higher return.

The stock price suggests a good number of investors are not comfortable with the revised strategy, the investor added.

Couche-Tard did not respond to a request for comment.

Founded in 1980, Couche-Tard has grown from a single store in Quebec to a global network of convenience stores and gas stations with a $33 billion market value, with 66 acquisitions along the way.

'MANAGEMENT DISCOUNT'

Shareholders who stuck by management's strategy have been handsomely rewarded with the stock surging 733% over the past decade compared with the benchmark Canada index's 34.6% gains.

"It's one of Canada's best-run companies," said Greg Taylor, a portfolio manager at Purpose Investments, who bought some of the stock after the sell-off.

"It may not bounce back immediately as some investors will place a management discount on the stock as this deal surprised them. But this company should still be positioned to grow and benefit when markets/economies reopen," he added.

Story continues

The Carrefour bid was jarring as Executive Chairman Alain Bouchard told shareholders in September that "Couche-Tard doesn't seek to make a splash," emphasizing how patience and rigor have served the company well.

Despite the failed attempt, Couche-Tard plans to revive its bid if it sees a change in the French government's stance, CEO Brian Hannasch said Monday.

"It is hard to understand what the desire is to move toward grocery, particularly in Europe," said Mike Archibald, a portfolio manager at AGF Investments, pointing to "significantly lower" margin in grocery business compared with Couche-Tard's core operations.

Archibald said grocery retailing is not the sweet spot of Couche-Tard's strategy but the company is "tremendously good" at expanding retail gas and convenience stores. AGF owns Couche-Tard shares.

For now, Couche-Tard's dual-class structure gives its four founders including Bouchard super voting rights, meaning ordinary shareholders have little say in approving deals, an advantage that expires in 11 months.

In July 2019, Couche-Tard announced plans to double its net earnings in the next five years and Bouchard is looking at ways to innovate and grow. Since then, the company has dropped plans to buy Caltex Australia and sources said the collapse of the Carrefour deal has yet to revive the Australia deal.

Buying a grocery chain would help Couche-Tard diversify from its core fuels business which faces threat from rapid growth in electric vehicles, one of Couche-Tard's top-10 investors said.

"I would hope longer-term investors would come around, and should they enact on acquiring a food retailer and demonstrate they can operate this well, then I think the stock will do very well," the shareholder said.

(Reporting by Maiya Keidan and Fergal Smith in Toronto and Allison Lampert in Montreal; Additional reporting by Scott Murdoch in Hong Kong; Editing by Denny Thomas and Matthew Lewis)


Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 17:44:40|Editor: huaxia

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BAGHDAD, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The casualty toll from overnight attack by militants of the Islamic State (IS) group on a paramilitary Hashd Shaabi force in Iraq's Salahudin province rose to 11 killed and 12 wounded, the Hashd Shaabi said on Sunday.

The attack took place on Saturday night when IS militants, including suicide bombers, tried to take control of an important outpost in the al-Eith area in eastern the province, but was repelled by Hashd Shaabi members, a statement by the Hashd Shaabi said.

The casualty toll of the battle ended with the killing of 11 Hashd Shaabi members and the wounding of 12 others, the statement said.

It also said that Hussein Saiydan, known as Abu Alyaa al-Husseini, commander of third Battalion of the Hashd Shaabi's 22nd Brigade, was among the killed.

Late on Saturday, Col. Mohammed al-Bazi from Salahudin provincial police told Xinhua that IS militants attacked the outposts of Hashd Shaabi's 22nd Brigade in the eastern part of the province.

There were no immediate reports about casualties of the extremist militants.

The attack came as the IS militants intensified attacks on the security forces, including Hashd Shaabi forces, and civilians in the formerly IS-controlled Sunni provinces in Iraq.

The extremist group has claimed Thursday's twin suicide bombings in a bustling outdoor market in downtown Baghdad that killed 32 and wounded more than 100 others.

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
A 43-year-old man was arrested Friday after allegedly berating a Southeast Portland gas station employee with anti-Muslim slurs, throwing items at the worker and threatening to kill him.

Brian Christopher Miller was arrested on suspicion of first-degree criminal mischief and third-degree robbery. He was booked into jail but has since been released on his own recognizance.

The incident unfolded Friday night at a Chevron gas station convenience store at 14440 S.E. Division St.

Video footage shows a man yelling a string of anti-Muslim slurs while stealing merchandise, throwing items at the worker and destroying a food case and cash register.

He then starts approaching the worker behind the counter until the worker appears to hide in a back room.

WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE

The worker told Portland police that the man, identified by police as Miller, threatened: I am going to come back and kill you. He also said Miller grabbed a pack of cigarettes without paying for them.

The video was posted on social media by someone who said hes the workers son. The video description says the worker is a 68-year-old Afghan man.

Portland police responded to the incident about 7:44 p.m. and found Miller outside the store. He was most likely under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to police.

The employee was not physically hurt, police said.

-- Jaimie Ding

jding@oregonian.com; 503-221-4395; @j_dingdingding
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LAS VEGAS, N.M.  Since the 1920s, an electric clock has adorned the sidewalk along Douglas Avenue in downtown Las Vegas. That is, until 2018, when strong winds broke the clock free from its base.

Thanks to the hard work of many people in the community, the clock has been restored and returned to its home near Douglas Avenue and Sixth Street.

The clock  original manufactured by Brown Street Clock Co. of Monessen, Pennsylvania  was first installed by jewelry store owner R.G. Gordon in the late 1920s, according to historical information provided by the Las Vegas New Mexico Community Foundation. The jewelry store was later purchased by Calvin Baker Sr. and his wife, Alnita, and the clock bearing the Gordons Jewelry name continued to greet customers for decades.

Bakers son Calvin Rusty Baker Jr. eventually took over the business, but in 2013, he decided to close the store and sell the businesss assets, including the clock, which had become an iconic downtown fixture.

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Longtime Las Vegas resident Bob Mishler, a former New Mexico Highlands University professor and founding chairman of the community foundation, feared the clock could be sold to someone who would move it from Las Vegas. Determined to keep it a part of the Meadow City, Mishler purchased the clock.

The clock had been saved, and for many more years it graced the streets of downtown, until a windstorm damaged it in February 2018, according to Elmo Baca of the community foundation.

The 2018 windstorm left the clock unstable and in danger of falling, so city crews removed it from its cast-iron base for safety reasons. With the clock gone, Baca and many people in town felt Vegas had lost a key part of its history.

It was such a visible landmark on Douglas Avenue for nearly a century, and I think its one of those icons of the community that everybody remembers. If you grew up here, you always kind of tipped your hat to the Gordons clock or checked the time, Baca said. When it was missing, it was like a little piece of Las Vegas was also missing.

After it was removed, the clock was taken to Mishlers home. He began replacing components, like the interior motor. He planned to restore the clock to its full glory.

Mishler died in May before restorations could be completed and before he could see the clock returned to Douglas Avenue. Mishlers estate donated the clock to the Community Foundation, and the board took up the restoration effort.

The board of directors decided to complete the project as kind of a memorial to Bob, and also to restore it to its rightful place on Douglas Avenue, which was Bobs intention, Baca said.

With the help of community members including Philip Martinez of Franken Cos., Sapello Sign Co. and artesian welder Manny Lujan, the clock was restored to working order and recently returned to its cast-iron base.

Installation of the restored clock was done in two phases, with the control panel and wiring in the cast-iron base being completed before the clock was reconnected to the base. Cindy Walker of Medicus Medical Billing and Consulting has agreed to supply the electricity needed to run the clock, ensuring it will greet visitors and locals for years to come.

I hope it will give the community some pride, Baca said. And especially during the pandemic, some hope that things are improving and that we have a brighter year ahead.
Since the school year began, 6,000 K-12 students have attended South Carolina schools during their coronavirus infectious periods, according to the state's latest data.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control has identified 6,040 students and 2,425 school employees who've tested positive for COVID-19 while regularly attending in-person classes or activities. The latest data, released Friday, accounts for the state's approximately 850,000 students in public and private K-12 schools, though DHEC doesn't report infection data for students learning virtual-only from home.

Several schools cut down on in-person events for a few weeks after the winter break, but are now returning to sports, clubs and meetings. While case numbers are still higher than immediately before the holidays, the average day has brought fewer new cases than in early January.

Statewide numbers

New cases reported: 3,435, which is 2,074 percent higher than the 158 tallied on March 31, the day Gov. Henry McMaster ordered nonessential businesses to close.

Total cases in S.C.: 373,399, plus 40,390 probable cases

New deaths reported: 63

Total deaths in S.C.: 5,855 confirmed, 624 probable

Total tests in S.C.: 4,609,141

Hospitalized patients: 2,224

Percent of positive tests, seven-day average: 24.6 percent. Five percent of tests or fewer returning positive results is a good sign the virus' spread is slowing, researchers say.

Hardest-hit areas

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According to DHEC data, the top counties for new coronavirus cases reported Saturday were Greenville, 450; Richland, 403; and Spartanburg, 245.

What about tri-county?

On Saturday, Charleston County reported 177 new cases while Berkeley had 79 and Dorchester logged 96.

Deaths

Fifteen of the 63 deaths that DHEC confirmed Saturday were victims aged 35 to 64 and the rest were 65 or older.

They lived in Aiken, Bamberg, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Cherokee, Chesterfield, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Lexington, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Spartanburg, Union, Williamsburg and York counties.

Hospitalizations

Of the 2,224 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 on Saturday, 445 were in intensive care and 283 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.
Brenda Scales spent the last year paying off her water bill.

Scales, 69, lives in a southwest Detroit home. She doesnt mind living alone; her sons visit weekly, but its hard making ends meet on her own. Scales relies on a fixed social security income of $792 a month--11% of which is spent on the water bill. So, when a leak in Scales pipes spiked her bill to sometimes $300 a month in summer 2019, she fell back on her bills and was at risk of having the water turned off.

Scales got help through a bill assistance program sponsored by her water provider, the Great Lakes Water Authority, the utility that provides water to Detroit and other Michigan communities. After putting a down payment on the $970 she owed, which was cut in half, Scales got a monthly $25 credit. Her water was kept on, which she needed not only for herself but for her brother, whose water was shut off for nonpayment.

I got good help last year, and it got me back down to paying about $95 a month, Scales said. Thats high, but I can do it.

The Scales arent alone; 317,631 Michigan households were behind on their water bill during the pandemic. The data was collected from water providers who applied for money through Senate Bill 690, a bill state lawmakers passed to help people with water bills in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. To be eligible for assistance, households must receive state food assistance. They also must have been behind on their bill between March and October 2020.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a temporary statewide order preventing service providers from shutting residents water off before SB690 was passed. Its the first time the state has collected data on the number of Michigan residents without water service because of nonpayment, according to an analysis by Public Sector Consultants, an independent, non-partisan consulting firm.

The state earmarked $27 million for water utility assistance, with the bulk of its funding supporting SB 960. Still, little-to-no assistance or water affordability plans exist to help households keep their water on when Whitmers order ends and funding runs out, according to the PSC analysis. The program Scales used to help pay down her water bill has been in existence since 2016, but is one of the few in the state - and outreach to customers who may need it is limited.

Related: Michigan House approves bill to bar water shutoffs until March 31

What remains unknown is the current number of residents behind on their water bills because there isnt a centralized system or network to report such data to. Additionally, the number of residents whose water will be shut off once the moratorium ends is unknown, as is how much money water customers owed before the moratorium or how much debt will be accrued while the state of emergency is in place  meaning policymakers wont know how far the $27 million will go in alleviating the debt until the program is over.

Cant see the map? Click here.

State Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, said what is known is that hundreds of thousands of people need help paying their bills because water is becoming more unaffordable in Michigan. In 2017, a Michigan State University study found that with water rates rising, conservative projections show that the number of American households who will find water rates unaffordable could triple to 35%.

Related: Whitmer signs bills banning water shutoffs, allowing virtual meetings by local governments

Chang has introduced several bills to create a water bill affordability program, protect vulnerable people from having their water shut off, decriminalize reconnecting water service and decreasing the penalty for reconnecting water service from a five-year felony to a civil infraction.

(SB 690) was important to pass and helped pay down many water arrearages, but we know that its not enough. Its important to take on a short-term solution so people have water during a pandemic, but long term, we have to pass legislation that more fully addresses water affordability, Chang said.

Data published by the state in November 2020 showed a glimpse of Michigans water affordability issue, with only 146 of the 1,385 Michigan water systems reporting arrearages through the SB 690 program. The five communities with the most people behind on their bills were Detroit, with 113,906 delinquent accounts, Lansing, with 27,267 delinquent accounts, Flint, with 14,260 delinquent accounts, Saginaw, with 12,779 delinquent accounts, and Warren, with 11,647 delinquent accounts.

Related: Detroit water shutoff ban extended to 2022, may become permanent

Being able to afford water is an issue Detroiters have been battling since the city began shutting off service to the masses in 2013, said Peter Hammer, a Wayne State University Law Professor and Director of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights. Hammer said it wasnt until the pandemic that state officials declared access to clean water essential to human health.

It took a public pandemic where the dangers and harms of water shutoffs would hurt people in the suburbs that people started to care about whether or not Detroiters could wash their hands, Hammer said.

Related: Michigan Senate OKs bill requiring statewide moratorium on water shutoffs until March 31

The American Water Works Association released a study in April 2020 that stated COVID-19s anticipated financial impact on water providers is expected to be $13.9 billion because of reductions in water demand, the elimination of shutoffs for nonpayment, and the expected increase in delinquent accounts.

On average, a Michigan household spends nearly $911 a year on water and wastewater bills. In most cases, water providers raise rates to fund infrastructure updates, comply with drinking water safety standards and to adapt to extreme weather conditions, according to the PSC analysis. But raising consumption-based charges is often infeasible for low-income communities.

COVID-19 is not going to go away any time soon, and neither will peoples inability to pay, said Lori Brown, Saginaws Finance Director.

Related: Saginaw to close all city facilities, stop water shutoffs due to coronavirus

The city of Saginaw received SB690 funding in December, according to Brown. Initially, Saginaw requested $1.2 million to cover arrearages, but by the time the state processed the request, more than half of those delinquencies were paid, and the requested amount was reduced to $600,000.

Were grateful for any assistance that we can get for our customers, but it hurts people who have made partial payments on their accounts because it reduced assistance directly to them and excludes households that dont receive food assistance, Brown said.

According to Hammer, unless the state and federal governments are willing to provide an infinite level of assistance over an infinite period of time, assistance programs arent sustainable.

Its a bandage that deals with the symptoms and not causes, Hammer said. There is momentum to change things, but only if everybody who cares about it keeps pushing.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-25 03:58:24|Editor: huaxia

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A child views a light show at the Bund in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

Global foreign direct investment plunged by 42 percent in 2020 while China bucked the trend becoming the world's top recipient of investment flows.

"A return to positive gross domestic product growth and the government's targeted investment facilitation program helped stabilize investment after the early lockdown," said James Zhan, UNCTAD's director of investment and enterprise.

GENEVA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Global foreign direct investment (FDI) plunged by 42 percent in 2020, a new report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) showed on Sunday, while China bucked the trend becoming the world's top recipient of investment flows.

In its latest Investment Trends Monitor, the Geneva-based UN trade and development body said that FDI fell sharply to an estimated 859 billion U.S. dollars last year, from 1.5 trillion U.S. dollars in 2019, and warned of further weakness this year, putting a sustainable recovery from COVID-19 pandemic at risk.

"FDI finished 2020 more than 30 percent below the trough after the global financial crisis in 2009 and back at a level last seen in the 1990s," the report wrote.

The data showed that the decline was concentrated in developed countries, where FDI flows fell by 69 percent to an estimated 229 billion U.S. dollars, the lowest level in 25 years.

Flows to Europe dried up completely, tumbling by two-thirds to minus 4 billion U.S. dollars, it noted. In Britain, FDI fell to zero, and declines were recorded in other major European recipients. A sharp decrease of 49 percent to 134 billion U.S. dollars was also recorded in the United States.

Employees work at the Tesla Gigafactory in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

CHINA A BRIGHT SPOT

The decline in developing economies was relatively measured at 12 percent to an estimated 616 billion U.S. dollars, the report showed, while China topped the ranking of the largest FDI recipients.

FDI flows to China rose by 4 percent to 163 billion U.S. dollars, making the country the world's largest recipient in 2020, followed by the United States.

China's high-tech industries saw an increase of 11 percent in 2020, and cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) rose by 54 percent, mostly in information and communications technology (ICT) and pharmaceutical industries, the report said.

"A return to positive gross domestic product (GDP) growth and the government's targeted investment facilitation program helped stabilize investment after the early (coronavirus) lockdown," James Zhan, UNCTAD's director of investment and enterprise, said in a virtual press conference.

"The global dependence on the supply chains of multinational enterprises in China during the pandemic also sustained the FDI growth in China," he added.

The country saw its GDP increase 2.3 percent year on year last year and is expected to be the only major economy to post growth in the pandemic-ravaged year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Tourists shop at a duty-free shopping mall in Sanya City, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

UNCERTAIN OUTLOOK

Looking ahead, UNCTAD warned that the global FDI trend is expected to remain weak this year.

"Risks related to the latest wave of the pandemic, the pace of the roll-out of vaccination programs and economic support packages, fragile macroeconomic situations in major emerging markets, and uncertainty about the global policy environment for investment will all continue to affect FDI in 2021," it wrote.

While sharply lower greenfield project announcements suggest that a turnaround in industrial sectors is not yet in sight, UNCTAD however stressed that strong deal activity in technology and pharmaceutical industries could push M&A-driven FDI flows higher.

"Overall, the global FDI is likely to follow a U-shape recovery, unlike the global trade and GDP which have been predicted to be a V-shape recovery starting already 2021. International investment projects tend to have a long gestation period and react to crises with a delay, both on the downward slope and in the recovery," Zhan estimated.

Earlier this month, UNCTAD announced that Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi will step down from his post on Feb. 15.

The selection process for his successor will start after a vacancy is posted at the beginning of February.

A worker is seen at a factory of the Shaanxi Automobile Holding Group in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Nov. 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Xiao)
Philadelphia police on Saturday identified the man and woman found fatally shot inside a Northeast apartment Friday afternoon.

Mark Ruff, 58, and Nicole Newell, 43, were found with gunshot wounds to the head by a maintenance worker at the Michner Court Apartments in the 9400 block of East Roosevelt Boulevard, police said.

No gun was found at the scene, said police, who were called to the scene shortly before 3 p.m. The slayings remained unsolved as of Saturday night.

The fatal shootings come at a time when the Police Department is grappling with a continued upward trend in homicides, which reached near-record levels last year. There have been 33 homicides so far this year, compared with 32 at the same time last year, according to the department.

Last year, 499 homicides were recorded, more than in any year in city history except 1990, the height of the crack cocaine scourge. That year, 500 people were slain.
In one of his first actions as defense secretary, Lloyd Austin is ordering his top generals to report on the measures they're taking to prevent sexual assault and harassment in the ranks -- and how they know they're working.

On Saturday, Austin sent a memo to senior Pentagon leaders, combatant commanders and heads of other defense agencies and field activities giving them just two weeks to provide a detailed report that includes oversight measures they've implemented and data on how effective current prevention efforts have been.

"President [Joe] Biden has ordered a 90-day commission to pursue solutions to sexual assault in the military," Austin wrote. "We will aggressively support that effort. But I do not want to wait 90 days to take action."

By Feb. 5, according to the memo, commanders must provide "a summary of the sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention and accountability measures ... taken in the last year that show promise, as well as a frank, data-driven assessment of those which do not."

The report, Austin wrote, should focus on oversight of programs intended to ensure they're being implemented fully and with fidelity.

"Please ensure this assessment includes relevant data over the past decade, victim support efforts and advocacy," he said.

The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, who will consolidate the commander's findings, will also be responsible for providing Austin with data regarding broader initiatives for prevention of all violence in the ranks.

"Include in your report consideration of novel approaches to any of these areas you believe might prove fruitful," he said. "While we must ensure our approach is data-driven, we must not be afraid to get creative."

Sexual assault and harassment in the ranks have been a troubling constant in the military for many years. Despite much-publicized prevention efforts within each service, sexual assault and harassment reports actually rose from 2019 to 2020, according to data released last April.

Story continues

The murder of Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen last year, allegedly by a fellow soldier, has also put a spotlight on the issue. Guillen's family claims she said she was being sexually harassed before disappearing from Fort Hood, Texas in April 2020.

Earlier this month, another soldier from Fort Bliss, Texas, was charged with sexually assaulting three women, including a woman who was found dead a year later.

In his confirmation hearing, Austin promised he'd "fight hard to stamp out sexual assault" in the ranks. Biden also promised on the campaign trail in 2020 to get tough on military sexual assault if elected.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
Beijing:

For a 15-year research mission, two giant pandas in China will be taken to Berlin zoo from southwestern Sichuan province.



Meng Meng and Jiao Qing will be accompanied on Saturday by two Chinese keepers, Berlin Zoo's senior vet, 1,000 kilograms of bamboo and large number of biscuits.



Meng Meng, a four-year-old female panda, loves being on camera and sleeping, while Jiao Qing is a seven-year-old male panda, who is very active and loves physical activity, state- run Xinhua news agency reported.



They both were born at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Berlin zoo has been preparing for their arrival since October.



"We have built new enclosures in an area of 5,500 square meters, neighbouring the oldest enclosures, built for antelopes and giraffes in 1871," said Andreas Ochs, a senior veterinarian at the zoo.



Berlin weather is more agreeable than in Chengdu, so the pandas can stay outside for the whole year, Ochs said.



The zoo has planned a 1,000 square-meter outside enclosure for each panda and a 250 square-meter inside area, as well as room for treatment, storing bamboo and quarantine.



To better host the pandas, the zoo has sent a team to China to learn specific skills to care for them.



"We have learned to design enclosures for keeping the bears and how to go into the cage and remove the baby bear for nursing and to return it to the mother again once the couple give birth," Ochs said.



China has gifted three pandas to Germany since the early 1980s. Bao Bao and Tian Tian were the first panda couple in Berlin Zoo, though Tian Tian died in 1982.



Bao Bao remained alone until Yan Yan was loaned to the zoo in 1995 to breed. However, breeding attempts were unsuccessful despite trying artificial insemination seven times.



Thirty-four-year-old Bao Bao died in Berlin in 2012, as the oldest male panda in the world.



"Jiao Qing is grown-up now and Meng Meng will be ready to mate in two years. We expect to see their baby born in Berlin," said Yin Hong, Meng Meng's keeper in Chengdu.



"They are envoys for China-Germany friendship. All the people in Berlin are looking forward to seeing this pair of pandas soon," Ochs said.

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J-10 fighter jets of China's People's Liberation Army Air Force Ba Yi aerobatics team perform an aerial display during the Singapore Airshow media preview in Singapore on Feb. 9, 2020. (Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images)

China-Taiwan Tensions Rise Days Into Biden Presidency

TAIPEIChinese air force planes including 12 fighter jets entered Taiwans air defense identification zone for a second day on Sunday, Taiwan said, as tensions rise near the island just days into U.S. President Joe Bidens new administration.

The Chinese communist regime claims the self-ruled Taiwan as a part of its territory and has repeatedly threatened to use military force to bring the island under its fold. It has in the past few months increased military activity near the island.

But Chinese regimes activities over the weekend mark a ratcheting up with fighters and bombers being dispatched rather than reconnaissance aircraft as had generally been the case in recent weeks.

After eight Chinese bomber planes and four fighter jets flew into Taiwans defense zone on Saturday, between mainland Taiwan and the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea, a further 15 flew into the same air space on Sunday, Taiwan said.

Taiwans Defense Ministry said China sent six J-10 fighters, four J-16s, two SU-30s, a Y-8 reconnaissance aircraft and two Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft.

Taiwans air force was sent up to respond, it added.

Airborne alert sorties had been tasked, radio warnings issued and air defense missile systems deployed to monitor the activity, the ministry said.

The move is likely to further concern Washington, which on Saturday urged Beijing to stop pressuring Taiwan and reaffirmed its commitment to the island and desire to deepen ties.

Earlier on Sunday, the U.S. military said that a U.S. aircraft carrier group led by the USS Theodore Roosevelt had entered the disputed South China Sea to promote freedom of the seas.

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt departs from Apra Harbor, Guam, on May 21, 2020. (U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kaylianna Genier/Handout via Reuters)

Biden was sworn into office only on Wednesday. His administration says its commitment to Taiwan is rock-solid.

The United States, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.

By Ben Blanchard

Epoch Times staff contributed to this report
The ninth round of India-China corps commander level talks over the Ladakh stand-off have begun at Moldo on the Chinese side with an aim to once again resolve the ongoing conflict.

Officials in the know confirmed to CNN-News18 that representatives from the Indian side have reached Leh and further meetings are on to finalise the Indian standpoint for the talks.

"Additional Secretary Naveen Srivastava and a few others, including DGMO officials, arrived on Saturday morning. Further meetings are underway," an official told News18.

Other than Srivastava, the Indian delegation will include Lt Gen PGK Menon (GOC 14 Corps); Deepam Seth, IG North West Frontier, ITBP; Brig Rajiv Ghai (Army HQ, Delhi); Maj Gen Sanjay Mitra (GOC 39 Div); Maj Gen RS Raman, Brig HS Gill and others.

The meeting comes at the peak of winter when sub-zero temperatures have forced both sides to reduce deployment. "The core issues remain but the winter has forced literal cooling down. So, talks in that sense are happening on an improved backdrop," the officer said.

Sources said the talks will take forward the phase-wise withdrawal agreed upon in the last round. "Now that both sides have gone back to take instructions from Beijing and Delhi about how to proceed with this formula, the implementation will be discussed," they added.

Up to 10,000 troops have been withdrawn from the rear areas by China since the onset of winters. Indian deployment has also mirrored the Chinese pattern.

Senior functionaries in the government told News18 that India is committed to deployment even in the challenging circumstances if that is what it takes to keep China at bay.

The last corps commander level talks happened in November where "both sides agreed to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries (India and China), ensure their frontline troops to exercise restraint and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation, as per India's statement.

India and China agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels, and taking forward the discussions at this meeting, push for the settlement of other outstanding issues, so as to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas. India and China also agreed to have another round of meeting soon, India had said after last round of talks.
Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray will not attend the farmers' protest in south Mumbai's Azad Maidan on Monday, sources told News18. However, the CM has sent a message to the protesters, expressing his support.

According to sources, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat will attend the agitation and address protesters in the afternoon. Shiv Sena, meanwhile, will send a representative to the venue.

"In view of the Covid-19 situation and the protocols, Thackeray has conveyed to us that it he won't be present at Azad Maidan during our sabha. But he has conveyed his support for us. He will also send a Sena leader," a farmer leader told CNN News18.

Mumbai Congress leaders Bhai Jagtap and Charan Singh Sapra will also be present around 1pm to show their support. Renowned journalist P Sainath will address the farmers during their Sabha.

Thousands of farmers from across Maharashtra reached Mumbai on Sunday evening to participate in a rally at the state capital on Monday against the Centre's three new farm laws. Police have stepped up security at Azad Maidan, the rally's venue, and personnel of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) have also been deployed there.

Drones will also be used to keep an eye on the event, a police official said. The All India Kisan Sabha's (AIKS) Maharashtra unit in a statement said around 15,000 farmers had set out for the state capital from Nashik on Saturday in several tempos and other vehicles.

Farmers from various places had gathered in Nashik and started their journey towards Mumbai on Saturday. Many peasants also joined on the way, the AIKS said. They halted at Ghatandevi near Igatpuri hill town for overnight stay.

On Sunday morning, a number of farmers marched down the Kasara Ghat to head for Mumbai, while many left in vehicles. Several women farmers took part in the seven-km long march at Kasara Ghat, which started at 9 am and ended by around 11.30 am. Later, they continued their forward journey in vehicles.

The Kasara Ghat march and the vehicle convoy was led by AIKS national president Ashok Dhawale, state president Kisan Gujar and its state general secretary Ajit Nawale. On the way, hundreds of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)-affiliated factory workers from Igatpuri and Shahapur tehsils welcomed the farmers by showering flowers. At the Kalyan-Bhiwandi crossroad, the farmers were welcomed and provided food packets.

They entered Mumbai from Mulund check-naka, the entry point to the state capital from neighbouring Thane, and were welcomed at Kannamwar Nagar in Vikhroli by hundreds of workers of the Left parties. The farmers then proceeded towards the Azad Maidan, where the joint sit-in protest by the Samyukta Shetkari Kamgar Morcha (SSKM) began this morning, and will continue till the Republic Day.

"The rally is being held to support and expand the two-month-long farmers' struggle in Delhi for a repeal of the three farm laws and for a central law to guarantee a remunerative Minimum Support Price (MSP) and procurement all over the country," the AIKS statement said. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a pro-farmer body, has given a nationwide call for a struggle from January 23 to 26, including rallies to Raj Bhavans (governor houses) in states.

Accordingly, over 100 organisations came together and formed the Samyukta Shetkari Kamgar Morcha (SSKM), Maharashtra, in a meeting held in Mumbai on January 12. On January 25, there will be a public meeting at 11 am, the release said.

Sharad Pawar, who was in Ahmednagar this morning, said he would take part in the rally on Monday. Besides Pawar, state Congress president and revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat, and Shiv Sena leader and state tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray will also address the rally, the AIKS statement said.

Later, the protesters will march to the Raj Bhavan and submit a memorandum to Governor BS Koshyari. The main demands of the protesters include repeal of the three "anti-farmer" laws, and a central law guaranteeing remunerative MSP and procurement, the release said.

The protesters have also decided to hoist the national flag at the Azad Maidan on the occasion of the Republic day on January 26, and take a pledge to make the struggle of peasants and workers successful, it added. Meanwhile, security has been beefed up at the venue ahead of the rally, a police official said.

Apart from personnel of the Mumbai Police, nine platoons of the SRPF are being deployed at the Azad Maidan, he said, adding that drones will also be used. Additional police force, including 100 officers and 500 constables, will also be deployed at the venue, he added.

Enacted in September last year, the three laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country. However, the protesting farmers have expressed their apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of MSP and do away with the 'mandi' (wholesale market) system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.

Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at several border points of Delhi, demanding a repeal of the three farm laws. Multiple rounds of talks between the government and farmer unions have failed to break the impasse so far, while the Supreme Court has appointed a panel for resolution of the issue.

(With PTI inputs)
WASHINGTON - Federal law enforcement officials are privately debating whether they should decline to charge some of the individuals who stormed the U.S. Capitol this month - a politically loaded proposition but one alert to the practical concern that hundreds of such cases could swamp the local courthouse.

The internal discussions are in their early stages, and no decisions have been reached about whether to forgo charging some of those who illegally entered the Capitol on Jan. 6, according to multiple people familiar with the discussions.

Justice Department officials have promised a relentless effort to identify and arrest those who stormed the Capitol that day, but internally there is robust back-and-forth about whether charging them all is the best course of action. That debate comes at a time when officials are keenly sensitive that the credibility of the Justice Department and the FBI are at stake in such decisions, given the apparent security and intelligence failures that preceded the riot, these people said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss legal deliberations.

Federal officials estimate that roughly 800 people surged into the building, though they caution that such numbers are imprecise, and the real figure could be 100 people or more in either direction.

Among those roughly 800 people, FBI agents and prosecutors have so far seen a broad mix of behavior - from people dressed for military battle, moving in formation, to wanton vandalism, to simply going with the crowd into the building.

Due to the wide variety of behavior, some federal officials have argued internally that those people who are known only to have committed unlawful entry - and were not engaged in violent, threatening or destructive behavior - should not be charged, according to people familiar with the discussions.

Other agents and prosecutors have pushed back against that suggestion, arguing that it is important to send a forceful message that the kind of political violence and mayhem on display Jan. 6 needs to be punished to the full extent of the law, so as to discourage similar conduct in the future.

There are a host of other factors complicating the discussions, many of which center not around the politics of the riot, but the real-world work of investigators and prosecutors, these people said.

The Justice Department has already charged more than 135 individuals with committing crimes in or around the Capitol building, and many more are expected to be charged in the coming weeks and months. By mid-January, the FBI had already received more than 200,000 tips from the public about the riot, in addition to news footage and police officer testimony.

"There is absolute resolve from the Department of Justice to hold all who intentionally engaged in criminal acts at the Capitol accountable," Justice Department spokesman Marc Raimondi said in an email. "We have consistently made clear that we will follow the facts and evidence and charge individuals accordingly. We remain confident that the U.S. District Court for Washington, DC can appropriately handle the docket related to any resulting charges."

The primary objective for authorities is to determine which individuals, if any, planned, orchestrated or directed the violence. To that end, the FBI has already found worrying linkages within such extremist groups as the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and Three Percenters, and is looking to see if those groups coordinated with each other to storm the building, according to people familiar with the investigation.

Prosecutors have signaled they are looking to bring charges of seditious conspiracy against anyone who planned and carried out violence aimed at the government - a charge that carries a maximum possible prison sentence of 20 years.

But even as Justice Department officials look to bring those types of cases, they privately acknowledge those more determined and dangerous individuals may have operated within a broader sea of people who rushed through the doors but didn't do much else, and prosecutors will ultimately have to decide if all of those lesser offenders should be charged.

Officials insisted they are not under pressure in regards to timing of decisions about how to handle those type of cases. For one thing, investigators are still gathering evidence, and agents could easily turn up additional photos or online postings that show a person they initially believed was harmless had, in fact, encouraged or engaged in other crimes.

Investigators also expect that some of those charged in the riot will eventually cooperate and provide evidence against others, and that could change their understanding of what certain people said or did that day, these people said.

Nevertheless, these people said, some in federal law enforcement are concerned that charging people solely with unlawful entry, when they are not known to have committed any other bad acts, could lead to losses if they go to trial.

"If an old man says all he did was walk in and no one tried to stop him, and he walked out and no one tried to stop him, and that's all we know about what he did, that's a case we may not win," one official said.

Another official noted most of those arrested so far have no criminal records.

Meanwhile, defense lawyers for some of those charged are contemplating something akin to a "Trump defense" - that the president or other authority figures gave them permission or invited them to commit an otherwise illegal act.

"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," criminal defense lawyers Teri Kanefield and Mark Reichel wrote last week.

Such a defense might not forestall charges but could be effective at trial or sentencing. Trump's looming impeachment trial in the Senate will also focus further attention on his actions and raise questions about the culpability of followers for the misinformation spread by leaders around bogus election-fraud claims rejected by courts and state voting officials.

"It's not a like a bunch of people gathered on their own and decided to do this, it's not like a mob. It's people who were asked to come by the president, encouraged to come by the president, and encouraged to do what they did by the president and a number of others," said one attorney representing defendants charged in the breach who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss legal strategy.

Prosecutors have other options. For rioters with no previous criminal records or convictions and whose known behavior inside the Capitol was not violent or destructive, the government could enter into deferred plea agreements, a diversion program akin to pretrial probation in which prosecutors agree to drop charges if a defendant commits no offenses over a certain time period.

Such a resolution would not result in even a misdemeanor conviction, and has been used before in some cases involving individuals with a history of mental illness who were arrested for jumping the White House fence. Criminal defense attorneys note there may be further distinctions between individuals who may have witnessed illegal activity or otherwise had reason to know they were entering a restricted area, and those for whom prosecutors can't show such awareness.

There is also a question over whether charging all of the rioters could swamp the federal court system. In 2019, D.C. federal courts recorded only about 430 criminal cases, and fewer than 300 last year, when the legal system slowed significantly due to the pandemic. Many of those cases, however, had multiple defendants.

The workload of prosecuting the rioters could be eased if some of the cases were farmed out to other U.S. attorney offices around the country, but so far D.C. prosecutors have shown no interest in doing so. The law generally requires that individuals be prosecuted in the district in which a crime occurred.

"The crime happened here. Prosecutors and judges can see the crime scene from their office windows. I find it strange anyone would suggest it be done anywhere else," a person familiar with the investigation said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss an internal debate.

Beyond all the evidence-gathering and charging decisions left to do, federal officials concede there will likely be some number of people who were there that day and are simply never identified, due to some combination of luck, masks or lack of social media posts.

- - -

The Washington Post's Carol D. Leonnig contributed to this report.
Brood X is here

Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield.
The reminders of pandemic-driven suffering among students in Clark County, Nev., have come in droves.

Since schools shut their doors in March, an early-warning system that monitors students mental health episodes has sent more than 3,100 alerts to district officials, raising alarms about suicidal thoughts, possible self-harm or cries for care. By December, 18 students had taken their own lives.

The spate of student suicides in and around Las Vegas has pushed the Clark County district, the nations fifth largest, toward bringing students back as quickly as possible. This month, the school board gave the green light to phase in the return of some elementary school grades and groups of struggling students even as greater Las Vegas continues to post huge numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths.

Superintendents across the nation are weighing the benefit of in-person education against the cost of public health, watching teachers and staff become sick and, in some cases, die, but also seeing the psychological and academic toll that school closings are having on children nearly a year in. The risk of student suicides has quietly stirred many district leaders, leading some, like the state superintendent in Arizona, to cite that fear in public pleas to help mitigate the viruss spread.

Naomi Campbell paid a short visit to Egypt to enjoy its warm winter and meet renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass to learn more about the details of the recent discoveries at the Saqqara Necropolis in Giza.

As a big lover of the Ancient Egyptian civilization, British supermodel Naomi Campbell who is of African origins, said she was very curious to meet Hawass.

The pair met and talked for two hours about the new archaeological discovery of tombs and a temple near the pyramid of King Teti at the Saqqara Necropolis outside Cairo.

At one of Cairos hotels overlooking the Nile, the meeting was attended by the famous Nigerian journalist Andoka, as well as tourist experts Amr Badr and Magdy Anis.

Hawass said that the famous model arrived in Egypt especially for her love for the Egyptian Pharaonic civilization, and that she is the first to come to Egypt to see the first archaeological discoveries in 2021.

The remains of a royal funerary temple, painted coffins, mummies, masks, statues, stelae, toys, and a chapter from the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead were all among the spectacular new discoveries unveiled at the Saqqara Necropolis.

Hawass, a former antiquities minister, who has been leading the archaeological work at the Saqqara Necropolis, told Campbell that the discovery is re-writing the history of Saqqara and in particular the saga of the 18th and 19th dynasties of the New Kingdom when King Teti was worshipped and the citizens at the time were buried around his pyramid.

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Nicola Sturgeon branded Boris Johnson a coward today as she threatened to hold a fresh independence referendum without his permission - but faced a brutal backlash for pushing her separatist agenda during the coronavirus crisis.

The First Minister goaded that the PM 'fears the verdict and the will of the Scottish people' as she quoted the famous Robert Burns poem, saying he is a 'wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim'rous beastie'.

'He is frightened of democracy,' she said.

The jibes came as the SNP unveils an 11-point roadmap to splitting the UK, including a Catalonia-style wildcat vote that would effectively force a drastic response from the Prime Minister to stop it having legal effect.

Ms Sturgeon is vowing that a referendum will be held if there is a pro-independence majority at Holyrood after May's elections - where her party is on track to get a landslide.

Jubilant SNP MPs said they wanted to 'focus on undermining the union', even though all sides made clear the 2014 vote would settle the issue 'for a generation'.

The separatists lost that contest by 55 per cent to 45 per cent, but polls have been consistently showing that a majority north of the border would now vote to break away. A survey today suggested the margin could be 52 per cent to 48 per cent.

Under the blueprint, Ms Sturgeon would demand that Mr Johnson agree to a 'Section 30' order that paves the way to a second independence referendum.

The PM has pledged to refuse such a request. But for the first time, the SNP has said it will then hold a referendum anyway, forcing Mr Johnson to make it legal or take the Scottish Government to court to stop it.

UK Government sources said it would be more likely to ignore a referendum, although that would lead to huge political fallout.

A poll in the Sunday Times shows indicates a vote for independence would have the backing of the Scottish people and that a referendum should be held in the next five years

A graphic shows how experts forecast a landslide victory for the SNP in May's Scottish elections

Nicola Sturgeon (pictured on the BBC today) is unveiling an 11-point roadmap to independence, including a Catalonia-style wildcat vote that would effectively force a drastic response from the Prime Minister to stop it and save the UK

SNP MPs said they wanted to 'focus on undermining the union further' despite the country being in the grip of coronavirus

Majority across UK think Scotland will be independent within 10 years Voters across the UK believe Scotland is likely to become independent within the next decade - while more than half of those in Northern Ireland want a referendum on a united Ireland in the next five years, according to a series of polls. The Sunday Times commissioned a series of surveys across the four nations of the United Kingdom to gauge attitudes towards the Union. The findings highlight some of the difficulties facing Boris Johnson as he struggles to keep the country together following its departure from the European Union. In Scotland, the poll found 49 per cent backed independence compared to 44 per cent against - a margin of 52 per cent to 48 per cent if the undecideds are excluded. In Northern Ireland, 47 per cent still want to remain in the UK, with 42 per cent in favour of a United Ireland and a significant proportion - 11 per cent - undecided. However, asked if they supported a referendum on a United Ireland within the next five years, 51 per cent said yes compared to 44 per cent who were against. In Wales, where support for independence is traditionally weakest, 23 per cent still backed leaving the UK while 31 per cent supported a referendum. Across all four nations, more voters expected Scotland to be out of the UK within 10 years than thought it would still remain. In England, the margin was 49 per cent to 19 per cent, in Northern Ireland it was 60 per cent to 28 per cent, in Wales 49 per cent to 23 per cent and in Scotland itself 49 per cent to 30 per cent. With crucial elections to the Scottish Parliament coming up in May, the poll found the SNP way ahead on 70 per cent - up seven points since the last elections in 2016 - while the Tories were down six points on 25 per cent, with Labour down five points on 19 per cent. Panelbase polled 1,206 adults resident in Scotland between January 19-22. YouGov polled 1,416 English adults between January 19 and 20, and 1,059 people in Wales aged 16 and over between January 18 and 21. Lucidtalk polled 2,392 people in Northern Ireland aged 16 and over between January 15 and 18. Advertisement

One added: 'Most Scots would be appalled that at this point in the pandemic, when all efforts should be on vaccinating and dealing with economic recovery, the SNP would again be focused on a referendum. It would not be legitimate. It would be meaningless unless both sides engaged with it.'

Douglas Ross, Scottish Tory leader, said: 'Most Scots will wonder why time, energy and resources are going into pursuing an illegal referendum when we are facing far bigger challenges.'

The SNP's Mike Russel, who will unveil the roadmap today, said: 'The referendum should be held after the pandemic, at a time to be decided by the democratically elected Scottish Parliament. The SNP believes that should be in the early part of the new term.'

The plans emerged as a series of opinion polls confirmed fears that Scots were on course to vote to break away, and all four corners of the UK expect Scotland to become independent within ten years.

A Panelbase poll for The Sunday Times reported that independence campaigners would win by 52 per cent to 48 per cent.

Other similar surveys found that half of Scotland voters said they'd support holding a referendum in the next five years, compared to 43 per cent who wouldn't.

A Hollyrood seat forecast also projected the SNP extending their majority to 70 seats - seven more than the party had in 2016 - with the Conservatives and Labour each losing six and five respectively.

Ms Sturgeon would consider such a victory to represent a mandate for a second referendum.

But last night, opponents branded the SNP plans 'reckless' and 'crass' at a time when thousands of lives are being lost to Covid.

A banned Catalan independence referendum in October 2017 sparked intense clashes with police before Madrid imposed direct rule on the region.

It was considered Spain's biggest political crisis since the rule of military dictator General Francisco Franco, who died in 1975 after more than three decades in power.

Michael Gove, who has discussed the case for the Union with former Labour PM Gordon Brown, chaired a meeting of cabinet ministers last week to discuss the need to prevent such a move, according to reports.

The proposals are to be discussed at a virtual SNP National Assembly today.

They state that if a pro-independence majority of SNP and Scots Green MSPs is elected in Scottish elections in May, the First Minister would demand that Boris Johnson agree to a Section 30 order that paves the way to a second independence referendum.

A Section 30 order - part of the Scotland Act 1998 which allows Holyrood to pass laws normally reserved to Westminster - was granted by the UK Government ahead of the 2014 independence referendum.

The SNP will tell Boris Johnson he will need to take legal action if he wants to stop a second Scottish independence vote as it revealed its 'roadmap to a referendum'. The Scottish Government's Constitution Secretary Mike Russell (pictured left with First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon) will present the 11-point document to the party's policy forum on Sunday

Arlene Foster warns against 'reckless' referendum in NI Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster has said a border poll on a united Ireland would be 'absolutely reckless'. The DUP leader also said it is 'very disappointing' to see some nationalist parties across the UK talk about constitutional politics during the Covid-19 pandemic. A new poll has found a majority of people in Northern Ireland would like to see a referendum on the reunification of Ireland within the next five years. The Sunday Times commissioned a series of surveys across the four nations of the United Kingdom to gauge attitudes towards the union. It found voters across the UK believe Scotland is likely to become independent within the next decade, but in Wales and England support for independence is low. In Northern Ireland, it found 47% want to remain in the UK, with 42% in favour of a united Ireland and a significant proportion  11%  undecided. Asked if they support a referendum on a united Ireland within the next five years, 51% said Yes compared to 44% who are against the idea. Speaking on Sky's Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, Ms Foster said: 'We all know how divisive a border poll would be. For us in Northern Ireland, what we have to do is all come together to fight against Covid and not be distracted by what would be absolutely reckless at this time.' But she said she is not against having a conversation about a poll. 'It is not that I'm dead against it,' she said. 'I can argue for the United Kingdom every day of the week because the arguments are rational, logical and they will win through. 'Nobody is suggesting, not even this poll is suggesting, that we would lose if there was a border poll. But it would be incredibly divisive.' Advertisement

Andrew RT Davies returns to lead Welsh Tories Welsh Tories have re-appointed Andrew RT Davies as their group leader in the Senedd following the resignation of Paul Davies in a row over lockdown rules. Paul Davies announced he was standing down on Saturday following the disclosure that he was among a group of politicians who drank alcohol on the Senedd estate days after a pub alcohol ban came into force. While he insisted that he had not broken any rules, he said he was standing aside as the issue had become a 'distraction'. His successor led the Tory group in the Senedd for seven years before he quit in 2018 amid a row over Brexit. The group chairman Janet Finch-Saunders said his re-appointment had been unanimously endorsed at a group meeting on Sunday. In a statement Andrew RT Davies said his appointment was 'a great honour and privilege' and paid tribute to the the work of his predecessor. 'I'm pleased to enjoy the unanimous support of my colleagues to take us forward after a difficult few days for us all,' he said. 'There is urgent work in front of all of us and our immediate focus will be continuing to hold the Labour administration in the Senedd to account on vital issues such as the vaccine rollout, and fighting May's election.' Advertisement

The Prime Minister has pledged to refuse such a request and hold the SNP to its promise of a referendum 'once in a generation'.

Jackie Baillie, interim Scots Labour leader, said: 'It is inexcusable that at this time of acute crisis the SNP seeks to put its plan for independence above everything else.'

But Michael Russell, Constitution Secretary in Ms Sturgeon's government, said: 'People in Scotland have the right to decide their future  not Boris Johnson.'

The roadmap states any attempt by the UK Government to challenge the legality of the referendum in the courts will be 'vigorously opposed'.

Mr Johnson has repeatedly stated his opposition to a second independence referendum.

As the roadmap document was published on Saturday, Mr Russell said: 'I firmly believe that Scotland's referendum must be beyond legal challenge to ensure legitimacy and acceptance at home and abroad.

'This is the surest way by far to becoming an independent country.

'The referendum should be held after the pandemic, at a time to be decided by the democratically elected Scottish Parliament. The SNP believes that should be in the early part of the new term.'

He continued: 'Today I am setting out how I believe that right can be secured, and I welcome the discussion that will take place around this idea and others.

'But what is absolutely not for discussion is the fact that if Scotland votes for a legal referendum on May 6 this year, that is what it will get.

'The SNP Scottish Government will deliver such a referendum if re-elected and the proposals I am putting forward make that very clear.'

Around 1,000 party members are expected to take part in the SNP's national assembly tomorrow, a policy forum chaired by deputy leader Keith Brown.

Opposition parties accused the SNP of putting the push for independence ahead of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Sunday Times commissioned a series of surveys across the four nations of the United Kingdom to gauge attitudes towards the Union.

The findings highlight some of the difficulties facing Boris Johnson as he struggles to keep the country together following its departure from the European Union - and not just in Scotland.

In Northern Ireland, 47 per cent still want to remain in the UK, with 42 per cent in favour of a United Ireland and a significant proportion - 11 per cent - undecided.

However, asked if they supported a referendum on a United Ireland within the next five years, 51 per cent said yes compared to 44 per cent who were against.

In Wales, where support for independence is traditionally weakest, 23 per cent still backed leaving the UK while 31 per cent supported a referendum.

Across all four nations, more voters expected Scotland to be out of the UK within 10 years than thought it would still remain.

In England, the margin was 49 per cent to 19 per cent, in Northern Ireland it was 60 per cent to 28 per cent, in Wales 49 per cent to 23 per cent and in Scotland itself 49 per cent to 30 per cent.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross tweeted: 'When 100 per cent of our focus should be on recovering from the pandemic, the SNP are charging ahead with plans for another referendum.

'We won't let them get their way.'

Responding to the SNP's document, the UK Government said the issue of Scottish independence had been settled 'decisively' in 2014.

A spokeswoman said: 'People in Scotland want to see politicians across the UK working in partnership to focus on defeating coronavirus.

'That remains the top priority of the UK Government, which has supported jobs and businesses across all four nations throughout the pandemic.

'The Government is supporting the devolved administrations in their vaccination programmes, with the British Armed Forces helping to establish 80 new Covid-19 vaccine centres in Scotland.

'The question of Scottish independence was settled decisively in 2014, when Scotland voted to remain part of the UK.

'Now more than ever, we should be pulling together to strengthen our United Kingdom, instead of trying to separate it.'
Moscow: President Vladimir Putin would respond in kind if the new U.S. administration showed a willingness to talk, a Kremlin spokesman said on Sunday (January 24), while also accusing Washington of meddling in mass protests in support of detained opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

The Kremlin also downplayed the scale of Saturday`s demonstrations, which saw police detain more than 3,000 people and use force to break up rallies across Russia.

Prior to the protests, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow had issued a "Demonstration Alert", warning U.S. citizens to avoid the protests and naming the venues in Russian cities where protesters planned to gather. "Of course, those publications are inappropriate," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Rossiya 1 TV on Sunday, according to Interfax news agency.

"And of course, indirectly, they are absolute interference in our internal affairs. So, this is direct support of the breach in the Russian Federation`s law."

The United States on Saturday (January 23) called on Russian authorities to release protesters and journalists detained at the demonstrations and condemned what it called "harsh tactics" used by the police against them.

In central Moscow, where Reuters reporters estimated up to 40,000 people had gathered in one of the biggest unauthorised rallies for years, police were seen roughly detaining people and bundling them into nearby vans.

The authorities said just around 4,000 people had shown up, while the foreign ministry questioned Reuters` crowd estimate.

"No, only a few people went out, many people voted for Putin," Peskov said, according to the TASS news agency. He added that the Russians have supported constitutional reforms proposed by the president. Changes to the constitution will allow Putin to stay in power until 2036.

Relations Lowest in Years

Navalny had called on his supporters to protest after being arrested last weekend as he returned to Russia from Germany for the first time since being poisoned with a nerve agent he says was slipped to him by state security agents in August.

Even before the friction over Navalny, relations between Moscow and Washington have been at their lowest since the end of the Cold War, with the two sides also at odds over Russia`s role in Ukraine and allegations of its meddling in U.S. elections, which it denies, among other issues.

But Peskov had, nonetheless, struck a more conciliatory tone earlier on Sunday, when he said Russia was ready to set up a dialogue with the new administration of President Joe Biden.

"Of course, we count on success in setting up a dialogue," he was quoted as saying on TV by Interfax news agency.

"This will be the dialogue where, of course, differences will have to be stated to a greater extent, points of differences. But at the same time, a dialogue is a possibility to find some rational kernels, the little parts where our relations are getting closer," he said.

Live TV

"And if the current U.S. administration is ready for such an approach, I have no doubts that our president will respond in kind."

Putin was one of the last global leaders to congratulate Biden on his victory in the U.S. presidential election after the Nov. 3 vote.

One of the burning issues to be resolved by the two nuclear powers is the arms control treaty, known as New START, which is due to expire on Feb. 5. The White House said last week that Biden would seek a five-year extension to the deal, while the Kremlin requested concrete proposals from Washington.

Washington was joined by the European Union and Britain in condemning the security forces` handling of Saturday`s protests, while the foreign minister`s of Italy and France on Sunday both expressed support for sanctions against Moscow.
The UK variant of Covid-19, which scientists say could be 30pc deadlier, has been detected in all age groups in every health region in Ireland and will be responsible for more than 90pc of all infections by mid-February, if not earlier.

The strain - known as B 1.1.7. or the Kent strain - has spread with speed, accounting for fewer than 10pc of cases at the start of January to 62pc when most recently tested, according to Dr Cillian De Gascun, the director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL).

It has been detected in every community health area in the country, he added.

Dr De Gascun said he expects the UK variant to rise to dominance in the coming weeks.

"By the middle or the second half of February, it's likely to be over 90pc - if not before then. Hopefully, it will be 90pc of a smaller number of cases. Even though it is more transmissible, it is susceptible to public health measures," he said.

The race to suppress the virus became even more urgent on Friday when the British prime minister Boris Johnson announced the new variant could be more lethal than the original. The first major study of the new variant suggested it could kill 30pc more infected people, as well as being 70pc more infectious.

Expand Close Dr Cillian De Gascun. Photo: Fergal Phillips / Facebook

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Dr De Gascun said the data must be taken seriously. It comes from three very rep- utable sources in the UK.

"While we need to understand the reason for this association before we can confirm a causal relationship, it is a concern and should not be dismissed," he said.

Transmissibility

The sheer transmissibility of the new strain is a key factor in the Level 5 lockdown that will continue until at least February. Its spread has outpaced the vaccine roll-out.

Although more than 70,000 healthcare workers received the first dose of the Pfizer- BioNTech jab, public health experts believe the UK strain is in large part responsible for infecting hundreds of healthcare and hospital workers.

While the UK variant is susceptible to the existing vaccine, its rise to prominence coincides with an international vaccine shortage. Meanwhile, two other equally transmissible variants causing concern may be more resistant.

The rampantly spreading UK variant is one of three new strains of Covid-19. The UK variant was first detected there in September, and there are two other strains, detected in South Africa and in Brazil.

While the UK variant may be susceptible to the vaccine, data suggests that the South African and Brazilian strains may be more resistant.

According to Dr De Gascun, all three variants are better at reproducing, infecting and binding to human cells.

This means people who are infected with this variant are carrying a bigger viral load and probably shed more virus as well.

The NVRL, which is sequencing the virus using swab samples from across the community, has detected three South African strains here, but has yet to detect the Brazilian strain.

Right now, the UK variant is the one to worry about.

If it is present in high-risk places - such as in congregated settings like nursing homes and hospitals - the risk of non-infected people picking up the virus is much greater. According to British scientists, that risk is up to 70pc greater.

New targets

The virus attaches to human cells through spike proteins on its surface. The new variants are characterised by changes to the spike proteins. The changes mean the variants bind more easily and can reproduce more efficiently, said Dr De Gascun.

Vaccines produce antibodies that target the spike proteins, and if the spike protein has changed, they may evade the antibodies.

That is the concern with the Brazilian and South African variants. Scientists are investigating whether the spike proteins in these variants have altered sufficiently to allow them to evade antibodies produced by the existing vaccines.

A stark report issued by the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) on the new strains warned their increased transmissibility will lead to more infections, higher hospitalisation and deaths across all age groups - but particularly older or vulnerable people.

Europe has urged countries to implement stricter public health measures to reduce transmission and relieve the pressure on healthcare systems.

But while keeping humans apart is a key weapon in the fight to suppress the virus, genome sequencing provides the intelligence necessary to win the battle.

The EU has called on all member states to urgently ramp up whole genome sequencing of the virus to track the mutating strains.

The genetic code of the virus changes as it evolves. Sequencing that genetic code allows scientists to monitor and detect new variants.

Ireland is sequencing 1pc of samples. The ECDC has urged countries to sequence between 5pc and 10pc of samples. In comparison, the UK is sequencing more than 7.5pc and Denmark is sequencing more than 10pc.

Dr De Gascun admitted that Ireland is shy of its targets but the NVRL is working with the HSE to develop capacity.

"There is a need to increase capacity quickly. We're obviously working with all of our colleagues and engaging with commercial partners as well to see what the opportunities are to increase the numbers quickly," he said.

But, he pointed out, "the cases are not this high because we don't have enough whole genome sequencing".

The long haul

Dr De Gascun said Covid-19 will be around in some form for "a long, long time to come" as the virus mutates. While the vaccine will protect against serious infection, it will put further "evolutionary pressure" on the virus to change.

Vaccines are key to preventing infection and allowing the economy to reopen, he said. Public health measures remain the most effective weapon to the fight the virus, regardless of how transmissible it is.

"It is key that physical distancing and hand hygiene, mask wearing, ventilation, avoiding crowds, all of those things become more important because this virus is getting better at transmitting," he said.

"The public health measures we have in place will be capable of controlling and suppressing this new variant, as they did the last one."
On National Voter's Day, Voter-ID cards to go digital as EC targets 5 state elections

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Jan 24: The Election Commission is set to launch the e-EPIC (Electronic Electoral Photo Identity Card) programme on January 25, which is the National Voter's Day.

e-EPIC is a non-editable secure portable document format (PDF) version of the EPIC and will have a secured QR code with image and demographics like serial number, part number, etc. E-EPIC can be downloaded on a mobile or a computer and can be digitally stored. This is in addition to physical IDs being issued for fresh registration.

The e-EPIC initiative would be launched in two phases. In the first phase from January 25 to 31, all new voters who have applied for the voter-ID card and registered their mobile numbers in Form-6 will be able to download the e-EPIC by simply authenticating their mobile number. The mobile numbers should be unique and not be previously registered in the ECI's electoral rolls.

"The second phase will start from February 1. It will be open for the general voters. All those who have given their mobile numbers (linked one) they can also download their e-EPIC", said ECI official.

Voters excluded from NRC can vote in Assam: CEC Sunil Arora

"The delays, losing cards and not been able to get the voter-ID cards is an issue that won't be there. Moreover, most of the ID cards are moving on the digital platform", he added.

e-EPIC can be downloaded through the following online links, however, the voter-ID card would also be sent to them: Voter Helpline Mobile app (Android/iOS) https://voterportal.eci.gov.in/ https://nvsp.in/.

The Election Commission (EC) had been toying with the idea of providing voters with election photo identity card in a digital format for easy accessibility.

In digital mode, the picture of the voter will also be clearer, making the identification easier.

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Story first published: Sunday, January 24, 2021, 12:36 [IST]
The deaths of six health workers who were inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccine has nothing to do with the vaccination, the Union Health Ministry has clarified.

"In the last 24 hours, one person, 56, who was a resident of Gurugram, Haryana has died. The post-mortem examination confirms that cardio-pulmonary disease was the reason for her death and it was not related to vaccination. None of these deaths have been causally linked with COVID vaccination," Manohar Agnani, the additional health secretary, said on Saturday in a report by NDTV.

Also read: Remaining Health Workers in UP to Get Covid-19 Vaccines by January 22: Official

Agnani further added that 11 people have been hospitalised so far and 0.0007 percent of people have recorded hospitalization against vaccinations. In the last 24 hours, one person was hospitalized at a Government Hospital in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh who was vaccinated on January 20.

In another such incident, a 42-year-old healthcare worker in the Nirmal district of Telangana, who received the COVID-19 vaccination, died on Wednesday after complaining of chest pain, with preliminary findings suggesting the death is unrelated to the vaccination, a health official said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Expect to see anywhere from one to three inches of snow this week, forecasters are predicting, as a snowstorm heads for New York City and the surrounding area.

Several weather services are tracking the storm, including AccuWeather.com and the National Weather Service, that predict snow to begin early Tuesday morning and taper off by the evening commute.

Freezing temperatures are expected, and there will be enough snow that residents will likely need to shovel off their sidewalks, according to an AccuWeather meteorologist.

So, as it looks right now, its going to come in during the morning, continue at times through the afternoon and taper off Tuesday night. Were still thinking 1- to 3-inches of accumulation so more of a nuisance type storm, AccuWeather.com senior meteorologist John Feerick said.

The National Weather Services map below shows that Staten Island will most likely see about two inches of snow, with the southernmost part of the borough, as well as coastal areas, possibly getting just one inch of snow.

The National Weather Service is tracking the snowstorm system heading for New York City.

According to AccuWeather, areas west of New York City will likely see anywhere from 3- to 6-inches or 6- to 12-inches at most.

The storm is coming in from the west, hitting cities like Omaha, Kansas City, Chicago, and Detroit before heading toward New York City and the New England area, according to the AccuWeather map below.

AccuWeather.com is tracking the snowstorm system heading for New York City.

Residents of the area should be careful of slippery roads, reduced visibility and travel delays as the storm rolls in. You should only go out in a storm if necessary. Even if you can drive well in bad weather, its better to avoid taking unnecessary risks by venturing out, the AAA says.

The AAA has previously offered tips for driving in bad weather, including: accelerate slowly, take time to slow down for a stoplight, dont stop if you can avoid it, know your brakes, dont power up hills, and dont stop going up a hill.

An AccuWeather.com map below shows arrival times of the snow, with Staten Island expected to see snow start around 7 a.m. on Tuesday and move out by the end of the day.

AccuWeather.com is tracking the snowstorm system heading for New York City.

As New York City gets hit with snow, further south will see ice, rain, and showers during the storm system, according to AccuWeather.com. The forecast map from the weather service also indicates that it will feel cold early this week, as freezing temperatures are expected.

According to AccuWeather.com, the high temperature on Monday is 40 degrees, down to 36 on Tuesday, and 38 degrees on Wednesday. Temperatures will continue to remain low for the rest of the week, according to forecasts.

AccuWeather.com is tracking the snowstorm system heading for New York City.

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Protests outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland turned ugly on Saturday night as federal authorities threatened mass arrests for trespassing.

Dramatic videos posted on Twitter showed the crowd chanting: 'No borders! No nations! Abolish deportations!'

Officers with the Federal Protective Service, a branch within the Department of Homeland Security, declared an unlawful assembly at about 10pm and ordered protesters to disperse.

'If you trespass on federal property with a weapon, you will be arrested,' a recording warned the crowd before officers began deploying tear gas and flash bangs.

It marked the four-straight day of protests in the city since Joe Biden's inauguration as demonstrators make it clear that a new Democratic administration will not stop their campaign for social justice.

Scroll down for video

Protests outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland turned ugly on Saturday night as federal authorities threatened mass arrests for trespassing

The protesters marched through Portland's South Waterfront district before staging their demonstration at the ICE building

'If you trespass on federal property with a weapon, you will be arrested,' a recording warned the crowd before officers began deploying tear gas

Video posted on social media showed the crowd chanting: 'No borders! No nations! Abolish deportations!'

A line of police officers in riot gear deploy tear gas at protesters who refused to disperse in Portland on Saturday night

No borders. No nations. Abolish deportation!



The crowd is marching on ICE in Portland again tonight. pic.twitter.com/qeKlll4KFS  Alix  {Tobacco Fairie} (@thatpowellgirl) January 24, 2021

It's unclear how many protesters, if any, were arrested over Saturday night's skirmishes.

Dozens of protesters were seen resisting officers' orders to leave the area. They held up umbrellas to shield from clouds of tear gas filling the air.

It came days after the same ICE building in Portland's South Waterfront district was targeted by some 200 protesters last Wednesday following Biden's inauguration.

Officers deploy a flash bang in an effort to break up crowds during a protest on Saturday night in Portland

Dozens of protesters were seen resisting officers' orders to leave the area on Saturday night

The protesters, most of them wearing all black, held up umbrellas to shield from clouds of tear gas filling the air

The protesters appeared largely unfazed by the tear gas heading their way

Protesters spray painted the side of the ICE facility, which was boarded up for security

A candlelight vigil for immigrants who died in ICE custody was set up by the protesters

On Wednesday night, protesters pelted the building with rocks and eggs, eliciting another show of force by federal officers.

Earlier in the evening demonstrators carrying anti-Biden and anti-police signs smashed the windows of Portland's Democratic Party headquarters.

'We wanted to symbolize that both parties are the oppressor,' a 25-year-old protester, who asked not to be named, told CNN. 'We've all experienced firsthand that police violence is police violence regardless [of which political party holds power]. ... It doesn't make a difference to the person being beaten.'

Similar unrest unfolded on Wednesday in Seattle, where police said Antifa members smashed windows at the federal Nakamura Courthouse.

Biden has yet to respond to the incidents or offer a plan to curb the violence.

Asked about the matter at a press briefing on Friday, Biden's Press Secretary Jen Psaki said: 'I haven't spoken with him specifically about those events, but it's something our national security team, the homeland security adviser, is closely monitoring, of course.'

The ICE facility in downtown Portland was targeted by about 200 Antifa protesters on Wednesday night. Pictured: Federal police deploy tear gas to disperse crowds

A group of protesters shield themselves from chemical irritants fired by police on Wednesday

Police officers respond to protesters rallying against the new Biden-Harris administration and to call upon them to abolish ICE in Portland on Wednesday night

Meanwhile Seattle's interim police Chief Adrian Diaz has vowed to crack down on protests there.

Anyone who destroys property during protests in Seattle will now be arrested and prosecuted under a strict new policy coordinated with City Attorney Pete Holmes, Diaz announced Saturday.

Details about the new policy were not immediately available, the Seattle Times reported.

A spokesperson for Holmes' office indicated that they were unaware of any changes, telling the newspaper: 'We only learned about it after the fact.'

Diaz criticized the protests that have roiled the city for months, saying that the demonstrators are more focused on vandalism than social justice.

'They've been focused on lighting fires, they've been focused on, you know, breaking windows, and these are things we need to work on,' he said.
Meydan Hotels and Hospitality have successfully completed their Covid-19 vaccination drive for all the employees of Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and The Meydan Hotel on January 18 and January 22, respectively.

With the aim of ensuring their employees safety and their guests  both hotels conducted separate vaccination campaign drives days apart in association with Dubai Health Authority, becoming one of the first five-star hotels in the city to conduct an extensive Covid-19 vaccination campaign not just for their staff but for employee family members, as well. Meydan Hotels & Hospitality implemented this move to support the UAEs aim of vaccinating half the countrys population by March 2021.

Our employees have always been our biggest priority and conducting a successful vaccination drive against the coronavirus ensures that those working in hospitality and service are protected from the virus. We are very glad to do our part and hope that more hospitality brands take the initiative to protect their staff since they are most vulnerable due to the nature of their jobs, said Ziad Sleiman, Hotel Manager of Bab Al Shams Desert Resort.

The vaccination drive saw an 80 per cent of both the hotels staff and family members turn for eligible for the Sinopharm vaccine turn out. The drive also offered free Covid-19 tests for all attending.

This move instills more confidence in the whole team from top to bottom and adds another layer of trust and reliability to the Meydan brand after our hotels implemented the Meydan Safety and Cleanliness Commitment last year. We are glad to be doing our part to ensure that our employees have the best kind of protection against this virus and that our guests can rely on us to serve them to our best capabilities, added Mohammed Shawky, Hotel Manager of The Meydan Hotel. - TradeArabia News Service
Bernie Sanders warns the DEMS that if they don't do something proactive, it will not be good for the 2022 midterm elections. They will lose a lot if they don't govern well. Losing will be like a slaughter caused by the GOP.

The recent dismal performance by the DEMS in the haul of minority voters and the majority of black voters favoring the GOP is only the beginning. President Trump has transformed America; even the Republicans have benefitted by getting seats from DEM stalwarts.

According to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, something is amiss. In a statement, he said if the ruling party does not uplift America's citizens, there will be severe repercussions, the Blaze.

With their control over the White House, and including control in the Senate, they are the one party that determines the course in the next four years. Whatever happens in the next four years will be due to their policies.

Sander's and the doom of the midterms

He did not mince his words when he said the DEMS would be facing another demolition in the 2022 midterms if they make mistakes to bring down the economy-keeping everything healthy for Americans to enjoy a better life, not something substandard.

In an interview with McClatchy reporter Francesca Chambers, he said that everything facing Americans should not be a moment to go small. It must be thinking big, and very big in these circumstances. Bernie Sanders warned that the situation is called for more proactive action, more than ever, to prevent a DEMS debacle in the 2022 Midterm Elections.

Also read: Trump Speaks Last Time as President, 'The Movement We Started Is Only Just Beginning'

The Vermont lawmaker added that the president and the DEMS in control of the US government in 2020 would be scrutinized primarily how well they serve the American people during these times. He added that action and solutions are needed, not verbal excuses or blame.

Sources say the Trump administration had and landmarks crucial to his popularity and acceptance by more Americans.

Sander's explained that if the DEMS fail to give the proper governance and better quality of life, they are destined for failures. The year 2022 will be only two years to see another letdown as perceived by America, and the midterms will reflect that.

Administrations of Bill Clinton in 1994 and Barack Obama in 2010 were abjectly wanting for many Americans. DEMS had the House, the Senate, and the presidency in these times, yet they failed. Unless this administration does better, there will be no future.

DEMS politics need to change

The tandem of politics and media is roiling on unnecessary drama, personality and conflict, said Sanders. The lawmaker does not share this definition of politics. Instead, he said it is as simple as making policies that benefit working families.

Making it more complicated will not benefit the DEMS in giving what Americans want. Staying away from current issues and governing to benefit everyone, calling himself a "democratic-socialist," which is similar to European-style socialism, something different from most Americans.

Bernie Sanders added that he would make laws in the Senate to enact his plan, as long as the DEMS hold sway in the Senate. Though the 2022 Midterm Elections is two years away, he will use his position to act positively. The DEMS have been inconsistent for several administrations and lost.

Related article: More DEMS Want Chuck Schumer to End Senate Filibuster Despite GOP Plea

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Cloudy with rain ending overnight. Low 42F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with rain ending overnight. Low 42F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
West Bengal Health Recruitment Board (WBHRB) has released recruitment notification announcing the vacancies in Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal. As per the notification, the recruitment will soon begin for Medical Technologist Grade 3 Posts. All candidates holding the requisite qualification can apply to these posts from January 28 onwards. Interested candidates who want to apply for these vacancies must submit an application form in online mode by February 6. As many as 1647 vacancies will be filled by WBHRB.

Below is the application process, age limit, qualification, experience, selection criteria and other details for the candidates to refer to:

WBHRB Medical Technologist Recruitment: Important Dates

Date of commencement of submission of online application: January 28, 2021

Last date for submission of WBHRB online application: February 6, 2021

WBHRB Medical Technologist Recruitment 2021 Vacancy Details

Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal, 1647 posts are vacant for the Medical Technologist Grade III.

WBHRB Medical Technologist Recruitment 2021 Pay Scale

Selected candidates will receive a Basic Pay of Rs 28,900 at the entry point at Level 9. They will also be eligible for other allowances as per existing government rules.

WBHRB Medical Technologist Recruitment 2021: Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have one of the following educational qualifications in order to be eligible to apply:

Completed Higher Secondary Examination (Class 12) from WBCHSE or its equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry and Biology subjects.

Completed two years Diploma in Medical Technology in the concerned subject recognized by the State Medical Faculty of West Bengal under West Bengal Para Medical Council / conducted by any recognized institution affiliated to any recognized University.

Completed a Bachelor degree in Medical Technology in the concerned subject from any institution / University recognized by the Government of West Bengal.

Completed one-year Diploma in Medical Technology in the concerned subject where basic qualification of undergoing the said course is BSc (pure / Bio) by the State Medical Faculty of West Bengal / by any recognized University.
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Taqadum al-Khatib, an Egyptian academic in Berlin, is living in exile.Ten years after Egypt's pro-democracy uprising, he's one of an estimated thousands who have fled abroad to escape the government of President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi that is considered by some even more oppressive than its predecessor.He first protested, and then worked in the nascent political scene after 2011.

He was researching Egypt's former Jewish community in Germany when he learned that returning to his homeland was no longer an option.The Egyptian cultural attache in Berlin summoned al-Khatib for a meeting, and an official questioned him about his articles, social media posts and research.He was asked to hand over his passport, which he refused to do, and shortly after was fired from his job at an Egyptian university.

The Egyptians who took to the streets on January 25, 2011, knew they risked arrest and worse.But as their numbers swelled in Cairo's central Tahrir Square, they tasted success.Police forces backed off, and within days, former President Hosni Mubarak agreed to demands to step down.But their success did not last, with interim military rulers following Mubarak into power.

In 2012, Mohamed Morsi, a member of Egypt's most powerful Islamist group, the Muslim Brotherhood, was elected as the first civilian president in the country's history.But his tenure proved divisive.Amid massive protests, the military - led by then-Defence Minister el-Sissi - removed Morsi in 2013, dissolved parliament and eventually banned the Brotherhood as a "terrorist group."

A crackdown on dissent ensued, and el-Sissi won two terms in elections that human rights groups criticized as undemocratic.No one knows exactly how many Egyptians like al-Khatib have fled political persecution.

Data from the World Bank shows an increase in emigres from Egypt since 2011.A total of 3,444,832 left in 2017 - nearly 60,000 more than in 2013, the years for which figures are available, but it's impossible to tell economic migrants from political exiles.

Some relocated to Berlin, Paris and London, others have settled in Turkey, Qatar, Sudan and even Asian countries like Malaysia and South Korea.Human Rights Watch estimated in 2019 that there were 60,000 political prisoners in Egypt. The Committee to Protect Journalists ranks Egypt third, behind China and Turkey, in detaining journalists.El-Sissi maintains Egypt has no political prisoners, but the arrest of a journalist or a rights worker makes news roughly every month.

Many people have been imprisoned on terrorism charges, for breaking a ban on protests or for disseminating false news. Others remain in indefinite pretrial detentions.El-Sissi maintains Egypt is holding back Islamic extremism so it doesn't descend into chaos like its neighbours.

"Sissi wants not only to abrogate the rights of the opposition and to prevent any critical voice from being uttered, Sissi doesn't actually believe, not only in the opposition, but he doesn't believe in politics," says Khaled Fahmy, an Egyptian professor of modern Middle Eastern History at Cambridge University.

Fahmy believes this is the worst period in Egypt's modern history for personal rights.He's seen outspoken expatriates have their Egyptian citizenship revoked.

"It's much more serious, it's much deeper and much darker, what Sissi has in mind," he said.

Journalist Asma Khatib, 29, remembers the heady days of 2011, when young people thought they could bring change.A reporter for a pro-Muslim Brotherhood news agency, Khatib covered Morsi's short presidency amid criticism the group was using violence against opponents and seeking to monopolize power to make Egypt an Islamic state.

After Morsi's ouster, his supporters held sit-ins for his reinstatement at a square in Cairo. A month later, the new military leaders forcibly cleared them out, and more than 600 people were killed.Khatib documented the violence. Soon, colleagues started being arrested, and she fled Egypt - first to Malaysia, then to Indonesia and Turkey.She was tried in absentia on espionage charges in 2015, convicted and sentenced to death.

Now, she and her husband Ahmed Saad, also a journalist, and their two children are seeking asylum in South Korea.They expect they'll never return, but also realise they're lucky to be free.On the day the ruling was announced, she remembers telling herself: "You don't have a country anymore."The exiles have had ample time to think about where Egypt's uprising failed.

The broad alliance of protesters - from Islamists to secular activists - fractured without a common enemy like Mubarak, and the most extreme voices became the loudest.The role of religion in society remained largely unanswered, and liberal secular initiatives never gained traction.No one accounted for how many people would embrace former regime figures, especially in a crisis.

Most Egyptians abroad have not been politically active, fearing for family and friends back home.But some have continued on the path begun on January 25, 2011.Ahmed Saad has a theory about how many of them are now abroad - of those who protested on January 25 take those who are now inside prison. The rest, he says, are the fortunate ones who could leave.They are trying to cope in strange lands. Asma Khatib and her husband aren't sure what to say to their young children when they ask where they're from.Al-Khatib, the academic, feels lucky to be able to work toward his doctorate in Germany but misses Cairo's bustle.

"I couldn't go back to my home, it's a very difficult situation and it is hard to describe it, in a way, it's very hard, actually," he says.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
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A man is in police custody after a shooting at a Hunterdon County gas station Saturday sent another man to a local hospital, according to The New Jersey State Police.

Troopers from the Perryville Station responded to a reported shooting at the Pilot Travel Center in Union Township at 12:37 p.m., according to New Jersey State Police Information Officer Sgt. Philip Curry. A male suspect was taken into custody and a male victim was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries, Curry said.

The Pattenburg Rescue Squad, based in Asbury, arrived on the scene to transport the victim to the hospital via ambulance.

The incident is still under investigation, though no additional suspects are being sought, Curry said.

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RTHK: US makes commitment to Japan on defence

New US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, during his first phone call with his Japanese counterpart, reaffirmed America's commitment to Tokyo to defending a group of East China Sea islets claimed by both Japan and China, the Pentagon said.

Austin, in talks with Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi, confirmed that Article 5 of the US-Japan security treaty, which stipulates US defence obligations to Japan, covers the uninhabited islands, the Pentagon said in a statement.

The islets are known as the Senkaku islands in Japan and Diaoyu in China.

Austin also reaffirmed that the United States remains opposed to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea, the Pentagon said.

Japan has become increasingly concerned about Chinese activity in the East China Sea, including incursions into waters around the islands.

The talks marked the first ministerial discussions between Tokyo and Washington since US President Joe Biden took office on Wednesday. Retired Army general Austin made history on Friday by becoming America's first Black defence secretary.

Japan's defence ministry was not immediately available for comment.

US Indo-Pacific Command said on Sunday a US Navy strike group entered the South China Sea on Saturday, the same day Taiwan reported a large incursion of Chinese bombers and fighter jets into its air defence identification zone near the Pratas Islands. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2021-01-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday departed for a three-nation tour of Portugal, US and Netherlands. The tour is aimed at bilateral ties on economic and defence fronts along with increasing cooperation on counter-terrorism.



On his visit, PM Modi will first stop at Portugal on Saturday. India has cordial relations with the country which was last marked by Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costas visit to India in January 2017.

"I am looking forward to my meeting with PM Costa. Building on our recent discussions, we will review the progress of various joint initiatives and decisions. We will also discuss ways to further enhance the bilateral engagement, especially in the areas of economic cooperation, science & technology, space collaboration and people to people ties.," PM Modi said before the visit.



Second and perhaps most anticipated stop on his visit is the United States. PM Modi will be in the US from June 24 until June 26. He is visiting the country at the invitation of new President Donald Trump. PM Modi will meet Donald Trump on June 26.



Both leaders of the nations have spoken on the phone three times, last being President Trump calling Modi to wish for the win in Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. "Indias partnership with the United States is multi-layered and diverse, supported by not just Governments but all the stakeholders on both sides. I look forward to building a forward-looking vision for our partnership with the new Administration in the United States under President Trump."



Apart from official meetings with President Trump and his cabinet colleagues, I will be meeting some prominent American CEOs.

Suggested read | PM Modi  President Trump meet: Counterterrorism ties, defence deals, NSG and others outcomes to hope for



In the final leg of his trip, PM Modi will visit Netherlands to celebrate 70 years of the establishment of Indo-Dutch diplomatic relations



During the visit, the Prime Minister will have an official meeting with the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. He is also scheduled to call on King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and meet Queen Maxima.



During the meeting with Prime Minister Rutte, the two leaders are expected to review bilateral relations on important global issues including counter-terrorism and climate change.



The Netherlands is India's 6th largest trading partner in the EU and 5th largest investment partner globally. The Dutch expertise in areas such as water and waste management, agriculture and food processing, renewable energy and ports and shipping, matches with our development needs.



"I will discuss with PM Rutte as to how the two sides should work to further harness the synergies. I will also be meeting with CEOs of major Dutch companies and will encourage them to join the Indian growth story," PM Modi said in a Facebook post.



In all three nations, PM Modi will interact with Indian diaspora at specially organised events.







For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
More human remains have been found at a property in the Geelong suburb of Norlane, after a grim discovery of a young mans skull in 2019.

Victoria Polices homicide squad attended the property near Sparks Road after more bones were discovered on Friday.

The backyard where the remains were found in 2019. Credit:Nine News

According to police, the remains found at the home are believed to be related to a death in 2019.

In September 2019, a man excavating at the home found a skull with shoulder-length hair and a number of bones belonging to a 26-year-old man.

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British holidaymakers returning home won't escape an order to quarantine in airport hotels  signalling the death knell for summer getaways.

Ministers are finalising plans to force travellers to isolate for ten days as soon as they enter Britain, with details to be decided tomorrow.

Boris Johnson had wanted to exempt British residents and only target those arriving from places where new strains of the virus have been detected.

But Cabinet sources last night said they expect the Prime Minister to sign off on a comprehensive proposal  modelled on Australia  that will see all arrivals sent to airport hotels, regardless of their nationality and where they have come from.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is understood to have backed the hotel quarantine scheme after previously favouring a more nuanced approach.

His support will no-doubt put pressure on the PM, who is gradually being 'more swayed' by calls for harsh action to avoid jeopardising the vaccine rollout, The Times reports.

The scheme would mean people who live in Britain will face having to pay extra, on top of the cost of their trip, to spend their quarantine period in a hotel patrolled by security guards.

Any new restrictions would be a further blow to the beleaguered travel industry - and could spark chaos at airports already battling through new arrivals checks.

Queues of people were seen waiting to clear passport control on Friday and Saturday while Border Force agents checked each person's locator form and negative PCR test.

In another Covid news day:

The UK reported a further 30,004 Covid cases, down almost a quarter on last Sunday, and 610 more deaths today;

It was another record day for vaccinations with 491,970 first doses and 1,043 second doses;

Mr Hancock revealed that as of this morning three quarters of the over-80s have been vaccinated;

The UK has detected 77 cases of the South African variant of Covid and nine cases of one of the Brazilian variants;

Nicola Sturgeon faces fury for ramping up her independence drive during the pandemic as she threatened to hold a referendum without Boris Johnson's agreement - and SNP MPs said they are 'focused on undermining the union';

Nursing leaders have called for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of coronavirus.

British holidaymakers will be forced to isolate for ten days as soon as they enter Britain under new plans being drafted by ministers. Pictured: Passengers wait in queues at Heathrow Airport

Boris Johnson had wanted to exempt British residents but Cabinet sources last night said they expect the Prime Minister to sign off on a comprehensive proposal

Blasting the hotel quarantine move, Paul Charles, chief executive of travel company The PC Agency, told the Mail: 'This is destroying confidence among holidaymakers.

'People are not booking summer holidays because they don't believe there is an end game which will see these blanket measures removed.

'This is a sure-fire way of destroying Britain's aviation and travel industries.'

It came as Matt Hancock ramped up the Cabinet war over border restrictions last night as he suggested a blanket ban on all arrivals may still be needed.

The Health Secretary warned it is 'absolutely critical' Britain is protected from new mutant strains of the virus that might not respond to the vaccine.

Mr Hancock, who is one of the ministers who has been pushing for stronger measures, yesterday said that all 77 cases of the South African coronavirus variant detected in the UK have been linked to travellers.

The plans will see all arrivals sent to airport hotels, regardless of their nationality and where they have come from. Pictured: Beach goers enjoy the sunshine at Nova Icaria beach in Barcelona amid the coronavirus pandemic

Matt Hancock warned it was 'absolutely critical' Britain was protected from new mutant strains of the virus

Saturday alone saw 491,970 people get their first dose and 1,043 get their second, the highest daily figures recorded so far

A further nine cases of the Brazilian variant have also been picked up here but, again, none were linked to community transmission.

The Health Secretary said the new strains 'I really worry about' are the ones that have not yet been spotted, as he suggested measures targeted only at people arriving from specific areas would not be enough.

Ravers fined thousands over illegal bashes Hundreds of partygoers were fined at the weekend after hiding in closets and even a tent in a bid to escape officers. Scotland Yard handed out more than 15,000 in fines after 300 people were caught breaking Covid rules at an east London rave underneath a railway arch at 1.30am yesterday. Organisers had padlocked doors from the inside to prevent officers gaining entry, with dozens scaling fences to dodge police. A total of 78 people were issued with 200 fixed penalty notices for attending the illegal gathering. It comes after the Met revealed on Saturday that two officers were injured as they broke up a 200-strong party in Beauchamp Place near Harrods at about 3.30am on January 1. In Birmingham, police found revellers in cupboards when they broke up a party attended by over 50 students on Friday. And Lincolnshire Police fined eight campers from different households partying in a one-man tent in Woodhall Spa. Advertisement

Asked whether there should be an absolute blanket ban on people coming into this country, Mr Hancock told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme: 'We have got to have a precautionary principle.

'We've introduced pre-departure testing... but it is absolutely vital that we protect this country from a new variant that may not be as well dealt with by the vaccine. We cannot risk the progress that we've made.'

Appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, he added: 'The argument has changed and the conversation around borders has changed because of two things.

'One, the new variants and two, the success of the vaccine rollout programme, which means that we cannot put all of this progress at risk.'

Mr Hancock suggested that the public would not be issued with vaccine passports for use at home, but appeared to concede that they may be needed in future for overseas travel.

Meanwhile, Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy said yesterday that Labour had been 'pushing the Government to take tougher measures at the border since last spring'.

She told Marr: 'Scientists tell us that there are a number of countries where these strains are emerging that just simply do not have the capacity to map what is happening.'

A poll of 1,109 adults by Opinium on behalf of campaign group One Rule For Them last night showed 79 per cent think there should have been stricter border controls far earlier.

Ministers hope the new move will improve compliance with existing quarantine rules.

In a bid to tighten up restrictions, everyone arriving in the UK must have a negative PCR test and a completed passenger locator form.

But checking the required documents has caused huge delays at passport control - with hundreds of travellers - including children and the elderly - waiting in lines.

Witnesses said the queues took at least an hour to clear on Saturday as Border Force made their checks.

The Home Office has insisted they have 'the necessary staff' needed to get through the hoards of passengers - and claim it is 'ultimately up to individual airports to ensure social distancing on site.'

Travellers returning to the UK have blasted long queues (pictured on Saturday) at Heathrow passport control as the airport claims it 'isn't possible' for people to socially distance in its terminals

But Heathrow Airport said Border Force are responsible for the checks, and claim 'social distancing in an airport environment isn't really possible'.

Sharing a picture of the queues at Heathrow Airport on Saturday, Rav wrote: 'I'm predicting a good hour to get through the UK Border at Heathrow this morning. E-gates offline, presumably for Covid tests and passenger locator form checks.'

Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis also shared a picture of the busy passport control area in Heathrow Airport- which she later deleted.

The caption read: '200 plus British passport holders queuing to get home (in constricted space).'

Shocking images shared to social media on Saturday showed hundreds of travellers - including children and the elderly - waiting in lines

Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis shared a picture of the busy passport control area in Heathrow Airport (pictured) - which she later deleted

The caption read: '200 plus British passport holders queuing to get home (in constricted space)'

In response to mounting concern over the large queues, a Heathrow Airport spokesperson told Sky News: 'We've been clear since last May that social distancing in an airport environment isn't really possible.

'To put that in context, if you had one aircraft of let's say 300 people, you'd need a queue about 1km long to socially distance just one aircraft, which is why last summer we mandated face coverings in the airport.'

A Government spokesperson earlier said: 'We are in a national lockdown to protect the NHS and save lives. People should not be travelling unless absolutely necessary.

The social media star, who runs 'Shape Up With Sher' in Sunderland, has been sharing glamorous, sunshine-filled content with her Instagram followers as she enjoyed relaxed restrictions in the United Arab Emirates

'You must have proof of a negative test and a completed passenger locator form before arriving.

'Border Force have been ramping up enforcement and those not complying could be fined 500.

'It's ultimately up to individual airports to ensure social distancing on site.'

Heathrow said that 'Border Force is currently experiencing some delays' getting through the passenger checks, and the airport has measures to remind people of what rules are in place.

The Health Secretary today blasted holidaymakers for having 'parties in Paris' and 'weekends in Dubai' amid the UK's Covid-19 international travel ban.

On Sunday, he reinforced the Government's rule that international travel should not be happening unless it was 'absolutely necessary'.

Many UK celebrities and social media stars have descended on Dubai and the Caribbean over recent months, escaping stringent lockdown measures at home, with many maintaining their trips were for business purposes.

Speaking on the BBC yesterday, Mr Hancock reiterated: 'International travel, right now, should not be happening unless it's absolutely necessary.

'No parties in Paris or weekends in Dubai. That is not on and in most cases it's against the law.'

Mr Hancock gave a 'medical emergency' as one example where travelling abroad would be deemed acceptable.

He quickly added: 'Although frankly, with the NHS, you've got the best medical services you can possibly have in the world, right here in Britain.'

But a fitness influencer who escaped the third lockdown to work in Dubai hit back at those who have slammed other social media stars for doing the same.

A fitness influencer who escaped the third lockdown to work in Dubai has hit back at those who have slammed other social media stars for doing the same.

Personal trainer Sheridan Mordew, 24, from Sunderland, arrived in Dubai on January 2, just a few days before the third national lockdown, and planned to film live workouts to inspire her clients back home in the UK.

Personal trainer Sheridan Mordew, 24, arrived in Dubai on January 2, just a few days before the third national lockdown, planning to film live workouts to inspire her clients back home in the UK

Since then, the social media star, who runs 'Shape Up With Sher,' has been sharing glamorous, sunshine-filled content with her Instagram followers as she enjoyed relaxed restrictions in the United Arab Emirates.

Sheridan flew from Manchester with initial plans to stay for two weeks but now aims to be there until the end of March in the hope that things will be better when she returns.

'I was doing classes in my garden during the first lockdown,' she explained. 'I was doing the live workouts but then when the second lockdown hit, I couldn't do anything other than the live stuff. So I just thought, 'Why not go to Dubai?'

'I was already doing the live workouts from home but I knew I could do it from Dubai. It didn't matter where in the world I was.'

Sheridan initially travelled to Dubai in December for eight days and returned home before travelling back out in January.

She is currently staying in an apartment where she is filming regular live workouts for clients back home and says she has funded the trip herself.

The fitness fanatic said: 'Other personal trainers might not necessarily jump on a plane to Dubai to promote themselves. They might do things in the house and take photos in the mirror. There is not much you can do.

'So I thought: 'How can I get clients in my area that will benefit myself by getting business?' Mental health and physical things aside, booking a trip to Dubai is business.

Sheridan says that those who criticise may not understand the industry and the need to be in such locations to sell products, such as bikinis and clothes

'That is how I can increase my clientele so when I come back at the end of March, when gyms start to reopen, I am pretty confident in knowing that I can carry on the online stuff when I am back in the UK.'

Since then the fitness star has seen her number of clients increase and believes being in Dubai has helped to motivate and inspire those who take part.

'Because I am in Dubai, it motivates them as well,' she explained. 'A lot of girls are like, 'Oh my god! You are such an inspiration being in the sun when everyone else is stuck in the house.'

'Sometimes, I feel guilty and feel like I shouldn't really be out here because it is unfair on everyone else but then, at the end of the day, they could have gone out as well.'

Israel is 'closing the skies' to prevent a fast-spreading or vaccine-resistant form of Covid entering the country. The measure was due to last until January 31, when its national lockdown is set to be eased.

Pubs and restaurants could stay shut until JULY as councils are given power to extend lockdown rules

By James Robinson for MailOnline

Pubs and restaurants could stay closed until July after Government chiefs chose to extend the lockdown powers given to councils.

The specially-created powers, which give local authorities in England the ability to close venues and tape-off public areas due to coronavirus, were due to expire next week.

But in a blow to millions of Britons hoping for a summer of reduced restrictions, Government chiefs have now extended the laws until mid-summer, reports the Daily Telegraph.

The move does not mean lockdown has been extended. But it does mean the powers are in place should the Government decide to push back its current lockdown timetable.

Boris Johnson set a mid-February target for lifting restrictions when announcing the third-national lockdown earlier this month.

But the Prime Minister appeared to pour cold water on hopes of a mid-February easing of lockdown earlier this week, by saying it was 'too early to say' when restrictions could be lifted.

Meanwhile, Downing Street refused to rule out the possibility of the current lockdown stretching beyond the spring and into summer.

The remarks came after frustrated Tory backbenchers called on the Government to release its road-map out of lockdown - as the UK's vaccine roll-out total hit more than five-million.

The specially-created powers, which give local authorities in England the ability to close venues such as pubs (pictured: Library image) and tape off public areas, were due to expire next week.

The move does not mean lockdown has been extended, but means the powers are in place should the Government decide to push back its current timetable. Pictured: A set of taped-off benches outside a pub in London

Boris Johnson (pictured) had previously said he was hopeful that lockdown rules in England would last until mid-February when announcing the third-national lockdown earlier this month

The latest development has caused further frustration among Tory MPs in the 70-strong Coronavirus Recovery Group (CRG) - which argues lockdown measures should only be used where absolutely necessary.

What are the council Covid powers and why have they been extended? The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No.3) Regulations 2020 were created in July last year. The purpose of the law is essentially to delegate powers to local authorities across England so they can enforce Covid rules. Among the powers include allowing council officials to close hospitality venues, including pubs and restaurants, as well as gyms and outdoor spaces. The law can also be used to prohibit events. The law also includes the power for local authority officials to fine those who do not comply. The powers were due to expire next week, but have now reportedly been extended until July. Though this does not mean lockdown has been extended, the Government now has the powers in place should it decide to lengthen the lockdown. Advertisement

Tory MP Mark Harper, who leads the group, told the Telegraph: 'The extension of councils' Covid powers until July will be of great concern to those worried about their jobs and businesses.

'Once the top four risk groups have been vaccinated and fully protected by March 8, assuming the Government hits the February 15 deadline, the Government must start easing the restrictions.

'Vaccinations will of course bring immunity from Covid, but they must bring immunity from lockdowns and restrictions too.'

Earlier this week Mr Harper had called on the Government to begin lifting the lockdown no later than the start of March.

He also called for the publication of a timetable to prevent further slippage.

Mr Harper said: 'People must see light at the end of the tunnel and feel hope for the future and businesses need to be able to plan our recovery.'

Government scientists earlier this week urged ministers to delay the reopening of pubs and restaurants until at least May to prevent another wave of the virus. Whitehall sources suggested schools could remain shut to most pupils until after Easter.

Ministers met earlier this week to discuss draconian travel curbs aimed at keeping out mutant Covid strains but which could also wreck the summer holiday plans of millions of families.

Priti Patel on Friday said it was 'far too early to speculate' about whether foreign holidays would be possible this summer.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the UK Hospitality trade body, said many pubs and restaurants would 'struggle to survive' if they were forced to keep their doors closed until May.

She added: 'If we are forced to wait for a longer period then unfortunately there will be very little left of the hospitality sector  and the 3.2million people who work in it  to reopen at that point in May.'

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the UK Hospitality trade body, said many pubs and restaurants would 'struggle to survive' if they were forced to keep their doors closed until May. Pictured: A man walks past a closed pub in east London

Blinds cover the windows of a pub, temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, near Anfield stadium, in Liverpool, on January 17, 2021

In recent weeks, the Prime Minister has repeatedly spoken of a return to normality this spring.

Last month he said: 'We're no longer resting on the mere hope that we can return to normal next year in the spring but rather the sure and certain knowledge that we will succeed.'

But asked directly whether the country was 'looking at summer rather than spring' for an easing of lockdown earlier this week, he replied: 'I think it's too early to say when we'll be able to lift some of some of the restrictions.'

The PM said the new variant of the disease 'does spread very fast indeed', adding: 'It unquestionably will be a very tough few weeks ahead.'

No10 also refused to rule out an extended lockdown when asked to clarify Mr Johnson's remarks.

Asked directly whether he could rule out the lockdown lasting into the summer, the PM's official spokesman said: 'We will continue to keep all of the scientific evidence and data under review.

MELTDOWN IN THE HIGH STREET The embattled high street will shed 200,000 jobs in 2021 as shops close at a rate of 380 every week, experts warned yesterday. The Centre for Retail Research said retail will endure its worst year in a quarter of a century as tax breaks and Government support are withdrawn and the impact of the lockdown bites. The dire warning would mean that the next 12 months are even worse than 2020, which saw 16,130 shops close, or 310 every week. The retail industry employs around three million people. Shops are fighting to protect themselves from a mountain of rent and business rates costs, even as high streets remain shut. With scientists warning yesterday that much of the high street may have to wait until May before it can reopen, industry groups fear this would decimate the retail and hospitality sector. They had hoped shops would reopen sooner given the Government plans to vaccinate the most vulnerable groups by the middle of next month. Footfall is not expected to recover on high streets for up to two years. Professor Joshua Bamfield, head of the CRR, said: 'All sorts of damage was done last year which carries over to this year. You could argue 200,000 job losses is an underestimate.' Advertisement

'It remains our position that we want to ease restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so, but in order for us to do that we need to see the transmission rates of the virus come down and we need to see the pressure on the NHS reduce.'

A Government source insisted that the PM's comments did not amount to a change in the timetable for easing the lockdown.

'People should not read too much into this,' the source said. 'The PM wants to reopen as quickly as we safely can, but cases are very high and only coming down slowly  there has to be a degree of caution.'

Former Tory chief whip Mr Harper said the public now needed a timetable for easing the lockdown.

Mr Harper, chairman of the Covid Recovery Group, said achieving the Government's target to vaccinate the 15million most vulnerable by February 15 should clear the way for restrictions to be lifted three weeks later when the vaccines had taken effect. 'Covid causes serious harm and it's vital we control it effectively,' he said. 'But this cycle of lockdowns and restrictions cause immense damage too  to people's health, livelihoods and businesses.

'Once the top four risk groups have been vaccinated and fully protected... the Government must start easing the restrictions.' But Government scientists and health chiefs warned it was much too soon to even contemplate easing restrictions.

Dr Vin Diwakar, medical director for the NHS in London said the pandemic was 'the biggest health emergency to face this country since the Second World War'.

Rounding on those still flouting the lockdown rules, he told a Downing Street press briefing: 'For me and my colleagues in the NHS breaking the rules.... is like switching on a light in the middle of the blackout in the Blitz.'

And Dr Marc Baguelin, of Imperial College London, who sits on a sub-group of the Government's Sage committee, said the early opening of the hospitality sector would lead to a rise in Covid cases. He told BBC Radio Four's World at One programme: 'Something of this scale, if it was to happen earlier than May, would generate a bump in transmission, which is already really bad.'

77 cases of South African Covid variant have been found in UK (and nine of a Brazilian mutant) - as experts warn new vaccines might be needed EVERY year

By James Tapsfield, Political Editor For Mailonline

The UK has identified 77 cases of South African coronavirus variant and nine of a Brazilian mutant, it was revealed today - amid warnings the virus is changing so fast new vaccines might be needed every year.

Matt Hancock said the cases were being kept under 'very close observation' stressing that they appeared to be linked to travellers - amid a Cabinet row over how to tighten border rules.

'They are under very close observation, and we have enhanced contact tracing to do everything we possibly can to stop them from spreading,' the Health Secretary said.

The figures emerged as Professor Anthony Harnden, deputy chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said the country will need to 'get used to' living with coronavirus.

Professor Anthony Harnden, deputy chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said the country will need to 'get used to' living with coronavirus

Infections in the UK spiked after a more transmissible variant was identified in Kent

Matt Hancock said the cases were being kept under 'very close observation' stressing that they appeared to be linked to travellers

Hancock pushes for tougher border rules Matt Hancock today fuelled Cabinet tensions over a UK border crackdown urging 'precautionary' action against Covid variants that have not been detected yet - amid claims the PM wants a more targeted approach. The Health Secretary gave a strong hint he favours blanket curbs on arrivals ahead of a showdown in a key committee on Tuesday. He also said 77 cases of the South African variant, all linked to travellers, and nine of a Brazilian variant have been identified in the UK. The key 'Covid O' group of ministers are expected to meet to thrash out a tightening, but 'hawks' such as Mr Hancock, Michael Gove and Priti Patel have been wrangling with 'doves' such as Rishi Sunak and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps. There are calls for all arrivals to be forced into Australia-style 'quarantine hotels' at airports for 10 days at their own expense - and a full border shutdown for foreign passengers has not been ruled out. Sources told the Mail on Sunday that Boris Johnson favours targeting the restrictions on Covid hotspots rather than making all air passengers quarantine. However, in a sign of the tensions, one Cabinet 'hawk' told MailOnline that the policy will be 'worthless' unless it covers all arrivals to the UK. Advertisement

Speaking on Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday Professor Harnden said: 'I think we have to get used to this.

'We are living in a world where coronavirus is so prevalent and rapidly mutating there are going to be new variants that pop up in all sorts of different countries.

'We may well be in a situation where we have to have an annual coronavirus vaccine much like we do with the flu vaccine, but the public should be reassured that these technologies are relatively easy to edit and tweak, so once we find strains that are predominant, the vaccines can be altered.'

Earlier, Mr Hancock told the programme that work was being done with international counterparts to analyse the efficacy of the vaccine on foreign variants, but added he was more worried about further mutant strains that 'had not been spotted'.

'There's probably (variants) elsewhere that simply haven't been picked up because the country doesn't have that genomic sequencing service,' he said.

Mr Hancock said that tests were ongoing at Porton Down and in South Africa, adding that he wanted to see the UK's genomic sequencing capability 'made available across the world' so that emerging variants could be caught.

'In the meantime we've got to have a precautionary principle so we've introduced pre-departure testing and we've also introduced checks on everybody to check that that has happened,' he said.

'It is absolutely vital that we protect this country from a variant that is not as well dealt with by the vaccine.

'We cannot risk the progress we have made.'

The Government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance previously said there was 'no evidence that the South African or Brazilian variants' were more transmissible than the new UK strain.

But he said: 'It is the case that both the South African and Brazilian identified variants have more differences in shape which might mean they are recognised differently by antibodies.'

'I think it is too early to know the effect that will have on the vaccination in people and it is worth remembering that the response of the vaccine is very, very high antibody levels, so they may overcome some of this.'

Boris Johnson is set to compel visitors from high-risk Covid countries to quarantine for ten days, The Mail on Sunday understands. Pictured: Crowds at London's Heathrow Airport
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The co-chairs of the International Follow-Up Committee for Libya Security Working Group (SWG) have commended the achievements of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) to date
The human cost of working on the front line during the country's deadliest ever health emergency has taken a severe toll on healthcare workers, who are battling against staff shortages and a surging demand for hospital beds.

Doctors, nurses and staff at University Hospital Limerick invited the Sunday Independent to its ICU and Covid-19 wards last week to witness how patients worst hit by the Covid-19 virus are being treated.

They hope the powerful imagery and personal stories will create more awareness of the unprecedented crisis they face and encourage people to stick rigidly to the lockdown rules. That message comes as the health service enters its most worrying week yet, with hospitals at high risk of running out of critical care beds.

Read More

The head of the National Virus Reference Laboratory, Dr Cillian De Gascun, said the so-called UK variant has now been detected in all age groups in every health region in Ireland and is expected to account for more than 90pc of all infections by mid-February, if not earlier.

Dr De Gascun said the latest British data, which suggests the variant could be 30pc more lethal than the original strain, must be taken seriously.

Expand Close FRANK: Micheal Martin gave assessment of reopening plans. Photo: Arthur Carron / Facebook

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Whatsapp FRANK: Micheal Martin gave assessment of reopening plans. Photo: Arthur Carron

"While we need to understand the reason for this association before we can confirm a causal relationship, it is a concern and should not be dismissed," he added.

Amid rising concern about the variant, Taoiseach Micheal Martin warned yesterday that restrictions will be in place for at least the next six months, with schools not reopening fully before St Patrick's Day.

Tighter restrictions on travel will also be introduced this week as the State's vaccination programme is facing a new setback this weekend.

The Sunday Independent has learned the Government has been told it may receive 300,000 fewer doses of the 'game-changer' AstraZeneca vaccine over the next two months.

This means the State would have 1.1 million vaccine doses instead of the 1.4 million it had been expecting, resulting in the target of vaccinating 700,000 people, including giving everyone over 70 their first jab, by the end of March not being met.

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The precise impact of the AstraZeneca supply issue is likely to be confirmed tomorrow by the European Commission, but a senior government source said they expected up to 200,000 doses to arrive next month, with a reduced delivery in March.

Ireland had previously been promised around 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca jab, which is cheaper and does not have to be stored at ultra-low temperatures, in the first quarter of this year.

Standing in UHL's ICU last week among some of the country's sickest Covid-19 patients, interim clinical nurse manager of critical care Erika Shanley appealed for people to minimise the risk of the virus spreading.

"People need to see what's going on here and see the impact this has had," she added as she admitted the pressure of trying to source staff to man beds has sometimes left her in tears.

The ICU is currently in Surge Two of its capacity plan, with UL Hospitals Group chief clinical officer and deputy CEO Noreen Spillane admitting it is perilously close to moving to the next level to cope with demand.

ICU consultant Dr Caterine Motherway said: "That would involve us invading the third floor of the block here, the critical care block. It is our coronary care ward. God forbid, I don't really want to think about that."

Ms Spillane said extending lockdown restrictions will be vital for hospitals to help Covid-19 and non-Covid patients.

Ministers are likely to app-rove tighter travel restrictions on Tuesday. A blanket mandatory quarantine for all passengers arriving in the State has not been ruled out.

However, three government sources signalled it would only be introduced if the UK rolls out a similar policy, as this would close off people using Northern Ireland as a back door into the Republic.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has been liaising with his UK counterpart Grant Shapps in recent days.

Senior government figures in Dublin do not expect Boris Johnson's government to bring in mandatory quarantine for all passengers arriving in the UK this week, but the issue is the subject of continuing debate in Whitehall.

An Garda Siochana is also ramping up the enforcement of travel restrictions on the approach to airports and ports this weekend, stopping people attempting to leave the country other than for essential reasons, for which they must provide proof.

The Taoiseach told RTE yesterday that the majority of those arriving into the country in recent weeks have been Irish people who went abroad over Christmas. A senior government source added that the "vast, vast majority" of incoming passengers are people living in Ireland who had been to Tenerife, other parts of Spain and elsewhere.

Other travel restrictions likely to be signed off by ministers at Cabinet on Tuesday include quarantining anyone arriving in the country who does not have evidence of a negative PCR test for Covid-19 within the previous 72 hours.

This will affect a handful of passengers, with only one of the 1,000 people who arrived last Thursday not having a PCR test.

Passengers arriving from all South American countries and South Africa, where new virus strains have emerged, are also likely to be subject to mandatory quarantine.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar's department has written to all 3,200 Brazilians, in both English and Portuguese, who have been issued with an employment permit to work in Ireland to ask them to self-isolate and contact a GP for a test if they have recently travelled from Brazil.

A quarantine centre is likely to be set up in Citywest for arrivals into Dublin, with further centres also needed for arrivals into Cork, Knock and Shannon airports.

A further 77 Covid-19 related deaths were confirmed yesterday and 1,910 more cases. This brings the total number of cases in the country to 186,184 and the total number of coronavirus related deaths to 2,947.
A young nurse with Covid-19 lost his life last week, a long way from the land of his birth.

Solson Saviour was 34 when he died in Wexford General Hospital on Sunday. He lost his battle with this cruel virus more than 8,000 kilometres from his tropical homeland of Kerala in Southern India.

His young wife, Bincy, and three-year-old son, Simeon, remained at their home in Bunclody, Co Wexford, during his funeral. Bincy could not attend because she also has Covid-19.

Solson and Bincy had joined thousands of healthcare workers from Kerala who moved to Ireland to care for hospital patients and nursing home residents.

Solson smiled a lot when he worked. He was remembered in recent days for the warmth of his smile and the quality of his kindness.

His kindness touched the hearts of residents and staff in the three nursing homes where he worked during his six years in Ireland.

The last place he worked was Ros Aoibhinn Nursing Home in Bunclody. He finished working there at the beginning of December. He and his colleagues had helped to keep the nursing home free of Covid and it has remained free of the virus to this day.

Bincy worked as a healthcare assistant at another nursing home in Bunclody, the SignaCare Nursing Home. She tested positive for Covid-19 and is self-isolating.

After Solson was admitted to hospital with Covid-19, his condition deteriorated rapidly and he died.

In these pandemic days, bringing his coffin back to Kerala for burial was not possible, friends told the Sunday Independent. His funeral was held in Dublin on Wednesday, restricted to just 10 people in attendance.

His wife and many friends watched the funeral online. Solson's mother and brother watched the broadcast in the Malappuram district of Kerala.

The mass was concelebrated by three priests who minister to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church members in Ireland and there were prayers and hymns in the Malayalam language.

At the funeral in Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Fatima Church in Rialto, Fr Clement Padathiparambil spoke of Solson's strong faith and his kindness and consideration for his patients.

"He will always be smiling in heaven and always praying for us," he said.

Among the sparse attendance was Alice Thomas, director of nursing at Terenure Nursing Home, where Solson first worked when he came to Ireland, when it was the Harvey Nursing Home.

"We're heartbroken. Solson was very gentle with the patients and he went around with a smiling face. He was very hard-working with loads of initiative," she told this newspaper.

Alice is also a native of tropical Kerala, which has a large Christian community. Covid has prevented travel back there.

Asked about the region, she said: "It's all about monsoon. I don't know if you can understand when we say that rain is beautiful. For us, rain is beautiful. There is a beauty in the rain back home. The monsoon is good."

Healthcare assistant Maria Ticzon recalled working with Solson in Terenure. She said on Friday: "It's heartbreaking. He was a good man. He loved Bincy so much. They were a lovely couple. We could not believe he died. He was so young."

Also at the funeral was Joseph Joseph from Kerala, who lives in Carlow with his wife and three sons. He said the Indian community was very grateful to the people of Co Carlow and Co Wexford for their warmth and support.

Warm tributes to Solson were posted by former employers Gowran Abbey Nursing Home and Ros Aoibhinn Nursing Home.

Family friend Anupriya Anil said: "Solson was really good and so helpful. Everyone liked him."

One of his former colleagues in Terenure, Rebecca Bates, said Solson really enjoyed the Dublin sense of humour and "the craic".

She added: "Solson was a frontline worker who was saving lives and it's devastating that he has lost his own life."
Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II

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We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan

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By Susan Cornwell and Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Officials in President Joe Biden's administration tried to head off Republican concerns that his $1.9 trillion pandemic relief proposal was too expensive on a Sunday call with Republican and Democratic lawmakers, some of whom pushed for a smaller plan targeting vaccine distribution.

Lawmakers from both parties said they had agreed that getting the COVID-19 vaccine to Americans should be a priority, but some Republicans objected to such a hefty package only a month after Congress passed a $900 billion relief measure.

"It seems premature to be considering a package of this size and scope," said Republican Senator Susan Collins, who was on the call with Brian Deese, director of the White House's National Economic Council, and other top Biden aides.

Collins said she agreed additional funding was needed for vaccine distribution, but in a "more limited" bill, and planned to discuss such a measure with other lawmakers.

Senator Dick Durbin, the Senate's No. 2 Democrat, said the call had shown that coronavirus relief was Biden's top priority.

"We can't wait," White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. "Just because Washington has been gridlocked before doesn't mean it needs to continue to be gridlocked."

The White House did not provide a readout of the call, but Jared Bernstein, a member of Biden's Council of Economic Advisers, told CNN afterward that the $900 billion in relief passed in late 2020 would only help for "a month or two."

The COVID-19 pandemic has killed more than 417,000 Americans, thrown millions out of work and is infecting more than 175,000 Americans a day. (Graphic: https://tmsnrt.rs/34pvUyi)

Biden, who took office on Wednesday, campaigned on a promise to take aggressive action on the pandemic, which his predecessor, President Donald Trump, often downplayed.

Story continues

The Trump administration lagged far behind its target of 20 million Americans inoculated by the end of 2020 and left no plan for how to distribute the vaccine to millions of Americans, White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain said on Sunday.

While Congress has already authorized $4 trillion to respond, the White House says the additional $1.9 trillion is needed to cover the costs of responding to the virus and provide enhanced jobless benefits and payments to households.

At least 16 senators and two House members - Democratic Representative Josh Gottheimer and Republican Tom Reed, co-chairmen of the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus - participated in the call.

'NATIONAL EMERGENCY'

"The bottom line is this: We're in a national emergency, and we need to act like we're in a national emergency," Biden said on Friday before signing executive orders on economic relief.

Outlining his package earlier this month, Biden said that while enacting it would not come cheaply, "failure to do so will cost us dearly."

Although Bidens Democratic Party narrowly controls the House of Representatives and Senate, the legislation will likely need bipartisan support to become law.

Besides the price of the package, there is concern about a proposal to send $1,400 stimulus checks to most Americans, even some with fairly high incomes.

"The additional stimulus checks that the president is proposing are not well targeted," Collins said in an emailed statement. She said, for example, that a family of five in her home state of Maine with an income in excess of $300,000, who would receive a partial check, was likely not suffering economic harm.

Republican Senator Mitt Romney said he would listen to the White House, but told "Fox News Sunday" that the $1.9 trillion figure was "shocking" and that borrowing large sums of money to fund the bill was not "the best thing" for the U.S. economy long term.

Senator Angus King, an independent who aligns with Democrats, said senators on the call had sought answers on how much of the $900 billion passed last month had been spent.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer acknowledged remarks from some Republicans had not been positive, but voiced hope they would see the need after Sunday's call.

"But if they don't, there are tools we can use to move forward on our own. And we will," Schumer told reporters in New York. He said those included "reconciliation," which allows major legislation to pass the Senate on a simple majority.

Biden has said he wants to unify a divided country. Trump's tenure drew to a close with his second impeachment by the House after supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 in a deadly bid to overturn his election loss.

The push for coronavirus relief is complicated by Trump's looming Senate impeachment, which not only threatens to deepen divisions between Democrats and Trump's Republicans but could consume time that might be spent finalizing a package.

Senators said they hoped to pass legislation before the trial's start during the week of Feb. 8.

(Reporting by Susan Cornwell, Andrea Shalal, Patricia Zengerle and Doina Chiacu; Writing by Doina Chiacu and Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Lisa Shumaker, Michelle Price and Peter Cooney)

Whale-watchers captured an awe-inspiring footage of a moment when a group of humpback whales played just centimetres away from their boat.

The incident took place on the Gold Coast when a group of humpback whales swam up to the boat.

The pair of the humpbacks were even filmed playing together while swimming underneath the boat  just inches away from the tour group.

DailyMail

Tammie Jaeger and her husband Dave were running a whale watching charter on the Gold Coast when they spotted three humpbacks far away in the distance. After turning off the motor the whales swam right up to the side of the boat while the group watched in awe.

Also Read: Fisherman In Thailand Finds Lump Of Whale Vomit Worth Almost Rs 2 Crore





'Its beautiful when they expose their belly, it means they are comfortable to be near us,' Ms Jaeger told Caters.

Also Read: Whale Washes Up Dead On Italy Shore Months After Nearly 100 Of Them Died In New Zealand





Spotted: A humpback whale in the Hudson River! 



Whale sightings have increased in recent years in NY's waterways. Reasons for the uptick may include an improvement in local water quality, & an abundance of food sources like Atlantic menhaden.



: @AndresJavierNYC, 12/07/2020 pic.twitter.com/EopS1DUp4G  NYC Parks (@NYCParks) December 8, 2020

Last month, New York residents were treated to a rare and delightful sight of a humpback whale hanging out in the Hudson River.

In recent years, more than a dozen humpback whales have been seen in New York waters, according to state data, with some as close to shore as 550 yards (500 meters) from the beach in Rockaway, Queens.



Humpback whales are found in every ocean in the world. Their Latin name, Megaptera novaeangliae, means "big wing of New England." The biggest threats to humpback whales are collisions with ships and entanglement in fishing gear.



Also Read: Kerala Fishermen Release Endangered Whale Shark Caught In Net Back Into The Sea, Win Hearts

A long Twitter thread posted by the official Hawaii Republican Party account, defending QAnon believers as "largely motivated by a sincere and deep love for America," has been met with intense backlash.

The thread, posted on Saturday and deleted the next morning, attempted to paint the baseless conspiracy theory as well-intentioned and blamed the media for "hyperbolic" coverage of a group the FBI has identified as a potential domestic terror threat.

"We should make it abundantly clear - the people who subscribed to the Q fiction, were largely motivated by a sincere and deep love for America," one tweet read. "Patriotism and love of County should never be ridiculed."

There is no need for the media or anyone else to sensationalize the beliefs that are mainstream within the QAnon community. Central to the belief system of many adherents is the idea that a group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles (sometimes referred to as the "Deep State") control the world. Although QAnon embraces many well-established conspiracy theories, thus creating a pick-and-choose assortment for adherents, a fixation on politicians' alleged crimes against children is common.

Experts in child trafficking have repeatedly emphasized that QAnon hurts their real-world efforts to aid victims of sexual exploitation. Calls to hotlines for trafficked or at-risk individuals have skyrocketed in the past few years, leading some organizations to beg people to stop calling in and diverting resources needed for people in actual need.

"People who followed Q don't deserve mockery, the world is a complex place, there are bad actors, injustice, corruption - the processes of justice and the mechanisms our Republic are slow by design, abuses and wrongs are always swifter than correction," the Hawaii GOP account wrote. "People want hope."

"What is the truth? There are highly networked groups of people with specific agendas," it added. "Factions and individuals within Government do abuse power - Peter Strozk, Steele Dossier, James Comey, FISA courts and on."

ALSO READ: Hawaii Proud Boy leader arrested after Capitol siege

QAnon influencers are particularly good at using real issues  sex trafficking, government corruption, corporate monopolies  to convince people of wilder and wilder claims. Conspiracy theorists use factual events (like the actions of sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, for example) as proof a larger conspiracy is at play. Using real events to introduce people to conspiracies is a time-worn tactic; fringe theories become more palatable as people go deeper down the rabbit hole.

Before the Hawaii GOP thread was deleted Sunday morning, the replies were filled with outraged responses.

"There is nothing patriotic about spreading conspiracy theories, trying to overturn the election results, and storming the capitol building," wrote Lincoln Project collaborator David Weissman.

Since deleting the thread, the Hawaii GOP has not issued an apology or clarification and is continuing to tweet as if the thread never happened.

There can be tragic consequences for people whose loved ones believe in Q. Violence and kidnappings linked to believers are on the rise and a number of QAnon adherents were involved in the storming of the U.S. Capitol, including Ashli Babbitt. Babbitt was shot dead by Capitol Police when she attempted to jump through a window into a location where lawmakers were sheltering.
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I know the true Capitol. The sacrilege done to our temple of democracy is unimaginable to me. Much of the history of my life resides there.

My father had an office beside the long National Mall that leads to the Capitol, in a temporary building constructed during World War II. I visited Dad often at work, enthralled by the nearby museums, statues and monuments.

When I was 13, I took the bus from Falls Church, Virginia, each weekend and walked the Malls length to the shining magnificence of the Capitol. Serene, it was the sacred edifice where the collective dream of a more perfect union was made manifest. I could not take my eyes off it. To this day, the view awakens reverence.

I volunteered in the office of Sen. Ralph Yarborough of Texas, who helped fashion Franklin Roosevelts New Deal. I did the little jobs a wide-eyed youngster could do. The payoff was a sense of majesty at being part of the working symbol of our democratic republic and the knowledge that the responsibility we extended to constituents extended outward to a world looking to emulate our unparalleled promise of freedom.

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I observed Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph Abernathy and Hosea Williams, wearing fedoras and overcoats against the winter, on their way to the Capitol to negotiate the Voting Rights Act. Such encounters with greatness left me with the belief that the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice. All things are possible by walking its arc. I was not then or now naive in thinking that our determination to perfect a democratic system magically cured all ills.

After Kings murder, I took part in the Poor Peoples Campaign, camped on a muddy Mall. We looked up toward the Capitol. Freedom of Speech is protected as our essential principle. There is an open invitation to dissent. It is withdrawn only when freedom is trampled on a hellish path of violence, hatred and mad fears.

Later, I attended George Washington University and worked on the sacred ground each afternoon for Sen. Frank Church of Idaho. My Senate Employee card opened doors. Despite the Vietnam War, security was more lax than the armed camp that D.C. became after 911 and even more after the invasion of Trumps deplorables. Tens of thousands of us attended protests beneath the Washington Monument, marched around the White House and left thousands of candles on its fence. My senator led a nonviolent march through Georgetown. To violently seize the Capitol and hunt down representatives to kill was unthinkable.

The aura of history never leaves. I absorbed statues of the greats and monumental historical paintings. Nights I wandered Statuary Hall, corridors between the chambers, the Crypt, the Rotunda where Lincoln, Kennedy, Ginsburg, Lewis and other beloveds lay. I joined people devoted to the task of service to governance in the realms of freedom and scurried from meeting to meeting.

The iconic Sen. Margaret Chase Smith came and went from a nearby office, rapidly propelling her wheelchair down the hall with the same intensity with which she took on Joe McCarthy.

I delivered papers to the senator on the floor of the Senate, attended receptions with the likes of George McGovern, William Fulbright and William O. Douglas, listened to cocktail talk as they confronted the Vietnam War. From the gallery, I watched such greats as the crew of Apollo 11 address Congress.

The Capitol remains the edifice of the people to which my eyes turn for social evolution. May it long inspire we fortunate Americans who have been lifted to a new epoch of human history.

Documentary filmmaker Kell Kearns, whose work includes the two-part Ghandis Awakening and Ghandis Gift, as well as In Remembrance of Martin, lives in Santa Fe.
New Delhi: The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Sunday (January 24, 2021) informed that more than 16 lakh healthcare workers across India have been administered the COVID-19 vaccines.

According to the official figures, 31,466 beneficiaries were vaccinated till 7:30 pm in five states on the 9th day of the world's largest COVID-19 vaccination drive. Till 6:30 PM on Sunday, 693 sessions were held and ten adverse event following immunization (AEFIs) were reported.

"31,466 beneficiaries were vaccinated till 7.30 pm today in these States viz. Haryana (907), Karnataka (2,472), Punjab (1,007), Rajasthan (24,586) and Tamil Nadu (2,494)," said the official statement.

The total number of healthcare workers vaccinated against coronavirus has now increased to 16,13,667 through 28,613 sessions, as per the provisional report.

#LargestVaccineDrive Cumulative number of Vaccinated Healthcare Workers across the country more than 16 lakh. 31,466 beneficiaries vaccinated till 7:30 pm in 5 States on 9th day of vaccination drive.https://t.co/RduAfoTOBz pic.twitter.com/gKaiNwdvXd  Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) January 24, 2021

Notably, India took only 6 days to roll out 1 million vaccine doses and this count is higher for countries like the USA and the UK. The UK took 18 days whereas the USA took 10 days to reach the 1 million mark.

India is also witnessing a declining trend in its daily coronavirus cases. On Sunday morning, India's active cases stood at 1,84,408 and the share of active cases in the total positive cases shrunk to 1.73%.

Five states namely Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal account for 75% of the total coronavirus active cases in the country.

The total number of recovered COVID-19 cases now stands at 10,316,786 and the recovery rate has increased to 96.83%.

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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.
One of the typical requirements of a lead from The Bachelor or The Bachelorette is that they dont spoil the show. And while contestants and leads usually stick by that, there have been exceptions in the past. And this year, Matt James accidentally spoiled his own season of The Bachelor. Find out what he teased for the show before viewers will see it go down on the reality television show.

[Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers about a new contestant on The Bachelor.]

Matt James on The Bachelor | Craig Sjodin via Getty Images

What leads have spoiled before on the show

James shouldnt feel too bad  this is something that has happened before. For instance, in 2015, when Kaitlyn Bristowe was The Bachelorette, she accidentally leaked a Snapchat clip of Shawn Booth, who at the time, was still just a contestant on the show and not her then-fiance.

And recently, Tayshia Adams said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that Zac Clark was future husband material, leading viewers to correctly guess that she would go on to choose him and get engaged to him in the end.

James spoiler didnt show him with anyone after filming had finished, so he can be relieved about that. But he did spoil one aspect of the show that clued viewers in on who to pay attention to on the Jan. 25 episode.

What Matt James spoiled on his Instagram photo

The lead took to Instagram to post a picture of a contestant arriving on the show. The photo James posted shows himself holding hands with another woman in front of the Nemacolin resort in Pennsylvania.

Better late than never, James captioned the picture.

Viewers have yet to see the mystery contestant on the show  who appears engaged in conversation with James in the photo he shared.

However, in the trailer for the Jan. 25 episode that dropped on Jan. 18, the clip announced that there are five new women that arrive to compete for James heart. Obviously, one stood out to James more than others, since he shared a photo of her on his feed.

The teaser for the following episode showed one woman coming out of the limousine and kissing James immediately upon exiting the car. The contestants inside the house watched on as the lead greeted the new arrivals.

People are pissed, one contestant said about the shocking twist. I literally just want to go home, another said, while crying.

The clip also showed James kissing the same woman he posted a photo of on his Instagram account.

Who is the contestant Matt James spoiled?

The contestant that James shared a picture of is Michelle Young, according to Reality Steve spoilers. While there is no bio for her yet on the ABC cast page, the Bachelor Nation wiki website revealed that Young is 27 years old and from Woodbury, Minnesota. And clearly  for James to share a picture of her on his Instagram account  she strikes a connection with the lead and might make it far on the show.

Well have to tune in to see what happens with the five new contestants being thrown into the mix to compete for James heart. But one things for sure  the journey will certainly be entertaining.

RELATED: The Bachelor: Did Sarah Trott Shade Queen Victoria Larson on Instagram?
ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 24th Jan, 2021) Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), hosted by Masdar, concluded on Thursday with a resounding global commitment to deliver a green recovery in 2021.

From January 18th to 21st, ADSW took place in a reimagined virtual setting and attracted more than 100,000 views across its online platforms from 175 countries, reiterating its importance as the annual global sustainability event that sets the agenda for the year.

The week welcomed several commercial announcements relating to the adoption and development of hydrogen in the UAE.

Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and ADQ announced the signing of an MoU to establish the Abu Dhabi Hydrogen Alliance (the Alliance), with the view to establish Abu Dhabi as a trusted leader of low-carbon green and blue hydrogen in emerging international markets.

Building on the Alliance, Masdar announced it would join forces with Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa Group, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Siemens Energy, and Marubeni Corporation, in an initiative designed to support the development of the green hydrogen economy in Abu Dhabi. The initiative aims to establish a demonstrator plant at Masdar City.

Building on the 2020 Abraham Accords, Masdar also signed a strategic agreement with French group EDF Renewables to explore renewable energy opportunities in Israel and support the countrys clean-energy objectives. Israel is targeting 30 percent of its energy coming from renewable sources by 2030, up from a previous target of 17 percent, as it looks to phase out coal use. Achieving the new target will require an additional 15 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity being developed over the period.

Masdar also released during ADSW its 2020 Annual Sustainability Report, which revealed it had more than doubled its clean energy capacity in the last two years, generating enough electricity to power over four million homes.

For over a decade, Abu Dhabi has provided a sustainable platform for the global community that has grown through its initiatives and events to emerge as a thought leader and catalyst that accelerates sustainable development around the world.

ADSW comprised high-level virtual events: ADSW Summit, which took place in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; IRENAs 11th Assembly; Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum; Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum; Youth 4 Sustainability Virtual Forum; and World Future Energy Summit Back to business Webinar Series.

The ADSW speaker programme featured more than 500 global leaders and decision-makers from policy, industry and technology, including: Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Chairman of Masdar; Charles, The Prince of Wales; Prince Albert II of Monaco, Head of State, Principality of Monaco; Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director and Group CEO of Mubadala Investment Company; Alok Sharma MP, COP26 President; Laurence Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock; Bernard Looney, CEO of BP; Brian Moynihan, Chairman of the board and CEO of Bank of America; and Mark Carney, Finance Adviser to the UK Prime Minister for COP 26 and UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance.

ADSW 2021 also featured The Global Innovation Award, which is organised on behalf of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, named Cambrian Innovation from the US the overall winner of Award.
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Philadelphias Stephen Fulton Jr., firmly establishing himself over 12 brutal rounds as the stronger man and the more skilled boxer, defeated Albuquerques Angelo Leo by unanimous decision Saturday night in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Leo lost both the fight and the WBO super bantamweight title hed won in August. The Albuquerque native, tasting defeat for the first time as a professional, is 20-1 with nine knockouts.

In something of a surprise, Fulton (19-0, eight KOs) fought Leos fight  banging away at close quarters  for most of the bout and for the most part had the better of it.

The official scorecards were decisive for Fulton: 118-110, 119-109 and 119-109. Most the rounds themselves were competitive, but Leo did not win a round after the fifth on any of the three official cards.

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Miguel Leo, his sons head trainer, told his son after the 10th and 11th rounds that he needed a knockout to win. But the younger Leo could not deliver.

The fight had been billed as a boxer-vs.-puncher proposition, with Leo cast as the bull and Fulton as the matador. But from the opening bell, Fulton showed both the willingness and the capacity to match Leos aggressiveness inside.

Leo had some good moments early, and appeared to hurt Fulton with a left to the body in the fourth round. But Fulton, the bigger and more muscular fighter, gradually took control  mixing in left jabs thrown from a distance with his work inside.

Probably around like the fifth, sixth round, thats when I saw him start breathing a little heavy, Fulton said afterward.

Of Leo, Fulton said, Hes a tough fighter. Hes a good kid, a good person. I take my hat off to him. He came, showed up, (but) I was the better man.

Saturdays bout was a long time in the making.

Leo and Fulton were to have met for the then-vacant WBO title in August, but Fulton was diagnosed with COVID-19. Leo instead defeated late replacement Tramaine Williams for the title.

Leo was scheduled to defend against Fulton in December, but Leo then was infected with the virus  setting up Saturdays showdown.

In the evenings semimain event, Michigan native Raeese Aleem (18-0, 12 KOs) burnished his resume as a challenger for Fultons newly won title with a victory by 11th-round TKO over Californian Vic Pasillas (16-1, nine KOs).

It's the Channel Nine reality show that's proved to be anything but child's play.

And on Sunday, host Hamish Blake revealed a first look at the upcoming third season of Lego Masters.

Taking to his Instagram Stories, the 38-year-old comedian shared a photograph from behind-the-scenes of the epic show.

First look: On Sunday, Hamish Blake revealed a first look at the new season of Lego Masters, which will air on Channel Nine later in the year

In the image, Hamish is seen standing on set on a floor strewn with what appears to be hundreds of pieces of Lego.

In the far left of the image, a potential spoiler has been censored out

The funnyman captioned the photo: 'Finished filming S3 Lego Masters.'

Lego Masters has proved to be a ratings juggernaut for Channel Nine, and is set to air in the coming months.

Coming soon: Lego Masters has proved to be a ratings juggernaut for Channel Nine, and is set to air in the coming months

This comes after Hamish revealed he separated from wife Zoe and children due to filming commitments in Melbourne.

'My family moved to Sydney after Xmas however Ive had to stay behind in Melbourne for a few weeks to finish shooting LEGO Masters S3 (which is coming up a treat BTW),' Hamish explained in an Instagram post.

Hamish shared a few screen grabs from a FaceTime call with his young daughter, adding that he would 'be home soon'.

'My family moved to Sydney after Xmas': Hamish's wife Zoe, and children - son Sonny, six, and daughter Rudy, three - have remained in their new home in Sydney as Hamish travels for work

'To keep me company for our time apart, my daughter left me her little bunny. Sometimes I talk to her on the phone (pic 1), sometimes Little Bun does (pic 2). Its hard to tell who she misses more,' the funnyman joked.

The TV star and his millionaire beauty guru wife Zoe Foster Blake, 40, relocated from Melbourne to Sydney in December.

The couple and their two young children - son Sonny, six, and daughter Rudy, three - moved into a $9million home in the upmarket suburb of Vaucluse before the New Year.

Body Recovered After ATV Drives Into Ohio River

By West Kentucky Star Staff

CAVE-IN-ROCK, IL - The body of a man was recovered in Illinois Saturday night after an ATV drove into the Ohio River at the Cave-In-Rock ferry ramp.The ferry was loading vehicles on the Kentucky side of the river about 9 p.m. when witnesses saw a side-by-side ATV drive into the water on the Illinois side at a high rate of speed.The ATV was recovered first, then about two hours later rescue divers found the body near the ferry dock. According to WSIL-TV, the identity of the man has not yet been released.Witnesses first believed there may have been two people in the ATV, but it was later confirmed that only one person was in it.The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reported that the ferry shut down during the search, but resumed service on Sunday morning.On their Facebook page, the Hardin County Emergency Management Agency thanked several other agencies from Illinois and Kentucky for their assistance during the search and recovery.
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Dhaka, Jan 24 (UNI) The trial application of corona vaccine in Bangladesh will start from Wednesday, Health Secretary Abdul Mannan told media.

He said this while visiting Shyamoli Kidney Institute in the capital on Saturday. The secretary said the trial of the vaccine would begin with a nurse at Kurmitola General Hospital. Which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Earlier, last Thursday (January 21), India's corona vaccine Covishield arrived in the country in 18 boxes of 2 million doses. The boxes were taken from the airport in two freezer vehicles to the Warehouse of the Department of Health. Later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for gifting the 2 million doses of coronavirus vaccine. He also said that all preparations have been made for the vaccination program.

According to the government, six million people will receive the corona vaccine in February, which will be given simultaneously in government hospitals all over the country. There will be no centre outside the government hospital considering the side effects. One has to apply for the vaccine through the app. The ICT department will hand over the app called 'Suraksha' to the health department on January 25.

60 million people under the age of 18, including 36 per cent of the country's population, will be out of the vaccine. Then on January 25, another five million doses are expected to come through Beximco.

UNI XC MAZ RHK1432
South Africa: President Ramaphosa mourns passing of jazz icon, Jonas Gwangwa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the passing of award winning jazz musician, Jonas Gwangwa, on Saturday.

Aged 83, the esteemed Member of the Order of Ikhamanga was a globally recognised and awarded composer, arranger, producer and jazz trombonist.

In a statement, President Ramaphosa said his thoughts and prayers are with Gwangwas family, friends, colleagues, comrades and followers around South Africa, the continent and the world.

A giant of our revolutionary cultural movement and our democratic creative industries has been called to rest; the trombone that boomed with boldness and bravery, and equally warmed our hearts with mellow melody has lost its life force.

Jonas Gwanga ascends to our great orchestra of musical ancestors, whose creative genius and dedication to the freedom of all South Africans inspired millions in our country and mobilised the international community against the apartheid system. As we mourn the loss of many precious lives around us, we pray also that the soul of Jonas Gwangwa will rest in peace, President Ramaphosa said.

The citation for Gwangwas National Order, which he received in 2010, recalls how this South African paragon enthralled audiences around the world with his artistry as a composer and all-around creative genius.

For over 30 years, he travelled the world as an exile, collecting accolades wherever he went.

Ntate Gwangwa narrowly escaped death in 1985, when his home was blown up by the apartheid security forces.

A product of the turbulent but musically significant 1950s, he emerged from the humble environs of Orlando East in Soweto.

He delighted audiences in Sophiatown until it became illegal for black people to congregate and South African musicians were jailed merely for practising their craft.

In spite of the restrictions, he established and played with virtually every important band of the era, and icons such as Kippie Moeketsi, Abdullah Ibrahim, Johnny Gertze and Makhaya Ntshoko.

Jonas Gwangwa has also been a compatriot of famous musicians, including Ahmad Jamal, Herb Alpert, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba and Caiphus Semenya.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-01-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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Police have warned anyone planning to stage a protest during the court hearing for those accused of pulling down the statue of Edward Colston last summer that they will be breaking the law.

Rhian Graham, 29, Milo Ponsford, 25, Jake Skuse, 32, and Sage Willoughby, 21, all of no fixed abode, will appear before Bristol Magistrates' Court for their first hearing on Monday.

The bronze memorial to the 17th century slave merchant was pulled down during a Black Lives Matter protest on June 7 last year before being dumped in Bristol Harbour.

Police have warned anyone planning to stage a protest during the court hearing for those accused of pulling down the statue of Edward Colston last summer that they will be breaking the law. People are seen above during the incident

Avon and Somerset Police fear anti-racism protesters will gather outside the court in breach of lockdown rules banning public gatherings of more than two people.

Although there are certain exemptions to the rule, protests are not allowed.

An alternative online protest has been set up but the force said it was concerned some people might still choose to show up outside the court.

Currently, anyone organising a gathering of more than 30 people could face a fine of up to 10,000, while participants can be handed a fixed penalty notice of up to 200.

Inspector Rob Cheeseman said: 'We fully recognise the important right to freedom of expression and right to assemble but there is a deadly virus which has killed more than 90,000 people in the UK which simply cannot be ignored.'

The bronze memorial to the 17th century slave merchant was pulled down during a Black Lives Matter protest on June 7 last year before being dumped in Bristol Harbour

He added: 'There is no excuse for not knowing the rules as they are very clear and have been very well publicised - people must stay home except for in a very limited set of circumstances.

'Unlike during the first lockdown protests aren't currently allowed and anyone thinking of flouting the rules and attending a protest is putting others at risk.'

Mr Cheeseman said Avon and Somerset Police have a 'comprehensive' policing plan prepared should people choose to gather.

'We will not stand by and allow a small minority to endanger the health of the vast majority who have sacrificed so much to protect others,' he said.

Dutch police arrested Tse Chi Lop, who is allegedly the head of a drug syndicate that commands an estimated $17 billion in illegal drug profits across Asia each year. The Chinese-born Canadian national was arrested by the authorities in Amsterdam after Australian Federal Police (AFP) issued an INTERPOL Red Diffusion, a less formal request than a notice. The 57-year-old man was arrested by the Central Unit of the National Police of the Netherlands on Friday, January 22.

Read: Lawyer Blames Mexican Cartel In Nevada Drug, Cockfight Case

The Australian federal police had issued an arrest warrant for Chi Lop in 2019 in connection with AFP-led 'Operation Volante', which dismantled a global crime syndicate operating in five countries. Australia had been suffering at the hands of the syndicate for the past several years that included distributing illegal narcotics and laundering the profits overseas. The Australian federal police had launched Operation Volante in 2013, which had resulted in the arrest of 27 people for importing and trafficking substantial quantities of heroin and methamphetamine into the country.

Read: Mumbai Drug Racket: NCB Raids 4 Places In Dongri, Nabs 1

'Pablo Escobar of Asia'

The arrest of Chi Lop, who has been compared with drug lords Pablo Escobar and El Chapo, is part of the operation that was launched by the Australian police several years ago. According to a press release issued by the Australian Federal Police, the authorities in the country are working with the Attorney-Generals Department to prepare a formal extradition request for Chi Lop. According to reports, Chi Lop was arrested by Dutch authorities before he was about to board a flight to Canada. The Australian Federal Police had been tracking Chi Lop for years before he was finally arrested on Friday. Chi Lop is believed to have lived in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan before moving to the Netherlands, where he was arrested. Chi Lop has previously served a nine-year prison term in the United States in the 1990s.

Read: NCB Arrests Drug Kingpin Chinku Pathan, Relative Of Gangster Karim Lala In Navi Mumbai

Read: Drug Dealer Convicted In 7 Killings Could Face Execution

(Image Credit: AP/Representative)
Close contact testing will resume when figures are below 2,000 for a number of days, according to the HSE. Stock Image

A further 23 Covid-19 related deaths and 1,378 more cases were confirmed by the Department of health today.

This brings the total number of coronavirus related fatalities in the state to 2,970 and the total number of cases to 187,554.

All 23 of the deaths reported today occurred in January.

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The median age of those who died is 84 years and the age range is 61-99 years.

As of 2pm today, 1,931 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 218 are in ICU. There has been 44 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

Of the cases reported today, 379 are in Dublin, 145 in Cork, 86 in Wexford, 85 in Galway, 71 in Limerick, and the remaining 612 cases are spread across all other counties.

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer said: that this is a critical time for the public to hold firm to the public health advice.

"We must not let down our guard against this highly infectious disease and the risk it poses to ourselves and those most medically vulnerable to infection, he said.

There is a huge volume of disease in the country and the recent surge in cases continues to place an unprecedented strain on ICUs, hospitals and other frontline healthcare services. The answer lies in driving down social contacts and congregation in all settings, including in workplaces.

Everyone who can, should work from home where possible. For those of us who cannot work from home, it is essential to follow the public health advice in the workplace, such as the wearing of face coverings when moving around communal areas.

We urge all employers to facilitate home working as much as possible and to ensure strict adherence to public health measures in the workplace.

HSE CEO Paul Reid said earlier today that he is very anxious for close contact tracing to return but that cases would need to be below 2,000 for a number of days.

Mr Reid also said that knockbacks from vaccine suppliers are going to feature in the remaining fight against Covid-19.

Yesterday, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the news that AstraZeneca told the EU it will be receiving a reduced number of vaccines for February and March is a real setback.

Before this, Minister Donnelly said any adult who wants the vaccination in Ireland should have it by September of this year.

Mr Reid said any announcement on when everyone will have received the vaccine by needs to be qualified based on delivery and getting guarantees on scheduled delivery.

Speaking on RTE Radio Ones This Week about AstraZeneca supplying less vaccines than expected, he said: Personally I think this is going to be a feature of the supply issue with the various suppliers that we get knockbacks and setbacks.

However, he said despite this news he has been reassured that a scheduled delivery from AstraZeneca will arrive in February and the commencement of administering the vaccine for over 70s will begin in the middle of the month.

The HSE boss added: We are not quite sure of the impacts beyond that in terms of how long it will take us to complete that.

He said similarly when supply was cut from Pfizer it triggered very significant concerns across the EU and the government, and that a very strong conversation is expected to happen this week to assess the impacts.

He added: There's a range of other suppliers that we want to see coming on following approval from the EMA and that will give us greater contingency planning, but right now where we just have the pfizer supply, hopefully, the Moderna one and now and hopefully the AstraZeneca.

But, there is that level of unpredictability right now, all across Europe in particular.

Madrid: Spains top general has resigned after allegations he received the COVID-19 vaccine ahead of priority groups, one of a number of public officials who have sparked public anger because of reports they have jumped the vaccination queue.

Defence Minister Margarita Robles had asked General Miguel Angel Villaroya, chief of defence staff, for explanations after media reports on Friday that he had received the vaccination.

Healthcare workers in Madrid, where the spread of COVID-19 has been severe. Credit:AP

In a statement on his resignation, the defence ministry indicated but did not explicitly state that Villaroya had had the vaccination. The general never intended to take advantage of unjustifiable privileges which damaged the image of the Armed Forces and put in doubt the honour of the general, it said on Saturday (Spain time).
Pettifleur Berenger left her fans disappointed when she was sent home from the jungle on Sunday night's episode of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

And in an exit interview with the Herald Sun, the 56-year-old took the opportunity to slam co-star Ash Williams for damaging her reputation.

The former Real Housewife of Melbourne star claimed the comedian misconstrued a conversation they had about whether she would have a chance with him, if he was interested, creating a fake love triangle with Abbie Chatfield.

She's not a fan: I'm a Celebrity's Pettifleur Berenger (pictured), 56, SLAMMED Ash Williams for 'faking a love triangle with Abbie Chatfield' just for airtime, in an exit interview with the Herald Sun

'I didn't know he talked from two sides of his mouth,' Pettifleur began.

'We were friends and my question that looked really cringing was: "You said you like me and I'm the person you're interested in, and not Abbie. So if I gave you the green light, what would you do?"

'And he says: "Maybe I'd go for it". Then he goes to Grant Denyer and tells what I said and he should have told me no.'

Faking it? The former Real Housewife of Melbourne star claimed Ash, 38, misconstrued a conversation they had about whether she would have a chance with him, if he was interested, creating a fake love triangle with Abbie

Not impressed: Pettifleur went on to claim that her reputation was ruined as she came across as an 'old bag' that's keen to pursue him

Pettifleur went on to claim that her reputation was ruined as she came across as an 'old bag' that's keen to pursue him.

The property developer and author also claimed that Ash, 38, simply showed an interest in Abbie, 26, in order to get more airtime.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Ash for comment.

During an episode of I'm a Celebrity earlier this month, Pettifleur confessed that she could take Ash away from Abbie if she gave him the 'green light'.

Previous scenes: During an episode of I'm a Celebrity earlier this month, Pettifleur confessed that she could take Ash away from Abbie if she gave him the 'green light'

After looking at Abbie and Ash cuddling in camp, she said: 'Abbie is very keen and Ash is going with the flow. You can't blame the guy, right?'

Pettifleur then spoke with co-star Grant Denyer in a private conversation about her affections for the muscled comedy king.

'[Abbie's] scared that he's going to slip away, so she's hanging tight, I reckon,' Pettifleur said. 'And if I give Ash the green light, she's going to lose him.'

Watch out: '[Abbie's] scared that he's going to slip away, so she's hanging tight, I reckon,' said Pettifleur. 'And if I give Ash the green light, she's going to lose him.' Pictured: Abbie and Ash

Grant got Pettifleur to explain what the 'green light' was for, with her saying: 'Oh, to have a bit of a kiss and a cuddle.'

Pettifleur said Ash has made her feel 'a lot softer' since coming into the camp with her admitting she has had her barriers up.

'I've been barricading myself in this big iron cage,' said Pettifleur, before Grant suggested maybe she should look for an unattached campmate.

Eyes for her: 'He's ticking all the boxes for me at the moment. He's really started chipping away at me,' said Pettifleur. Pictured with co-star Grant Denyer

'He's ticking all the boxes for me at the moment. He's really started chipping away at me,' said Pettifleur.

She then lamented her frustration with Abbie: 'You can't even get, like, frickin' two seconds,' she added. 'Like, that would be gone if I really wanted to.'

Ash later spoke with Grant and Alli Simpson saying 'he was in trouble' with the women fighting over his affections.

Watch your back, Abbie! Pettifleur then lamented her frustrations. 'You can't even get, like, frickin' two seconds,' she added. 'Like, that would be gone if I really wanted to'

'So, she's legit huh,' Ash said, talking about Pettifleur.

'I'm going to have to actually talk to Paulini and get her to simmer the whole thing,' he said, of the women fighting for his affections.

I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! continues Monday at 7.30pm on Ten
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Pubs and restaurants could stay closed until July after Government chiefs chose to extend the Covid lockdown powers given to councils.

The specially-created powers, which give local authorities in England the ability to close venues and tape-off public areas due to coronavirus, were due to expire next week.

But in a blow to millions of Britons hoping for a summer of reduced restrictions, Government chiefs have now extended the laws until mid-July, reports the Daily Telegraph.

The move does not mean lockdown has been extended. But it does mean the powers are in place should the Government decide to push back its current lockdown timetable.

Boris Johnson set a mid-February target for lifting restrictions when announcing the third-national lockdown earlier this month.

But the Prime Minister appeared to pour cold water on hopes of a mid-February easing of lockdown earlier this week by saying it was 'too early to say' when restrictions could be lifted.

Meanwhile, Downing Street refused to rule out the possibility of the current lockdown stretching beyond the spring and into summer.

The remarks came after frustrated Tory backbenchers called on the Government to release its road-map out of lockdown - as the UK's vaccine roll-out total hit more than six-million.

In other Covid-19 related news today:

The UK reported a further 30,004 Covid cases, down almost a quarter on last Sunday, and 610 more deaths today;

It was another record day for vaccinations with 491,970 first doses and 1,043 second doses;

Mr Hancock revealed that as of this morning three quarters of the over-80s have been vaccinated;

The UK has detected 77 cases of the South African variant of Covid and nine cases of one of the Brazilian variants;

Nicola Sturgeon faces fury for ramping up her independence drive during the pandemic as she threatened to hold a referendum without Boris Johnson's agreement - and SNP MPs said they are 'focused on undermining the union';

Nursing leaders have called for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of coronavirus.

The specially-created powers, which give local authorities in England the ability to close venues such as pubs (pictured: Library image) and tape off public areas, were due to expire next week.

The move does not mean lockdown has been extended, but means the powers are in place should the Government decide to push back its current timetable. Pictured: A set of taped-off benches outside a pub in London

Boris Johnson (pictured) had previously said he was hopeful that lockdown rules in England would last until mid-February when announcing the third-national lockdown earlier this month

The latest development has caused further frustration among Tory MPs in the 70-strong Coronavirus Recovery Group (CRG) - which argues lockdown measures should only be used where absolutely necessary.

What are the council Covid powers and why have they been extended? The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No.3) Regulations 2020 were created in July last year. The purpose of the law is essentially to delegate powers to local authorities across England so they can enforce Covid rules. Among the powers include allowing council officials to close hospitality venues, including pubs and restaurants, as well as gyms and outdoor spaces. The law can also be used to prohibit events. The law also includes the power for local authority officials to fine those who do not comply. The powers were due to expire next week, but have now reportedly been extended until July. Though this does not mean lockdown has been extended, the Government now has the powers in place should it decide to lengthen the lockdown. Advertisement

Tory MP Mark Harper, who leads the group, told the Telegraph: 'The extension of councils' Covid powers until July will be of great concern to those worried about their jobs and businesses.

'Once the top four risk groups have been vaccinated and fully protected by March 8, assuming the Government hits the February 15 deadline, the Government must start easing the restrictions.

'Vaccinations will of course bring immunity from Covid, but they must bring immunity from lockdowns and restrictions too.'

Earlier this week Mr Harper had called on the Government to begin lifting the lockdown no later than the start of March.

He also called for the publication of a timetable to prevent further slippage.

Mr Harper said: 'People must see light at the end of the tunnel and feel hope for the future and businesses need to be able to plan our recovery.'

Government scientists earlier this week urged ministers to delay the reopening of pubs and restaurants until at least May to prevent another wave of the virus. Whitehall sources suggested schools could remain shut to most pupils until after Easter.

Ministers met earlier this week to discuss draconian travel curbs aimed at keeping out mutant Covid strains but which could also wreck the summer holiday plans of millions of families.

Priti Patel on Friday said it was 'far too early to speculate' about whether foreign holidays would be possible this summer.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the UK Hospitality trade body, said many pubs and restaurants would 'struggle to survive' if they were forced to keep their doors closed until May.

She added: 'If we are forced to wait for a longer period then unfortunately there will be very little left of the hospitality sector  and the 3.2million people who work in it  to reopen at that point in May.'

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the UK Hospitality trade body, said many pubs and restaurants would 'struggle to survive' if they were forced to keep their doors closed until May. Pictured: A man walks past a closed pub in east London

Blinds cover the windows of a pub, temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, near Anfield stadium, in Liverpool, on January 17, 2021

Boris Johnson is set to give go-ahead for Australia-style quarantine with all UK arrivals paying to isolate at hotels, sources say British holidaymakers returning home won't escape an order to quarantine in airport hotels  signalling the death knell for summer getaways. Ministers are finalising plans to force travellers to isolate for ten days as soon as they enter Britain, with details to be decided tomorrow. Boris Johnson had wanted to exempt British residents and only target those arriving from places where new strains of the virus have been detected. But Cabinet sources last night said they expect the Prime Minister to sign off on a comprehensive proposal  modelled on Australia  that will see all arrivals sent to airport hotels, regardless of their nationality and where they have come from. It means people who live in Britain will face having to pay extra, on top of the cost of their trip, to spend their quarantine period in a hotel patrolled by security guards. Any new restrictions would be a further blow to the beleaguered travel industry - and could spark chaos at airports already battling through new arrivals checks. Queues of people were seen waiting to clear passport control on Friday and Saturday while Border Force agents checked each person's locator form and negative PCR test. Blasting the hotel quarantine move, Paul Charles, chief executive of travel company The PC Agency, told the Mail: 'This is destroying confidence among holidaymakers. 'People are not booking summer holidays because they don't believe there is an end game which will see these blanket measures removed. 'This is a sure-fire way of destroying Britain's aviation and travel industries.' It came as Matt Hancock ramped up the Cabinet war over border restrictions last night as he suggested a blanket ban on all arrivals may still be needed. The Health Secretary warned it is 'absolutely critical' Britain is protected from new mutant strains of the virus that might not respond to the vaccine. Advertisement

In recent weeks, the Prime Minister has repeatedly spoken of a return to normality this spring.

Last month he said: 'We're no longer resting on the mere hope that we can return to normal next year in the spring but rather the sure and certain knowledge that we will succeed.'

But asked directly whether the country was 'looking at summer rather than spring' for an easing of lockdown earlier this week, he replied: 'I think it's too early to say when we'll be able to lift some of some of the restrictions.'

The PM said the new variant of the disease 'does spread very fast indeed', adding: 'It unquestionably will be a very tough few weeks ahead.'

No10 also refused to rule out an extended lockdown when asked to clarify Mr Johnson's remarks.

Asked directly whether he could rule out the lockdown lasting into the summer, the PM's official spokesman said: 'We will continue to keep all of the scientific evidence and data under review.

'It remains our position that we want to ease restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so, but in order for us to do that we need to see the transmission rates of the virus come down and we need to see the pressure on the NHS reduce.'

A Government source insisted that the PM's comments did not amount to a change in the timetable for easing the lockdown.

'People should not read too much into this,' the source said. 'The PM wants to reopen as quickly as we safely can, but cases are very high and only coming down slowly  there has to be a degree of caution.'

Today it was revealed Britain's daily Covid deaths have dropped week-on-week for the first this month after 610 fatalities were recorded today.

Today's death toll dropped 9 per cent from the 671 recorded this time last week. It is the first time the numbers have dropped week-on-week since December 27, when the 316 recorded deaths was 3 per cent lower than the 326 fatalities one week prior.

England's third lockdown came into force on January 5. The measures were introduced in a bid to combat the UK's rapidly-spreading Covid-19 variant.

In a sign that the third round of draconian restrictions are working, today's case figures have also decreased, with Sunday's 30,004 positive tests down 22 per cent on last week's 38,598.

But, as Britain's Covid deaths stay above the 500 mark for the seventh day in a row, the country will soon hit 100,000 total fatalities since the pandemic began.

It will make the UK the fifth country in the world to pass the grim milestone, after the United States, Brazil, India and Mexico.

Meanwhile, this week's seven-day average of 1,248 deaths is the highest Monday to Sunday figure recorded since the pandemic began.

Last week's was the previous highest, standing at 1,119.

Saturday alone saw 491,970 people get their first dose and 1,043 get their second, the highest daily figures recorded so far

MELTDOWN IN THE HIGH STREET The embattled high street will shed 200,000 jobs in 2021 as shops close at a rate of 380 every week, experts warned yesterday. The Centre for Retail Research said retail will endure its worst year in a quarter of a century as tax breaks and Government support are withdrawn and the impact of the lockdown bites. The dire warning would mean that the next 12 months are even worse than 2020, which saw 16,130 shops close, or 310 every week. The retail industry employs around three million people. Shops are fighting to protect themselves from a mountain of rent and business rates costs, even as high streets remain shut. With scientists warning yesterday that much of the high street may have to wait until May before it can reopen, industry groups fear this would decimate the retail and hospitality sector. They had hoped shops would reopen sooner given the Government plans to vaccinate the most vulnerable groups by the middle of next month. Footfall is not expected to recover on high streets for up to two years. Professor Joshua Bamfield, head of the CRR, said: 'All sorts of damage was done last year which carries over to this year. You could argue 200,000 job losses is an underestimate.' Advertisement

The R number, which estimates the growth rate of the pandemic, currently sits at between 0.8 and 1 - suggesting the virus may be on the decline as lockdown begins to take effect.

The latest reporting period also included another record day for vaccinations, with a further 491,970 people have their first dose.

Along with Saturday's data this means 6,353,321 have had at least their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine - a rise of almost half a million on yesterday's figure.

With death figures dropping and vaccination numbers on the rise, former Tory chief whip Mr Harper said the public now needed a timetable for easing the lockdown.

Mr Harper said achieving the Government's target to vaccinate the 15million most vulnerable by February 15 should clear the way for restrictions to be lifted three weeks later when the vaccines had taken effect.

'Covid causes serious harm and it's vital we control it effectively,' he said. 'But this cycle of lockdowns and restrictions cause immense damage too  to people's health, livelihoods and businesses.

'Once the top four risk groups have been vaccinated and fully protected... the Government must start easing the restrictions.' But Government scientists and health chiefs warned it was much too soon to even contemplate easing restrictions.

Dr Vin Diwakar, medical director for the NHS in London said the pandemic was 'the biggest health emergency to face this country since the Second World War'.

Rounding on those still flouting the lockdown rules, he told a Downing Street press briefing on Friday: 'For me and my colleagues in the NHS breaking the rules.... is like switching on a light in the middle of the blackout in the Blitz.'

And Dr Marc Baguelin, of Imperial College London, who sits on a sub-group of the Government's Sage committee, said the early opening of the hospitality sector would lead to a rise in Covid cases.

He told BBC Radio Four's World at One programme: 'Something of this scale, if it was to happen earlier than May, would generate a bump in transmission, which is already really bad.'

No Glasto in June for the second year

By Emma Powell for The Daily Mail

Glastonbury Festival has been cancelled for the second year running thanks to the pandemic.

The organisers say they 'moved heaven and earth' trying to make it happen but continuing uncertainty means Britain's biggest musical jamboree  attended by 200,000 fans in 2019  cannot go ahead.

It was due to celebrate its 50th anniversary last year but had to be called off days before the first lockdown in March.

Now organisers Michael and Emily Eavis say the 2021 event cannot go ahead. Sir Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift and rapper Kendrick Lamar were scheduled to headline the Pyramid stage and Diana Ross was the Sunday afternoon 'legend'.

People in the festival crowd enjoy watching Dizzee Rascal on the Pyramid stage during day two of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm on June 25, 2010 in Glastonbury, England

Primal Scream, Dua Lipa, Manic Street Preachers and Lana Del Ray were also on the bill.

The father and daughter Eavis team said yesterday: 'With great regret, we must announce that this year's Glastonbury Festival will not take place and that this will be another enforced fallow year for us.

'In spite of our efforts to move heaven and earth, it has become clear that we simply will not be able to make the festival happen.'

They said those who secured tickets with 50 deposits in 2019 will be able to roll this over to the next event in June 2022.

Disappointed fans due to descend on Worthy Farm, Somerset, from June 23-28 said the move was understandable, but Tory MP Julian Knight, chairman of the Commons culture committee, called it a 'devastating' blow and criticised the government's failure to set up an insurance scheme to save major events.

Tom Watson, head of UK Music, said such a backup scheme 'wouldn't have cost too much' and if Britain's vaccine rollout proved a success Glastonbury would have provided an ideal celebration.

Eurostar passengers down 94% of passengers

Eurostar passenger numbers plummeted 94 per cent at the end of 2020, it emerged yesterday, sparking fresh calls for a joint UK-French support package.

Officials from both sides continued talks yesterday in a bid to strike a deal amid fears the Channel Tunnel firm is facing bankruptcy.

Yesterday's figures reveal that, over the course of 2020, passenger numbers were down 77 per cent, dropping from just over 11 million in 2019 to 2.5 million.

Workers clean the platform area as a Eurostar train bound for Paris prepares to leave St Pancras International train station in London on January 18, 2021

The fall reached 94 per cent in the final quarter when passenger numbers were 170,010, compared with 2,624,943 in 2019.

One rescue option being discussed would involve the Bank of England providing funds from its Covid loan facility.

Industry projections suggest Eurostar, which is majority-owned by the French government, could go bust by April, although company insiders say reserves could stretch until summer. The UK Government sold its 40 per cent stake in Eurostar in 2015.

Cafes and bars could see 3.2m jobs axed

By Claire Ellicott and Sami Quadri for The Daily Mail

Hospitality chiefs issued a dire warning about the future of many businesses last night after doctors advised that the reopening of pubs and restaurants should be pushed back to May.

Industry leaders said that just one in five restaurants, pubs and bars had enough cash to get through beyond March.

It came after Sage scientists who advise the Government warned that the sector would have to stay closed until at least May to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, told Radio 4's The World At One that if the reopening of the sector was delayed until May, 3.2million could lose their jobs.

Diners in Old Compton Street, Soho, London, in August 2020

'Just one in five hospitality businesses are confident that they will have enough cash to get through beyond March,' she said. 'There is no way that businesses will be able to survive until May with no revenues coming in for seven months.

'It's a cash burn of half a billion pounds to keep the sector closed each and every month. If we are forced to wait for a longer period then unfortunately there will be little left of the hospitality sector and the 3.2million people who work in it to reopen at that point in May.'

She said she hoped that with the vaccination programme under way, there would be a 'pathway' to the lifting of restrictions.

'Otherwise I think you've got a danger that you have an impact on peoples' mental health and well-being and also their economic health and well-being,' she said.

A man wearing a face mask as a precautionary measure against COVID-19, walks past a closed pub in the City of London, on January 15, 2021

If the sector is closed until May, she warned, there would need to be a 'significant additional injection of cash support from the Government because the support at the moment is just not sufficient to sustain and maintain businesses and jobs'.

Doctors warned restaurants would not be able to open until May because it would push up the R rate.

Dr Marc Baguelin of Imperial College London, who sits on the Sage committee, said: 'We looked at partial reopening and the increase of the R number and found that it will generate an increase, the extent of which we don't really know.

'And if this was to happen earlier than May, it will generate a bump which is really bad ... at best you will carry on having a very unsustainable level of pressure on the NHS.'

School's out until Easter?

By Jason Groves for The Daily Mail

Schools could remain shut until after the Easter holidays unless virus cases fall dramatically in the coming weeks, it was feared last night.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson yesterday said he still hoped schools might be able to return after the February half-term.

But with Covid cases still at high levels, Downing Street refused to be drawn on the likely restart for millions of children stuck trying to learn from home.

And a government source acknowledged it was becoming 'increasingly difficult' to see how schools could be reopened next month, given the state of the pandemic.

During a round of media interviews yesterday, Mr Williamson insisted there would be no repeat of the shambolic episode at the start of this month when schools were ordered to close just one day after returning from the Christmas break.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson yesterday said he still hoped schools might be able to return after the February half-term (stock photo)

He said schools would get at least two weeks' notice of any order to reopen  suggesting that ministers will have to decide by February 8 whether classrooms will reopen for the start of the second half of the spring term on February 22.

Although Boris Johnson has prioritised the early reopening of schools, government scientists have warned that a return to the classroom could trigger another sharp spike.

'We have to be realistic about the situation we are in and the impact reopening schools might have,' a source told the Mail.

Dr Mary Bousted, of the National Education Union, said: 'After the chaos and confusion that government incompetence over school opening and closure has created, it is good we now have an assurance from Gavin Williamson that school staff will be given two weeks' notice before reopening.

'The last thing that parents and children need now is a stop-start approach. We all want schools to be open, but they must be opened when it is safe to do so, and when the conditions are right to keep schools open sustainably.'

Any delays will pile pressure on Mr Williamson to ensure high quality education is available to all those children forced to stay at home.

He said a further 1.3 million laptops, tablets and routers would be distributed to those in need in the coming weeks to widen access to online learning, providing the 'ultimate safety net' for disadvantaged pupils.

He added that he had 'made it clear to schools' what was the 'absolute minimum' they were expected to provide.

Mr Williamson said he wanted to get pupils back in the classroom at the 'earliest possible opportunity', adding: 'I would certainly hope that that would be before Easter.'

Downing Street confirmed that Mr Johnson wanted schools to reopen as quickly as possible but refused to be drawn on when that would be.

'If we can open them up before Easter we obviously will do but that is determined by the latest scientific evidence and data,' the Prime Minister's official spokesman said.
According to his cousin and close friend Diana Watson, the mind of artist Francis Bacon "seldom moved from the facts of love, death, massacre and madness".

Now, decades on from Bacon's death in 1992, Pulitzer-prize winning critics Mark Stevens and Annalyn Swan not only explore Bacon's preoccupation with those powerful themes in their authoritative and fascinating biography, but offer us a chronological and in-depth account of his background, life and times.

Like all great biographies, the figure centre stage is seen in the context of the zeitgeist. In this instance, family wealth, social mores, politics and sexuality colour, inform and determine Bacon's Irish upbringing, his time in Berlin, Paris and London and how he, with little or no formal education or training, turned from designer to artist.

In his later years, Bacon had the distinction of being recognised as one the most important painters of the 20th century, famed for his crucifixions, his pope paintings, his men in suits, his many portraits and self portraits, his shocking colour palette and his fleshy figures and the despair and hopelessness with which he imbued his work. His pictures could never be called pretty and many celebrate what Bacon himself called "the beauty of blood".

He was given important retrospectives in London, Paris and New York and offered numerous honours (all of which he turned down). Many of the top artists and writers of his day admired and respected him and he counted several of them among his close friends, including painters Graham Sutherland and Lucian Freud. Given his background and the way he lived his life, it's almost incredible that he succeeded to such an extent.

Born in Ireland in 1909, he was one of five children of an English military family, who socialised with the Anglo Irish. He was a sickly child, an asthmatic who had virtually no schooling - a tutor for a while when he was 13; a year in a London school when he was 16 - and no formal training in art.

In his early career he seemed to paint very little, and throughout his career, he destroyed much of his work. He partied endlessly, he drank like a fish, he was a messy drunk, he gambled every cent he had, he had innumerable chaotic, even violent relationships, with unsuitable men, including petty criminals who robbed him. He moved around constantly, different homes in London, moving to Paris, the south of France, Tangier, never settling in one place, never seeming to settle into his art. He was constantly seeking and searching for the right subject, never seeming satisfied that he had found it, never even seeming to know when a painting was finished.

Yet throughout his life, from the time he moved abroad from his family home in Kildare, he impressed and dazzled people - people who were able to launch him, help him, and who continued to do so, despite endlessly letting them down on deadlines for work to be delivered, on exhibitions to be held, on debts owed.

The bare facts of his career are as follows - he went to London when he was 16 and shortly after that to France where his self education really began. He learned French, he devoured the classics, he visited art galleries. He had some jobs but having seen the work of Eileen Gray in Paris, back in London at the age of 19, he initially launched himself as a furniture designer, and thanks to positive reviews of his designs, he was immediately lionised.

Then he switched to painting and was soon immersed in that. He admired Picasso who influenced his early work. He also admired the work of Van Gogh, Velazquez and Rembrandt, but was dismissive of most other painters particularly British and American artists. Other huge influences were movies like Metropolis and Battleship Potemkin and the literary works of the Greek tragedian Aeschylus and Nietzsche.

From the beginning, possibly because he had experienced a lot of death in his young life (his two brothers died, the first when Bacon was only 18), he always insisted on great and difficult themes - and he told his cousin Diana that "a thing has to arrive at deformity", before he could find it beautiful.

He himself was a beautiful-looking young man and in his early career he had a succession of wealthy older men always willing to help and subsidise him.

Women were also beguiled by Bacon. When he first arrived in France, he met young housewife Yvonne Bocquentin at an exhibition and went to live with her family, which enabled him to learn French and start his lifelong love affair with the country. Many of his champions were women gallerists who gave him money to live - he'd promise paintings that often didn't materialise but they never seemed to hold it against him.

Later in life, when he was the older man, he had younger lovers and tragically two of them died in spectacularly high-profile circumstances; the love of his life, Peter Lacy (who was 36 to Bacon's 42 when they met in the early 1950s) died on the eve of his first major retrospective at the Tate in May 1962. They had by then split up and Lacy, who was living in Tangier, was drinking three bottles of whiskey a day.

Then George Dyer, who he met a year later, took his own life on the eve of his next big retrospective in Le Grand Palais in Paris in 1972.

He was actually found on the toilet. The official state opening was scheduled for that date and it was decided to withhold news of his death until after the grand opening. Ironically, one of the triptychs in the show depicted George slumped over the loo - a work that President Pompidou purchased for the state.

Not long after the funeral, Bacon gave George's family a flat in London. When sold, the proceeds kept his parents until they themselves died.

He obviously had an extraordinary streak of kindness - few young men about town would take a childhood nanny on board but Bacon did; Nanny Lightfoot came to live with him when he moved to London and was with him until her death in her 80s. She even went to live with him when he moved briefly to the south of France where he was obsessed by the casino at Monte Carlo.

He was good to his mother and siblings and extended family and rarely forgot those who did a kindness in his younger days - he stayed in touch with Yvonne Bocquentin throughout his life.

He could also be extraordinarily cruel - in 1977 when he viewed the paintings in an exhibition by one of his most loyal friends, Denis Wirth Miller, he laughed at the works.

This book is engaging in so many ways - Bacon, Stevens and Swan tell us, "had perfect manners when he chose" and a laugh that a friend said "sounded like a Highland cock on heat". He booed Princess Margaret at a white-tie ball just as she began to warble 'Let's Do It' and he once spent a month in a cottage in Connemara. And we also learn that the curved rooms of Straffan Lodge where Bacon's Granny Supple lived, influenced those curved backdrops in many of his later paintings.

The first part of the book which is full of photographs of Bacon and his circle, and images of his works is a depiction of the unsettling life of an Anglo-Irish family in the early 20th century, constantly fearful of being burned out, and Stevens and Swan argue that the violence against the Anglo-Irish would "foreshadow aspects of Bacon's later paintings - the sense of simmering violence and foreboding".

The next 200 pages trace his struggles.

The latter half of the book, when success began to come the artist's way, is full of human interest and fascinating detail about friendships and rivalries between Bacon and his fellow artists, his sexual affairs, his bohemian lifestyle, the machinations of galleries and personal anecdotes told by many of his contemporaries. Anyone who had any contact with him is quoted, including Irish artist Anne Madden, poet Paul Durcan and authors, the late Anthony Cronin and Theodora Fitzgibbon.

The authors do describe him as a British artist but that's a debate for another day.

Written with the full co-operation of the Bacon Estate, Stevens and Swan's seamlessly-written double act is a magnificent, monumental achievement.
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Waitress Saves Boy From Abusive Parents by Secretly Holding a Sign: Do You Need Help?

A concerned waitress who came to the aid of an abused boy, sitting with his mom and stepdad at her place of work, may well have saved his life.

Catching the boys attention with a stealthy note, the waitress ascertained that he needed help and called 911.

Orlando, Florida, waitress Flavaine Carvalho grew suspicious when the 11-year-old boy was forbidden from ordering food during his familys Jan. 1 visit to Mrs. Potato Restaurant, reported CNN.

The note that Carvalho wrote and held in full view of the boy while shielding it from his parents. (Courtesy of Orlando Police Department)

You dont deny food for a kid, especially in a restaurant, Carvalho told CNN.

I just thought I need to do something, she said. I could not see him go away without any help.

Carvalho, herself a mother, was covering a shift on her day off when she noticed bruises on the boys arms and face and a large scratch on his forehead. She decided to intervene.

I knew it, she added, that he is afraid or he is not comfortable saying that he needs help.

Carvalho wrote, Are you OK? on a piece of paper and held it in full view of the boy, yet shielded from his parents, owing to the position of their booth at the restaurant. The boy shook his head in denial, but Carvalho said her instincts told her to persevere.

She wrote a second note: Do you need help? The boy nodded. Carvalho called her boss, Rafaela Cabede, to seek advice and then dialed 911.

Mrs. Potato Restaurant in Orlando, Florida. (Screenshot/Google Maps)

In custody, the boy told detectives that he had been beaten by his stepfather using a wooden broom, hung upside-down from a door frame by his ankles, and strapped to a furniture dolly on Christmas Day as punishment from Santa.

The 11-year-olds body was covered in bruises in various stages of healing. He also reported being denied food, and weighed in at 20 pounds (approx. 9 kg) underweight during a hospital exam.

The boys stepfather, Timothy Wilson II, was arrested on multiple counts of aggravated child abuse and neglect. His mother, Kristen Swann, admitted knowing about the abuse but did not seek medical attention for her child. She was also arrested on two counts of child neglect, according to CNN.

The couple was booked in the Orange County Jail, the report said.

Timothy Wilson II (L) and Kristen Swann (R) were both arrested on multiple charges of child abuse (Courtesy of Orlando Police Department)

Wilson and Swanns 4-year-old daughter was also dining with the family on that day but did not show any symptoms of physical abuse. Both children were taken into the safe custody of the Department of Children and Families.

What this child had gone through it was torture, Detective Erin Lawler said at a Jan. 14 news conference, reported CNN.

Im a mother and seeing what that 11-year-old had to go through It shocks your soul.

Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon said: Because of her, two children were saved. We probably would have been talking about a potential homicide investigation if she had not intervened when she did.

Cabede, the owner of Mrs. Potato Restaurant, marveled at the circumstances. The family, she said, had been sitting at the only table where Carvalho could hold up a note without the boys parents noticing. Cabede started a GoFundMe page to support her quick-thinking employee in the wake of her heroic act. Hoping to amass $10,000, the fund has since raised over $37,000.

A trust account was also set up for the young siblings, reported Click Orlando.

This story was last updated in January 2021.

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Former US President Barack Obama and Former US First Lady Michelle Obama arrive for the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th US President on January 20, 2021, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. JONATHAN ERNST/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Michelle Obama supported Black-owned beauty brands with her Inauguration Day makeup.

Makeup artist Carl Ray told The Cut he used products from Rihanna's Fenty Beauty on her face and eyes.

He also said he used eye shadow and eyeliner from Pat McGrath Labs on the former first lady.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Michelle Obama made a bold fashion statement at President Joe Biden's inauguration on Wednesday - but the symbolism behind her makeup was more subtle.

Carl Ray - Obama's longtime makeup artist - recently told The Cut that he wanted to create "a statement look that honored and celebrated the occasion," especially because he knew it would be "a huge moment for women." To do so, he utilized a variety of beauty products, including some from Black-owned cosmetic brands.

"I wanted her to have a powerful beauty look that was classy, bold, and confident; but all of that would also need to be achieved through the top half of her face only," he told the outlet.

To create Michelle Obama's Inauguration Day look, makeup artist Carl Ray used products from Black-owned beauty brands like Fenty Beauty and Pat McGrath Labs

From Rihanna's brand, he chose the $25 Match Stix Matte Skinstick for contouring, and the $22 Flyliner across her eyelids. Ray also used Pat MacGrath Labs' $25 Eyedols Shadow in the shade Divine Mink, and the brand's $28 Permagel eyeliner in the shade Xtreme Black.

On Instagram, Ray described Obama's final makeup look - which also included products from Glossier, Lilly Lashes, and more - as a "Smokeshow ."

The smokey makeup perfectly complemented Obama's plum-colored outfit

She arrived at Capitol on Wednesday wearing a monochromatic outfit created by American designer Sergio Hudson. It included a turtleneck, wide-legged pants, and an ankle-length coat.

Obama also wore a black face mask, matching gloves, pointed boots, a curled hairstyle, and a red belt with a statement buckle.

Story continues

Barack and Michelle Obama at Joe Biden's inauguration on Wednesday. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Many have since pointed out that Obama's outfit and hair contrast a similar look she wore to former President Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2017. At the time, she donned a maroon coat, matching dress, black boots, and an updo hairstyle - all of which were arguably more casual than the outfit she sported on Wednesday.

According to the former first lady's stylist Meredith Koop, the 2021 Inauguration-Day outfit was meant to be practical - both warm and comfortable for an outdoor event with lots of stairs - but also a representation of Obama and "what she means to you and to America."

Read more:

Read the original article on Insider
User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale

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Pyes Pa, Tauranga (50.2 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Felt a couple of lesser "jiggly" quakes earlier ...were minor. This was stronger house creaked and vibrated. Knew it was shalloew depth. Dogs alarmed and barked. | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Kawaha Point Rotorua / Light shaking (MMI IV) : We were both woken from sleep. Shaking was quite strong with swaying motion, and sound like wind. A few minutes after it happened, more swaying again, like maybe it hadn't finished or an aftershock again, and found it slightly hard to stand up. | One user found this interesting.

Pukuatua St intersection with Tutanekai St (22 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s : Was kneeling on traffic island/ road weeding a garden (city gardener). Felt strong and jolty for just about 5 secs and rattled buildings nearby.

48.4 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 10-15 s Heard it coming then felt like a continuous rolling motion. Even the cat was freaking out and not much disturbs her. Seemed to go for a length of time but was likely only 10-20secs. (reported through (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 10-15 s

24.2 km W of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Initially thought a very strong wind gust was hitting the house until it started shaking and rattling.

Lake Tarawera, Rotorua (12.3 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : We heard a roaring noise and the shaking continued for some time, getting stronger then lessening. The aftershocks have been frequent with moderate shaking.

51.8 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : First time ever noticed or experienced earthquake, 33 years old. Used to live next to rail ways, noticed significant difference. Just woke up, laying in bed, bed started moving, objects on walls started lightly swinging, objects on drawers rattling. I stayed in bed, then it stopped.

Bell Road, Western Heights, Rotorua / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating : have to be aware I don't take for granted as having grown up with earthquakes in Rotorua am alert but not fearful. Remember Ruapehu and Edgecume. Am more curious about what is actually going on and would prefer that being shared.

Tauranga / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s : Lying in bed it started vibrating and house creaked 3sec was kinda pleasant, 1 minutes later or so bed shaking stronger 6 sec, that made me get up fast although i like d being rocked in bed

Rotorua city / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 10-15 s : Felt like the ground was rolling underneath us, lasted a really long time the fixtures in kmart were moving very noticeably.

Pyes pa, Tauranga / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Most obvious shaking I had ever felt from an earthquake. I was seated and at first thought I was passing out and my body was moving from side to side

Papamoa / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : First experience of earthquake (Im from Ireland) It woke me up and took me a few seconds for me to realise what was happening. My bed shook from side to side and the hangers in wardrobe were swinging and rattling.

Pyes pa, Tauranga / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Most obvious shaking I had ever felt from an earthquake. I was seated and at first thought I was passing out and my body was moving from side to side

Rotorua / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : I felt the 1st shake it was ok but the next time at 8.12am I was just sitting on my bed & once it got stronger I went to my daughter who was sleeping & woke her up then it stopped.

Stoney point reserve Lake Tarawera / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Two shakes felt . First was small and only husband felt . Second one felt after 810ish was very strong. Woke me who is a deep sleeper and 6month baby. As if someone was shaking the bed left to right to left for a good 10 seconds. We are in the wool shed at stoney point reserve Lake Tarawera, maybe thats why the rocks were so severe.

Lynmore, Rotorua, NZ / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vibration and rolling / 5-10 s : initialy thought the booming noise was a large truck passing over the raised pedestrian crossing, then the rolling and shaking began. first time just before 8am NZDST , second one about 0816

Lake Rotoma / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 10-15 s : About 8.20 had strong shaking moving items. then had a few small shakes. The second big shake caused pictures, china and glasses to fall. Broken lamps and dishes. Still having a number of small shakes.

Bellevue Tauranga / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging : About 5-10 seconds approx? Listened for a big truck going past but there wasnt one and would have been unusual on our street anyway. Cat didnt seem phased at all.

Ohauiti Tauranga (38.1 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : shook my bed and woke me up

St Johns on Mt Wellington side, Auckland (196.9 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 2-5 s : Felt ground moving and house shaking. Wooden blinds rattled and walls creaked

21.2 km WSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 10-15 s

Gravatt Road Papamoa (46.6 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

No2 Rd, Mangatoi, Te Puke (18.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Pyes Pa (51.2 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) Woke up with bed shaking - rolling sound. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV)

59.2 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Shaking was off and on for about 30 seconds

Rotorua (25.8 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s

Papamoa (42.7 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s

25.9 km W of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

27.2 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Ngongotaha (25.7 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

29.3 km ENE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

56.8 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Rotorua (19.1 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Papamoa (46.8 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Tauranga (48.9 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III)

49.5 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 10-15 s

Gisborne (147.8 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

20.5 km WSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Rotorua (24.4 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Maungatapu, tauranga / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : Was wakened by my bed moving back and forth. Ceiling light swinging, items rattling.

Te puke / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating : Woke me thinking my dog was scratching beside my bed. Closet doors slight rattling. Te puke

Tauranga / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

Tauranga / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Welcom bay / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 15-20 s

Tauranga / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Gisborne / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / vibration and rolling / 5-10 s

Edmund road rotorua / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Okere falls rotorua / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : Very scarey

Lake Rotoiti north side / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / vibration and rolling / 10-15 s : 5 more episodes. 3 x strong between 8.am and 10.30am

PAPAMOA BEACH / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging

Hamurana, oturoa road / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Rotorua / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Kawerau / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Rotoiti / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 5-10 s : Alarming, I ran outside.

Tikitare / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 5-10 s : loud noise, items falling,, animals upset

Rotorua / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Rotorua / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s : Light shake with vivid sounds

Rotoma / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) / rattling, vibrating

Rotorua Hannahs bay / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / vibration and rolling / 10-15 s : I felt 6 different shakes the largest being the 1st and 4th that I felt

Rotorua, SH30 near Hell's Gate - Lake Okataina / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : There was strong side to side swaying motion as well as shaking. we are on SH30 near Hell's Gate.

Waikite valley / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Woke up thinking I had palpitations !! Just another earthquake

Rotorua / Very strong shaking (MMI VII)

Ohauiti Tauranga / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Rotorua / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Sudima Rotorua / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Tauranga / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s

Rotorua / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 5-10 s : Was enough to wake me up after only a few hours sleep and not be particularly eager to be inside.

Oropi / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Ngongotaha / Strong shaking (MMI VI)

rotorua / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Lake okareka / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 10-15 s

Rotorua / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 2-5 s

Rotorua / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Rotorua / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s

Te Puke / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s

Tauranga / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Pukehina / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Live in a bus so it rocked a lot

Rotorua / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Rotorua / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s
100 years ago  1921

Miss Bertha Conner left on Tuesday for weeks visit to Bethlehem and Reading.

Miss Katie Miller has returned home from a visit of about a week to South Bethlehem.

75 years ago  1946The 4-H Club of Taylorsville met in the home of Mrs. Joel Wintersteen. The girls cut and basted the bed socks they are making for the Red Cross. They decided to make a small blanket with the patches that are left.

50 years ago  1971

MAHANOY CITY  A snowball polka dance will be held Feb. 6 at St. Josephs auditorium. Dancing will be to the music of Happy Stefan and his Polka Band.

25 years ago  1996

In a short few minutes Friday, Martin J. Kern turned from a rescuer to one of the rescued. In the process, the Pottsville native witnessed one of the women he saved from last weeks flood washed off the roof of his Bronco. She drowned. The emergency medical technician had spent the evening helping police and emergency crews warn people in Old Lycoming Township, Lycoming County. Kern, a student at Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, knocked on doors and shouted at people to evacuate because Lycoming Creek was on the rise. Then police asked Kern and another paramedic to help evacuate four women who could not get their car out of their garage due to high water. They picked up the women in a Bronco and headed to an American Red Cross shelter at the Old Lycoming Township Volunteer Fire Company. On the way, about 7:30 p.m., the Bronco stalled on Old Lycoming Creek Road. The water came up too fast on us, said Kern, 19.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/24/2021



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[ Spoiler Warning: This report contains spoilers revealing if Andrew and Amira are still together or whether the couple has broken up.]

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So are Amira and Andrew still together or has the couple split?

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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

star Amira Lollysa has been shown having doubts about the future of her relationship with Andrew Kenton after being released from a detention center on Season 8 of , so what do spoilers reveal about whether Andrew and Amira are still together now?Andrew, a 32-year-old daycare owner and operator from Roseville, CA, believed he had found The One in Amira, a 28-year-old from Saumur, France.Andrew runs a daycare with his mother and said he works 12-13 hours a day taking care of other people's children. But due to his work commitments, Andrew said he spends a lot of time by himself and without friends.While Andrew says he's dated many wonderful women, his relationship with Amira -- whom he met on an international dating website -- was his first serious one in a while.Amira said she's always dreamed about finding love and a perfect relationship. The half-French, half-Egyptian woman felt she didn't fit into the French lifestyle and so that's why she initially signed up for an international dating website.Andrew and Amira talked every day and then met up in Las Vegas, where they established an immediate connection and "ease" with each other.After just three days, Andrew proposed marriage on their hotel balcony. Amira said Andrew was a very romantic and caring partner who made her feel like a princess and "would move heaven and earth" for her.Amira finally received her K-1 visa after more than one year of waiting, but at that point, she couldn't travel to America due to the coronavirus pandemic.Amira and Andrew were stressed because the visa was also only good for five months, and Amira was running out of time."The same day I received my visa, President Trump set up a travel ban for anyone from a country that are in the European Union, like France," Amira explained in a confessional."So even though I could find a flight to the U.S., I would arrive in the American airport and they would not accept me."Andrew feared Amira wouldn't be able to use the K-1 visa, so he decided they should both travel to Mexico as a loophole, where they could quarantine for 14 days and then try to enter the United States together.Neither Andrew or Amira was thrilled about flying during a pandemic, and even Amira admitted their plan was "crazy," but both individuals were willing to take the risk for love.Andrew's sister Connie, however, thought Amira was "superficial" and didn't think the French beauty and her brother had much in common.And Andrew apparently had his own concerns. He said it seemed like Amira no longer wanted to have kids, and Andrew acknowledged it would be "very difficult" for him to give up the idea of having a family of his own."I think it's a conversation that reasonably needs to be had," Andrew said, adding that he hoped he could find common ground with Amira.Connie told Andrew that it's important to be on the same page with Amira about the future and he shouldn't be afraid to walk away from the relationship if they learned they're on different pages.Meanwhile, Amira visited with her father to say goodbye before her trip to Mexico.Amira confessed she wanted to stay patient until the U.S. opened its borders again but she was feeling pressure from Andrew to travel to Mexico, which appeared to bother her father."He said if I don't do the trip, he's going to resent me forever," Amira revealed."This is not love," Amira's father Hamdi replied.Amira said Andrew financially supported her and so she needed to do things for him to prove her love and commitment."He make you cry. I don't like him at all," Hamdi told his daughter.Hamdi said Andrew made his daughter sad all the time and Andrew clearly didn't have a big heart, which is what Amira and Hamdi had initially thought about Andrew.Hamdi wanted "a real man" for her daughter, but Amira said she was willing to fight for Andrew.Amira's K-1 visa was going to expire in August 2020, and she said she only had 42 days left until then.Amira was sad about having to leave her family, friends, culture and country behind, and she admitted she was scared but excited at the same time to turn a new page in life.Andrew just hoped Amira didn't harbor any negative emotions or feelings towards him about their trip to Mexico since there was a risk of contracting coronavirus.After Andrew landed in Mexico, Andrew apparently received a message from Amira's father that Amira had been detained in Mexico City. Andrew said he was "absolutely devastated at the news" he had just received.Andrew had no idea what was going on, and he said he had done a lot of research on this "loophole" that should have allowed Amira and himself to be together in Mexico before traveling to the United States together.Andrew didn't know how to figure out where Amira was, and he felt helpless. Andrew hoped to find out some information at his hotel, and he worried about Amira being held in a detention center with horrible conditions.In June 2020, there were only 42 days left until Amira's K-1 visa expired.Andrew found the beautiful view at his hotel "depressing" because he was alone and Amira had been detained in the Mexico City airport. Andrew said while he was originally optimistic and hopeful about his plan, he was incredibly concerned that Amira could be in danger.Andrew thought, worse case scenario, if Amira was rejected at the Mexico City airport, she'd be able to just board a plane and head back to her native country of France.Andrew didn't know who to call or how to find Amira, and he predicted Amira might be a little mad at him once they finally reunited."I feel helpless and powerless to do anything about this current situation. The one thing I hope for tomorrow is that it is the complete opposite of today," Andrew lamented in a confessional.Andrew was later shown researching and tracking down immigration centers. He could only follow leads that came up in attempt to find Amira's whereabouts.When Andrew reached one person, he actually hung up on Andrew. It was difficult for Andrew to navigate this situation, especially due to the language barrier.Andrew felt he was letting Amira down and every minute that went by allowed love to fade.Andrew recognized Amira's family would probably blame him for her detainment, and he said he wouldn't blame her parents for thinking that. Andrew was stressed out and so was Amira's father Hamdi.Andrew didn't want this incident of Amira getting detained in Mexico city to impact their relationship going forward.Suddenly, Andrew saw that Amira was online, and so he texted her several times. Andrew asked if she was okay, and she replied, "Hi baby. I am in the plane for Amsterdam, not a lot of Internet."Andrew said he was incredibly relieved and excited to hear from Amira, knowing she was safe and finally out of the detention center. However, Andrew was really disappointed she was on a plane heading back to France instead of joining him on what was supposed to be a beautiful 14-day vacation in Mexico.Amira explained to Andrew that she never even made it out of the airport. She was apparently detained immediately and had her phone taken away.Andrew apologized for planning this whole thing and was so glad to hear Amira was okay, but Amira said, "It's still hard for me to talk about it." Andrew understood the event must have been frightening and traumatizing for her.Later on, an onscreen graphic read, "After 3 days, Amira was released from detainment in Mexico and put on a plane back to Europe."Amira was shown crying in her hotel bathroom, and she appeared frazzled and devastated."They never told me anything [or what the problem was]," Amira explained to a producer. "I spoke to Andrew [briefly] just to tell him that I was alive... He didn't message me again to ask if I landed or made it to the hotel or anything."Amira said she never wanted to go to Mexico to begin with and Andrew had been telling her things to push her to go. Andrew allegedly asked to see more action from Amira and said if she didn't do things for him, it would be evidence she didn't love him."He tells me that I am free to make my own decision, but then he tells me if I don't do it, he's going to resent me forever," Amira explained.When recalling her time in the detention center, Amira said she was placed in a big room but it was like a prison cell. She said the tables, seats and beds were sealed to the ground and she couldn't shower for three days. Amira apparently didn't even have toilet paper although there were toilets.Amira cried about being locked in a room with nothing when it was "freezing cold.""It's not okay. Nobody deserves that. Nobody deserves to go through that. I have no dignity anymore," Amira cried."I had no dignity. They just want us to feel like we are nothing... I just want to sleep and get better. I want to heal. I want to move on. But I need time for that. But will Andrew understand that? I have doubts."It's not 100 percent clear whether Andrew and Amira are still together, but Andrew dropped a hint in November 2020 that they may still be in a relationship and have been traveling together.On November 26, Andrew posted a slideshow of photos of himself posing in front of a beautiful green landscape and river.And one of the photos featured a table with a bottle of champagne on it -- as well as TWO glasses filled with champagne."Traversing the beautiful hills and forests of this gorgeous country. Where do you think I am? #travel #hiking #woodcabin #forest #livingmybestlife," Andrew captioned his post, which clearly indicated he wasn't alone.One of Andrew's Instagram followers commented, "You're with your wife, so I'd say yall are on your honeymoon somewhere in South America.""You were the first to recognize Brazil! Great job!" Andrew responded."But no honeymoon here. You'll love this season and it's many unexpected surprises."Another Instagram user then wrote in the comments section, "Well that didn't spoil anything for the new season... we now know Andrew gets married."Andrew replied, "Haha maybe, maybe not, but this trip is not what you think, no spoiler here, you are going [to] love the trainwrecks this season!"Brazil would seem like an unlikely honeymoon spot considering Amira is from France and doesn't speak Portuguese. She also attempted to enter the United States by stopping in Mexico first, and Brazil is a far trip from both Mexico and America.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
Britons secure berth in Americas Cup challenger final

SAILING: Ben Ainslies INEOS Team UK overcame a pre-race gear failure to beat Luna Rossa on the final cross in a thriller on Auckland harbour yesterday (Jan 23) to qualify unbeaten for the final of the Americas Cup challenger series.

Sailing

By AFP

Sunday 24 January 2021, 12:00PM

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (L) competes against INEOS Team UK during the round robin three, race two of the Prada Cup 2021, the challengers series of the 36th Americas Cup in Auckland yesterday (Jan 23). Photo: AFP.

The lead changed nine times in the first fully competitive match-race in a series disrupted in the early rounds by weather vagaries and a spectacular crash involving American Magic.

That was one for the fans, British legend Ainslie said.

Ainslie, the most successful sailor in Olympic history, is on record as saying he would willingly trade his Olympic medals - four gold and one silver - to be the first Briton to win the Americas Cup.

But he said there were some tense moments before the Luna Rossa race, which was delayed 80 minutes - first by a wind change forcing a reset of the course, and then a hydraulic fault requiring makeshift repairs on INEOS.

We were on the back foot. We were missing one of the key settings for the power of the boat so the guys did an awesome job getting us around the track in one piece and getting the win, Ainslie said, describing the final cross as being about as close as you want to get.

With the finish line in sight and Italian entry Luna Rossa holding the right of way, Ainslie managed to keep INEOS in front.

Luna Rossa protested but the race officials ruled Ainslie had maintained the legal distance between the two yachts.

INEOS was written off as the yacht least likely to succeed after failing to win a race in a pre-Christmas shakedown regatta involving the high-tech yachts which fly above the water balanced on foil arms.

But since the competition proper began, it has won all five of its races.

Luna Rossa and American Magic, which is still undergoing repairs, will now race off in a best-of-seven semi-final series with the winner racing INEOS Team UK in a best-of-13 contest.

The winner then faces defenders Team New Zealand from March 6 to 21 for the Americas Cup.
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I really dont see the need for it and I dont think its going to solve anything, Mr Thomas says. Its not going to do anything for the racism. So I really dont understand why. The national online poll canvassed the views of 1222 Australians between January 19 and January 22 on their views on changing the Australia Day date, its importance to improving the lives of Indigenous Australians and to what extent they think Indigenous Australians face racism in Australia today. Loading Mr Thomas, a former transport worker with Australia Post, was born in Portland on the windswept south-west coast of Victoria. He has Irish ancestry on his mothers side and Welsh on his fathers. The British have got a lot to answer for. Theyve tried to colonise a country, put them to their way of thinking and if they havent theyve tried to wipe them out. But this invasion day happened so long ago. We are all supposedly part of Australia, so why dont we all just move forward instead of dwelling on things that have happened in the past.

The Ipsos poll found a generational divide when it came to support for moving the Australia Day date. Forty-seven per cent of people aged 19-24 were in favour of a shift from January 26, compared to just 19 per cent in Mr Thomas cohort of people aged older than 55. I think people are happy with where it is, said Mr Thomas, who has no plans to celebrate the day this year. Im sort of old-school and I dont see why people complain. And I think even if they do pick another day, no-one is going to be happy with it anyway. Mr Thomas says the only thing that would persuade him to change his mind would be if a census of Indigenous people showed overwhelming support for a change. Im just wondering if this so-called movement is the Aboriginal people doing it, or people thinking thats what they should be doing for the Aboriginal people. Storm Mackenzie, a 23-year-old school course designer from the Perth suburb of Armadale, was among the 24 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds who told the Ipsos poll she opposed a shift.

Loading Ms Mackenzie believes Australia Day should still be celebrated as well as NAIDOC Week, a celebration of Indigenous culture that was born out of the Day of Mourning protest against Australia Day. Racism against Indigenous Australians varies depending on the location. But at the same time I feel especially the older generations make these subconscious racist comments that they dont even notice. She worries changing the date of Australia Day would be divisive and inflame those with strong views. Moving a date would not address all the problems, we need to go a lot deeper than that. I feel like its just going to cause more tension and we need to focus on better ways to all be Australian.

Despite less than 30 per cent of respondents supporting the campaign to change the date of Australia Day from January 26, half of those polled believe a shift will happen in the next 10 years. They will get away with it, predicts Robyn Muir, a 60-year-old Woolworths worker from the suburb of Cornubia in Logan, Queensland. The older generation dont protest and we dont dig our heels in. She and her husband Michael see a divide between the generations. The older generation love Australia Day the way it is because its our history and the younger generations think it should be changed, Mr Muir said. But some Australians are becoming more aware of the Indigenous perspective around January 26.

Loading Dean Attard, a 30-year-old pharmacy manager from Newcastle, was never someone to plaster himself in Australian flags, but for years he and his friends congregated on Australia Day to listen to the Hottest 100 countdown. Mr Attard says it was the debate on Triple J over whether the Hottest 100 should be held on Australia Day that first alerted him to the issue. To be honest Ive only really heard of this in the last five years, says Mr Attard, who told the Ipsos poll he strongly agreed with changing the date. In 2017 Triple J announced the Hottest 100 would no longer be held on Australia Day, amid growing dialogue around Indigenous recognition and perspectives on 26 January.


The Plain Dealer editorial on Jan. 8 (A reckoning for enablers) argued that then-President Donald Trumps many GOP supporters should be culpable for active partnership in the lies or for a toxic silence [on] Trumps false allegations] that  there had been a steal of the election.

However, the group of possible enablers you list completely missed the media itself. When the leadership of one of the political parties becomes corrupt and the media fail to hold them accountable, the system collapses. I believe that has occurred with the Democratic Party.

When one side can do things that are as overwhelmingly fraudulent as attempting a coup -- as Democrats did with their Ukraine impeachment charges against President Trump and with the medias reporting on unproven Russian collusion -- the frustration level of the oppressed side could reach an intolerable level.

If the divisiveness that exists in our country is to be reduced, citizens need to be able to rely on the media to report the news accurately and hold government accountable. As one of the major newspapers in the country, it would be nice if The Plain Dealer would assume that role.

Jim Johnston,

Avon Lake
Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media

STRATFORD  Two people were sent to the hospital Sunday after a fire in a Henry Avenue home, officials say.

Assistant Chief Robert Daniel said the Stratford Fire Department responded to 61 Henry Ave. at approximately 10 a.m. for a fire on the third floor of a multi-family home. He said the fire was accidental.
Education Minister Norma Foley wants health authorities and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to prioritise teachers and school staff to be vaccinated earlier than scheduled, the Sunday Independent can reveal.

Amid ongoing uncertainty about the reopening of schools, Ms Foley wrote to the HSE and the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) in December seeking to give what she has described as the "school community" an increased priority for vaccination once those most at risk are inoculated.

It is also understood that she has made representations to Mr Donnelly on the issue in recent weeks and that discussions on the matter continue.

Sources with knowledge of the discussions said it is hoped teachers and school staff could be moved into Cohort Six of the vaccine prioritisation list, which covers those deemed to be essential workers. Those working in education are currently lower down the list in Cohort 10.

Both cohorts are scheduled to receive vaccinations across April, May and June but those classed as key workers in Cohort Six would receive their jabs sooner than those in Cohort 10.

Spokespersons for Ms Foley and Mr Donnelly were unable to comment last weekend. A Department of Education spokesperson said: "It is understood those essential to education are estimated at this time to be in the top circa 35pc of the population captured by the Vaccine Allocation Strategy.

"Engagement has taken place with the Department of Health requesting that consideration is given to the school community as the vaccination programme is rolled out, in order to accommodate frontline school staff within the vaccination programme at the earliest possible opportunity."

It comes as Taoiseach Micheal Martin confirmed yesterday that schools will not fully reopen before St Patrick's Day.

"The full million won't be back (before St Patrick's Day). We can phase things and look at things differently," he told RTE Radio.

He said it would not be the "one big-bang approach" to reopening schools and said the first priority would be special education, which could resume in February. He said case numbers would need to be down in the "low hundreds" and "somewhere similar to where we were in October or November" before widespread reopening of schools.

A phased return to school for pupils now looks likely, according to education sources, with officials likely to prioritise special education and Leaving Cert classes initially. However, no timeline is in place and planning is said to be at an early stage.

A source said it was likely primary school children would be next in line to return to school after the Leaving Cert students because younger pupils are thought to be a lower risk for transmitting the virus.

It comes as the Department of Education, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) and Forsa agreed to a series of talks aimed at resolving a return of special needs education.

All sides have agreed the "close engagement" should remain confidential until clarity has been found on the issue, but the Government is keen to see special education services return first.

Hundreds of parents with children with special needs were let down last week as in-person special education did not recommence on Thursday as planned.

Speaking about this yesterday, the Taoiseach said "it was a failure all round".

Planning is also under way for the Leaving Cert exams, with talks set to take place between the department, State Examinations Commission, unions and other key bodies over the coming weeks, but this is unlikely to be resolved until early next month.

It follows a meeting between the department and the Irish Second-Level Students Union (ISSU) last Friday when students expressed concern about sitting traditional exams because of lost class time.

Among a series of proposals being considered by examinations chiefs and others are offering students optional calculated grades, pushing the exams back from June to later in the summer and adjusting for practical and oral assessments.

Mr Martin said that a decision on the Leaving Cert would be made in the coming weeks.

He told The Brendan O'Connor Show on RTE Radio One yesterday: "We need to think about this. We need to be innovative and obviously parallel with the way the virus is changing.

"We need to adapt our approaches in terms of the mass movement of young people and students.

"I am passionate about education but with a million people involved we are going to have to look at it differently."
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Kuwait on Sunday reduced the number of daily overseas airline passenger arrivals by 80% to 1,000 to manage the spread of a new coronavirus variant, a source told Reuters.

Kuwaiti newspapers earlier reported the decision, citing unnamed sources. Kuwait's civil aviation authority could not be immediately reached for comment.

The Gulf state on Tuesday reported its first cases of a more contagious coronavirus variant, which the health ministry said had been detected in two women returning from Britain.

State-owned Kuwait Airways on Friday said it would operate fewer services between Jan. 24 and Feb. 6 following instructions from health authorities and the state aviation regulation.

Domestic workers and transit passengers were exempted from the new arrivals limit, it said.

Newspaper Al-Anbaa reported that the health ministry had requested the airport to be closed but that authorities instead decided to limit the number of arrivals.

Can Hoboken eliminate all traffic-related injuries and deaths by 2030?

The city released a draft version of its Vision Zero Action Plan, an 81-page strategy to make the tightly packed streets safer and meet that ambitious goal by 2030. Among the dozens of proposed changes are a citywide 20 mile per hour speed limit, equitable ticketing strategies, as well as crash and victim response teams.

In late 2019, the city joined Vision Zero, a strategy first implemented in Sweden in the 1990s, which challenges communities to comprehensively prioritize and address traffic safety. Jersey City and New York City have both committed to Vision Zero, along with cities worldwide.

Hobokens action plan is intended to ensure serious injury and deaths never happen by acknowledging that mistakes inevitably will, said Drusilla van Hengel, the Hoboken Vision Zero project manager. It divides actionable items by various goals the city has set for itself.

One goal, for example, is to have the safest possible vehicles on the citys streets. The city could revise municipal vehicle standards so that it is required to purchase smaller vehicles with the most up-to-date safety mechanisms available, according to the plan.

Another change the plan suggests is a 15 mph speed limit in school zones and a 20 mph limit citywide. Both could be accomplished within two years, the plan states.

Some other action items the plan includes that are labeled as high impact are:

Introducing a bicycle infrastructure line item into the 2021 transportation operation budget

Creating a master plan for new traffic calming infrastructure in high crash and excessive speeding areas

Creating a fee structure for traffic violations that doesnt overburden low income violators

Creating a diversion program for those cited for walking, biking or distracted driving infractions

Surveying those charged with DUIs about where they had their last drink

Establishing an interagency crash response team and a rapid response team to review collisions, identify immediate safety enhancement opportunities and ensure victims families receive support

New Jersey currently prohibits ticketing with traffic cameras. Hobokens action plan hopes to change that and suggests that the city team up with Jersey City to lobby the state.

Mayor Ravi Bhallas administration hosted a virtual public meeting on the action plan last week and is now collecting feedback at https://www.vzhoboken.com/public-input.

Even before this action plan was presented, weve been taking a number of proactive steps to ensure that pedestrians in Hoboken can have a safe enjoyable and walkable experience in Hoboken, he said. That has included traffic signals at locations throughout the city  raised intersections at 9th and Grand, crosswalks, curb extensions throughout the city and a number of other best practices that you probably see as you walk through our mile square.

One member of the public who spoke at the meeting said she was struck by a vehicle in Hoboken while holding her baby and was thrown 10 feet.

I urge you to please do what is necessary to speak with, to get in touch with people who have been impacted by this perhaps in the last couple of years who can help, she said.

To develop its action plan, the citys Vision Zero team reviewed policies in Hoboken and other Vision Zero cities and performed a crash analysis, according to the presentation.

It will accept public feedback until Jan. 27.

Once the public comment period ends, the Vision Zero Action Plan will be revised accordingly and presented to the Vision Zero Task Force, said city spokesman Vijay Chaudhuri. Every couple years there will be the equivalent of a reexamination of the plan, which will include an evaluation of implementation progress and potentially a modification of the Plans action items.
Russia is ready to set up a dialog with the new Biden administration in which differences are expected to be aired, a Kremlin spokesman said on Sunday, adding that President Vladimir Putin would respond in kind to the U.S.'s willingness to talk.

Relations between Moscow and Washington have been at their lowest since the end of the Cold War, with the two sides at odds over Russia's role in Ukraine and allegations of its meddling in U.S. elections, which it denies, among other issues.

The United States on Saturday also called on Russian authorities to release protesters and journalists detained at demonstrations supporting detained Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, and condemned what it called 'harsh tactics' used against them.

'Of course, we count on success in setting up a dialog,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying on TV by Interfax news agency.

'This will be the dialog where, of course, differences will have to be stated to a greater extent, points of differences. But at the same time, a dialog is a possibility to find some rational kernels, the little parts where our relations are getting closer,' he said.

'And if the current U.S. administration is ready for such an approach, I have no doubts that our president will respond in kind.'

Russia is ready to set up a dialog with the new Biden administration in which differences are expected to be aired, a Kremlin spokesman said on Sunday, adding that President Vladimir Putin would respond in kind to U.S. willingness to talk

Putin was one of the last global leaders to congratulate Joe Biden on his victory in the U.S. presidential election after the November 3 vote.

One of the burning issues to be resolved by the two nuclear powers is the arms control treaty, known as New START, which is due to expire on February 5.

The White House said last week that Biden would seek a five-year extension to the deal.

On that matter, Peskov, said that Russia stands for extending the pact and is waiting to see the details of the U.S. proposal.

'We can only welcome political will to extend the document,' Peskov said in a conference call with reporters. 'But all will depend on the details of the proposal.'

The treaty, signed in 2010 by President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, limits each country to no more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers, and envisages sweeping on-site inspections to verify compliance.

Russia has long proposed to prolong the pact without any conditions or changes, but former President Donald Trumps administration waited until last year to start talks and made the extension contingent on a set of demands. The talks stalled, and months of bargaining have failed to narrow differences.

'Certain conditions for the extension have been put forward, and some of them have been absolutely unacceptable for us, so let's see first what the U.S. is offering,' Peskov said.

Mikhail Ulyanov, the Russian ambassador at the international organizations in Vienna, also hailed Biden's proposal as an 'encouraging step.'

'The extension will give the two sides more time to consider possible additional measures aimed at strengthening strategic stability and global security,' he tweeted.

One of the burning issues to be resolved by the two nuclear powers is the arms control treaty, known as New START, which is due to expire on February 5

The Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, noted in a statement that Russia always has called for maintaining the treaty and said Russian diplomats are ready to quickly engage in contacts with the U.S. to formalize its extension for five years 'without any delay.'

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the U.S. decision and Russia's reiteration. He encouraged both countries 'to work quickly to complete the necessary procedure for the New START's extension before the February 5 expiration and move as soon as possible to negotiations on new arms control measures,' U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

'A five-year extension would not only maintain verifiable caps on the world's two largest nuclear arsenals but will also provide time to negotiate new nuclear arms control agreements to grapple with our increasingly complex international environment,' Dujarric said.

Biden indicated during the campaign that he favored the preservation of the New START treaty, which was negotiated during his tenure as U.S. vice president.

The talks on the treatys extension also were clouded by tensions between Russia and the United States, which have been fueled by the Ukrainian crisis, Moscows meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and other irritants.

Despite the extension proposal, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden remains committed to holding Russia 'to account for its reckless and adversarial actions,' such as its alleged involvement in the Solar Winds hacking event, 2020 election interference, the chemical poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny and the widely reported allegations that Russia may have offered bounties to the Taliban to kill American soldiers in Afghanistan.

Asked to comment on Psakis statement, Peskov has reaffirmed Russias denial of involvement in any such activities.

After both Moscow and Washington withdrew from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019, New START is the only remaining nuclear arms control deal between the two countries.

Arms control advocates have strongly called for New START's preservation, warning that its lapse would remove any checks on U.S. and Russian nuclear forces.

The United States on Saturday also called on Russian authorities to release protesters and journalists detained at demonstrations supporting detained Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny (above), and condemned what it called 'harsh tactics' used against them

Russian policemen detain men during an unauthorized protest rally against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny

Last week, Russia also declared that it would follow the U.S. to pull out of the Open Skies Treaty allowing surveillance flights over military facilities to help build trust and transparency between Russia and the West.

While Russia always offered to extend New START for five years - a possibility envisaged by the pact - Trump asserted that it put the U.S. at a disadvantage and initially insisted that China be added to the treaty, an idea that Beijing flatly rejected. Trump's administration then proposed to extend New START for just one year and also sought to expand it to include limits on battlefield nuclear weapons.

Moscow has said it remains open for new nuclear arms talks with the U.S. to negotiate future limits on prospective weapons, but emphasized that preserving New START is essential for global stability.

Russian diplomats have said that Russias prospective Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile and the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle could be counted along with other Russian nuclear weapons under the treaty.

The Sarmat is still under development, while the first missile unit armed with the Avangard became operational in December 2019.

The Russian military has said the Avangard is capable of flying 27 times faster than the speed of sound and could make sharp maneuvers on its way to a target to bypass missile defense systems. It has been fitted to the existing Soviet-built intercontinental ballistic missiles instead of older type warheads, and in the future could be fitted to the more powerful Sarmat.
Portugals president has been returned to office for a second term in an election held amid a devastating Covid-19 surge that has made the country the worst in the world for cases and deaths.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa captured around 61.5% of the vote. He had been widely expected to win.

In a stunning development, newly arrived right-wing populist Andre Ventura was in a close race for second place with Socialist candidate Ana Gomes, with both polling around 12%.

Such a showing for Mr Ventura would have been unthinkable until recently and will send a shudder through Portuguese politics.

Expand Close Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (Manuel de Almeida/ via AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (Manuel de Almeida/ via AP)

Four other candidates ran for president.

One of the re-elected presidents first tasks will be to decide next month whether to approve a new law allowing euthanasia.

Parliament has passed the Bill but the head of state could try to block it or send it to the Constitutional Court for vetting.

The turnout was less than 40%  significantly lower than in recent elections and apparently confirming concerns that some people would stay away for fear of becoming infected with Covid-19.

Political leaders say that when the pandemic began to worsen there was no longer enough time to change the Portuguese constitution to allow a postponement.

Portugal has the worlds highest rates of new daily infections and deaths per 100,000 population, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University, and its public health system is under huge strain.

Mr Rebelo de Sousa, 72, has long been viewed as the clear front-runner in the contest. He is an affable law professor and former television personality who as president has consistently had an approval rating of 60% or more.

To win, a candidate must capture more than 50% of the vote.

Expand Close Right-wing populist presidential candidate Andre Ventura casts his ballot at a polling station in Lisbon (Armando Franca/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Right-wing populist presidential candidate Andre Ventura casts his ballot at a polling station in Lisbon (Armando Franca/AP)

Mr Rebelo de Sousa, a former leader of the centre-right Social Democratic Party, has worked closely with the centre-left minority Socialist government, supporting its pandemic efforts.

He also has endeared himself to the Portuguese with his easy-going style. Photographs taken by passers-by of him in public places, such as one last year of him standing in line at a supermarket wearing trainers and shorts, routinely go viral.

With the country in lockdown, the election campaign featured none of the usual flag-waving rallies but restrictions on movement were lifted for polling day.

Authorities increased the number of polling stations and allowed for early voting to reduce crowding on election day. In other precautions, voters were asked to bring their own pens and disinfectant to polling stations. Everyone voting wore a mask and kept a safe distance from each other.

Prime Minister Antonio Costa urged people to turn out for the ballot, saying that unprecedented planning had gone into ensuring that the vote could take place safely.

Portugal has 10.8 million registered voters, around 1.5 million of them living abroad.

Every Portuguese president since 1976, when universal suffrage was introduced following the departure of a dictatorship, has been returned for a second term. No woman or member of an ethnic minority has ever held the post.

A year after the Coronavirus pandemic wrecked our collective lives, our society has been grappling with fear and insecurity. As a result, we have seen misinformation spread like wildfire, and many resorting to bizarre and incorrect methods of dealing with the virus. With this column, which will be published every Sunday, we aim to address any health or vaccine-related question our readers might have about the coronavirus pandemic.

In this week's column, the queries have been answered by Dr Arun Sharma, Professor, Community Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, New Delhi. Sharma's answers address how vaccines work, and how can the poor and marginalized access them.

Q: The registration process for the vaccine until now is to self-register in the Co-WIN app. However, how can those elderlies from low-income families register, who do not have access to mobile or internet?

A: The government has pre-registered around one crore healthcare workers for the vaccination in the first round which is currently ongoing. Apart from self-registration on the Co-WIN mobile app and website, the government is organizing registration camps across the country, where those who don't have access to mobile or internet can get registered.

Q: How does the vaccine work? Why do both the vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin) available in India have two doses, 28 days apart?

A: Vaccines stimulate the body's natural defence mechanism by producing antibodies against the virus. It recognizes the disease-causing pathogen and produces antibodies to fight it. In the process, it develops a memory for the disease and how to fight it.

Most COVID-19 vaccines are being given in two doses. It is only about 14 days after the second dose that a person develops adequate immunity against the virus. In the case of Covishield and Covaxin, the two doses can be given at an interval of 4-12 weeks. Since it is a pandemic situation and the government wants to cover the maximum number of people in the shortest possible time, the two doses are given 28 days, or four weeks, apart.

Q: How many people have to be vaccinated to reach herd immunity in India?

A: There are two ways to acquire herd immunityone, on exposure to the pathogen people develop antibodies/ immune response in the body, and second, the body develops antibodies/ immune response when we give the vaccine. The actual percentage is unknown; it is popularly believed that 60-70 per cent of the population should develop immunity against pathogens to reach herd immunity.

Q: How effective are the two vaccines that are being rolled out in India on the new strain of COVID-19? Is there any scientific evidence to prove that they would work against the new variant?

A: Viruses keep mutating. Some mutations make the vaccine ineffective. As of now, the vaccine is considered effective against the new strains that originated in the United Kingdom and South Africa. It depends on multiple factors, for example, the types of mutations, and the technique with which a vaccine has been developed. The inactivated whole virion used in the development of Covaxin is expected to achieve a wider antigenic presentation to our immune system resulting in a versatile spectrum of immunity. Covishield also has been found to be effective against the reported mutant variant.

Q: Will the vaccine be available for purchase in private hospitals? If so, how will the government standardize the rates?

A: In the first phase, since there is a gap between the demand and the supply of the vaccines, the government has decided to give vaccines to prioritized groups. These groups have been formed to protect those who are most susceptible to catching the infection and those who are more vulnerable to developing severe disease. At present, the vaccines are being given under emergency use authorization. Eventually, the vaccine will be available in the market for purchase after the license is granted for it by the competent authority.

Q: Does the vaccine interfere with any other regular medications?

A: The vaccine has not been found to interfere with any regular medication.

Q: Will masks and other precautionary measures become redundant after the vaccination process? If not, why?

A: No, masks will remain relevant even after the vaccination. In fact, one is advised to follow all COVID-appropriate behaviour till the time we vaccinate a good number of people across the country. It is only after the 14 days of taking the second dose of the vaccine that the body will develop an adequate amount of antibodies to protect you from developing severe disease. You may still get the infection and spread it to your near and dear ones. So, continue wearing the masks, maintain social distance and follow hand hygiene.

Do you have questions about Coronavirus? Or the vaccines? Send us your questions: Tweet with #AskADoctor. Every week, we will have a public health expert to address your concerns through this column.
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A schoolboy has been left in a coma after he was brutally beaten by unidentified attackers in the heart of Paris last week.

The violent assault was captured on CCTV camera and shows the gang surrounding the teenage boy, Yuriy Khruchenyk, from Ukraine and beating him unconscious.

The incident, thought to involve up to 10 youths, took place near the Eiffel Tower and the Beaugrenelle Shopping Center at 6.30pm in Paris on January 15.

Yuriy has been left in a coma after he was brutally beaten by unidentified attackers in the heart of Paris last week

The violent assault was captured on CCTV camera and shows the gang surrounding the teenage boy

Yuri was with friends when the attack took place and the teenager was the only one who did not manage to escape.

He was surrounded by a group of assailants who were reportedly wielding metal rods, bats and knives that left him with skull punctures, arm and rib fractures, stab wounds and eye trauma.

The boy, 15, is currently in a coma in a hospital in the city after the attack that resulted in the Paris public prosecutor's office opening an investigation for 'attempted voluntary homicide'.

Details of the attack together with a call for witnesses to come forward was made by Ukraine's ambassador in France, Vadim Omelchenko, on his Twitter account.

In his post, he said: 'A tragic incident has occurred in Paris, which resulted in unknown people beating Ukrainian teenager Yuri.'

According to ambassador Omelchenko, the Ukrainian Consulate is liaising with local law enforcement officials.

Yuriy's mother, Nataliya Khruchenyk, meanwhile has created an Instagram account dedicated to the search for witnesses.

Meanwhile, an investigating source said: None have yet been identified but a breakthrough is expected based on the video evidence.'

The boy, 15, is currently in a coma in a hospital in Paris after the attack that resulted in the Paris public prosecutor's office opening an investigation for 'attempted voluntary homicide'

Investigators say the incident has hallmarks of an organised gang attack, with a group of teenagers from the southern suburb of Vanves thought to be responsible.

They saw the gang running towards them, but Yuriy struggled to get away, said an investigating source.

As he tried to run, he fell over and was caught by the gang, who started kicking and punching him, and hitting him with iron bars and baseball bats.

He was rushed to hospital, where he was found to have fractures to his skull, and a decision was taken to place him in an induced coma.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said it was an attack of incredible savagery and offered support for the young boy and his family.

Xavier Iacovelli, a French Senator, said on Twitter: This video is unbearable, where the young Yuriy, a 15-year-old schoolboy is lynched by 10 individuals armed with iron bars, clearly intent on killing him. My thoughts are with Yuriy, who is in a coma, and with his family.

Words of support for Yuriy, who was just 14 when the attack happened and a promising footballers, have come from celebrities.

Film star Omar Sy, star of the new Netflix series Lupin, said on Twitter Good recovery to you Yuriy, I think of you and yours, while World Cup winning France football star wrote: Unbearable images  power to you Yuriy and get well.'

On Sunday, a spokesman for the Necker childrens hospital in Paris said Yuriy was stable and his condition was no longer life threatening.

A spokesman for Paris prosecutors said: An attempted murder enquiry has been opened.




South Korea's daily new coronavirus cases fell back below 400 on Sunday, following a brief rise a day earlier, but health authorities remain vigilant against possible upticks amid an apparent slowdown.



The country added 392 more COVID-19 cases, including 369 locally transmitted infections, raising the total caseload to 75,084, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).



Sunday's daily caseload was down from 431 cases reported the previous day.



The third wave of COVID-19 infections here reached its peak on Dec. 25, with the daily tally reaching a record high 1,240 but has been showing signs of a slowdown since then.



The daily figure stayed mostly in the 500s the week before it dropped to 389 on Monday and 386 on Tuesday. It slightly exceeded 400 on Wednesday and Thursday.



Although new infections appear to be slowing down, health authorities have been urging people not to let their guard down against the coronavirus due to various cluster infections across the country and rising concerns of the British coronavirus variants.













The authorities also said more than 20 percent of newly identified cases had unknown transmission routes over the past weeks. Also, fewer tests are usually carried out during the weekend.



The country extended its tougher social distancing measures for two more weeks until Jan. 31, while easing some restrictions on facilities, such as cafes, gyms and other indoor sites that have suffered revenue losses.



Under the measures, the capital area is under Level 2.5, the second highest in a five-tier system, and the rest of the nation remains under Level 2.



The ban on private gatherings of five or more people and the restriction on business operations after 9 p.m. have also been extended. But indoor gyms, cram schools and karaoke establishments are allowed to reopen on the condition that they strictly adhere to antivirus measures.



Authorities plan to closely monitor this week's infections to decide on whether to lower or maintain the current distancing measures.



Of the 314 locally transmitted cases on Sunday, Seoul accounted for 133 cases, and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province took up 99. Incheon, west of Seoul, had 25 new cases. The greater Seoul area accounts for around half of the nation's 51 million population.



Outside of greater Seoul, the southeastern port city of Busan reported 19 additional cases, and South Gyeongsang Province and the southern city of Gwangju each added 17.



Among the confirmed cases, 23 came from abroad, the KDCA said.



South Korea has continued to strengthen monitoring of foreign arrivals as more transmissible variants could hinder the country's virus fight.



The country has so far confirmed 18 coronavirus variant cases on its soil, comprising 15 from Britain, two from South Africa and one from Brazil



The government regards such variants as a major challenge in its already struggling antivirus fight, especially ahead of a full-fledged vaccination program scheduled to start in February.



The country added 12 fatalities Sunday, upping the virus death toll to 1,349.



The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 282, down 15 from a day earlier.



The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries was up 486 from the previous day to reach 62,530. (Yonhap)
President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the Member States of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to accelerate efforts towards developing their own vaccines against COVID-19.

Mr Buhari, while speaking at the virtual ordinary summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, on Saturday, said this will help build herd immunities against the COVID-19 pandemic in West Africa.

Represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the president said the second wave of the pandemic may have a greater impact on the region if proactive measures are not taken.

He said the first wave of the pandemic negatively impacted the health and socioeconomic sectors of the region.

He urged ECOWAS countries to prioritise the acquisition of the approved COVID-19 vaccines for their citizens while they work to develop their own vaccines.

Now that vaccines are soon to be available, I call on all member states to ensure that we prioritise the acquisition of the vaccines for our citizens while at the same time increasing efforts to develop our own vaccines so that we can build herd immunities against the COVID-19 pandemic in West Africa, he said.

Mr Buhari also urged the ECOWAS Commission to work with the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) to assist member states in acquiring the vaccines and provide facilities to store and distribute the vaccines within the region.

As COVID-19 vaccines are currently being rolled out globally, most African countries, including Nigeria, are banking on benefitting from the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Assess Facility, or Covax, the World Health Organization-backed programme, which was set-up to divide a billion doses across 92 low- and middle-income countries.

The Nigerian government said it will receive at least 100,000 doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech approved COVID-19 vaccines by the end of January through COVAX.

Nigerias health minister, Osagie Ehanire, also said efforts are ongoing to secure about 10 million more doses of the approved COVID-19 vaccines for Nigerians.

He said Nigeria is participating in the African Union initiative called African Vaccine Availability Task Team, which has secured 270 million doses of various types of vaccines.

Bearing in mind options suitable for our environment and the available infrastructure, as well as Investment in delivery, Nigeria has written to express interest in 10 million doses of the viral vector vaccine, which could be supplied as from March 2021, Mr Ehanire said

Rapid Test Kits

On Saturday, Mr Buhari said it is important for the region to start producing the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) Kits to boost COVID-19 testing capacity.

He said it is important for the region to evolve effective measures and avoid total lockdown at this critical time that our economies are gradually recovering from the first wave of the pandemic.

Efforts should also be accelerated for the region to start producing rapid diagnostic test kits of international standards to be made available to all member states.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) had, last September, announced the Emergency Use Authorisation of two Ag- RDTs, manufactured by SD Biosensor and Abbott for COVID-19 testing.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recently carried out a national validation of the RDTs during screening of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The outcome shows that the RDTs met minimal standards for sensitivity and specificity of COVID-19 diagnostic tests, according to the Director-General of NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu.

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Mr Iheakwazu noted that as more Antigen- RDTs gain authorisation from the WHO, the centre would consider their use in Nigeria.

There is, however, no confirmation yet on Nigerias plan to mass-produce its own RDT kits. Although some researchers in the country have announced a breakthrough in RDT production.

In June 2020, Christian Happi, a professor of molecular biology and genomics at African Centre for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) at Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State, said he developed a rapid diagnostic test kit and ready for deployment.

It is, however, unclear if the RDT kits named SHERLOCK is being used in Nigeria.

Local vaccines production

The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib said there are genuine ongoing efforts by the federal government to restart the process of vaccines production.

Mr Shuaib at a briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 explained that 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, Mr Shuaib said.

Nigeria used to produce vaccines in its first few decades after independence in 1960, a process which, suffered a setback due to the decision to adopt more advanced technologies, according to Mr Shuaib.

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.

However, no significant progress has been made towards vaccine production in the country.
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Matt Hancock today admitted there is 'uncertainty' over whether the Covid variant is more deadly as he warned that people should take precautions based on the risk.

In interviews this morning, the Health Secretary cited warnings from scientists that the mutant strain first detected in Kent could be between 10 and 50 per cent more lethal.

But after criticism that the government was scaring people before the picture was clear, he admitted there are 'uncertainties' - while insisting that is the 'nature of science'.

He also fuelled rumours of Cabinet splits on how tough to make the UK's border policy by saying 'precautions' against variants that have not yet been detected.

And he delivered a grim message to those hoping lockdown could any anytime soon, insisting case numbers are a 'long, long, long way' from being low enough.

Speaking on Sky News' Sophy Ridge programme, Mr Hancock said: 'The scientists do think it may be more deadly. They have put various estimates..'

He said that 'communicating risk is challenging' as he defended Boris Johnson's decision to reveal the news on lethality at a dramatic press conference on Friday night.

'There are uncertainties on that. That is the nature of science... the vast majority of the public understand that,' Mr Hancock said.

'There is a risk the new variant is more deadly. We know it is more transmissible.'

The comments came after the UK's daily Covid case total plunged by 18 per cent in a week after experts played down the Government's 'scaremongering' claims that a UK variant of coronavirus is more deadly than the original strain.

A further 33,552 people tested positive for coronavirus today - a nearly 10,000 drop on the 41,346 recorded last Saturday. It brings the total number of cases in the UK since the start of the pandemic to 3,617,459.

Official figures also revealed 1,348 more people have died within 24 hours of testing positive for the virus - a rise of 4.1 per cent on last Saturday's 1,295.

But, in a positive sign Britain's third wave of Covid fatalities could be slowing, last Saturday brought a 25 per cent week-on-week rise in daily cases, significantly higher than the increase seen today.

In other coronavirus news today:

The UK reported a further 30,004 Covid cases, down almost a quarter on last Sunday, and 610 more deaths today;

It was another record day for vaccinations with 491,970 first doses and 1,043 second doses;

Mr Hancock revealed that as of this morning three quarters of the over-80s have been vaccinated;

The UK has detected 77 cases of the South African variant of Covid and nine cases of one of the Brazilian variants;

Nicola Sturgeon faces fury for ramping up her independence drive during the pandemic as she threatened to hold a referendum without Boris Johnson's agreement - and SNP MPs said they are 'focused on undermining the union';

Nursing leaders have called for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of coronavirus.

Speaking on Sky News' Sophy Ridge programme, Matt Hancock said: 'The scientists do think it may be more deadly. They have put various estimates..'

Boris Johnson revealed at a dramatic press conference on Friday (pictured) that the Kent coronavirus strain - called B.1.1.7 - could be 30 per cent more deadly than older versions of the virus

The Sage paper cited three studies of the Kent strain: A London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study (left) based on 2,583 deaths that said the hazard of death within 28 days of test for the mutant strain compared with non-mutant strains was 35% times higher An Imperial College London study (centre) of the Case Fatality Rate of the new mutant strain that found the risk of death was 36% times higher A University of Exeter study (right) that suggested the risk of death could be 91% higher. Both the Exeter and the Imperial studies were based on just 8% of deaths during the study period

Nervtag concluded there was a 'realistic possibility' - detailed on the yardstick above as a probability between 40 and 50 per cent - that the variant resulted in an increased risk of death when compared with the original strain

Hancock says three-quarters of over-80s have had vaccine as Sturgeon admits Scotland is 'catching up' Matt Hancock hailed 'brilliant progress' on vaccinations today as he revealed three quarters of over-80s have now received doses. The Health Secretary gave an updated figure for the UK in interviews this morning, saying the proportion was similar in care homes. But Nicola Sturgeon was embarrassingly forced to admit that Scotland needs to 'catch up', after it emerged on Friday that the over-80s coverage there is more like a third. Asked about the rollout on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, Nicola Sturgeon said: 'We took a deliberate decision in line with JCVI advice to focus initially on vaccinating older residents of care homes.' She continued: 'I heard Matt Hancock on the programme earlier say that about three quarters of care home residents in England had been vaccinated, in Scotland that figure right now is 95 per cent of care home residents.' The First Minister said this approach was more 'resource intensive' and Scotland was now 'rapidly catching up' on vaccinating over-80s in the community. She added: 'We're all working to the same targets, overall I think we will see that we all are making good progress through this vaccination programme.' Advertisement

Mr Hancock urged people to stay at home and follow the rules. He said: 'We should be worried enough, all of us, about this pandemic to follow the rules and it is just so important that people do. This morning I've come out of my formal self-isolation, I haven't actually left the house yet because I haven't needed to.'

He added: 'Whatever the exact nature of the UK new variant, and the scientists do think that it may be more deadly and they've put various estimates on that from about 10 per cent more deadly to a bit more than that, we are not exactly certain about how much more deadly.

'But in a way, for all of us, that doesn't matter. What matters is we've got to get this virus under control and the only way you do that is by stopping the social contact and following the rules.'

Asked if the public were left wondering what to believe on the new Covid strain, he replied: 'No I don't think that's the case for the vast majority of the public actually.

'Communicating risk is challenging and it's challenging for media outlets as well I understand that, but when we put the scientific evidence out there for instance, one of the studies says that this might by 10 per cent to 50 per cent more deadly, there are uncertainties in that, that's the nature of science.'

He added: 'Therefore we say there is a risk that the new variant is more deadly, we know that it is more contagious, more transmissible, all of that means it is even more important that people stay at home.'

Mr Hancock played down the prospect of domestic lockdown being tightened even further - but struck a very negative tone on whether they were likely to be loosened, amid fears that the curbs could drag into the summer.

'Well there is early evidence that the lockdown is starting to bring cases down, but we're a long, long, long way from being low enough because the case rate was incredibly high and you can see the pressure on the NHS, you can see it every day,' he said.

'The NHS are doing an amazing job in incredibly difficult circumstances and so we, I am confident in the measures that we've got in place now. What really matters is that everybody follows them and the reason for that is not just the death toll each day which is far too high but also because the pressure on the NHS  including from people who thankfully come out of hospital alive  the pressure on the NHS is enormous and that has knock-on consequences for people who suffer from all other illnesses.

'So it is very, very important that we continue to follow the rules, that's at the core of it even whilst we do everything we can to support the NHS through this.'

Mr Johnson told the country on Friday that the Kent coronavirus strain - responsible for the soaring Covid cases recorded in the last month - could be more deadly than older versions.

However, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) - the body of scientists which has advised the Government throughout the pandemic - are only 50 per cent sure the new variant could be more fatal.

Professor Robert Dingwall, who sits on the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) - the subcommittee of Sage which discussed the deadliness of the new strain on Thursday - said the claim that the variant is 30 per cent more lethal is on a 'very fragile' base of evidence and accused the Government of 'exploiting public fear' over the virus.

He told website Reaction: ' The 30 per cent more lethal claim about the virus rests on a very fragile and uncertain base of evidence. NERVTAG has expressed limited confidence in this figure, which should not be the basis for public alarm.'

UK monitoring 77 cases of South Africa variant The UK has identified 77 cases of South African coronavirus variant and nine of a Brazilian mutant, it was revealed today - amid warnings the virus is changing so fast new vaccines might be needed every year. Matt Hancock said the cases were being kept under 'very close observation' stressing that they appeared to be linked to travellers - amid a Cabinet row over how to tighten border rules. 'They are under very close observation, and we have enhanced contact tracing to do everything we possibly can to stop them from spreading,' the Health Secretary said. The figures emerged as Professor Anthony Harnden, deputy chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said the country will need to 'get used to' living with coronavirus. Advertisement

'It is right not to hide possibly bad news but it is also quite wrong to exploit it to increase public fear and to try to shut down debates about the exit strategy from the current restrictions.'

Chief Scientific advisor Sir Patrick Vallance said during the press conference that evidence the strain is indeed more deadly is still 'weak'.

Public Health England medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle revealed yesterday it is not 'absolutely clear' if a mutation of the virus first found in Kent is more dangerous.

Graham Medley, professor of infectious disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said it is an 'open question' but not a 'game changer' in terms of dealing with the pandemic.

He said: ''The question about whether it is more dangerous in terms of mortality I think is still open. There is evidence it is more dangerous but this is a very dangerous virus,' he said.

'In terms of making the situation worse it is not a game changer. It is a very bad thing that is slightly worse.'

And Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of Sage subgroup the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, said it was still too early to be drawing 'strong conclusions' about the suggested increased mortality rate.

He said he was 'quite surprised' by the announcement and recommended waiting 'a week or two more... before we draw really strong conclusions'.

PHE's Dr Doyle said it is still not 'absolutely clear' the new variant coronavirus which emerged in the UK is more deadly than the original strain. She said more work was needed to determine whether it was true.

She told the Today programme: 'There are several investigations going on at the moment. It is not absolutely clear that that will be the case. It is too early to say.

'There is some evidence, but it is very early evidence. It is small numbers of cases and it is far too early to say this will actually happen.'

Hancock pushes for tougher border rules Matt Hancock today fuelled Cabinet tensions over a UK border crackdown urging 'precautionary' action against Covid variants that have not been detected yet - amid claims the PM wants a more targeted approach. The Health Secretary gave a strong hint he favours blanket curbs on arrivals ahead of a showdown in a key committee on Tuesday. He also said 77 cases of the South African variant, all linked to travellers, and nine of a Brazilian variant have been identified in the UK. The key 'Covid O' group of ministers are expected to meet to thrash out a tightening, but 'hawks' such as Mr Hancock, Michael Gove and Priti Patel have been wrangling with 'doves' such as Rishi Sunak and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps. There are calls for all arrivals to be forced into Australia-style 'quarantine hotels' at airports for 10 days at their own expense - and a full border shutdown for foreign passengers has not been ruled out. Sources told the Mail on Sunday that Boris Johnson favours targeting the restrictions on Covid hotspots rather than making all air passengers quarantine. However, in a sign of the tensions, one Cabinet 'hawk' told MailOnline that the policy will be 'worthless' unless it covers all arrivals to the UK. Advertisement

Figures released today showed there were a further 1,079 cases of coronavirus in Wales and another 27 deaths.

Meanwhile, a further 76 people have died from coronavirus in Scotland, while 1,307 more positive cases have been confirmed.

There have been 12 more deaths due to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, while a further 670 positive cases of the virus were also confirmed there on Saturday.

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 113,000 deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK.

The Government also said that, as of 9am on Friday, there had been a further 33,552 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.

Government data up to January 22 shows of the 6,329,968 jabs given in the UK so far, 5,861,351 were first doses - a rise of 478,248 on the previous day's figures.

Some 468,617 were second doses, an increase of 1,821 on figures released the previous day.

The seven-day rolling average of first doses given in the UK is now 328,882.

Based on the latest figures, an average of 397,333 first doses of vaccine would be needed each day in order to meet the Government's target of 15 million first doses by February 15.

It comes after Sage's warning revealing scientists are only 50 per cent sure the variant could be more fatal was handed to ministers just hours before the official address to the public from Downing Street last night.

Ministers were only informed about the development yesterday morning after members of Nervtag discussed the issue on Thursday.

The group found there was a 'realistic possibility' the variant resulted in an increased risk of death when compared with the original strain.

Passengers wait at Heathrow Airport yesterday as ministers mull even tighter rules

The number of people developing Covid-19 every day appears to have halved in a fortnight from 70,000 on January 8 to 34,000 yesterday, according to the Covid Symptom Study, which uses self-reported symptoms through a mobile app used by around a million people

How deadly is the Kent Covid variant? Confusion mounts as scientists offer wildly different estimates There was confusion last night about how deadly the Kent coronavirus variant really is after 10 Sage studies came to wildly different conclusions about its lethality and the World Health Organization said it still hadn't seen any convincing data. Boris Johnson and his science chiefs made the shocking claim that the strain  called B.1.1.7  could be 30 per cent more deadly than older versions of the virus without presenting any evidence to back up the terrifying development. The announcement came after 10 studies submitted to Sage overwhelmingly suggested that the strain was more lethal than past variants. But there are question marks over the findings because the estimates varied vastly and one study even found the strain was less deadly than the older version. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimated the risk of death from the new variant could be 1.35 times greater, Imperial College London said it was between 1.29 and 1.36 times, Exeter University found it may be 1.91 and Public Health England said it could be as high as 1.6. But there are further questions over the reliablity of the data because the research was only based on a few hundreds deaths. Public Health England chief Dr Susan Hopkins cautioned people from reading too much into the findings and suggested the evidence was still murky. She added: 'There is evidence from some but not all data sources which suggests that the variant of concern which was first detected in the UK may lead to a higher risk of death than the non-variant. Evidence on this variant is still emerging and more work is underway to fully understand how it behaves.' Sir Patrick Vallance told the briefing last night that hospital data had suggested the variant could increase the risk of death for a man his 60s from 1 per cent to 1.3 per cent, but he admitted 'the evidence is not yet strong'. Adding to the confusion, Professor Chris Whitty, said he was not entirely convinced the strain was deadlier in the first place. And the variant has already been spotted in 60 countries, including most of continental Europe, the US, Australia, India, China and Saudi Arabia - yet none of those countries have reported a higher mortality rate from the new variant. Kit Yates, a mathematical biologist at the University of Bath, slammed the Government for causing confusion and panic about the variant. He tweeted: 'I really dislike the way the news about the increased lethality of B1.1.7 was leaked out and then discussed in a press briefing. Where is the data? We want to be able to scrutinise it and to understand the detail, not just the summary.' The WHO also undermined No10, saying it had not yet seen any evidence to convince it that the Kent strain was actually more deadly than other strains. In a thinly-veiled jab at the UK Government, the body said it was more likely that the increased death rate was a result of ministers losing a grip on infections. Dr Mike Ryan, chief of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, told a separate press conference today: 'There is a big difference between the lethality of a virus, how many people on average a virus kills, versus the mortality. If I have one million people infected and my lethality is 1 per cent, or two million people infected with a lethality of 1 per cent, twice as many people will die [in the second case].' Advertisement

But evidence for increased mortality remains thin  Nervtag papers reveal the term 'realistic possibility' is used when scientists are only 40 to 50 per cent confident something is true.

The paper states 'it should be noted that the absolute risk of death per infection remains low'. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said if the evidence is correct it would mean three to four more deaths per 1,000 cases.

The decision to reveal the new information just hours after learning of the development is a yardstick of how alarmed ministers are.

Critics accused them of 'scaremongering' by announcing their fears the Kent strain is more deadly at short notice and without strong supporting evidence.

Professor Dingwall told Reaction: 'The 30 per cent more lethal claim about the virus rests on a very fragile and uncertain base of evidence. Nervtag has expressed limited confidence in this figure, which should not be the basis for public alarm.'

He continued: 'It is right not to hide possibly bad news but it is also quite wrong to exploit it to increase public fear and to try to shut down debates about the exit strategy from the current restrictions.'

'If, as seems likely, the vaccines are as effective against the Kent variant as the previous one, then any increase in risk, which is not proven, is only a temporary problem that will disappear as the vaccine programme rolls onward.'

The gloomy Nervtag report followed positive news from Sage that the R rate was between 0.8 and 1 - down from last week when it was between 1.2 and 1.3.

Covid Recovery Group of Tory backbenchers and business chiefs are growing increasingly alarmed at suggestions lockdown could stretch well into summer despite Britain's vaccination programme.

The Sage paper released last night cited three studies of the risk of death associated with the new strain. They were all based on a study of 2,583 deaths among 1.2million tested individuals:

A London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study said the hazard of death within 28 days of a test for the mutant strain compared with non-mutant strains was 1.35 times higher;

An Imperial College London study of the Case Fatality Rate of the new mutant strain found the risk of death was 1.36 times higher. It used mathematical analysis to look at all cases of the new variant but the total number was not revealed in the papers. The Sage paper said its data is based on just 8 per cent of the total deaths occurring during the study period. Imperial used the same datasets as London School of Hygience and Tropical Medicine;

A University of Exeter study suggested the risk of death could be 1.91 times higher. This study matched those with the new variant to those of a similar demographic. The Sage paper did not reveals its sample size, but its analysis was again based on 8 per cent of the total coronavirus deaths during the study period;

Sae admits 'the results of all studies may not be representative of the total population';

Some of the analysis might be comparing frail elderly people in nursing home outbreaks of the Kent variant, which is more transmissible, with healthier elderly people infected with other strains in the community;

An increase in the severity of infection with the variant would likely lead to an increased risk of hospitalisation, which there is currently no evidence of in individuals suffering from the strain;

Analysis has not identified an increased risk of death in hospitalised cases of the variant.

Worrying strains around the world: Since the Covid pandemic began there have been at least six new stains which appear more infectious and have mutations that open the door to vaccine resistance

In a dramatic sign that the outbreak could be flattening out, Sage said the R rate was between 0.8 and 1. That is down sharply from last week, when it was between 1.2 and 1.3

Meanwhile professor of infectious disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Dr Medley said it is still an 'open question'.

Prof Medley was co-author of a report by the Government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group. But he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme it was not a 'game changer' for dealing with the pandemic.

He said: 'The question about whether it is more dangerous in terms of mortality I think is still open. There is evidence it is more dangerous but this is a very dangerous virus. In terms of making the situation worse it is not a game changer. It is a very bad thing that is slightly worse.'

Dr Tildesley, a member of Spi-M, said it was still too early to be drawing 'strong conclusions' about both the suggested increased mortality rates from the new Covid variant.

He said: 'I was actually quite surprised the news had been announced at a new conference. It seems to have gone up a little bit from about 10 people per thousand to about 13 which is quite a small rise but it's based on a relatively small amount of data.

'I would be wanting to wait for a week or two more, monitoring a little bit more before we draw really strong conclusions about this.'

Speaking on BBC Breakfast he added: 'I just worry that where we report things pre-emptively where the data are not really particularly strong.'

Professor Peter Horby, who chairs Nervtag, said people needed to put data showing increased mortality rates from the new UK coronavirus variant 'in perspective'.

He told BBC Breakfast: 'Initial data didn't suggest that this was any more serious than the old virus but now the data has started to come in there are a number of streams of data that are coming in that suggest there might be a small increase in risk of death.

'There are some limitations in the data so we need to be cautious with the interpretations but it is important that people understand that we are looking at this and this may be true.

'If you look at it as a relative change like 30 or 40% then it sounds really bad but a big change in a very small risk takes it from a very small number to a slightly bigger, but still very small number, so for most people the risk is very, very small.

'People need to put it into perspective. This is a risk for certain age groups and that risk may have increased but for most people it is still not a serious disease.'

But Prof Horby acknowledged the new data should be taken 'very seriously'.

He added: 'This is an unpleasant virus. It's throwing things at us that are unpleasant and we're going to have to manage them.'

His comments follow PHE doctor Susan Hopkins, who cautioned people from reading too much into the findings and suggested the evidence was still murky.

She added: 'There is evidence from some but not all data sources which suggests that the variant of concern which was first detected in the UK may lead to a higher risk of death than the non-variant. Evidence on this variant is still emerging and more work is underway to fully understand how it behaves.'

Kit Yates, a mathematical biologist at the University of Bath, slammed the Government for causing confusion and panic about the variant.

He tweeted: 'I really dislike the way the news about the increased lethality of B1.1.7 was leaked out and then discussed in a press briefing. Where is the data? We want to be able to scrutinise it and to understand the detail, not just the summary.'

Senior doctors call for gap between first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine to be HALVED to six weeks Senior doctors have called for the gap between the first and second doses of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine to be halved to six weeks. It emerged on Thursday that NHS hospitals could be banned from giving out the jabs if they don't stick to the strategy of delaying second doses by 12 weeks or longer, despite initial proposals to leave a three-week gap. But the British Medical Association (BMA) has recommended to cut the waiting time, warning in a letter that the strategy is 'difficult to justify' and the UK is 'internationally isolated'. The World Health Organization (WHO) previously said governments should be giving people their second dose within 21 to 28 days of having the first, to make sure the vaccine works long-term. In a private letter to Professor Chris Witty, the BMA indicated that second doses may not be guaranteed following a 12-week gap due to the 'unpredictability of supplies', reports the BBC. Although agreeing that the jab should be 'rolled as quickly as possible', the association called for an urgent review of the policy that is 'proving evermore difficult to justify'. Advertisement

But the long time lag from infection to hospitalisation means there is not a huge amount of data available on the variant, with Nervtag saying analyses will become more definitive over the coming weeks.

One theory as to why it may be more lethal is the stickiness of the mutation and the way it gets into cells and replicates - a behaviour that also makes the variant more transmissible the Telegraph reports.

Boris Johnson told the Downing Street briefing last night: 'We've been informed that in addition to spreading more quickly it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant  first identified in London and the Kent  may be associated with a higher degree of mortality.'

Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said during the address that even now the science is still at an early stage.

He said: 'These data are currently uncertain and we don't have a very good estimate of the precise nature or indeed whether it is an overall increase, but it looks like it is.'

He said for men in their 60s, the average risk was that for every 1,000 who got infected, ten would be expected to die. But with the new variant it might be 13 or 14. That equates to an increased relative risk of 30 to 40 per cent.

Sir Patrick noted estimates vary and stressed some concluded there was no additional risk. But he said his best guess was that deaths increase by about 30 to 40 per cent.

He added: 'The death rate is awful and it's going to stay, I'm afraid, high for a little while before it starts coming down  that was always what was predicted from the shape of this.'

Nervtag concluded death rates have not increased among those in hospital. But evidence suggests it raises the risk of being hospitalised in the first place.

In a bid to drive the message home, the public will be faced with a set of hard-hitting new adverts warning people to stay in their houses to try to pressure people into obeying lockdown rules.

With close-ups of frontline medical practitioners and Covid-19 patients' faces, the advert will ask: 'Can you look them in the eyes and tell them you're helping by staying at home?'

The public will be faced with a set of hard-hitting new adverts warning people to stay home as part of a change of tack in the bid to ensure people obey lockdown rules

Boris Johnson and Sir Patrick Vallance said at a Downing Street press conference last night that the variant of the coronavirus that emerged in the UK may be more deadly than the previous version of the virus that it is competing with

Nurses claim they are being treated like 'lambs to the slaughter' as they call for higher-grade face masks Nursing leaders have called for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of Covid-19. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the British Medical Association (BMA) warned that members had raised fears they were being given inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) in a letter to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). One nurse described feeling as though staff were being treated like 'lambs to the slaughter' due to the inadequacy of surgical masks. The College is now calling for a review of infection control guidance and calling for all NHS staff to be given the higher grade of PPE as a precaution pending the outcome. It wants staff to be given the high-grade face masks used in intensive care units, called FFP2 or FFP3 masks. Advertisement

Despite acknowledging cases are falling, the Prime Minister  also accompanied by Professor Chris Whitty  decided to hone in on early analysis by the sub-group of Sage that suggested the Kent mutation was more lethal.

The trio resorted to explaining the risk out loud during the Downing Street press conference, failing to offer any actual proof to back their terrifying claim.

World Health Organization bosses claimed they had seen no evidence on the variant's lethality during a simultaneous briefing.

Dr Mike Ryan - head of the WHO emergency programme - urged people to 'remain calm around the issues of these variants'.

He added: 'There is a big difference between the lethality of a virus, how many people on average a virus kills, versus the morality of the virus. If I have one million people infected and my lethality is 1 per cent, or two million people infected with a lethality of 1 per cent, twice as many people will die.

'We are not seeing so far, but we will wait to see, that the disease is more lethal. We are seeing that... increasing incidence leads to increasing mortality. If your cases get out of control, your deaths will get out of control as your health system is overwhelmed.'

Professor Whitty, England's chief medical officer, claimed the findings showed a 60-year-old man faced a 1.3 per cent risk of dying of the Kent Covid variant, compared to the usual 1 per cent. But a 30 per cent increase in the risk of death means 13 out of 1,000 men in their 60s will succumb to the illness, instead of 10. Professor Whitty himself admitted the evidence was 'not yet strong'.

Data on the lethality of the Kent variant, which has been spotted in 60 countries around the world, was first leaked to the press ahead of Mr Johnson's TV appearance. ITV's political editor Robert Peston was told by Professor Neil Ferguson there was a 'realistic possibility' the variant was deadlier.

No10 insiders dismissed claims 'Professor Lockdown'  the Imperial College London epidemiologist whose grim modelling that hundreds of thousands of Britons could die without action spooked ministers into lockdown last March  had 'bounced' the government into revealing Nervtag's new evidence.

Has the UK passed the worst of second peak? The UK's R rate has dropped below one in a dramatic sign that the peak could have been passed. Scientists said the level was down to between 0.8 and 1, compared to 1.2 and 1.3. The number represents how many people an infected individual passes the disease on to, and anything below one means the outbreak is shrinking. Meanwhile, the Office for National Statistics said the total number of people with coronavirus dropped last week - but there were still more than a million people infected. And the symptom-tracking Covid Symptom Study estimates that the number of people developing symptoms each day has halved in a fortnight, down to 34,000 a day from 70,000 on January 8, while official death counts show fatalities appear to be declining in London. Numbers of people testing positive through NHS Test and Trace have also tumbled for twelve days in a row, with the daily average tumbling from 60,000 on January 10 to 40,000 yesterday. And an array of other data also suggests the epidemic is coming under control, with Public Health England figures showing positive test rates are down in all regions and age groups. London's average daily death count fell from 169 to 163 in the most recent four days of data and could be set to fall further as official statistics remain lower than they were at the start of this month. Professor Tim Spector, a King's College London epidemiologist, said yesterday that the 'signs are hopeful we're on our way out of this situation'. But he cautioned the virus is still widespread all over the country, with huge numbers of people infected. NHS hospitals are under immense strain and intensive care wards twice as busy as last year, despite thousands of extra beds. Advertisement

The doom-mongering came despite an array of statistics showing the second wave has peaked already and may finally be coming under control.

Sage yesterday claimed Britain's R rate has fallen below the crucial level of one and separate surveillance studies estimated daily cases have halved in a fortnight.

Department of Health figures mirrored the trend, with infections falling by 30 per cent week-on-week as health chiefs announced another 40,261 cases. Officials also posted 1,401 deaths, up just 9.5 per cent on last Friday. But experts warned the fatality toll will continue to rise for at least another week because of how long it takes for infected patients to become severely ill.

Defying mounting pressure to commit to easing the current measures, Mr Johnson warned yesterday the NHS is still under huge pressure and the curbs will only be lifted when it is 'safe'.

The PM even set the scene for tougher restrictions last night, warning: 'We may need to go further to protect our borders.' Nicola Sturgeon warned Scotland life may not be 'back to normal' by the summer, in another sign the UK will not be freed from the draconian restrictions from mid-February.

The 70-strong Covid Recovery Group of Conservative MPs is urging the government to start lifting the lockdown no later than March 8 - when vaccines given to the most vulnerable groups should have taken effect. But No10's refusal to give an exact day for when lockdown will end may have been fuelled by the new variant findings.

The variant has already been spotted in 60 countries, including the US, Australia, India, China and Saudi Arabia. But the Government's top scientific advisers believe the current crop of vaccines will work against the variant - but may be less effective against other South African and Brazilian mutations.

MailOnline also revealed Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed vaccines may be 50 per cent less effective on the South African variant. He warned allowing the variant to become the dominant strain in the UK could ruin Britain's vaccination drive - which yesterday saw a record 400,00 doses administered in one day.

And grim figures laying bare the economically-crippling side of lockdown revealed business activity has fallen even more than expected this month, leaving the UK looking down the barrel of a double dip recession. Number 10 borrowed more than 34billion in December - the third highest monthly total ever - as it scrambles to keep millions of jobs and stricken firms afloat while tax revenues dwindle.

In a dramatic sign that the outbreak could be flattening out, Sage said the R rate was between 0.8 and 1. That is down sharply from last week, when it was between 1.2 and 1.3

Worrying strains around the world: Since the Covid pandemic began there have been at least six new stains which appear more infectious and have mutations that open the door to vaccine resistance

The ONS report said the number of people likely to test positive for coronavirus came down from 1.122million on January 2 to 1.023million on January 16

Passengers wait at Heathrow Airport yesterday as ministers mull even tighter rules

The number of people developing Covid-19 every day appears to have halved in a fortnight from 70,000 on January 8 to 34,000 yesterday, according to the Covid Symptom Study, which uses self-reported symptoms through a mobile app used by around a million people

Grim figures published yesterday showed government borrowing soared to 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record - amid growing fears about the UK's debt mountain

Closely-watched PMI data for the private sector showed a reading of 40.6 so far in January - with anything blow 50 pointing to a contraction

No10 insiders flatly dismissed the idea Prof Ferguson had been told to brief Peston  and said the suggestion he 'bounced' them into the announcement was 'rubbish'.

Sources suggested Prof Ferguson is on Nervtag and knew the announcement was going to be made.

The Nervtag report with the evidence on lethality is understood to have landed on the PM's desk yesterday morning, and he was given a 'detailed briefing' on the content by Sir Patrick Vallance.

A source said: 'The PM has always been very clear that we have to be transparent with people about the information we had on the variants. The idea that we could have done the press conference without giving the public the information would have been the wrong thing to do.'

Tory backbencher Craig Mackinlay told MailOnline some of the scientific warnings were reminiscent of Project Fear and every time there was hope of easing lockdown there was 'a new twist'.

Matt Hancock claims South African variant may make vaccines 50% less effective The mutant South African coronavirus variant may make the current crop of vaccines 50 per cent less effective, Matt Hancock has sensationally claimed. In footage obtained by MailOnline, the Health Secretary warned allowing the variant to become the dominant strain in the UK could ruin Britain's vaccination drive and send the country 'back to square one'. Mr Hancock is understood to have made the astonishing comments during an online webinar with travel agents this week, to the shock of everyone on the call. He said there was 'evidence in the public domain' that the South African variant reduces vaccine efficacy by 'about 50 per cent'. Although he followed up by saying: 'We are not sure of this data so I wouldn't say this in public.' The South African strain  called B.1.351  has key mutations on its spike protein which scientists fear might make it difficult for the immune system to recognise. These alterations open the door to it being resistant to vaccines, which train the body to spot the spike protein, or natural immunity from previous infection. It comes after South African scientists found that 48 per cent of blood samples from people who had been infected in the past did not show an immune response to the new variant - raising red flags about possible vaccine resistance. The South African version is also though to be at least 60 per cent more infectious than regular Covid and even more transmissible than the Kent variant that ripped through the UK and plunged England into its third national lockdown. The South African strain has already been spotted in the UK 73 times, according to the Covid-19 Genomics Consortium UK (COG-UK). Although it is likely to be far more widespread because COG-UK only analyses 10 per cent of random positive samples. Advertisement

He said: 'It seems to me we are now being held hostage to a zero Covid policy which is completely unattainable  or if you do attain it we are going to be in lockdown for an incredibly long period. That just cannot be.

'The next thing will be 'oh dear, this new variant from Timbuktu is not responsive to the vaccine', or 'the vaccine doesn't work against it'.'

The South Thanet MP, a member of the CRG, went on: 'Because Covid has been with us now for a year it is not at all surprising if the evolution or mutation is going to be towards a different type of which these vaccines can't work against.

'That doesn't matter as such because you then need to formulate a new vaccine. But we are just adding more delay.'

Mr Mackinlay said: 'There has got to be a time when you have done the elderly, you've done the vulnerable but the words I seem to be hearing is that this lockdown has got no end to it, because there always seems to be a new twist and turn  a reason why it should continue.'

He said: 'It does seem to me that scientists are in control of this. I know you wouldn't put an economist in charge of vaccine control, but you wouldn't put these scientists in charge of the economy.'

Speaking at last night's Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson said: 'We've been informed that in addition to spreading more quickly it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant, the variant that was first identified in London and the South East, may be associated with a higher degree of mortality.'

The PM handed over to his chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick, who added: 'If you took a man in their 60s, the average risk is that for a thousand people who got infected, roughly 10 would be expected to, unfortunately, die with the new variant, for a thousand people infected, roughly 13 or 14 people might be expected to die.

'That's the sort of change for that sort of age group.'

He added: 'I want to stress that there's a lot of uncertainty around these numbers and we need more work to get a precise handle on it, but it obviously is of concern that this has an increase in mortality as well as an increase in transmissibility, as it appears of [yesterday].'

The estimates for R and the growth rate are provided by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (Spi-M), a sub-group of Sage.

The growth rate, which estimates how quickly the number of infections is changing day by day, is between minus 4 per cent and minus 1 per cent for the UK as a whole.

It means the number of new infections is shrinking by between 1 per cent and 4 per cent every day.

Scientists advising the Government said all regions of England have seen decreases in the R number and growth rate estimates compared with last week, and R is below or around 1 in every region.

However, they warned that despite the reductions, case levels 'remain dangerously high and we must remain vigilant to keep this virus under control, to protect the NHS and save lives'.

Sage scientists said: 'Cases remain dangerously high and we must remain vigilant to keep this virus under control, to protect the NHS and save lives.

'It is essential that everyone continues to stay at home, whether they have had the vaccine or not.

'We all need to play our part, and if everyone continues to follow the rules, we can expect to drive down the R number across the country.'

What do we know about the Kent variant? Name: B.1.1.7, formerly VUI-202012/01 Where did it come from? The variant was first found in Kent and can be traced back to September 2020. Scientists noticed that it was spreading in November and it was revealed to the public in December. What makes it new? The variant, which is a version of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes Covid-19, has a series of mutations that change the shape of the spike protein on its outside. The main one is known as N501Y. This appears to make it better able to stick to the cells inside the body and makes it more likely to cause infection and faster to spread. How did that happen? Viruses, particularly ones spreading so fast and in such huge numbers, mutate all the time. To reproduce they basically force living cells to copy and paste the viral genetic code, and this can contain errors that lead to slightly different versions of the virus. Often these mutations make no difference but, if they make the virus stronger, they can stick around for further generations and become the norm. What can we do about it? Nothing much. People who catch the virus won't know which type they have, and it will still cause the same symptoms and illness. Officials can try to contain it by locking down the areas where it is most prevalent, but if it is stronger than other versions of the virus it will eventually spread everywhere and become dominant as long as people continue to travel. Will it make Covid-19 worse? Scientists aren't sure whether it affects the severity of the disease. Because it is so new, no official data yet exists to track if it is more deadly. If it is, it may be the first of thousands of mutations since the start of the pandemic to increase the risk of death. Will our vaccines still work? Yes, it's very likely they will. Scientists on Sage are fairly sure the mutations the Kent variant carries do not significantly affect how well the immune system can handle it. People who have a vaccine modelled on an older version of the virus, or who have been infected with Covid-19 before, are likely to be immune to it. This is because the main mutations are only on one part of the spike protein, whereas the immune system is able to target various other parts of the virus. Advertisement

Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, from the maths faculty at the University of Cambridge, said the drop in R was 'very encouraging news'.

He said the decline in positive cases has been slow but cases are 'nearly half what they were three weeks ago, which is enormously hopeful'.

Sir David told the BBC that, by next month, the UK will start seeing the benefits of the vaccine rollout.

But he also gave a stark vision of the competing concerns that the government is wrestling with.

'The one thing I can be absolutely confident about is that, by this time next month, there is going to be the mother of all argument,' he said.

'Because it's quite feasible that deaths will have come down considerably, infections should have come down considerably, hospitalisations and ICU will still be under a lot of pressure.

'There will be enormous pressure to loosen things up.

'Loosening it up will inevitably lead to an increase in cases, a resurgence of the pandemic among younger groups, and we can see then that does seep through into hospitalisations.

'So there's going to be a real battle going on.'

Hopes have been fuelled the UK might have passed the worst of the second wave, with the Office for National Statistics saying the total number of people with coronavirus dropped last week - but there were still more than a million people infected.

And the symptom-tracking Covid Symptom Study estimates that the number of people developing symptoms each day has halved in a fortnight, down to 34,000 a day from 70,000 on January 8, and that the R rate of the virus in the UK is just 0.8, while official death counts show fatalities appear to be declining in London.

Numbers of people testing positive through NHS Test and Trace have also tumbled for twelve days in a row, with the daily average tumbling from 60,000 on January 10 to 40,000 yesterday, and Public Health England figures show positive test rates were down in all regions and age groups last week.

Professor Tim Spector, a King's College London epidemiologist, said yesterday the 'signs are hopeful we're on our way out of this situation'.

Sir Desmond Swayne, Conservative MP for New Forest West, said that the Government's focus should be on lowering hospital admissions so lockdown can be lifted.

He told Talk Radio: 'As hospital admissions decline, with the progress of vaccination, the notion that ordinary people are going to be prepared to tolerate going on living like troglodytes, in this ridiculous way, is absurd,' Sir Desmond told Talk Radio's Julia Hartley-Brewer.

'We were told - it's always been the case - that we were protecting the NHS and reducing hospital admissions. As they reduce, the burden of lockdown becomes intolerable.

'We are going to have to live with this as an endemic disease.

'There will have to be new strains put into the vaccine every year, and vulnerable groups will have to go and get their vaccine in the autumn - in the same way as you expect them to go and get their vaccine for flu at the moment.

'That's going to be the new normal.'

London's average daily death count fell from 169 to 163 in the most recent four days of data and could be set to fall further as official statistics remain lower than they were at the start of this month.

But he cautioned the virus is still widespread all over the country, with huge numbers of people infected. NHS hospitals are under immense strain and intensive care wards twice as busy as last year, despite thousands of extra beds.

Kent variant timeline September 20 - Variant emerges in a chronically ill Covid-19 patient in Kent November 6 - Infected person takes the new strain to California November 2020 - Spike in cases occurs in Kent and Medway despite national lockdown squashing case numbers in the rest of the country November 23 - Air passenger brings new variant to Florida December 11 - Sage tells the Government about the new variant December 14 - Authorities of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reported to WHO that new SARS-CoV-2 variant was identified through viral genomic sequencing Matt Hancock tells MPs about the new variant December 18 - Sage tells the Government they are concerned about the new variant and its transmissibility December 20 - London, South East and East of England go into new Tier 4 restrictions due to spike in cases due to new variant December 21 - More than 40 countries halt flights from UK due to new variant December 29 - First case is spotted in the US All dates are for the year 2020 Advertisement

More than 20,000 people have died since January 1 and thousands more will die in the coming weeks even with cases continuing to fall because it can take weeks for infected patients to become severely ill. Almost 40,000 Britons are currently in hospital with Covid.

Despite the flattening, the direction of travel in government seems to be towards tightening lockdown even further.

And No10 delivered a rebuke yesterday afternoon to Tory MPs urging the government to release a blueprint for how lockdown will be eased when the first phase of vaccine rollout is complete.

The PM's spokesman said: 'It's important that we continue to monitor the latest situation.

'You see the latest figures that we publish on a daily basis which clearly show that transmission rates of the virus remain high.

'The NHS continues to be under pressure and the number of patients admitted to hospital remains at a high level.

'It's obviously the case that we want to see the transmission rate of the virus come down and therefore the pressure on the NHS eased.

'The Prime Minister has been clear that we will lift restrictions as soon as we can but only when it is deemed safe to do so.'

Signs are promising that the vaccine programme is progressing well.

More than 400,000 Britons were vaccinated against coronavirus on yesterday, official figures show, as the NHS drive to inoculate the most vulnerable continues to gather steam.

Department of Health figures published yesterday reveal 412,615 jabs were carried out on Thursday, marking the third day in a row the scheme has picked up the pace.

The Government is aiming to vaccinate all 15million in the top priority groups - over-70s, NHS staff, vulnerable and care home residents - by mid-February, meaning they will need to get jabs into the arms of 350,000 people a day.

400,000 Britons are vaccinated in record day More than 400,000 Britons were vaccinated against coronavirus on yesterday, official figures show, as the NHS drive to inoculate the most vulnerable continues to gather steam. Department of Health figures published yesterday reveal 412,615 jabs were carried out on Thursday, marking the third day in a row the scheme has picked up the pace. The Government is aiming to vaccinate all 15million in the top priority groups - over-70s, NHS staff, vulnerable and care home residents - by mid-February, meaning they will need to get jabs into the arms of 350,000 people a day. But the figures show the daily target was exceeded, sparking hopes the Government will make good on its promise which will pile pressure on ministers to end the brutal lockdown sooner. Overall, more than 5.3million Britons have been vaccinated against the virus since the scheme began. In Wales 21,901 jabs were administered yesterday, official figures reveal. The nation has vaccinated 212,700 people in total, including giving 212,317 first doses and 415 second doses. In Scotland 23,800 jabs were completed bringing its total to 363,143 including 358,000 first doses and 4,600 second doses. And in Northern Ireland almost 7,000 jabs were done on January 21. In total it has completed 173,500 jabs including 150,000 first doses and 22,510 second doses. Advertisement

But the figures show the daily target was exceeded, sparking hopes the Government will make good on its promise which will pile pressure on ministers to end the brutal lockdown sooner.

Overall, more than 5.3million Britons have been vaccinated against the virus since the scheme began.

In Wales 21,901 jabs were administered yesterday, official figures reveal.

The nation has vaccinated 212,700 people in total, including giving 212,317 first doses and 415 second doses.

In Scotland 23,800 jabs were completed bringing its total to 363,143 including 358,000 first doses and 4,600 second doses.

And in Northern Ireland almost 7,000 jabs were done on January 21. In total it has completed 173,500 jabs including 150,000 first doses and 22,510 second doses.

There were reports ministers are already in talks with hotel chains over plans to force UK arrivals to quarantine at airports.

Travellers could be prevented from using their own accommodation under the proposals being put together by the government. Using GPS tags to ensure compliance is also believed to have been considered.

The draconian 'quarantine hotel' system, similar to that used in Australia and New Zealand, is a prospect amid rising fears about the spread of Covid variants around the globe.

Arrivals would potentially have to pay for their stays while they self-isolate for 10 days, or even a fortnight.

The powerful Covid O Cabinet sub-committee is due to discuss the ideas over the coming days - although a final decision is not likely until next week.

Environment Secretary George has refused to rule out even more drastic action, with foreigners barred from coming to the UK altogether.

Asked about the possibility in a round of interviews, Mr Eustice told Sky News: 'We always keep these things under review. And it has been considered.

Boris refuses to rule out tough new border curbs Boris Johnson set the scene for tougher restrictions on travel into the UK last night as he warned: 'We may need to go further to protect our borders'. The Prime Minister refused to rule out tough new measures including enforced quarantine in specially designated hotels as he led a press conference this evening. Amid fears that a strain of coronavirus that originated in South Africa may be more resistant to vaccines he told the nation making it too easy for it and other variants to enter would under all the hard work put in by locked down Britons. Desperate wrangling is going on within Cabinet over the shape of the restrictions, set to be finalised at a meeting of the core Covid O sub-committee on Monday. A range of escalations are being considered to combat the global spread of variants, with a full border closure to foreign nationals still on the table. However, the most likely outcome is a version of the enforced isolation system used by countries such as Australia and New Zealand. Asked whether new border measures were coming, at the press conference, Mr Johnson said: 'I really don't rule it out, we may need to take further measures still. 'We may need to go further to protect our borders. 'We don't want to put that [all the effort to control the virus] at risk by having a new variant come back in.' Advertisement

'There is concern at the moment about the number of mutant strains.'

Any new restrictions would be a further blow to the beleaguered travel industry and put the holiday plans of millions at risk.

It comes as Britain's airports are already struggling to cope with demand, with passengers queuing for hours yesterday to get through passport control at Heathrow as the border situation worsened.

The lines were so long staff were said to have handed out free water to exhausted travellers just hours after the Home Office insisted there were no staffing issues and people were moving through in 'good time'.

The proposal to hand out 500 to everyone who tests positive for coronavirus has surfaced amid efforts to increase compliance - with many believed to dodge the rules because they cannot afford to stop working.

Detailed in an official policy paper, it is said to be the 'preferred position' of Mr Hancock's Department of Health.

Officials fear that too many with Covid symptoms fail to take a test in case knowing a positive result stops them working.

However, it appears to have blindsided Downing Street, with sources making clear No10 was had not seen the blueprint before it was leaked and warning it would create 'perverse incentives'.

Treasury officials said it was 'not going to happen' and swiped that they had 'zero idea' how Mr Hancock allowed it to get traction. 'Just bonkers. The whole country will suddenly develop a dry cough,' one said.

Sage warns lockdown must not be lifted too soon The Government will have a fierce battle with Sage on its hands if it wants to lift lockdown rules in February or mid-way through the vaccine rollout, meeting records show. Files from the scientific advisers show they have repeatedly warned that ministers face another epidemic and 'very many hospital admissions and deaths' if they jump the gun. A batch of papers from Sage, published yesterday, revealed: There were staggering 117,000 to 287,000 new coronavirus infections per day before the third lockdown, Sage estimated;

It was 'not clear' on January 6 whether this lockdown would work at keeping the virus under control. The new variant will undoubtedly make it slower to take effect and the NHS should expect the same level of pressure, or more, into the middle of February;

The impact of the vaccines on the R rate in the UK will be 'modest' by mid-February, and lockdown should only be relaxed when virus prevalence and hospital pressure are both low;

It is critical to get 'extremely high' vaccine coverage in vulnerable people before lockdown rules are loosened;

If lockdown rules are loosened mid-vaccine rollout there will be another full-blown epidemic with 'very many hospital admissions and deaths';

The Kent variant, also known as B.1.1.7, may be more transmissible because it 'grows well in the airways';

Nervtag said in December that it expected data on whether Kent variant was more deadly 'in the next few days';

Variants of the virus will very likely emerge, Sage warns, and this becomes more likely as more people develop immunity and the virus faces pressure to evolve to survive. Advertisement

Mr Eustice refused to rule out the plan entirely, saying ministers were looking at reasons why people avoid self-isolating with Covid symptoms.

But he stressed that 'no decisions' had been taken and the government was 'always keeping multiple policies under review'.

The wrangling came as as grim figures showed business activity plunging into the red again this month.

Closely-watched PMI data for the private sector showed a reading of 40.6 so far in January - with anything below 50 pointing to a contraction.

It was significantly worse than the expectations of analysts, who had predicted 46.1, underlining the devastating impact of the pandemic.

Economists warned that a double-dip downturn is now firmly 'on the cards' after the fledgling recovery from the worst recession in 300 years was strangled by action to control a surge in cases.

Figures last week showed GDP dropping 2.6 per cent in November during the second England-wide Covid lockdown.

Any December rally will have been smothered by the harsh 'tier' controls in England, and the renewed blanket curbs in January.

In more signs of the huge problems facing the country, figures have revealed public borrowing hit 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record.

And retail sales saw the largest fall since records began last year, even though there was a slight uptick in December.

However, separate PMI released for the Eurozone show the UK is far from alone, with France and other major players also facing GDP going into reverse again.

Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at IHS Markit, said its 'flash' PMI for this month showed the crucial services sector had been hit 'especially hard'.

However, in a crumb of comfort, he said the scale of the downturn was far less dramatic than last spring.

'A steep slump in business activity in January puts the locked-down UK economy on course to contract sharply in the first quarter of 2021, meaning a double-dip recession is on the cards,' he said.

'Services have once again been especially hard hit, but manufacturing has seen growth almost stall, blamed on a cocktail of COVID-19 and Brexit, which has led to increasingly widespread supply delays, rising costs and falling exports.

'Worryingly, January also saw companies reduce headcounts at an increased rate again  albeit less so than seen between March and November. The steepest loss of jobs was recorded in the hotels, restaurants, travel and leisure sectors, reflecting the new lockdown measures.

'Encouragingly, the current downturn looks far less severe than that seen during the first national lockdown, and businesses have become increasingly optimistic about the outlook, thanks mainly to progress in rolling out COVID-19 vaccines.

'Business hopes for the year ahead have risen the highest for over six-and-a-half years, boding well for the economy to return to solid growth once virus restrictions ease.'

Government borrowing soared to 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record - amid growing fears about the UK's debt mountain.

UK faces double-dip recession as business activity slumps in January Britain is facing a double-dip recession as grim figures showed business activity plunging into the red again this month. Closely-watched PMI data for the private sector showed a reading of 40.6 so far in January - with anything below 50 pointing to a contraction. It was significantly worse than the expectations of analysts, who had predicted 46.1, underlining the devastating impact of the pandemic. Economists warned that a double-dip downturn is now firmly 'on the cards' after the fledgling recovery from the worst recession in 300 years was strangled by action to control a surge in cases. Figures last week showed GDP dropping 2.6 per cent in November during the second England-wide Covid lockdown. Any December rally will have been smothered by the harsh 'tier' controls in England, and the renewed blanket curbs in January. In more signs of the huge problems facing the country, figures have revealed public borrowing hit 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record. And retail sales saw the largest fall since records began last year, even though there was a slight uptick in December. However, separate PMI released for the Eurozone show the UK is far from alone, with France and other major players also facing GDP going into reverse again. Advertisement

The number for the last month of 2020 was 28.2billion higher than the equivalent period in 2019 as the pandemic wreaked havoc on the economy and ministers lashed out on massive bailouts such as furlough.

It pushed total borrowing for the first nine months of the financial year to 270.8billion, the peak for any April to December period since records began in 1993.

There are fears the full-year figure will top 400billion. Even in the aftermath of the credit crunch, borrowing only hit 158billion in 2009-10.

The UK's debt pile reached 2.13trillion by the end of 2020, around 99.4 per cent of GDP - the highest debt to GDP ratio since 1962.

Other PMI produced by IHS Markit yesterday showed a double-dip recession in the Eurozone is 'increasingly inevitable', with France among the countries most seriously hit.

The slowdown among business activities in the currency area intensified in January as the pandemic continued to batter the continent.

Government scientists yesterday urged ministers to delay the reopening of pubs and restaurants until at least May to prevent another wave of the virus. Whitehall sources suggested schools could remain shut to most pupils until after Easter.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the UK Hospitality trade body, said many pubs and restaurants would 'struggle to survive' if they were forced to keep their doors closed until May.

She added: 'If we are forced to wait for a longer period then unfortunately there will be very little left of the hospitality sector  and the 3.2million people who work in it  to reopen at that point in May.'

In recent weeks, the Prime Minister has repeatedly spoken of a return to normality this spring.

Last month he said: 'We're no longer resting on the mere hope that we can return to normal next year in the spring but rather the sure and certain knowledge that we will succeed.'

But asked directly whether the country was 'looking at summer rather than spring' for an easing of lockdown yesterday, he replied: 'I think it's too early to say when we'll be able to lift some of some of the restrictions.'

The PM said the new variant of the disease 'does spread very fast indeed', adding: 'It unquestionably will be a very tough few weeks ahead.'

No10 also refused to rule out an extended lockdown when asked to clarify Mr Johnson's remarks.

There are early signs in Government data that number of people dying each day in London has turned a corner and started to decline in mid-January, with the daily average declining from 169 to 163 and falling for four days in a row between January 10 and 14

Hancock faces backlash over 'bonkers' plan to give people 500 when they test positive for Covid Matt Hancock faced a furious backlash yesterday after 'bonkers' plans surfaced to give everyone testing positive for Covid 500. The proposal, which would cost up to 450million a week, is aimed at encouraging more people to undergo swabs and self-isolate to stop the virus spreading. Detailed in an official policy paper, it is said to be the 'preferred position' of Mr Hancock's Department of Health. Officials fear that too many with Covid symptoms fail to take a test in case knowing a positive result stops them working. However, it appears to have blindsided Downing Street, with sources making clear No10 was had not seen the blueprint before it was leaked and warning it would create 'perverse incentives'. Treasury officials said it was 'not going to happen' and swiped that they had 'zero idea' how Mr Hancock allowed it to get traction. 'Just bonkers. The whole country will suddenly develop a dry cough,' one said. In a round of interviews this morning, Environment Secretary George Eustice refused to rule out the plan entirely, saying ministers were looking at reasons why people avoid self-isolating with Covid symptoms. But he stressed that 'no decisions' had been taken and the government was 'always keeping multiple policies under review'. Advertisement

Asked directly whether he could rule out the lockdown lasting into the summer, the PM's official spokesman said: 'We will continue to keep all of the scientific evidence and data under review.

'It remains our position that we want to ease restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so, but in order for us to do that we need to see the transmission rates of the virus come down and we need to see the pressure on the NHS reduce.'

A Government source insisted that the PM's comments did not amount to a change in the timetable for easing the lockdown.

'People should not read too much into this,' the source said. 'The PM wants to reopen as quickly as we safely can, but cases are very high and only coming down slowly  there has to be a degree of caution.'

Former Tory chief whip Mr Harper said the public now needed a timetable for easing the lockdown.

Mr Harper, chairman of the Covid Recovery Group, said achieving the Government's target to vaccinate the 15million most vulnerable by February 15 should clear the way for restrictions to be lifted three weeks later when the vaccines had taken effect.

'Covid causes serious harm and it's vital we control it effectively,' he said. 'But this cycle of lockdowns and restrictions cause immense damage too  to people's health, livelihoods and businesses.

'Once the top four risk groups have been vaccinated and fully protected... the Government must start easing the restrictions.' But Government scientists and health chiefs warned it was much too soon to even contemplate easing restrictions.

Dr Vin Diwakar, medical director for the NHS in London said the pandemic was 'the biggest health emergency to face this country since the Second World War'.

Rounding on those still flouting the lockdown rules, he told a Downing Street press briefing: 'For me and my colleagues in the NHS breaking the rules.... is like switching on a light in the middle of the blackout in the Blitz.'

And Dr Marc Baguelin, of Imperial College London, who sits on a sub-group of the Government's Sage committee, said the early opening of the hospitality sector would lead to a rise in Covid cases. He told BBC Radio Four's World at One programme: 'Something of this scale, if it was to happen earlier than May, would generate a bump in transmission, which is already really bad.'

No Glasto in June for the second year

Glastonbury Festival has been cancelled for the second year running thanks to the pandemic.

The organisers say they 'moved heaven and earth' trying to make it happen but continuing uncertainty means Britain's biggest musical jamboree  attended by 200,000 fans in 2019  cannot go ahead.

It was due to celebrate its 50th anniversary last year but had to be called off days before the first lockdown in March.

Now organisers Michael and Emily Eavis say the 2021 event cannot go ahead. Sir Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift and rapper Kendrick Lamar were scheduled to headline the Pyramid stage and Diana Ross was the Sunday afternoon 'legend'.

People in the festival crowd enjoy watching Dizzee Rascal on the Pyramid stage during day two of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm on June 25, 2010 in Glastonbury, England

Primal Scream, Dua Lipa, Manic Street Preachers and Lana Del Ray were also on the bill.

The father and daughter Eavis team said yesterday: 'With great regret, we must announce that this year's Glastonbury Festival will not take place and that this will be another enforced fallow year for us.

'In spite of our efforts to move heaven and earth, it has become clear that we simply will not be able to make the festival happen.'

They said those who secured tickets with 50 deposits in 2019 will be able to roll this over to the next event in June 2022.

Disappointed fans due to descend on Worthy Farm, Somerset, from June 23-28 said the move was understandable, but Tory MP Julian Knight, chairman of the Commons culture committee, called it a 'devastating' blow and criticised the government's failure to set up an insurance scheme to save major events.

Tom Watson, head of UK Music, said such a backup scheme 'wouldn't have cost too much' and if Britain's vaccine rollout proved a success Glastonbury would have provided an ideal celebration.

Eurostar passengers down 94% of passengers

Eurostar passenger numbers plummeted 94 per cent at the end of 2020, it emerged yesterday, sparking fresh calls for a joint UK-French support package.

Officials from both sides continued talks yesterday in a bid to strike a deal amid fears the Channel Tunnel firm is facing bankruptcy.

Yesterday's figures reveal that, over the course of 2020, passenger numbers were down 77 per cent, dropping from just over 11 million in 2019 to 2.5 million.

Workers clean the platform area as a Eurostar train bound for Paris prepares to leave St Pancras International train station in London on January 18, 2021

The fall reached 94 per cent in the final quarter when passenger numbers were 170,010, compared with 2,624,943 in 2019.

One rescue option being discussed would involve the Bank of England providing funds from its Covid loan facility.

Industry projections suggest Eurostar, which is majority-owned by the French government, could go bust by April, although company insiders say reserves could stretch until summer. The UK Government sold its 40 per cent stake in Eurostar in 2015.

Cafes and bars could see 3.2m jobs axed

By Claire Ellicott and Sami Quadri for The Daily Mail

Hospitality chiefs issued a dire warning about the future of many businesses last night after doctors advised that the reopening of pubs and restaurants should be pushed back to May.

Industry leaders said that just one in five restaurants, pubs and bars had enough cash to get through beyond March.

It came after Sage scientists who advise the Government warned that the sector would have to stay closed until at least May to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, told Radio 4's The World At One that if the reopening of the sector was delayed until May, 3.2million could lose their jobs.

Diners in Old Compton Street, Soho, London, in August 2020

'Just one in five hospitality businesses are confident that they will have enough cash to get through beyond March,' she said. 'There is no way that businesses will be able to survive until May with no revenues coming in for seven months.

'It's a cash burn of half a billion pounds to keep the sector closed each and every month. If we are forced to wait for a longer period then unfortunately there will be little left of the hospitality sector and the 3.2million people who work in it to reopen at that point in May.'

She said she hoped that with the vaccination programme under way, there would be a 'pathway' to the lifting of restrictions.

'Otherwise I think you've got a danger that you have an impact on peoples' mental health and well-being and also their economic health and well-being,' she said.

A man wearing a face mask as a precautionary measure against COVID-19, walks past a closed pub in the City of London, on January 15, 2021

If the sector is closed until May, she warned, there would need to be a 'significant additional injection of cash support from the Government because the support at the moment is just not sufficient to sustain and maintain businesses and jobs'.

Doctors warned restaurants would not be able to open until May because it would push up the R rate.

Dr Marc Baguelin of Imperial College London, who sits on the Sage committee, said: 'We looked at partial reopening and the increase of the R number and found that it will generate an increase, the extent of which we don't really know.

'And if this was to happen earlier than May, it will generate a bump which is really bad ... at best you will carry on having a very unsustainable level of pressure on the NHS.'

School's out until Easter?

By Jason Groves for The Daily Mail

Schools could remain shut until after the Easter holidays unless virus cases fall dramatically in the coming weeks, it was feared last night.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson yesterday said he still hoped schools might be able to return after the February half-term.

But with Covid cases still at high levels, Downing Street refused to be drawn on the likely restart for millions of children stuck trying to learn from home.

And a government source acknowledged it was becoming 'increasingly difficult' to see how schools could be reopened next month, given the state of the pandemic.

During a round of media interviews yesterday, Mr Williamson insisted there would be no repeat of the shambolic episode at the start of this month when schools were ordered to close just one day after returning from the Christmas break.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson yesterday said he still hoped schools might be able to return after the February half-term (stock photo)

He said schools would get at least two weeks' notice of any order to reopen  suggesting that ministers will have to decide by February 8 whether classrooms will reopen for the start of the second half of the spring term on February 22.

Although Boris Johnson has prioritised the early reopening of schools, government scientists have warned that a return to the classroom could trigger another sharp spike.

'We have to be realistic about the situation we are in and the impact reopening schools might have,' a source told the Mail.

Dr Mary Bousted, of the National Education Union, said: 'After the chaos and confusion that government incompetence over school opening and closure has created, it is good we now have an assurance from Gavin Williamson that school staff will be given two weeks' notice before reopening.

'The last thing that parents and children need now is a stop-start approach. We all want schools to be open, but they must be opened when it is safe to do so, and when the conditions are right to keep schools open sustainably.'

Any delays will pile pressure on Mr Williamson to ensure high quality education is available to all those children forced to stay at home.

He said a further 1.3 million laptops, tablets and routers would be distributed to those in need in the coming weeks to widen access to online learning, providing the 'ultimate safety net' for disadvantaged pupils.

He added that he had 'made it clear to schools' what was the 'absolute minimum' they were expected to provide.

Mr Williamson said he wanted to get pupils back in the classroom at the 'earliest possible opportunity', adding: 'I would certainly hope that that would be before Easter.'

Downing Street confirmed that Mr Johnson wanted schools to reopen as quickly as possible but refused to be drawn on when that would be.

'If we can open them up before Easter we obviously will do but that is determined by the latest scientific evidence and data,' the Prime Minister's official spokesman said.
The Delhi Police on Sunday revealed that they had received multiple inputs of Pakistan trying to hijack the farmers' protest and create disturbances via social media ahead of the January 26 'Kisan tractor rally.' "We have received many inputs of disturbances under the plan, inputs of disturbing the tractor march," said Special CP intelligence, Delhi police Deependra Pathak.

"Around 308 Twitter handles from Pakistan are trying to create a disturbance. From 13 to 18 January our analysis has found that 308 Twitter handles were tried to create trouble from Pakistan. The handles originating from Pakistan are pushing hashtags related to the tractor rally. Extremists groups have their eyes on the rally. We will have security arrangements to tackle this," he added.

Earlier today, the Delhi Police gave a nod to the farmers to go ahead with their Republic Day tractor rally amid high arrangements of security. "This is a challenging task for Delhi Police. We are working professionally on the basis of input and deployment has been discussed with farmers. Delhi Police will make arrangements for farmers in an amicable atmosphere," said the Special CP.

Read: Delhi Police Gives Nod To 'Kisan Tractor Rally' On R-Day; Farmers Allowed To Enter Delhi

Read: Route For 'Kisan Tractor Rally' On Republic Day Finalized

Permission to enter Delhi granted

Moreover, the Delhi police has announced that the farmers would be allowed to enter Delhi for the tractor rally, with barricades being removed from the Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipour borders. The permission to enter Delhi has been given only for the Republic Day, with an assurance from the farmers that they will go back to their protest sites the following day.

"We are respecting the farmer's wish of taking out a tractor march. To maintain the security and farmer's wish our barricades will be removed from 3 places of Delhi-- Singhu border, Tikri and Ghazipur. From there our barricades will be removed and farmers will be allowed to come inside Delhi to the main roads for some kilometres. On this, we have come to an agreement. They will be allowed to enter 63 kilometres from Singhu, equal distance from Tikri and 46 kilometres from Ghazipur," said the Delhi Police.

Central Forces to be deployed

The route for the Kisan tractor rally has been finalized and approved by the Delhi Police. Sources have revealed that roughly 5000 tractors and 25,000 farmers are expected to participate in the rally. All officers of the Delhi Police, as well as CAPF and other forces, have been deployed for Republic Day Parade security. They have been asked to remain in a ready position to move at short notice for law and order arrangements with regards to the rally.

Read: BJP Demands Capital Punishment For Pro-Khalistani SFJ For Provoking Protesting Farmers

Read: Pro-Khalistan Outfit SFJ's June 17 Letter To China Seeking 'help' Against India Surfaces
Jason Momoa is now a beloved actor, thanks in large part to his breakout role as Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones. Momoas brooding visage and toned looks were perfect for the part  and the scar on his eyebrow lent itself to the role as well. However, it did leave many fans wondering how Momoa came to have the scar in the first place. Was he, perhaps, just as much of a fighter as Drogo? While he didnt earn it during a dothraki raid, there is a funny story behind it.

How Jason Momoa kicked off his career

Jason Momoa | Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

RELATED: Why Jason Momoa Said Hes Absolutely Terrified of Wife Lisa Bonet

Before Jason Momoa had the scar, or the role in Game of Thrones, his career started with Baywatch: Hawaii. Prior to that, Momoa had no acting chops at all. In fact, he had to lie his way into the job altogether.

To this day, many folks are convinced that Momoa was the Hawaii Model of the Year in 1990, and that he modeled a Louis Vuitton runway show.

No, actually I made that sh*t up! explained Momoa to Square Mile.

When I was in Hawaii I went to a casting call for Baywatch Hawaii  it was basically like a cattle call for 1,300 people. I got there, and seven hours later when I finally got to the front of the line, they said, Oh, youve got to have a resume, he added.

Momoa needed the job, and he and his friend pulled a few fast ones out to cover for their lack of experience.

I was like, Oh yeah, well, I dont have one. They were like, Dude, have you ever acted? I was like No, and they were like Have you modelled? I was like, Yeah, yeah, Im a big model. I do Gucci and Louis Vuitton, and Im looking at my friend, and Im like, You did Prada, right? And hes like Yeah, yeah, we did that in Japan. So we were just kind of making it up on the spot.

Where did he get that scar?

Jason Momoa | Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO

When Jason Momoa was filming for Baywatch: Hawaii, he didnt have his now-recognizable eyebrow scar. And while he didnt get it swinging an arakh around, he did get it during a fight.

It was crazy. A guy smashed a pint glass in my face. I got a little over 140 stitches in my face. It helped get those mean roles, he told Access Hollywood.

It just doesnt grow there anymore, Momoa said of his eyebrow. I got my wife beforehand, so if she doesnt like it, too bad. She likes it.

According to Access Hollywood, Momoa suspects that the man who attacked him was taking part in a gang initiation.

I got called pretty boy my whole life, he said. If anything, its like, Good. Its not my thing now, he told the New York Post.

The scar helped, but Baywatch didnt

Alfre Woodard, Jason Momoa, and Nesta Cooper | Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic

Interestingly, while the scar seems to have helped Momoa earn newer, bigger roles, Baywatch was for a time a thorn in his side.

It lead to getting no respect for about 4 years and I couldnt get an agent to save my life. I just became a rock-climbing bum and I spent the little money I got from Baywatch and travelled the world, Momoa explained.
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Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 06:38:22|Editor: huaxia

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A man wearing a face mask walks by a sculpture of red telephone boxes titled "Out of Order" in Kingston upon Thames, Britain, on Jan. 21, 2021. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

London mayor said he failed to understand why the British government had not changed the rules to make face coverings mandatory where people were likely to be in close proximity, such as queues.

LONDON, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for tougher rules on wearing face coverings outside after revealing that more than 12,000 Londoners have died with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Evening Standard newspaper reported.

The mayor said there was a need for face coverings where people were "cheek by jowl" in outdoor locations, and revealed concerns at the number of Londoners in public places because the current lockdown rules were not tight enough.

The British government's official figure for Londoners dying within 28 days of a positive COVID test on Thursday night stood at 11,882.

But the mayor told a LBC radio program that "more than 12,000 Londoners have now lost their life because of this awful pandemic."

The mayor said he failed to understand why the British government had not changed the rules to make face coverings mandatory where people were likely to be in close proximity, such as queues.

A public notice asking passengers to wear a face-covering is seen at a bus stop in London, Britain, on Jan. 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

One in three people infected with COVID are unware they have the virus. Face coverings have been compulsory since last June on Tubes and buses, and many schools now insist on parents wearing masks when collecting children.

Khan said, "I have stopped walking my dog in the park because it's so busy." Instead, he said he takes his dog Luna for walks on the pavement.

Meanwhile, the mayor also revealed that the number of London bus drivers to die with COVID had increased to 38. More than 60 London transport staff have died in the pandemic.

Khan said bus driver deaths had previously been investigated by University College London at the request of Transport for London.

England is currently under the third national lockdown since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country. Similar restriction measures are also in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.

Passengers wearing face masks stand next to an advertising board reading "Stay Home Save Lives" at a bus stop in London, Britain, Jan. 10, 2021. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

More than friends? Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker spent time together on Friday, January 22, lounging by the pool at Kris Jenners Palm Springs, California, home.

Read article

The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star, 41, and the Blink-182 drummer, 45, both posted photos of the view from the momagers desert oasis on Friday, seemingly confirming that theyd spent the day poolside.

Matt Baron/Shutterstock; ABC/Shutterstock

The pics came days after Barker posted a red rose emoji under a photo of Kardashian posing for a mirror selfie in her huge walk-in closet. Earlier this month he commented with a mermaid emoji on a photo of the mom of three walking into the ocean that she captioned, sweet, sweet fate. And when Kardashian shared pics of Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette kissing in the film True Romance, Barker wrote Youre So Cool on her post.

Its not the first time the pair, who live in the same gated community is Calabasas, California, have sparked dating rumors  they were spotted grabbing dinner in Malibu in February 2019, and back in September 2018, the pair were seen leaving a vegan restaurant in L.A. together and also attended an evening church service.

Barkers two children with ex-wife Shanna Moakler, daughter Alabama and son Landon, are also friends with Kardashian and ex Scott Disicks eldest kids, Mason and Penelope. Alabama was spotted at a dinner with the Kardashian-Jenner family and Jennifer Lawrence at Kris Jenners home in 2017 and Barker and his kids have also appeared on KUWTK.

Read article

Back in 2015, the musician spoke to Us Weekly about his friendship with Kourtneys sister Kim Kardashian. He explained that it began in Amsterdam, when he was hooking up with Paris Hilton and met the future mogul, who was Paris assistant at the time.

She got all of Paris belongings together wherever we traveled, he told Us.

Barker revealed that he was instantly attracted to the brunette beauty.

How could you not stare at Kim? Mind you, I enjoyed hanging out with Paris, but I love curvy girls, he told Us. Kim was eye candy. I was no way disrespectful to Paris, but I couldnt keep my eyes off Kim!

Read article

The pair would hang out platonically in Calabasas but he admitted, I had a crush on her and we were flirtatious but nothing ever happened.

When Kim and her family were approached to star in their own reality show, which would become Keeping Up With the Kardashians, it was the Meet the Barkers star who she turned to for advice.

Kim was like, I really want to do this reality show. Were supposed to do it with Ryan Seacrest. I just think my familys interesting,' he recalled. I gave her the best advice I could but I still remember the conversation like yesterday: I think my family is interesting and it could be something. Well, you were absolutely right!
Whats Working, a series exploring solutions for New Hampshires workforce needs, is sponsored by the New Hampshire Solutions Journalism Lab at the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications and is funded by Eversource, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, the New Hampshire College & University Council, Northeast Delta Dental and the New Hampshire Coalition for Business and Education.

Contact reporter Michael Cousineau at mcousineau@unionleader.com. To read stories in the series, visit unionleader.com/whatsworking.
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Sri Lanka aiming for a $150 bn economy By Quintus Perera View(s): View(s):

The Sri Lankan Government is aiming for a US$150 billion economy and is dedicated to establishing the foundation to reach that goal in the next four years, according to Ajith Nivard Cabraal, State Minister of Finance, Capital Markets and Enterprise Reforms.

Speaking as the Chief Guest at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) 41st National Conference held over three days from January 18 to 20 mainly to a virtual audience, he said the achievements of the Government and the impressive run in the Colombo Stock Exchange proved the assumption that Sri Lankas share market has little depth is a fallacy.

He said the share market need not wait for foreigners as Sri Lanka has enough depth adding that when he met with stakeholders he has told them that Sri Lanka has Rs. 10 trillion in bank deposits which could be used.

Mr. Cabraal said the government has already started laying the groundwork by investing in infrastructure and set in place the right regulatory and policy environment to attract investors.

The inauguration of the conference was held at the Shangri-La Hotel on Monday for a limited audience while the conference proper, went online covering an audience of around 2,000 on the theme Abnormal: Navigating Through Shattered Norms.

Keynote speaker, Ms. Selyna Peiris, Director, Business Development, Selyn Exporters (Pvt) Ltd speaking on Walk the Talk exemplifying her company, encouraged the corporate world to follow a sustainable business model to afford the highest importance to people, planet and profit.

Some of the participants at the inauguration were of the view that the Selyn Exporters model could fit into the present distressed Abnormal circumstances as a viable parallel to the modern business, accounting and managerial strategies.

Their model has empowered the rural women with a secure job, provided them with the required skills, training and Ms. Peiris said that within their model they have developed their own welfare plan, while they have taken cognizance of the biggest concern of the stress that these people face during COVID-19.

They have been involved in the craft industry which is different from the garment industry. The company was floated in 1991 with a handful of rural women and now they are the only fair trade guaranteed handloom company that engages nearly 1000 rural women and men involved in handicraft and handloom weaving, handmade products with 100 per cent cotton with infinite measures of skill and devotion of the workers, she proudly said.

She said that while the industry focus declines, they took on the challenge of reviving an ancient Sri Lankan heritage, extending its benefits to the rural women and men committed to fair-trading practices with hopes of not only empowering their members financially, but also to create a way of life which they are comfortable with. They are more than a handloom company, they are a Sri Lankan community.

At the initial stages of COVID-19, they decided to help fight back. They started producing face masks in line with the guidelines of the WHO conforming to all the health standards to alleviate the pressure on the demand for face masks with its marketing strategy that demonstrate what fair trading is, she pointed out.

The launch of the new venture enables supporting over 1,000 artisans and beyond during the difficult times, she said.

This is part of a global initiative of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) Asia and Fair Trade Enterprises in the region that aims to help the community, Ms. Peiris indicated.

She said: Reaching out to our people is more important than profit and more important than reserves you have. To me leadership really matters. I am a COVID hero. We opened locally and internationally because of the way we branded our products. We have been able to turn out 250,000 masks and it is a huge quantity for a company like ours. The global audiences are looking up to people like us. Looking for peoples companies like us.
Michigan has developed a reputation as a mecca for a craft beer industry that has seen a wide variety of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs pop up all over the state. In fact, with more than 350 operating breweries in the Great Lakes State, statistically Michigan ranks among the leaders nationally-both in number of breweries and beer production.

Yet for all the gaudy numbers  including economic impact  it wasnt until 2020 that, thanks to the vision and dogged determination of Terry Rostic and Jamaal Ewing, the state now has what it has been sorely lacking in this burgeoning industry: a black-owned brewery.

To say the two craft beer enthusiasts have paid their dues to realize a longtime dream would be selling them short. Rostic and Ewing, co-owners of Grand Rapids-based Black Calder Brewing Company, spent more than a decade visiting and supporting local breweries in west Michigan.

At the same time, we were constantly experimenting with our own home brews, said Rostic, a Grand Rapids native who has been mentored by many of the beer-crazed citys brewery owners and friends, including Jason and Kris Spaulding of Brewery Vivant.

COVID-19 put a wrench in their plans to open a physical location last year. Still, on Nov. 27, 2020 (Black Friday), Black Calder Brewing Company, on an occasion it dubbed The Blackest Friday, released its first can, a Black IPA (seven percent ABV). Dry-hopped with mosaic and Idaho 7, its a dark beer with a light tan head that shows moderate to high hop aromas, citrusy notes and light caramel. The smooth, medium-bodied brew echoes caramel and toffee all the way through with a bittersweet and citrusy finish.

Though it wasnt the type of debut Rostic and Ewing envisioned, It has been a struggle to launch during a pandemic, but we also see it as somewhat of a blessing in disguise, Ewing, a Lansing native, said. Our original plans were to launch with a taproom at the end of 2019, which would have been disastrous for us a few months later.

The duo is currently contract brewing with Brewery Vivant and Broad Leaf Local Beer, an arrangement that provides the flexibility the two need as they navigate the uncertainty of whats still to come. Like a lot of business owners, Rostic and Ewing have been forced to adjust on the fly, but they say their ultimate goal has been merely delayed, not ruined. Plans remain in place to open a physical location in Grand Rapids this year.

COVID-19 has made us adjust our business plan and how we get beer out to the public, Ewing said. No one creates a business plan with 50% or less occupancy in mind or only outdoor seating in Michigan. We are fortunate to have industry support and local breweries like Brewery Vivant that want to see and help our dreams come true.

The dream began in 2016 when the two self-described craft beer heads met at a business meeting in Grand Rapids. They both quickly realized they had a connection that could lead to something significant  groundbreaking even.

We both had a passion for craft beer, community and togetherness, Ewing recounted. We didnt see a lot of diversity in the breweries we frequented or themes that were representative of our culture. We started kicking around the idea of starting our own brewery and, in 2018, we pitched the idea at a local business competition and we won. Since then, weve never looked back. Black Calder Brewing Company was established to make great beer and provide a platform for innovation, art, culture, and inclusion through collaborations in the craft beer industry.

Studying abroad and traveling the world has allowed Rostic to share his culture while immersing himself in other cultures.

My travels made me quickly realize that great beer was the universal language, Rostic said.

Since its Black Friday Launch of Black IPA (a good beer that received rave reviews, Ewing said), the brewery has released BOUGIE S more Stout and KiwiZilla. Both the Black IPA and BOUGIE S more Stout sold out. Its all part of the companys grand plan to push the boundaries of what craft beer can be and bring our culture to cans and glasses all over the state, Ewing said. We also want to distribute throughout the midwest and bring Black Calder across state lines.

The companys name, Black Calder, carries deep and varied meanings to the fledgling entrepreneurs.

It has a two-part meaning, Ewing explains. Black is a strong color that has many meanings. Blacks color meaning is symbolic of mystery, power and sophistication. That is the type of energy we put into this brewery and the types of beers we produce.

The second part of the name, Calder, is a nod to the city of Grand Rapids iconic public sculpture, La Grande Vitesse, created by American artist Alexander Calder.

We hope to be as recognizable as that statue someday, Ewing said.

They have already achieved cultural trendsetting status as Michigans first black-owned brewery.

We appreciate the significance of being recognized as Michigans first black-owned brewery, Ewing acknowledged. Its something Michigan and the craft beer industry has been longing for, but its not the only thing we want to be known for. Our motto is simple: Make dope beer for dope people.

Black Calder Brewing Company will offer a variety of beer styles focusing on imperial stouts, barrel and wood-aged beers, fruited ale, kettle sours, IPAs, lagers and craft ciders. As the company grows, Rostic and Ewing will explore distilling and crafting wine for their non-beer drinking fans.

The two are on their way to carving out an important business and cultural niche.

The passion that brewers, owners, and staff put into creating a unique experience was refreshing, Ewing noted. What we didnt see was diversity and themes that spoke to the culture that we represent.

You can follow Black Calder on social media @blackcalderbrewing (Facebook/Instagram)

New Delhi, Jan 24 : Amazon has been ordered to pay Rs 45,000 to a law student who was promised a laptop for Rs 190 only, but it wasn't delivered.

Amazon has been penalised by the Odisha State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (Commission) as compensation to law student Supriyo Ranjan Mahapatra.

According to Amazon, the deal was between a third-party seller and the customer on their platform and that Amazon was not a party to their contract.

The commission rejected Amazon's contention that it was not privy to the contract between the student and the laptop retailer, Bar and Bench reported recently.

"When there is advertisement made for offer placed by the OP (Amazon) who is a reputed Online Shopping Website and made offer as per the materials available on record and the complainant placed the order and same has been confirmed, the agreement is complete between the parties," the commision said in a statement.

The online platform was directed to pay Rs 30,000 for the mental agony and harassment caused to him, Rs 10,000 towards punitive damages and Rs 5,000 towards the cost of litigation.

Mahapatra filed the case in 2014 for an unfair trade practice he faced on the Amazon website. Mahapatra had come across an offer on Amazon that allowed him to purchase a laptop worth Rs 23,499 for a mere price of Rs 190.

However, after two hours, he was contacted by the Amazon Customer Care Service Department and was notified that the order was cancelled due to a price recession issue.

The student then sent a legal notice to Amazon. But when it went unnoticed as there was no response from the company, he went on to file a complaint before the District Forum seeking Rs 50,000 for mental agony and Rs 10,000 towards the cost of litigation.
Scorching weather is burning much of Australia to a crisp as the country battles an intense heatwave over the weekend.

The mercury is expected to reach as high as 45C in South Australia while most of the country's southeast will sweat through the mid-to-high 30s on Sunday.

Bureau of Meteorology's Jonathan How said conditions in the southeast over the weekend would be the warmest since January 2020.

'Sunday will be the peak day of heat in South Australia, climbing as high as 45C along the Murray,' he said.

'On Monday, Victoria and Tasmania will see the most intense heat, reaching 41C in Melbourne and 33C in Hobart.'

The mercury is expected to reach as high as 45C in South Australia while most of the country's southeast will sweat through the mid-30s on Sunday (pictured, Sydneysiders beat the heat at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, on Saturday)

Sydneysiders were quick to hit the beaches as the mercury peaked at 30C on Saturday (pictured, beachgoers at Coogee on Saturday)

A graphic depiction of the heatwave battering parts of Australia over the Australia Day long weekend

Sydneysiders were quick to hit the beaches as the mercury peaked at 30C on Saturday.

The hot weather has continued with a maximum of 33C expected on Sunday, 31C on Monday and back to 33C for Tuesday's public holiday.

Western Sydney will bear the brunt of the heatwave with temperatures skyrocketing to 39C on Sunday.

The conditions are not expected to cool until at least Tuesday.

Bega, on the state's south coast, is expected to reach at least 39C on Monday and NSW-Victoria border towns could endure temperatures up to 44C.

Victoria will also see temperatures building to a peak on Monday, with most major centres in the state's north surpassing 40C.

Melbourne will reach a high of 34C on Sunday and peak at a scorching 41C on Monday.

A severe to extreme heatwave has already beset southwest Western Australia and western South Australia.

Adelaide will reach a sizzling 41C on Sunday and taper off to 34C on Monday with a low intensity heatwave is expected to persist in SA until next week.

The hot weather has continued with a maximum of 33C expected on Sunday, 31C on Monday and back to 33C for Tuesday's public holiday (pictured, Bondi Beach on Saturday)

Beachgoers head into the water to cool off from sweltering conditions in Sydney on Saturday

In Hobart, the maximum will be a cooler 26C on Sunday and peak at 34C on Monday.

Canberra will face temperatures of 30C and above from Sunday to Wednesday.

The maximum will be 38C on Sunday and Monday, 35C on Tuesday and 30C on Wednesday - with sunny skies persisting the whole time, although there is the chance of a possible shower on Wednesday.

Mr How said the high temperatures will create 'uncomfortably warm nights, making it difficult to recover from hot days'.

'Heatwaves are normal for summer but they effect everyone differently, it's important to look out for the more vulnerable, including pets and local wildlife,' he said.

Beachgoers at Sydney's famous Bondi Beach. Australia's southeast will sweat through temperatures as high as 45C for the next four days as an 'extreme heatwave' sweeps through

A father and son enjoy a day surfing while down at Bondi Beach on Saturday

'This weekend, remember to factor in the heat and any fire weather warnings, stay up to day with the forecast, stay up to date, stay hydrated and stay safe.'

Temperatures in Brisbane will be much more mild with a maximum of 29C on Sunday, with the pleasant weather to continue until Tuesday.

Meanwhile on the west coast, Perth will reach a maximum of 26C on Sunday and Monday, and back up to 28C for Tuesday.

In the Top End, Darwin will reach a maximum of 31C on Sunday, which is expected to stay the same until Wednesday, when it will increase to 32C.

Showers and storms are expected until Friday as the Northern Territory is currently going through its Wet Season.

A three-day depiction of the intense heatwave expected to batter the country from Saturday until at least Monday
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

When he caught COVID-19, 1st Judicial District Judge Francis Mathew struggled to stay up past 5 or 6 in the evening. The fatigue and the headaches from the disease left him listless for about a week as his symptoms persisted.

But these symptoms would also make Mathew the perfect candidate to donate his convalescent plasma for COVID-19 antibodies. The Food and Drug Administration passed emergency-use authorization for the antibody treatment in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in August.

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Mathew heard about donating plasma for antibodies before he got sick and, after he recovered, he knew he wanted to give back.

It was clearly something that I had the ability to do, he said. And when you see the numbers of people that are dying, when you see the stories about people that have lost family members, it was just something that appeared to me to be something that I can make a difference with.

In order to donate plasma, a person has to be 28 days recovered from COVID-19, Aussy Levi, a senior manager for donor recruitment at Vitalant blood bank, said. Plasma antibodies are best collected from someone who had COVID-19 symptoms because their antibody levels will be higher than someone who was asymptomatic, Levi said.

The donated plasma goes either to research or to COVID-19 patients, Levi said. At each donation, the plasma is tested for antibody levels to make sure its still good to be used. A person who has recovered from COVID-19 can continue to donate their plasma as long as their antibody levels remain high enough, which varies from person to person.

COVID-19 antibodies circulate in the bloods plasma, Dr. Liz Rosenbaum, medical director for Vitalant in New Mexico and Texas, said. Antibodies work best in patients early in their COVID-19 infection.

The antibodies in the plasma were made in response to the COVID-19 infection, Rosenbaum said, so when theyre transfused to someone else, they will attack the virus. The idea is that the antibodies prevent the virus from spreading and multiplying throughout the body.

Mathew has been able to donate his plasma twice since recovering from COVID-19. He said he plans to continue donating as long as he has antibodies.

After its collected, plasma can last up to a year if frozen, but the demand for COVID-19 antibody plasma is so high that, as soon as its taken, it is used immediately, Levi said. Having a continuous donor flow, for blood or for plasma, is extremely important because an entire supply can be wiped out by a single accident.

Mathew said he encourages people to donate their plasma or blood, reverting back to an old saying, If not me, who?

How can I expect someone to make a donation for someone that I might love, he asked. Or even for myself, if it had been necessary, if Im not willing to do the same for someone else?
Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II

EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation

ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason

Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia

Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest

"Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan

Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator'

Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow

Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast

We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan

Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory

Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances

Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections

Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day

Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan

Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake

Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS)

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS)

Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time

Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation

Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country

Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor"

Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building"

Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials

MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan

Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas

France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party

Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms

Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh

NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country

104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion

Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation

Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination

Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity

Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well

Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions

Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never!

Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial

Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?"

France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity

Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election

Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia

US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China

Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war

Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet

Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases

Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan

US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces

Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can

UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians

Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India

Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately

France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint

Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow

Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen

Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops

Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia acting FM resigns

Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity

China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order

Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM

Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage

EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting

Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post

6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest

Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan

UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas

Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening

His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia

Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens

Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon

Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures

Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension

Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire

ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces

Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards

Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory

Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan

Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia

Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia

Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws

Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone

Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control

Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor

Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation

NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning

European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched
Riot police detain a demonstrator with a bloody face during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Pushkin square in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. Russian police arrested more than 3,400 people Saturday in nationwide protests demanding the release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the Kremlin's most prominent foe, according to a group that counts political detentions. In Moscow, an estimated 15,000 demonstrators gathered in and around Pushkin Square in the city center, where clashes with police broke out and demonstrators were roughly dragged off by helmeted riot officers to police buses and detention trucks. Some were beaten with batons. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)


The Grenfell Tower fire killed 72 people and is currently the subject of an inquiry

A number of leading ethical investment funds continue to hold shares in Irish building materials business Kingspan.

This is despite the highlighting of unacceptable conduct within its UK insulation business at the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire that killed 72 people  shortcomings that resulted in its combustible K15 insulation boards being used in the tower's cladding.

The company has 'apologised unreservedly'.

Analysis conducted by investment house SCM Direct for The Mail on Sunday shows that numerous big ethical funds still have key holdings in Kingspan.

Based on shareholder data from Bloomberg, SCM Direct says ethical funds run by Baillie Gifford, Impax, Liontrust, Pictet and Schroder all have stakes in the company.

For example, the 675million Liontrust UK Ethical fund has a 3.4 per cent holding while the 725million Liontrust Sustainable Future UK Growth has a 2.8 per cent position.

Until late last year, the 2billion Baillie Gifford Positive Change fund had Kingspan as a top ten holding, with 3.9 per cent of its assets in the company. But last month, it reduced this stake.

Retired marketing executive Michael Heppner, from North London, is a big fan of Baillie Gifford and has several holdings in its investment funds and trusts.

He was about to invest in Positive Change until he saw it had a holding in Kingspan. 'How can such an unethical company be included in the portfolio of an ethical investment fund?' he asks.

Baillie Gifford told the MoS: 'We have discussed the Grenfell Tower Inquiry with Kingspan and continue to monitor the situation closely. We cannot comment further while the inquiry is ongoing.'

Liontrust said its sustainable investment team had been investing in Kingspan for more than 15 years. But it said the revelations from the inquiry had raised 'serious concerns about the culture and controls' within Kingspan's business.

It had now 'downgraded' the company's sustainability rating, put a freeze on further investments in Kingspan, and had requested a meeting with its management.

SCM Direct's Alan Miller says investment funds should be required to regularly disclose to the public all their holdings, as this would allow ethical investors to 'judge whether or not they wish to hold a fund containing stocks such as Kingspan'.
Portugal holds the presidential election on Sunday as COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise in the country. Hundreds of people waited outside polling stations in queues to cast their votes in the election, which experts suggest will be won by the incumbent Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Portugal has witnessed a rapid surge in COVID-19 cases in the recent past and it was unclear whether the country would go ahead with the polls.

Read: Ambulances Queue At Hospitals As Virus Surge Slams Portugal

However, the country held the polls on January 24 as it was scheduled earlier despite the mounting cases. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is expected to win a second term as his approval ratings have remained well above 60 per cent for the last five years. The centre-right president was elected in 2016 and has since remained popular among the voters. The President in Portugal does not hold any executive powers, which remains with the parliament and the government, but the position itself plays an influential role in the society.

Read: In Portugal Presidential Race, How High Can A Populist Fly?

Exit polls suggest Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is way ahead of the other six candidates, who all trail with single-digit numbers. Days before the polls, the president had urged the voters to give him a clear majority in order to avoid a runoff election, which happens when no candidate secures more than 50% of the total votes. The president said that a runoff would mean unnecessary time being wasted when the country should focus on better handling the pandemic. Marcelo himself had tested positive for COVID-19 a few days ago following which he self-isolated and cancelled all appointments.

Read: Portugal Shuts Schools, Blames Variant For COVID-19 Surge

COVID-19 in Portugal

As far as COVID-19 is concerned, Portugal reported its highest single-day tally of new cases on January 23 as the country registered more than 15,000 new infections. Portugal currently tops the world as it has the highest rates of new daily infections and deaths. Portugal has more reported more than 6,24,000 infections to date, of which 10,194 people have lost their lives.

Read: Portugal Sets Records In One Of World's Worst Virus Surges

(Image Credit: AP)


Jeet Ki Zid : ; Cast: Amit Sadh, Amrita Puri, Sushant Singh, Aly Goni; Direction: Vishal Mangalorkar; Rating: * * * (three stars)BY VINAYAK CHAKRAVORTY It's easy to like Jeet Ki Zid. The show talks of patriotism and valour, it celebrates will power to triumph against all odds. Importantly, it has the often underrated Amit Sadh bringing alive a remarkable life on screen.

Jeet Ki Zid could obviously be expected to deliver a minimum quality with those traits. With more accomplished writing and execution, though, it could have been a great show.

The seven-episode series is based on the true story of Special Forces Officer Major Deependra Singh Sengar, or Deep, played by Amit Sadh, who was left paralysed waist down during Kargil War. While doctors did not give him much of a chance, Deep fought against all odds to spring back in life.

Siddharth Mishra's writing divides the narrative into three timelines interwoven with each other. We see Deep as a youngster in the late eighties, when his brother dies in a terror strike. The second track, set in the mid-nineties, follows the days when he trained at the Special Forces Training School. Finally there is his posting in Kashmir, at the onset of Kargil War in 1999.

A highlight at the end of every episode is an appearance by Major Sengar himself, along with wife Jaya, to take you behind the scenes of the action that unfolds in the particular episode. In a few cases, the Major's wrap-up commentary is the most interesting bit of the episode, more than the fictional drama that unfolds.

The series blends emotion, drama and military action to come up with a decent package, though it could have gone slower on hint of jingoism that it can't seem to escape in parts.

Through its three timelines, the narrative sets up a story of parallel battles that the protagonist wages. Deep's primary struggle is at Special Forces Training School, to prove he is worthy of a place in the exclusive outfit. A hulked-up Sadh does impressively while capturing the nuances of his protagonist, as Deep strives to top a brutal training regime overseen by Colonel Ranjeet Chaudhary (Sushant SIngh).

The training school track occupies most of the narrative across the episodes, since it lets the audience understand what prepared Deep to face all that he endures.

Despite its noble intentions, the series could seem flawed. While a lot of focus is given to the role of Major Deep Sengar, Amrita Puri as his wife Jaya remains half-baked. We meet her as the girl who gets engaged to Deep before he goes to war, and then she defies all societal pressure and married him despite his accident. We are told she is a teacher. The character is inadequately fleshed out, beyond her purpose of being Deep's support system.

Similarly, Sushant Singh as the ruthless training school instructor is too unidimensional, after inciting initial interest as a man who will go to any cruel extent to prepare his wards for their calling.

Despite these snarls, Jeet Ki Zid stands out for a special reason, apart from celebrating the triumph of human will power. We have had many films and shows that depict the horrors of war. This is an effort that shows the punishing routine that goes into psychologically and physically preparing the men who will go out there and withstand such horrors at the border. A sequence where Sushant Singh's Colonel Chaudhary prepares Deep for enemy torture by keeping him spreadeagled on an ice slab, and then administering electric shock immediately afterwards, underlines the fact with cold precision.
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As the seven-day ultimatum given to herders to leave the state by the Ondo State government lapses on Monday, the six southwest states governors will meet with leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria leaders in Akure.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered from sources that the meeting is aimed at discussing the ultimatum issued by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on the herders to vacate forest reserves in the state.

The meeting is also expected to help find a lasting solution to the repeated clashes between herders and farmers in relation to killings and kidnappings in the six Southwest states.

The six governors include Mr Akeredolu (Ondo), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos).

Ismail Omipidan, the chief press secretary to Mr Oyetola, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that truly, the meeting would hold on Monday in Akure.

This newspaper reported how a similar ultimatum issued on herders in Oyo State by a youth leader, Sunday Igboho, generated controversy on Friday after houses and properties were burnt.

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has, however, ordered investigation into the events in Oyo State.

While some lawyers argued that Mr Igboho has no power to issue ultimatum on the herders, his surporters argue that he is defending his people who have in the past been victims of insecurity allegedly perpetrated by Fulani herders.
HELSINKI, Jan. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Caverion has signed an agreement with PVO-Vesivoima Oy for the continuation of operation and maintenance service at the Kokemaenjoki, Iijoki and Kemijoki hydropower plants in Finland. The agreement will ensure the continued cost efficiency of maintenance and high availability of PVO-Vesivoima's hydropower plants.

Caverion's cooperation with PVO-Vesivoima began already in 2011. On account of good safety work and results, high quality of work and continuous development, Caverion has proven that it is the right partner in the maintenance and local operation of the plants.

"It's great that our partnership with Caverion will continue. We can rest assured that our plants will continue to be maintained by responsible and skilled people. Hydropower production must be available exactly when reserve capacity is needed, so planned preventive maintenance and the timing of maintenance play a significant role in the operational reliability of the plants. In addition to conventional maintenance, it is important that we are able to develop our plants together and use new technology in the continuously changing operating environment," says Jani Pulli, Managing Director of PVO-Vesivoima Oy.

With planned preventive maintenance, work planning and digital solutions based on IoT and data analytics, Caverion offers the tools for systematic and planned preventive maintenance before any malfunctions of equipment. The use of data makes it possible to find opportunities for increasing the efficiency of operations and enhance the availability of the plants.

"Our cooperation with PVO-Vesivoima has always been open and very smooth. We actively seek solutions and develop operations together. The energy market is undergoing continuous change and, as a renewable source of energy, hydropower facilitates agile electricity production to regulate and supplement other forms of energy production. We are grateful for the trust placed in us and will work accordingly, promoting the efficiency of fossil-free energy production and occupational safety," says Elina Engman, Head of Caverion Industry division.

Caverion's hydropower and industrial services professionals manage PVO-Vesivoima's sites extensively, and when needed, utilise the expertise of all 200 hydropower employees.

Read more about our services to Industry

For more information, please contact: Elina Engman, Head of Caverion Industry division, tel. +358 50 351 4673, elina.engman@caverion.com or Jani Pulli, Managing Director, PVO-Vesivoima Oy, tel. +358 50 386 2680 jani.pulli@pvo.fi

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

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Several ministries and branches say that it is necessary to wait for the final judgment from the court on the issue related to the ownership of Trung Nguyen and G7 Coffee brands.

Le Hoang Diep Thao (left) and Dang Le Nguyen Vu

The Government Office has sent a document to the Ministries of Science and Technology, Justice, and Finance, and the Standing Office of the Steering Committee 389 on the Ministry of Industry and Trades (MOIT) report related to proposals by Dang Le Nguyen Vu, president of Trung Nguyen Group.

Dang Le Nguyen Vu and his estranged wife Le Hoang Diep Thao are called the Coffee King and Queen. They have been engaged in a prolonged divorce case as well as a battle over the assets of the company, including the two brands.

VietNamNet sources said Vus appeal, dated July 20, 2020, has relations with the two brands, Le Hoang Diep Thao and TNI Co Ltd.

However, there has been no official answer to Vus proposals related to Trung Nguyen and G7 Coffee.

The General Department of Market Surveillance confirmed that the activities of producing coffee products with G7 and Trung Nguyen brands at Trung Nguyen Instant Coffee JSCs branch in Quang Chau IZ in Bac Giang are still being implemented. The seal of the branch is still held by Thao.

Vu and Thao both are shareholders of Trung Nguyen Investment JSC. The disputes between them, including the dispute related to the division of assets upon divorce, was settled by the appeal judgment No 39.2019 dated December 5, 2019,

However, the Supreme People's Procuracy issued a cassation decision against the appelate judgment.

Therefore, agencies say the ownership of certificates on registration of brands and brand protection with the words Trung Nguyen and G7 is under the scope of dispute over ownership of Trung Nguyen Investment JSC assets and is still being considered by the court. No final decision has been made.

MOIT cited Decree 99 dated August 29, 2020 on sanctioning administrative violations in industrial property as saying that the agency handling violations has to refuse to deal with the cases if the request for handling violations is made when there are related disputes on industrial property.

The representatives of five ministries and branches discussed Vus proposals made by the General Department of Market Surveillance on December 8, 2020.

The General Department of Customs (GDC) has also replied to proposals from Vu.

The agency said since the appellate judgment has been appealed for cassation review, and the brands are under dispute, under Circular 13/2020 and Decree 99/2013, the consignments of Trung Nguyen Instant Coffee JSC Bac Giang branch will still get customs clearance if businesses can show invoices and documents that prove that they buy goods from the branch.

Luong Bang

Coffee shop with unique traffic mock-up Mr. Hoang Phuong Nam, the owner of a cafe in Nghia Lo town in Yen Bai province, has spent up to six years to make a traffic mock-up with mountains, forests and sea that looks very real,
On inauguration night, antifa mobs attacked the Democratic Party headquarters in Portland and torched American flags in Seattle, the same kind of left-wing mobs that gave us a long hot summer of rioting, looting and arson Has Biden ever condemned by name these mobs the way he did the mob that invaded the Capitol on Jan. 6?

January 24, 2021 " Information Clearing House " - We have met the enemy and he is us, said Walt Kellys cartoon character Pogo, half a century ago, about what we Americans were doing to our environment.

Rereading President Joe Bidens inaugural address, Pogos remark comes to mind.

Biden began on a lofty, hopeful and familiar note:

This is a great nation. We are a good people.

He ended in the same vein: So, with purpose and resolve, we turn to those tasks of our time. Sustained by faith. Driven by conviction. And, devoted to one another and the country we love with all our hearts.

Within the address itself, however, Biden recited what he believes to be the historic crimes of the nation and the sins of the soul that torment a considerable portion of our population.

Among the afflictions from which America suffers, said Biden, are political extremism, white supremacy and domestic terrorism.

How do we overcome these evils?

Said Biden, Unity is the path.

But how can good Americans unite with white supremacists and domestic terrorists? Ought we not separate ourselves and do battle with them? And who exactly are they?

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Surely, among the enemy is the mob that invaded and trashed the Capitol on Jan. 6. But what of the hundreds of thousands who came out for Trump rallies? What of the 75 million who voted for Donald Trump?

Are all the deplorables outside the company of the saved? Are they, as Hillary Clinton once said of them, irredeemable?

Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate but of a cause, said Biden, the cause of democracy.

The clear implication here is that a victory for Trump on Nov. 3, would have been a defeat for democracy. How unifying is that?

Today, on this January day, said Biden, my whole soul is in this: Bringing America together. Uniting our people. And uniting our nation. I ask every American to join me in this cause.

He then enumerated the characteristics of our enemy: Anger, resentment and hatred. Extremism, violence and lawlessness.

Yet, on inauguration night, antifa mobs attacked the Democratic Party headquarters in Portland and torched American flags in Seattle, the same kind of left-wing mobs that gave us a long hot summer of rioting, looting and arson after the death in Minneapolis of George Floyd.

Has Biden ever condemned by name these mobs the way he did the mob that invaded the Capitol on Jan. 6?

Biden went on to describe U.S. history as he sees it, as a long Manichaean struggle for the soul of America.

The forces that divide us are deep and they are real.  Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we are all created equal and the other harsh, ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear and demonization have long torn us apart.

But if our history has been an endless struggle against racism, nativism and demagoguery, and todays struggle is against rampant anger, resentment, hatred, extremism, violence and lawlessness, as well as white supremacists and domestic terrorists, how can we credibly call ourselves a great nation and good people?

While Biden identifies the demonic character of the enemy, he does not name them. Who are they? How can we defeat them if the president will not identify them? And if they are evil and we are good, then why should we unite with them rather than ostracize and crush them?

In Joes depiction: We can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbors. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces, stop the shouting and lower the temperature. For without unity, there is no peace only bitterness and fury.

But is fury not a legitimate attribute of those fighting the hateful enemies Biden describes?

Today in this time and place, lets start afresh. All of us. Lets begin to listen to one another again. Hear one another. See one another. Show respect for one another.

This call to unity is followed by another call, to reject the culture in which facts themselves are manipulated and even manufactured.

After this, Biden went off on a tear against mendacity.

Recent weeks and months have taught us a painful lesson. There is truth and there are lies. Lies told for power and for profit.

All our leaders have a duty and responsibility to defend the truth and defeat the lies.

But who are the liars? And if we are to do battle against the liars, why did Biden declare a minute later: We must end this uncivil war.

It was said of Warren Hardings inaugural address that it was an army of pompous phrases marching across the landscape in search of an idea.

Joe Bidens inaugural was the most confusing, contradictory and incoherent ever delivered from the steps of the Capitol, reflective of the mind of its author and the state of the Union he now leads.

Good luck, Mr. President. You will need it, and so will we.

Patrick Buchanan has been a senior advisor to three Presidents, twice a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, and the nominee of the Reform Party in 2000. https://buchanan.org/
Pope Francis prays for a homeless man from Nigeria who died just a few meters from St. Peters Square, and reminds journalists of their task to give first-hand witness to the truth.

By Devin Watkins

After praying the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis paused for a moment to pray for Edwin, a Nigerian homeless man left to die alone on a cold Roman night.

On 20 January, just a few meters from St. Peters Square, a Nigerian homeless man named Edwin was found dead from the cold, said the Pope. His plight is similar to that of many other homeless people who have died recently in Rome under the same dramatic circumstances.

The Pope then invited everyone to pray for Edwin, and paused for a few seconds in prayer.

He said 46-year-old Edwin was ignored by all.

He was abandoned, by us as well, said Pope Francis. Let us pray for him.

The Pope then recalled a story from the papacy of St. Gregory the Great. When he witnessed the death of a beggar in the cold, the 6th century Pope ordered that all Masses be suspended for a whole day, because it was as Good Friday.

Listen to our report

Journalists and witnesses

Pope Francis also recalled that Sunday is the feast of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists.

He referred to his message for World Communications Day 2021, which was released on Saturday, under the title Come and See.

He said it is an invitation for everyone to communicate by meeting others where and as they are.

I exhort all journalists and communicators to go and see, even there were no one wants to go, and to witness to the truth, he said.

Pray for Christian Unity

Separately, the Pope recalled the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which will be celebrated on Monday with Vespers at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

I invite you all to join us spiritually in prayer, he urged.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 16:09:35|Editor: huaxia

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TOKYO, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Japan's COVID-19 death toll topped 5,000 on Saturday as the country struggles to contain the resurgence of infections, according to the latest figures from the health ministry and local authorities.

As the number of infections continues to surge across the country, the pace of deaths is accelerating.

The death toll from the virus surpassed 1,000 in July last year, and topped 2,000 after about four months in November. In late December, it passed 3,000 and in less than 20 days, it exceeded the 4,000 mark.

By prefectures, Osaka has the highest number of deaths with 812, followed by Tokyo's 770 and Hokkaido's 561.

The latest wave of infections has forced Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to declare a state of emergency in 11 of the country's 47 prefectures, including Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, earlier in the month. Enditem
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The Kaduna State government has approved January 25 as resumption date for tertiary institutions across the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Phoebe Yayi, announced this in a statement issued in Kaduna on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that education stakeholders had, on Jan. 18, proposed January 21 or January 25 for school resumption, subject to the approval of the state government.

Heads of tertiary institutions had, at the meeting, expressed readiness to reopen January 25, if given the approval.

But, the Ministry of Health, on January 21, recommended the suspension of school resumption until readiness assessment for COVID1-19 was conducted.

Mrs Yaya explained that the approval came after assessing all tertiary institutions in the state to ensure their level of preparedness and plans for reopening.

She said the COVID-19 assessment team had confirmed full compliance with the states COVID-19 preventive protocols and for safe learning environment against the pandemic.

The permanent secretary, nonetheless, urged managements of all the tertiary institutions to ensure strict adherence to all the guidelines and protocols put in place by the state government.

She listed some of the guidelines to include compulsory wearing of face masks by students as well as staff members, both academic and non-academic, temperature checks and washing facilities, situated at strategic locations.

Others, according to her, are constant water supply or the use of hand sanitiser; avoiding overcrowding, both in class size and hostel occupancy, and the availability of functional health facilities for isolation of suspected cases.

All the measures, which have been assessed and confirmed to be in place, must be sustained, as any lapse or bridge will lead to the closure of the erring institution without notice.

Resumption by all tertiary institutions will be in phases, as provided by the institutions and according to their academic levels and subject to their compliance with the guidelines in place.

Unscheduled monitoring visits to schools across the state will be conducted by the task force team to ensure continuous compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines, she said.

Mrs Yaya added that assessment, based on COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health for public and private primary and secondary schools, was ongoing.

She said a decision would be announced once the assessment was concluded and recommendations approved.

The permanent secretary expressed the ministrys appreciation for the support and cooperation of all stakeholders in ensuring the containment of the pandemic in the state.

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In 2019 and 2020, 29 states enacted at least 100 broad emergency management reform bills. Many of these bills reform disaster management and improve state disaster preparedness plans. Other bills alter or create new emergency response authorities for state agencies, improve coordination between state and local governments in disaster response and preparedness, and create new positions. California alone passed three bills that reorganize state emergency management by creating, consolidating or defining wildfire-specific mandates for planning and disaster management agencies, including the Catastrophe Response Council (AB 111), the California Wildfire Safety Advisory Board (AB 1054) and the Natural Resources Agency (AB 38). Similar examples include:

Jurisdiction for emergency management can vary from state to state, involving multiple agencies, offices and public officials at the state level, as well as a range of counterparts on the local and federal levels. A state may have an emergency management director, public safety commissioner, state resilience officer, state hazard mitigation officer, building and fire officials, governors homeland security advisor and other key personnel that all have an important role to play in managing disasters. For example, in Texas, the Division of Emergency Management oversees the use of most FEMA grants while the General Land Office oversees the use of Community Development Block GrantsDisaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) and certain subsets of FEMA funding. Especially in the wake of extreme events, states may seek to reform these emergency management systems through legislation by establishing new positions, offices or interagency working groups; requiring preparedness or mitigation plans from existing agencies; or introducing a range of regulatory and administrative changes. For example, after Hurricane Matthew, North Carolina passed legislation creating the North Carolina Office of Response and Recovery (NCORR) in 2019 that operates under the emergency management director and is the designated grantee of CDBG-DR funds.

In 2019 and 2020, 36 states enacted at least 95 finance and appropriations bills. There is considerable variation among disaster funding mechanisms state to state, and 2019-2020 was no exception. In addition to increased appropriations, many of these bills relate to loan and grant programs for disaster mitigation, response and recovery activities such as climate adaptation, fire suppression, flood control projects or restoration projects following earthquakes and other natural disasters. Other bills relate to federal funding for state disaster response activities and economic recovery packages following major events. Some of these bills include:

The cost of disasters at all stages is shared to varying degrees by federal, state, local, private and nonprofit sectors alike. There are many sources of federal funding available for communities impacted by a disaster; however, states frequently find it necessary to pass their own economic recovery or appropriations measures. This is true especially when 1) a presidential disaster declaration is not granted, 2) a declaration is granted, to fund the requisite state match and 3) they are needed to boost funding to rainy day accounts or disaster grants programs to advance general financial preparedness ahead of a disaster.

Infrastructure resilience legislation typically covers a range of disaster mitigation activities and preparedness planning. Critical infrastructure spans a vast array of issuescommunications infrastructure, financial sector, health sector and more. While there are few sectors that natural disasters do not impact, key state legislative trends in 2019 and 2020 in particular encompassed transportation infrastructure, building codes and energy grid resilience. These specific subsets of infrastructure resilience are discussed below. States enacted at least 70 infrastructure resilience bills in these areas.

Transportation Infrastructure

When disasters arrive, their impact is most immediately evident on the built environment. Public infrastructure not only sustains some of the most extensive damage from disasters, it supports the continued operation of a range of key sectors within a community. Roads, bridges and other key components transport vulnerable populations out of harms wayideally before, but sometimes during and just after, the event. As noted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 2019, damage from extreme weather eventsheat waves, drought, tropical storms, high winds, storm surges and heavy downpoursis occurring more frequently and comes at significant costs to repair. As Congress has engaged in ongoing negotiations in recent years over a comprehensive infrastructure package, it has also included a transportation resiliency strategy for weather-resilient infrastructure projects along the countrys freight corridors to mitigate extreme weather impacts.

States have also acknowledged and grappled with this reality. In 2019 and 2020, states considered a range of such solutions, from emergency evacuation routes during floods, fires and hurricanes to highway, road and bridge infrastructure projects and preparing for various changes resiliency may necessitate. In 2019 and 2020, at least four statesCalifornia, Florida, Maine and Vermontenacted seven pieces of legislation addressing transportation resilience. These include:

California SB 99 (2019) requires localities to review and update safety elements in local governments general plans with information identifying residences at high risk of floods or wildfires without at least two emergency evacuation routes.

California AB 74 (2019) appropriates $2.5 million to reimburse localities for maintaining evacuation routes during emergencies, specifying the intent of the Legislature that localities should develop standards for such routes, as well as create and maintain signage and other necessities.

California AB 477 (2019) requires local governments to include persons with disabilities in the next update of emergency plans.

Florida SB 7068 (2019) establishes the Multi-Use Corridors of Regional Economic Significant (M-CORES) program to study three regional corridors for accommodating multiple modes of transportation and various types of infrastructure. The bill includes a task force for each of the three proposed facilities (Southwest-Central Florida Connect, Suncoast Connect and the Northern Turnpike Connector) tasked in part with evaluating the necessity for hurricane routes along the corridor, as well as the associated environmental and economic impacts. The bill also allocates $10 million per year over four years to: The Small County Road Assistance Program, to assist small county governments in resurfacing or reconstructing county roads, with priority given to those that serve as an evacuation route. The Small County Outreach Program, to assist small county governments in repairing or rehabilitating county bridges, paving unpaved roads, addressing road-related drainage improvements, etc. Each program may give preference to projects in counties impacted by hurricanes.

Maine Ballot Question 1 (2019) was approved by voters to provide $4 million for a competitive grant program that matches local funding for upgrades to local culverts at stream crossings to improve fish and wildlife habitats and enhance community safety.

Maine SB 550 (2019) establishes a Climate Council to prioritize a plan encouraging and preparing for transitions in transportation, including infrastructure changes resulting from climate disruption. The councils Transportation Working Group released a June 2020 plan recommending the state conduct a statewide infrastructure vulnerability assessment for roads, bridges and culverts, airports, railroads, ferries, ports and wharfs, maintenance facilities and public transit systems.

Vermont HB 688 (2020) establishes a Subcommittee on Rural Resilience and Adaptation, directing it to focus on the pressures that climate change adaption will impose on rural transportation.

Building Codes

Building codes have been identified as a highly cost-effective strategy to reducing the impacts of disasters. The congressionally established National Institute of Building Sciences found that the regular adoption of building codes provides an $11 benefit for every $1 invested. A recent FEMA study found that building codes provided more than $27 billion in cumulative mitigation benefits against flood, hurricane wind and earthquake hazards from 2000 to 2016 and could help communities avoid $132 billion to $171 billion in cumulative losses through 2040. Building code vintages and adoption processes vary greatly in states across the countryfrom enforcing a statewide building code or having a largely decentralized statewide code to having a statewide minimum code but allowing local discretion for enforcement or amendments, or deferring fully to local control. Building code requirements can also be limited to communities that are most vulnerable to disasters, such as homes in flood plains, on the coasts, or exposed to the Wildlife Urban Interface or to specific building types including state buildings or schools. Up-to-date building codes can also make a state more competitive for FEMA BRIC grants, reduce residents insurance premiums through the NFIP Community Rating System and the Building Codes Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) and potentially ease recovery with Post-Disaster Public Assistance funding. In 2019 and 2020, 13 states updated their codes via regulatory processes previously established by the legislature, while five states adopted new codes or updated existing codes via legislation. These include:

Nebraska Legislative Bill 348.

Utah HB 29.

Maine Legislative Document 855.

Texas HB 2858.

New Hampshire HB 562.

Energy

In the wake of increasingly severe disasters, policymakers and industry have sought ways to balance energy infrastructure protection with service restoration. State legislatures have actively addressed these issuesboth in disaster mitigation by providing incentives for investments that harden infrastructure and in facilitating swift response and recovery actions after disasters strike. Legislative trends in energy resilience emphasize utility regulation, grid hardening and backup power. Fourteen states enacted at least 30 bills in these areas in 2019 and 2020.

Utility Regulation

While the energy industry has taken its own measures to improve resilience, state legislation has complemented these efforts in interstate mutual assistance, billing practices transparency, and utility disaster mitigation plans. Utility mutual assistance agreements establish a broad support network of utilities by which neighboring (including out-of-state) utilities partner in restoration work. Similarly, state legislatures in at least 24 states implemented business rapid response laws, which temporarily remove some licensing and tax requirements for out-of-state businesses and employees engaged in emergency response and restoration work. Puerto Rico enacted a law that will add transparency to how utilities bill customers during outages, while other states have considered measures that would force utilities to compensate customers whose service isnt restored within a certain amount of time after an event.

The deadly 2017 and 2018 wildfire seasons prompted western states like California to pass a slate of bills regulating electric utilities. California alone passed nine bills in 2019 addressing everything from fire prevention practices to utility communication requirements. Some of these bills heightened oversight of utilities vegetation management and disaster mitigation plans. They also expanded state oversight and communication requirements for de-energization eventswhen utilities cut off power to portions of the grid to avoid sparking a fire during periods of elevated fire risk. Some of these bills include:

California SB 247 (2019) requires an electrical corporation to notify the public utilities commissions (PUC) Wildfire Safety Division after it completes all or a substantial portion of the vegetation management requirements in its wildfire mitigation plan. The Wildfire Safety Division must audit the work performed and specify any failure to comply with the requirements.

California SB 560 (2019) requires electric utilities to establish procedures to notify all public safety offices, critical first responders, health care facilities and operators of telecommunications infrastructure within the footprint of a potential de-energization event.

Nevada SB 329 (2019) requires an electric utility to submit a natural disaster protection plan to the PUC every three years for approval to recover costs related to plan development and implementation. The plan must identify high-risk areas for wildfires or other disasters, approaches for cost-effective mitigation, proposed protocols for de-energizing distribution lines, and implementation capabilities.

Utah HB 66 (2020) amends cost-recovery statutes, grants the PUC authority to establish procedures related to wildfire planning, and requires utilities and electric cooperatives to submit wildfire protection plans for the commissions approval.

Grid Hardening

Some of the most disaster-impacted states have sought to prevent the worst of the damage by hardening their energy grid infrastructure in recent years. These measures encourage utilities to invest in upgrades to existing infrastructure, incorporate grid-hardening measures in plans to replace infrastructure, and often provide utilities with a way to finance projects. These measures also seek to mitigate risks from certain threats, like substation flood prevention projects in coastal areas or concrete utility pole installation in regions with higher exposure to strong winds. In some cases, these projects include undergrounding electric lines in high-risk areaswhether to mitigate against hurricane-force winds that consistently knock out power or to prevent lines from sparking the next dangerous blaze in very dry regions.

While California and Florida passed important grid-hardening legislation in 2019, Virginia passed a variety of energy resilience measures early in 2020. Illinois and New Jersey have also seen bills in the past two years that would require certain electric lines to be placed underground, while Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey and Texas all considered bills that sought to enhance electric system resilience. Key examples include:

California SB 70 (2019) requires each electrical corporations wildfire mitigation plan to include a description of where and how the corporation considered undergrounding electrical distribution lines within service territories identified to have the highest wildfire risk.

Florida SB 796 (2019) requires utilities to develop transmission and distribution system storm protection plans, including substantial undergrounding and flood mitigation. These plans must be approved by the Florida PUC and updated every three years. The commission is required to determine the utilitys prudently incurred costs under the plan annually and allow the utility to recover those costs through a charge on customer bills.

Virginia HB 576 (2020) makes stipulations on two electric transmission line projects to pilot undergrounding in the state.

Virginia HB 1030 (2020) establishes that, if the Virginia Corporation Commission approves an underground transmission line project under a pilot program, future projects in the same right of way should also be placed underground. Whether future projects are required to be undergrounded will be determined based on technical feasibility and community support, while the estimated cost of placing the line underground must be less than 2.5 times the cost of placing it overhead.

Microgrids and Backup Power

Microgrids and backup generators can keep critical loads powered and operationalwhether at an emergency shelter, a health care facility or an individual homeuntil normal service is restored. States like California and Puerto Rico have moved to offer clarity to microgrid developers by standardizing service tariffs. States have also considered backup power requirements for certain facilities and broad planning initiatives to identify areas and facilities where backup power would be particularly beneficial. Some of these bills include:

Massachusetts HB 3941 (2019) creates a matching grant program and offers technical assistance for cities and towns to develop microgrids.

California SB 167 (2019) requires each electrical corporation to identify ways to mitigate the public safety effects of de-energization events, especially on customers who use medically essential equipment. It also authorizes electrical corporations to deploy backup electrical resources or provide financial assistance for backup electrical resources to those customers.

Puerto Rico SB 657 (2020) requires group homes, day care sites and elderly care facilities to have sufficient water reserves and a backup electric generator in order to be licensed.

Virginia SB 1077 (2019) requires licensed assisted living facilities with six or more residents to have a temporary emergency electrical power source available for use on-site in the event of power outages.

Virginia SB 350 (2020) establishes the Emergency Shelters Upgrade Assistance Grant Fund administered by the Department of Emergency Management. It provides matching funds to localities to install, maintain or repair infrastructure for backup energy generation in emergency shelters.

Emergency Communications

Several states also considered emergency communications legislation since 2019. Many of these bills are aimed at enhancing states emergency communication systems and updating 911 laws. Some bills cover training for 911 operators, while others address the costs involved with emergency telephone systems. In 2019 and 2020, 16 states enacted at least 28 bills related to emergency communications and 911. Some examples of these bills include:

California SB 670 (2019) requires a provider of telecommunications services that provides access to 911 services to notify the Office of Emergency Services within 60 minutes after discovering an outage that limits customers ability to make 911 calls or receive emergency notifications.

Maine HB 1281 (2019) modifies the states emergency services communication laws to reflect that text messaging can be used to contact 911.

Tennessee SB 1958 (2019) requires training for 911 call takers and public safety dispatchers to include instruction on dispatcher-assisted delivery of CPR instructions to callers or bystanders.

Virginia HB 1003 (2020) transfers responsibilities for the 911 Services Board from the Virginia Information Technologies Agency to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. The Division of Public Safety Communications within the Department of Emergency Management is directed to assist in the development of enhanced emergency telecommunications systems throughout the state.

West Virginia HB 4123 (2020) requires each county emergency answering point to be constantly operated by an emergency telecommunicator. It specifies that a county commission or the West Virginia State Police should seek the advice of telephone companies and local emergency providers in order to develop an enhanced emergency telephone system.
A bullet train pulls out of Harbin West Railway Station in Heilongjiang province on Friday as the last section of the Beijing-Harbin High-speed Railway opened. The travel time between Beijing and Harbin has been cut to less than five hours. WANG JIANWEI/XINHUA

The new high-speed railway connecting Beijing with China's northeastern provinces not only shortens travel time, but also features high technology and an environmentally friendly design.

The new line was inaugurated on Friday and demonstrates China's strong capability to build high-tech and green high-speed railway and infrastructure.

The new line links Beijing with Shenyang, Changchun and Harbinthe capital cities of China's three northeastern provincesand shortens travel time between Beijing and Harbin in the northernmost Heilongjiang province to less than 5 hours. Two old routes took more than 7 and 8 hours.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey answers a question about the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine in Arizona, while Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ listens, in Phoenix, Ariz., on Dec. 2, 2020. (Ross D. Franklin, Pool/AP Photo)

Arizona Republicans Censure Ducey, Flake, McCain

The Arizona Republican Party voted on Jan. 23 to approve resolutions to censure the states Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, former Sen. Jeff Flake, and Cindy McCain, the widow of the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

The party censured Ducey for imposing restrictions in response to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus that restrict personal liberties and force compliance to unconstitutional edicts, the Arizona Republic reported.

The Republicans censured Flake, saying he condemned the Republican Party, rejected populism, and rejected the interests of the American people over globalist interests, while the state party said McCain, who endorsed Joe Biden for president, has supported globalist policies and candidates and condemned President Trump for his criticism of her husband and erroneously placed behaviors over actual presidential results.

The three attended Bidens inauguration.

Flake had responded to the censure resolutions when they were first introduced, writing on Twitter, If condoning the presidents behavior is required to stay in the Partys good graces, Im just fine being on the outs.

Officials in Duceys office and the McCain Institute didnt respond to a request for comment by press time.

During the same meeting, the Arizona GOP voted to reelect Kelli Ward as the partys chairwoman. Ward won after an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who called in to express his support.

In a short call, Trump called on Arizonans to help Ward get reelected as chair of the states Republican Party, saying that he gives her his complete and total endorsement, due to her stances on a number of issues.

She is a terrific person. She is a person I know. Youll never find anybody as dedicated to every aspect were all dedicated to, Trump said.

Ward played a central role in Trumps fight to protect election integrity, filing lawsuits in Arizona to question the accuracy of the election results in the state.

She ultimately fended off several challengers, winning 51.5 percent of the vote to 48.5 percent against challenger Sergio Arellano in the second round of voting.

During a speech prior to the votes, Ward promoted herself as an anti-establishment Republican that aims to continue Trumps vision to put America first.

The decision is ours. Are you going to reelect me and show the state, the country, and the world that we are an America first Arizona, or will we go back to the dark days before Trump? she said.

Janita Kan contributed to this report.
Bengaluru, Jan 24 : Security has been tightened across the city for the Republic Day celebrations on Tuesday, in view of the farmers' protest rally on the same day, police said on Sunday.

"Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the Republic Day events in the city and to maintain law and order," the city police said in a statement here.

As the main function will be held at the Field Marshal Manekshaw parade ground where Governor Vajubhai Vala will unfurl the national flag, additional police personnel have been deployed to prevent any untoward incident and ensure peaceful celebrations.

In view of the Covid guidelines, no large gathering of people will be allowed. About 500 invitees, including freedom fighters, VVIPs, top officials of the state government, defence services and media will be allowed to attend the event.

"Those attending the function will have to wear face mask and maintain physical distance," said the statement.

Units of the State Reserve Police, City Armed Reserve, paramilitary forces and home guards will participate in the R-Day parade along with Army, Air Force and Navy contingents.

"A number of close circuit television cameras and baggage scanners have been installed in and around the venue to ensure fool-proof security," said the statement.
In 2015, Schenectady County prosecutors relied on powerful new DNA technology to convict a career criminal of the first-degree murder and first-degree robbery of 41-year-old Brett Wentworth.

Their star witness, forensic scientist Mark Perlin, was so credible in explaining his invention -- Cybergenetics TrueAllele Casework  that Fred Rench, the attorney for defendant John Wakefield, was forced to concede that his clients DNA was on the victims forearm and shirt collar, as well as on the amplifier cord used to fatally choke Wentworth, a Schenectady man who had no known enemies.

On April 11, 2010, the night Wentworth was killed inside his Wendell Avenue home, Wakefield had been out of prison less than three weeks.. Now 54, Wakefield is serving a life sentence in Elmira Correctional Facility.

End of story? Not yet.

On Sept. 29, Associate Judge Eugene Fahey of the Court of Appeals, the top court in New York, granted Wakefield permission to appeal his conviction to the court. On Jan. 7, the Court of Appeals approved Wakefield's attorney, Matthew Hug, to make the legal case for appeal.

Hug's task is difficult. At trial -- and before trial -- overcoming the evidence proved tough for Rench. In a pre-trial decision, state Supreme Court Justice Michael Coccoma rejected the defense's attempt to block the technology from trial. The judge noted that the New York State Commission on Forensic Science DNA Subcommittee had unanimously approved the science for use by State Police for their forensic casework. Coccoma, at the time the deputy administrative judge for all courts outside New York City, ruled there was a "plethora of evidence in favor of Cybergenetics TrueAllele Casework, and there is no significant evidence to the contrary."

In his testimony at Wakefield's trial, Perlin walked jurors through a PowerPoint slide show detailing the astronomical odds against the DNA belonging to anyone other than Wakefield.

Hug does know the case: he represented Wakefield before the Appellate Division of state Supreme Courts Third Department in Albany in May 2019. Justices upheld the conviction three months later in a 5-0 vote.

In that effort, Hug argued among other points that Wakefield was denied the right under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to confront witnesses at trial because the defense did not have access to the source code for Perlin's technology. Perlin testified at a pre-trial hearing before Coccoma that it was a trade secret and refused to release it, nor was he compelled to do so.

While the Third Department did not grant a reversal, Appellate Justice Stanley Pritzker was sympathetic to Hugs logic..

This argument raises legitimate and substantial questions concerning due process as impacted by cutting-edge science, Pritzker stated in the majority opinion. Given the exponential growth of technologies such as artificial intelligence, to embrace the future we must assess, and perhaps reassess, the constitutional requirements of due process that arise where law and modern science collide .defendant's novel confrontation clause challenge, specifically, that the source code itself is an out-of-court declarant, raises these profound questions.

Ultimately, Pritzker, joined by Presiding Justice Elizabeth Garry and Appellate Justices Robert Mulvey and Phillip Rumsey, found that Wakefields Sixth Amendment right was not violated. Justice Sharon Aarons went further, finding that Wakefield's defense did not make any meaningful attempt to gain access to the source code or compel its disclosure before trial.

Hug has until Feb. 1 to file a brief. Wakefield has until March 1 to file his own brief, which he plans to do, Law Beat was told. Prosecutors for District Attorney Robert Carney, in turn, have until April 16 to file their brief. The reply is due May 3.

Correction: Brett Wentworth, 41, was murdered in Schenectady on April 11, 2010. His first name was misspelled in an earlier version of this column.
The historical town of Sebastia is located on a 440-meter high (one-quarter of a mile) hilltop north of Nablus city and is known as the Palestinian capital of the Romans. The city, famous for its dozens of Roman archaeological pieces and sites, continuously faces attacks by Israeli settlers and the Israeli army, who have their eyes set on its archaeological sites.

In November 2020, Israeli authorities threatened to forcibly remove the 17-meter (56-feet) long Palestinian flagpole erected near the antiquities plaza in the town of Sebastia. The plaza itself is located in Area B of the West Bank, which is under Palestinian civil control and Israeli military control. Israel claims the flagpole provokes the settlers.

Mohammad al-Azem, head of the Sebastia municipality, told Al-Monitor, Sebastia is an ancient town dating back 3,000 years. It extends over 5,000 dunums [1,235 acres] and is inhabited by 3,500 people. Herod the Great named the city Sebaste  meaning Augustus  in honor of Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar in 27 B.C.

Azem added, The Shafi Shamron settlement adjacent to the town seized 400 dunums [99 acres] of Sebastia. The Israeli army prevents Palestinians from entering 200 dunums of the towns lands in the area around the four sides of the Shafi Shamron settlement. Israel also controls 2,500 dunums of its lands located in Area C, where work or construction are prohibited.

Regarding the Israeli attacks on the town and its archaeological sites, Azem said, The Israeli Settlements Council in the West Bank  headed by Yossi Dagan  storms the archaeological sites in the town every Wednesday. This is in addition to the frequent incursions by groups of settlers who carry sign boards reading, Sebastia, a public park. Israel also closes the town in order to secure the arrival of Jewish tourists to the archaeological sites to perform religious rituals.

On another note, he said that several archaeological sites in Area B were restored, including a number of churches 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) inside the Roman city wall. The Belgian Development Agency, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the European Union and the United Nations Development Program have rehabilitated Al-Baidar Square near the archaeological site, as part of a single project completed in October 2020. The number of foreign tourists coming to Sebastia was estimated at 100,000 per year, but during 2020 no tourist entered the town due to the coronavirus pandemic, Azem noted.

He added, The Israeli army prevents the Sebastia municipality and the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities from entering the archaeological sites located in Area C, which is under Israeli security and administrative control. These sites are home to multiple monuments such as the Roman stadium and amphitheater, a colonnaded street with 600 columns, a temple for Augustus, a royal palace, a basilica and a Hellenistic tower. The ruins located in Area B are the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, the Roman Cemetery and Nabi Yahya Mosque.

Under the Oslo Accord signed between the PLO and Israel in 1993, the West Bank was divided into three areas. Area A, representing 18% of the West Bank, is under the security and administrative control of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Area B, representing 21% of the West Bank, is subject to Palestinian civil and Israeli security administration. Area C, constituting 61% of the West Bank, is subject to Israels full security and administrative control, meaning any Palestinian project or measures to be made in it requires the Israeli authorities approval.

Jeires Qumsieh, spokesman for the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, told Al-Monitor, The oldest sites and monuments in the town of Sebastia date back to the Iron Age, the Stone Age and the Bronze Age. Then the Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Canaanite, Greek, Byzantine and Roman civilizations left their mark over time until the Islamic period. Sebastia has made it to the tentative list of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

He said, Israel has its eyes set on the town and its archaeological sites, which witness almost daily incursions. Israel also impedes the work of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities employees in the town. Sebastia has archaeological and historical treasures that are yet to be discovered.

Qumsieh explained that the region needs permanent development and protection. The necessary infrastructure must be built to accommodate more foreign tourists, he added, calling on international institutions concerned with protecting heritage and antiquities to pressure Israel to allow the ministrys staff into archaeological sites in Area C to protect them from thieves and illegal excavations.

Ghassan Douglas, the official in charge of the settlement file in the northern West Bank affiliated with the PA, said the Nablus governorate is surrounded by 12 Israeli settlements and more than 37 Israeli military sites and outposts. The governorate witnesses constant attacks by settlers, who cut olive trees planted on the citizens lands and release wild pigs and sewage wastewater into these lands. These Israeli measures aim to stifle the Palestinian population and deny them access to their lands.

He told Al-Monitor, Sebastia is subject to ongoing Israeli restrictions, through continuous incursions by settler groups to its archaeological sites, specifically in Area C. This area includes most of the archaeological sites in Sebastia, which reveals Israels intention to seize the archaeological sites and historical monuments.

Douglas concluded, Israel is trying to falsify facts and history by labelling Sebastia as the capital of northern Samaria. This is an example of the settlement measures aimed at annexing the archaeological area to the so-called Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
Kangana Ranaut manages to make headlines with new controversies every second day. This time she has once again targeted Swara Bhasker in her latest tweet. This time she resorted to sharing a mean tweet about Swara Bhasker because she was getting bored.



Kangana recently re-tweeted pictures that showed both Swara and her in similar outfits. They are both wearing golden saree with white blouses and large necklaces. In the picture, you can see a portion of Swaras forehead being highlighted and called Kangana class and Swara crass.

Kangana took to Twitter saying, Yeh sab kya keh rahe hain !! Aisa hai kya ? @ReallySwara

Checkout the post here-

Yeh sab kya keh rahe hain !! Aisa hai kya ? @ReallySwara https://t.co/goyl9sWKhT  Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) January 24, 2021

A follower also commented on how Kangana has made full-fledged plans to entertain everyone on a Sunday. She replied to the comment saying, "Haan on a boring day thoda toh@ReallySwara ji ko cheda Jaye (Thought I should tease Swara a little on a boring day)."

To which Swara responded saying, Always happy to help alleviate your boredom Kangana.. you know I love you," she wrote along with an emoji.

Always happy to help alleviate your boredom Kangana.. you know I love you :) https://t.co/PdExEfm36K  Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) January 24, 2021

People on Twitter also seems shocked to see their reaction as both the actresses are mostly found fighting on Twitter about something or another.

Heres what people on Twitter have to say about it-

Kangana humari birthday date and month same hai aur thodi soch bhi

Looking so beautiful @KanganaTeam



Swara ke swar badal jayenge ye dekh kar  Shweta (@Shweta01154087) January 24, 2021

Was having an emotionally challenging day till I saw this! Thanks for making me chuckle   Aki - Not a bot  (@Aki4SSR) January 24, 2021

Now this is hilarious  Priyanka Kumria (@Priyanka_kumria) January 24, 2021

"Ye jo Twitter par saara din baethe hote hain, ye sab velle hote hain." - said @KanganaTeam once  Swati K. (@mynameswatik) January 24, 2021

"Ye jo Twitter par saara din baethe hote hain, ye sab velle hote hain." - said @KanganaTeam once  Swati K. (@mynameswatik) January 24, 2021

It all started when Kangana called Swara a B-grade actress in an interview. Swara said that what Kangana said about her reveals her mentality. Swara added In my head, B stands for best. So I am like call me whatever you like. Sometimes what people say reflects more about their mentality than the people that they are talking about. And I think thats what happened with the outsiders and the being B grade actors debate, its just sad. I think people were revealing their mentality rather than saying anything about me, Taapsee (Pannu) or anyone.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.
Australian Education Minister Dan Tehan speaks at the National Press Club in Canberra, on Aug. 28, 2019. (Rohan Thomson/AAP Images via AP)

Minister Tehan Says Government Considering Tourism-Targeted Support

Federal tourism minister Dan Tehan said it is unlikely international travel will resume for another year and so the Morrison government is considering targeted financial support for tourism businesses economically impacted by Australias CCP virus restrictions.

Ive already been engaging heavily with the tourism industry to listen to their concerns and also to get thoughts, ideas and feedback from them as to how the government may be able to assist them while we wait for international tourism to come back online, Tehan said in an interview, The Guardian reported on Saturday.

He said a lack of overseas arrivals has made it very difficult for these businesses economically.

Ill continue to have those discussions, engage with the sector and look to see whether there is specific or targeted support that could be provided or is needed, Tehan said in his first interview as tourism minister.

The Morrison government has so far rejected calls to extend the financial support via the JobKeeper program beyond March for the tourism and hospitality industries.

Tehan said its key that any proposals going forward provide data which demonstrates the current impact  the loss of international tourism is having.

According to The Australian, the impact of the various governments rules in the lastest round of COVID-19 restrictions over the last five weeks has cost an estimated $7 billion.

Australias peak tourism body warned that longer-term recovery support is needed.

Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive Margy Osmond said considerations need to be for the next couple of years, not just the next couple of months.

HospoKeeper

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg during a press conference in the Blue Room at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Dec. 8, 2020 (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

The news of Tehans openness to new ideas comes as federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg rejected a wage subsidy plan from the hospitality industry peak body this week.

Restaurant and catering chief executive Wes Lambert proposed a HospoKeeper stimulus package that would see payments continue for six-months starting as soon as JobKeeper is due to end on March 28.

In a letter published in The Australian on Friday, Frydenberg insisted that there already is sufficient support without the need for prolonging the JobKeeper program or replacing it.

We recognise the challenges faced by the accommodation and food services industry, the treasurer wrote.

However, given the unprecedented levels of support announced by the Commonwealth and state and territory governments, I consider that existing policy settings will continue to support a strong economic recovery and we are not contemplating a Hospo-Keeper package at this time.

He said that monitoring is ongoing and that the government will implement support if needed.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison added that the federal government had always held firm that JobKeeper will end in March.

[W]e were pretty clear upfront that was not something that could be sustained forever, he told 4BC on Jan. 20.

Related Coverage Prime Minster Welcomes Businesses Repaying JobKeeper

Employment rates are showing signs of recovering.

Australian Bureau of Statistics published a labour force report showing that unemployment has dropped 0.2 percent to 6.6 percent, with around 50,000 finding work in December.

And with employments rates improving and restrictions easing, the Australian economy is showing signs of bouncing back.

Tehan said domestic travel has seen a boost over the summer period.

[O]n the whole the feedback that Im getting, especially in the regions, is that theyve had a very strong summer in regards to the tourism sector, he said

He said plans to create travel bubbles with New Zealand, Singapore, and other countries in the region are promising if theyre able to continue to successfully deal with the pandemic. However international travel as a whole will be at least another nine months away.
The presidents of the two Chambers of Parliament, Anca Dragu and Ludovic Orban, participate, on Sunday, in the events held on the occasion of the 162nd anniversary of the Union of the Romanian Principalities, according to AGEPRES.

Ludovic Orban will attend events organized in Focsani, which will start around 12.45 pm.

Anca Dragu will participate, at 12.30 pm, in the ceremony held at the statue of Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza, on the Hill of the Romanian Patriarchy in Bucharest, where she will lay a wreath.

The Minister of National Defence, Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca, as well as the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Daniel Petrescu, will also be present at 12.30 pm, at the same military ceremony, where the officials will be laying wreaths at the statue of ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza.

At the same time, the Ministry of National Defence will organize, in the garrisons where there are monuments dedicated to the Union of the Principalities, military and religious ceremonies.

For health security reasons, the participants in these events will not join hands for the Hora [a round dance - editor's note] of the Union this time, as was the case in previous years.

On the Day of the Romanian Principalities, the hierarchs, priests and deacons of the Orthodox Church will hold a Te Deum service in all churches, and at the end of the service the bells will ring for one minute.

At the Holy Mass officiated at the Patriarchal Cathedral will be mentioned the ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza, the metropolitans Nifon of the Romanian Country and Sofronie Miclescu of Moldova, as well as all those who contributed to the unification of the Romanian Principalities.
London: World leaders will be urged to look beyond the coronavirus crisis and refocus on climate change during the first major economic summit held since the pandemic began and Donald Trump left the White House.

The annual World Economic Forum will be held virtually this week instead of its traditional home at the Swiss ski resort of Davos. It usually features a host of political figures, business leaders, celebrities and other global heavyweights.

Political and economic leaders usually gather in person at the Swiss ski resort of Davos, but the conference will be held online this year. Credit:AP

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has not attended the forum since 2017, will deliver a keynote address that is expected to include hints about Beijings approach to the new geopolitical landscape ushered in by the election of US President Joe Biden.

However Australia will not be represented at the summit, with no political leaders or business figures listed to speak individually or on dozens of special panels.
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The view from her studio in Berlin gives illustrator Ann Kiernan pause for thought when she arrives at her desk every morning. Room 215 looks out on Hohenschonhausen, once the main political prison run by the East German Communist Ministry of State Security, better known as the Stasi.

It was from this grim location that the Stasi spied on its citizens for four decades. The opening scene of Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck's award-winning 2006 film The Lives of Others, in which a man is tortured with sleep deprivation until he makes a confession, was set at Hohenschonhausen.

When the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, the prison was left untouched as very few people knew of its existence in the restricted zone of East Berlin.

"There's an oak tree directly outside my window," Kiernan says on the phone from Germany. "Just beyond the tree is a corner guard-tower of the prison. My view looks into the prison yard toward the front of the prison and along the high wall on Lichtenauer Strasse. There are a couple of visitors hanging about taking photos." The prison was closed in October 1990, and is now a memorial to the German Democratic Republic's totalitarian past.

Expand Close A portrait by Ann Kiernan, one of six illustrations for the Washington Post, for a series of articles to mark the second anniversary of the murder of exiled Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi / Facebook

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When Kiernan moved to Berlin in 1994 to further her artistic ambitions and moved into the studio, the first thing she did was take a tour of the prison.

"You get a first-hand account of what prisoners experienced, because a lot of the tours are given by ex-inmates. The prison is a stark reminder of how oppressive systems work.

"The structure as a whole in East Germany under Stasi rule worked on informants. So the population as a whole was under pretty constant psychological stress. A person could be taken there in the dead of night, interrogated into a confession and a typical sentence could be between 15-25 years in very harsh conditions.

"They might have never found out the reason why. While it's a historical tour into the past here in Berlin," she says, "it's a living reality in many places in the world."

It was another political prison, albeit a digital one, that recently brought the Kells-born artist international acclaim. Her illustration, Twitter Jail (see page 18), won her the prestigious Moira Gemmill Illustrator of the Year and the V&A Illustrated Journalism Award 2020. The illustration accompanied an article by Wael Eskandar ('How Twitter is gagging Arabic users and acting as morality police') for independent media site Open Democracy.

Kiernan read Eskandar's article in advance of starting her work on the illustration. He wanted to show that censorship is an aggressive act. "There was a definite direction he wanted to go with the image," she says. "The article was a deep dive into Twitter censorship, so he didn't want a Twitter logo but it should be obvious the article was about the topic."

Expand Close Twitter Jail by Ann Kiernan for Open Democracy. This illustration won her the Moira Gemill Illustrator of the Year and the V&A Illustrated Journalism award / Facebook

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Whatsapp Twitter Jail by Ann Kiernan for Open Democracy. This illustration won her the Moira Gemill Illustrator of the Year and the V&A Illustrated Journalism award

She was on the way to her studio when she saw a small dead bird on the street. She made "a quick sketch, made the image and sent it to him". However, this first idea - which Kiernan named Dead Tweet - was rejected. Although Eskandar loved it, he felt it was a little too morbid.

"So while he thought the Dead Tweet was not right, he still thought that the idea of a shot bird was the right way to go. He suggested I try an image in the flowy ink style I work in and the result was Twitter Jail," says Ann.

The V&A judges described what Kiernan came up with as a "violent but beautiful image" and "an innovative interpretation of the well-known corporate logo."

While Kiernan understands how social-media platforms can be a force for good, especially for movements such as Black Lives Matter, MeToo and Repeal the Eighth, she says that Twitter should be "separate from governmental influence and in regions like Middle East and North Africa, users should be afforded the same rules as Western users."

Born in March 1973, Kiernan grew up in the Kells countryside in Co Meath. On days when it was miserable and wet, she got lost in books or drawing. Kiernan loved making marks on paper, the smell of crayons in her hand or how paper "buckled" when it got wet with paint. "And that had a satisfying crackling sound when it dried," she says.

"I was always very sensory, so the smells and sounds of drawing were and are still part of the appeal for me - I think it's the same for a lot of artists. I became wholly absorbed back then and luckily when I draw and paint I still do."

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She would later go on to study classical animation at Ballyfermot Senior College.

Ann's younger sister, Olivia, is a novelist, whose most recent book, If Looks Could Kill, was released last summer. Kiernan says it was healthy to have another creative so close. "We have always enjoyed sharing ideas and teasing things out when inspiration is lacking. At times, when I'm sitting looking at a blank page, a chat about how some plot thread is causing a problem is exactly the ignition that's needed for both her and me.

"Olivia writes crime fiction so that can lead to some pretty grisly conversations but she knows I'm not fearful to push boundaries when it comes to putting things on paper in a visual sense, so that works really well for us both. It's made for interesting eavesdropping at times. She would regularly call me when I'm on the train, which I'm sure caused more than a few missed stops for hooked commuters."

In terms of her politics, Kiernan says she is interested in civil society. "I am interested in politics, but most of all, I'm interested in the human story and how we all affect each other sharing this planet."

How would she describe her political journey as an artist? What shaped her?

"When I moved to Dublin to go to art school in 1991, Ireland was just dragging itself out of the 1980s which was a pretty dismal time - for unemployment, emigration, the troubles in Northern Ireland, women's rights. The greenhouse effect was a hot topic then and there was major drugs crisis, in Dublin in particular. A lot of students I knew were politically interested. Regularly, I joined marches for rights or change."

In 1992, Kiernan, who had just turned 19, went to the European Parliament in Strasbourg as part of a student delegation representing Ireland to talk about the greenhouse effect and other issues concerning young people. "It was a two-day event and was a first experience in engaging with young people who were coming from newly democratised countries."

She remembers a conversation with a counterpart from [now North] Macedonia, who was still getting used to her country's separation from the former Yugoslavia. "It was a big learning   curve. This trip had a big impact on me."

The experience made Kiernan "more interested to look at what happens outside of Ireland".

Expand Close Another of the illustrations in the Washington Post series; this one accompanied a piece written by Hatice Cengiz, about her murdered fiance Jamal Khashoggi / Facebook

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Today, she lives in a small flat with a high ceilings in an old building in the neighbourhood of Prenzlauer Berg in former East Berlin.

"When I moved from Ireland I brought all my furniture and belongings," she says, "So there is a bit of an Irish feel to the place.

"It's a fast-changing area. There are wide streets and plenty of green areas. Good to run in the evenings. It's close to what you might describe as the centre of Berlin, but there is no real city centre."

Each neighbourhood, she says, has its own feel. "Kreuzberg and Neukolln have a more artsy vibe, but overall I have found Berlin to be a fantastic incubator for my practice."

Do her personal politics influence her work, or the work she chooses to take on?

"Up until now, I have not been approached for a commission that would make me question whether ethically I want to make that piece. Like most illustrators, I usually am approaching the publication so I guess I'm the one making that decision."

Last October, Kiernan produced six illustrations for The Washington Post for a series of articles to mark the second anniversary of the murder of exiled Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi. Kiernan felt "a lot of responsibility to hit the right tone. The written pieces were sometimes scathing, and some were deeply personal, especially the article written by Hatice Cengiz."

In the article, headlined, 'We have been deprived of Jamal Khashoggi's voice, but his silence says it all', Hatice wrote: "Two years ago, I believed I was embarking soon on one of the happiest days of my life. But today, I am writing this in memory of a tragic day that should not be forgotten by anyone - the day my fiance, Jamal Khashoggi, entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul and was brutally murdered. Over the past two years, I have had to deal with the pain and disappointment that those who committed this heinous crime and killed an innocent man in the most brutal way, and those who ordered this monstrosity, remain unprosecuted and unpunished."

"I simply wanted to visually describe the void that has been in her life since," Kiernan says, referring to her illustration of "a silhouette of Hatice which stands in a cut-out space in the shape of Jamal (opposite, right). It's a very quiet piece, and I incorporated some additional elements - a line of scarlet red crayon in the top corner of the image."

Another illustration from the series shows a broken scale of justice large in the foreground and in the background are some silhouettes identifiable as world leaders. There's a slash of red crayon on the ground in front of the scales.

"I like to put additional marks on my illustrations for emphasis or to somehow draw on emotion," Kiernan says. "A small delicate pencil line or red crayon mark can be a very effective way to quickly translate vulnerability or aggression."

For the portrait Kiernan made of Jamal (opposite, top), she wanted to draw the reader in - "so he looks directly at us. Over his shoulder is a gathering of silhouettes. Raising Justice off the ground, she holds her scales aloft."

Asked about the aesthetic of her work, Kiernan says: "I think my illustrations are getting known for having this delicate but violent aesthetic. How I achieve that is by using flowing inks and incorporating additional elements to translate emotion. As news moves increasingly online, I believe it's important to try to tap into the emotion of a written piece, and that was my approach to the Khashoggi images. The ink has an organic signature that is appealing, it allows the paper texture to be seen."

Kiernan was also commissioned by left-wing organisation Progressive International last year to illustrate an article about the Greek far-right political party and criminal organisation, Golden Dawn. "I'd read about the protests in Athens," she says, "I already had some awareness of the story."

The first thing that came into Kiernan's mind was that Greece was the birthplace of democracy. She knew a good backdrop for the image would be the Acropolis.

"I'd seen photos online of neo-Nazis marching in the streets with the typical paraphernalia - flags with swastikas and tiki torches. It was a case of putting those three elements together. I had the extinguished tiki torch with just smoke rising and it looked ok; then - sometimes it'll come to me in the middle of the night - the added element; that was the smoke forming the scales of justice." It's an undoubtedly impactful work (see pages 16 and 17), but Kiernan's illustrations also have the potential to have a real-world impact as well as an emotional one.

Did her award-winning Twitter Jail illustration and the accompanying article change anything?

"The article did result in some engagement with the journalist and Twitter, but unfortunately suspensions are still happening. His investigation was sparked when Egyptian protesters who were using Twitter to speak out against corruption began to have their accounts blocked and suspended," Kiernan says.

She adds that in terms of the Twitter politically, it is now 'flagging' disinformation on very public accounts, and, of course, permanently suspended former US President Donald Trump's account this month. "We can all read about this but activists' accounts in the Middle East and North Africa regions are regularly suspended," she says.

Kiernan firmly believes that we all have the potential to be change-makers.

"I am a believer in the visuals of 'feet on the ground' or the show of numbers to make change. Now I get the opportunity to bring a visual impact to issues that sometimes go unseen."

To see more of Ann Kiernan's work, see annkiernan.com

Illustrations by Ann Kiernan
(Natural News) For daring to defend free and fair elections, three Republican state senators in Georgia have been demoted and stripped of their chairmanships.

Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, a Republican, has decided that state Sens. Brandon Beach, Matt Bass, and Burt Jones all need to be put in permanent timeout for the role they played in trying to protect the 2020 election from being hijacked through fraud.

None of these three will have any further role on a committee that handles state transportation issues. Jones was also pulled from chairing the Insurance and Labor Committee.

It doesnt take long to connect the dots, Jones said. There were a few of us fighting for election integrity. And it just so happens that the ones who were doing that no longer have their chairmanships.

While Bass is still a chairman, he has been downgraded from his earlier post as head of the committee that will oversee the redrawing of Georgias counties later this year.

I wont put myself in the penalty box and be silenced by what I think is right and what I think the people who voted me [in] here would want me to do, Jones added in a statement.

Jones is sticking by the principle that he and his supportive colleagues cant let petty politics get in the way of wanting to see a glaring problem with our elections remedied.

It will have to be remedied through the legislative process, he added. We will keep trying to get that accomplished.

Kemp, Duncan and Raffensperger all committed treason

Another of Jones stated goals is to call out Georgia Sec. of State Brad Raffensperger, who oversaw Georgias fake audit and recount of ballots from the fraudulent 2020 election.

Back in March, Raffensperger also signed a consent agreement with the Democrat Party that altered the statutory signature requirements for all mail-in and absentee ballots issued throughout the state.

Immediately after the fraudulent election, a group of 11 state senators, led by Beach, called for a special legislative session to address concerns about this agreement before the January senate run-off election. Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, and Duncan both shot it down.

My constituents are concerned about that consent decree. It was signed off by the secretary of state and was not voted on by the General Assembly, Beach said.

The problem with that agreement is that the poor man or woman that stands in line for two hours has to show their license, have their signature matched, [and then they] get their vote cast.

On the other hand, those who received absentee ballots in the mail without proper identification or signature matching had their votes counted equally, making those who stood in line and did things correctly feel like their vote was diluted because of this agreement by the secretary of state.

In the state senate last month, Brass and other Republican lawmakers slammed Raffenspergers actions, and Kemp and Duncans signing off on it. All three of these traitors need to be held accountable for manipulating the election and effectively throwing it.

We have heard evidence that state law was not followed, time after time after time, Brass said during the hearing.

Beach and Jones later backed a lawsuit filed by a coalition of seven states against four battleground states where election fraud was detected. The suit named Georgia as a plaintiff, and primarily cited Raffenspergers illicit rule changes that were imposed without a proper vote by the legislature.

These same senators continued their fight into January, petitioning Mike Pence to delay congressional certification of the Electoral College results. Pence apparently never received this letter, or chose to go through with the certification regardless.

More of the latest news about the fraudulent 2020 election can be found at Tyranny.news.

Sources for this article include:

LifeSiteNews.com

NaturalNews.com
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/24/2021



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[ Spoiler Warning: This report contains spoilers about Brandon and Julia and whether the couple is still together.]

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So did Brandon and Julia split up or is the couple still together now?

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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

star Brandon Gibbs has been shown torn between Julia Trubkina and his parents on Season 8 of , so did Brandon choose his parents or his fiancee? What do spoilers reveal about if Brandon and Julia are still together or if the couple broke up?Brandon, a 27-year-old pest-control technician who helps to run his parents' farm in Dinwiddie, VA, entered his first serious relationship with Julia, a 26-year-old go-go club dancer from Krasnodar City, Russia.Brandon said he fell in love with Julia at first sight when they initially videchatted because she was "the most beautiful" girl he ever saw and he couldn't stop thinking about her."My first message to her was, 'You look like my future wife,' and that was six hours after meeting her on video chat," Brandon revealed."From that point, we were on the phone every possible second we could be. After a few weeks, I flew over there to ask her to be my girlfriend."The couple then applied for a Tourist Visa so Julia could visit him in the United States, but once the consulate learned Brandon was her boyfriend, she was told to apply for a K-1 visa instead.Since Brandon couldn't stand the thought of living without Julia, after only five months of a long-distance relationship, he invited her to join him in Iceland -- and that's where he proposed marriage to her.The couple then traveled to France where both of their families met for the first time."At first, my parents [Ron and Betty] weren't sure about Julia. They weren't sure if she wanted a Green Card or money," Brandon said.Brandon told Julia over videochat they needed to live with his parents to save some money because he had burned through their savings from the trips they had taken as well as the K-1 visa process. Brandon said he had spent almost $10,000 in seven months.Julia also wouldn't be able to get a job in the United States for a while, so Brandon knew he had to support her.Julia worried about living with Brandon's parents for too long, but he promised they'd leave at some point and not stay forever."My mother can be overbearing, which is why I kind of think they will butt heads and clash," Brandon explained in a confessional.Betty was apparently concerned about Julia's career as a dancer, saying she hoped she was never a prostitute, stripper or call-girl. Betty also hoped Julia, a city girl, could embrace living on a farm and help out with chores that needed to be done."This is probably the first time in a relationship I've been this vulnerable," Brandon shared. "I don't know how sure I am that we're meant to be together, but I know how sure I am that I want to be with her."Brandon, however, had yet to tell Julia they were going to sleep in separate bedrooms while staying in his parents' house, and Betty was pushing Brandon to get Julia on birth control to prevent a surprise pregnancy even though Julia had been against the idea all along.Julia explained that while she didn't want to welcome children for another two or three years, she never had an accident before with her serious ex-boyfriend.Brandon admitted Julia -- whom he dubbed "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" -- has the tendency to have mood swings, so he hoped everything would go perfectly upon her arrival.Once at the airport, Julia ran into Brandon's arms and she called Brandon "perfect." She appeared ecstatic to be reunited with her long-distant love."I'm going to take a Green Card and stay here! Just joking," Julia told the cameras.Although Julia was happy to be with Brandon, Betty came across overbearing with her talk of birth control and keeping the couple in separate rooms during the 90 days of Julia's K-1 visa.Julia said she was ready to "explode" and that conversation was just too much for her."If I try fixing the situation, we have fighting with his parents 100 percent. Him lie [to] me... We don't marry if [he starts lying] to me more, more and more," Julia told the cameras.Julia went to bed angry her first night in America, and Brandon apparently didn't get lucky.But during Julia's first day in America, she had a nice time taking in "all the sights" -- a day Brandon's mother had completely planned out.Julia wished she and Brandon had more "romantic" time together, and Brandon wished he had been more honest and upfront with Julia about their living situation ahead of time."I know, but I think we have problems with each other," Julia told Brandon. "So if we leave, we have problems with money and we have fighting. If we not leave, we'll have a problem with your mother and we'll have fighting."Julia was also shocked to hear Brandon had spent all of his money and had none left for their future together.Julia said she didn't want to repeat her mistakes given she didn't get along with her ex's parents when they all lived together in Russia."I can't control my mother. I can't control how they will interact. They both have really strong personalities, and I just feel like they're going to clash," Brandon lamented in a confessional.Julia wanted to be No. 1 in Brandon's life as well as his top priority, and Julia demanded that Brandon fix the situation or else.Brandon and Julia then packed up their belongings and headed to the farm in Virginia.Julia learned how to feed the horses and the chickens, and Brandon said Julia had "an awesome reaction" to the farm. Brandon said Julia's positive attitude made him feel "80 percent sure" they'd make it as a couple.Julia said she likes animals a lot and enjoys petting them, but at the same time, she noted she wasn't ready to take care of them.Julia was also a little bothered by Brandon's mother essentially barking orders at her to do things, because Julia told the cameras she didn't envision her job being at the farm."I don't know what I love more. I love Brandon but I love a nice life. I need to make [a] choice. I give it one month. If after one month, if I don't love this place, I say him, 'We need to go.' And we live in city. If we live in city, fine," Julia explained.Julia said she didn't feel comfortable and struggled to understand the English language. She also told Betty and Ron that she was afraid to sleep alone -- but they still didn't change their minds about the living arrangement.With 88 days to wed, Brandon had to go to work and said Julia would be on the farm by herself all day since his parents also have day-jobs and needed to go to work.Julia wasn't happy about sleeping in a separate room from Brandon, but she apparently snuck into his room the previous night for a little alone time.When Julia got out of bed, she retrieved eggs from the chickens, and Brandon's family friend was there to help and told Julia that she needed to wake up at 7AM to feed all the animals.Julia said she hates waking up early since she's a night-person and was used to staying up until 6AM sometimes as a go-go dancer. Julia slept until noon at Brandon's home, and she didn't exactly love the farm chores. Julia, in fact, was afraid of the pigs."I don't want this. This is not the life [of] my dreams. Brandon say we need to stay here before we marry, but I say to him, 'No, Brandon, this is not going to work.' I need to leave," Julia vented in a confessional.When Brandon got home from work, Julia said he didn't hug or kiss her. She said it was like Brandon had forgotten about her already.When Julia sat down with Brandon, she said she hated living on the farm and would no longer take care of the pigs. Julia already thought about going home, and Brandon thought she was being ridiculous because she had only spent one day at his parents' home."I wish she would see this as an opportunity and just give life on the farm a chance," Brandon told the cameras.Julia at least wanted to spend some alone time with Brandon that night, but Brandon brought Julia to meet his grandparents, who were very excited to see Julia and get to know her.Brandon and Julia announced at the dinner with Brandon's parents and grandparents that they planned to get married on May 9, which Betty pointed out was Mother's Day weekend. Brandon's father agreed May 9 would be "a terrible wedding day."Brandon liked choosing a date that made Julia happy, even though Betty wasn't happy about it. Ron pushed for May 2, but Julia wanted May 9 because Brandon first contacted her with a sweet message on the ninth of a different month.Julia stood her ground because May 9 was what she wanted, and Brandon defended her and stood up for her much to his family's dismay.With 75 days to wed, Brandon's parents Ron and Betty went away for the night and so Brandon and Julia were excited to have some interrupted time and privacy. They apparently went skinny-dipping in the hot tub and had some fun.When Brandon's parents returned the next day, Julia wished she had more time alone with Brandon."I don't know how I'll survive two more months and never get to be with Brandon alone," Julia told the cameras.Julia said she was tired of Brandon acting like "a little boy," but Brandon was also disappointing his parents, who believed Brandon had neglected his responsibilities at the farm.Betty and Ron hoped Julia would change her ways and have an appreciation for the farm, otherwise, Ron noted, "I don't know if it's going to work." Betty wanted to gain a daughter rather than lose a son, and Ron was especially frustrated about running the farm on their own.Betty and Ron therefore asked Brandon and Julia to both contribute more, but Julia complained to the cameras she was already helping out -- including cleaning up the animals' poop -- and so she was angry Betty was asking her to work even harder."I came here to be with your son, not to take care of your stuff," Julia complained in a confessional.Brandon explained to his parents that Julia begged him to stay with her in the mornings when he was prepared to go to work, and Julia got angry about Brandon blaming her."I think I need time with myself. Sit here by myself and alone," Julia said, leaving the conversation as Ron and Betty appeared frustrated and disappointed.Brandon confessed to feeling stuck in the middle between his wife-to-be and his displeased parents, and he was also sick of being scolded.Brandon said Julia's presence had ruined the dynamic of his family, mainly because Julia didn't want to take part with the chores."It's not all working like we wanted," Brandon said, asking Julia to try harder around the farm."I'll try harder for you, Brandon," Julia concluded.To make his parents happy, Brandon woke up early the next day. He said it killed him that Julia didn't want any part of working on the farm with him, but she decided to wake up early as well to show her effort.Ron told Brandon that he'd own the farm one day, but Brandon told the cameras the farm wasn't his dream -- only Julia was his dream and enjoying a life with her doing whatever makes them happy.Julia took to Instagram in mid-January 2021 and dropped major hints she and Brandon remain a couple.On January 20, Julia posted a hilarious photo with Brandon in which she stuffed her shirt and asked fans to come up with a funny name for the picture. And about a week earlier, Julia also posted a sweet selfie of the couple."Just cute photo #90dayfiance#Brandonandjulia," Julia wrote alongside the January 12 picture with a blowing-kiss emoticon.Several days earlier, Julia uploaded a photo of Brandon giving her a piggyback ride."It seems to me that this week we will not be in the episode. a little positive to you all #90dayfiance #90dayfiance8 #Brandonandjulia," Julia captioned the photo, adding three kissing emoticons.Julia also conducted a recent Q&A with her followers on Instagram Stories and dropped additional hints that suggest she is still with Brandon and living in the United States."Everything is pretty nice," Julia said of her current life. "It's pretty in my life. I've never had, like, an easy life," Julia said. "I all the time chose a hard life."Julia said her English "is much better than before," probably because she's around English-speaking people all the time."I try to learn everything but it's so hard for me," Julia added.When asked whether she likes living in Virginia, Julia responded, "I guess you'll watch the episode to see how I'm enjoying it."When an Instagram user called Julia and Brandon "the cutest couple," Julia replied, "Thank you so much."Julia also revealed she currently has a great relationship with Brandon's parents, although there is tension between them on the currently-airing season of .A fan asked how Julia essentially puts up with her "parents-in-law," and Julia responded, "I love my parents a lot because my parents want what is best for me. If I could choose other parents I would never choose other parents because my parents are the best and I love them a lot."Julia also said she hopes she can "start working" soon and put her degree in design to good use in either apartments or homes.As far as her favorite experience in the United States goes, Julia revealed, "I like people in America because everyone smiles and everyone tries to help. You never ask for help but people try. This is so cool."When asked whether she likes Russia or America better, Julia said there are some things she likes better in Russia and other things she likes better in the United States.She noted the countries are just "different." For example, Julia said she cannot drive yet in America while she has her license back in Russia.Julia shared excitement, however, when someone mentioned all the states she can travel to in the United States. Julia said she'd love to visit New York especially.Julia told her followers it was "hard to leave [her] house and family" in Russia, but she added, "My parents understand this."But Julia played coy when asked direct questions about whether she married Brandon and is still in the United States and living with Brandon's parents.Julia admitted she doesn't want to "get in trouble" by breaking her NDA contract with TLC.When one fan wrote that it seems like she married Brandon, Julia replied, "I don't know!"And she explained to fans, "I can't say where I stay right now or what I do right now."But Julia did admit her favorite thing about Brandon is that "he is so cute." Julia beamed when talking about Brandon, so it appears unlikely that they've broken up.Julia also appeared to spend Christmas in America, as she posted a photo of herself posing next to a giant Christmas tree decorated in gold ornaments inside of a store."I know how important Christmas is in America! it is a sweet and family holiday when all dreams come true," Julia captioned the photo."in Russia the New Year is more important on December 31st. I wish everyone that wishes come true, love and be loved! #90dayfiance #90dayfiance8 #Brandonandjulia."Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!

Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 16:27:05|Editor: huaxia

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BANGKOK, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Thailand on Sunday confirmed 198 cases of coronavirus infection and one fatality, according to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

Of the new cases, 191 were domestic ones while seven others referred to those who had returned from abroad and tested positive in this country, CCSA spokeswoman Apisamai Srirangsan said.

The domestic cases included 72 of those who have tested positive for the coronavirus via active testing at factories and communities in Samut Sakhon, southwest of Bangkok, according to the spokeswoman.

The fatality was a 73-year-old Thai female in Samut Sakhon, who had contracted the disease from an earlier-infected family member.

Thailand has so far confirmed 13,500 cases of infection, 11,136 of which were officially reported as domestic ones while 2,364 others referred to those who had returned from abroad, she said.

Of that total, 10,567 patients have fully recovered and been released from hospitals, and 73 fatalities have been reported so far. Enditem
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Environment Minister Lily DAmbrosio had anything but a ruff Sunday morning, cuddling half-a-dozen furry friends as she unveiled a multimillion-dollar plan to create 18 new parks across Melbourne.

The funding is part of the Andrews governments 2018 election pledge to create 6500 hectares of parkland, equal to 170 Royal Botanic Gardens, in metropolitan Melbourne.

A cheeky Koukla watches on as Environment Minister Lily DAmbrosio announces 18 new parks. Credit:Penny Stephens

The announcement comes less than a fortnight after The Age revealed a new underground rail line through Melbournes south-east under stage one of the $50 billion Suburban Rail Loop would scupper plans for 355 hectares of new parkland the government promised, and permanently reduce the size of a number of existing parks along its route.

Some $15 million that Ms DAmbrosio announced on Sunday will go towards five off-leash dog parks in Essendon West, Balwyn North, Elwood, Mitcham and Ringwood North; and 13 new pocket parks in St Albans, Sunshine North, Footscray, Prahran, Oakleigh South, Frankston, Dandenong, Notting Hill, North Melbourne, Moonee Ponds, Montmorency, Eltham and Glenroy.
Xinhua Photo

JINAN, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Eleven miners were rescued on Sunday after being trapped underground for two weeks due to a blast in a gold mine in east China's Shandong Province.

Rescuers lifted two workers at around 3:18 p.m., bringing the number of rescued workers to 11.

The first rescued miner was lifted from the mine at 11:13 a.m. Sunday. The worker, said to be in extremely weak condition, was rushed to a hospital for treatment.

Currently, 633 people and 407 equipment are at the site for rescue operations.

Twenty-two miners have been trapped about 600 meters underground since the mine blast on Jan. 10 in Qixia, under the city of Yantai, in Shandong Province.

Before Sunday, rescuers had established contact with only 10 of the miners, who are in good physical and psychological condition. Another is believed to have been dead.
Actor Ben Lawson has starred alongside Hollywood heavyweights Margot Robbie and the iconic, Dolly Parton.

And now, the former Neighbours actor has revealed what they are really like off-screen while talking about his past roles.

Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald this week, Ben said the strange thing about Margot Robbie is that she's completely unaffected by celebrity.

Off-screen: Actor Ben Lawson (pictured) has revealed what megastars Margot Robbie and Dolly Parton are really like while speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday

'The most arresting thing about my co-star Margot Robbie is that she's so unaffected by her fame,' he told the publication.

He continued: 'I don't know her well, but whenever we meet I feel like I'm just chatting to a chick from the Gold Coast.'

Ben starred as Lachlan Murdoch in the 2019 film, Bombshell. He then went on to star alongside Dolly Parton in Heartstrings.

Charming: 'I don't know her well, but whenever we meet I feel like I'm just chatting to a chick from the Gold Coast,' Ben said of his fellow Australian star, Margot Robbie (pictured)

'I was in an accent lesson when Dolly walked into the room. It was like meeting the queen,' Ben said of the iconic entertainer.

'I've been at dinners with her since, and at a point in the evening she goes around the table and gives people hugs and asks them how they are doing.

Ben said after she sat down everyone begged her for a story about her life.

Down to earth: 'I've been at dinners with her since, and at a point in the evening she goes around the table and gives people hugs and asks them how they are doing,' he said

Ben, who starred on Australia soap Neighbours as Frazer Yeats from 2006 to 2008, recently published the poem, To My Country.

He will next be seen in a Netflix production called Firefly Lane, which is due out next month.

He will star alongside Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke and play the third person in a love triangle.
Prayagraj : , Jan 24 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, has handed over his 30-month salary for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

The amount was handed over to the general secretary of Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Champat Rai, and member Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati, on Saturday.

Talking to reporters, Maurya said, "I am a Ram devotee first and the deputy chief minister of the state later." The Deputy Chief Minister also handed over a cheque of Rs 1.10 crore on behalf of PWD employees of the state for the temple construction.

He said, "The cooperation of the entire nation is being sought for the construction of Ram temple as five generations have sacrificed their lives in the temple movement. In such a situation, this cooperation is being taken from everyone."
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High near 75F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 50F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.

A potential new hotel has irked residents  and caused consternation among some members of the State College planning commission  after finding a legal loophole that would allow it to skirt a borough ordinance that limits new buildings in similar zoning districts to three stories.

Design plans for the 122-room hotel, at part of the former Autoport motel and restaurant property ( 1401 S. Atherton St.), show the new building will be four stories, creating concerns for nearby residents about both the aesthetic and the traffic/safety impact. The owner, South Atherton Real Estate I L.P., appears able to build the extra story because of an ambiguous borough ordinance that allows for additional building height for inclusionary housing, or affordable housing designed for low- to moderate-income households.

The proposed extended-stay hotel, part of the Home2 Suites by Hilton brand, will feature eight apartments. And a single one will be under the umbrella of inclusionary housing, legally allowing the entire hotel to build that extra story.

This perverts the inclusionary housing requirement at a time when the State College borough is in dire need of inclusionary and affordable housing, State College resident Michael Cross said Thursday night during a virtual planning commission meeting. " State College needs more inclusionary housing, not a developer doing the bare minimum to get what he wants without really helping the community hes going to profit from.

The borough ordinance in question limits new buildings to a maximum of 35 feet in CP2 zoning. The proposed hotel will be at least 45 feet tall at its highest point, more than 28% greater than normally would be allowed.

But theres essentially nothing the planning commission can do about the loophole in this case. The borough is legally obligated to approve any plan that conforms to local laws and, technically, officials said, this one appears to.

We have reviewed this multiple times with a solicitor, and his guidance to us has been that we cannot deny it, planning director Ed LeClear said.

A Hilton representative told the CDT the proposed hotel is independently owned and operated, meaning it carries the Hilton brand but is not owned or managed by the company. The principal owner of the limited-liability company in charge of South Atherton Real Estate I L.P, Gregory Welteroth Jr., did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

The developer, Concord Hospitality, emphasized in a written statement to the CDT that it is fully compliant with all applicable statutes.

In addition to providing inclusionary housing, we are confident that this hotel will attract a regular stream of guests from outside the area that will spend their money at local businesses, restaurants and shops, wrote Carl Hren, senior vice president of development. In addition, the property will create approximately 25 local jobs.

Residents and commission members were a bit more direct with their criticisms.

Planning commission member Scott Dutt referred to the hotels plan to put the entrance far from the parking lot as illogical. A group of 11 residents near Bradley Avenue co-signed a letter last March, expressing multiple concerns. And several residents spoke up during Thursdays public meeting with questions about the fourth story, the positioning of a dumpster and the impact of traffic.

Based on current plans, the propertys main dumpster will be positioned directly behind the property, which one resident said could be seen from their dining rooms.

In terms of being a good neighbor, I dont feel like putting a dumpster in someones backyard is really the best approach, said Karen Henninger, who spoke on behalf of her mother, who lives on Bradley Avenue.

Others pointed to potential traffic problems, especially as a result of having a fourth story and higher density. The proposed hotel plans to construct a slip lane, which essentially amounts to a temporary third lane northbound on South Atherton that would allow travelers to turn onto the property.

The problem, several residents pointed out, is that a slip lane could only add to problems for southbound travelers. Not unlike the issues at Patton Townships Chick-fil-A or the KFC about a half-mile from the proposed hotel.

No action was taken on the property Thursday night, in large part because of the potential traffic issues. Neither PennDOT nor the boroughs consulting traffic engineer have yet issued their reviews of the completed traffic impact study. But the reviews could be ready when the topic is taken up again during a planning commission meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 18.

The borough has a legal obligation to approve, or offer a list of deficient items, of the final plan by mid-March, 90 days after the plan was submitted. Borough Council will vote only on the propertys subdivisions  which, similarly, the borough is legally compelled to pass  and will not vote on the actual final plan, which falls on the shoulders of borough staff.

Even if Council amends the ordinance in question, eliminating any ambiguity and closing the inclusionary-housing loophole, its still too late to impact this plan. But this proposed hotel was the first time the exception was used for a primary commercial use, and Council might be able to ensure its the last time.

Borough spokesperson Douglas Shontz acknowledged Friday the issue will be covered in an upcoming council meeting. But specifics are unknown at this early point; its also still early in the final-plan process, as the start of construction could still be months away.

But plenty of residents will be closely following it.

Theres a whole lot of concerns here, Cross, a local resident, said during the meeting Thursday. I dont hear anybody on this call saying, Geez, dont build the hotel. But this is a major impact on people, and Id like to understand where the borough is with respect to addressing this very serious situation.

The next borough council meeting is 7 p.m. Feb. 1, and the next planning commission meeting is set for noon Feb. 3.
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The variants that could undo pandemic progress

As the world approaches 100 million coronavirus cases  including 25 million in the U.S. as of Saturday  questions are surfacing about new variants of the virus that could slow or even reverse the progress that has been made toward ending the pandemic.

One of those questions is how effective the current vaccines will be against these altered versions of the virus, which initially appeared in Britain, South Africa, Brazil and the U.S. Some appear to be more contagious than the original version, and all are little understood.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the variant first found in Britain might also be associated with a slightly higher chance of death, even as he acknowledges it is too soon to be sure.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday (PA)

A car has been destroyed in a petrol bomb attack in west Belfast.

Police said the incident occurred at about 3.50am on Sunday on Beechmount Street, with two devices thrown at the vehicle.

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service extinguished the fire but the white Audi A4 was completely destroyed.

Officers are appealing for anyone who was in the area and who may have seen a man fleeing the scene, possibly with his hand or sleeve on fire, to contact them.

The PSNI can be contacted by calling 101.

After a 19-year-old Duluth man tried to pull off a nearly $1 million-worth grocery store scam in a shop where he worked on Steve Reynolds Boulevard, local law authorities arrested the suspect in Gwinnett.

Based on the report, the man who was identified as Tre Brown, 19, tried to scam an estimate of $1 million. The bizarre scam idea caught the attention of corporate Kroger employees, who immediately reached out to the local law enforcement after noticing fraudulent transactions.

The Scams

Due to the strict imposition of store policies by authorities, most of the stores have a return or exchange policy.

Brown utilized this policy to make money in just two weeks in December 2020.

According to the police, while Brown was working at the grocery store, he created more than 40 returns for items that were non-existent and put them on credit cards.

The price of the non-existent products ranged from $75 to more than $87,000.

Based on the police investigation, the 19-year-old suspect used this money to buy two vehicles, clothes, shoes, and a gun.

According to the New York Post, Brown had scammed the store for more than $980,000.

Collin Flynn, Gwinnett County detective, gave intrinsic details regarding the case and how the 19-year-old suspect nearly got away with the arrest.

Gwinnett Corporal Collin Flynn shared that this person stealing decided to go big, Fox6News reported.

Read Also: National Guardsmen Forced to Sleep in Parking Garage After Protecting Capitol for Biden Inauguration

He also added that the employee was essentially creating fake items, taking and returning those so-called items he created to a credit card that he had and just making up prices for those items.

The first part of his almost million-dollar grocery store scam started in the range of 10 dollars, and as he continued doing the scam, the prices went up until he made a return of 87,000 that returned to the credit card.

Flynn also mentioned that it seems like this was a rare case wherein things snuck through the cracks and the individual was able to get away with a large amount of money in a short period of time, CNN reported.

Based on the latest report by the law enforcement officials, despite the fact that Brown returned most of the money that he was able to get, still, he will be facing a charge of theft for taking it.

According to the Gwinnett District Attorney's Office, Brown will be facing a misdemeanor charge of theft, which is punishable by up to 12 months in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Moreover, the sentenced person can be required to complete a number of courses which could help them make their life choices better.

Aside from the courses, the suspect facing the charge is also required to complete community services.

In addition, the consequences of Brown's grocery store scam are that he will now have a permanent criminal record and will mostly be excluded from carrying firearms and seeking specific types of employment.

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A woman healthcare worker, who got her COVID-19 vaccine shot on January 19 in Warangal Urban district, passed away on January 24.

The District Adverse Effect After Vaccination (AEFI) committee is examining the 45-year-old healthcare worker's death and will submit its report to the state AEFI Committee soon, the Office of Director of Public Health, Telangana, told news agency ANI.

An Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker aged 42 years also died post-vaccination in Andhra Pradesh on January 24, sparking protests in the state. She had got vaccinated on January 19 and had to be taken to a hospital on January 21 after she fainted.

India has so far reported eight deaths post coronavirus vaccination, but the Health Ministry has said that none of the deaths can be linked to the vaccine.

The cumulative number of vaccinated healthcare workers across the country stands at 16,13,667 as of January 24. Over the past nine days, 28,613 vaccination sessions have been held in the country.

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

As many as 31,466 beneficiaries were vaccinated across around 700 sessions held till 7:30 pm in five States on the ninth day of Indias COVID-19 vaccination drive.

The five states were COVID-19 vaccines were administered on January 24 are Haryana, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.

According to the Health Ministry, only 10 cases of adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) were reported till 7.30 pm on January 24.

Follow our coverage of the coronavirus crisis here
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 21:23:09|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Iran does not accept the "political mediation" of a third country regarding the Republic of Korea (ROK)'s oil tanker Hankuk Chemi seized in early January by Tehran, since it is a "technical" affair, said on Sunday the spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

"As we said before, the oil tanker was seized due to the pollution of the marine environment in the Gulf, and this is an important issue all countries are sensitive about," spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said in an interview with semi-official Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA).

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani on Jan. 19 reportedly voiced Doha's readiness to facilitate dialogue between Iran and the ROK.

Iranian authorities, Khatibzadeh said in his interview with ISNA, have informed their ROK counterparts that Tehran will not accept a political mediation on a technical issue.

The Iranian spokesman also rejected claims that the Hankuk Chemi was seized to put pressure on Seoul in order to have the Iranian assets released, as observers have speculated. Enditem
Most Americans approve of Joe Biden's handling of the coronavirus pandemic in his first four days as president, but one-third of voters are against his decision to reenter the World Health Organization.

Biden's honeymoon phase has earned him 69 per cent approval in his COVID-19 response and 57 per cent confidence in his ability to unify the country, according to a poll released Sunday from ABC News/Ipsos.

The same poll, however, indicates Biden does have a weak spot  unsurprisingly, among Republicans.

A vast majority of those on the right disapprove of Biden's decision to, on the first day of his administration, reverse Trump withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization and Paris Climate Accord.

Many Republicans view these organizations as financially unfair to America.

The survey shows that 61 per cent of Republicans are against returning to the WHO and 72 per cent are opposed to signing onto the Paris Agreement again.

A new survey shows Joe Biden is an a honeymoon phase with nearly seven in 10 approving of his early handling of the coronavirus pandemic

The survey, however, also reveals one-third of Americans do not approve of Biden's two executive orders reentering the World Health Organization and Paris Climate Accord  which Trump withdrew from during his administration

Overall, around one-third of Americans oppose Biden's decision to rejoin both organizations and agreements.

On Biden's first day, he signed 17 executive orders and actions, including to reverse Trump dumping WHO and the Paris Climate Accord. Several of his other orders involved immigrations and economic issues and coronavirus response.

On Thursday, he signed 10 more executive orders  all related to his administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Even among Republicans, Biden received high marks in the poll, which was taken January 22 and 23 among 504 adults. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.0 per cent.

Of Republican respondents, 40 per cent approve of Biden's leadership in his early days in office regarding the COVID-19 crisis.

An overwhelming 97 oer cent of Democrats  and 70 per cent of independents  back Biden's management of coronavirus.

The highest approval Trump received for his handling of the virus was in mid-March last year - nearly toward the beginning of the pandemic.

At this time 55 oper cent of Americans approved of his response, including only 30 per cent of Democrats.

Biden's transition also earned vastly higher marks than Donald Trump received four years ago when he entered office  as a ABC News/Washington Post poll released last week showed 67 per cent approve of the transition.

This figure is nearly 30 points higher than Trump received just before his inauguration.
Matt Damon and his family isolating in the seclusion of a private home after arriving in Australia. Billionaire media mogul Kerry Stokes twice being granted exemptions to quarantine at his waterfront mansion.

It may seem like theres one rule for the rich and famous wanting to enter Australia or cross state borders, and another for the thousands who have had to sit out their 14-day quarantine in a hotel.

In quarantine: Matt Damon employed 24-hour security and people to undertake hospital-grade cleaning. Credit:Getty Images

However, in certain limited circumstances, ordinary Australians returning from overseas can also avoid the compulsory hotel stay.

Getting an exemption does not exempt you from paying, either. Systems differ between states, with NSW requiring individuals to pay for round-the-clock police monitoring. All states require anyone with an exemption to adhere to strict quarantine protocols, and that can include cleaning, safe food delivery and having secure, separate premises in which to wait out your two weeks.
Consequences can be serious for Canadian immigration candidates who misrepresent or fail to disclose important information in their applications.

Misrepresentation  Mistakes Matter Consequences can be serious for Canadian immigration candidates who misrepresent or fail to disclose important information in their applications.

Misrepresentation  Mistakes Matter Consequences can be serious for Canadian immigration candidates who misrepresent or fail to disclose important information in their applications.

Misrepresentation  Mistakes Matter Consequences can be serious for Canadian immigration candidates who misrepresent or fail to disclose important information in their applications. Michael Schwartz Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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A recent decision of the Federal Court of Canada illustrates the pitfalls of giving false or incomplete information when submitting an immigration application.

If a person makes such a mistake, s/he has to give a credible explanation for it. If the individual does not, s/he can be subject to a five-year ban on applying for any kind of status in Canada.

Ms. Carmen Muniz, a Mexican national, first came to Canada in 2013 on a visitor visa. She extended her stay through the next several years, through a variety of visitor, work, and study permits. However, around 2019, she applied for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and visitor records to allow her to remain in Canada; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) rejected these applications, apparently because they had concerns Ms. Muniz would leave Canada at or before the expiration of her authorized stay.

Find out if you are eligible for Canadian immigration

After learning of this refusal, Ms. Muniz then applied instead for an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). The online eTA questionnaire asks whether a person has ever been refused entry to, or extension of, ones time in Canada (or any other country), or ever been asked to leave. Ms. Muniz replied negatively.

IRCC then sent Ms. Muniz a letter noting their concerns with this response and noting that she may be found inadmissible for failing to declare material information on her application. Ms. Muniz replied later the same day, confirming that she had indeed been refused a PGWP and explaining that she did not intend to lie, but had misunderstood the question.

IRCC rejected this claim, concluding that Ms. Muniz had committed misrepresentation and was therefore inadmissible to Canada for a period of five years. Ms. Muniz filed an Application for Judicial Review to the Federal Court. In her Application, she claimed the IRCC decision was unreasonable. Specifically, she contended that the reviewing IRCC Officer was obligated, but had refused to, consider that Ms. Munizs initial answer was an innocent mistake. She also claimed that the Officer ignored other factors, such as Ms. Munizs past record of compliance with Canadian immigration laws and the fact that IRCC knew anyways of her past refusals.

The Court swiftly dismissed the first line of argument. Claims of innocent mistakes are sometimes accepted as justifications for misrepresentations on immigration applications, however in this case Ms. Muniz had not explained how or why she had misunderstood the question. The Officer having identified a legitimate concern, the onus was on Ms. Muniz, not the Officer to explain it.

The second line of argument also failed. The Court found that while the reviewing Officer did not reference Ms. Munizs past compliance, there was no need to do so; the Officer was not required to compare various applications from various junctures in Ms. Munizs life. The fact IRCC already knew of Ms. Munizs prior refusals, meanwhile, did not relieve Ms. Muniz of the obligation to provide full and truthful information. As the Court put it, Applicants cannot rely on the immigration system to catch their errors.

Accordingly, the Court dismissed Ms. Munizs request and upheld the refusal.

This case shows the importance of providing accurate and complete answers when seeking an immigration benefit in Canada. Ms. Muniz had a considerable record of prior compliance with Canadian immigration laws but answered incorrectly to one question on a subsequent application. This error was sufficient to find that she had misrepresented herself and was therefore inadmissible to Canada. She failed to demonstrate why the Officer should have even considered that Ms. Muniz had made an innocent mistake. Finally, it was not acceptable for Ms. Muniz to rely on the fact that IRCC had previously obtained the correct information anyway.

The bottom line: mistakes matter. Misrepresentation, even when relatively minor, can have very serious immigration consequences. A careful review by another party, such as an experienced immigration lawyer, can help avoid any complications.

If you are interested in learning more about this case (Muniz v. Canada (M.C.I.), 2020 FC 872), you can find it at https://canlii.ca/t/j9gx6.

Find out if you are eligible for Canadian immigration

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will supply a province in Vietnam with US$13 million to build a smart city over the next five years, according to local authorities.

KOICA signed a deal with Thua Thien-Hue Province in the central region to transform the provincial capital of Hue into a smart city with a focus on culture and tourism, the Office of the provincial Peoples Committee said on Friday.

The agency will provide $13 million while the province will cover $1.8 million in corresponding capital, the office elaborated, adding that the project to build the smart city will be implemented from 2021 to 2025.

KOICA will help build public governance capacity in tourism toward a vision of sustainable socio-economic development.

Hue City will develop a smart tourism information system and more pedestrian streets, according to the project.

Some of the measures to be taken include the installation of a smart lighting system and surveillance cameras in the park areas along the local Huong (Perfume) River from Da Vien Bridge to Truong Tien Bridge.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

US President Donald Trump (Source: Reuters )

The leaders of the United States Senate agreed on January 22 to push back former President Donald Trumps impeachment trial by two weeks, giving the chamber more time to focus on President Joe Bidens legislative agenda and Cabinet nominees before turning to the contentious showdown over Trump.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said the trial is set to begin during the week on Monday February 8, an arrangement praised by the chambers top Republican, Mitch McConnell.

The House of Representatives is due to formally deliver to the Senate on Monday the impeachment charge accusing Trump of inciting an insurrection, a move that ordinarily would have triggered the beginning of the trial within a day. The charge stems from Trumps incendiary speech to supporters before they stormed the Capitol on January 6 in a rampage that delayed the formal congressional certification of Bidens election victory and left five people dead, including a police officer.

In Pics: Pro-Donald Trump mob storms US Capitol building to overturn election

Schumer said the new timeline will allow the Senate to move quickly on key Biden appointees and other tasks while giving House lawmakers who will prosecute the case and Trumps team more time to prepare for the trial.

During that period, the Senate will continue to do other business for the American people, such as Cabinet nominations and the COVID relief bill which would provide relief for millions of Americans who are suffering during this pandemic, Schumer said on the Senate floor.

Donald Trump impeached after US Capitol riot in historic second charge

The timeline was a compromise after McConnell had asked the Democratic-led House to delay sending the charge until next Thursday and called on Schumer to postpone the trial until mid-February to give Trump more time to prepare a defense.

Doug Andres, a spokesman for McConnell, said the senator was pleased Democrats had given Trumps defense more time, and laid out a timeline that could have the trial begin as soon as February 9.

This is a win for due process and fairness, Andres said.

Under the timeline, House impeachment managers will file their pre-trial brief and Trumps defense team will file an answer to the impeachment charge on February 2, and each side will respond to those filings on February 8.

Trump on January 13 became the first United States president to have been impeached twice. The Senate acquitted him last year in the previous trial focused on Trumps request that Ukraine investigate Biden and his son. Trumps presidential term ended on Wednesday.

Conviction in the Senate would require a two-thirds vote - meaning 17 of Trumps fellow Republicans would have to vote against him. A conviction would clear the way for a second vote, requiring a simple majority, to bar Trump from holding office again.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Friday found a slim majority of Americans believe Trump should be convicted and barred from holding public office. The responses were almost entirely along party lines, with nine out of 10 Democrats wanting Trump convicted and less than two in 10 Republicans agreeing.

Trump has said he may seek the presidency again in 2024. His fate could depend on McConnell, whose position is likely to influence other Republicans. McConnell said this week that the mob that attacked the Capitol was fed lies and provoked by the president and other powerful people.
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To the Editor:

Re Biden Plan Gives 11 Million a Path to U.S. Citizenship (front page, Jan. 20):

Immigrants, asylum seekers and Dreamers like me have endured four years of attacks from the Trump administration. Even though I can breathe a sigh of relief with this new administration, the uncertainty of my status remains the same.

This is why President Bidens proposal to overhaul our nations immigration system matters. Millions of undocumented immigrants are currently serving as essential workers, and yet have not received any sort of assistance in previous Covid-19 relief packages.

I urge Congress and the Biden administration to finally pass immigration reforms, and am hopeful that they will.

Jose Garcia

San Francisco

The writer is a communications associate with the Latino Community Foundation.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 19:52:44|Editor: huaxia

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by Tafara Mugwara

HARARE, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- While agriculture forms an integral part of Zimbabwe's economy, many young people still think of it as back-breaking labor that offers little economic benefit. However, things are slowly changing, a growing number of young people are starting to see agriculture as a viable career option.

28-year-old Terence Maphosa is among a new generation of agri-entrepreneurs who are invigorating the agriculture sector with their innovative initiatives.

A Political Science graduate from the University of Zimbabwe, Maphosa's dream was to land a white-collar job in the city after finishing college.

A year and a half after graduating from college, circumstances pushed Maphosa to start breeding and selling indigenous chicken breeds popularly known as roadrunners at his rural home in Mhondoro-Ngezi, about 170 km from the capital Harare.

Roadrunner is a colloquial name for a free-range exotic breed of chicken that scavenges for food. Their meat is tougher and is considered by many to be tastier than broilers.

His breeds include the Black Australorp, Koekoek, Light Sussex, Kuroila and Jersey Giant.

While many young people in Zimbabwe view agriculture as the domain for the less educated and consider rural to urban migration as the only ticket out of poverty, Maphosa has made a name for himself in the village.

Apart from rearing exotic chicken, Maphosa is also involved in crop farming -- but he focuses on corn, sunflowers, sorghum and soya crops as a means to reduce the costs of buying feeds.

Indigenous chickens have gained popularity among Zimbabweans as they offer a healthier organic option and a business opportunity.

Unlike broilers, the birds are cheaper to rear as they thrive on natural foods such as grains, worms and insects.

Maphosa's success in agribusiness has caught the attention of many young people on social media where he regularly posts about his day-to-day life.

"A lot of youngsters are now appreciating farming, and slowly we are getting there," he told Xinhua.

"The reason why our generation doesn't see farming as something lucrative is because of our background. When growing up, we were taught to go to school, to be doctors, to be nurses, to be lawyers, to be engineers, nobody pushed us to be farmers. So apparently, they did not push us to be practical, they pushed us to work those white-collar jobs," he said.

Thanks to farmers such as Maphosa, a resurgence of interest among young farmers is happening, more and more young people are starting to see agriculture as a viable career path.

"People are now showing the desire and hunger to go into farming, specifically in my field, the roadrunner business," he said.

Maphosa said agriculture's image is changing, youth are now turning to farming and value addition of farm produce.

"The way we are doing things, I wouldn't deny we are making farming look cool, like being proud of your surroundings, you influence the next person to say let me try this," he said.

Through Maphosa's social media posts, young people at home and abroad are being motivated to venture into agribusiness.

His Twitter account has gained a significant following, and his name has become a subject of discussion on Twitter.

Maphosa's simple and authentic rural life, and his appreciation of traditional Zimbabwean food has also attracted the admiration of many.

With more educated youth such as Maphosa joining farming, youngsters are beginning to view agriculture as an intellectually stimulating and economically sustainable career.

Like most developing countries, agriculture remains the mainstay of Zimbabwe's economy. Attracting young people to rural agriculture is vital since nearly 60 percent of Zimbabwe's population lives in rural areas.

In addition, agricultural activities provide employment and income for 60-70 percent of the Zimbabwe's population, supplies 60 percent of the raw materials required by the industrial sector and contributes 40 percent of Zimbabwe's total export earnings, according to the Food and Agricultural Organization.

Agriculture also contributes approximately 17 percent of the country's gross domestic product.

With people below the age of 35 constituting more than 50 percent of the country's population, and given the country's high youth unemployment rate, the agricultural sector offers huge potential for job creation.

The Zimbabwean government has over the years taken various initiatives to support youth in agriculture.

Government sees the inclusion of the youth, in the agricultural sector as key in its efforts to plug the country's food supply gap and to achieve food security at both household and national level. Enditem
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Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield.
BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech Ltd. is ramping up the production of CoronaVac, an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, to ensure global supply, according to Yin Weidong, chairman and CEO of the company.

"Sinovac has received vaccine orders from Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey, Chile and other countries and regions, and we are making every effort to expand the production capacity," said Yin in an interview with Xinhua News Agency. "We hope the vaccine will protect more people around the world."

The Sinovac vaccine has been approved for emergency use in several countries, including China, Indonesia, Brazil and Chile, according to Yin.

Yin added that the company has constructed a second production line, which will start operation in February, increasing its annual production capacity to 1 billion doses.

Sinovac will export semi-finished jabs to some countries, and help build local filling and packaging lines in importing countries to improve the production capacity and efficiency, Yin said.

"On the basis of an annual output of 1 billion doses, we will continue to expand production capacity. We are facing uncertainties related to the coronavirus pandemic and demand for vaccines, which shall not be responded to with the usual demand-supply business model alone. Vaccines are public goods and we should shoulder social responsibilities," Yin said.

The phase-3 clinical trials of the Sinovac vaccine are being mainly conducted in Brazil, Indonesia and Turkey.

A staff member carries a box of COVID-19 vaccines at a packaging plant of Sinovac Research and Development Co., Ltd. in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 6, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

According to Yin, clinical trial results in Turkey showed that the vaccine has an efficacy rate of 91.25 percent, and results in Indonesia showed an efficacy rate of 65.3 percent. Clinical studies in Brazil suggested that the vaccine was 100 percent effective in preventing severe cases, 78 percent effective in preventing mild cases requiring medical treatment, and has a general efficacy rate of 50.38 percent.

"It's normal to get varying results in different countries, and the clinical trials are influenced by multiple factors," Yin said, adding that all the participants in the phase-3 clinical trials in Brazil are medical workers in high-risk environments who might be attacked by the virus many times.

"The vaccine is expected to provide better protection for the general population," Yin said.

"Combining the data from clinical trials in the three countries, we have stronger confidence in the safety and efficacy of the vaccine," Yin said.

The inactivated vaccine also offers broad-spectrum protection against different coronavirus strains, according to Yin.

"In collaboration with the Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, we found that the serum of volunteers who received the Sinovac vaccine can neutralize the variant strain found in Britain. We are also studying the protection offered by the vaccine against the variant strain found in South Africa and will share the results in a timely manner," Yin said.

On Dec. 15, 2020, China officially launched the COVID-19 vaccination program for key groups of people aged between 18 and 59 who have a high risk of infection. Over 15 million doses have been administered in China, according to the country's health authorities.

With more well-rounded clinical trial data and increasing vaccine supply, China will gradually include those aged above 60 to the vaccination program, according to the National Health Commission.

"We have already conducted research on people aged over 60 in the phase-2 clinical trials, and several hundreds of participants aged over 60 have been involved in the phase-3 clinical trials in Brazil. The results showed that the vaccine also has a protective effect on this population," Yin said.

Many foreign leaders have been inoculated with China's COVID-19 vaccines, including Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who both received the Sinovac vaccine.

This shows international confidence in Chinese-made vaccines, Yin said, adding that it is a sign of recognition for their cooperation with China in phase-3 clinical trials.

"I was also touched by a photo showing indigenous people in Brazil dressed in traditional costumes receiving a Sinovac vaccine shot. The indigenous population in Brazil is suffering from the coronavirus pandemic. China pledges that COVID-19 vaccines should be public goods, and we hope that they are used to protect all groups of people," Yin said.

Brooklyn Beckham has showed off another tattoo tribute to his beloved fiancee Nicola Peltz.

The aspiring photographer, 21, took to Instagram on Saturday to showcase an inking on the back of his neck of a love letter written by his 'future wifey'.

Brooklyn's latest tattoo is now the fifth permanent tribute he has made to the American actress, 26, whom he became engaged to in July last year.

The striking black and white snap shows the son of David and Victoria Beckham facing away from the camera, with the intimate words from Nicola written across his neck and upper back.

The tattoo read: 'My forever boy. Read this anytime you feel anxious. I want you to know how deeply loved you are.

'You have the kindest heart I've ever met and hope I never go a day without your love.

'I think you are so incredible. Just we can get through it all together if you breathe slow and trust. I love you beyond.

Everlasting love: Brooklyn Beckham, 21, showed off another tattoo tribute to his fiancee Nicola Peltz, taking to Instagram on Saturday to display an inking on the back of his neck of a love letter written by his 'future wifey'

'Love always, your future wifey.'

Captioning the image, Brooklyn simply penned: 'Love letters .'

And while some of his followers were loving his testament of love, others were concerned about the long-lasting tribute should the happy couple split in the future.

Brooklyn is well known for his love of inkings and has over 30 tattoos across his body.

Besotted: Brooklyn's latest tattoo is now the fifth permanent tribute he has made to the American actress, 26, whom he became engaged to in July last year

His latest tattoo comes just days after he unveiled yet another tribute to his fiancee, with the design revealed in a post added to Nicola's Instagram account on Thursday.

In large script inked onto his lower right arm, it reads: 'My life, my love, my truth, my breath, my reason, my beauty, my precious.'

Captioning the image of Brooklyn's arm affectionately resting on her leg, she wrote: 'Forever my person.'

Fresh ink: His latest tattoo comes just days after he unveiled yet another tribute to his fiancee, with the design revealed in a post added to Nicola's Instagram account on Thursday

'Best birthday gift': Nicola previously revealed he has inked her late grandmother's name Gina on his arm as a gesture of love

Tribute: The actress shared this snap of the inking and was clearly thrilled because her late grandmother, who she called a 'second mother' was very close to her heart

Brooklyn's tattoo comes after he had the name of Nicole's late grandmother Gina tattooed on his arm.

Sharing a picture of the inking, fresh from the tattoo parlour, Nicola, 26, wrote: 'Best birthday gift', clearly touched by the gesture of love.

Other dedications from Brooklyn include Nicola's name, tattooed on his neck, and a pair of eyes and lashes that appear to be the double of hers.

The aspiring photographer has got almost 30 tattoos, including one on his chest which reads; 'mama's boy', as well as a cupid, a rose and a camera.

Getting it in the neck: Other dedications from Brooklyn include Nicola's first name

She's got your back: He also has a pair of eyes and lashes that appear to be the double of hers

Nicola was left devastated when her grandmother died in January, just before her birthday.

She paid tribute to Gina on social media in October, writing: 'Happy birthday to my angel in heaven. I cant even put into words how much I miss you being on earth.

'I wish so badly you could come back to visit me and see me get married. I think about you everyday. I love you with all of my heart, my Gina.'

Sad: Nicola penned a moving Instagram post on what would have been her nan's birthday on October, after she passed away in January

Nicola also shared a gallery of pictures, including one of Gina's hands clutching a rose, and another one off her holding Nicola's hands.

Meanwhile, Nicola recently appeared to compare her relationship with fiance Brooklyn to that of her billionaire parents, Claudi and Nelson.

The actress seemed in a reflective mood, as she reposted a picture of herself and the photographer alongside one of her mother and father.

In the candid picture of herself and Brooklyn, the couple were faced towards each other while sat out on balcony.

Comparison: Nicola recently appeared to compare her relationship with fiance Brooklyn to that of her billionaire parents, Claudi and Nelson
Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II

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The FBI and prosecutors at the Justice Department are debating whether to decline to charge some of the MAGA rioters who stormed the United States Capitol on January 6 in an attempt to derail President Joe Biden's certification.

There is concern among DOJ officials that bringing charges against all of the estimated 800 rioters who ransacked the Capitol building could flood the local federal courthouse in Washington, DC, with cases.

There have been internal discussions about forgoing charges against those who were not involved in any violence or vandalism but were simply trespassing or 'going along with the crowd,' The Washington Post reported.

But the Post report indicates that those talks are only in their early stages and no decisions have been made.

DOJ and FBI officials are mindful of the fact that declining to charge rioters could be perceived as the federal government condoning political violence and unlawful behavior.

Those who support bringing charges against all of the rioters argue that doing so would bring a measure of deterrence that would make others think twice about engaging in similar acts in the future, according to the Post.

There are internal discussions ongoing at the Justice Department over whether to decline to bring charges against many of those seen storming the United States Capitol building on January 6

But there is no denying that the workload that will inevitably accumulate by charging hundreds of people will increase the burden on DOJ and FBI agents who have already indicted more than 135 suspects.

In 2019, the DC federal courts tried about 430 criminal cases. Last year, that number fell to fewer than 300 due to the pandemic.

'There is absolute resolve from the Department of Justice to hold all who intentionally engaged in criminal acts at the Capitol accountable,' a Justice Department spokesperson told the Post.

'We have consistently made clear that we will follow the facts and evidence and charge individuals accordingly.

'We remain confident that the US District Court for Washington, DC can appropriately handle the docket related to any resulting charges.'

There appears to be unanimous agreement among Justice Department officials to bring charges against alleged extremists who are suspected of coordinating and planning violent actions inside the Capitol.

Prosecutors have indicated that they intend to bring seditious conspiracy charges to anyone who has been found to plot violent actions against the government.

Some Department of Justice officials worry that not bringing charges against some of the rioters could be interpreted as a signal that future acts of political violence will not be punished. The Department of Justice headquarters is seen above in Washington, DC

Among those who participated in the January 6 assault were members of the Oath Keepers, which often recruits current and former military, police or other first responders; the Proud Boys neo-fascist group; followers of QAnon, which spreads bizarre conspiracy theories; racists and anti-Semites; and others with nearly blind devotion to then-President Donald Trump.

Federal authorities on Tuesday presented new details about three self-described members of a paramilitary group who were the first to be charged with plotting the attack.

The FBI said a Virginia man, Thomas Edward Caldwell, appeared to be a leader of the effort.

Caldwell and a man and woman from Ohio were all charged with conspiracy and other federal counts.

The chilling details in the case included communications between the defendants and others.

'All members are in the tunnels under the capital,' the FBI quoted a message sent to Caldwell during the Capitol attack.

'Seal them in turn on gas.'

Other messages referred to the legislators as 'traitors' and called for 'night hunting.'

The FBI collected social media messages, photos and video to identify them as part of the Oath Keepers, which believes in a 'shadowy conspiracy' to strip Americans of their rights.

Defense lawyers for those who have been charged plan to use the 'Trump defense' and claim that they were doing what they were told to do by then-President Trump. A large crowd of Trump supporters is seen above at the 'Stop the Steal' protest outside of the Capitol building in Washington, DC, on January 6

Messages included in FBI charging documents had quotes with the three suspects exulting over breaching the Capitol, and Caldwell telling an Oath Keepers leader he was ready to attack Ohio's capital of Columbus.

'We need to do this at the local level,' he allegedly messaged.

'Lets (sic) storm the capitol in Ohio. Tell me when!'

Details of the documents made public offer some insight to planning and coordination behind the extraordinary attack, which apparently took law enforcement by surprise despite various warnings online.

But there is serious question as to whether it is worth pursuing charges against a large majority of the people who were seen streaming into the Capitol.

Those individuals entered the grounds of the building and trespassed, but they were not involved in any serious crimes that would warrant stiff prison sentences.

There is also a fear among federal prosecutors that bringing trespassing charges against those who did not commit any other violent acts could lead to losses in trial.

'If an old man says all he did was walk in and no one tried to stop him, and he walked out and no one tried to stop him, and that's all we know about what he did, that's a case we may not win,' one official said.

DOJ officials told the Post that evidence is still being gathered and that those rioters who were initially thought to be relatively harmless could be charged if photos or videos show them committing serious crimes.

There is also the expectation that some of those charged will cooperate with authorities and provide information that would incriminate others.

Several supporters of then-President Trump, including the 'QAnon Shaman' Jake Angeli (center), are seen above entering the US Capitol on January 6

Federal prosecutors believe they will have a difficult time winning court cases against mostly nonviolent people who would only be charged with unlawful entry. The image above shows rioters break into the Capitol on January 6

Trump supporters are seen in the above photo storming the US Capitol on January 6

Federal investigators are examining whether extremist far-right militias plotted the attack and coordinated with each other in carrying out the assault on the US Capitol on January 6

So far, most of those who have been arrested have no criminal records.

Those who will be charged in connection with the Capitol riot will likely invoke the 'Trump defense' - that they were doing the bidding of President Trump when they stormed the Capitol.

While that defense would not prevent federal prosecutors from bringing charges, it could persuade a judge to be more lenient during trial and sentencing.

'It's not like a bunch of people gathered on their own and decided to do this, it's not like a mob,' one lawyer representing a defendant charged in connection to the riot told the Post.

'It's people who were asked to come by the president, encouraged to come by the president, and encouraged to do what they did by the president and a number of others.'

One option that federal prosecutors are weighing for non-violent Capitol offenders is to enter deferred plea agreements in which they agree to drop charges if they do not commit crimes over a certain period of time.
The chronicle of a life split between urban Manhattan and rural Montana.
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Russias Multi-polar world magazine has run an article by journalist Pavel Vinogradov highlighting the context and significance of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam to socio-political life in Vietnam. 

The 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam is scheduled to take place from January 25 to February 2 (Photo: VNA)

The article underlined that decisions and resolutions from the congress will have a major impact on the nearly 100-million-strong country, which is developing dynamically along the socialist direction.

Ninety years since the establishment of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), the national Party congress has always been a significant event marking a new period in the Southeast Asian country, it said.



It noted that the CPV, founded by President Ho Chi Minh in 1930, is still the force ensuring the success of peace building and the construction of an equal society, as well as the reinforcement of national security and defence.

Vinogradov expressed his belief that the upcoming 13th National Party Congress will create a strong impetus for Vietnams development towards modernisation, including growth in high technology.

He wrote that the draft documents submitted to the congress reflect the strategic vision and creative approach of the CPV as well as the detemination of the whole nation towards the goal of building a more prosperous country with happy people.

Vietnam has won great prestige in the international arena, he went on, which affirms the sound policies of the Party and the State in international integration and the countrys willingness to be a friend and trustworthy partner of all countries and a responsible member of the international community.

The article cited figures from international organisations and foreign media highlighting the outstanding achievements Vietnam has recorded in all fields since the 12th National Party Congress.

Russia, with its special sentiment towards Vietnam, keeps a close watch on the daily life of its close friend, he wrote.

In another continent, leading and prestigious newspapers in Algeria also run articles in recent weeks on the 13th National Party Congress in Vietnam.

The articles underscored the importance of the event for the country's national construction and development in the future while spotlighting its socio-economic, political, and diplomatic achievements over the years, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

El Moudjahid (War Veteran), a leading mainstream newspaper in Algeria, posted two articles regarding the congress. Both affirmed that this is a great event of historical significance, marking a new milestone in Vietnams development as well as the growth of the CPV.

It said the event will define the development orientations of the country and call on Vietnamese people to speed up the Doi Moi (reform) process, promote fast and sustainable development while sketching out major tasks and breakthroughs.

It noted that Vietnam has risen from a poor country to a middle-income country with political stability, strong economic development, and extensive international integration.

Under the leadership of the CPV, the country has successfully controlled COVID-19 and maintained economic growth, becoming one of only 10 countries in the world to post growth and among the 16 best newly-emerging economies in 2020.

Meanwhile, the Tribune-diplomatique newspaper highlighted that Vietnam has maintained external events and international integration in both direct and online forms, thus enhancing the countrys position in the global arena.

Vietnam successfully fulfilled the roles of ASEAN Chair in 2020, President of the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliament Assembly (AIPA), and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-21 tenure, it said.

With the goal of becoming a high-income developed country by 2045, the draft documents of the congress manifest the desire to build a prosperous, strong, rich, democratic, modern, and equal country, it stated./.VNA
On National Girl Child Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the daughters of India. "On National Girl Child Day, we salute our #DeshKiBeti and the accomplishments in various fields. The Central Government has undertaken many initiatives that focus on empowering the girl child, including access to education, better healthcare and improving gender sensitivity," PM Modi tweeted.

Today is also a day to specially appreciate all those working towards empowering the girl child and ensuring she leads a life of dignity and opportunity. #DeshKiBeti  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 24, 2021

PM Modi also appreciated those who are working continuously for the empowerment of girl child. "Today is also a day to especially appreciate all those working towards empowering the girl child and ensuring she leads a life of dignity and opportunity," PM said in another tweet.

The government, in 2008 declared January 24 to be celebrated as the National Girl Child Day' every year with the objective of raising the consciousness of the society towards the girl child so that she can be valued and respected.

To increase the consciousness of people towards female foeticide and to provide new opportunities to the girl child in society, the Ministry of Women and Child Development will celebrate the 13th National Girl Child Day today.

On this occasion, the government of India will organise awareness campaigns under Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme.

The government of India had launched the BBBP scheme on 22 January 2015, to address major issues related to female empowerment in the country.

My daughters are my pride who have set out onto different frontiers with determination and confidence. Give a shoutout to a #DeshKiBeti and celebrate their achievements. pic.twitter.com/zr006SxJBR  Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) January 24, 2021





Union Minister Smriti Irani tweeted, "My daughters are my pride who have set out onto different frontiers with determination and confidence. Give a shoutout to a #DeshKiBeti and celebrate their achievements."

Our daughters are our future.

Today as we celebrate the National Girl Child Day, lets follow our Hon'ble PM Sh @NarendraModi Jis commitment in ensuring equal rights and opportunities for India's pride #DeshKiBeti

Let's put all out support to #BetiBachaoBetiPadhao pic.twitter.com/kXCsJ3fnmq  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 24, 2021

"Our daughters are our future. Today as we celebrate the National Girl Child Day, lets follow PM Modi Jis commitment in ensuring equal rights and opportunities for India's pride #DeshKiBeti Let's put all out support to #BetiBachaoBetiPadhao." Kiren Rijiju tweeted

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Charvi Goyal is a high school student from Dallas, Texas who helps out other classmates by tutoring them between classes. A tutor is someone who teaches one person or a very small group of students.

When Goyals high school moved online last spring because of the coronavirus crisis, she decided to also take her teaching online.

The 17-year-old junior and three of her fellow students created TutorScope, a service that offers free tutoring services to other children, including younger ones.

TutorScope started with a small number of tutors who helped young people in their city. But it has grown into a group of 22 tutors from Texas, Arizona, and Ohio. They have helped more than 300 students, some from as far away as South Korea.

Goyal said she expected that schools would go online. She also believed online classes would face some problems. For example, she felt that communication between students  and between students and teachers  would be weakened.

TutorScope aims to give the one-on-one help that teachers have traditionally given while walking around their classrooms. But now, many teachers cannot provide that one-on-one support because they lack time or have issues with technology.

Sarah Newman said her children, 7-year-old twins, have had helpful TutorScope experiences. The service has freed up her and her 17-year-old son to pay attention to their work. With these tutors, I realize they have time, she said. I think they are very patient with these younger kids, which I do not even have as a mother. I have patience in other things, (but) I dont have patience for teaching. TutorScope is not the first nonprofit to give online tutoring.

People around the world have come up with ways to educate children during the coronavirus crisis, from a teacher in Nigeria who grades homework to a so-called sidewalk school in Mexico.

What makes the TutorScope effort special is the connection between the teenage volunteers and the other students they are helping.

The group accepts donations from adults but limits volunteers to students.

Now in their third semester, TutorScope has received nonprofit status from the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS.

The group has also gotten a software company to give them free use of a system to set up tutor meetings. Sixteen-year-old Jessica Ding runs the website with student Angelina Ehara, who works on public communication and social media. Another student, Kaustubh Sonawane, runs the signup process.

In addition to helping others, the tutors also get experience themselves that will look great on a college or job application. The service can also help them decide whether they want to teach full-time or run a business or an NGO someday.

New tutors get limited training from recordings. Goyals main hope from possible volunteers is that they truly want to help the kids that they tutor.

Although the pandemic has forced many students to look inward, Goyal said that working with others on a big project has permitted her to look outward.

My confidence level has increased, Goyal said. She added that she has made friends with other students from her school. She said one of the best things about running a growing nonprofit is that it does help with the boredom of being stuck at home.

Im John Russell.

Cedar Attanasio reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

twin  n. either of two babies who are born to the same mother at the same time

patient  adj. able to remain calm and not become annoyed when waiting for a long time or when dealing with problems or difficult people

donation  n. something (such as money, food, clothes, etc.) that you give in order to help a person or organization

status  n. the official position of a person or thing according to the law

application  n. a formal and usually written request for something (such as a job, admission to a school, a loan, etc.)

confidence  n. a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something

boredom  n. the state of being bored (or uninterested)
Texas expanded their COVID-19 rapid testing program last week, dedicating 1 million rapid tests for front line workers at small businesses.

This program, the COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program, provides local chambers of commerce with testing supplies to be given to small businesses participating in the program, a news release from Gov. Greg Abbotts website stated. Small businesses then can administer the tests to participating employees.

Cy-Fair Resource Guide: Free food, flu vaccines available

The program is based on the framework for the rapid testing pilot program used for Texas schools in October, providing rapid testing for teachers, students and staff across Texas, the release detailed.

"The small business rapid testing program is protecting the safety of small business owners, their employees, and Texas consumers as we continue to combat COVID-19," Abbott said. "By expanding this effective strategy, it will help us further detect and mitigate this virus so we can keep Texas safely open for business.

Small businesses wishing to participate in the program can contact their local chamber of commerce, the release stated.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Local reps discuss the Texas Legislative Session and COVID-19 priorities

Abbott also held a roundtable discussion at Houston Methodist Hospital last week, commending the hospital, which administers about 4,000 COVID-19 vaccines a day, the release detailed. More than 1.7 million vaccine doses have been given to Texas providers so far.

"Texas is a leader in the fight against COVID-19, and Im proud that the Lone Star State has administered more vaccines than any other state in the nation," Abbott said. "Our success would not be possible without the men and women working tirelessly on the frontlines to get more shots in arms to keep Texans safe.

While vaccines continue to be administered, the number of active COVID-19 cases around Cy-Fair continues to rise.

The total number of active COVID-19 cases around Cy-Fair rose to 5,167 as of 4 p.m. Friday, an increase of more than 250 active cases since last Friday, according to Harris County Public Health data.

The number of deaths continues to stagnate, rising only by 1 this week to a total of 118 deaths.

Data was compiled using the ZIP codes in the Cypress Creek Mirrors coverage area: 77040, 77041, 77065, 77070, 77086, 77095, 77429 and 77433.

The ZIP code with the highest number of active cases is still 77433, with a total of 1,108 active cases. The ZIP code with the lowest number of active cases is 77065 with 378.

paul.wedding@hcnonline.com
A bride-to-be has been awarded 15,000 after the Workplace Relations Commission found a hotel discriminated against her when its staff learned she was a Traveller.

The woman successfully argued that she had been given the cold shoulder by the unnamed hotel and treated dismissively when staff learned that she is a member of the Travelling community and refused to engage with her further, thus preventing her from making a booking for her wedding reception.

Despite informing the hotel that she absolutely loved the venue, she argued that her treatment by its staff left her feeling devastated, humiliated and like a second-class citizen.

According to evidence presented at the hearing, the bride-to-be emailed the hotel in July 2019 to see about it hosting the wedding reception.

The hotels wedding coordinator responded with an invitation for her to attend a wedding showcase at the hotel the following day.

The woman said that when she was waiting to speak to the coordinator, other staff were looking at her. When she eventually spoke with the coordinator she was not given a tour of the venue despite another couple being given a full tour of the facilities. She described her interaction with the coordinator as aloof and rushed.

Despite emailing the hotel seeking dates for the reception, the woman said she got no response to her initial email or subsequent emails.

She filed a formal complaint under the Equal Status Acts 2000-2015 in October, 2019 seeking an explanation from the hotel as to why it did not respond to her queries over a possible date for the reception.

Later that month, she received an email from the wedding coordinator in which she apologised for the delayed response and indicated that there seemed to have been a misunderstanding as she (Ms A) was waiting to hear from the complainant following their initial meeting on 21 July 2019.

The bride-to-be argued that she and others with her at the wedding showcase are readily identifiable as members of the Traveller Community".

She also argued that her surname is common among Travellers and that the town where she resides has the highest proportional Traveller population in the State.

The hotel, as respondent, did not provide any response to the bride-to-bes complaint or engage with the WRC. It also failed to attend an oral hearing on the matter, the WRC found.

In conclusion, WRC adjudicator Ray Flaherty ruled: The evidence clearly shows that the disengagement coincided with (the coordinator) being made aware of the complainants surname on the morning of 21 July 2019, some hours in advance of the complainants attendance at the wedding showcase.

Having carefully reviewed and considered all of the evidence adduced, I find there to be no other plausible or logical explanation for this disengagement other than the fact that the complainant was a member of the Traveller community. Consequently, I find that the complainant has established, not just a prima facie case of discrimination, but a strong and valid claim that she was discriminated against on the grounds of her membership of the Traveller community.

Mr Flaherty awarded the woman 15,000 in compensation.

Speaking after the decision, the bride-to-be said: It is a very satisfying feeling, that we as Irish Travellers do matter, and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity as is a human right afforded to all citizens of Ireland.

Meanwhile, Christopher McCann, solicitor with the Free Legal Aid Centres (FLAC) Traveller Legal Service which acted on the womans behalf, said: We are very pleased with the outcome. Our client was subjected to humiliating treatment by the hotel in question. This decision demonstrates that those engaging in commercial life stand to be penalized if they deny their goods or services to Travellers.

Eilis Barry, the organisations CEO said: What we at FLAC witness through our dedicated Traveller Legal Service is that many Travellers experience great difficulties when it comes to booking venues to celebrate the important events of their lives like weddings, holy communions and funerals.

"The decision by the WRC shows that this kind of practice, which essentially amounts to a kind of social apartheid, will not be tolerated.




MOSCOW : Police detained more than 3,000 people and used force to break up rallies across Russia on Saturday as tens of thousands of protesters ignored extreme cold and police warnings to demand the release of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Navalny had called on his supporters to protest after being arrested last weekend as he returned to Russia from Germany for the first time since being poisoned with a nerve agent he says was slipped to him by state security agents in August.

The authorities had warned people to stay away from Saturday's demonstrations, saying they risked catching COVID-19 as well as prosecution and possible jail time for attending an unauthorised event.

But protesters defied the ban and, in at least one case in temperatures below -50 Celsius (-58 Fahrenheit), turned out in force. Leonid Volkov, a Navalny ally, called on them to do the same next weekend to try to free Navalny from what he called "the clutches of his killers".

In central Moscow, where Reuters reporters estimated up to 40,000 people had gathered in one of the biggest unauthorised rallies for years, police were seen roughly detaining people, bundling them into nearby vans.

The authorities said just some 4,000 people had shown up, while the foreign ministry questioned Reuters' crowd estimate.

"Why not just immediately say 4 million?" it suggested sarcastically on its official Telegram messenger channel.

Ivan Zhdanov, a Navalny ally, put turnout in the capital at 50,000, the Proekt media outlet reported.

Some protesters chanted "Putin is a thief", and "Disgrace" and "Freedom to Navalny!"

U.S. CONDEMNS 'HARSH TACTICS'

Navalny's wife Yulia was briefly detained at the rally before being released. Some of Navalny's political allies were detained in the days before the protest; others on the day itself.

At one point, protesters surrounded a sleek black car with a flashing light used by senior officials, throwing snowballs at it and kicking it. A group of policemen were also pelted with snowballs by a much bigger crowd.

The OVD-Info protest monitor group said that 3,134 people, including 1,201 in Moscow and 471 in St Petersburg, had been detained at rallies in around 100 towns and cities.

The United States condemned what it described as "harsh tactics" used against protesters and journalists and called for Navalny's "immediate and unconditional" release.

"We call on Russian authorities to release all those detained for exercising their universal rights," U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said in a post on Twitter that he deplored the authorities "disproportionate use of force", while Britain's foreign minister, Dominic Raab, condemned the "use of violence against peaceful protesters and journalists".

Navalny, a 44-year-old lawyer, is in a Moscow prison pending the outcome of four legal matters he describes as trumped up. He accuses President Vladimir Putin of ordering his attempted murder. Putin has dismissed that, alleging Navalny is part of a U.S.-backed dirty tricks campaign to discredit him.

Some protesters marched on the prison, where police were waiting to arrest them.

Images of protesters with injuries such as bloodied heads circulated on social media.

The scenes were reminiscent of the months-long unrest in Russia's neighbouring ally Belarus where anti-government protests flared last August over allegations of voter fraud.

One Moscow protester, Sergei Radchenko, 53, said: "I'm tired of being afraid. I haven't just turned up for myself and Navalny, but for my son because there is no future in this country."

'PUTIN PALACE'

There was no immediate comment from the Kremlin, which had previously called the protests illegal and the work of "provocateurs".

State prosecutors opened criminal cases into alleged violence against police officers by protesters.

In Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, nearly 1,000 people demonstrated against Navalny's arrest. Small demonstrations were also held in Bulgaria and some 200-300 people protested in Paris.

Police in Siberia's Yakutsk, one of the coldest cities in the world, where the temperature was -52 Celsius (-62 F) on Saturday, grabbed a protester by his arms and legs and dragged him into a van, video footage showed.

In Moscow, some journalists covering the protests were detained, drawing a rebuke from the U.S. Embassy.

"Russian authorities arresting peaceful protesters, journalists," spokesperson Rebecca Ross said on Twitter. "Appears to be a concerted campaign to suppress free speech, peaceful assembly."

There were outages on mobile phone and internet services, the monitoring site downdetector.ru showed, a tactic sometimes used by authorities to make it harder for protesters to communicate among themselves.

In a push to galvanise support ahead of the protests, Navalny's team released a video this week about an opulent palace on the Black Sea they alleged belonged to Putin, something the Kremlin denied. As of Saturday the video had been viewed more than 70 million times.

Navalny's allies hope to tap into what polls say are pent-up frustrations among the public over years of falling wages and economic fallout from the pandemic.

But Putin's grip on power looks unassailable for now and the 68-year-old president regularly records an approval rating of over 60%, much higher than that of Navalny.

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WASHINGTON - When President Joe Biden took office last week, he promised sweeping, bipartisan legislation to solve the coronavirus pandemic, fix the economy and overhaul immigration.

Just days later, the Senate ground to a halt, with Democrats and Republicans unable to agree on even basic rules for how the evenly divided body should operate.

Meanwhile, key Republicans have quickly signaled discomfort with - or outright dismissal of - the cornerstone of Biden's early legislative agenda, a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief plan that includes measures including $1,400 stimulus checks, vaccine distribution funding and a $15 minimum wage.

On top of that, senators are preparing for a wrenching second impeachment trial for former president Donald Trump, set to begin Feb. 9, which could mire all other Senate business and further obliterate any hopes of cross-party cooperation.

Taken together, this gridlock could imperil Biden's entire early presidency, making it impossible for him to deliver on key promises as he contends with dueling crises.

This reality could force Democrats to choose within a matter of weeks whether they will continue to pursue the sort of bipartisan cooperation that Biden - and many senators of both parties - have preached, or whether to pursue procedural shortcuts or rule changes that would sideline the GOP but also are likely to divide their caucus.

"Things move faster and faster nowadays," said Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., commenting on the rising tensions Friday. "It doesn't seem like there's a honeymoon period."

Much of the current conflict over the Senate rules comes courtesy of veteran Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who transitioned to minority leader Wednesday after six years as majority leader.

Just hours after Biden's inauguration, moments after a smiling Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., was first recognized as majority leader, McConnell pointedly noted on the Senate floor that the country elected a smaller House Democratic majority, an evenly split Senate and a "president who promised unity."

"The people intentionally entrusted both political sides with significant power to shape our nation's direction," he said. "May we work together to honor that trust."

Two days earlier, he had notified his Republican colleagues in the Senate that he would deliver Schumer a sharp ultimatum: agree to preserve the legislative filibuster, the centerpiece of minority power in the Senate or forget about any semblance of cooperation - starting with an agreement on the chamber's operating rules.

The calculations for McConnell, according to Republicans, are simple. Not only is preserving the filibuster a matter that Republicans can unify around, it is something that potentially divides Democrats, who are under enormous pressure to discard it to advance their governing agenda.

"Republicans very much appreciate the consistency and the rock-solid fidelity to the norms and rules that make the Senate a moderating force in policymaking," said Scott Jennings, a former McConnell aide. "The legislative filibuster is the last rule driving bipartisanship in Washington."

The Senate filibuster has evolved over the course of its history into a de facto supermajority requirement, requiring 60 votes to end debate and advance legislation. Rarely has one party held enough votes to defeat filibusters without at least some cross-aisle cooperation.

The rule has been eroded over the past decade. After McConnell led a broad blockade of President Barack Obama's nominees, Democrats under then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in 2013 allowed executive appointees and lower-court judges to be advanced with a simple majority vote.

McConnell, in turn, eliminated the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees when Democrats threatened to block the nomination of Neil Gorsuch in 2017 and two years later changed the rules to more quickly confirm presidential nominees.

McConnell and other Republicans last week reminded Democrats that many of them praised the filibuster in the past - particularly in the two-year period in 2017 and 2018 where the GOP controlled the House, Senate and White House. Twenty-seven Senate Democrats who now serve signed an April 2017 letter calling on Schumer to preserve the status quo.

But most of those Democrats - who watched McConnell exempt Republican nominees from filibuster rules where he saw fit under Trump, after using them to the GOP's advantage for six years before that to block Obama's legislation and nominees - now find his early power move to be infuriating.

"We're not going to go along with it," said Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, who was among those who signed the 2017 letter. "There will be some kind of resolution that does not involve Mitch McConnell getting what he wants."

Schumer said as much Friday on the Senate floor, telling McConnell that he considered any guarantee surrounding the filibuster to be an "extraneous demand" departing from the arrangement that the two parties worked out the last time there was a 50-50 Senate, in 2001.

"What's fair is fair," Schumer said, noting that McConnell changed Senate rules twice as majority leader. "Leader McConnell's proposal is unacceptable, and it won't be accepted."

While the two leaders later that day cut a deal delaying Trump's impeachment trial by two weeks - with a nudge from Biden, who wants to see progress on Cabinet confirmations - there is no visible progress on structuring the Senate.

Without an organizing accord, Republicans remain in the majority of most Senate committees - veteran GOP lawmakers such as Sens. Charles Grassley of Iowa, Richard Shelby of Alabama and James Inhofe of Oklahoma continue as chairs of key panels while veteran Democrats eager to seize the gavels and advance their long dormant agendas can only wait and wonder.

Panel budgets and staff hiring also remain frozen pending a deal.

Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., for instance, is in line to be chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and thus oversee Biden's appointments to the Justice Department and federal bench, as well as key legislative items including an immigration overhaul and police reforms. Asked last week about the status of the panel's chairmanship, he said, "I have no idea."

Biden's least controversial Cabinet nominees have moved forward in the first days of his administration, thanks to the unanimous consent of Republicans: Avril Haines was confirmed as director of national intelligence and Lloyd Austin was confirmed as defense secretary last week, while Janet Yellen is set to be confirmed as treasury secretary on Monday. But other, more controversial nominees could remain in limbo while McConnell and Schumer remain at an impasse.

Many senators and aides believe the matter can be settled quickly with Schumer acknowledging reality - that many Democrats, including Biden, are not convinced that the filibuster needs to be scrapped.

Biden, who spent 36 years as a senator before becoming vice president in 2009, said in July that he'd "take a look" at filibuster elimination if Republicans bogged his agenda down in the Senate: "It's going to depend on how obstreperous they become."

But White House press secretary Jen Psaki indicated Friday that Biden had not yet reached that point, saying he intended to work with both Schumer and McConnell to advance his pandemic relief proposal: "He wants it to be a bipartisan bill."

Advancing that legislation absent GOP cooperation would not necessarily require changing long-standing Senate rules. Democrats are already eyeing the special budgetary procedure known as reconciliation, which can allow fiscal matters involving taxation and spending to pass with a simple majority vote.

Republicans used it during the Trump administration, for instance, as a vehicle for partisan health care and tax bills.

But there are nonbudgetary matters that reconciliation simply cannot be used for - including key Democratic agenda items such as climate-change legislation, expansions of civil rights and voting access, gun restrictions and more items that have little, if any, GOP buy-in.

That stands to only compound the already immense pressure to ditch the rule - a campaign that is already being pushed by former senators and Senate aides, opinion journalists with considerable influence inside the Democratic caucus and by a legion of activists that emerged as a potent force during the Trump administration.

Fix Our Senate, a coalition of progressive and labor groups formed to advocate for filibuster elimination, has already launched a six-figure ad campaign and plans to deploy field operatives in states where Democratic senators has expressed reluctance to ditch the rule.

"There is absolutely no reason to give Sen. McConnell months and months to prove what we absolutely know - that he is going to continue his gridlock and dysfunction from the minority," said Eli Zupnick, a spokesman for the group.

The pressure is also coming from within the Democratic caucus itself, where key voices are urging Schumer not to let Republicans weaponize Senate rules - even as McConnell threatens to paint them as hypocrites for abandoning their pledges of bipartisanship.

"Millions of people are giving up on their government because they're hurting, and we are not responding," said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who caucuses with Democrats and will have a key role in the reconciliation process as the incoming Budget Committee chairman. "We have an enormous agenda and we have got to move as quickly as we can, and in my view we've got to use all of the tools that are available."

The path ahead is likely to be decided by a small group of moderate Democrats, elected from red and purple states, who have signaled support for keeping the filibuster while hinting that their patience for partisan obstruction might not be infinite.

Sen. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., has been the most outspoken Democratic opponent of changing Senate rules and has sought to assemble a bipartisan cadre of centrist senators willing to hammer out deals across the aisle. Other Democratic senators - including Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona - have also signaled support for the status quo while also hinting that GOP stonewalling could change their minds.

Manchin told reporters last week that while his mind hadn't changed on preserving the filibuster, he backed Schumer as he seeks to hammer out an operating accord with McConnell. And he signaled that, when it comes to a dysfunctional Senate, there is one Democrat he may take his cues from going forward.

"If there's one person who can make it work, it's Joe Biden," he said, adding the president "understands how this place used to work, how it should work and how it can work - if it doesn't work under Joe Biden, it doesn't work at all."
Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Construction that closed a part of Interstate 10 in both directions in Houston has been completed for the weekend, highway officials said Saturday night.

Work on the Elysian Viaduct prompted crews to close I-10 westbound at Interstate 69 and eastbound at Interstate 45 on Friday evening, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. The freeway was scheduled to be reopened early Monday until Saturdays announcement.
Oman announced Sunday it will bar expatriates from certain jobs in an effort to create more employment opportunities for its citizens amid an economic downturn.

In a region that depends heavily on cheap foreign labour, expats in the sultanate make up about 40% of the country's 4.5 million-strong population.

Faced with an economic slump and a sharp drop in oil revenues, Oman and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have stepped up efforts to create jobs for their own citizens.

"A number of jobs in the private sector will be nationalised," the Omani labour ministry announced on Twitter on Sunday.

It added the work permits of foreigners in those professions will not be renewed after their expiry date.

Various jobs in insurance companies, shops and car dealerships, including finance, commercial and administrative positions, will be "limited to Omanis only", the ministry said.

Work as a driver, "no matter what the vehicle", will also be reserved for citizens, it added.

In April 2020, Oman ordered state-owned companies to accelerate the process of replacing foreign staff with Omani nationals, especially in senior positions, to create more jobs for citizens.

The finance ministry at the time said large numbers of expatriates still occupied managerial posts in state-run firms.

Since 2014, the oil-rich Gulf region has been hit hard by falling crude prices, suffering a new blow amid the global economic impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Oman and fellow GCC states Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain have saught to diversify their economies and integrate millions of new graduates into their workforces.

All have introduced legislation to give nationals preference over foreigners in both the public and private sectors.

More than 25 million foreigners live in the Gulf, making up the majority of the populations in the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait

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Dancing on Ice bosses are facing calls to remove Rufus Hound from the show after he tweeted claims that Theresa May planned the Manchester Arena terror attack.

The comedian, 41, has stirred outrage among MPs and bomb victims who want him axed from the show for retweeting the unsubstantiated claims - coincidentally Mr Hound is now isolating for ten days after coming into contact with coronavirus and will not be appearing on this week's show.

Mr Hound retweeted: 'Given the attacker was known to MI5, the timing seems fortunate for May that an attack 'slips through' as Labour are making progress.'

He then added his own comment, suggesting that May, the Prime Minister at the time of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombings, had planned the attack to help the Tories win the election, The Sun on Sunday reports.

Dancing on Ice bosses are facing calls to remove Rufus Hound from the show (pictured)

The conspiracy theorist wrote: 'Apologies for mild tinhattedness, but I've been thinking the same. Esp. as she was Home Secretary for so long.'

He later tweeted that he was not suggesting it was true, but that he believed it could be possible, adding: 'I guess I'm not really alleging it as true, more that I don't believe our establishment is incapable of such evil. Especially during an election.'

MP Rob Halfon told The Sun on Sunday: 'This is horrific.'These trivial remarks are deeply offensive to victims of the Manchester attack.'

Whilst another Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke told the publication that it was ITV's 'moral responsibility' to 'chuck out' contestants using the show as a political platform.

Jade Clough, 33, from Stockport, who was hit by shrapnel at the Manchester attack carried out by Salman Abedi, told The Sun on Sunday that the claims were 'outrageous' and said the celebrity's actions could make people feel it was ok to share similar unsubstantiated claims.

A scene following the Manchester Arena attack at an Ariana Grande concert

ITV declined to comment on the matter, MailOnline has contacted Hound's representatives for comment.

It comes after the former Celebrity Juice star caused a stir during last week's show by criticising the UK Government over free school meals.

Mr Hound took aim at the government's stance on free school meals and said his video game-inspired performance was the 'least mad thing that has happened in a long time.'

He said: 'I've spent most of this year not being emotionally stable because the world stopped making sense and this does not make more sense of it.

In a series of tweets made in 2017 Mr Hound shared his view that the government were not 'incapable of such evil'

'We live in a world where the people we elect don't want to feed hungry children, this is the least mad thing that has happened to me in a long time.'

Ofcom has since received 341 complaints about last weekend's episode, with the majority made about Mr Hound.This week the comedian has had to pull out of the show in accordance with government guidelines, which state that he now has to quarantine at home for 10 days.

Mr Hound was set to perform in a group routine on Sunday night and again the following week for his individual skate, but he will now be forced to miss both.

Sources say Mr Hound has tested negative for the coronavirus and is now isolating at home. Mr Hound pictured with Robin Johnstone

A spokesperson for ITV told MailOnline: 'This week Rufus Hound came into contact with someone outside of the show who tested positive for Covid 19.

This means, following government guidelines, he will isolate for ten days. We are hoping to welcome him back to the ice soon.'

'We continue to have a robust set of measures in place to operate safely within Covid-19 guidelines and to ensure the wellbeing of everyone connected with the production.'

Sources say he has tested negative for the coronavirus and is now isolating at home.

They added that while Rufus will have to isolate, his professional partner Robin Johnstone will not as she hasn't come into contact with anyone covid positive.

She will not appear on Sunday evening's show however.

It is currently unclear whether the skating duo will return to the show once his isolation period ends.
Mumbai: Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan tied the knot with fashion designer Natasha Dalal on Sunday evening at Alibaugs luxurious resort The Mansion House in an intimate ceremony attended by family and close friends. Dhawan, 33, shared two photographs from the wedding ceremony on his Instagram account.

Life long love just became official," he captioned the pictures. The couple opted for colour-coordinated heavily embellished Indian attires in beige for their special day. While Dalal wore a lehenga and kept her hair, make-up and jewellery minimal, Dhawan chose a sherwani with a silver-blue stole and matching mojari to complete his look. Soon after the duo exchanged the wedding vows, media persons present outside the wedding venue were treated with sweets. Dhawan and Dalal also posed for the photographs present at the resort. A source close to the couple had earlier told .
is planning to release the iOS 15 operating system in June and now a new report has revealed that it may kill support for older devices like the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s Plus as well as 2016

According to the report from the French news website iPhoneSoft, Apple's iOS 15 update will seemingly drop support for devices with an A9 chip when it launches later in 2021.

iOS 15 will run on the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and all newer iPhones that have been released, making it compatible with devices that have an A10 chip or newer.

The seventh-generation iPod touch has an A10 chip, so it should be able to run iOS 15.

In addition to the iPhones, iPhoneSoft also says a number of iPads will no longer be supported by iPadOS 15.

iPadOS 15 may drop support for the iPad mini 4 (2015), iPad Air 2 (2014), and iPad 5 (2017), equipped with A8, A8X, and A9 chips, respectively.

Meanwhile, in the second beta of iOS 14.4, is introducing a new warning on iPhones that have had their camera repaired or replaced with aftermarket components rather than the genuine components.

--IANS

wh/sdr/

(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.)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  Metro Manila mayors denied on Sunday they were lagging behind in contact tracing efforts in their respective areas.

This was the reaction of the local executives after contact tracing czar and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong called them out over the supposed lack of contact tracers and transparency on reported COVID-19 cases.

According to Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco, their test results come out within a day and contact tracing efforts are carried out immediately.

He said the city's data on COVID cases is usually higher than that reported by the Health Department.

"I think he was present in the previous meetings 'nung matataas pa 'yung case ng Navotas...I even complained to the DOH not because their case record is higher than ours, but I always tell them na mali ang record niyo kasi mas mataas 'yung actual cases namin kaysa doon sa records niyo," said Tiangco.

[Translation: I think he was present in the previous meetings when the number of cases in Navotas was still high...I even complained to the DOH not because their case record is higher than ours, but I always tell them that your records are wrong because our actual cases are higher than what you have in your records.]

San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora also said they have enough contact tracers in their city.

He said they currently have more than 50 active cases while there are 145 contact tracers.

"Ito ay sapat na bilang sa amin especially because as of yesterday we only have 52 active cases in San Juan. 'Di naman po kami nagkukulang, in fact we always had enough contact tracers because we believe contact tracing is vital in our fight against COVID-19, so we make sure na hindi tayo nagkukulang kailan man sa contact tracers," said Zamora.

[Translation: This is enough for us because as of yesterday, we only have 52 active cases in San Juan. We are never lacking because we believe contact tracing is vital in our fight against COVID-19, so we make sure we always have enough contact tracers.]

Meantime, Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian revealed in a text message to CNN Philippines that the Interior Department has pulled out the city's contact tracers.

"Despite the pullout of the DILG contact tracers, the city government still has enough contact tracers that are locally funded," he said. "Our number stands at 200 manning our mega contact tracing center. On top of this, our contact tracing efforts are expansive given that we use Valtrace, our own QR code contact tracing system."

He added that Magalong even praised their efforts in the past.

"A couple of months ago Mayor Magalong lauded our contact tracing efforts as being one of the best in the country and we have maintained the same operational levels and standards," says Gatchalian.

According to Magalong, the ideal ratio for contact tracing is one patient to 37 contacts.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque agreed with Magalong's sentiment, saying he would convince the Budget Department to fund the hiring of more contact tracers.

The Metro Manila Council, made up of all local chief executives in Metro Manila, and the MMDA will have their meeting Monday night to discuss possible changes in quarantine restrictions.


Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has accused Google and Facebook of shifting the goalposts over the proposed media code, saying the tech giants were doing a disservice to Australians by threatening to shut down their search engines.

Mr Frydenberg attacked the tech firms on Sunday for saying they would pull some of their services instead of complying with proposed laws that will make them pay for the use of news content on their platforms.

It seems digital giants keep changing the goalposts, Mr Frydenberg said. They were originally against what we were putting forward on algorithms and against what we were putting forward on a final arbitration model. Now, it seems they are against paying for any clicks on a search.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has lashed the tech giants. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

[The] digital giants did themselves a big disservice last week when they very openly and publicly threatened the Australian public with pulling out of Australia effectively with search if legislation proceeds as it currently stands, he said.

Over 16 lakh healthcare workers across the country have received Covid-19 vaccine shots till Sunday evening, as per provisional reports, the Union Health Ministry said in a statement. The nationwide vaccination drive which was launched on January 16 has entered its ninth day today.

The ministry said that 31,466 beneficiaries were vaccinated today till 7.30 pm in five states which are Haryana (907), Karnataka (2,472), Punjab (1,007), Rajasthan (24,586) and Tamil Nadu (2,494), through 693 sessions, according to provisional reports.

Karnataka has the highest number of vaccinations in the country till now followed by Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. However, some cases of side effects were also reported in the country after the inoculation drive started.

At least three crore healthcare and frontline workers have been given the priority to get the Covid-19 vaccine shots in the Phase 1 of the inoculation drive.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the vaccination drive with Covishield manufactured by Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) and Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. In the Phase 2, those aged above 50 years will be given the jabs. Prime Minister Modi, Union and State ministers and lawmakers are likely to get the jab in the second turn.

(with inputs from PTI)
Ratchanok eliminated from Thailand Open

BADMINTON: Ratchanok Intanons quest to make the final at the Toyota Thailand Open badminton tournament ended yesterday (Jan 23) with a three-set loss to top seed Tai Tzu Ying.

Badminton

By Bangkok Post

Sunday 24 January 2021, 10:09AM

Sapsiree Taerattanachai plays a shot as partner Dechapol Puavaranukroh looks on in their mixed doubles final last Sunday at the Yonex Thailand Open. They are looking for another title this weekend. Photo: Badminton Association of Thailand.

But Thailand still has a shot at glory today as mixed-doubles stars Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai will be seeking their second tournament victory in a week.

In the womens singles semi-final, fourth-seeded Ratchanok fell 21-12, 12-21, 21-23 to her Taiwanese rival, who will face former world number one Carolina Marin today in their second final in two weeks.

The 27-year-old Spaniard, ranked sixth in the world, defeated South Korean teen prodigy An Se-young 21-19, 21-15 in the earlier semi-final yesterday.

Marin is aiming for back-to-back titles in this weeks tournament - the second of three consecutive events in Bangkok that culminate in next weeks World Tour Finals.

Marin came out on top last week against Tai, and continued her winning streak yesterday, maintaining her signature aggressive play against seventh-seeded An.

Dechapol and Sapsiree, the top-seeded winners of the Yonex Thailand Open last Sunday, will be looking to repeat their doubles success when they go up against Seo Seung-jae and Chae YuJung of South Korea today.

The Thai duo, who are ranked third in the world, yesterday defeated unseeded Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa, who are ranked 36th.

But the Indian pair made their opponents work for the victory, taking them to three sets before Dechapol and Sapsiree prevailed, 22-20, 18-21, 21-12, in 59 minutes.

After the earlier womens singles match, Marin spoke of the mental battle of motivating herself just days after being victorious.

Sometimes its tough for the mindset when you win a tournament just three days ago and you have to start a tournament all over again, the reigning Olympic champion said.

She and An had already duelled in last weeks tournament, with the more experienced Marin winning in a quick 21-18, 21-16 match.

An, an 18-year-old who was named the tours Most Promising Player in 2019, was downcast after yesterdays defeat.

I tried to respond to her smashes and tried everything, said the teenager. Unfortunately, it didnt go quite so well, so Im a little disappointed.

Marins signature yelps after each match point reverberated around the spectatorless stadium - a coronavirus precaution taken by Thai organisers as part of a biosecure bubble to accommodate players who flew in from across the world.

Despite the efforts of tournament officials, four positive cases have been detected so far, forcing an Indian player and an Egyptian player to withdraw.
Representative image

The government on January 24 said all the 734 districts of the country have been covered under the Jan Aushadhi Kendra programme that aims to improve access to affordable generic or unbranded medicines.

The Centre has set a target to increase the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the country to 10,500 by the end of March 2025, the finance ministry tweeted on January 24.



Re-strengthening economy through reforms: Making quality medicines available at affordable prices for all. pic.twitter.com/g3BhThxSbH

 Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) January 24, 2021

As on December 31, 2020, there were 7,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras in India, the ministry said. Re-strengthening economy through reforms: Making quality medicines available at affordable prices for all.

At present, 1,449 medicines are offered under the scheme and the ministry plans to expand the list to 2,000 by 2024. As many as 204 surgical items are also offered which the government plans to expand to 300 by 2024.

In the current fiscal year, upto January 12, 2021, sales worth Rs. 484 crore were recorded at the 7,064 Jan Aushadhi Kendras, the ministry of chemicals and fertilizers said earlier in January.

When the weather turned cold, Rachel Sugar, a contributing writer for the New York City food blog Grubstreet, thought people would give up dining al fresco. But, she said, that hasnt been the case: Restaurants, more than ever, are a place where people feel relatively comfortable.

Indeed, in cities around the country, restaurants have adapted for colder conditions and diners are proving game, even in northern latitudes. On a recent weekday in Portland, Maine, where the high was 28 degrees, the eatery Little Giant turned its back patio into an outdoor dining deck, with 35,000 watts of electric heat. In Seattle, the seafood spot Westward has installed two fire pits to keep patrons cozy. Scarpetta, in New York, built private dining chalets. Its a testament to local food cultures and the universal human need for social connection that people are willing to eat outside in the depths of winter.

But between the not freezing part and the not getting Covid-19 part, if you decide to visit a restaurant, eating out has become something you need to plan for: Whose outdoor setup promises warmth, what to wear to battle the elements, what to order that wont get cold as soon as it hits the table (or maybe will still taste good even if it is cold). Getting a table used to be the main concern. Now you have to think about wind chill and the chance of snow.

How are diners and restaurateurs making it work? Here, the new rules for eating outside.

Know what youre facing.

The pandemic diner will quickly discover that every restaurant offers its own version of the outdoor experience. Heated, custom-designed tents called Yurt Villages, a collaboration between American Express and the dining app Resy, have been set up at 13 in-demand restaurants across the country, including Zahav in Philadelphia and Arlo Grey in Austin, Texas. Many more eateries have erected cheap, rustic structures made of wood or plastic, which Ms. Sugar of Grubstreet has codified by architectural style, from Upmarket Shanty to Cold-Weather Cabana. Youll want to do some research to know exactly what the set up will be  are there heaters at every table? Blankets on loan? How windy and exposed is the location?
One of the surprise stars of the 2020 harness racing season in New Zealand has reportedly been sold to North American interests.

According to Harness Racing New Zealand, a deal is in place for acing mare Beyond Words to be purchased by United States-based owner Richard Poillucci, the man who raced former Kiwi-bred world champion Shartin.

It is a big money sale but she will do a super job up there, agent John Curtin told HRNZ.

Beyond Words has been one of the stories of the harness racing season, emerging as an unheralded maiden on August 7 to win the hands of then co-trainer Mark Purdon before now likely ending her New Zealand career with five wins from nine starts including a Grade 1 Queen of Hearts victory over stablemate and subsequent Auckland Cup winner Amazing Dream.

Owner and breeder Brian West admits he would have loved to keep Beyond Words but as a lifelong breeder he is being realistic.

I am 70 this year and I have to look at the future, says West of Studholme Bloodstock. I have had up to 100 mares here on the farm and I have been going through the process of re-homing some of them.

Some of them are mares I havent even bred from or even raced because I simply have to cut numbers down, West continued. I have got that down to around 60 mares here on the farm and Id like to take that number down further to make it more manageable...after all, I am not getting any younger and some nights I am not finishing with the horses until after 9:00 p.m. and it is bloody tiring.

West stated that he's very proud of his mare's accomplishments and "I hope she does a wonderful job for them up in the States" if the sale is finalized.

(with files from HRNZ)
Flovac, a leading player in the design, supply and installation of vacuum sewerage infrastructures, said it had completed its key deployment at Hilton Salwa Beach Resort and Villas, which is poised to become one of the largest resorts and residential projects in Qatar.

Headquartered in The Netherlands, Flovac has its engineering, operations and productions facilities across the globe including at a number of core centres including Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Bahrain, Australia and Florida in US.

The resort was constructed on 257 acres of land in the Salwa region of Qatar.

The beach resort and villas is a massive project that includes a water park, marina, dive centre, cinemas, pools, a health club, spa and a considerable retail space, said the statement from Flovac.

In addition to the rooms and suites in the main hotel building, the resort will also include two small 'villages' of family villas.

Flovac was asked to design and supply a vacuum system that would be able to handle the high flows that will ultimately be handled by the resort.

"The vacuum system needed to facilitate not only the hotel but also residential areas, restaurants and the marina. The client was aware of the good work which Flovac had done at Reef Island in Bahrain and was particularly impressed with the monitoring system that had been installed," said Willem Gooren, one of the founders of Flovac, who had managed the project.

"The monitoring allows operators to see exactly what was happening anywhere in the network including the operation of the vacuum pump station," stated Gooren, who was based in the Middle East for extensive periods during the project's establishment and finalisation.

"In sandy soils, especially areas where there is a high water table, vacuum systems are ideal as all of the pipework is installed at a shallow depth in the ground," he explained.

Gooren pointed out that a stepped profile within the pipeline design allowed for some utilisation of gravity while keeping the pipe shallow.

"Installation of vacuum mains is a lot faster than the installation of gravity sewers as there is less requirement to dewater or pre-load the land. HDPE pipe is used often when installing in hot climates and where soil conditions are unstable," he added.

According to Gooren, the use of a Flovac system was vital to ensure that there would be no potential leaks from the system. "As all vacuum pipework is under a negative pressure, sewage cannot leak from the pipe in the event of a break," he said.

He pointed out that Salwa vacuum pump station was one of the largest stations in the world. Housed in a dry and air conditioned environment the two large collection tanks are connected to five large Busch Mink MM 1202 vacuum pumps, he noted.

Flovac has used Mink pumps since before 2005 and so has great experience in the correct set up to maximise the ability to handle the large flows required in this project, he added..-TradeArabia News Service
An Associated Press survey of law enforcement agencies nationwide found that at least 31 officers in 12 states are being scrutinized by their supervisors for their behavior in the District of Columbia or face criminal charges for participating in the riot. Officials are looking into whether the officers violated any laws or policies or participated in the violence while in Washington. 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 was shot to death by Capitol Police and three other people died after medical emergencies during the chaos.
Bengaluru, Jan 24 : About 25,000 farmers from across Karnataka would lead a protest rally on Tuesday to Bengaluru from Nelamangla on the city's outskirts in support of their counterparts' tractor rally to New Delhi against the three farmers' laws, said state's farmers leader K. Chandrashekar on Sunday.

"We have sought police permission to lead the protest rally in 10,000 tractors to Freedom Park in the city from Nelamangla in solidarity with our colleagues in the northern region who are going to Delhi in thousands of tractors, seeking repeal of the three anti-farmers laws," Chandrashekar told reporters here.

As the farmers' protest rally on Tuesday coincides with the 72nd Republic Day celebrations, police advised them to avoid tractors, which would choke the highway and roads in the city, inconveniencing the public.

"As Delhi police allowed thousands of farmers to enter the national capital in tractors for their protest rally after the Republic Day parade, the city police should not prevent us from staging a similar rally," asserted Chandrashekar, who is also the president of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, an apex body of about 30 farmers' associations across the southern state.

Farmers from Mandya, Mysuru, Kodagu, Hassan, Tumakuru, Chitradurga and many districts will participate in the protest rally against the three laws.

"The rally will also be in protest against the APMC Act and Land Reforms Act, the BJP government in Karnataka has amended recently, as they are also against farmers and growers," reiterated Chandrashekar.

About 10,000 farmers from across the state staged a massive rally in the city against the twin Acts on December 9.

The immediate past Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has decried the deafening silence of some leaders on the inter-ethnic crisis pitting the Yoruba against Fulani residents in Oyo and Ondo states.

The crisis was escalated by an ultimatum issued by a self-styled Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, to Fulani residents to leave the Ibarapa area of Oyo State.

He issued the ultimatum following the spate of kidnappings and violent attacks allegedly perpetrated by herders linked to the ethnic group.

Upon the expiration of the ultimatum on Friday, Mr Adeyemo defied a warning by Governor Seyi Makinde to stay away and led some youth to Ibarapa to attack the home of the leader of the Fulani in the area.

The attack has provoked a clash between some Yoruba youth and Fulani residents in the community.

In the past few days, the chain of events has been a topic of national debate with some supporting Mr Adeyemos action, and others speaking against it.

Mr Makinde and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, have since ordered the arrest of Mr Adeyemo.

The Oyo crisis came even as Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, issued a similar ultimatum to herders to evacuate forest reserves in his state.

In a statement he issued on Sunday, Mr Saraki said he had watched the developments in Oyo and Ondo States with concern.

He said the happenings had increased tension and unduly raised the political temperature of the country.

The ugly development in these two states are symptomatic of the continued threat to the unity of our country that we have witnessed on a higher scale in recent times and in different parts of the country, including the South-East and South-South zones, he said.

Mr Saraki appealed to all parties to work for peace and take initiatives that can douse the tension.

Both the elite and ordinary people have a responsibility to begin to take measures that will reassure the people across the board that a united Nigeria will benefit everybody better than a disintegrated country.

He said the deafening silence by key stakeholders, leaders and others who we think should speak out is worrisome.

He said the silence was a dangerous tell-tale sign that things are wrong.

This is not good for our country. We must all speak out and talk about the solution to this twin-problem of insecurity and threat to national unity.

He urged leaders not to wait until the next election year before speaking up.

In the meantime, let all stakeholders speak up on the danger confronting and diminishing our great country. The attitude of keeping quiet and sidon look while waiting for the next election to start making promises will not help anyone.

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Mr Saraki cited his own parentage as an example of the need to maintain national unity.

Let me use my case as an example of why this country should continue to grow as one united and progressive entity. I am of Fulani origin and have a Yoruba mother. My father was a Muslim and my mother is Christian. Thus, I am affected on all sides by any inter-ethnic tension in this country. I am sure there are many Nigerians that are in a similar situation.

Also, a united Nigeria is better for the entire world than a disintegrated country. The relevance of Nigeria in the international community is due to its size, population, and collective resources. Any attempt at disintegration removes the cloak of importance around Nigeria in the global community.

We must all strive to douse the tension and keep our country together. This is definitely not the country we inherited from our forebears and it is not what we intend to pass on to the generation after us.

He urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the current leadership of the Senate not to take things with levity.

Mr President, take measures that will reassure all and sundry that you are working on the problems and that nobody should lose interest in a united, peaceful, and progressive Nigeria.

It is important for President Muhammadu Buhari to rally all interests and everybody at the leadership levels to a round table in order to discuss and find appropriate solutions.

Let me reiterate my earlier suggestion that President Buhari should call all relevant politicians and stakeholders together  former heads of states, retired and serving security chiefs, present and former leaders of various arms of government, traditional rulers with relevant experience, experienced youth with the technological know-how to solve security problems and even international civil servants of Nigerian origin who can help.

Everybody must be made to contribute ideas on how to save our country from insecurity, disunity, and invasion by criminals.

Mr President, please, call everybody together and provide the much-needed leadership to solve the problem. This is a period that requires all hands to be on deck. This is not the time to talk of APC or PDP. It is a time for all to work for Nigeria. This is a problem for all and should be solved by all.

I want to also make a passionate plea to my brothers, Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila, both of whom are experienced legislators, to provide the far-reaching legislative intervention that will help the executive arm in the search for peace.

The situation is getting worse by the day. Insecurity has become the order of the day and it is fueling disunity and criminal activities.

Let me also call on all politicians who are looking towards 2023 to take over power to start pondering on what type of Nigeria will they have to administer post-2023 if the current situation continues, Mr Saraki said.

Miamis Republicans  who represent some of the countrys most vulnerable communities threatened by sea level rise and climate change  are more antagonistic than ever toward climate change legislation after President Joe Biden re-entered the Paris Climate Agreement on day one of his presidency.

Hoping to build on former President Donald Trumps rise in popularity in Miami-Dade County in the 2020 election  despite his loss nationally  South Florida Republicans are digging in to fight further climate action, even as Miami-area environmental groups see opportunities for more gains.

Yoca Arditi-Rocha, executive director of a Florida-based climate action advocacy group called the CLEO Institute, sent a letter to each of Floridas 27 U.S. House members and two senators a few minutes after the executive order was signed urging them to push for stricter pollution goals than those contained in the Paris accord.

Bold action is necessary, Arditi-Rocha said, because the cost of flooded roads and abandoning homes is higher than the cost of cutting pollution.

If we dont do anything to reverse this, its going to cost us billions in the next few decades, she said. The cost of inaction far outweighs the cost of reducing pollution.

Bidens swift move to rejoin the mostly symbolic Paris agreement is the first step in a climate plan to push for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Groups like Arditi-Rochas want Biden to aim for an even more ambitious goal  a 50% reduction of carbon emissions by 2030.

The fight on climate change policy is one of many in Washington where Biden has vowed to work with Republicans, but both sides preferred policy outcomes are far apart from each other. The COVID-19 pandemic, Trumps looming impeachment trial and confirming Bidens Cabinet are consuming the House and Senate, meaning any kind of sweeping climate change legislation will likely have to wait, even though Democrats control Congress and the White House.

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In Miami, Republicans like former Reps. Carlos Curbelo and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen were known for speaking out on climate change. But in 2021 only Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar says she supports Bidens decision to re-enter the Paris Climate Agreement. Miami Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart is opposed. And Rep. Carlos Gimenez once supported a Miami-Dade County resolution endorsing the Paris Climate Agreement, when he was the countys mayor, but said during his campaign for Congress that we should reenter something that doesnt put us at a disadvantage.

Rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement does little to help the environment, and only weakens the U.S. while enabling and strengthening China, Diaz-Balart said in a statement.

Gimenez, who didnt respond to questions on climate policy, said in 2017 as mayor that sea level rise is a very serious concern and said during his campaign that he supports infrastructure investments in clean energy. But hes also faced criticism from environmentalists who said he didnt do enough as mayor to lessen pollution or stop dirty storm water runoff from killing fish in Biscayne Bay.

None of South Floridas Republicans offered alternative ideas to rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement or provided ideas on climate change-related legislation that could garner Republican votes in Congress.

But the CLEO Institute is among local groups pushing Biden to pursue an aggressive plan to cut down on climate pollution.

Arditi-Rochas organization, along with many others, is calling on the Biden administration to commit to at least a 50% reduction in carbon emissions below 2005 levels by 2030, a more ambitious goal than President Barack Obama set in 2016. If the world is able to achieve that, scientists believe theres a chance that the planet can aim for only 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming by the end of the century and be spared some of the worst impacts of climate change.

Arditi-Rocha said that goal also lines up with Bidens campaign promise to get the nation to net-zero emissions by 2050, a pledge countries such as China, South Korea, Japan and the United Kingdom have made.

We as Floridians have a lot to lose with regards to the climate crisis. For us, [Bidens climate plan] is a beacon of hope, she said. It means that we actually get to take the leadership of a new clean energy economy thats not only going to stabilize our climate, its going to improve our air quality and create thousands and thousands of jobs.

But both of Floridas senators, Republicans Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, have opposed the Paris accord and Bidens climate plan, arguing that India and China are mostly to blame for rising carbon emissions, and that the U.S. shouldnt put itself at a competitive disadvantage.

President Biden is throwing the U.S. back into the Paris agreement just to appease his liberal friends, Scott said in a statement. This deal does nothing to hold real polluters, like Communist China and India, accountable and it unfairly puts American taxpayers on the hook. It was bad for America when Obama signed it and its still bad now.

Trump showed little appetite for pursuing climate change legislation while in office and his decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement took effect on Nov. 4, a day after the 2020 election.

The politics of climate change have been increasingly defined by the Green New Deal, a sweeping set of policy proposals seeking to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and to require the U.S. use 100% renewable energy sources. Scott brought up the plan on Thursday while he questioned Pete Buttigieg, Bidens transportation secretary nominee, at his confirmation hearing.

Scott argued that the Green New Deal would cost $100 trillion, an astronomical figure frequently cited by Trump that appears to have originated from a former Rubio staffers tweet and not one of the Democrats pushing the proposal.

The president won our primary and the election and thatll be the vision that goes forward, Buttigieg said in response.

Republicans with aspirations for higher office, Rubio and Scott included, have frequently campaigned against the Paris Climate Agreement, a pact signed by 195 countries in 2015 to limit the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are partially responsible for climate change.

During his 2016 presidential campaign, Rubio opposed the agreement.

In the last two years, as the Green New Deal garnered most of the attention on Capitol Hill, Republicans have railed against the proposed legislation while left-leaning environmental groups like the Sunrise Movement have protested Democrats who are perceived as not being enthusiastic enough about the proposal.

Two sitting South Florida Democrats in Congress, Reps. Alcee Hastings and Frederica Wilson, cosponsored the House version of the Green New Deal. Former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who was beaten by Gimenez in November, was also a cosponsor and was attacked by Gimenez for her support of the proposal.

More middle-of-the-road climate change efforts like a carbon fee bill proposed by South Florida Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch have stalled, and fewer Republicans than at the beginning of Trumps term are backing bills to tax carbon emissions. Deutchs carbon fee bill in the most recent Congress garnered just one Republican co-sponsor, Florida Rep. Francis Rooney, who is no longer in office.

Curbelo, though hes no longer in office, has continued to argue that theres enough middle ground to pass legislation. He wrote a letter to Biden on Wednesday saying he believes there ares enough Republicans willing to work on climate-related legislation to pass something with bipartisan support.

I assure you there are Republicans in Congress who will listen and who understand the significance and seriousness of this matter, Curbelo wrote. While it might be tempting for some to continue weaponizing this issue for political gain, regrettably there is no time for such games.

Biden has acknowledged that hell need Congress to make major progress on fighting climate change. The Paris Agreement is a mostly symbolic pact that doesnt penalize countries who fail to meet their emission reduction targets, allowing countries like China to continue polluting.

Were going to combat climate change in a way we have not before, Biden said just before he signed the executive order, plus another to cancel construction on the Keystone XL oil pipeline. They are just executive actions. They are important but were going to need legislation for a lot of the things were going to do.

Miami Herald reporter Alex Harris contributed to this report.
Palm oil production in Malaysia is being dealt a double blow from a persistent shortage of workers to harvest the crop and torrential rains that have triggered floods in key growing areas of the world's No. 2 supplier.

Relentless heavy rain and thunderstorms have led to flash floods in parts of Sabah, Sarawak, Johor, Pahang and Perak -- the biggest palm oil-producing states in the country. While palm trees are typically water-loving and resistant to wet weather, prolonged floods could prevent harvesting -- leading to overripe fruit and poor oil quality -- and disrupt transport of fruit to mills.

Deepening output woes is Malaysia's re-imposition of lockdowns from Jan. 13, and a state of emergency that may last until August, which complicates the recruitment of foreign labor that the palm industry is so desperate for. The production constraints may help shore up palm oil futures, which have retreated from a 10-year peak.

"Certain states including large oil palm-growing areas have been affected in Johor, Pahang and Perak. Here crop losses have been unavoidable as many sections of the fields have been under 2-3 feet of water for two to three weeks," said Carl Bek-Nielsen, chief executive director of United Plantations. "This adversely affects the ability to enter the fields and harvest the crop, let alone bring out the crop as fields are under water."

Heavy rains in Sabah have led to floods and landslides, hurting the plantation sector in the top-producing state, said IJM Plantations Chief Executive Officer Joseph Tek. La Nina-linked rains will likely continue into February. "It is a question of how deep and how long before the floods subside, before more rains pour," he said.

In Sarawak, Malaysia's second-biggest palm growing state, the drop in yields may be more severe than the 15% to 20% initially estimated over the next two months, according to Andrew Cheng, CEO of the Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association. That's as the acute worker shortage compounds production problems caused by floodwaters which have inundated plantations and interrupted harvesting, he said.

"I believe many oil palm plantations in Sarawak's lower-lying areas will be affected, especially with the King Tide coming in," Cheng said, referring to an especially high tide, which may lead to prolonged flooding. "Due to the covid-19 pandemic and Movement Control Order, we are unable to assess the overall situation."

Sime Darby Plantation, the world's biggest palm oil planter by acreage, said about 3% of its Malaysian upstream operations have been affected by floods and road closures. States impacted are Sabah and Sarawak, which together make up 45% of the country's total output, as well as Johor, Pahang, Perak, Kedah and Negeri Sembilan.

Malaysia's shortage of palm oil workers has become "much, much worse" compared with six months ago, and was likely responsible for up to 90% of the 3.6 million tons of fresh fruit bunches lost last year, Bek-Nielsen said.

"We are at a breaking point that will result in considerable crop losses in 2021," Bek-Nielsen said. While first quarter production won't be much lower than last quarter, the impact from the acute labor shortage "will really start to bite and impact production from April to October," leading to a drop in output this year to 18.6 million tons, he said. Output was 19.14 million tons in 2020.

To relieve the shortage of foreign workers, planters are seeking government approval for a safe way to bring guest workers into Malaysia, where all Covid-19 testing and quarantine costs are borne by employers, he said.

Sime Darby said it's had little success in hiring new workers and is grappling with a worker shortage of around 4,000 people for its Malaysian operations.

"The number of hires from our recruitment drive are insufficient to help shore up the current labor shortage," Sime said in an emailed response to questions. Local hiring efforts are further hampered by movement controls and the Emergency decree, as walk-in interviews are not allowed.

Meanwhile, FGV Holdings, one of the country's biggest producers, said about 3,600 hectares in Pahang, Johor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Sabah were affected by flash floods, although there's no serious impact to field operations and mills are running as usual despite a drop in daily volumes.

Still, there will be a "slight impact on yield production due to weather affecting labor productivity in January and in the first quarter," the planter said in emailed responses. "We estimate the potential reduction in yields to be about 20% for January as compared to the earlier month, and by almost 20% in 1Q from the earlier period."
Kayla Cartledge runs a web-based business on the Mornington Peninsula. Wesley Enoch, playwright, artistic director Sydney Festival, Queensland

A national day is important, but January 26 is a symptom of a much grander disease. Its a restatement of colonial importance. Symbolism is important, but it has to be not just tokenism but representative of a bigger body of thought. Noel Pearson talks about three narratives that live alongside each other, and I think we should think about a three-day celebration: We should have one day for Indigenous remembrance, then one for British arrival, then a celebration of the diverse country we are now. Why should we be caught by a 24-hour time period to have a sense of who we are? Rethinking our national day could help mend bridges, says Wesley Enoch. Credit:James Brickwood Daniel James, writer and broadcaster, Yorta Yorta man, Melbourne

Australia Day perpetuates the colonial myth that this continent is just over 200 years old, when that is patently not the case. Australia and the collection of colonies that preceded it actively tried to destroy or let die the original inhabitants of this place, and Australia Day diminishes the scope of any conversation we can have about the deep dark recesses at the heart of this nation. As an optimist I like to think that one day we can have something we can all celebrate, but we cant have a unified day until we have a treaty or treaties. The most obvious way to get to that point would be having a voice enshrined within the constitution. Indigenous writer and broadcaster Daniel James.

Dorothy Lovett, health worker, Gunditjmara woman, Melbourne

I get sad on the day. There were a lot of massacres, we lost a lot of our family members. Sometimes I go to the Invasion Day march but most of the time I stay home. Im not in the mood to socialise. Im patriotic. I love my land, I love my people. My priority is not changing the date but making sure people take their medication; I support our people when they come in to see a doctor or dentist. I recall marching 30 years ago and wed be lucky to have 100 people. Now weve got 100,000 and more. The support is overwhelming. It gives me hope. Indigenous health worker Dorothy Lovett. Credit:Joe Armao Natarsha Bamblett, a Yorta Yorta, Kurnai, Warlpiri and Wiradjuri woman and founder of Miss Soul Inspires, which runs healing workshops and camps

Its become a celebration that has been promoted to separate a nation. Would it be better to have it on another day? Of course. But will changing the date fix it? No. We have to change the storyline and the days purpose and intention. We have to change the voices and the stories so that it has Indigenous history, lens and perspective.

Australia Day marks the colonisation that left communities, families and our culture fractured. It is a day of mourning and also a day that represents the reclaiming of our story. Theres sadness and sorrow but I also get to celebrate myself as an Aboriginal woman and my ancestors. We get to pay respect to the people before us. The strength and the culture and the innovation and the Dreamtime stories and also the fight and survival we have endured. Natarsha Bamblett, dancer, coach, footballer and mother, in Bundoora Park. Credit:Scott McNaughton Ken Wyatt, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Yamatji, Wongi, Noongar man, Western Australia

This Australia Day we should reflect, respect and celebrate the Australian journey, more than 65,000 years in the making, with achievements that make us proud and moments of success that should be celebrated. It is also a journey that for some is difficult, it is raw, and it does hurt in parts  but rather than shy away from this, or dismiss our success, we should come together as one. We have so much to celebrate but we can take some time on Australia Day to reflect upon the sacrifices many have made, the challenges we have faced, losses felt and the adversity we have overcome to stand as Australians. We can also think about how we approach each other  through a lens of respect and considered understanding. Acknowledging and reflecting on our past while forging new respect for the many chapters of our story will only strengthen us as a people and a nation into the future.

Ken Wyatt, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, wearing a booka made from kangaroo skin given to him by Noongar elders from Western Australia. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Kaylene Langford, founder Start-Up Creative, Gurin-gai woman, Sydney

January 26 can be quite triggering. Its a marker that on this day everything changed, and not for the better. It feels like youre stomping on peoples graves and throwing a party. When white settlers came, our people were moved away from their homes and their languages. There was so much displacement  where does the acknowledgment of that come? Instead, its celebrated every single year. I am proud of Australia, but I feel more has to be done to reconcile, to acknowledge how people are feeling, to ask what they need, for some level of conversation rather than the ignorance of nah, you can never change the date. Young entrepreneur Kaylene Langford. Malarndirri McCarthy, senator, Garrwa and Yanyuwa woman, Northern Territory

For me, January 26 is about survival. Survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culture and language. Its something I think all Australians can probably relate to this year in the face of a global pandemic. I call on all Australians to reflect and respect. Reflect on what has happened in our nations history, the effects of which continue to be felt, and reflect on survival; what that means not just for First Nations people but all Australians. Its not about changing the date, its about changing attitudes. Malarndirri McCarthy, Labor Senator for the Northern Territory.

Dr Anne Poelina, Nyikina Warrwa traditional custodian, Fitzroy River, Western Australia

My world view is framed from inter-generational lived experience of colonialism; theft of our lands and waters, physical violence, slavery, and ongoing abject poverty. We are not post-colonial; successive governments continue to legitimise invasive, unjust development as the greater good, for the predatory elite. Australia Day should be a celebration of our nation united, but we need to get the story right. It is time to seek justice and equity for all. It is time for truth-telling, reconciliation and healing. It is time to rewrite the Australian constitution, and transition to a just republic. I will spend the day dreaming of this brand new Australia Day. Dr Anne Poelina, Nyikina Warrwa traditional custodian, from Fitzroy River. Paul Briggs, president of the Rumbalara Football Netball Club, Yorta Yorta man, Shepparton, Victoria

Australia Day is a very unsafe space for Aboriginal people to be involved in, literally. Mainstream Australia wants us to get with the program, but weve never had the opportunity to negotiate that program. Aboriginal people are really wanting to be a part of the display of nationhood and national pride, but I believe we have the right to sit and negotiate an inclusive model of symbolism. We consistently talk about closing the gap, and people want to be included, but not at the expense of their own culture and identity. We have an inherent right to our ancestors and to future generations. Aboriginal people want to be part of a day of national pride, says Paul Briggs, but the terms need to be redefined. Credit:Verity Stubbs Witiyana Marika, Rirratjingu elder and actor, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory

We hope the nation can have a day when we all celebrate as one but I believe its for First Nations to decide what date that should be. There should be a process to change the date, like a Makarrata of sorts, part of a bigger process in this country, to work out how to recognise all Australians. We cant change the past, but we can shape the future. We need to support the call in the Uluru Statement from the Heart for Voice, Treaty, Truth, for all these things, and we need a First Nations voice to Parliament enshrined in the constitution. I want unity and for future generations to walk together as one.

Witiyana Marika in High Ground, a film that does not flinch from Australias dark history. Credit:Madman Nyoka Hrabinsky, Yidinji woman and co-owner of The Lillipad Cafe in Glebe, Sydney

When I was younger my school celebrated Australia Day and I thought it was all about the Union Jack on the flag and oy oy oy. But as I got older I realised I didnt like the day. Its a day of mourning for our ancestors. We protest peacefully through our menu. On Invasion Day, we encourage people to buy our Indigenous-inspired special or the meals with native ingredients that are always on our menu. Last year we brought out a kangaroo burger and there was a lot of controversy around that. This year it will be a wattleseed waffle with wattleseed and lemon myrtle ice-cream. The date should be changed. Its not fair that Indigenous people still have to struggle with this trauma. Its a really difficult day, especially for our old people. Nyoka Hrabinskys Lillipad cafe makes its point through food. Credit:Louise Kennerley Bevan Mailman, Bidjara and managing principal of Jaramer Legal, Melbourne

When I look to Australia Day, I see a bridge half built. As an Indigenous lawyer with knowledge of Australias rich ancient Indigenous history in trade and enterprise, and also of English legal frameworks related to constitutional law, land title and nation, it is difficult for me not to recognise there are matters that remain unaddressed. The second half of the bridge will be completed when we truly recognise and make space for the settled and long ancient history of our nation on Recognition Day, and also recognise what has been built since, and cross over that completed bridge together. Bevan Mailman, Bidjara lawyer and managing principal of Jaramer Legal

The other day, Stu Ross, a retired elementary school teacher, threw his neighbor out of his townhouse in Harrisburg, Pa. The guy had said he saw nothing wrong with the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Ross wasn't having it.

"You need to leave now," he said. "I can't believe you said that."

The two haven't spoken since. So when Ross heard President Joe Biden's Inauguration Day appeal for a lowered temperature, for unity, he wasn't seeing a realistic path to that goal.

Ross, 59 - alternately a Republican and a Democrat through the years but never particularly political - voted for Biden in November. He called the new president's first speech "soothing and calm." But unity? Normalcy? A return to how things used to be, to Biden's idea that "politics doesn't have to be a raging fire?" Come on. Where Ross lives, the only way he and the others in his breakfast crew at Roxy's Cafe can get through a conversation is to steer clear of politics.

At the dawn of an administration that seeks to return to a less fractious, even boring, politics, many Americans grant that Biden's quest for a quieter culture is a nice enough goal, but, from the left and right, many say the country's divisions remain too deep to allow for such a shift.

A thousand miles west of Harrisburg, in Topeka, Kan., Ed Myers has no patience for the debate over whether to hold Donald Trump to account for his role in inciting the attempted insurrection at the Capitol.

On public radio shows in New York and Los Angeles, callers grapple over whether it's more important to punish the former president and send a message that such behavior is beyond the pale, or to move on, allowing Biden to focus on his agenda. But Myers has KNSS radio out of Wichita blaring on his smartphone and Rush Limbaugh is saying, "Trump did not incite the riot," which happens to be what Myers just said, too.

A retired farm equipment factory worker, Myers says he was suspended by Twitter after he wrote that Biden is "an illegitimate president." The way Myers sees it: That puts him in the same boat as Trump, whose Twitter account was banned for "incitement of violence," which Myers views as a move to stifle free speech.

So no, Myers sees no reason to unify, no cause to rally around the new president to combat the virus and revive the economy.

"Two years of Biden, with the economy going to crap, everybody is going to want Trump back," he said. "It's typical of Biden; he said we are going to come together and heal the country, and that's a big lie." An impeachment trial in the Senate will only "cause people to rise up. The country is totally divided because of the Democrats."

Myers drove 150 miles from his home in Newton, Kan., on Inauguration Day to stand outside the Kansas Capitol in a brutal January wind, waving a sign that said "HONK if Socialism Sucks."

He'd expected a big crowd. He stood on the corner by himself. He looked around and said, "Where is everybody?"

In his inaugural address, Biden staked his ability to make progress on the country's crises - the virus, the paralyzed economy, racial division and climate change - on Americans' willingness to unite.

"I know speaking of unity can sound to some like a foolish fantasy these days," Biden said. "I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real, but . . . we have to be different than this. America has to be better than this."

Chris Buskirk, publisher of the conservative journal American Greatness, thinks that even if Trump voters don't buy Biden's policies, many may come along, if only because the new president is offering an oasis of calm after the storms of the past four years.

"There's a lot of people that at least temporarily want to take a breath," Buskirk said. "For people who supported Trump, there's going to be a period of self-reflection that always comes with being out of power. What are our priorities? What are we for?"

That doesn't mean that the majority of Republicans who believe the 2020 election was somehow rigged or stolen will suddenly embrace Biden as their president. After all, Buskirk said, "three of our last six presidential elections ended with a substantial part of the electorate thinking the result was tainted - 2000, 2016 and 2020. That's a big problem, indicating a country where people fundamentally don't trust institutions."

Still, Buskirk believes that although a hard core of Trump supporters will stand by their man, "most probably just go back to their lives. They weren't involved in politics before Trump and they don't see much reason to stay involved if he's not there."

And similarly, some on the Democratic side may be so exhausted by the country's political fray and life in the pandemic that they too may recede from the battlefield.

"Even if you're convinced that Trump is a horrible person and ordered an insurrection," Buskirk said, "you may decide that some grace would be good for you and your party, and also for the country."

That's how Nate McBride, a 27-year-old salesman in Columbus, Ohio, thinks about Trump's second impeachment and the country's need to address its problems.

McBride is the ultimate swing voter - he cast ballots for Republican John McCain in 2008, Democrat Barack Obama in 2012, Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020. Now, even though he says Trump created terrible division and "got all those people to storm the Capitol" and that "everybody should be accountable for their actions," he has concluded that it's time to move on.

"We need to restore balance in the country," he said. "You kind of want to say, 'Let him go, let him ride off into the sunset. Let it be over with.' "

And yet - maybe not. When McBride heard Trump hint at a return, perhaps another presidential run in four years, "that's when you say the Senate should convict. He has to go."

For many Biden voters, the very notion of letting Trump escape punishment for his role in inciting the Capitol attack is a nonstarter. As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., put it: "I don't think it's very unifying to say, 'Oh, let's just forget it and move on.' . . . People died here on January 6th."

Yet moving on - forgoing a reckoning with the forces that led to the assault on the Capitol - is exactly what some on the right seek.

"In my Christian faith, healing starts when forgiveness is expressed and repentance is asked for," said Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family, one of the country's largest evangelical organizations. But, he said, the line between seeking repentance and seeking vengeance is thin, and Democrats may have already crossed it.

"Vengeance is a terrible tool," Daly said. "Moving on would be a good gesture - a true act of unity, rather than just words of unity."

Daly said Biden "will be a calming force. Trump was divisive, I get that. But there's millions of us who think what the Democrats want is more about uniformity than unity."

Suzanne and Earl Austin, who own a business that handles health benefits for employers, are still in the fight. Suzanne heard Biden's call for unity, but, she said, "it doesn't resonate."

On Inauguration Day, the Austins drove three hours from their home in Jacksonville, Fla., to the Capitol in Tallahassee to protest Biden.

"Trump has left office," Suzanne said. "Leave the man alone."

Back in 2015, she originally "thought it was funny when I heard he was running, to be honest, until I listened to his election promises, what his agenda was. And what was the most amazing thing, is everything he said he was going to do, he did."

She liked how he talked about immigration and the economy and the elites.

"I've never been this passionate about anything until this," she said.

She stood outside Florida's Capitol with a "TRUMP WON!" sign, pronouncing herself "scared to death that we're going to become a socialist country with this new administration." She even suspects, incorrectly, that the attack on the Capitol may have been "staged" by Democrats.

And yet: Would they give Biden a chance? Would they consider his promise to represent all Americans?

"I think that chapter is yet to be written," Earl said. "But it's one I look forward to."

Suzanne was never much interested in politics before Trump came on the scene. Right now, she's not saying she'd return to a focus on other aspects of life, but that kind of a shift is commonly seen when populist leaders' time in power comes to an end.

Whether it's exhaustion, frustration or a sense that the leader's ideas have been absorbed into the national agenda, followers of populist leaders often lose their fervor over time.

"Without Twitter, Trump is no longer the fuel that feeds the fire," said Kathy Cramer, a University of Wisconsin political scientist whose book "The Politics of Resentment" explores attitudes among Trump supporters. "Not having that constant reminder of him has to matter. A president's tone matters. There's such a fatigue now. The possibility of unity might feel different to many people than it did even just a few days ago."

Even after the exhausting events of 2020, even with a new chief executive trying to set a different tone, people still have a lot of fight left in them.

Outside the gold-domed Capitol in Denver as Biden was sworn in, T-shirt hawker Rufus Williams waved a Black Lives Matter flag in a solo demonstration of support for the new president and especially for Vice President Harris. He saw little prospect of unity.

"This country is at war with itself," said Williams, who is 61. Trump, he said, "should just go retire on an island somewhere."

Trump supporters need to tone down their rhetoric on social media, Williams said: "They are a racist group of people. I just don't understand what they're thinking - that they're going to build their own white-supremacist world?"

In Topeka, Trump voter Marcie Green, 46, a hospital manager, said she didn't watch a bit of the inauguration festivities because Biden is "a fake president."

She said the 86 judges - many of them Trump appointees - who rejected Trump's claims of election fraud did so only because "the evidence they had was not presented in the proper way."

Green sees no route to unity. Her only hope is that the country somehow "start over," electing all new lawmakers and imposing term limits. "Our country is going down a path, the wrong path, we are never going to get out of," she said.

Beyond the political polarization, the coronavirus and Americans' reliance on social media have also made it hard for Biden to push the country back to "normal," to an era of calmer politics when Americans had a shared base of information and facts, said Lara Putnam, a historian at the University of Pittsburgh who has examined the social forces fueling Trump's support.

"It's hard to think a new normal comes back easily," Putnam said. "The old normal, we realize, actually was different for different people. What is different now is how and where people get their trusted information."

It's not yet clear whether Trump's departure can pave the way toward a return to a society in which Americans share a basic foundation in facts, Putnam said. The country's divide over how much of a threat the coronavirus really poses and how to fight it demonstrates that the nation's fractures lie deeper than Trump, she said.

Somehow, Biden must find a way to persuade disbelieving Americans to accept him and the nation's institutions, even if only grudgingly, said Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion.

"We are not healthy right now," he said. "We are not healthy as a republic. Trump was a symptom of the problems, and he was an accelerant."

Finding a new normal will be difficult for Democrats who are torn between their desire to hold Trump and his Republican enablers accountable and Biden's wish not "to be sidetracked . . . with a long, bitter, protracted trial. You can't demonize your neighbors who went down the path of being a Trump voter. It's an arduous balancing act."

Some Biden voters have concluded that a second trial of Trump might actually move the needle toward unity.

Chad Allen, a 26-year-old salesman in Topeka, agrees with Biden that the country must heal, "but at the same time, [Trump] shouldn't be able to get away with it," he said. "People can ask, 'What's the point of impeaching him now?' But you hate to see someone escape the justice system - especially the president. It's not vengeance, it's more accountability."

Len Murray, an independent who supported Biden, had hoped that the result of Trump's drive to overturn the election outcome - affirmation by dozens of courts and every state government that the election was fair - would finally persuade Trump supporters to accept reality.

"We need to accept that first and stop talking past one another," said Murray, a 55-year-old operations manager in the food industry in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Murray has voted for Republicans and Democrats through the years, from Ronald Reagan to Hillary Clinton. During Wednesday's inauguration, he stood outside the Florida Capitol holding an American flag, standing behind a sign that said, "One country, one flag. United we stand."

An impeachment trial may set back efforts to build unity, he said, but Trump's actions must be investigated and exposed. "Because people died," he said. "I mean, you had an insurrection there."

Still, Murray said, "we have to listen to one another. We have 75 million people who voted for Trump regardless of what we saw. Let's have a reset. And I think Biden is the right kind of guy for that. We can all get around him and come together on this in these four years. And in four years, we have another election."

- - -

Fisher reported from Washington; Gowen from Topeka, Kan.; Shammas from Tallahassee; and Spolar from Harrisburg, Pa. The Washington Post's Peter Whoriskey in Columbus, Ohio, and Jennifer Oldham in Denver contributed to this report.
While the Yankees may seem like theyre taking a big risk acquiring Jameson Taillon from the Pirates, fresh off his second Tommy John surgery, two big-league talent evaluators who spoke to NJ Advance Media didnt see it that way.

The evaluators  one from the National League Central, the other from the American League Central  each said they believed the Yankees will be more than happy with their newest addition. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they werent permitted to speak publicly.

Monster stuff was how the NL scout described the arsenal of Taillon, whose fastball averaged 95 mph and touched 99 mph when he was healthy and dominant in 2018. In 2019, he was limited to just seven starts and needed TJ, which wiped out his 2020.

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Taillons first Tommy John surgery came in 2014.

We used to worry a whole lot more about pitchers who endure the procedure, which reconstructs the elbows ulnar collateral ligament, the scout said. But now theres just more evidence to support that maybe we dont need to. Nate Eovaldis that guy. The Padres just re-upped (Mike) Clevinger. I think medically were probably changing a little bit on that to where were probably having a little bit higher of a comfort level.

The scout added that the Yankees medical staff wouldnt have given the OK on the deal if they werent comfortable with the state of Taillons elbow  nor would have general manager Brian Cashman surrendered four prospects for him.

Taillon was the No. 2 overall pick in 2010, and the scout had been tracking him since then, calling him a high-quality guy with a bit of an edge.

Speaking of the Pirates return, the Yankees paid a price that will wind up sneaky good for Pittsburgh, the AL scout said. New York sent righty Miguel Yajure, righty Roansy Contreras, infielder Maikol Escotto and outfielder Canaan Smith to the Pirates.

The scout said he loved the hard contact ability and the eye of Smith, a 21-year-old who hit .307 with 11 bombs in 124 games at Low-A Charleston in 2019. The Yankees picked him in the fourth round of the MLB Draft in 2017. The scout added that Contreras and Yajure each low-ceiling but high-floor starting rotation bets. The scout said he particularly appreciated Yajures propensity to throw any pitch in any count.

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Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
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Patrick James Lee coughed and spat at police officers after testing positive for coronavirus, telling them: "You've got COVID now". (SWNS)

A thug arrested for domestic abuse offences coughed and spat at police officers after testing positive for coronavirus, telling them: Youve got COVID now.

Patrick James Lee also threatened to bite the officers as they guarded him in hospital, a court heard.

The 38-year-old, who had previous convictions for domestic violence, has been jailed for 21 months after pleading guilty to assaulting two emergency service workers, as well as a charge of coercive and controlling behaviour.

Handing him the sentence at York Crown Court, Recorder Mark McKone told Lee: You were tested for COVID-19, your test was positive and you knew that. You showed a complete lack of respect for the police.

Lee was jailed for 21 months at York Crown Court. (PA)

York Crown Court heard that Lee had been arrested for controlling and coercive behaviour towards his girlfriend in November when he was taken to York Hospital.

Two officers were assigned to stand guard over him but when they arrived at 2am, Lee was walking around a ward in just his boxer shorts and socks, causing a disturbance and trying to talk to other patients.

Read more: Police break up Birmingham student party which 'some guests travelled 200 miles for'

As they tried to calm him down, he fought off the officers  one of whom suffers from Asthma  and was swearing and shouting.

Prosector Andrew Stranex said: This defendant made determined efforts to cough and spit at the officers.

He told the court that Lee, who knew he was carrying the virus, shouted at them: Youve got Covid now, and when he was told he could have infected others, replied: Good. I hope they are both police officers.

The court heard Lee had been arrested for controlling and coercive behaviour against his girlfriend after banging her head repeatedly against a kitchen draining board and jumping on her head in a different incident, as well as locking her in the house.

His barrister Chris Moran said Lee had drug and alcohol problems and had suffered two close family bereavements in four years that had affected him badly.

Story continues

While remanded in prison he had taken COVID-19 hygiene training so he could work as a prison cleaner, the court heard.

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Paks blueprint for ties with US based on economy not security: Report

Newly wed 22-year-old bride gangraped in front of husband by four robbers in Pakistan

Over 300 Pak Twitter handles set to disturb farmers tractor rally: Delhi Police

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Jan 24: Delhi Police on Sunday claimed that over 300 Twitter handles have been generated from Pakistan to disrupt the tractor rally proposed by protesting farmers on Republic Day.

Detailing the plan for the tractor parade, Deependra Pathak, Special Commissioner of Police (Intelligence) said the rally on Tuesday will be conducted amid tight security after the Republic Day celebrations conclude.

'Over 300 twitter handles have been generated from Pakistan during January 13 to 18 to disrupt the tractor rally by farmers only by misleading people. There are inputs about the same from different agencies too. It will be a challenging task for us but the rally will be conducted amid tight security after the Republic Day parade is over,' Pathak said at a press conference.

Since November last year, farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have been protesting against the Centre's three new agriculture laws at several Delhi border points, including Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur, demanding that the legislations be repealed.

Farmer unions claim Delhi police nod for 100-km tractor rally on Republic day

Pathak said, "As the farmers wanted to do a tractor rally on January 26, we have come to a conclusion that the rally will be conducted after the timing of the Republic Day Celebration ends. We have given them around 170 kilometres of distance in three routes".

Barricades and other security arrangements will be removed and the farmers will enter the national capital. Later, they will return to their destinations after covering a 'respectable' distance, police said.

"For the Delhi Police, it will be a challenging task. We have spoken to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh Police officers about how it will be conducted in a convenient way. The rally will be started after the time period of the Republic Day Celebration has ended," he said.

"We will have the tractor rally on January 26 and there will be no disturbance of the Republic Day celebration and security arrangements," Pathak said.

The professional assessment of these routes has been done, he said.

The expected number of tractors should be distributed in a way that the rally will be concluded in a peaceful and discipline way, police said, adding that adequate security will be provided to the rally.

"The rally will start from Singhu border and pass through Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar, Kanjhawala, Bawana, Auchandi Borer, Kundli-Manesar-Palwal expressway and will return to Singhu border. It will cover a stretch of around 62 kilometres,' Pathak said.

He said the farmers with their tractors will start from Tikri border and pass via Nangloi, Najafgarh, Jharoda, Kundli-Manesar-Palwal expressway and will head back to Tikri border.

"The rally from Ghazipur border will pass through Apsara Border, Hapur Road Kundli-Manesar-Palwal expressway and concluded at Ghazipur. Those farmers group will cover 46 kilometres of distance," Pathak said.

The routes will cover over 100 kilometres of distance in the national capital, police said.

The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha assured that they will go back to their respective places from where the rally started, police said.

As of now, there are approximately 12,000 to 13,000 tractors at various Delhi border points -- around 7,000 to 8,000 at Tikri, around 5,000 at Singhu and around 1,000 at Ghazipur border -- police said, adding that their number is expected to go further up.

While police tried to convince farmer leaders to hold their tractor parade outside the national capital, they were adamant on holding the proposed rally on Delhi's busy Outer Ring Road.

Earlier, there have been three rounds of meetings between the unions and police officers from Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, but it was during the fourth round of talks over the tractor parade on Friday where both sides reached an agreement.

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Story first published: Sunday, January 24, 2021, 21:26 [IST]
Speaking at the AIPAC policy conference in 2016, then-candidate Donald Trump proclaimed: "When I become president, the days of treating Israel like a second-class citizen will end on day one. And when I say something, I mean it. I mean it."

Obviously, this was an applause line, meant to fire up the crowd based on what many felt had been a difficult past eight years for the U.S.-Israel relationship under President Obama. Upon hearing that line, the majority most likely assumed that should Trump be elected, the U.S.-Israel relationship would return to something akin to a George W. Bush or Bill Clinton relationship. In both cases, it was a warm relationship, and the Obama administration had been a sharp departure from that. However, the phrase "second-class citizens" didn't appear to have specific meaning.

Though many supporters of the U.S.-Israel relationship certainly hoped Trump would live up to his campaign promises, there was still skepticism: would Trump be fundamentally different from previous presidents on issues like Jerusalem and the settlements, and would he take that major step of leaving the Iran deal? Yes, these issues were important to his evangelical base, and there were pro-Israel figures among Trump's campaign, but how he would operate as president remained unknown.

As we witnessed over the past four years, the Trump administration's approach to Israel was qualitatively different from all previous administrations'. Jared Kushner voiced this difference by saying previous administrations viewed being openly pro-Israel as inhibiting peace, whereas in reality, the opposite happened. Additionally, he dismissed the notion of America being an honest broker. "[P]eople used a false notion of America being an honest brokerbut America is not impartial. America's job is to look after the interests of America. And one of the things that is a fundamental underpinning of our Middle East policy toward stability is the relationship with Israel, which we want to strengthen."

And strengthen it they did.

Some of the most notable and public steps taken were the administration's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, declaring that Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria are legal, taking swift and decisive action at the U.N. to quash anti-Israel resolutions, putting international institutions discriminating against Israel on notice that this behavior will no longer be tolerated, cutting off the numerous channels that the Palestinian Authority used to delegitimize Israel, and declaring the BDS movement anti-Semitic.

There were other symbolic moves, such as President Trump visiting Israel on his first foreign trip and being the first president to visit the Western Wall, Secretary Pompeo being the first U.S. secretary of state to visit Judea and Samaria, and Secretary Pompeo encouraging Israel to defeat its enemies decisively  all of which were a stark contrast to previous administrations, which spoke in terms only of Israel defending itself.

Though the Trump administration supported Israel like no other U.S. administration, an objective analysis might not render the actions extraordinary or out of the realm of how one country treats a close ally. Recognizing the stated capital of an ally, recognizing sovereignty over land vital to an ally's security and captured in a defensive war, and combatting diplomatically those who would destroy an ally are all normal actions a country would take.

Yet, retrospectively, Israel had been subject to and accepted many norms in its existence that were hardly normal for a regular country. It was precisely that status that made Trump's actions all the more remarkable. However, in essence, Trump's actions affirmed his promise at the AIPAC conference that the days of "treating Israel like a second-class citizen will end on day one" of his presidency.

This dynamic of the Trump administration seeing policy actions as the way to treat an ally was on display when Secretary Pompeo announced in a press conference with Prime Minister Netanyahu that the United States would be declaring the BDS movement "anti-Semitic" and moving to cut off U.S. support for organizations in favor of it. Pompeo expressed the sentiment that this action wasn't extraordinary; rather, it was the normal course of action. He said to Netanyahu, "I know this may sound simple...a statement of fact." However, Netanyahu, used to the second-class treatment, expressed the sentiment of how not normal and taken for granted such an action is: "It doesn't sound simple. It sounds simply wonderful."

Treating Israel as a normal country extended to other areas. It was that perspective that led to President Trump publicly questioning why Israel would allow Congresswomen Tlaib and Omar to visit the country when their only purpose was to slander and create a P.R. disaster for Israel. This same treatment was manifested when Trump decided that it was necessary to pull U.S. troops out of Syria despite Israeli concerns, which he dismissed by reminding Israel that the United States gives $4.5 billion to Israel in order to defend itself.

With the dawn of the new Biden administration, there will be sharp policy changes concerning Israel and the Middle East. Putting aside all of the actions taken in support of Israel, both the symbolic and concrete, as well as the private and the public, one of the major gifts that the Trump administration leaves Israel with is that it should no longer see itself as or accept a reality where it is a second-class citizen among the nations.

Gideon Israel is the author of the book Broken Values: How The Democratic Party Platform Betrays Its Followers and America.

Image via Pixy.
New Delhi:

The Pakistani Border Action Team (BAT) made up of special forces men and terrorists were armed with special daggers and headband cameras to mutilate and record the attack on the Indian Army patrol party after entering 600 meters across the LoC in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district.

The attack left two Indian soldiers dead while one BAT member was killed in retaliatory action by Indian troops.

Army troops during search and sanitation operations recovered the body of a member of the BAT team along LoC in Gulpur sector of Poonch district on Friday.

The body of the intruder killed in the BAT attempt on 22 June has been retrieved and handed over to the local police, a senior army officer told PTI.

Arms, ammunition and other war-like stores including a special dagger and a headband with a camera, knife, one AK rifle, 3 magazines, 2 grenades besides dresses and bags was recovered which reflects the barbaric mindset of the Pakistan Army, he said.

The resolute action of our soldiers didnt let the nefarious plan (of mutilating bodies and recording it on camera) succeed, officer said.

Giving details, the officer said that a special class of dagger and a knife was meant to engineer quick mutilation and beheading of jawans killed in the firing exchanges and it has been foiled by the quick action by Indian soldiers.

The BAT member was wearing headband with camera on his head to record the action and possible mutilation of jawans, which was prevented by other troops who shot dead one of them and injured another, he said.

The officer said it is a matter of investigation whether the camera was live connected with Pakistan Army establishments across the border.

The data and details of the camera will be analysed, he said.

We are confident that another BAT member has also been killed but his body was taken back by the other members of the BAT, he said.

In the third such attack this year, a team of Pakistani special forces yesterday sneaked 600 metres across the Line of Control (LoC) into the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

Also Read: Multiple blasts and firing kill 62 in Pakistan; IS, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan claims responsibility

The Border Action Team (BAT), which generally comprises special forces personnel of the Pakistan Army and some terrorists, carried out the attack at around 2 pm yesterday under heavy cover fire by Pakistani troops from their posts, he said.

A Border Action Team of five to seven heavily-armed men, under the cover of Pakistani firing, entered 600 meters inside the LoC in Gulpur forward area in Poonch sector around 2 PM yesterday and launched a fierce attack on Indian Army patrol party with several types of weapons, the official said.

The Pakistani attackers came up to 200 meters near the Indian posts.

During the attack, the Pakistani troops resorted to firing in Gulpur-Karmara-Chakan-Da-Bagh area along the LoC.

The armed intruders targeted an area domination patrol of the Indian Army, triggering a gunfight, the official said.

The Indian troops killed one of the attackers and injured another whose extrication was facilitated by the cover fire by the Pakistani troops from their posts.

In the firefight, two Indian soldiers were killed. They were 34-year-old Naik Jadhav Sandip of Aurangabad, Maharashtra and 24-year-old Sepoy Mane Savan Balku of Kolhapur, Maharashtra.

The Pakistani firing continued till 3.30 PM on Friday even as the Indian posts retaliated strongly.

In a similar BAT attack on May 1, two Indian soldiers were beheaded in Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch district. That attack too was carried out under the cover of shelling by the Pakistani troops.

Prior to that, a BAT attack was carried out in February but there were no casualties.

Earlier, there have been several BAT attacks in which Indian jawans have been beheaded or their bodies mutilated.

On October 28 last year, militants attacked a post and killed an Indian Army soldier and mutilated his body close to the Line of Control (LoC) in the Machil sector.

In January 2013, Lance Naik Hemraj was killed and his body mutilated by a BAT. It had also beheaded Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh.

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Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal finally got married today, after a long courtship, in a rather small and intimate ceremony, among close friends and family.

Varun Dhawan

Owning to the restrictions because of COVID-19, the couple decided to tie the knot in The Mansion House in Alibaug. Among the attendees, were Varun's mentor, Karan Johar, ace designer Manish Malhotra, and Sidharth Malhotra.



According to reports, the ceremonies for the wedding started at around 6:30 PM in the evening. The ceremonies were finally concluded at around 8:30 PM, finally making the longtime couple, a husband and wife.

Varun Dhawan

Varun and Natasha were childhood friends, long before they decided to tie the knot. Although they haven't been overly vocal about their relationship, they weren't too shy of acknowledging it either, choosing to speak about it as and when the opportunity was appropriate. Case in point would be Varun's interview with Kareena Kapoor Khan, for her radio chat show, What Women Want, where he stated that although they met when in the 6th standard, Varun decided to ask her out in the 11-12th standard.



Viral Bhayani

Coming to the sherwani that Varun was seen wearing, it is exquisite, to say the least. The intricate embroidery and the structure has a very aristocratic appeal.



Viral Bhayani

The sherwani is rather understated, simple, subtle, and yet opulent, which sits rather perfectly, with the lehenga that Natasha Dalal is seen wearing. The blue chunni, again, adds to the regal aesthetic of Varun's sherwani. We also like that Varun matched his juttis with his sherwani. Nothing else would have worked, nearly as well.



Viral Bhayani

Given that Natasha is a haute couturier herself, it can be safely assumed that she designed her own wedding lehenga. The lehenga has some really intricate embroidery and zari work. The intricacy and the cream backdrop against which the embroidery is set, give it a very elegant and aristocratic appeal.



Viral Bhayani

Several reports stated that the couple will be hosting a reception in Mumbai, on the 2nd of February. It is also believed that Varun & Natasha would be travelling to Turkey for their honeymoon, and will probably be staying at The Ciragan Palace, in Istanbul.



Viral Bhayani

Owing to the covid restrictions, the wedding was attended by about 50 people, who began flocking to the tiny island about two days ago.



As stated, the couple plan on throwing a reception in Mumbai on the 2nd of February. It will be rather interesting to see, what the two wear for their wedding reception.






Pia wants informal sector workers prioritized in COVID-19 vaccination

Senator Pia Cayetano has urged the National Task Force Against COVID-19 to include informal sector workers in the priority list of vaccine recipients under the government's vaccination program.

"Ang ating informal sector, 'yung sari-sari store [sellers] and street vendors, nakikisalamuha sila sa iba't ibang mga tao araw-araw," Cayetano said at the continuation of the Senate inquiry on the national vaccination plan on Friday.

"I just wanted to be sure because I didn't see them in the priority list. Even the informal sectors in the tourism [industry]--yung nagbebenta ng [souvenirs] pati na rin yung mga masahista. I think they are very vital to the stability and improvement of our economy," she added.

Responding to Cayetano, national task force deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon said that workers in the informal sector, particularly the vendors, are considered part of the indigent Filipino sector which, he said, will be accorded "higher priority, even above the essential workers."

"Informal workers would definitely be covered in the priority sectors," he assured.

Based on the initial list presented by Dizon, priority recipients include frontline healthcare workers, senior citizens, indigents, uniformed personnel, teachers, and social workers.

He noted that various technical working groups in the vaccine cluster are still working with the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Labor and Employment to have a definitive list of priority essential workers.

Essential workers include the workforce in the sectors of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, transportation, construction, food, tourism, essential retail, water refilling stations, laundry services, logistics and courier services, sanitation services, communication, energy, power, and fuel.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. clarified in the same hearing that the target date for the country's COVID-19 vaccine rollout is still on February 20.
Glen Newhart strode, jubilant, between rows of retired doctors and nursing students pumping coronavirus vaccines into nearly 200 vineyard workers on Thursday.

Two weeks ago, this vaccination clinic at Napa Valley Colleges St. Helena campus didnt exist. Newhart, the president and CEO of the St. Helena Hospital Foundation, helped birth the clinic out of a crazy Friday afternoon of phone calls. In just four days, the foundation pivoted from testing to fundraising $5,000 a day for supplies and a couple medical workers. With help from the county and community, it also found more volunteers and secured the site donated by the college.

On the first day the clinic opened, one elderly woman burst into tears in relief, Newhart said.

They just feel like the last year theyve been outrunning this invisible enemy, trying to do everything they can, and for them this feels like the first step on offense, Newhart said.

The clinic, which is giving hundreds of shots a day, is an unorthodox collaboration among the county health department, firefighters, police officers, volunteers, vintners, venture capitalists and the foundation, the philanthropic arm of the local hospital run by Adventist Health. The largely privately funded effort is likely easier in St. Helena, encircled by world-famous wineries, than in a poorer community, but the organizers believe the model can be replicated across the state.

Everything you see here is powered by philanthropy, Newhart said. The perception is that Napa is a very affluent county, and it is, but there is also extreme poverty ... Our mission is to not leave anybody behind.

The only catch: The clinic, like every other across the country, is facing a vaccine shortage when the need is most acute. In Napa County, ICU capacity was at 5% on Friday; last week, it was down to zero. The virus has rippled through the workforce of the regions critical wine industry, hitting some undocumented workers toiling nonstop through the pandemic and wildfires.

Brittany Hosea-Small / Special to The Chronicle

When California set a goal to vaccinate 1 million people in 10 days, Napa County rushed to ready people and places to ramp up shots. The county, with a population of 138,000 people, has now administered more than 14,000 doses through two county-run locations and the clinic at the college. Thats a higher rate than other local counties. More than 30,000 Napa County residents have signed up on a county website to get notified when theyre eligible to get a shot.

Supply is already dwindling: Napa County only has appointments scheduled until Tuesday, with uncertainty beyond that, spokeswoman Janet Upton said Wednesday. The distribution of doses across the state has been sluggish, with empty promises from the previous federal administration about how many doses of vaccine are available and a halting rollout for most of Californias supply. Meanwhile, the virus continues to kill.

Alfredo Pedroza, chairman of the Napa County Board of Supervisors, said at the clinic Thursday that partnering with the private sector has been critical and that communities with the infrastructure should be rewarded with necessary vaccines.

When we have a community that mobilized so quickly, theres a lot of frustration that happens at the local level of why would we need to cancel vaccine clinics, which may be the scenario for us next week. Those are the questions were asking the state, he said. Were all in this together, this is not about finger-pointing, this is about working together to get vaccines to communities that are ready and able to distribute.

By the time the clinic opened at 10 a.m., more than 60 vineyard workers with appointments were waiting in line. Inside, a mix of Spanish and English echoed across the sun-filled courtyard.

It feels like a party, said Fabio Maia, a chaplain at St. Helena Hospital, as he directed people at the door to registration. Each person was greeted by a volunteer, who took them to a chair inside to fill out paperwork and get a shot from a health care worker, then sit for 15 minutes to monitor for allergic reactions.

Marianne Scerri and Margaret Mangan, 66-year-old best friends who watched their kids grow up together in Calistoga schools, stood side by side in blue scrubs, masks and face shields draining vials of Moderna vaccines into syringes. Scerri, a retired nurse practitioner, signed up to volunteer at a vaccine clinic after the county sent out an emergency alert seeking health care workers to give shots last week. Mangan volunteered on her day off as a nurse at St. Helena Hospital, where shes worked for 32 years and finished vaccinating her co-workers.

Mangan already got her two doses and Scerri received one, with her next scheduled for early February. They cant wait to spend time with their families again  it was Scerris granddaughters second birthday Thursday  and give out as many shots as they can.

This is so exciting, Mangan said. I just want to be able to live again.

It feels fabulous, Scerri said. I do really believe that until we get everyone vaccinated, were not going to get back to normal. ... there are lots of people to get out here and do this, we just need the vaccines.

Beside them with a clipboard signing up patients was Robin McGuire, 64. She lives across the street from the college and came over to cheer on her neighbors over 75 getting shots on the first day. She volunteered to help with paperwork and got pulled in, getting her own first shot that day. Shes looking forward to hugging her six grandchildren and two great-grandkids after she gets the next in early February. For now, the retired science teacher and flight attendant is helping at the clinic.

Its a great day, Jose! McGuire whooped as she raised her arms at Jose Garcia, a worker at Renteria Vineyard Management, after she signed him up for his shot Thursday.

The clinic expanded last week to teachers and vineyard workers, who are within the current tier prioritized by the state, although not many other counties have started giving them shots yet. Carina De La Cruz, 39, a supervisor at Renteria, said she was surprised to get called Tuesday to get a vaccine. She waited in line for three hours Thursday before getting her shot. The widowed mother of two is longing for a return to normalcy.

Its very hard, but we have to, she said about working full time while homeschooling her kids last year.

Richard Allen, vice president of viticulture and winemaking at Rombauer Vineyards, brought 17 of his oldest and highest-risk workers to get shots and received one himself. COVID-19 social distancing protocol has made it harder and less efficient to work, and people have a high level of anxiety, he said.

Hopefully, it will bring that level of anxiety down, and, hopefully, life will start to return to normal, Allen said.

At a peak last week, the clinic was giving out 550 doses a day. By Thursday, the number dropped to 190. On Friday, it bounced back up to 320, including about 260 teachers who were vaccinated. The clinic errs on the side of overbooking appointments and then canceling them, with no shots going to waste, Newhart said. On Thursday, around 50 people waiting in line were turned away when doses ran out at noon.

Local venture capitalist Joe Schoendorf, who spearheaded the effort to raise around $100,000 from vintners and the community on the social network Nextdoor to keep the clinic running for a month, said vaccine supply, not money, is the problem.

California is the No. 1 tech place in the United States, our economy is the fifth largest in the whole world, theres no reason we shouldnt be the first in distributing this, Schoendorf said. My goal is to simply help our local government get connected with the right people in Silicon Valley to fix the problem.

With vaccine supply uncertain, so is the fate of the pandemic  and Americans lives. President Biden, who said his top priority is tackling the pandemic, pledged to give 100 million shots in his first 100 days.

We are hopeful, Pedroza said. Our residents demand answers.

Mallory Moench is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mallorymoench

The BBC is planning to screen a documentary showing how teenagers could carry out DIY gender changes.

The BBC Three film, DIY Trans Teens, will publicise the work of a doctor who has been struck off in the UK and now operates an online firm overseas that offers gender-change drugs to people in the UK.

In December, the High Court said the effects of the drugs were unknown and may include long-term harm, meaning it was very unlikely that children could give informed consent to their use.

That ruling led to warnings that vulnerable youngsters will try to access hormone drugs online, potentially exposing themselves to lasting damage.

The BBC had initially planned to start screening the DIY Trans Teens documentary on January 26

BBC publicity material for the show confirms it will offer examples of people obtaining unregulated drugs via the internet

Despite such worries, the BBC is planning to screen the DIY trans film  showing how drugs are obtained online from abroad.

BBC publicity material for the show confirms it will offer examples of people obtaining unregulated drugs via the internet.

It says: Trans activist Charlie Craggs meets trans teenagers who are getting unregulated hormones online and starting their own transitions without medical intervention.

Charlie meets a doctor who has been struck off in relation to her work with trans patients and a lawyer who is launching a case in the High Court on behalf of a 14-year-old who has been waiting over a year for his first appointment with the NHS.

The doctor is understood to be Helen Webberley who runs a company called Gender GP, which uses a website outside the UK to offer hormone drugs to people in Britain.

Webberleys medical licence has been suspended and in 2018 she was fined 12,000 for illegally providing healthcare services from her home in Wales.

The BBC had initially planned to start screening the DIY Trans Teens documentary on January 26.

All references to the show were removed from the Corporations website last week after attracting attention on social media.

However, a BBC spokesman said the programme will still go ahead in due course: The programme isnt finished yet so will air at a later date  the programme page and [transmission date] were taken down as a result of this.

The 162nd anniversary of the Union of Romanian Principalities is marked on Sunday in the entire country by various events. Local authorities have chosen to celebrate the Little Union through small ceremonies, in accordance with the restrictions imposed in the context of the pandemic. Cultural institutions in the country also mark the anniversary with plays, but also with concerts, most of which are broadcast online, according to AGERPRES.

Every year, on January 24, Romania celebrates the Union of the Romanian Principalities Day, marking the moment of the union of Moldavia with The Romanian Country (1859) under the leadership of ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza (1859 - 1866). This major event in the history of our country was the first step taken in achieving a united Romanian state.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24) - Four Metro Manila universities on Sunday slammed the claim of a military official that they are allegedly recruitment havens for communist groups.

The Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, and the Far Eastern University released a joint statement denouncing the earlier statement of Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr., spokesperson of the governments anti-communist task force, that some 18 universities in the country are hotbeds of communist recruitment.

This charge, though, is really getting old-- a rehash of the public accusation the general made in 2018 --irresponsibly since cast without proof, read the statement.

This is not first time that the military official made such claim. In 2018, Parlade alleged that the Communist Party of the Philippines is recruiting members in different schools through screening of martial law films.

We therefore object to General Parlades statement and emphasize that our institutions neither promote nor condone recruitment activities of the New Peoples Army and, indeed, of any movement that aims to violently overthrow the government, the statement said.

Moreover, the schools also said that they value the Filipinos basic Constitutional rights of speech, thought assembly, and organization.

And as institutions of higher learning that are stewards of the youth, repositories and producers of knowledge, and builders of communities, we must retain independence and autonomy from the State and other social institutions, they added.

The schools also said that they uphold their responsibilities to promote learning and safeguard the rights of the young who are entrusted to our care.

Signed in the statement are ADMU president Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ, DLSU president Br. Raymundo Suplido, FSC, FEU president Dr. Michael Alba, and UST vice rector Fr. Isaias Tiongco, OP.

The red-tagging" of universities came into light again following the abrogation of the 1989 University of the Philippines-Department of National Defense Accord, citing that the state university has become a recruitment hub for communist groups.
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These just-launched game-changing products have revitalised my make-up bag

The beauty business doesnt need seasons for reasons to launch new products; they can  and do  happen at any time. But January always sees a raft of newness and here are my top five

1 Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow Foundation (40, harrods.com). More like hydrating skincare with pigment added than just a base, I love this foundation. Moisturising and lightweight, it also has capucine extract to boost cell oxygenation  essentially it helps your complexion look even more glowing. The slightly matt finish leaves skin perfected. Full marks. Available in 30 shades.

2 The Inkey List Succinic Acid Blemish Treatment (6.99, theinkeylist.com). Blemish treatments have been booming as many of us suffer from breakouts due to mask wearing (aka maskne). This Inkey List offering focuses on a lesser-known ingredient: succinic acid (though its well known in medical circles), which helps to clear blemishes and pores quickly but is kind to skin. It also includes salicylic acid, good for exfoliating, sulphur powder to reduce excess sebum without drying skin, and a chlorophyllin-copper complex that reduces inflammation and gives the treatment its unusual green hue (invisible once applied).

3 Elizabeth Arden Flawless Start Hydrating Serum Primer (28, elizabetharden.co.uk). With a very lightweight gel texture, this hyaluronic acid-based serum helps to hydrate and plump skin and works as a great prep before make-up. The formula includes thyme oil, which offers antibacterial properties and adds glow but doesnt feel greasy.

4 Revlon ColorStay Brow Fiber Filler in Clear (8.99, boots.com). There are coloured versions of this brow filler but I am currently obsessed with the clear one. You brush it on much like a mascara and it plumps up and primes brows. If you add a coloured fibre on top they look even more filled out and emphatic  but still natural.

5 Charlotte Tilbury Happikiss, (25, charlottetilbury.com). A new entry into the hybrid lip category where tinted balms meet gloss-like finishes and sheer colour washes that moisturise as they go. But this is a very lovely and sumptuous option and contains hyaluronic acid to aid hydration. I love the Pillow Talk shade, Charlottes classic nudey-pink. Be warned, when you twist up the bullet you cant twist it back down so dont push up more than you need.

@edwinaingschambers

A REAL NATURAL BEAUTY

New to these shores from Italy is affordable skincare brand Florena (its under the umbrella of Beiersdorf, which also brings us Nivea, Eucerin and La Prairie). Florena is a Cosmos-certified natural and vegan brand with a focus on flower and fermented ingredients and a mission to prove that natural skincare can be efficacious.

The face oils are definite hero products and contain flower extracts  obtained by heat treatment rather than any chemical process  and feature suspended petals in the jars, too. I like the Illuminating Facial Oil (24.99, boots.com), which features both pink helichrysum, a flower used since the 19th century for skincare, and fermented safflower oil to hydrate and brighten skin.

The face creams follow similar lines. The Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream (24.99), another hero product, includes hydrating hyaluronic acid, fermented honeysuckle (to reduce oxidative stress which can cause inflammation and break down collagen) and fermented olive oil.

Why fermented ingredients? Essentially the fermentation process boosts the efficacy of the ingredients and changes their molecular structure so much that they require a different ingredient name. So that olive oil, for instance, once it has gone through the fermentation process, has ten times more antioxidants than in its normal state.

The range also has an environmental focus. Packaging uses recycled materials and can be recycled. More than that, sizing has been stripped back to the minimum so that a normal 50ml pot almost looks like a sample size and weighs around 7g instead of a more usual 40g.

For more information go to florena.co.uk

MY NEW HIT SPRITZ

Recently I wrote a bit of an ode to Sisleys classic Eau de Campagne fragrance. For, although Sisley may be most associated with skincare, it creates some truly wonderful perfumes, too. So Id also like to recommend its latest: Izia La Nuit, a warmer and more sultry version of the original rose-based Izia. This has oak moss and patchouli added for elegance, depth and sumptuousness but also some sparking top notes of mandarin and blackcurrant to keep an element of lightness and optimism to the blend.

From 94.50 for 30ml, sisley-paris.co.uk
At least two dead after blast in central Madrid

At least two people died and several were injured when a building in central Madrid belonging to the Catholic Church was blown apart by an explosion.
The BBC Panorama team investigating how Martin Bashir obtained his notorious interview with Princess Diana have been left frustrated after the Corporation denied them easy access to even the most basic documents.

Journalists commissioned to produce a special edition of the programme that will scrutinise Bashir and the circumstances surrounding the interview  once hailed as the scoop of the century  have complained that BBC bosses are unwilling to co-operate.

Producers trying to access the BBCs broadcasting guidelines from 1995, when the interview was broadcast, were told they would need to submit Freedom of Information requests  an arduous process that takes up to 20 working days for information to be provided.

The Corporations reluctance to co-operate with its own staff will raise concerns over its willingness to get to the bottom of the scandal.

The BBC Panorama team investigating how Martin Bashir obtained his notorious interview with Princess Diana (pictured) have been left frustrated after the Corporation denied them easy access to even the most basic documents

An inquiry into the affair launched by BBC director-general Tim Davie and headed by retired Supreme Court judge Lord Dyson has faced criticism from Dianas brother, Earl Spencer.

It is hoped that the separate Panorama-led inquisition, fronted by veteran journalist John Ware, could go some way to assuage public mistrust in the BBC.

The Mail on Sunday has also been told that Mr Ware was not the BBCs first choice. Media Editor Amol Rajan was initially picked but Mr Ware, one of the Corporations most respected journalists, was ultimately preferred.

In the sensational interview, the Princess revealed there were three people in my marriage, a reference to her estranged husbands relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles, now Duchess of Cornwall.

Journalists commissioned to produce a special edition of the programme that will scrutinise Bashir (pictured) and the circumstances surrounding the interview have complained that BBC bosses are unwilling to co-operate

Five months after the broadcast, The Mail on Sunday revealed that Mr Bashir had commissioned graphic designer Matt Wiessler to forge bank statements to convince Diana that her staff were leaking stories about her.

The BBC launched its own investigation the following year, overseen by Tony Hall, then head of news and current affairs, who retired as director-general in August.

The investigation concluded: The BBC has been able, independently, to verify that these documents were put to no use which had any bearing, direct or indirect, on the Panorama interview with the Princess of Wales.

But fresh publicity around the anniversary of the interview last year prompted Earl Spencer to call for another investigation.

In 2004 Mr Ware, who worked on Panorama between 1986 and 2012, examined the Today programmes report into the death of Dr David Kelly. His Panorama programme, A Fight To The Death, triggered the Hutton Inquiry.

Mr Ware is likely to team up with the programmes editor Rachel Jupp and producer Leo Telling on the investigation.

Mr Bashir, the BBCs religious affairs correspondent, is signed off sick after contracting Covid-19 and having a quadruple heart-bypass operation. He is unlikely to return.

The BBC did not comment on the Panorama investigation but a spokesman said: The BBC will be co-operating fully with the independent investigation it has established, which it has appointed an eminent legal figure to lead.
DUSHANBE -- Mavjuda, a Tajik single mother in her 30s, makes her living by finding customers for a group of sex workers in the Tajik capital -- even though pimping and prostitution are banned in the country.

Mavjuda, who doesnt want her full name published, may soon risk losing her children in order to keep them fed.

Tajikistans parliament is set to amend the countrys Family Law in a way that would deprive convicted pimps and brothel owners of parental rights -- with the state taking away any underage children they have.

The bill is widely expected to be approved. Lawmakers and supporters of the legislation say it is aimed at tackling prostitution and protecting children. But critics say the best way to reduce prostitution and protect families is to create alternative jobs for women so they do not have to resort to working in the illegal sex industry.

Many woman involved in the business say they became sex workers because of the extreme poverty they face in Tajikistan, one of the poorest countries in Central Asia.

Mavjuda says she and the sex workers close to her have heard about the parliament debate over the proposed legislation. She told RFE/RL that women she knows are terrified at the prospect of being forced to hand their children over to the state.

Mavjuda is the only income earner in her family. She says terminating parental rights would only add to the ordeals of the impoverished and cause further anguish in their already miserable lives.

She said passage of the bill will not help anyone and will not bring an end in Tajikistan to what is known as the worlds oldest profession.

Why do [the authorities] think taking away our children will solve anything? [If they care about us], they should help us find jobs so we can work and provide better lives for our kids, Mavjuda said.

The drafting of the law comes after reports that police raids in Dushanbe and other cities have uncovered brothels. Under Tajik law, running a brothel or being involved in the procurement of hired sex is a felony that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Repeat offenders face up to eight years in prison.

Most of these women have at least one or two children for whom they are the only caregivers. Inevitably, what they do affects the minors. When the women are busy at work at night, the children are at home alone.

Prostitution is considered a misdemeanor in Tajikistan, punishable by fines of up to $200. Repeat offenders face higher fines or up to 15 days in detention.



Sex workers often keep the source of their income secret from their relatives, fearing strong stigmas attached to prostitution in the predominantly Muslim society.

Tajikistans State Committee for Women and Family Affairs has been involved in drafting the bill. Committee members say they believe the threat of taking away the custody of children would force people to think twice before getting involved in the risky business.

Committee member Obidjon Sharipov told RFE/RL that the amendments to the existing Family Law would also protect the mental and physical well-being of the children.

Most of these women have at least one or two children for whom they are the only caregivers, Sharipov said. Inevitably, what they do affects the minors. When the women are busy at work at night, the children are at home alone.

Government officials and womens groups say they conduct awareness campaigns that include so-called morality lessons for sex workers, trying to convince them to give up the occupation.

The lessons involve lectures by doctors, law enforcement officials, and local community leaders who warn about the dangers of being involved in prostitution -- such as the risk of becoming infected with sexually transmitted diseases or of falling victim to violence and human trafficking.

Where would I find the money to pay rent and feed my kids?

Some sex workers accuse police of extorting money from prostitutes during raids or beating and insulting them while in custody. Authorities deny the allegations.

We get beaten up by clients, too. [If we call police, they] come and just write down our complaints, and thats it, says Zarina, a 21-year-old sex worker from Dushanbe.

Zarina is the mother of two children who depend on her income. Zarina says she has been involved in prostitution since the age of 16. In recent years, Mavjuda has been helping her to find paying clients.

Zarina fears that if the Family Law is amended in a way that forces Mavjuda to give up pimping, she would struggle to find her own customers and lose her only source of income.

Where would I find the money to pay rent and feed my kids? Zarina asks, noting that she hasnt completed her education and has no practical jobs skills or legal employment experience.

Zarina also says she would gladly give up prostitution if there was another way for her to put food on the table for her children and pay the rent to keep a roof over their heads.

Written by Farangis Najibullah in Prague with reporting from Dushanbe by RFE/RL Tajik Service correspondents Shahlo Abdulloh and Sarvinoz Ruhulloh
The unrelenting increase in Covid-19 infections in Spain following the festive season is again putting a strain on hospitals and threatening the mental health of doctors and nurses who have been at the forefront of the pandemic for nearly a year.

In Barcelonas Hospital del Mar, the critical care capacity has more than doubled and is nearly full, with 80% of ICU beds occupied by coronavirus patients.

There are young people of 20-something years old and older people of 80 years old, all the age groups, said Dr Joan Ramon Masclans, who heads the ICU. This is very difficult, and it is one patient after another.

Even though authorities allowed gatherings of up to 10 people for Christmas and new year celebrations, Dr Masclans chose not to join his family and spent the holidays at home with his partner.

If we want to be cared for adequately, we also need to take care of the healthcare workers, who have suffered and are still suffering Dr Jordi Alonso, researcher

We did it to preserve our health and the health of others. And when you see that this isnt being done (by others) it causes significant anger, added to the fatigue, he said.

A study released this month by Hospital del Mar looking at the impact of the springs Covid-19 surge on more than 9,000 health workers across Spain found that at least 28% suffered major depression. That is six times higher than the rate in the general population before the pandemic, said Dr Jordi Alonso, one of the chief researchers.

In addition, the study found that nearly half of participants had a high risk of anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks or substance and alcohol abuse problems.

Spanish healthcare workers are far from the only ones to have suffered psychologically from the pandemic. In China, the levels of mental disorders among doctors and nurses were even higher, with 50% reporting depression, 45% reporting anxiety and 34% reporting insomnia, according to the World Health Organisation.

In the UK, a survey released last week by the Royal College of Physicians found that 64% of doctors reported feeling tired or exhausted. One in four sought out mental health support.

It is pretty awful at the moment in the world of medicine, said Dr Andrew Goddard, president of the Royal College of Physicians, in a statement accompanying the study. Hospital admissions are at the highest-ever level, staff are exhausted, and although there is light at the end of the tunnel, that light seems a long way away.

Expand Close Covid-19 patients receive treatment in the ICU of the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, Spain (Felipe Dana/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Covid-19 patients receive treatment in the ICU of the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, Spain (Felipe Dana/AP)

Dr Aleix Carmona, a third-year resident in Spains north-eastern region of Catalonia, did not have much ICU experience before the pandemic hit. But as surgeries were cancelled, Dr Carmona was summoned to the ICU at the Moises Broggi hospital outside Barcelona to fight a virus the world knew very little about.

In the beginning, we had a lot of adrenaline. We were very frightened but we had a lot of energy, Dr Carmona recalled. He ploughed through the first weeks of the pandemic without having much time to process the unprecedented battle that was unfolding.

It was not until after the second month that he began feeling the toll of seeing first-hand how people were slowly dying as they ran out of breath. He pondered what to tell patients before intubating them. His initial reaction had always been to reassure them, tell them it would be alright. But in some cases he knew that was not true.

I started having difficulty sleeping and a feeling of anxiety before each shift, Dr Carmona said, adding that he would return home after 12 hours feeling like he had been beaten up.

For a while he could only sleep with the help of medication. Some colleagues started taking anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs. What really helped Dr Carmona, though, was a support group at his hospital, where his co-workers unloaded the experiences they had bottled up inside.

The most affected group of healthcare workers, according to the study, were nurses aides and nurses, who are overwhelmingly women and often immigrants. They spent more time with dying Covid-19 patients, faced poor working conditions and salaries and feared infecting family members.

Desiree Ruiz is the nurse supervisor at Hospital del Mars critical care unit. Some nurses on her team have asked to take time off work, unable to cope with the constant stress and all the deaths.

To prevent infections, patients are rarely allowed family visits, adding to their dependency on nurses. Delivering a patients last wishes or words to relatives on the phone is especially challenging, Ms Ruiz said.

This is very hard for people who are holding the hand of these patients, even though they know they will end up dying, she said.

Ms Ruiz, who organises the nurses shifts and makes sure the ICU is always staffed adequately, is finding it harder and harder to do so.

Expand Close Barcelonas Hospital Del Mar has more than doubled its ICU capacity to cope with the influx in critical Covid-19 patients (Felipe Dana/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Barcelonas Hospital Del Mar has more than doubled its ICU capacity to cope with the influx in critical Covid-19 patients (Felipe Dana/AP)

Unlike in the summer, when the number of cases fell and health workers were encouraged to take holidays, doctors and nurses have been working incessantly since the autumn, when virus cases picked up again.

The latest resurgence has nearly doubled the number of daily cases seen in November, and Spain now has the third highest Covid-19 infection rate in Europe and the fourth highest death toll, with more than 55,400 confirmed fatalities.

But unlike many European countries, including neighbouring Portugal, the Spanish health minister has for now ruled out the possibility of a new lockdown, relying instead on less drastic restrictions that are not as damaging to the economy but take longer to decrease the rate of infections.

Dr Alonso fears the latest surge of virus patients could be as detrimental to the mental health of medical staff as the shock of the pandemics first months.

If we want to be cared for adequately, we also need to take care of the healthcare workers, who have suffered and are still suffering, he said.
Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs said on Sunday it has received requests through diplomatic channels to help ease a shortage of chips for the auto sector and that it has asked local tech firms to provide "full assistance". Automakers around the world are shutting assembly lines because of a global shortage of semiconductors that in some cases has been exacerbated by the former Trump administration's actions against key Chinese chip factories, according to industry officials. The shortage has affected Ford Motor Co, Subaru Corp, Toyota Motor Corp, Volkswagen, ...
Trump Impeachment Trial Is Bad for the Country: Sen. Rubio

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said the pending impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump is pointless and unnecessarily divisive.

Its counterproductive, Rubio said on Sunday, according to an interview with Fox News. We already have a flaming fire in this country, and its like taking a bunch of gasoline and pouring it on top of the fire.

He added, Second, I look back at a time, for example, Richard Nixon, who had clearly committed crimes and wrongdoing, and in hindsight I think we would all agree that President Fords pardon was important for the country to be able to move forward. And history held Richard Nixon quite accountable for what he did as a result.

Trump was impeached in the House earlier this month. All Democrats and around 10 Republicans voted to impeach him over his speech on Jan. 6 before a group breached the U.S. Capitol building, although Trump never called for violence and later said he believed his comments were appropriate.

All Im arguing is we have some really important things to work on.  Were gonna jump right back into what weve been going through for the last five years, and stirring it up again with a trial, and its just going to be bad for the country, Rubio said Sunday.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) questions witnesses during a hearing about Venezuela in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Aug. 4, 2020. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)jack p

Some Democratic lawmakers have said that Trump should be convicted in the Senate because that would prevent him from being able to run for the presidency again, although some constitutional law experts have said that an impeachment trial of a former president goes against the Constitution.

I think thats an arrogant statement for anyone to make. Voters get to decide that. Who are we to tell voters who they can vote for in the future? Rubio said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) have confirmed that the article of impeachment will be transmitted from the House to the Senate on Monday. Schumer, in a floor speech, stated that the forthcoming trial is not unconstitutional.

Rubio, meanwhile, said that he hopes the GOP pivots to policies that Trump promoted.

The GOP is the party that nominated Donald Trump and the reason why it didand ultimately got him elected, and he got 75 million votesis because you have tens of millions of Americans that feel this economy isnt working for people like them, that feel socially displaced, even like strangers in their own country, Rubio said.

Rubio added that I hope we can do it in a way that keeps the people who believe were fighting for them and brings back some of the people that perhaps didnt vote for Republicans or didnt vote for the president because they may not like, you know, the way it was said or the way it was done.
Throughout her career, Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert has met and worked with some extraordinary people. One of those people was film, theater, and television actor Maureen Stapleton. The two worked together on the made-for-TV movie, Family Secrets. Throughout the course of filming, the women became close.

Melissa Gilbert | Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Maureen Stapleton

Stapleton was born June 21, 1925, in Troy, New York. She moved to New York City at the age of 18. She modeled to pay the bills and quickly found her way into acting. She studied at the Actors Studio led by Lee Strasberg, where she became friends with Marilyn Monroe.

Stapleton was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Lonelyhearts, Airport, and Interiors. She won the award for her performance as Emma Goldman in Reds. She was also nominated for five Golden Globe Awards, and won for Airport.

RELATED: Why Martin Sheen Told Little House on the Prairie Star Melissa Gilbert She Should Quit Acting

She first appeared on Broadway in 1946 in The Playboy of the Western World. In 1951, she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for The Rose Tattoo. In 1971, she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for The Gingerbread Lady. Stapleton was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1981.

She died in 2006 at her home in Lenox, Massachusetts.

Melissa Gilbert and Maureen Stapleton in Family Secrets

Gilberts production company, Half-Pint Productions, debuted the TV-movie Family Secrets in 1984. The story is about three generations of women who reunite for an emotional weekend after selling their family home. The cast includes Gilbert, Stephanie Powers, and Stapleton.

Gilbert also snuck her then-boyfriend into a scene, Rob Lowe.

Stephanie and I are in the grocery store, Gilbert wrote in her memoir, Prairie Tale. As we walk past a cute guy in the produce section, I turn to check him out. It was Rob.

But Gilbert writes that the best part of shooting Family Secrets was getting to know Stapleton.

More than one of the most amazing actresses of our time, Mo was an amazing woman, wrote Gilbert. She was a ballsy broad, and she was just the tonic my soul needed. A real dame, she had a tremendous appetite for life. She liked to drink and eat, and she didnt mince words.

The stories Maureen Stapleton told Melissa Gilbert while filming Family Secrets

In Prairie Tale, Gilbert describes her ritual of sitting down with Stapleton before work while she sipped a Bloody Mary and told stories that were legendary even then.

My eyes bulged as she recounted the ribald speech she gave at the wrap party for Bye Bye Birdie, and we laughed together as she recalled seeing a critic she didnt like at a restaurant and setting the back of his blazer on fire with a cigarette lighter, she wrote.

Maureen Stapleton | Jack Mitchell/Getty Images

RELATED: Melissa Gilbert on What It Was Really Like Hanging Out With the Brat PackI Was Suddenly Part of a Fraternity

But Gilberts favorite story Stapleton told was about the time the Reds actor went out to dinner with Alan David. After cutting into her steak and realizing it was medium instead of well-done, she called the waiter over.

Take this back and tell the chef I said to piss on it, said Stapleton, as re-told by Gilbert.

Excuse me? asked the waiter.

Well, thats what they do when you send food back, said Stapleton. I just want him to know that I know hes going to piss on it. So tell him to piss on it.

Shivamogga blast: Quarrying within law needed for developmental work, says K'taka CM BS Yediyurappa

India

pti-Madhuri Adnal

Bengaluru, Jan 24: Days after a blast at a stone quarry caused by a truckload of gelatin in Shivamogga, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday said gravel was needed for infrastructure projects, but the quarrying should be within the framework of law.

"When so many national highways, road construction and PWD works are on, gravel is needed. There is no problem in quarrying gravel within the framework of law but our objective is to stop illegal quarrying," Yediyurappa told reporters at Shivamogga.

He visited the blast site today in his hometown where a truckload of gelatin went off at a stone-crusher facility at Hunasody on the outskirts of Shivamogga on Thursday night. The Chief Minister said six people were killed in the blast and a compensation of Rs 5 lakh was announced for their relatives.

Shivamogga dynamite blast: Contractor of stone crushing facility among two detained, High-level probe ordered

Stating that illegal mining was taking place at many places, he said he has given directions with immediate effect to the deputy commissioners of all the districts to stop illegal mining. Yediyurappa said mining would be allowed only if applications were filed. The officials would have to conduct a spot inspection.

Permission would be given only if it did not cause any inconvenience to the people, he said. According to the Chief Minister, the problem of illegal mining is widespread in the state. "This problem of illegal mining is prevalent not only in Shivamogga but also across the state. For example, illegal mining at Baby Betta is causing damage to the KRS Dam. Already, I have ordered stopping it but it is still on," he added.

By Ichiro Banno, KYODO NEWS - Jan 24, 2021 - 13:59 | All, Feature, Japan, 3/11 Fukushima

"Take care. Let's meet again," Nozomi Kaminagakura and Mari Yamamoto said repeatedly as they hugged in a corner of a weed-strewn schoolyard in the town of Namie in Fukushima Prefecture that is still partly under an evacuation order.

The friends were neighbors until they were forced to leave their hometown when they were in the fourth grade because of the Fukushima nuclear disaster triggered by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan.

They smiled for most of the day when they visited Namie in January but became tearful as they were about to part. Wearing kimono, they had attended a coming-of-age ceremony in the town earlier in the day.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, seats at the ceremony were spaced apart and the participants only took off their face masks for the commemorative photograph. There was no reunion party afterward.

Eleven former classmates along with their families visited the abandoned building of Karino Elementary School, which is set to be demolished.

In contrast to the bleak schoolyard, the young adults were cheerful as they shared stories of their school days and took photos.

Their parents also looked delighted to see them enjoying their reunion.

"Where do you live now?" they asked one another. One even asked, "Do you really remember me?"

It was their first return to the school together since the disaster forced all the residents of the town to evacuate.

"We were separated without any time to prepare," one of them said.

Kaminagakura, now a university student in Sendai in adjacent Miyagi Prefecture, said the area where she and Yamamoto used to lived remains basically off limits because radiation levels are still high.

Affectionately calling each other "Non-chan" and "Mari-chan," they played almost every day back then, at a nearby river in the summer and sledding on a hill in the winter.

"I never thought we'd be unable to see each other," Kaminagakura said, adding she had expected to return to the town after a short time.

"It's not the Namie I knew," she said.

At the school, however, she was able to freely converse with her former classmates, even after such a long time. "I was glad they haven't changed."

Minori Yoshida, who attends a technical school in Yokohama, near Tokyo, was forced to evacuate in the midst of moving to her new home in the town. The house remains vacant.

"I feel at ease whenever I come to Namie," said Yoshida, who was visiting for the first time in three years with her family, who now live in the city of Fukushima.

When asked why she feels so, Yoshida said, "Because it is in the countryside? I have mixed feelings though, looking at the scenery now."

About her friends from Namie, she said, "They are special to me."

It might be the last time the former classmates could gather at the school before its demolition. They took a group photo in front of the school building.

A banner placed on the three-story building's balcony read, "Forever in the hearts of Karino pupils. Thank you, Karino Elementary School."

The 11 former classmates were slow to leave, even though the sun was setting, and kept repeating, "Take care. Let's meet again."

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By Carla K. Johnson and Nicky Forster, Associated Press

Straining under record numbers of COVID-19 patients, hundreds of the nations intensive care units are running out of space and supplies and competing to hire temporary traveling nurses at soaring rates. Many of the facilities are clustered in the South and West.

An Associated Press analysis of federal hospital data shows that since November, the share of U.S. hospitals nearing the breaking point has doubled. More than 40% of Americans now live in areas running out of ICU space, with only 15% of beds still available.

Intensive care units are the final defense for the sickest of the sick, patients who are nearly suffocating or facing organ failure. Nurses who work in the most stressed ICUs, changing IV bags and monitoring patients on breathing machines, are exhausted.

You cant push great people forever. Right? I mean, it just isnt possible, said Houston Methodist CEO Dr. Marc Boom, who is among many hospital leaders hoping that the numbers of critically ill COVID-19 patients have begun to plateau. Worryingly, theres an average of 20,000 new cases a day in Texas, which has the third-highest death count in the country and more than 13,000 people hospitalized with COVID-19-related symptoms.

According to data through Thursday from the COVID Tracking Project, hospitalizations are still high in the West and the South, with over 80,000 current COVID-19 hospital patients in those regions. Encouragingly, hospitalizations appear to have either plateaued or are trending downward across all regions. Its unclear whether the easing will continue with more contagious versions of the virus arising and snags in the rollout of vaccines.

In New Mexico, one surging hospital system brought in 300 temporary nurses from outside the state, at a cost of millions of dollars, to deal with overflowing ICU patients, who were treated in converted procedure rooms and surgery suites.

Its been horrid, said Dr. Jason Mitchell, chief medical officer for Presbyterian Healthcare Services in Albuquerque. Hes comforted that the hospital never activated its plan for rationing lifesaving care, which would have required a triage team to rank patients with numerical scores based on who was least likely to survive.

Its a relief that we never had to actually do it, Mitchell said. It sounds scary because it is scary.

In Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center ran into shortages of take-home oxygen tanks, which meant some patients who could otherwise go home were kept longer, taking up needed beds. But the biggest problem is competing with other hospitals for traveling nurses.

Initially, when the COVID surges were hitting one part of the country at a time, traveling nurses were able to go to areas more severely affected. Now with almost the entire country surging at the same time, hospitals are paying twice and three times what they would normally pay for temporary, traveling nurses, said Dr. Jeff Smith, the hospitals chief operating officer.

Houston Methodist Hospital recently paid $8,000 retention bonuses to keep staff nurses from signing up with agencies that would send them to other hot spots. Pay for traveling nurses can reach $6,000 per week, an enticement that can benefit a nurse but can seem like poaching to the hospital executives who watch nurses leave.

Theres a lot of these agencies that are out there charging absolutely ridiculous sums of money to get ICU nurses in, Boom said. They go to California, which is in the midst of a surge, but they poach some ICU nurses there, send them to Texas, where they charge inordinate amounts to fill in gaps in Texas, many of which are created because nurses in Texas went to Florida or back to California.

Space is another problem. Augusta University Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, is treating adult ICU patients, under age 30, in the childrens hospital. Recovery rooms now have ICU patients, and, if things get worse, other areas  operating rooms and endoscopy centers  will be the next areas converted for critical care.

To prevent rural hospitals from sending more patients to Augusta, the hospital is using telemedicine to help manage those patients for as long as possible in their local hospitals.

It is a model I believe will not only survive the pandemic but will flourish post pandemic, said Dr. Phillip Coule, the Augusta hospitals chief medical officer.

Hospitals are pleading with their communities to wear masks and limit gatherings.

There just hasnt been a lot of respect for the illness, which is disappointing, said Dr. William Smith, chief medical officer for Cullman Regional Medical Center in Cullman, Alabama. He sees that changing now with more people personally knowing someone who has died.

It has taken a lot of people, he said of the virus, adding that the death toll  144 people in six months in a county of 84,000  has opened their eyes to the randomness of this.

The Alabama hospitals ICU has been overflowing for six weeks, with 16 virus patients on ventilators in a hospital that a year ago had only 10 of the breathing machines. You can see the stress in peoples faces and in their body language. Its just a lot for people to carry around, Smith said.

Just the fatigue of our staff can affect quality of care. Ive been encouraged weve been able to keep the quality of care high, Smith said. You feel like you are in a very precarious situation where errors could occur, but thankfully weve managed to stay on top of things.

Hospitals say they are upholding high standards for patient care, but experts say surges compromise many normal medical practices. Overwhelmed hospitals might be forced to mobilize makeshift ICUs and staff them with personnel without any experience in critical care. They might run out of sedatives, antibiotics, IVs or other supplies they rely on to keep patients calm and comfortable while on ventilators.

Its really daunting and mentally taxing. Youre doing what you believe to be best practice, said Kiersten Henry, a nurse at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney, Maryland, and a board director for the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

In Oklahoma City, OU Medicine Chief Medical Officer Dr. Cameron Mantor said while the vaccines hold promise, hope still seems dim as ICU cases keep mounting. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations at OU Medicine has declined from more than 100 daily in recent weeks to 98 on Wednesday, Mantor said.

What is stressing everybody out, Mantor said, is looking at week after week after week, the spigot is not being turned off, not knowing there is a break, not seeing the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

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Associated Press writers Marion Renault in Rochester, Minnesota, Nomaan Merchant in Houston and Ken Miller in Oklahoma City contributed.

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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.
Peshawar/ Karachi:

Twin blasts tore through a market crowded with Eid shoppers in a mainly Shia town, a suicide bomber blew up his explosives-laden car and militants opened fire on police in separate attacks in Pakistans three major cities on Friday, killing 62 people and wounding nearly 100.

The suicide bomber blew up his explosives-laden car near Inspector General of Police Ehsan Mehboobs office in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, killing at least 13 people, including seven policemen, and wounding 21 others.

The blast was claimed by both the local affiliate of the Islamic State terror group and by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA), a splinter group of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Thirteen people, including seven policemen, died in the suicide car bombing, officials said.

Hours later, two back-to-back blasts tore through a market crowded with the people shopping for Eid in the Shia-dominated Parachinar city in the Kurram tribal region, killing at least 45 people, mostly Shias, and injuring 75 others.

The first blast occurred during rush hour in Turi Market, where a bus terminal is also located. The second blast took place as rescuers and bystanders rushed to aid those who had been hurt in the first explosion.

At least 45 people have been killed and 75 others injured in Parachinar, an official from the Parachinar administration told PTI.

Earlier, Medical Superintendent of the District General Hospital, Parachinar, Sabir Hussain, confirmed the death of at least 25 people and injuries to over 100 in the blasts. More than 20 of the injured were in critical condition.

No group claimed responsibility for the blasts. However, Sunni militant groups have claimed responsibility for several attacks in the area in the past.

In the evening, two armed men on a motorcycle, with their faces covered with helmets, opened fire on police officers at a roadside restaurant in Karachi and killed four of them.

An assistant sub-inspector was among those killed in the attack, said Superintendent of Police Asif Ahmad.

In Parachinar, officials said the blasts on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramazan targeted people shopping in the area and those heading out of the city ahead of Eid.

Also Read: Pakistan twin blasts: 38 killed, 121 injured in Parachinars Kurram Agency ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr

The emergency and rescue services shifted injured to Agency Headquarters hospital Parachinar. The security forces cordoned off the entire area and started search operation.

Pakistan Army contingents and FC personnel reached the site of the attack to aid in rescue efforts.

Two Army aviation helicopters have taken off from Peshawar to Parachinar for the speedy evacuation of the injured to Peshawar, the army said in a statement.

Rescue operation in progress, it added.

Pakistan army, meanwhile, launched a countrywide intelligence-led military operation against militants. Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said that security has been tightened across the country.

Special Intelligence-Based Operation (IBOs) and search operations (were) launched in coordination with intelligence and other Law Enforcement Agencies, he said.

On March 31, a car bomb blast near an Imambargah of Shia Muslims killed 23 people and injured 70 others in Parachinar.

In January, 25 people were killed and 87 others when a bomb tore through a crowded vegetable market in the same city.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attacks, saying that terrorists involved in the attacks will be taken to task and all out efforts will be taken to eliminate terrorism.

President Mamnoon Hussain, Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai and former president Asif Ali Zardari, among others, also condemned the attack.

Balochistan government spokesperson Anwarul Haq Kakar told Geo News that the suspected Quetta bomber tried to break a security perimetre to target the police offices but blew up after policemen standing guard attempted to stop him.

Of the injured, nine are said to be policemen. Kakar blamed India for the Quetta blast.

DIG Quetta Abdul Razzaq Cheema, addressing the media, said they are examining CCTV footage to determine the details of the incident.

Officials said body parts of the suspected bomber, strewn across the site of the blast, were being collected along with other evidence for forensic examination.

An initial investigation report by Civil Defence Director Aslam Tareen revealed that 75 kilogrammes of explosives were used in the Quetta blast.

Footage of the incident showed two vehicles badly damaged in the explosion, while debris lay scattered on the street.

Officials said the explosion was loud enough to be heard from a distance and shattered windows of nearby buildings.

Earlier this year, on February 13, a blast took place near the Saryab Bridge in Quetta killing two personnel of the bomb disposal squad and leaving 11 injured.

Later in March, an explosion targeting a security forces convoy occurred on Saryab Road. Four people were injured including three Frontier Corps personnel and a passer-by.

In August, last year, a suicide bomber targeted the emergency services ward at Civil Hospital, following the death of the president of the Balochistan High Court Bar Association, killing at least 70 people and leaving many wounded.

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Solar Scam: Kerala govt to hand over sexual assault cases against Chandy others to CBI

India

pti-Deepika S

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 24: Months ahead of assembly polls in Kerala, the LDF government has decided to recommend a CBI probe into cases against former chief minister Oommen Chandy and five others filed over allegations of sexual exploitation by a prime accused woman in the sensational solar scam.

The opposition Congress on Sunday dubbed the move as "politically motivated", saying the CPIM-led government could not find anything against the party leaders in the last five years and taken the decision as elections were around the corner, while Chandy asserted he was ready to face any probe.

Union Minister V Muraleedharan also attacked the government, saying the decision for the Central Bureau of Investigation probe had been taken in view of the polls. Protesting the government move, Youth Congress workers took out a march to the Secretariat here and burnt an effigy of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

However, CPI-M state secretary in-charge A Vijayaraghavan, rejecting the charge of political motivation, told reporters that it was only a natural course of action to "ensure justice to the complainant." After the state government decided to give its consent for the CBI probe, a gazette notification has been issued.

The cases against the six, including Chandy, were registered over the past several years and investigated by the Crime Branch police based on a complaint by the woman accused in the multi-crore solar panel scam during the previous UDF government that she was sexually exploited by them in 2012.

Besides Chandy, who was recently appointed head of 10- member election management panel of the party for the state polls expected in April-May, Congress MPs K C Venugopal, Hibi Eden and Adoor Prakash and MLA A P Anil Kumar and BJP leader A P Abdulla Kutty are the accused in the six cases.

The case against Abdulla Kutty had been registered in 2014 when he was a Congress MLA from Kannur. He later joined BJP.

The complainant, who had levelled allegations of rape against the Congress leaders, had recently written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, seeking CBI probe as the police probe had limitations. The woman and her co-accused in the scam had allegedly duped several investors of crores of rupees by offering to set up solar panel units for them.

In a letter to the police commissioner on July 19, 2013, the woman had levelled charges of sexual misconduct and corruption against several Congress and UDF leaders, including Chandy, some of his ministers and two former Union ministers.

This is the second case in which the LDF government has recommended an investigation by CBI this month. Earlier, on January 11, it decided to hand over to the agency the probe into the death of two minor sisters after alleged sexual assault in 2017 at Walayar.

The Vijayan government has been accusing the central agencies of targeting it after they started investigating the gold smuggling cases and had in November last year withdrawn general consent to the CBI to probe cases in the state. Reacting to the fresh development, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged it was a "political stunt".

For five years when the Left front government has been in power, they could not find anything and when elections were round the corner, the case has been handed over to the central agency, the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly said in a statement on Sunday.

Chandy, who headed the Congress-led UDF government during the turbulent days following the solar scam, said: "What did this (LDF) government do for five years with the case? They have now handed it over to CBI." State Congress President Mullapally Ramachandran also slammed the government, alleging the CBI probe was done with ulterior motives.

The cases were investigated by three senior IPS officers and nothing was found. "This is politically motivated," Ramachandran, told reporters. Lashing out at the Vijayan government, Muraleedharan said for five years the government "failed to even lift a small finger" in the case and now when assembly polls were just months away, it has decided to recommend the CBI probe.

In a statement, the BJP leader claimed the decision was taken as the LDF feared defeat in the assembly polls due to "theloss of face it suffered" following the probe by central agencies into the gold smuggling case and the Life Mission project. BJP state president K Surendran said the CPI(M) and the LDF had earlier decided that there was no need for a CBI probe in the solar case and a judicial probe would be sufficient.

As the elections were approaching, the change in stance of the Left front was to cheat the people of the state, he said, adding the Judicial commission headed by former high court judge G Sivarajan, had also probed the case.

Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has directed the development of electricity-related infrastructure in the countrysides villages at the highest level, as part of a national initiative to achieve comprehensive development in these areas.

In a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker on Sunday, El-Sisi highlighted the significance of electrical services for the desired development process in these villages, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said.

The president also directed officials to rely on high-quality local industries to achieve comprehensive development within the initiative.

This comes a day after El-Sisi, while inaugurating national projects via video conference from Port Said, referred to a project to develop 1,500 villages nationwide, stating that it will provide sanitation services and road networks, drinking water systems, governmental institutions, and other services.

In a Sunday meeting that also included Madbouly and Shaker, El-Sisi followed up on the plan to develop the 1,500 villages included in the first phase of the project.

This meeting was also attended by a group of ministers, including Minister of Housing Assem El-Gazzar, as well as Amir Ahmed, the presidents advisor for urban planning, and Ehab El-Faar, head of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority.

The project aims to develop all components of infrastructure, including water, electricity, natural gas, sanitation, canal lining, road paving, and other services.

It also includes a services axis that will encompass educational and health services as well as social programs.

On Saturday, El-Sisi said the project will significantly develop the countryside within three years.

He said the state will work on raising the efficiency of electric networks in the countryside, including installing underground electricity cables and removing the electric cables extending over houses.

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Selma Blair looked beyond smitten on Saturday during a shopping trip with boyfriend Ron Carlson in Studio City.

The 48-year-old Cruel Intentions actress was seen tenderly placing her head into Carlson's chest as they socially-distanced from fellow patrons outside a brick and mortar store.

Later on during their couple's outing, Selma locked arms with Ron to enjoy a leisurely stroll down the sidewalk.

Smitten: Selma Blair looked beyond smitten on Saturday during a shopping trip with boyfriend Ron Carlson in Studio City

Blair was seen wearing a black shirt underneath knitted cardigan sweater worn to keep her nice and cozy in the unusually cold Southern California weather.

She contrasted her top with a set of light brown jeans that had been partially cuffed at the bottom along with a pair of black leather boots.

Her short brunette hair was allowed to stay loose for the shopping trip.

Tender moment: The 48-year-old Cruel Intentions actress was seen tenderly placing her head into Carlson's chest as they socially-distanced from fellow patrons outside a brick and mortar store

Carlson wore a plaid button-up shirt underneath a sleeveless hooded puffy jacket in addition to a pair of tan shoes and a set of blue jeans.

He also wore a beanie to ensure that his head stayed warm in the downpour.

The couple both wore facial coverings to reduce the chances of contracting COVID-19 during their shopping trip.

Better together: Carlson has reportedly been instrumental in lifting Blair's spirits ever since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018; the two are seen together in February of last year

Former partners: The Cruel Intentions actress was previously married to Ahmet Zappa, and after their divorce, she was romantically linked to Mikey Day and Jason Bleick, the latter of whom she welcomed a son with; Bleick and Blair's son Arthur are both seen in 2020

Blair and Carlson have had an on-again off-again relationship over the past few years, and it appears that the two are currently enjoying each other's company.

In 2018, the Legally Blonde actress announced that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and Carlson has apparently been instrumental in lifting her spirits since then.

In January of last year, the actress made a post to her Instagram account to commemorate her relationship with Carlson and express her love for him.

Couldn't be happier: In an Instagram post from January of last year, the actress referred to Carlson as 'the person I want to lean on as well as hold up'

She partially wrote in the caption for the photo: 'This is the person I want to lean on as well as hold up. For good.'

The actress was previously married to musician Ahmet Zappa from 2004 until 2006 and was also linked to her Kath And Kim costar Mikey Day.

In 2011, she welcomed a son with fashion designer Jason Bleick; the two were in a relationship from 2010 until 2012.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : With reports now showing the new UK Covid-19 strain to be not just more infectious but also associated with a higher degree of mortality, health experts have cautioned that Indians need not panic over the mutations, but the country needs to stay vigilant.

So far 150 people in India have tested positive for the UK variant of coronavirus, according to the Union Health Ministry on Saturday.

This is despite India temporarily suspending all flights from the UK for about a week earlier in the month and also increasing screening measures for travellers from that country later.

However, India's total active case-load has continued to show downward movement over the past few weeks as the numbers on Saturday dropped to 1.85 lakh.

India's present active case-load consists of just 1.74 per cent of India's total positive cases.

But the fear of the new UK strain spreading faster in the country has become a cause for concern in some quarters.

"We have now learned that, in addition to spreading more quickly, the new variant of the virus may also be associated with a higher degree of mortality," UK PM Boris Johnson said in a tweet on Friday.

However, health experts here have said that Indians have no reason to panic.

"The new strain of the Covid virus is among one of the new strains that will come up in the future. So the approach to ensure prevention of infection from these strains is to always be vigilant and maintain measures of social distancing, hand hygiene and wearing a mask," Richa Sareen, Consultant, Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, told IANS.

"The new vaccine is known to be protective against these new strains, as well. So there is no need to panic," Sareen said, advising people to just keep calm and adopt preventive measures.

The government is "taking adequate measures of quarantining the people who come in from outside and of doing gene sequencing, and then isolating these patients separately," she pointed out.

The UK prime Minister also said that the current vaccines are still effective against the new variant.

"We should be vigilant about it (the new UK variant) as we have done in the past, but we need not panic as vaccination process also started and from what we have learnt from the experts, the present vaccine is good enough for the new variants also," said Arun Kumar P, Senior Consultant at Apollo Telehealth.

He said that new variants are common in this group of viruses as is the case with influenza virus.

"The right approach to deal with this is to have regular monitoring of new cases and to be alert if there are any large clusters of cases at single place and taking samples from there for genomic sequencing and to impose strict measures in such areas till results are out to avoid further spread of new strain if one such is existent," he said.

"It is also important to complete the process of the vaccination at the earliest which will achieve the desired goal of elimination of virus from the community." Puneet Khanna, HOD and consultant, Respiratory Medicine, HCMCT Manipal Hospitals in Dwarka, New Delhi, however warned that if the new strain spreads in the community, it will definitely lead to a surge of Covid cases again.

"The approach to dealing with these threats is that we should be having the same kind of precautions which had earlier," Khanna said.

"That is that we should observe strict social distancing, frequent hand washing and cover our face and mouth while sneezing and talking. Also, always wear masks in public places or in closed places." Moreover, people who are especially vulnerable to the disease should still avoid going to public places and follow other preventive measures.

India has so far vaccinated over 15 lakh people against Covid-19.

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Five men from Dublin who were attempting to race sulkies on a Kildare road were fined by local members of An Garda Siochana recently.

Community gardai and detectives from Athy stopped the group on the N9 roadway. According to the gardai, the men were well outside their 5km Covid-19 travel area, and were "attempting to race sulkies".

"This is not essential travel," said gardai.

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WASHINGTON  President Joe Bidens pitch for bipartisan unity to defeat the coronavirus and resurrect the economy is crashing into a partisan buzz saw on Capitol Hill, where Republicans and Democrats cant agree on ground rules for running the Senate  let alone pass a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill.

Bidens relief package is being declared dead on arrival by senior Senate Republicans, some of whom say there has been little, if any, outreach from the Biden team to get their support. Liberals are demanding the president abandon attempts to make a bipartisan deal altogether and instead ram the massive legislation through without GOP votes. And outside groups are turning up the pressure for Biden and the Democrats who control Congress to enact economic relief quickly, even if it means cutting Republicans out of the deal.

In the face of these competing pressures, Biden may discover he can get a big covid-19 stimulus bill or a bipartisan deal  but not both. The path Biden chooses with his first major piece of legislation could set the tone for the remainder of his first term in office, revealing whether he can make good on his promise to unify Congress and the country.

Its important that Democrats deliver for America. If the best path to that is to do it in a way that can bring Republicans along, Im all in favor of that, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said. But if Republicans want to cut back to the point that were not delivering what needs to be done, then we need to be prepared to fight them. Our job is to deliver for the American people.

 READ MORE: Welcome to the presidency, Joe Biden. Please solve all these crises.

Publicly, top aides insist Biden is serious about wanting a bipartisan deal on the relief bill. They say this should be achievable given the magnitude of the economic and health-care crisis besetting the nation a year after the pandemic began, with more than 412,000 dead and the economy newly shedding jobs. Some Democrats have expressed optimism that GOP frustration with how the Trump administration ended could convince some Republicans to be more open to a fresh start with a Democratic president, especially since longtime lawmakers know Biden from his decades in the Senate and as vice president.

But when Bidens relief plan rang in at nearly $2 trillion this month, and included liberal priorities like an increase in the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, some Republicans saw it as a sign that Biden wasnt really serious about getting their support. Even those Republicans who have suggested theyre open to making a deal have made clear that the package would need to undergo significant changes.

I suspect the whole package is a nonstarter, but its got plenty of starters in it. And a lot of them are things that we proposed in terms of more assistance to the states, said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., referring to money for vaccine distribution and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Theres some things in there that arent going to happen. Theres some things that can happen. And thats how this process should work.

Outreach to GOP lawmakers before and after the plans release appears to have occurred only at the staff level so far and has been confined to a limited number of senators, including members of a bipartisan group who helped break a stalemate over coronavirus relief legislation late last year.

On Sunday, Biden economic adviser Brian Deese is scheduled to directly brief the senators in that group on a Zoom call. But as of Friday, Senate GOP leadership had not been formally briefed, and multiple GOP lawmakers who are part of the bipartisan talks said they had heard nothing from the White House, even though Biden pitched himself on the campaign trail as a bipartisan dealmaker.

I have not personally [heard from the White House], and Im disappointed in that, not about me but about, you know, its one thing to talk about outreach, another thing to do it, said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, a senior lawmaker who is a member of the bipartisan group that will confer Sunday with Deese.

Its much more successful around here if you try to get the bipartisanship at the start so that its a foundation of trust, Portman added.

Instead, Biden unveiled his $1.9 trillion plan without any bipartisan buy-in, leaving Republicans to question the need for such a big new package coming on the heels of the $900 billion Congress approved in December for economic relief, vaccines and more. Including that legislation, Congress has already devoted about $4 trillion to fighting the pandemic and the economic devastation it wrought.

I look forward to hearing their views. My own thought is that we should only be spending money where there is need that needs to be met, and so Id like to see the figures and calculations behind their proposal, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, another member of the bipartisan group, said. I think theres a recognition on both sides of the aisle that where theres need, we in Congress have a responsibility to help meet that. But we dont want to be borrowing money thats not absolutely necessary.

 READ MORE: Biden signs burst of executive orders tackling COVID-19, vows help is on the way

Questioned about how a nearly $2 trillion package filled with proposals that are anathema to Republicans could be described as a bipartisan overture, White House press secretary Jen Psaki insisted it was.

Is unemployment insurance only an issue that Democrats in the country want? Do only Democrats want their kids to go back to schools? Do only Democrats want vaccines to be distributed across the country? Psaki said at a White House press briefing. He feels that package is designed for bipartisan support.

She said Biden would be getting personally engaged in finding support for his plan. Hes very eager to be closely involved, roll up the sleeves  and make the calls himself, she said.

Psaki said that in trying to sell the package to Republicans, the White House approach would be to ask them which priorities they would cut. The wide-ranging proposal includes a new round of $1,400 stimulus checks to individuals, an extension and increase in emergency unemployment benefits that would otherwise expire in mid-March, and an enhanced child tax credit, as well as hundreds of billions of dollars to help schools reopen and increase testing and vaccine production and delivery.

Some Republicans are open to a number of these provisions but view others  such as the minimum wage increase  as unrelated to the coronavirus and designed to appease an antsy liberal base more than garner bipartisan backing.

Bidens opening order was such an overreach that instead of opening negotiations, it just scared Republicans away, said Brian Riedl, policy expert at the libertarian-leaning Manhattan Institute and a former GOP Senate aide. Riedl said Republicans may be open to a deal somewhere between $500 billion and $1 trillion but that Bidens opening bid made that less likely. The opening offer can be so extreme it can poison the well and push the other side away.

While insisting that Bidens preference is for a bipartisan deal, Psaki has repeatedly declined to rule out moving forward under special Senate rules that allow legislation to pass with a simple majority vote instead of the 60 votes normally required. That was how President Barack Obama enacted the Affordable Care Act and how Republicans passed their massive tax cut early in President Donald Trumps first term. The procedure could allow Biden to pass his coronavirus relief package with only Democratic votes.

But the path forward under this so-called budget reconciliation process could be tricky. The Senate is split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, giving Democrats control only because Vice President Kamala Harris can cast tie-breaking votes. That means any individual Democratic senator could hold the legislation up with an array of demands.

 READ MORE: Abolishing the filibuster: With Dems in control of the Senate, is it time? | Pro/Con

Also, Senate leaders thus far havent even been able to agree on a deal on how to operate the Senate with a 50-50 split, and theyre also still arguing over the timing and process for Trumps impeachment trial. Both issues are emerging as impediments to Biden getting his Cabinet confirmed and also probably need to get resolved before the Senate could take up a relief bill.

Democrats in Congress and within the White House are split on how much time to devote to trying to strike a bipartisan deal before turning to budget reconciliation and leaving Republicans behind. Biden was vice president when Obama devoted many weeks to futile negotiations with Republicans over the Affordable Care Act, before finally passing the legislation without a single GOP vote. Biden was also involved in negotiations over the $787 billion stimulus bill Obama signed in February 2009 in the throes of the financial crisis. Many Democrats wanted a larger package at the time, but Republicans balked; subsequently, many economists have concluded that a larger stimulus bill would have helped the nation climb out of the Great Recession more quickly.

With that history in mind, budget reconciliation has emerged as the clear preference for many liberal Democrats, especially in the House, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., suggested in a conversation with donors Thursday evening that she was open to advancing Bidens proposal via the reconciliation process in coming weeks, according to a person familiar with her remarks. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to confirm the private comments, which were first reported by Punchbowl News.

House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth, D-Ky., said he wasnt aware of a final decision on how to proceed but that Democrats were wary of spending too much time negotiating with Republicans at a moment of urgency.

To haggle over every little provision of Bidens plan (with Republicans) might not be able to be done on a timely basis, Yarmuth said.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., chair of the New Democrat Coalition, noted that last year Republicans refused for months to pass any additional relief, after a spate of legislation in the spring, before finally agreeing to another bill in December.

We cant let that happen again, DelBene said. People need certainty and visibility going forward, and thats why this package is so important.
New Delhi: With just three days to go for Republic Day, India is all set to display its military might during the annual parade. However, the Republic Day parade of this year will be very different from previous years as it is for the first time that it will be held amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are the misses/curtailments due to COVID-19 and new additions in the Republic Day parade 2021.

Curtailments

1) This year, only 25,000 spectators will witness the Republic Day parade. Last year, 150,000 spectators were allowed. The number of media persons, too, has been cut from 300 to 200.

2) The spectators will watch and notice various new things. Jawans will be seen wearing masks and instead of 12X12 contingent system, this year it will be 12X8 contingent system. It means, instead of 144 jawans, there will be 96 jawans in one contingent.

3) Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Republic Day Parade this year will end at the National Stadium instead of going up to the Red Fort where it usually concludes. The distance for the march has been reduced by 50 per cent. According to Major General Alok Kacker, the contingent strength too has been reduced from 144 to 96 in wake of the pandemic.

4) The veteran marching contingent or tableaux will not be present this year and no child below the age of 15 will take part in the parade.

5) This will be the first R-Day parade without a chief guest in more than five decades. UK PM Boris Johnson, who had initially accepted India's invitation to be a chief guest, had cancelled his visit due to the rapid rise of Covid-19 cases in the United Kingdom. There was no chief guest during the Republic Day parade in 1952, 1953 and 1966 before this.

Additions

1)The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for the first time will have its own tableau during the Republic Day parade. "This year we will be having our own tableau and its theme will be combat skills of CRPF in conflict zones. Also, this year, all jawans will be wearing masks and will be maintaining social distancing as told by the government," said Inspector General, Training, CRPF RK Yadav, the reserve force.

2)CRPF tableau is set to wow spectators with a display of panoramic four-eyed night vision goggles (NVGs), a warfare gadget similar to the ones used by United States Navy SEALs in their operation to eliminate Osama Bin Laden. The goggles, also known as the 'king of night vision', are expected to be the centre of attraction in the first tableau of CRPF commandos marching down Rajpath. The specially-equipped goggles provide a 120-degree vision to commandos at night, just like viewing with naked eyes. They are lightweight and can be worn on the helmet during night operations.

3) A total of 38 Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft and four helicopters of the Indian Army will participate in the flypast at the Republic Day parade on January 26 this year. The formations that will be seen during the parade include 'Rudra', 'Sudharshan', 'Rakshak', 'Eklavya' and 'Brahmastra'.

4) According to Indian Air Force, the newly inducted Rafale fighter aircraft will feature in the Republic Day parade and culminate the flypast by carrying out the 'Vertical Charlie' formation.

5) A Bangladeshi tri-service contingent will lead the first ten rows of the Republic Day parade in New Delhi to commemorate 50 years of the Liberation War. The contingent will be lead by the Bangladesh Army which will be in the first six rows, the next two rows will be led by the Bangladesh Navy and the last two rows will comprise of Bangladesh Air Force.

6) Indian Navy's tableau will showcase its stellar role as a credible force during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. As per a statement issued by the Indian Navy, the theme of the tableau for the 2021 Republic Day Parade is titled 'Indian Navy Combat Ready, Credible and Cohesive'.

7) The upgraded Schilika weapon system will roll down in Rajpath for the first time this year in the Republic Day parade, led by the only woman contingent commander from the Army.

"The upgraded Schilka to roll down Rajpath for the first time this year. It can track and shoot enemy targets up to 2 kilometers on the ground and about 2.5 kilometers in the air," Captain Preeti Chowdhary told ANI.

Other highlights

Divyangi Tripathi, who topped the CBSE class XII exams in Gorakhpur has been invited to witness the Republic Day Parade from the Prime Minister's Box in Delhi, along with other meritorious students from across the country. Divyangi had scored 99.6 per cent in the CBSE exams last year.

"I am very excited about this. It's a very good initiative launched by the Government. Students from all sections of society are selected without any discrimination," said Tripathi on receiving the invitation from the government.

Uttar Pradesh's tableau will feature a replica of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, which is currently under construction. It will also display the culture, tradition and art related to the temple town.

The Republic Day Tableau of Punjab for 2021 will reflect the theme of the unparalleled and supreme sacrifice of Ninth Sikh Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur.

Uttarakhand's tableau will represent 'Kedarkhand' in Republic Day parade. The front portion of the tableau displays the state animal musk deer, state bird monal pheasant and state flower Brahmakamal whereas behind these a model of the Kedarnath temple compound has been displayed along with devotees.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 21:54:32|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

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LUSAKA -- The African Union (AU) has allocated Zambia 8.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines under an initiative the African body was pioneering, a government official said on Sunday.

Zambia's Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU Emmanuel Mwamba said the country's allocation may rise to 25 million doses by December 2021.

- - - -

TOKYO -- The Tokyo metropolitan government reported 986 new infections in the capital on Sunday, marking the first time the daily tally has dropped below 1,000 in 12 days and bringing the cumulative total to 93,890.

The number of patients in Tokyo designated as being in a "serious condition" is 156, the metropolitan government said.

- - - -

GUANGZHOU -- South China's Guangdong Province is targeting economic growth of more than 6 percent this year, Governor Ma Xingrui said Sunday.

Guangdong, a manufacturing heartland and leading foreign trade player in the country, has been successful in resuming production and business after the COVID-19 outbreak, according to the report.

- - - -

DHAKA -- Bangladesh reported 473 new COVID-19 cases and 20 additional deaths on Sunday, bringing the tally to 531,799 and death toll to 8,023, the Directorate General of Health Services said.

The official data showed that 14,169 samples were tested in the last 24 hours across Bangladesh.

- - - -

KABUL -- A total of 77 new COVID-19 cases have been registered in Afghanistan over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number in the country to 54,672, the Public Health Ministry said on Sunday.

The ministry also said eight patients died over the period, bringing the number of COVID-19 related deaths to 2,386 since the breakout of the pandemic in the country in February 2020.

- - - -

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia reported 3,346 new COVID-19 infections, the health ministry said on Sunday, bringing the national total to 183,801.

Health Ministry Director-General Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a press statement that seven of the new cases are imported and 3,339 are local transmissions.

- - - -

WELLINGTON -- A 56-year-old New Zealand woman living in Northland tested positive 10 days after finishing her 14-day mandatory managed isolation, said the New Zealand Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield on Sunday afternoon during a media conference.

The woman was an overseas returnee who had spent four months in Europe and returned from London via Singapore, said Bloomfield.

- - - -

NEW DELHI -- The Indian government Sunday said nearly 1.6 million people were vaccinated against COVID-19 since the beginning of the inoculation drive last week across the country.

The inoculation drive against COVID-19 across India began on Jan. 16. Enditem

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By Anita Statman

Almost every day now, you hear something in the news that limits the conservative voice. We recently learned that the Big 3 media progressive companies  Google, Apple and Amazon  have dismantled Parler.

Parler is a relatively new platform for uncensored conservative conversations. They took away the advertisers, they took it off the App Store and Google, and they even removed its servers  literally.

If it were just corporate greed, it would be easier to take. While no one is sadder than I that Neiman Marcus was permanently closed this summer, we understand that they just couldnt compete. Thats a market-driven data point. (Well, the closing of most of their major storefronts didnt help, either.)

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

But this feels much different. The Big 3 still allow unfettered access to Tik Tok  the app that the Chinese government uses to spy on children and us. Tinder is available, too, at the Apple store. However, when downloads of Parler went from 4 billion to 8 billion last week after Twitter banned Trump for life, it was too much for them. And so Big Media killed it.

We need conservative platforms. We need uncensored platforms. Its in our American DNA to talk, debate, share ideas and be social, now more than ever, since our connections with people are limited  because of the socialist state policies that we cant make decisions for ourselves.

You may think that this type of censorship doesnt really affect us. But it does.

Our Santa Fe Federated Republican Women Facebook page is a place where we can vent, laugh and talk. But, just last month, Facebook censored one of our club members. Each time this person continues to post  about twice a week  I get an email from Facebook asking me to individually approve these posts. The censorship is blatant in that Facebook decided I have to approve these posts for 60 days. The time is near when we will have to consider a new platform for our club.

These actions by the totalitarian left, such as the removal of Parler, are all around us.

We need to be vigilant in recognizing that our freedoms are under attack. Were all wearing masks, restaurants are closed, highway signs actually tell us to stay home and, now, our ability to choose media platforms is being taken away from us. I know and love these United States, rooted in the belief in the individual, in states rights and capitalism.

Nonetheless, I cant ignore the fact that, today, it feels more like Communist China.

This leads me to New Mexicos legislative session that opened on Jan. 19, EXCEPT that its not open to the public!

But that wont deter us.

The session will be packed with despicable and insidious attacks on our families, faith and freedom, such as decriminalizing marijuana, reducing protections for pregnant women and red flag laws.

Please respond to our calls for action. We may ask you to make calls to the governors office, to send emails to certain legislators or to rally at the state Capitol, socially distanced with masks.

Our voices matter.

The socialist-led and progressive Legislature must hear from the other side. Comments from the public are recorded and counted. Please help us show the Legislature that were here and we will be heard.

Anita Statman of Santa Fe is the 3rd Congressional District vice chair of the Republican Party of New Mexico.
The father of two Rochester kids abducted and taken to Alabama earlier this week has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, according to Monroe County Jail inmate records.

Dimitri Cash Sr., 29, has been charged with second-degree robbery, second-degree kidnapping and first-degree burglary, jail records show.

The charges are related to his kids abduction, police told the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.

Cash was booked Saturday morning and arraigned. His bail was set at $100,000 and his bond was set at $300,000.

A second person, 32-year-old Kimara Pluviose, was also charged in connection to the abduction, WHEC reported.

Shekeria Cash, 3, and Dimitri Cash Jr., 5, were found on a floorboard underneath blankets Wednesday when federal law enforcement pulled over a car, Forsythe said. Police were able to find the kids by tracking the car , which had been rented in Rochester and driven to Alabama.

After the kids were found, police stopped short of calling Cash a suspect. He was often referred to as someone officers wanted to talk to.

Greece Police Chief Andrew Forsythe said Wednesday that a woman was in custody in Alabama after she was found with the kids. At the time, Forsythe did not identify the woman and she had not been formally charged.

The Cash kids were abducted Monday from their foster parents on English Road in Greece, near Rochester.

A woman who lived at the kids foster home walked to the front of her Greece residence after hearing a loud crash on the first floor, police said. She was investigating the sound when she saw two ski-mask-wearing men smash a window and break into her home, police said.

The womans seven foster children  all under the age of 11  were upstairs. The suspects kidnapped the Cash kids. The children were considered to be in imminent danger of serious harm or death.

READ MORE: Amber Alert issued for boy, girl kidnapped from Rochester area by men wearing ski masks

Forsythe gave the following account of what happened after the two suspects entered the home:

When she saw the two masked men the foster mother screamed. Two of her foster children, startled by her screams, came downstairs to see if she was OK.

The woman pulled the two kids close and wrapped her arms around them. The suspects bound the three together with duct tape  placing tape over the womans mouth to muffle her screams.

One of the children, a boy, suffered a cut lip.

The men then went upstairs and found the Cash siblings. After forcibly taking Shekeria and Dimitri from the home, the suspects stole the foster mothers van and drove away with the kidnapped children.

Using GPS, police later tracked the stolen van to White Hall Drive. The van was empty and abandoned.

This wasnt a spur of the moment type of event, Forsythe said Wednesday.

Less than 48 hours after the kids went missing, the car, forensics done on phones and GPS tracking led law enforcement to the address in Alabama, more than 1,000 miles from where the kids originally went missing.

Forsythe said the kids were eating chicken nuggets and watching Tom & Jerry cartoons after they were home in Alabama. Theyll be taken back to their foster parents when they return to Rochester, he said.

Dimitri Cash Sr.s next court date is Jan. 28 at 4:30 p.m.

Reporter Jacob Pucci contributed to this report.

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Chris Libonati via the Signal app for encrypted messaging at 585-290-0718, by phone at the same number, by email or on Twitter.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  Mayor Franklin Odsey of Bontoc, Mountain Province has revealed he had tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement late Saturday night, Odsey revealed that he is under isolation after he was informed last January 15 that he had contracted the virus.

Odsey said he is asymptomatic but is being monitored by doctors.

"I write this letter while I am in isolation at home as I was informed last January 15 that I have contracted the COVID-19 virus," he said.

"Thankfully, I have no symptoms and I am under constant monitoring by my doctors," he added.

In the same statement, Odsey also commented on the "dramatic increase" in positive cases which prompted the town to impose a two-week lockdown until end of January on Barangay Samoki, and a one-week lockdown on Barangays Bontoc Ili, Caluttit, and Poblacion in Central Bontoc until January 24. The four villages were also placed under "critical zone" until the end of the month.

The Department of Health said Saturday that it had observed an increase of over 200% in COVID-19 infections in Bontoc, after 12 of the 16 new cases of the more contagious B.1.17 variant detected in the country were recorded in the town. Of the 12 cases, 11 were from one Bontoc village alone.

READ: Bontoc, Mountain Province sees 200% increase in COVID-19 cases

Odsey noted a possible extension of the lockdown in the affected areas. The restrictions could even expand to the whole Mountain Province, depending on contact tracing results, he said.

"As president of the Mountain Province League of Mayors, we have coordinated with our fellow mayors here about intensified and collaborative COVID response in all towns, including stricter border control," he said.

The local government had coordinated with the national government to deploy additional contact tracers for Bontoc's local hospital and municipal health office. It also identified at least three hotel establishments and two public schools in the town as temporary treatment and monitoring facilities, Odsey added.
KABUL  Deputy and Acting Foreign Minister Mirwais Nab chaired the meeting of the Leadership Committee in approving the preliminary report of the Afghanistan Government on the Implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography at the Ministry, today.

At this meeting, the leadership committee reviewed the draft report that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had prepared in coordination with the relevant departments. The draft report of the Protocol was approved in principle, and the relevant departments agreed to present their amended views to finalize it by next week.

The report reflects the activities, achievements, and challenges of the Government of Afghanistan in implementing the Protocol, which the Ministry will send to the Supervisory Committee of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Hyderabad: Jaishankar Agricultural University, IIT Hyderabad has created triple IT 'Crop Darpan' app. The farmer is informed about the diseases caused by the crop. Based on the information, he can stop the disease and increase crop production. This app was created under the Indo-Japan Joint Research Laboratory Project.

This application solves some problems of farmers. This app will give farmers information about the diseases caused by cotton crop. Information about diseases on other crops is also available in the next updated version of the application. Triple IT Hyderabad Professor P. Krishna Reddy's guidance was led by Arvind Gadmashetty, Venkateswara Parvataneni, Saideep Chennupathi, Srinivas Annapalli. Recently, he has done a commendable job with the it collaboration on agriculture advisory policy and rural e-agriculture.

Also read:

Marques Brownlee details his business as a tech YouTuber

Nokia 1.4, Nokia 6.3, and Nokia 7.3 May Launch in Late Q1 or Early Q2

Government of India continues with ban of Chinese apps including Tiktok

Most white evangelicals favored Trump until the end: poll

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Despite leaving with his lowest favorability ratings since the summer of 2016, former President Donald Trump remained popular among white evangelicals well into his final days in office, a new survey released by the Public Religion Research Institute shows.

The survey, conducted Jan. 15-18, a week after hundreds of Trump supporters and others stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, said 62% of white evangelical Protestants expressed favorable views of the former president. The poll of 1,019 adults randomly selected from across all 50 states reflected a 3% increase in support for Trump over a similar survey conducted in November.

Among Catholics, Trumps support slipped from 51% in November to 39% in January. His support among white mainline Protestants, however, grew from 34% in November to 41% in January. Among Christians of color and people who are religiously unaffiliated, Trumps favorability rating registered a paltry 19%.

Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives for a second time earlier this month, making him the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice. A year earlier, Trump was impeached by the House and acquitted by the Senate on charges of abuse of power and obstructing Congress related to a July 25, 2019, phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in which he urged the newly elected president to look into then-former Vice President Joe Biden's and his son Hunter Biden's dealings in Ukraine.

In 2016, Biden threatened to withhold $1 billion in U.S. aid to Ukraine unless its top prosecutor, General Viktor Shokin, was fired. At the time, Shokin was investigating the Burisma energy company which had been paying Hunter Biden $50,000 a month as a member of its board since 2014.

Democrats claimed Trump was trying to aid himself politically by asking for foreign interference against a potential Democratic opponent ahead of the 2020 election. The Trump administration denied those accusations and declassified a transcript of the call with Zelensky.

In the House's second impeachment, which passed by a vote of 232-197 and was backed by all House Democrats and 10 Republicans, the impeachment article accused the former president of committing an incitement of insurrection because the riot at the Capitol broke out as he was speaking at the Ellipse near the White House and escalated after.

In his speech to supporters, Trump said Republicans need to fight much harder. He also urged them to protest the certification of the election results, which he said were tainted by fraud.

Were going to cheer on brave senators and congressmen and women, and 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.

I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard, Trump added, referring to a separate rally where other speakers were scheduled to speak that afternoon. That event never took place, however, because the riot had already ensued.

Although the president said he would go with his supporters to the Capitol, he didn't, though he encouraged them to fight like hell for the country.

If you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a country anymore, he said. Let the weak ones get out, he went on. This is a time for strength.

Trump's critics argue that the speech incited the violence at the Capitol that resulted in the deaths of five Americans.

Police shot and killed an unarmed woman as she attempted to climb through a smashed door pane into the House chamber during the riot while three others died from health emergencies. U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, 42, who is believed to have died due to the pepper spray or bear spray used against the rioters in conjunction with a preexisting medical condition. Another Capitol police officer who responded to the riot died by suicide on Jan 9. It's unknown whether the riot and aftermath contributed to his decision to take his own life.

The results of the PRRI poll reflect the general sentiments shared by many evangelicals and faith leaders after the riot at the Capitol.

"I don't think it was the president's finest moment," Franklin Graham, head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritans Purse, told USA Today. But he didnt see it as a deterrent to evangelical Christian support for Trump.

He is without doubt the most pro-life and pro-religious president in history, Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of the 14,000-member First Baptist Dallas also told the publication of Trump a week before he left office. The president has every right to hold the view that the election was fraudulent and to invite those who share that belief to peacefully protest. He neither called for nor condoned the despicable actions of those who invaded our Capitol and assaulted the police.

In the PRRI poll Biden was viewed favorably by about nine in 10 Democrats, 89%. These numbers have not shifted substantially since rising to that level in September 2020, PRRI noted. More than half, 54%, view Biden very favorably.

Among Independents, 51%, viewed the new president favorably, which is a decrease over November when 58% view Biden favorably. Only 16% of Republicans indicated a favorable opinion of Biden.

New Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's first overseas phone call after taking charge at the Pentagon went to the head of NATO -- a sign of the Biden administration's intention to repair and strengthen the trans-Atlantic alliance.

Austin, a retired Army general, made the phone call to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg shortly after arriving at the Pentagon at noon Friday following his confirmation by the Senate, according to a Defense Department readout of the call.

"The two leaders discussed the importance of our shared values, the current security environment including maintaining a strong NATO deterrence and defense posture, and the ongoing missions in Afghanistan and Iraq," the DoD readout said.

Read Next: Air Force Offers Early Outs, Pushes More Toward Reserve Amid Record-High Retention

Stoltenberg and European Union President Charles Michel were among the first foreign leaders to make congratulatory phone calls to then President-elect Joe Biden after the November election.

In the calls, Stoltenberg noted that Biden was a "long-time supporter of NATO," according to a NATO statement at the time. Michel "proposed to rebuild" relations with Europe, according to his office.

Shortly after Biden took the oath of office Wednesday, Stoltenberg sent a congratulatory message stating that Biden's inauguration marked "the start of a new chapter for the trans-Atlantic alliance." That alliance was tested by President Donald Trump's frequent demands that NATO members spend more on defense and his July announcement that 12,000 U.S. troops would be withdrawn from Germany.

Stoltenberg also made clear that the 30-member alliance was ready to support the policy goals Biden outlined during the campaign.

"NATO allies need to stand together to address the security consequences of the rise of China, the threat of terrorism, including in Afghanistan and Iraq, and a more assertive Russia," Stoltenberg said.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

Related: Military Leaders Given 2 Weeks to Show Their Sexual Assault Prevention Efforts Are Working


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Photo: The Canadian Press Hundreds of people wait in line to enter Costco in Toronto on Monday, April 13, 2020.

Health officials identified a U.K. variant of COVID-19 at a long-term care home reeling from a deadly outbreak in Barrie, Ont., Saturday as the province recorded a slightly lower daily virus case count.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit said genome sequencing on six COVID-19 samples from Roberta Place Retirement Lodge have been identified as the highly contagious B117 variant.

Officials with the local health unit announced earlier this week that they had found a variant at the home north of Toronto and conducted tests to determine what it was. Known variant strains of the virus were first detected in the U.K., South Africa and Brazil.

As of Saturday, officials said 32 residents of the facility have died of COVID-19.

A total of 127 residents of the site, as well as 84 staff, have tested positive. Six residents and one staff member were in hospital.

Positive cases have also been found in two of the site's essential visitors, as well as 21 household members, such as workers, and three external partners, such as physicians.

Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, said he suspected that all of the facility's cases were the variant.

An outbreak at Roberta Place was first declared on Jan. 8.

Gardner said the home wasn't able to successfully cohort cases and non-cases at the start of the outbreak, partly because of how quickly it spread and partly because of how many staff members became ill, leading to difficulty in maintaining adequate staffing.

At a virtual news conference Saturday, Gardner faced questions about why stronger protocols weren't in place at the start of the outbreak. He said it would be extremely difficult for most facilities to handle a variant that moves this quickly.

"We certainly will have to learn from this with regards to what you do with other sites. The whole province will have to learn as we go," he said.

The source of the variant at the facility hasn't been confirmed. Earlier this week health officials said a worker at the site had contact with someone who had travelled abroad, but Gardner said there was no violation of government quarantine guidelines in that case.

Gardner said officials are taking measures including monitoring the close contacts of those who've gone in and out of the facility to prevent community transmission.

Gardner said they haven't seen evidence of community spread yet but the risk is high.

The health unit, in partnership with the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, said it accelerated its immunization program on Friday and vaccinated all eligible residents and staff.

Officials said they planned to immunize residents at other retirement homes throughout Simcoe Muskoka over the weekend.

As of Jan. 16, eligible residents of all long-term care facilities in Simcoe Muskoka have also received their first dose of immunization against COVID-19.
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Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials

MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan

Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas

France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party

Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms

Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh

NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country

104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion

Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation

Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination

Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity

Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well

Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions

Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never!

Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial

Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?"

France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity

Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election

Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia

US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China

Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war

Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet

Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases

Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan

US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces

Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can

UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians

Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India

Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately

France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint

Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow

Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen

Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops

Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia acting FM resigns

Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity

China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order

Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM

Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage

EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting

Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post

6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest

Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan

UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas

Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening

His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia

Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens

Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon

Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures

Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension

Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire

ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces

Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards

Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory

Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan

Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia

Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia

Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws

Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone

Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control

Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor

Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation

NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning

European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched


Ninh Binh is looking to add an airport of its own to the national planning

The province will assign the Department of Transport and relevant authorities to find a suitable location to develop the airport project. The province has highlighted two places that could potentially serve for the purpose, namely Kim Son and Yen Khanh districts.

According to the province, Ninh Binh has numerous potentials and advantages to develop its tourism sector with a diverse landscape and Trang An Landscape Complex and Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, among others.

Each year, the province attracts a large number of foreign and domestic tourists, with the visitor count reaching 7.6 million in 2019.

The provinces leadership has set the tourism industry to become the key economic industry. By 2025, the province expects to attract 8-9 million tourists with a revenue of VND8 trillion ($347.83 million) a year.

Ninh Binh is currently planning numerous tourism projects of international scale, including Kenh Ga-Van Trinh and Dong Thai tourism areas.

In collaboration with developing tourism, the province will also promote the electric and electronic industries, as well as automobile assembly and increase the attraction of foreign capital.

According to the draft master plan on the development of the national airport network to 2030 with a vision to 2050, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam has proposed to have 26 airports by 2030, 14 of which will be international airports. The number could reach 30 by 2050.

Total investment for planned airports in the 2020-2030 period is estimated at VND365.1 trillion ($15.87 billion), and the figure for the period of 2030-2050 would be VND866.36 trillion ($37.67 billion).

At present, Vietnam has 22 airports in operation, nine of which are international airports and 13 are domestic. Seven airports are located in the north, while seven others are in the central region. The remaining eight ones are located in the south.

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24) - Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a resolution seeking a Senate inquiry on the implementation of the mother tongue-based multilingual education to address the poor academic performance of Filipino students.

Bagama't maganda ang layunin ng mother tongue policy sa ilalim ng programang K to 12, nakita natin na may mga hamon sa ating kakayahan at kahandaang ipatupad ito, said Gatchalian, who also chairs the Committee on Basic Education, Arts, and Culture, in a statement on Sunday.

[Translation: Although the mother tongue policy in the K to 12 program has a good intention, we saw that there are challenges in our capacity and preparedness to implement it.]

The senator said that there are challenges that need to be addressed in using the local mother tongue as the medium of instruction, such as the lack of textbooks written in it and inadequate teacher training.

Under the present curriculum, the local mother tongues of students are used as the language of instruction in Kindergarten and Grades 1 to 3.

"Children learn better and faster in a language that they can understand. This, in effect, boosts their self-esteem making them enjoy school more," said Gatchalian.

But Gatchalian noted the dismal performance of Filipino students in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment, wherein the country ranked the lowest in reading comprehension and second lowest in science and mathematics among 79 countries.

Kaya ang kailangan dito ay isang masusing pag-aaral upang malaman natin kung paano ba natin matutugunan ang mga kakulangan ng naturang programa, said Gatchalian.

[Translation: Thats why we need to carefully review it so that we can identify how we can address the deficiencies in the program.]
The Telegraph

American soldiers have mistakenly revealed the exact locations of US nuclear weapons in Europe by uploading details as part of revision exercises that were publicly available to view, a report claims. An investigation by Bellingcat alleges that soldiers attempting to learn intricate security protocols uploaded a multitude of sensitive information to the internet, including not only the bases at which the weapons are held, but in which exact vaults they are stored. The US Air Force has launched an investigation into "the suitability of information shared via study flashcards." Questions and answers were written on flashcards, which have now disappeared, and appeared to show the positions of cameras, the frequency of patrols around the vaults, secret duress words that signal when a guard is being threatened and the unique identifiers that a restricted area badge needs to have, Bellingcat said. The cards had been uploaded as long ago as 2013 on websites including Cram, Quizlet and Chegg, and accessed as recently as April this year. Some of those sites have the visibility of the cards set to be viewed by anyone by default. The presence of US nuclear weapons in Europe acted as a deterrent to the Soviet Union during the Cold War and also meant European countries would not need to develop their own.

For years, liberal Vermont media and politicians have condemned the state's police and legal system as "systemically racist" using flawed statistical analysis of incarceration rates of blacks. Increasingly, this appears deliberate.

A University of Vermont "study" was the fulcrum to slander Vermont, "suggesting" that racist animus explained disparities in police stops, arrests, and incarcerations of black and Hispanic drivers. The study's author, Stephanie Seguino, measured police bias by comparing traffic stops of black and Hispanic drivers to the Vermont general population, without regard to driver residence. Seguino's supposedly revelatory "research" has likely undermined police efforts arresting inner-city gangs transporting narcotics to Vermont  using an out-of-state numerator over an in-state denominator.

The left asserts that Vermont has a higher incarceration rate of blacks than its underlying population (true) and thus is "systemically racist" (patently false, even absurd). When Vermont police arrest black or hispanic out-of-state fentanyl dealers, of course the incarceration rate of blacks will increase relative to black Vermonters  that is drug interdiction, not racism.

Seguino's study ignores origin, focusing on "stop rates by race compared to racial shares of the population." This shoddy research was leveraged by an uncritical Vermont media to slander good police officers.

As Thomas Sowell explains in Discrimination and Disparities, American progressivism crafted the eugenics movement  genetic determinism. Marx advocated economic determinism, defined by class. Today's Progressives embrace an equally dogmatic race determinism, which Sowell labels a "seemingly invincible fallacy" and "a non sequitur underlying the prevailing social vision of our time."

Professor Seguino's work is just such a non sequitur. Sowell specifically condemns such "disparate impact" statistics as ideologically motivated by a "political crusade" to create a "presumption of discrimination."

[ S ]tampedes toward one-factor explanations do not exempt even the leading intellectuals of an era ... [ from ] a default setting in many social theories that regard the absence of equality in outcomes as automatic signs of some sinister influences which have prevented this natural equality from taking place[.] ... The historic consequences of treating particular beliefs as sacred dogmas, beyond the reach of evidence or logic, should be enough to dissuade us from going down that road again  despite how exciting or emotionally satisfying political dogmas and the crusades resulting from those can be[.] (pp. 268)

A 2020 study by the Justice Center concluded, "Black people who are identified as residents of other states make up a small number but a larger proportion of non-residents within Vermont corrections populations." Additionally, 19% of drug offenders were black out-of-staters, versus 5% whites (p. 31). Vermont has seen a 33% annual increase in opioid deaths.

Vermont Public Radio noted the absence of out-of-state statistics in 2018:

Joy's next study is looking at something we mentioned earlier: the question of how many African-American inmates are residents of Vermont, versus from out of state[.] ... And according to that new report from the Department of Corrections, just 1.6 percent of Vermont's prison population in 2017 were black people from out of state.

But Vermont is only 1.4% black  "just 1.6%" is "just" 114% of Vermont's black demographic!

A 2019 study, commissioned to assess the conduct of the Bennington, Vermont Police Department, noted the shortcomings in Seguino's work:

[ Seguino's ] study ... was seriously flawed and its conclusions do not stand up to academic rigor. First, the data used included multiple ticket/warnings for events. This means that if a driver received a warning and a ticket at one stop, the study counted it as two separate stops. And if a search was conducted, two separate searches. ... [ I ]n the data provided for our study, we find that in 1,000 of the 3,235 stops, the drivers had residences out of state. An additional 246 drivers had residences in Vermont but outside of Bennington County. This means that one-third of the drivers stopped had no relationship to the demographics of Bennington County.

The opioid crisis explains Vermont's spike in black incarcerations, yet Seguino's recent "updated" report again avoids state-of-origin data. Significantly, she concedes ,"Given the low percentages of people of color in Vermont, even a small amount of missing race data can distort results."

Sowell warns:

Two of the monumental catastrophes of the twentieth century  Nazism and Communism  led to the slaughter of millions of human beings by their own governments, in the name of either ridding the world of the burden of "inferior" races or ridding the world of "exploiters" responsible for the poverty of the exploited. While each of these beliefs might have been testable hypotheses, their greatest political triumphs came as dogmas placed beyond the reach of evidence or logic[.] ... Discrimination as an explanation of economic and social disparities may have a similar emotional appeal for many. (pp 278).

In Vermont, this "emotional appeal" of hate is clouding common sense and evidentiary analysis  dangerously undermining police; opening a wide gate to drug-trafficking; threatening public safety. Reality defeats dogma, especially in Vermont.

Image: Famartin via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped).
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Image: Octavio Jones/Getty Images

In his four decades as a minister, R. B. Holmes Jr. has never dealt with so much death.

More than 24,000 Floridians have died from COVID-19, including more than a few of the flock that Holmes shepherds at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee.

No one is immune from this, Holmes told CT. The thief is winning. The virus is a thief.

The black pastor is especially concerned that the coronavirus has disproportionately impacted his community and other communities of racial minorities around the state. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, black people are 1.4 times more likely to become infected with COVID-19 and 2.8 times more likely to die from it than white people.

There are a number of possible reasons for this. The National Urban League points out that many minorities are more exposed to the virus because they work in fields that don't accommodate working from home. African Americans also tend to have more preexisting conditionsoften poverty relatedthat put them at risk of COVID-19. On top of that, they are less likely to have health insurance.

Whatever the reason, Holmes said the crisis has created an emergency for black people, and African American community leaders, especially pastors, have to find a way to respond. After one too many funerals in 2020, he felt compelled to action.

Why sit here as leaders and watch our people die and our families die?

So Holmes organized the Statewide Coronavirus Vaccination Community Education and Engagement Task Force.

The group is partnering with hospitals and the state to better distribute vaccinesas they become availablethrough local churches to the people who are most at risk. On January 10, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that seven predominantly black churches would each be getting 500 doses of the vaccine to distribute to people over the age of 65. The state hopes to soon expand the program quickly, distributing vaccines to about 50 churches across Florida.

Holmes said the task force has made it their mission to locate 40 primarily black churches, community centers, and colleges to be involved with distributing the vaccine by January 31. He hopes Floridas plan is replicated throughout the country and wants the task force to become a model for how to reach the black community.

Our plan is very systemic, very measurable, very achievable, he said.

There are practical reasons to involve black churches in vaccine distributionthey have buildings and parking lots and good locations for distribution. But the reasons go deeper too.

The church is in some ways a center, not just a religious center, but a social institution as well, said Jamil Drake, a religious studies professor at Florida State University who specializes in African American religious culture. The church has historically been a site that the state has used to gain the trust of African Americans given the role that churches play in African American communities.

Black communities often distrust the government and are skeptical of medical authorities. Drake said there are good historical reasons for this, citing the racist writings of 19th-century medical doctors who used science to justify slavery and 20th-century medical experiments performed on unsuspecting African Americans.

The most notorious, Drake said, was the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, which continued into the 1970s. The United States Public Health Service promised health care to 600 black people in Alabama in exchange for participation in a study. The health service identified 399 of the men who had latent syphilis but did nothing to help them. Instead, the service chose to study what would happen if they did nothing to treat the illness. The experiment continued for 40 years, and 128 of the participants died.

You cant talk about medicine and science without the history of race, said Drake. History is not just an antique that we observe. History is in us.

Today, black people are less likely to seek medical treatment than white people or even get flu vaccines. There is some concern that, even though the coronavirus is disproportionately hurting black people and other minorities, black people and other minorities wont seek out vaccines.

Anthony Evans, pastor and founder of the National Black Church Initiative, points out that administering the vaccine in black communities requires trust building. His network has decided to wait to promote the vaccine until more data confirms it is safe.

Elaine Ecklund, professor of sociology at Rice University, said that kind of caution is justified.

People have good reason to be suspicious, Ecklund said. I think thats really important to understand.

At the same time, COVID-19 is devastating communities, and multiple controlled studies show the vaccine is safe. Competing pharmaceutical companies have come up with very similar approaches to fighting the coronavirus, and their tests have come back with consistent results.

The science is pretty clear at this point that our very best hope is getting as large a group as possible vaccinated, Ecklund said. Thats all we have now.

Ecklund, who is director of the Religion and Public Life Program at Rice University, believes that churches helping distribute vaccines could be a good first step toward the larger goal of building trust. Church leaders should take the opportunity to help Christians understand science and see how it is compatible with faith.

Religious leaders can also help health authorities think through the ethical questions involved with distributing limited resources. Morally, Ecklund said Christians have a legitimate role to play in these fields and can use their influence to address injustices and care for the least of these.

Janice Minnis, an administrative assistant at the Koinonia Worship Center and Village in Pembroke Park, said to her it only makes sense that the church should help at a time like this. The center is one of the Florida churches that has signed on to help distribute the vaccine, and on January 10, they facilitated 500 people receiving their first COVID-19 vaccine shot.

The church gives hope through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, she said. We ought to be a beacon of light in our community as well.

According to Minnis, organizing the event wasnt much different than other events at the church. From her perspective, the church can respond to the coronavirus in the same way it might to a hurricane on the Florida coast.

This is something that we do on a regular basis when it comes to emergency situations, she said. The church should be a safe haven, and what better place to get the help you need than from the church?
The latest figures from the Ministry of Health show that 123 new cases of coronavirus were discovered yesterday.

No new deaths from COVID-19 were reported, leaving the total death toll in the Grand Duchy at 564.

7,769 tests were carried out in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate was 1.58%.

There are 58 patients in standard hospital care (down 6 from yesterday), and the number in intensive care has increased by 1 to 15.

As a reminder, on weekends the government only releases data on the number of tests, cases, deaths and hospitalisations.

As of Friday, there were 2,220 active infections in Luxembourg, while 46,656 patients had recovered from the virus.

The R rate stood at 0.98, while 6,897 people had received their jabs so far in Luxembourg.

For the latest updates on the coronavirus both in Luxembourg and abroad, see our live ticker.
I read with great interest the column by Mary Schmich about Father Corcoran in Orland Hills speaking out against Trump and some people walking out. I really admired this priest. I think he makes a great point about these riots in the capital and he says for too long he never spoke out about Trump, that he failed to realize the damage Trump was doing, the ugly behavior, the things he said about John McCain, the things he said about women and he even mentioned the Catholic Church role in Germany that had never spoke out about Adolf Hitler. I wish everyone in this area would read the column and I salute this priest. Im glad he spoke out.
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In a Jan. 16 Journal op-ed piece, Democracy dies in darkness , three of our Republican colleagues in the New Mexico House of Representatives expressed some of their policy concerns with the Democratic agenda and, in the process, made a gross misstatement about the Elizabeth Whitefield End-of-Life Options Act.

House Bill 47 is a bill that a majority of New Mexicans support as part of the right to self-determination regarding health care decisions for terminally ill patients at the end of life.

The End of Life Options Act will authorize medical aid in dying so New Mexico will join nine other states and the District of Columbia in offering dying patients who reside in New Mexico the opportunity for a peaceful death if their end-of-life suffering becomes unbearable.

In every one of those states, opponents of death with dignity made the same tired and unsubstantiated arguments about end-of-life choices. Let us tell you the facts.

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This law requires that the dying patient  once they receive a diagnosis of likely death within six months, the same standard used for hospice care  may initiate for themselves the process outlined in our law.

Each of the safeguards contained in the law requires that the patient be in control and making their own decisions. These steps include:

 The patient must make a clear, written request for medical aid in dying that must be witnessed by at least one person who is not an heir or family member.

 The patient must be informed of all options, including hospice and palliative care.

 A second opinion is required to confirm the six-month prognosis, capacity to make the decision and the ability to self-administer the medication.

 A mental health evaluation is required if their health care provider believes the patient is suffering from depression or other condition causing impaired judgment.

 And the patient must self-administer the medication.

Far from a law that allows doctors to make these decisions, HB 47 places the patient firmly in control of their own end-of-life decisions. Far from devaluing life, this law offers the right for dying patients to choose how to live the last days of their lives.

For well over two decades now, as this law has been implemented in Oregon and other states, there has never been a case of fraud, coercion or misdeeds under these laws. Instead, dying patients who choose this option will most likely self-administer the medication at home, surrounded by family and friends.

The data from more than 40 years of cumulative experience shows that medical aid in dying is a safe and effective policy that not only benefits the very few who utilize it, but improves the entire end-of-life care system with increased advance care planning, earlier palliative care and earlier hospice.

Medical aid in dying offers peace of mind and a measure of control at the end of life that allows many people to live fully through serious illness, knowing they will not need to suffer beyond what they can bear.

For more information about medical aid in dying, visit https://endoflifeoptionsnm.org.
The system will identify the development needs of the low-income Egyptian villages targeted in the initiative, design a plan for various interventions, monitor and evaluate the impact of all efforts on development and quality of life, according to a ministry statement.

El-Said highlighted that the presidential initiatives importance of providing a dignified life for Egyptian citizens, adding that the initive aims to relieve the burdens on citizens in the neediest communities in the countryside and informal areas of urban areas.

"The initiative depends on the implementation of a set of service and development activities that would guarantee a decent life for that group and improve their living conditions, while improving the economic, social and environmental conditions for families in poor villages, said the minister.

She added that the initiative will also enable targeted groups to obtain all basic services and access job opportunities in order to support the independence of citizens, and motivate them to improve the standard of living for their families and their communities.

The new electronic system has been merged with the databases belonging to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), which will be used in making planning decisions.

The minister noted that this system has become binding on all parties involved in implementing the initiative as per Prime Minister Mostafa Madboulys recent decision to adopt it as a tool for preparing and following up the Decent Life initiative plan.

For his part, the assistant to the Minister of Planning, Jamil Helmy, who is responsible for the Decent Life initiative file, said that learning tools have been incorporated in the systems design to facilitate and spread the culture of efficient performance within the state's administrative apparatus.

In December, Egypts El-Sisi launched the second stage of the Decent Life Initiative to provide better living conditions for the neediest villages in Egypt.

The president stated that the second stage of the initiative targets 50 districts, with a total of 1381 villages, and the homes of 18 million citizens.

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Flydubai will resume flights to Georgia from January 28, Trend reports via the Georgian Airports Association.

According to the agency, the flights of the Dubai-Tbilisi-Dubai route will operate twice a week.

Flydubai, legally Dubai Aviation Corporation, is a government-owned budget airline in Dubai, United Arab Emirates with its head office and flight operations in Terminal 2 of Dubai International Airport. The airline operates a total of 95 destinations, serving the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe from Dubai.

Georgia may lift restrictions on international flights in February, Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava said previously.

According to her, the resumption of flights is the first hope for the revival of the tourist season.

Air traffic in Georgia was completely suspended in March 2020, after which only Georgian Airlines operated in the country for several months and carried out special flights in order to return Georgian citizens from foreign countries back home.

In July 2020, Georgia opened its borders to travelers from Germany, France, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-25 04:20:49|Editor: huaxia

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CAIRO, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Arab League (AL) welcomed on Sunday the understandings reached by the two parties of the conflict in Libya on unifying national institutions and sovereign positions.

Two delegations from the High Council of State of Libya and the Libyan House of Representatives concluded on Saturday two-day talks in the Moroccan city Bouznika, agreeing to form small working groups to take procedural steps concerning the occupants of the positions of sovereignty.

Both sides also agreed that the work groups will design nomination applications, invite candidates, ensure that nominations conform to the established criteria and conditions, and receive nomination forms and resumes of candidates from January 26 to February 2.

The sovereign positions are the heads and deputy heads of the Central Bank of Libya, Administrative Control Authority, Audit Bureau, Anti-Corruption Commission, and High Electoral Commission.

The AL welcomes the understandings reached by the two rivals in the Libyan conflict, the AL General Secretariat said in a statement, adding that the Arab group supports all national efforts aimed at reaching an integrated political settlement of the Libyan crisis.

The agreement in Bouznika came a few days after the Constitutional Committee comprising Libya's eastern-based House of Representatives and the Tripoli-based High Council of State agreed to hold a constitutional referendum before the general elections scheduled to be held on Dec. 24.

During the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum held on Nov. 7-15, 2020 in Tunisia's capital Tunis, 75 Libyans representing the social and political spectrum of the Libyan society discussed a political roadmap to achieve lasting peace in war-torn Libya and agreed to hold general elections in the country on Dec. 24, 2021.

Libya has been locked in a civil war since the ouster and killing of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The situation escalated in 2014, splitting power between two rival governments: the UN-backed Government of National Accord based in the capital Tripoli and another in the northeastern city of Tobruk allied with the eastern-based military commander Khalifa Haftar. Enditem
January 24 was enacted as Foreign Intelligence Day under a presidential order dated November 22, 2018.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has congratulated incumbent personnel and veterans of the Ukrainian foreign intelligence service on their professional day.

"I sincerely congratulate you, intelligence professionals, on the Day of the Foreign Intelligence of Ukraine," the president said in an official statement posted on the agency's website.

Read alsoLaw on Intelligence required by NATO comes into force

"This holiday is not just having our Intelligence's history and traditions back, but also a recognition by the state of your great contribution to strengthening its national security," he said.

According to him, Ukraine's Intelligence today defends both the independence and the unity of Ukraine. "It is in our country that the future of Euro-Atlantic security and stability hangs in the balance today," he said.

"The Ukrainian state is confidently returning to the European family, and this is part of our state strategy. Your thinking ahead and acting proactively provide protection against external threats. At this, together, each in our place, we are daily rebuilding our country, being ready to repulse any aggression," he said.

In his words, the Ukrainian intelligence community has recently obtained the Law on Intelligence, which opens up new opportunities. "And with them, it places even greater responsibility, because amid the hybrid war, intelligence becomes a very important component of the national security sector and plays a leading role in the global strategy of confronting the aggressor," he said.

"I highly appreciate your devotion to your constitutional duty. I am sure that the patriotism and persistence of Ukrainian intelligence officers will contribute to the successful fulfillment of the tasks, set for strengthening security and further prosperity of Ukraine," he added.

Background

January 24 was enacted as Foreign Intelligence Day under a presidential order dated November 22, 2018.

The date was chosen as the first division of state intelligence was created by the Ukrainian People's Republic (UPR), also known as the Ukrainian National Republic (UNR), on January 24, 1919.

Reporting by UNIAN
London, Jan 24 : London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for tougher rules on wearing face coverings outside after revealing that more than 12,000 Londoners have died with the Covid-19 pandemic, a media report said.

The mayor said there was a need for face coverings where people were "cheek by jowl" in outdoor locations, and revealed concerns at the number of Londoners in public places because the current lockdown rules were not tight enough.

The British government's official figure for Londoners dying within 28 days of a positive COVID test on Thursday night stood at 11,882, the Xinhua news agency reported.

But the mayor told a radio program that "more than 12,000 Londoners have now lost their life because of this awful pandemic." The mayor said he failed to understand why the British government had not changed the rules to make face coverings mandatory where people were likely to be in close proximity, such as queues.

One in three people infected with Covid are unware they have the virus. Face coverings have been compulsory since last June on Tubes and buses, and many schools now insist on parents wearing masks when collecting children.

Khan said, "I have stopped walking my dog in the park because it's so busy." Instead, he said he takes his dog Luna for walks on the pavement.

Meanwhile, the mayor also revealed that the number of London bus drivers to die with Covid had increased to 38. More than 60 London transport staff have died in the pandemic.

Khan said bus driver deaths had previously been investigated by University College London at the request of Transport for London.

England is currently under the third national lockdown since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country. Similar restriction measures are also in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.
State-owned Coal India Ltd on Saturday said that it is well geared to meet any surge in demand for coal from the power sector. The statement follows power demand touching an all-time high of 187.3 GW on Friday. "CIL (Coal India) is well geared to meet any surge in demand for the dry fuel from the power sector especially on the back of close to 63 million tonnes stock at its pitheads," the PSU said in a statement.

The company is also pushing ahead for increased production, committed to shoring up the supplies to coal-fuelled power plants. In this backdrop, close to 67 per cent of the total coal-fired power generation in the country is fuelled through CIL's supplies. Of the 199 GW of coal-based power programmed for generation per day during the ongoing fiscal, 133 GW is scheduled from CIL linked coal.

Average coal-based power generation of power per day which was 2.795 BU till Friday spurted up to 3.072 BU, a jump of nearly 10 per cent on the morning of the record making day. Coal-based power generation remains consistently high among all other categories.

"This increase in coal-based power generation bodes well for us. If this continues, we could expect our supplies to power sector go up in near future," the company said adding that the power plants need to submit adequate programme at the coal companies to avoid any shortage of dry fuel as the demand started peaking.

Coal India is focusing on ramping up its supplies to pithead based power plants to higher levels. This would influence in cost per unit of power generated coming down. Coal transportation cost to pithead power plants is comparably lower than long distanced based ones, making the landed cost of coal lower. This in turn makes the generation cost economical.

Coal-based power generation accounted for 78.6 per cent of the country's total generation on Friday when all India peak power demand, which is the highest supply in a day, surged to a new record of 187.3 GW in the morning eclipsing the previous high of 185.82 GW recorded on January 20.

Of the total 3.906 billion units (BU) generated on Friday, coal-fired generation chipped in the bulk with 3.072 BU.

Also read: SAIL plans to set up country's first gas-to-ethanol plant in Maharashtra


San Diego, California, Jan. 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Background check services are useful digging up information on people you are curious about. However there are many types of background checks available: criminal records, credit checks, address records, and even social media reports. In this report by PerformInsider, 15 background check sites were compared to see which provide the best results for each type of public record.

[Start a Background Check by Clicking Here]

Best Background Check: At a Glance

Truthfinder - Best All-Round Background Check for Criminal Records

Intelius - Best for Reverse Address and Phone Lookup

Instant Checkmate - Best for Finding Social Media





Best Online Background Check Service

Many online tools and sites claim to conduct accurate background checks, capable of discovering an impressive amount of "hidden" information. However, in truth, each service has its limitations, and the best way to discover which service is suitable for your needs is to look up reviews online.





1. Truthfinder - Best All-Round Background Check

Truthfinder is the most far-reaching, under a day, background check.

Truthfinder Positives

Quick results (3 to 10 minutes)

Results include a persons work history

Reverse phone number lookup available

Truthfinder Drawbacks



Credit history is not included

Truthfinder, a deep web search engine, can find public records in minutes. Traffic tickets, false arrests, and other public information (even events taking place a decade ago) can be found online through this search engine.



You can also find old blogs, a person's social media history, and even old relatives through Truthfinder.



The trade-off with the fast service is that on a rare occasion, information may be pulled on the incorrect individual.



[Get a background check search by clicking here]





2. Intelius - Best reverse phone lookup

Intelius is a confidential background and information search organization, handling both public record checks and criminal background checks.

Intelius Positives

Thorough background search

Traces cell phone calls

Intelius Drawbacks

Results take 2 to 3 days

Does not include work history





Intelius is capable of finding long lost friends, relatives and can even trace cell phone calls. In some cases, Intelius can also look up the title rights on a property you want to buy.



Searches can take longer than on other sites, but it's easy to get the process started on their website. Intelius is an all-inclusive background check organization suited for criminal record checks since the site conducts a comprehensive background search.



[Click Here to Conduct a Thorough Background Search]





#3. Instant Checkmate - Best Background Check For Non-Employers

Instant Checkmate is another reliable company capable of conducting background checks online. However, their work is limited to individuals and not employers.

Instant Checkmate Positives



Social media, police records, civil judgments, contact info, and more

Results only take a few minutes

Affordable

Instant Checkmate Drawbacks

Less in-depth than other options

Not advised for employers



There are limitations to using this service as Instant Checkmate will not help individuals spy on other people or perform searches on someone who has explicitly said they do not want to contact said person.



Nor can someone use Instant Checkmate to pull up credit information or screen for employment. Plus, you can't use their service to screen potential tenants either.



[Click Here to Conduct a Public Records Search]



Best Criminal Background Check FAQ





Q: Why Do Employers Check an Employee's Criminal Past?



A: There are several legitimate reasons why employees conduct background checks on potential employees. The most common of these include:

To ensure that their prospective employee is trustworthy, nonviolent, educated, qualified, and can perform their duties without any problems.

To ensure they are not hiring anyone with a criminal history and adhere to company policies regarding criminal records.

To minimize risk, both performance-wise and litigation wise.

To ensure a safe working environment for all of its employees.

To mitigate any legal responsibility that would result in paying legal fees and damages to an employee hurt by another employee.

To confirm an employee is not misrepresenting themselves and stating qualifications they do not have.



It's important to note that it's illegal to perform a background check on the premise of disconcerting an individual's race, national origin, color, sex, religion, disability, genetic information, or age.



Plus, most background checks available online are not subject to the FCRA and thus are not allowed for the purpose of employment or qualifying a tenant. As such, an employee or tenant background check is required to go through the Federal Reporting Agency.

Q: How Do Companies Conduct Criminal Background Checks?

A: All background checks, including the criminal version, must be conducted according to state and federal laws. The rights of the prospective employee cannot be violated during its process.



There are two forms of background checks. The first method is that the employer can conduct the investigation themselves. They have employees who are hired for that purpose and can verify the information given on the resumes or application forms.



The second is to outsource to a professional background check service.



The second method is the most popular as it saves the employer time. There are also different levels of background checks. For example, the credit report is just a brief credit history that also states the potential employee's address and financial history.



Then there are very detailed background checks that go many years into the past and leave no detail uninvestigated. The type of background check used depends on the type of work the potential employee is applying for.

Q: How Long do BackGround Checks Take?

A: Background checks can take anywhere from minutes to over 30 days. The time alone is not indicative of how good the results will be. However, it's recommended that employer background checks should not take less than 4 hours.

Q: How Far Back do BackGround Checks Go?

A: Background Check Laws differ from state to state. In most states, employment searches can not go beyond seven years. Some exceptions push the background check date back to 10 years. Those states include but are not limited to; California, Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, and Washington.

Q: Can a Private Citizen Run a Personal Background Check?

A: Technically, anyone can run a background check on anyone else. All you need is a person's name and a few other details to narrow the search down. You can run an investigation on a neighbor, a potential suitor for your daughter, and so on.



The personal background check issue is murky. A lot of information can be obtained through a quick Google search. This flexibility makes it difficult to ascertain if you need permission or not to conduct a personal background check on a neighbor, potential babysitter, and other people.

What is a Criminal Background Check

An employer carries out a criminal background check to see if a potential employee has had a criminal history. These checks search through police and FBI databases to see if they have been arrested or convicted in the past.



There are approximately 77 million people in America with a criminal history, and background checks usually uncover those records.



Employers are known to use the terms "background check" and "criminal background check" interchangeably. However, criminal background searches are not the same as a general background search. The latter looks at an individual's legal status to work in the country, educational background, legal issues, and driving or credit records.



In contrast, a criminal background check focuses solely on your criminal history, if you have one. In many cases, a criminal background check will also look to see if the individual is on any sexual predator lists.

The History Of Background Checks

The Negligence Hiring Law came into existence in 1908. During that time, a court found an employer negligent of employing a person who had reckless behaviorbehavior that resulted in the death of a co-worker.

Between 1911 and 1933, this law was expanded to include wrongful actions outside of the employment area. But it wasn't until the 1970s that employers started to get serious about investigating their potential employees' histories.



Laws were also implemented to restrict employers in order to protect an employee's civil rights. In 2003, the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) was formed to help these new professional background checking organizations. Their job was to ensure that searches were conducted ethically without violating the law.

The Bottom Line

Background checks are vital in this technological age. Making sure someone is a good fit for your company is essential for maintaining a safe working environment. While you do not want to discriminate against anyone, background checks, including criminal ones, help protect yourself, your company, your shareholders, and other employees.

Click Here to Check Out the Top-Rated Background Check Website

About PerformInsider

PerformInsider is an independent organization that works side by side with consumers for truth, transparency, and fairness in the marketplace.





Media Details

Company: PerformInsider

Email: press@performinsider.com

Website: https://performinsider.com












Houthi supporters hold up their weapons during a demonstration against the United States' decision to designate the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Jan. 20, 2021. (Khaled Abdullah/Reuters)

State Department Examining Trump Administrations Designation of Houthis as Terrorists

The Biden administration is reviewing the designation of the Houthis as a terrorist group that was made late in former President Donald Trumps term.

The State Department has initiated a review of Ansarallahs terrorist designations, a spokesperson told news outlets.

We will not publicly discuss or comment on internal deliberations regarding that review; however, with the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, we are working as fast as we can to conduct the review and make a determination.

The State Department believes that the Houthis, an Islamic clan also known as Ansarallah, bears significant responsibility for the humanitarian catastrophe and insecurity in Yemen, but wants to make sure the United States is not impeding the provision of humanitarian assistance.

Then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Jan. 10 announced the designation of the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, along with the designation of three of its leaders 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. The designations are intended to hold Ansarallah accountable for its terrorist acts, including cross-border attacks threatening civilian populations, infrastructure, and commercial shipping, Pompeo said in a statement at the time.

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. Progress in addressing Yemens instability can only be made when those responsible for obstructing peace are held accountable for their actions.

The Trump administration was aware of concerns that the designations might affect the humanitarian situation in Yemen but said it was going to put in place measures that would reduce that impact.

Several nonprofits said the designation would have a negative impact.

This policy, in the name of tying up the Houthis, will actually tie up the aid community and international diplomacy. The opposite is neededeffective pressure on all parties to the conflict to cease using civilians as hostages in their war games, David Miliband, head of the International Rescue Committee, said in a statement.

Bidens secretary of state nominee, Anthony Blinken, told senators during his recent confirmation hearing that the Houthis overthrew a government and have committed atrocities and human rights abuses.

Whats also a fact though is that the Saudi-led campaign in Yemen pushed back against the Houthi aggression, has contributed to what is, by most accounts, the worst humanitarian situation that we face anywhere in the world, and one aspect of that situation is that about 80 percent of the Yemini population right now is in areas controlled by the Houthis. Whether we like it or not, we have to find ways to get assistance to them if were going to do anything about addressing the situation, he said.

So my concern, deep concern about the designation that was made, is that, at least on its surface, it seems to achieve nothing particularly practical in advancing the efforts against the Houthis and to bring them back to the negotiating table while making it even more difficult than it already is to provide humanitarian assistance to people who desperately need it.

He proposed a review of the designation to make sure it isnt impeding humanitarian assistance.
South Africa: SA welcomes prohibition of nuclear weapons treaty

South Africa has welcomed the entry into force of the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Today [22 January 2021] marks a turning point in humanitys endeavour to rid the world of nuclear weapons. It is the culmination of that very first UN Generally Assembly resolution in 1946, which sought to deal with the elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons adaptable to mass destruction.

It cannot be over emphasised that the TPNW [Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons] is not the final word on nuclear weapons, but a critical step in the evolution of the regime that would be required to achieve and eventually maintain a world without nuclear weapons.

Its approach is consistent with the approach taken in the elimination of other unacceptable weapons, where prohibition preceded elimination, said International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor on Friday.

South Africa is of the view that the TPNW represents one of the most important developments in the area of nuclear disarmament since 1945.

The TPNW not only complements the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) but strengthens the NPT, as the TPNW represents the highest non-proliferation standard that any State can commit to.

It also provides the opportunity for those States that are not located in nuclear weapon-free zones to join an instrument that expresses their total opposition to nuclear weapons.

The denuclearisation of South Africa is symbiotically linked to the countrys democratisation.

In his last address to the UN General Assembly in 1998, the late President Nelson Mandela posed a pertinent question in relation to nuclear weapons when he said: We must ask the question, which might sound naive to those who have elaborated sophisticated arguments to justify their refusal to eliminate these terrible and terrifying weapons of mass destruction  why do they need them anyway?

Pandor on Friday renewed South Africas commitment to the total elimination of nuclear weapons as the only guarantee that nuclear weapons will never be used again by anyone, under any circumstances.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-01-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.

For the second day in a row, Queensland has no new coronavirus cases, after a handful of infected patients were identified in hotel quarantine during the week.

The state also reached 12 straight days of no locally transmitted cases. The last community case was when a Hotel Grand Chancellor cleaner passed the highly infectious UK strain onto her partner after she contracted it from a returned traveller at the quarantine hotel.

In the 24 hours to Sunday morning, 4636 tests were carried out across the state  slightly below the 5000 daily average that health officials would like to see.

There are currently 15 active cases in Queensland.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Courtesy of The Island of Rockport

The Islands of Rockport offers luxury waterfront living with views, amenities. Located on Estes Flats, one of the most famous fishing waters on the Gulf Coast and directly on the Intracoastal waterway, world-class fishing and boating is right outside residents back doors.Within proximity to the culturally rich downtown Rockport, The Islands of Rockport offers modern luxury.

At the Islands of Rockport, home-side private docks and wide canals provide residents instant access to the waters of Estes Flats/Redfish Bay. Located directly on the Intracoastal waterway and within proximity to the open waters of the Gulf, every home is custom-built with a southern coastal architectural design creating the casual, relaxed elegance of the community.
Robert Watt is no shrinking violet. Far from it. Hugely bright, opinionated and forceful, he has the confidence to accompany his reputation as the stand-out civil servant of his generation. Even Watt's friends concede his self-belief at times borders on arrogance.

But he must now be wondering what he has let himself in for by agreeing to take over as acting secretary general at the Department of Health, aka Angola.

The health budget runs to over 20bn a year - about the same amount as the huge budget deficit we are now running. The pandemic is costing 300m every week in Covid supports.

But the figure currently exercising many politicians, including, risibly, the Public Accounts Committee, is the 81,000 extra to be paid for the top health job when a permanent appointment is made. Some have even questioned the constitutionality of the decision.

Such are the priorities in politics in Ireland in 2021, where every government decision, regardless of how small, is put through a populist wringer and reputations are thrashed in the process.

For those inside Government, the appointment of Watt to fill the vacancy in the Department of Health was a no-brainer.

Secretary general at health has always been a key position, given the department's propensity to burn public money. But the radical reforms required to implement the transformative Slaintecare programme, and the unprecedented crisis caused by Covid, only amplified matters. The department is now fundamental to how the economy operates.

The new appointee had to have experience, a high competency around finance, political nous and a reforming zeal to get the department better organised and faster moving. He or she would also require a willingness to tell people what they don't want to hear. The no-nonsense Watt is, as one close observer put it this weekend, "exactly what the doctor ordered".

His ability to stay calm and clear-headed during the last major crisis impressed Brendan Howlin, who made him secretary general at public expenditure a decade ago. By all accounts, he has excelled in the role ever since.

He has cultivated quite a profile along the way and attracted no little controversy. He has never been shy about making his views known, strongly (and correctly, in this writer's view), warning against the hugely costly National Broadband Plan.

His tough approach on getting value for money from public spending hasn't endeared him to Fine Gael politicians, but they are hardly traits that we should be discouraging in our senior civil servants, particularly in the new secretary general of the Department of Health.

Not that Watt formally holds that position yet. Senior Government figures completely dispute the widely held view around Leinster House that it is a done deal that Watt will get the job full time. They insist there will be a genuinely open contest with external experts involved in the public appointments process of picking the right candidate.

Others concede Watt's presence in the role on an acting basis will hardly encourage others to apply.

Either way, does it really matter? Which senior position in the private sector isn't prearranged? The most important thing is getting the best person for the job.

And that's where the controversial 81,000 rise comes in. The salary of 292,000 is undoubtedly large, far bigger than that earned by any other secretary general and over 100,000 more than Micheal Martin makes.

Some wise heads have questioned why political opponents were handed a stick with which to beat both the Government and an apparently somewhat bruised Watt.

But the counter view is that the Department of Health has long proven a graveyard for the reputations of politicians and civil servants.

Some incentive is required to persuade the best people to go there. Why would any ambitious assistant secretary apply for the top job in health given all the grief it entails?

And why would Watt, despite an undoubted commitment to public service, do so when he could stay where he is or earn far more in the private sector, for far less hassle?

While politicians, particularly on the left, like to posture about top salaries, the reality is it's not tenable to pay the same salary for every senior public sector position.

Some jobs, including the CEO of HSE and the Garda Commissioner, require a bespoke remuneration package to compensate for the 24/7 nature of the role and the fact that the you-know-what is guaranteed to regularly hit the fan. The secretary general of the Department of Health comes into that category.

Of course, if you're paid the big bucks you have to deliver. But who's quibbling now about Paul Reid's near 350,000 salary, given his assured steering of the HSE through the pandemic?

Watt is known for not suffering fools and for finding solutions rather than identifying problems. He also won't tolerate his new department's traditionally spendthrift ways. The word is that he is already getting things done, evidenced by the fast-tracking of the deal with GPs on vaccines.

The key question is, what price do we put on that? Should we continue to be penny-wise and pound-foolish?

Or are we interested in getting the right person to sort out a dysfunctional department, once and for all? All things considered, an 81,000 pay hike is surely a modest price to pay for that.
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.

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New Delhi, Jan 24 : Cyber criminals and pirates of the Internet now have a new goldmine in Google Drive where they are freely storing and sharing illegal software licenses, movies, games and porn content -- most of which have allegedly been indexed in Google Search as some Drive users made such links public in their individual accounts.

Google Drive is a file storage and synchronisation service that allows users to store files on their servers, synchronise files across devices, and share files.

According to independent cyber security researcher Rajshekhar Rajaharia, thousands of such explicit and illegal content is being circulated via Google Drive, in zipped compressed files.

"Apart from thousands of porn videos, at least 25,000-30,000 links are likely sharing illegal content like malware, software, movies, games and what not. One can search such links in Google Drive at ease. Just do a search and download at will," Rajaharia told IANS on Sunday and shared several such screenshots.

The irony is that movies/games/software that have been removed from Google Search on the basis of copyright violation are available in Google Drive for faster download.

"Unlike other file sharing websites, Google Drive allows faster downloads so such illegal and explicit content is thriving on its platform," the cyber security researcher claimed.

An email sent to Google on if such content is being stored and shared freely on Drive did not elicit any response.

Under its terms of service, Google says that "We may review content to determine whether it is illegal or violates our Program Policies, and we may remove or refuse to display content that we reasonably believe violates our policies or the law. But that does not necessarily mean that we review content, so please don't assume that we do".

While Google doesn't go into the details of its detection methods, it uses file-hashes to detect infringing content.

Google Drive matches the hash of copyrighted video content with files that are stored by users to identify pirated content. The company does this on a voluntary basis, according to media reports.

According to Rajaharia, Google Drive is dangerous in a sense because one can search anything easily on its platform that other file-sharing websites.

"There are thousands of pirated movies, softwares, mobile apps uploaded on Google Drive and you can easily search in Google," he said.

Nearly 80 per cent of the Google Drive movies links are malware. "One wrong click may install malware into your PC or mobile," Rajaharia added.

According to data provided by him, total Drive links indexed in Google Search are over 10 lakh but not all these links are related to piracy/illegal files.

"There are over 20,000 movies links, more than 2,500 software download links, over 2,500 APK (Android Application Package) mobile apps and more than 1,500 cracked illegal software copies (not all may be pirated)," Rajaharia told IANS.

The Google Drive users must also be aware of their actions.

"They should not make pirated movies and other content public on Google Drive as this will lead to indexing on Search. They must keep their content private or share links with people they know and trust," the cyber security researcher emphasised.

Whenever people around the world are facing a humanitarian crisis, one organisation always answer the call for help: Khalsa Aid. The international NGO has always been at the service when required.

The UK-based humanitarian relief charity has been providing support around the world to victims of natural and man-made disasters such as floods, earthquakes, famine and war. The selfless work they have done for over 20 years hasn't gone unnoticed as they were recently nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Despite winning many accolades through the years, this nomination comes as the best news for the charity working tirelessly to make world a better place, for everyone.

While nominating Khalsa Aid for the prestigious award, Canada's House of Commons in a letter addressed to Berit Reiss-Andersen, the Norwegian Nobel Committee chairperson, mentioned how the organisation has been able to provide crucial aid to millions of people around the world.

Also read: Khalsa Aid Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize: Here Are Some Examples Of Their Selfless Work

Based on the Sikh principle of "Sarbat Da Bhalla" meaning well-being for all, the charity has been helping all those in need regardless of race, religion and borders since a period of last 20 years.



While celebrating the work of Khalsa Aid, let us look at the work they are doing across the globe and how they are making meaningful contribution in tackling the humanitarian crisis.

1. Feeding Syrian refugees

Khalsa Aid has a team working resolutely in war-ravaged areas of the middle-east offering aid to the victims of the never ceasing conflict. The organisation's volunteers have been responding to similar crises across the world.

Khalsa Aid

While the world might have turned away from the catastrophe that is the civil war in Syria, Khalsa Aid has been on ground, providing relief to the people who have had to flee their homes.



From free food to shelter to health services, the organisation has been serving and rescuing people in war-torn Syria with dedication.



The organization has said their activity among the Syrian refugees span across Syria, Greece and Lebanon where most of the war displaced are currently living. Their current activities include providing tonnes of food and shoes for hundreds of refugee children in Turkey.

Khalsa Aids industrial bakery set up on the Iraq-Syria border in 2014 continues to provide 16,000 loaves of bread each day to as many Yazidi refugees in camps.



2. Providing food and shelter to victims of Kerala floods

When Kerala was devastated by floods in 2018, Khalsa Aid shouldered responsibility and helped feed thousands of victims and also provided them with shelter.

Khalsa Aid volunteers set up relief camps across the state. They set up langars (free community kitchens) and fed 15,000 people with hot meals every day. The group also distributed essential day packs, including soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, sanitary towels, medical kits and mosquito nets.

Khalsa Aid

The volunteers also assisted in packing and distribution of food packets including rice, dal, tea, salt and sugar. Khalsa Aid volunteers also cleaned churches and temples which were filled with sludge from floodwaters.



The packing of nearly seven tonnes of relief material into small kits was done at the Thevara Gurudwara in Kochi, and 400 to 500 such kits were distributed among the flood-hit daily,



Aided by a few local volunteers, the group is also doled out free medicines and drinking water supplies.

Also read: Here Is How Khalsa Aid Is Helping Drivers Stranded At UK Border With Hot Meals Including Pizza

3. Coming to the rescue of Rohingya Muslims

When the Rohingya Muslims fearing persecution fled Myanmar and reached Bangladesh border, Khalsa Aid volunteers from India and other parts of the world reached there and provided them with food and water.

Khalsa Aid

The volunteers of the organisation, started a community service kitchen called Guru ka langar which fed thousands of Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar after Bangladesh government gave the required clearances to begin the relief work.



During those testing times, Khalsa Aid team made sure that the Langar services do not come to a halt at any cost and the refugees at least do not go sleep without food.

4. Provided relief items during Nepal earthquake

In April 2015, Nepal was hit by a strong earthquake, which killed over 8000 people and injured more than 20000. Khalsa Aid was actively involved in coordinating number of relief projects. They set up a kitchen and prepared meals twice a day, serving over 350,000 hot meals over a period of six weeks in Kathmandu.

Khalsa Aid

The team also built more than 500 temporary shelters for displaced families and worked with local government to clear rubble. They collaborated with the United Nations in distributing medicines and infant formula to the needy families.



The UK-based humanitarian relief agency had set up Langar, or free community kitchen, in Kathmandu which provided food for some 3,000 to 4,000 people daily. Then, its teams initiated building semi-permanent shelters in the rural villages.

5. Answered calls for help during Jammu and Kashmir floods

In September 2014, due to heavy monsoons and flash floods, over 400 people lost their lives and thousands of homes were destroyed.

Indian Army was deployed to conduct search and rescue missions. Khalsa Aid, along with the Jammu Kashmir Sikh Professionals (JKSP), responded to the emergency and supported the relief work by initiating two projects.

Khalsa Aid

The team actively participated with the local government and rescued over 50 stranded people. It also provided emergency relief packs, containing clean drinking water, food and sanitary items, to over thousand families.



Expressing gratitude towards the Sikh community, the flood victims, of whom a majority were Muslims, were indebted to the community as they helped them without discriminating on the basis of religion.



Also read: How Khalsa Aid Is Working To Soften The Blow Of COVID-19 Pandemic On Poor Across The World

6. Helped Malawi flood victims

Phalombe region of Malawi, a country in southeastern Africa, was hit by floods in February 2015, which uprooted many families and destroyed their homes, forcing them to relocate.

Khalsa Aid

An estimated 230,000 people were affected. Due to damaged infrastructure, people there no longer had access to clean drinking water and had to walk for miles to fetch clean water. Khalsa Aid volunteers, along with local communities, contractors and government, mobilized resources to drill water wells and build handpumps across rural Malawi. This made it easy for the local people to fetch water.



The work Khalsa aid has done in the country extends beyond relief material. Malawi, is one of the poorest countries in Africa. and the people were overjoyed at the mere sight of a water pump, which was installed by the organisation in 2019.

With their project Water4Africa, NGO Khalsa Aid is working hard to bring water to the rural communities in Africa.

7. Provided aid in Indonesia Tsunami

In September 2018, a powerful earthquake of an intensity of 7.8 on the Richter Scale hit Indonesia. It created a huge Tsunami which devastated the areas of Palu and Dongalla.

Khalsa Aid

Khalsa Aid International worked closely with the local population and ensured that relief measures reaches the most needy ones. They set up langars in Palu and Dongalla and served food, provided blankets and makeshift shelters to people who were displaced by the Tsunami.



8. Saviours During Chennai Floods

Chennai was ravaged by floods in 2015. Over 150,000 people were affected by this calamity and were in need of dire help. Khalsa Aid volunteers provided much-needed relief to the needy by distributing fruit, bread, clean water and bedsheets.

Khalsa Aid

Khalsa Aid members are distributed emergency supplies to the people of Chennai. Khalsa Aid volunteers also provided food rations to thousands of people.



9. Helping Punjab during floods

In 2007, Punjab faced catastrophic floods which affected over 50,000 people. Many villages were severely hit and more than 11,000 hectares of agricultural land with standing crop suffered severe consequences.

Representational Image/Khalsa Aid

Khalsa Aid came to support the people of Punjab in this tragic time and supplied food rations (rice, wheat, lentils, cooking oil etc.) along with blankets and clothing to affected people.
Thirteen years ago, Mumbai-based Bhavna Jasra started First Impressions, an art shop, in which she hopes to make every memory of her clients count by creating something that they, whether a couple or young parents, can cherish forever. Because even as Bhavna puts it  theres so much going on in life, time can pass by in a jiffy.

Right at the start of our interaction, Bhavna gives us a peek into her art. My art involves casting of expressions of hands and feet in metal finishes like gold, silver and bronze. I then frame them to make memorable keepsakes for life, she explains, adding that shed chanced upon this concept in the UK, and was drawn to it when she was a mother-to-be.

Even then to her it had seemed a very beautiful way of preserving the lovely memories of a babys tiny hands and feet in the form of a keepsake to be cherished for a lifetime. Being a mother-to-be myself, I could relate to the emotion and was sure thered be many in India whod feel the same way. Being a marketing consultant with a creative flair, I could see it as a viable business. I decided to learn the process, fine tune it to the Indian sentimentality and launch the business in India, adds Bhavna.

The sweat and work of it

The artistentrepreneur doesnt whitewash the effort involved in the art process. Its definitely very meticulous and involves a lot of precision, she begins. So, supervision is important at every stage of making a piece.

At the onset, says Bhavna, the impression of the subject is taken in an impression mousse imported from Italy. And, honestly, to me, this stage is the most crucial one because the arrangement of the hands/feet determines the final look of the product, she articulates. The impression taken is then used to make the cast by baking the resin at various graded temperatures. The cast is then treated with various chemicals for longevity, after which its subjected to various desired metal finishes. Then, its lacquered using special chemicals to prevent oxidation of these metal finishes.

Bhavna then explains that the framing process, which follows the above processes, is also very detailed, providing the final showcase for the cast. It involves silk work, embroideries, Swarovski embellishments and picture prints, which are done by different departments but require immense co-ordination, she adds.

As we wrap up our interaction, Bhavna shares her views on the cast-work she has done for some of her famous clients, giving us a sneak-peek into the celebs relationships. It is through these experiences that I realise celebs are couples and parents first, and for them their relationships are most important, states Bhavna.

Friends for life: Rana Daggubati and Miheeka

Though shed posted the pictures of the couples cast on social media only recently, the actual casting had happened three weeks ago.

When celebrities get married, friends and family of the couple have limited options of gifting. Similarly for Rana and Miheekaa casting, one of his very close friends got in touch with me to create this perfect and intimate gift for the couple, she says about her work with Rana, adding, What I realised while working with them was that they are very good friends.

Yin and Yang: Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone

Not many get the opportunity to be with the celebrity couple on their wedding day and get to witness them at their candid best, but I was fortunate enough to be with Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone on their wedding day as I got their casts done. They are so much in love, yet witty. I still remember that after getting the casts done, Id asked Ranveer for his choice of frames, to which he had replied, Do you really want to discuss aesthetics with me? Deepika simply smiled and said, It is better I look into that.

Down to earth:

Jr NTR and Lakshmi Pranathi

I will remember interacting with Jr NTR and Pranathi as my most embarrassing moments. It was Pranathi who got in touch with me to get their kids casting. I was not aware how big a star Jr NTR was, but my assistant who is Telugu was super excited. I had asked Jr NTR his name, to which he had laughed out loud and said, You are the first person to ask me that question. Jr NTR is very humble and its impossible to know his star status while interacting with him, she says, smiling.

A gift for all: Hardik Pandya and Natasa

I had done castings for Hardik Pandya and Natasa, and they have loved it so much that they are planning to gift the concept to Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, Bhavna adds.

The most memorable of them all

There have been many memorable experiences in my journey. However, there are some people who get etched in your memory. One such is definitely our honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is radiant, humorous and very encouraging. I also made impressions of all the players that were a part of the Indian Cricket team that won the World Cup for India in 2011. Meeting and interacting with all the members of the winning team including Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli were truly memorable. Meeting the great Rajnikanth and experiencing his humbleness and grace is also something I will always cherish, she says.
Godiva Chocolatier stores are closing, blaming the pandemics effect on consumers shopping habits.

Most of the stores will remain open through Valentines Day, which is one of Godivas top annual sales periods, the company said Friday. The retailer has 128 stores in the U.S. and Canada, including one at Washington Square, which will remain open at least until Valentines Day.

Godiva said it has successfully increased direct sales to consumers online and has been building up its network of retailers that sell its chocolates, including CVS, Costco, Kroger, Target and Walgreens.

Godiva is already available in many retailers in North America, and we will continue to increase our presence there while always upholding the premium quality, taste and innovation, said CEO Nurtac Afridi.

Customers are buying the brand at grocery stores, warehouse clubs and other retailers while demand at Godivas own candy stores has waned as a result of the pandemic and its acceleration of changes in consumers shopping behavior, the retailer said.

Godiva is not closing stores in Europe, the Middle East and China.

Godiva and other premium chocolate brands have also faced competition from regional chocolatiers that have surfaced and grown in the U.S. in recent years, including Dallas-based Kate Weiser Chocolate.

The well-known brand was founded in 1926 by a family in Brussels who named it for the Saxon legend of Lady Godiva. Since 2007, Godiva has been owned by Yildiz Holding, a large Turkish food manufacturer. In 2019, Yildiz sold some assets, including stores in Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, to MBK Partners, a private equity firm based in Seoul, South Korea.
Brood X is here

Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield.

Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Cloudy with showers. Thunder possible. High 53F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low 44F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Art Koch's Profit Chain Series

2021 = Optimism

Volume 1 | Number 1 | January 2021

As we exited 2020, I stepped back and reflected on the past year, looking forward with optimism for 2021.

Even though 2020 was a troubled year, I'm not going to rehash the details. I believe there are multiple bright spots of hope ahead and an excellent reason to have confidence in humanity.

Historically, pandemics have lasted approximately two years. We are now one year into the COVID pandemic. I'm hopeful we will see the light at the end of the tunnel with this pandemic very soon. I'm utterly amazed at how swift the world's pharma industry and regulatory agencies developed and approved a new vaccine for COVID. I'm optimistic about how industry and government regulators can unite with a common goal, which offers hope for solving other world-wide issues such as AIDS, malnutrition, malaria, and climate change. Again, I'm astounded by the confidence that investors have demonstrated in the worldwide financial markets. They have barely missed a beat. The December, Institute of Supply Management (ISM) Purchasing Managers Index increased to 60.7 (anything above 50 indicates growth) brings hope that our economic cycle has shifted toward growth, representing six continuous months of growth and is the highest since August 2018. Please see https://ycharts.com/indicators/us_pmi for a complete history. Finally, democracy has prevailed, which brings hope that the democratic model of the United States will continue to be the one that the world emulates.

As we enter 2021, I am optimistic that the manufacturing sector is moving in the right direction. We are aware that the COVID pandemic of 2020 caused a seismic disruption to the world's supply chains that sent a tidal wave through the industrial and retail sectors. Depending on the survey used, 76% to 84% of executives said they needed to rethink their manufacturing footprint and supply chain strategy. They signaled confidence in their organization's ability to compress lead-times by reshoring and insourcing operation-critical parts to regain control of their supply base.

The December ISM Purchasing Managers Index increase brings hope that the NA Industrial sector continues expansion.

I am pausing here to draw attention to the fact that private equity has $1.5 trillion, yes, TRILLION, of dry powder on the sidelines, ready to invest. I'm hopeful that the smart money will heavily invest in the North American industrial sector since executives have signaled a desire to compress lead-times by nearshoring, reshoring, and insourcing.

I have great confidence that we will experience three to five years of strong growth in NA industrials. There will be a similar parallel in demand for operations, supply chain, and skilled professionals to support the resurgence.

Here are three of the many areas to be addressed to get ahead of the growth cycle:

Invest in supply chain professionals. Address broken processes, inaccurate inventory, and data integrity. Process sustainability .. ..

How are you preparing for the next wave of expansion? How are you demonstrating and communicating your hope, confidence, and optimism for the next 3-5 years to the organization?
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi's top health official criticized the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine within the state's long-term care facilities Friday, calling the plan made by the federal government and pharmacies contracted to give the shots faulty and frustrating."

We gave them too much vaccine too soon, State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said during a virtual briefing with the Mississippi State Medical Association, adding that the situation is now a daunting problem for health officials.The Department of Health is now having conversations with CVS and Walgreens about whether some of the doses allocated to them need to be pulled back, Dobbs said.

CVS and Walgreens were allocated 47,000 doses of vaccine in December to inoculate long-term care residents, per the federal government. As of Friday, only about 14,000 doses have been administered. Mississippi has about 36,000 residents living in nursing facilities and 25,000 living in other long-term care settings.

That's compared with 150,786 doses that have been administered statewide, according to the Department of Health. The state is using 19 drive-thru facilities, clinics and hospitals to complete vaccinations for those 65 and older, health care workers and those who are at least 16 and have health conditions that might make them more vulnerable to the virus.

Overall, Dobbs said, the state is doing remarkably well at vaccinating people who are not long-term care residents  the state had used 75% of its allocation for first doses as of Friday. Still, officials at the drive-thru sites and other facilities offering vaccinations have not been able to come close to keeping up with the demand.

If we could have given them 4,000 a week like they're using, then we could have used that other vaccine," Dobbs said of long-term care facilities.

The state health officer said it's been a real challenge" as his team tries to plan for the future.

"We expected them to be done a couple of weeks ago, like maybe last week, with everybody," Dobbs said.

Officials with CVS and Walgreens have assured the Department of Health that vaccinations will be 95% done by the end of January, Dobbs said. Department of Health officials are meeting with representatives from the pharmacies again on Monday.

Dobbs said the delay has been partially due to slow rollout by CVS and Walgreens and also to sluggish uptake of the vaccine, especially among staff at long-term care facilities.

The department reported Friday that Mississippi had 2,050 new confirmed cases of the virus as of Thursday evening. The department also reported 45 deaths Friday, 27 of which happened between Jan. 16 and Thursday. The state has reported about 261,000 cases of the virus and 5,713 related deaths since the start of the pandemic.

People eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine can try to make an appointment at COVIDvaccine.umc.edu or by calling the COVID-19 call center at 1-877-978-6453.
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The police in Lagos have arrested a 37-year-old man for possessing a fake police identity card and 30 kilogrammes of Indian Hemp.

Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Lagos police spokesperson, said in a statement on Sunday the suspect was arrested on January 19, around 12 a.m., by officers attached to Area E Command in Festac.

The suspect, David Omoruyi, had a police ID card with force number 443758 and the rank of a sergeant, the police said.

The suspect, in company of his fleeing colleagues, were seen with some bags of Indian hemp on their heads at Alaba Rago Market, Ojo Lagos, when the policemen accosted them and eventually arrested David while others fled, Mr Adejobi said.

David Omoruyi claimed he is a serving sergeant attached to Mopol 49, Epe, Lagos State. But after due interrogation and investigation, he confessed to be a fake policeman. He confessed that he used to flash the fake ID to gain access and for easy passage of their loots or drugs whenever they are on business, the police said.

The statement quoted the Lagos state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, as directing that the suspect be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, for investigation, while other fleeing members be arrested.

The police also said they arrested a suspected armed robber who terrorises POS (Point of Sale) operators in the state.

Mr Adejobi said the operatives attached to Ipaja Division on January 22 arrested one Korede Anifowose, 24, for attacking one Sola Musa, a POS operator, at Fatolu Bus Stop, Ipaja.

The incident happened around 12:45 p.m., after which the attacked agent raised an alarm which led to the arrest of one of the suspects.

The suspect, Korede, and his accomplice, now at large, had attacked the POS operator when he raised alarm and they were chased by the Anti Crime Police Operatives on pin down at the area before Korede was arrested. One locally made pistol and some expended cartridges were recovered from him, the spokesperson said.

The police spokesperson said the command had received several complaints on the antics of the criminals who terrorise POS operators and those dealing or transact with liquid cash in the state.

He said Mr Odumosu had directed Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to beef up security around those dealing with cash in their businesses.
MOSCOW -- Thousands of Russians were detained across the country amid protests calling for the release of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, with riot police cracking down violently on what were Russia's biggest anti-government demonstrations in years.

It was unclear what effect the January 23 protests, which stretched across Russias 11 time zones amid subfreezing temperatures, would have on the government of President Vladimir Putin, who remains popular and largely without any political rival.

The Kremlin has engineered constitutional changes that pave the way for him to potentially stay in power until 2036.

But the turnout of tens of thousands of people from Moscow to Vladivostok, who answered Navalny's call to demonstrate after his jailing following his return a week ago from Germany, showed the attraction of Navalnys crusade against corruption.

As of midday January 24, more than 3,430 people were reported detained across the country, according to the independent monitoring group OVD-Info. Nearly half of those detentions occurred in Moscow, and included Navalnys wife, Yuliya, and one of his top allies, Lyubov Sobol, who was forcibly grabbed by police as she spoke to reporters.

Images of helmet-clad riot police bludgeoning protesters in Moscow and elsewhere prompted condemnation from Washington and Brussels.

Navalnys detention and the crackdown on his supporters were "troubling indications of further restrictions on civil society and fundamental freedoms, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell deplored the widespread detentions and the disproportionate use of force. The blocs foreign ministers will discuss "next steps" on January 25, he said in a post on Twitter.

The statements drew a rebuke from the Russian Foreign Ministry, which claimed that the United States had helped incite the protests.

The demonstrations spanned the breadth of the country, beginning in the Far East and Siberia in Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Novosibirsk, and other cities despite brutal cold and a heavy security presence.

There were various tallies about the nationwide turnout. MBKh Media -- an online news organization founded by the exiled Russian businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky  put the number at 110,000, though other estimates said the number was likely much higher.

Moscow city officials said the crowds that initially packed the city's central Pushkin Square numbered around 4,000. Reuters and other news organizations estimated that some 40,000 had turned up.

RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service reported that authorities in Ufa, the capital of the Russian region of Bashkortostan, arrested protesters at a demonstration attended by more than 3,000 people.

Among those taken into custody were Ruslan Valiyev, the editor in chief of Ekho Moskvy in Ufa, as well as the head of Navalny's campaign team in Ufa.

In Yekaterinburg, riot police clashed with demonstrators who gathered in temperatures of minus 30 degrees Celsius and pelted police with snowballs.

Navalny has risen to prominence by crusading against government corruption and publishing a series of flashy and snarky investigations that have caught the publics attention.

After an unsuccessful run to be Moscows mayor, he and his allies switched tactics and began promoting a smart vote strategy -- supporting alternative candidates in local and legislative elections, in a bid to undermine the dominance of Kremlin-allied politicians.

He also been prosecuted for financial crimes, crimes his supporters say were contrived and politically motivated.

In August, while rallying support for his smart vote strategy, he fell violently ill and had to be evacuated to Germany, where doctors concluded he had been poisoned with a powerful Soviet-era, military-grade chemical known broadly as Novichok.

After recuperating in a German hospital, Navalny defied Russian government threats and flew back to Moscow on January 17 where he was arrested at the airport.

The day after his detention, a judge ordered Navalny held for 30 days pending a ruling on his suspended sentence that could be revoked and replaced by prison time. Among other things, authorities accuse Navalny of violating the terms of his parole while he was convalescing in Germany.

Navalny and his allies then called for Russians to take to the streets in support of his efforts.

They also stunned many Russians, two days after Navalnys detention, by publishing an exhaustive two-hour documentary and investigative report showcasing an opulent $1.36 billion palace on the Black Sea that they said belongs to Putin. The video is currently among the most-watched Russian videos on YouTube ever.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has called the investigation a lie and a cut-and-paste job.

Despite the violent crackdown by police, Navalnys allies remained defiant. Leonid Volkov called for more protests next weekend.

With reporting by RFE/RL correspondent Matthew Luxmoore, Current Time, RFE/RLs Russian Service, RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service, Reuters, AP, AFP, and dpa
An Australian man was forced to live off wild mushrooms and water from a dam for three weeks after getting lost in the bush with his dog when their car got stuck in the mud.

Robert Weber, 58, went missing after being last seen leaving a hotel in the town of Kilkvian, Queensland, with his dog on January 6.

But he was discovered on Sunday after police had called off efforts to rescue him.

Although suffering from exposure to the elements, Mr Weber is said to be safe and well - however, the status of his dog remains unknown and it is still missing.

He had gotten into trouble when his car was stuck in the mud on a farm road.

Robert Weber, 58, was last seen leaving the the Kilkivan Hotel Motel in Queensland on January 6 (Pictured: Mr Weber after being found)

Mr Weber was found two miles from his car (pictured) which was found on January 17

Mr Weber spent three days in his car before running out of water.

He set off on foot but became lost and remained near a dam where police said he survived by drinking dam water and eating mushrooms.

But he was found near a dam on by local MP Tony Perrett and his wife Michelle, according to local media.

Mr Perrett told ABC: 'We'd been past this dam on numerous occasions over the last week and when we saw him there it was just quite extraordinary.

'Just this morning it was good fortune that he was there and we were able to locate him.'

Mr Perrett had decided to keep searching for the local man, despite police calling off the search.

They found him around two miles from where workmen discovered his car last week on January 17.

'He said he was trying to get to Caboolture and he got disorientated  he became lost and didn't know where he was,' the MP explained.

Mr Weber revealed that he survived off wild mushrooms and water from the dam after running out of his own supplies.

Mr Weber was last seen leaving a hotel in Kilkvian, Queensland, eastern Australia

Mr Weber revealed that he survived off wild mushrooms and water from the dam after running out of his own supplies

During his search for shelter, Mr Weber had become disorientated in 30C heat and separated from his dog - which is still missing.

'He remained at his car with his dog for three days before running out of water,' police said in a statement.

'He left on foot and became lost and remained at a dam where he survived by sleeping on the ground, drinking dam water and eating mushrooms.

'Mr Weber was conveyed to hospital suffering exposure to the elements but was otherwise safe and well.'

Just a few days before the discovery, police had suspended the air and land search for the missing man.

'After a week of searching dense bushland, rivers, dams and steep terrain during wet conditions  the decision was made to discontinue the search for the Nerangba man, who has not been seen in that period,' Queensland Police said on Thursday.

'A search of the immediate surrounds led by police with the assistance of State Emergency Services personnel and aerial assets concluded yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.'
Federal prosecutors are still deciding on whether or not they will seek the death penalty in the criminal case against Louis D. Coleman III, the Providence man accused of kidnapping and killing Jassy Correia.

During a video conference hearing in Boston federal court last week, prosecutors said a decision on whether or not the death penalty will be sought still needs to be made.

Coleman, 33, remains in federal custody in connection with the 2019 case.

According to a report from WPRI, federal prosecutors said during the hearing that a decision may not happen soon as the Biden-Harris Administration is just in its infancy and a new Attorney General needs to be confirmed.

Lawyers for Coleman said they need to know the governments decision in order to prepare a proper defense for their client, the television station reported. Coleman could also be sentenced to life if found guilty. He has pleaded not guilty.

Several court documents filed by the prosecution and defense detail what happened and the circumstances surrounding Correias death.

Correia went out the night of Feb. 23, 2019 in Boston, to celebrate her upcoming 23rd birthday with friends.

The group made it to Venu in Boston. Coleman was also at the same club.

In the morning hours of Feb. 24, 2019, after the club closed around 2 a.m., Correia was outside alone. Eventually, she ended up interacting with Coleman.

Coleman and Correia walked along Tremont Street. At one point, Coleman began to carry Correia in what has been described as a piggyback, according to federal records.

Video shows Coleman and Correia getting inside a red sedan and leaving.

Roughly two hours later, surveillance footage shows Coleman parking his car outside his 95 Chestnut St. apartment building in Providence. Federal records said it was around 4:15 a.m. on Feb. 24, 2019.

Coleman, authorities said, got out of his car and returned with a blanket.

A short time later, Coleman walked from the red sedan towards the front of the building carrying a body with long hair and orange pants, FBI Special Agent Thomas Zukauskas wrote in the federal affidavit.

Investigators believe Coleman was carrying Correia.

Prosecutors said roughly 12 minutes later, surveillance cameras inside the apartment building show Coleman carrying a woman. Correia, prosecutors claim, was eventually carried into Colemans apartment.

Records show less than 12 hours after Coleman was spotted dragging Correias body into his apartment, he began texting another woman he met inside the club before interacting with Correia.

Text you when Im back in Massachusetts, Coleman wrote.

You live in Cali? the woman responded. But definitely hit me up and we can meet up.

Coleman replied, Yeah sounds like a plan! A smiley face emoji accompanied the response.

After a couple of other messages back and forth, the woman then wrote, You were too good to be true lol. Of course, I would meet a guy who doesnt live here.

It was Feb. 26, 2019, when Correias father reported his daughter missing. Correia would have turned 23 that day.

Through their investigation, authorities said they discovered Coleman bought items from a Walmart in Providence on Feb. 26, 2019. Some of those items included: duct tape, three disposable protection suits, surgical gloves and bleach bath.

Law enforcement converged on Colemans apartment two days later, but he was already gone. Investigators said they discovered two packages of hooded coveralls and respirator masks. They also noticed a cover for a couch cushion was missing.

Authorities stopped Colemans vehicle in Delaware on Interstate 95 on Feb. 28, 2019. Troopers asked if anyone else was in the car.

Prosecutors said Coleman responded with, Shes in the trunk.

Troopers popped open the trunk and found a suitcase. Authorities found a plastic bag containing a light-colored sofa cushion inside the suitcase. They then found Correias body inside, according to authorities.

The young woman had bruising and blood around her face. She was bound with duct tape and covered in what appeared to be baking soda. Correia had blunt force injury to the head, torso, upper body and neck.

Investigators discovered a plastic gas container, a lighter, gloves and other items in the car, records show.

In court filings, Colemans defense team claim Correia had a history of getting drunk and becoming aggressive. Coleman had an injury on his cheekbone covered by a bandage when he was arrested.

He first told troopers the injury was from the girl then later said he had cut himself shaving, court filings said.

Prosecutors said it appears the gist of the defendants argument appears to be that the victim, who weighed 119 pounds at the time of the autopsyassaulted the defendant, who weighed 200 pounds at the time he was booked.

The defense, which said it did not want to disparage Ms. Correias life or her memory in court filings, said the information explains the alleged crime to be a sudden altercation, not a planned and executed stalking, kidnapping, and murder.

Related Content:
Brazil's newly launched vaccination campaign against Covid-19 has gotten off to a late and rocky start -- as the country is hammered by a second wave of the disease, it is already close to running out of vaccine, syringes and other vital equipment, according to scientists who blame the government of Jair Bolsonaro.

The campaign only began on Monday in the country of 212 million, weeks after the United States and European countries launched their vaccination programs.

The late rollout, hampered by short supplies, has sparked growing public ire, with widespread complaints about people being vaccinated out of turn.

Thousands of people in several cities mounted protests this weekend demanding Bolsonaro's ouster.

The inoculation drive so far involves six million doses of the CoronaVac vaccine from China's Sinovac, and two million of the British AstraZeneca-Oxford jab, which arrived Friday after several delays from India where they are made.

The Butantan Institute in Sao Paulo, associated with Sinovac, has also received authorization for another 4.8 million doses of CoronaVac.

- Warnings of delays -

But no sooner had the vaccination program begun than professionals sounded the alarm about delays.

This comes at a time when the pandemic has been surging, claiming more than 1,000 lives a day and more than 215,000 to date, second only to the US total of over 415,000.

Any interruption in the supply chain could bring the vaccination program to a sudden halt, according to Isabella Ballalai, vice president of the Brazilian Society for Immunology (SBIM).

She denounced what she called "the incompetence of the Health Ministry" and said greater transparency is needed to restore public confidence.

Bolsonaro, who has long played down the seriousness of Covid-19, on Friday cast doubt on the effectiveness of vaccines.

The government acknowledged this month that it lacked 30 million syringes for the first phase of its national plan, which aims -- over an unclear timeline -- to immunize 50 million people.

Story continues

On top of the distribution challenges in this vast country, complaints have arisen in several cities about people getting vaccinated even when not in a priority group.

- 'Absolute negligence' -

In Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state, where hospitals are overflowing with Covid patients and oxygen supplies are critically short, the outcry of complaints led to a 24-hour suspension of vaccinations.

The Butantan Institute has said it expects eventually to be able to produce 40 million doses of the CoronaVac; the Fiocruz foundation, which has links to the Health Ministry, is supposed to produce the AstraZeneca vaccine but has warned of supply chain problems.

Many experts attribute the delays to Bolsonaro's frequent criticism of the CoronaVac vaccine, which they say has offended the Chinese.

The only explanation, said Margareth Dalcolmo, a pulmonologist and researcher at Fiocruz, is "absolute negligence, the diplomatic incompetence of Brazil."

Bolsonaro on Thursday rejected such criticism, saying the problem "is bureaucratic and not political."

- Rising frustration -

Thomaz Favaro, a political analyst with Control Risks, pointed a finger at the government, which he said "delayed in signing agreements with the laboratories."

Brazil has yet to reach agreement to purchase either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Janssen vaccine.

But Favaro said Bolsonaro will eventually have to pay a political price, adding, "the delay in the vaccination campaign has a serious impact on economic recovery, and that will increase people's frustration."

A new poll Friday showed Bolsonaro's popularity is at its lowest point -- 31 percent -- since he came to office in January 2019.

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The episode with Mr. Clark and Mr. Perry is yet another example at impeachment managers disposal as they put together their case that Mr. Trump should be disqualified from holding office again.

Mr. Clark declined to comment on his relationship with Mr. Perry, and he categorically denied devising any plan to oust Mr. Rosen. He said that there had been a candid discussion of options and pros and cons with the president that had been inaccurately described by The Times, but he declined to provide details. He declined to say anything more about his conversations with Mr. Trump or Justice Department lawyers because of the strictures of legal privilege.

Asked whether his conversations with the president had violated the department policy governing contact with the president, he said that senior lawyers at the agency provided legal advice to the White House as part of their duties. All my official communications were consistent with law, he said.

Mr. Clark, a member of the conservative Federalist Society, had been appointed the acting head of the civil division in September. He also oversaw the departments environmental and natural resources division, where he had worked under President George W. Bush.

Neither Mr. Perry nor his top aides responded to repeated requests for comment.

Some Senate Republicans, including Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the minority leader, have grown increasingly worried that if they do not intervene and distance themselves from Mr. Trump, the havoc wreaked by the former president could hurt Republicans political fortunes for years to come. The episode amounts to an unwelcome reminder that damaging information around his presidency could continue to emerge even though Mr. Trump is no longer in office.

And Mr. Perrys role in the discussions could further escalate tensions in the House, where Democratic lawmakers were already livid at Republicans for fanning the flames before the Capitol riot, with some rank-and-file members calling for the expulsion of lawmakers who led efforts to overturn the election.
Taiwan says 8 mainland bombers entered defence zone

A H-6K bomber, the type of aircraft Taiwan said was used in the incursion, is seen at an air show in Russia. File image: Shutterstock

Eight mainland bomber planes and four fighter jets entered the southwestern corner of Taiwan's air defence identification zone on Saturday, and Taiwan's air force deployed missiles to "monitor" the incursion, the island's defence ministry said.



Beijing has conducted almost daily flights over the waters between the southern part of Taiwan and the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea in recent months.



However, they have generally consisted of just one or two reconnaissance aircraft.



The presence of so many combat aircraft on this mission  Taiwan said it was made up of eight nuclear-capable H-6K bombers and four J-16 fighter jets  was unusual.



There was no immediate comment from Beijing. In the past, the central government has said it has been carrying out exercises to defend its sovereignty and security.



A map provided by Taiwan's defence ministry showed that the aircraft, including a Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft, flew over the same waters where the most recent mainland missions have been taking place near the Pratas Islands, though still well away from the island of Taiwan.



Taiwan's air force warned away the aircraft and deployed missiles to monitor them, the ministry said, using standard wording for how it responds to such activities.



"Airborne alert sorties had been tasked, radio warnings issued and air defence missile systems deployed to monitor the activity," it said in a brief statement.



The US State Department urged Beijing to stop pressuring Taiwan and reaffirmed its commitment to the island and desire to deepen ties.



"We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan's democratically elected representatives," State Department spokesman Ned Price said.



"We will continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defence capability." (Reuters)
Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II

EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation

ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason

Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia

Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest

"Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan

Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator'

Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow

Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast

We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan

Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory

Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances

Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections

Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day

Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan

Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake

Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS)

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS)

Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time

Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation

Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country

Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor"

Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building"

Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials

MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan

Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas

France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party

Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms

Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh

NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country

104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion

Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation

Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination

Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity

Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well

Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions

Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never!

Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial

Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?"

France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity

Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election

Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia

US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China

Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war

Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet

Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases

Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan

US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces

Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can

UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians

Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India

Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately

France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint

Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow

Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen

Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops

Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia acting FM resigns

Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity

China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order

Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM

Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage

EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting

Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post

6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest

Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan

UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas

Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening

His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia

Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens

Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon

Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures

Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension

Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire

ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces

Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards

Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory

Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan

Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia

Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia

Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws

Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone

Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control

Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor

Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation

NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning

European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched

PM Modi says 'shared effort' after Mauritius PM thanks for vax

After Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth expressed his gratitude for 1 million doses of Covishield vaccine on Saturday, PM Narendra Modi, taking to Twitter stated that the 'fight against COVID-19 is a shared effort'. Under the 'Vaccine Maitri' mission, India fulfils its promise to ship COVID-19 vaccines to six of its neighbours as a goodwill gesture. Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus took to Twitter and thanked India for its continued global support to COVID-19 response. This came after Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro expressed his gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for exporting the Covid-19 vaccine.

Thank you Prime Minister @JugnauthKumar! Our fight against COVID-19 is a shared effort. https://t.co/uXLW0z8tY3  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2021

Read: PM Modi Says 'fight Against COVID Shared Effort' As Mauritius PM Thanks For Vaccine Supply

Congress slams BJP for 'insulting' Mamata

As West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to speak at the Parakra Diwas event at Victoria Memorial in mark to protest to the "Jai Shri Ram" slogans raised, Congress has backed her step and condemned the action of BJP supporters. Speaking to the media, Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that it was all planned by the BJP and CM Mamata should have been cautious. Slamming the BJP, Chowdhury said that the insult of Mamata Banerjee in such a manner is an insult of the Bengali culture.

Read: Congress Slams BJP For 'Jai Shri Ram' Slogans At Netaji Event: 'no Right To Insult Mamata'

No sweets for Pak this R-Day

Ahead of Republic Day, the Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday stated that it will not exchange sweets with Pakistani troops this year. The customary exchange this year will not take place as the situation with Pakistan is not conducive, BSF IG NS Jamwal said. The BSF's decision comes after Pakistan's attempts to push terrorists along the borders. With this decision, the BSF has slammed Pakistan and indicated that terrorism and friendship will not go hand in hand.

Read: 'No Exchange Of Sweets With Pakistan On Republic Day': BSF Amid Tensions Along The Border

Stalin raises Jayalalithaa death mystery

Speaking at Maduravoyal, DMK chief MK Stalin targeted the AIADMK government for its plan to unveil a memorial of former CM Jayalalithaa. Stalin said that Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswami and Deputy CM and O Panneerselvam have no "moral right" to inaugurate her memorial before the truth about her death is out. Stalin also wished well to VK Sasikala who tested positive for COVID-19, days before her release from jail.

Read: Stalin Raises Jayalalithaa's Death Mystery: EPS Has No Moral Right To Unveil Her Memorial

French envoy thanks India for vaccine supply

French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain thanked India for supplying medicines to France at the time of pandemic. During the ongoing India-France bilateral exercise "Desert Knight 21", Lenain said, During COVID-19, you (India) shipped medicines needed in French hospitals. We are very grateful for that again... Very clear statements were released by your government and Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) when our values like secularism were under attack in my country. The air exercises are going on at Air Force Station Jodhpur, from January 20 to 24.

Read: 'Very Grateful': French Envoy Thanks India For Shipping COVID Vaccines To Fight Pandemic




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Ten years have passed since the outbreak of the revolutionary experiments known as the Arab Spring. If the political uprisings met with varying degrees of success or failure, the waves of turmoil they gave rise to have raised many questions concerning the nature of the Arab Spring. To what extent did it precipitate civil warfare and the collapse of states in the Arab region? To what extent were its political aims and principles undermined by domestic or foreign intrigues?

The sum total of the success of the first wave of the grassroots uprisings was limited. Tunisia, despite its economic difficulties and fragile political situation, was the only Arab Spring country that managed to preserve the state relatively intact and complete a process of democratic transition even if this remains shaky.

It was able to set this process in motion because it quickly transcended the adolescent revolutionary discourse that aimed to exclude sociopolitical groups tainted by association with the former regime. For the most part, this was a thinly disguised way of enabling various Islamist groups and, above all, the Tunisian Ennahda Movement, to prevail. Another important reason for Tunisias success was the election of Beji Caid Essebsi, a reformer who hailed from the post-independence era, as the countrys president as opposed to the candidate backed by Ennahda and extremist forces.

Tunisia was able to progress because it quickly shifted from a revolutionary to a reformist track that acknowledged the existence of conservative and traditional forces. Some of these formed political parties that served as platforms for the rise of conservative politicians that in some cases had been part of the old order and were opposed to Ennahdas discourse. A prime example is Free Constitutional Party leader Abeer Moussa.

However, while Tunisias experience represents one answer to some of the major questions posed by the Arab uprisings, the country continues to face major challenges. The Islamist Ennahda Movement is the source of some of these, while others are to be found in the inherent contradiction between having a president elected by direct popular vote yet giving him only limited powers.

A merely symbolic president elected by parliament as an honorary head of state is one thing. But when a president is directly elected by the people, it might be thought that he should be the countrys chief executive and not the prime minister.

But if the Tunisian success story has seen various problems, the cases of Libya, Yemen and Syria are at the opposite end of the scale. The failure of the Arab Spring revolutions in these countries is now frequently cited by stability first advocates in the Arab world as a reason to maintain the status quo.

NOBLE AIMS

People have a right to rebel against dictatorships that have clung to power for decades and sowed widespread injustice and corruption. The Arab peoples had a right to dream of democratic systems of government and the rule of law.

However, while all the Arab Spring uprisings espoused these noble aims, this did not mean they would attain the same results. The differences between the regimes in power and the revolutionary leaderships and the variations in the regional and international context were some of the reasons that gave rise to different outcomes.

Tunisias 17 December 2010 Revolution and Egypts 25 January 2011 Revolution have much in common. In neither country did political change precipitate the disintegration or collapse of the state, as occurred in other Arab countries. Both Tunisia and Egypt succeeded in preserving their government institutions even if their political paths diverged.

Tunisia initiated a democratic transition while facing political standstills and its governments inability to act. Egypt transitioned to the new order that emerged after the 30 June 2013 Revolution and the armys intervention on 3 July 2013, which deferred the democratic transformation and prioritised the war against terrorism, the consolidation of the state and the restoration of security and stability.

Libya became a synonym for the failure of the Arab Spring, seeing a slide into civil war and the collapse of the state. But many forget that throughout the 42 years of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafis rule, Libya never had government institutions in the sense that Egypt and Tunisia had. Libya did not have a state bureaucracy or a judiciary that was even half way independent. It could not be said to have had an army, as Gaddafi had reduced its armed forces to a motley collection of militias.

As a result, the fall of the Gaddafi regime meant the fall of this quasi-state. The same did not apply to Egypt and Tunisia, where there was a clear difference between the regime and the state, meaning that while the former fell, the latter of course survived.

It is necessary to remember such factors when discussing the causes of the failure of the grassroots revolutions in the Arab region. It is impossible to ignore the differences between regimes, meaning that in some cases the collapse of the regime inevitably led to the collapse of the state, the prevalence of anarchy and even the outbreak of civil war.

REFORMIST REVOLUTION

Every revolution has its own particular aims. The communist revolutions in Europe and elsewhere had the aim of overthrowing the status quo and dismantling the state because those leading them wanted to see a communist state and a socialist social order.

Millions died in the communist revolution in Russia when the country was plunged into a civil war pitting the communist Red Army against the White Army of the supporters of the previous regime. The former of course prevailed and established the Soviet state and communist system.

The Iranian Revolution in 1979 saw the revolutionaries espouse a religiously inspired ideological project informed by Shia doctrines. Tens of thousands of people lost their lives during the year-long campaign carried out by the revolutionaries, and tens of thousands more were later executed as the old government institutions were torn down to make way for revolutionary new ones and bring about a complete rupture with the old order.

The least acceptable way of seeing the Arab Spring is to try to make it fit into the same mold as some of the major revolutions of the past, among them the French Revolution in 1789 or the 20th-century communist revolutions in Russia and China. Some writers have dredged up revolutionary theories from the archives and tried to project them onto the Egyptian experience, for example, with disastrous results. The fact is that the Egyptian Revolution, like its Tunisian counterpart, was essentially reformist, as were those who led it from Cairos Tahrir Square. These people wanted to see a more just society that guaranteed dignity, freedom and equality.

The scene of young men and women cleaning Tahrir Square after the fall of former president Hosni Mubarak was unprecedented in the history of popular revolutions. It was a declaration that the protests had ended and that rebuilding must now begin. It also epitomised the true energy of the revolution and was consummately reformist. As the majority of the demonstrators withdrew from the city streets, they reaffirmed their confidence in the Egyptian armed forces, chanting that the people and the army are hand in hand.

When Mubarak stepped down on 11 February 2011, Egypt was ready to reach a consensus over an alternative from within the establishment or even the old regime, as long as this could be brought about through a consensual process and elections. Such a route would have strengthened the chances of a reformist alternative.

Unfortunately, while this option was eminently feasible, the Muslim Brotherhoods thirst for power intervened. In one of the groups reversals of position, it decided to field a candidate for president, fully aware of the consequences. When this closed and secretive ideological group entered the elections, it refused to obtain the necessary permits and comply with electoral laws. In short, it considered itself to be above the law.

Another development contributed to the derailing of the Egyptian experience. After Mubarak stepped down, the revolutionary coalitions opted to sustain their marches and protest demonstrations. This permanent mobilisation and occupation of city streets and squares alienated broad swathes of public opinion, which wanted to see an end to anarchy and lawlessness. As public opinion turned against the protesters, the discourse of the need for stability and a return to normal prevailed.

Finally, a revolution is an exceptional event to which peoples are driven when they are no longer able to tolerate oppression and marginalisation. After a revolution has taken place, the task should be to build democracy, justice and the rule of law and not revolutionary councils, revolutionary courts and emergency laws.

The 25 January Revolution in Egypt indicated powerful aspirations that have not yet been attained. These aspirations are towards a reformist, democratic and civil alternative, not one that shields itself behind the language of revolution, religion or patriotism while granting itself extraordinary privileges and the right to exclude opponents and opposing views.

The alternative that Egypt expects should seek to reform the institutions of government, not to destroy or to take revenge against them. It should work to broaden democracy and the rule of law. That was the true spirit of the January Revolution, and it is one that has not completed its mission yet.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 January, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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As many as 99,242 health workers have been administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Maharashtra since the drive was launched on January 16, a senior official said on Saturday, adding the state will conduct the exercise on five days per week beginning January 25 to cover more beneficiaries quickly.

Pradeep Vyas, principal secretary, state health department, said the number of days to conduct the vaccination drive per week has been raised from four days to five days now.

"Nearly 1 lakh health workers have been given the first dose of vaccine since January 16 in the state. To increase the reach, the state has now decided to carry out the inoculation drive for COVID-19 for five days a week starting from Monday next week," he said.

"The vaccine's first dose was administered today to 24,282 health workers, taking the total (beneficiaries covered) to 99,242. Gondia, Gadchiroli, Wardha, Amravati, Jalna, Beed, Dhule, Hingoli, Nanded and Osmanabad districts reported over 100 per cent vaccination. It means more people could be vaccinated than the target for the day," he added.

According to officials, around three lakh health workers will be vaccinated now as they need to take the second dose after a gap of four weeks.

Earlier, state health minister Rajesh Tope had said the plan was to vaccinate only 50 per cent healthcare workers because Maharashtra got less than eight lakh dosages, with a 10 per cent wastage risk.

In Nashik district, a total of 1,171 health workers of the targeted 1,300 received the COVID-19 jabs on Saturday at 13 centres.

One of the beneficiaries suffered minor problems after the vaccination but he was immediately given first aid and his condition recovered, an official release said.

No serious health issues were reported during the vaccination drive, which was conducted smoothly.

The number and percentage of vaccination in other districts under the Nashik division is Ahmednagar 870 (72. 50 %), Dhule 435 (108.75 %), Jalgaon 664 (94.86 %) and Nandurbar 308 (77 %).

In all, out of the 4,000 targetted beneficiaries for the day in the Nashik division, 3,448 health workers, or 86.20 per cent, were administered the vaccine on Saturday.

Also read: Brazil receives 2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from India

Also read: Another person dies after COVID-19 vaccination in Karnataka; not related to vaccine, says Centre
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Human remains have been found at a property which are believed to be from a man who mysteriously died in 2019.

The horrifying discovery was found by a neighbour at a home near Sparks Road in the Geelong suburb Norlane south-west of Melbourne on Saturday.

Victoria Police confirmed the discovery of the remains which are believed to be from a local man, 29, who died in 2019.

More human remains believed to be from a local man have been found in the Geelong suburb of Norlane. Pictured are police at a nearby home in September 2019

'They have been transported to the coroner's officer to be further examined,' a spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.

'Investigations are ongoing.'

No other new details are available, including how the latest remains were uncovered and what was found.

Human remains were first found by a nearby resident while excavating his backyard in September 2019.

The bones originally found were uncovered in a camping swag buried under old catalogues, including a skull with shoulder-length hair, a femur and hip bone.

Police believe the latest remains belong to a 26-year-old man who died in 2019. Pictured are police at a Norlane home in 2019 where more remains were found

A nearby Norlane resident was excavating his backyard (pictured) in September 2019 when he came across the horrifying discovery

A relative of the man who found the remains told the Herald Sun at the time he was shocked and upset by the grim discovery.

Neighbours at the time said a man and a woman who delivered catalogues for a living 'vanished' from the property which backed onto the Marnoo Court home several months before the human remains were found.

No one has ever been charged over the man's death.

Posted Sunday, January 24, 2021 8:27 am

Amid growing pressure from its employees  and ominous warnings from a national group known for brutal political attack ads  Microsoft hinted Saturday it might end its contributions to U.S. lawmakers who voted to overturn the election of President Joe Biden.

The Redmond-based tech giant said it will decide by Feb. 15 whether to "suspend further donations" to congressional members who objected to certifying the Electoral College results on Jan. 6, the day Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.

Microsoft "believes that opposition to the Electoral College undermined American democracy and should have consequences," said Saturday's statement, which echoed an announcement made internally Jan. 8, according to the company.

In the 2019-20 campaign cycle, Microsoft's PAC contributed to two of the eight GOP senators who opposed certification: Josh Hawley of Missouri and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, according to federal campaign finance disclosures.

It's unclear whether Microsoft's promise of a later decision will satisfy employees who have been pressing the company to immediately cut ties to objecting lawmakers, as other companies, including Amazon, have already done.

The company statement comes a day after the Lincoln Project, a group led by former Republican insiders famous for devastating anti-Trump campaign ads, threatened to unleash its creative fury on Microsoft over comments President Brad Smith made this past week about the company's political contributions.

In a Friday Twitter storm, Lincoln Project co-founder Steve Schmidt vowed a broadcast and digital ad campaign aimed at Microsoft customers and employees that "will not stop until Microsoft commits to living its stated values and stops financing the Members of Congress who voted to nullify millions of Black votes after a violent attack on the US Capitol."

Microsoft, Schmidt tweeted, had chosen to "to remain a financier of the BIG LIE, sedition, insurrection and the nullification of millions of black votes."

Schmidt's tweet storm, in turn, appeared to be in response to media reports about leaked comments Smith had made to Microsoft employees during a Thursday employee meeting.

In the comments, which Microsoft made publicly available Friday evening, Smith told employees that the company was reexamining its policy for its political action committee, or PAC. Among the questions Microsoft was asking, Smith said, was "Should the PAC suspend donations to the members who voted against the Electoral College? If so, for how long? Should it even take stronger steps with respect to members who led that effort or who fed disinformation, in our view, to the American public?"

But later in the meeting, Smith also explained why Microsoft didn't simply discontinue all campaign contributions.

Smith added, with notable candor, that contributions helped Microsoft build relationships with influential politicians. Those relationships could be key when Microsoft needed help on issues such as "green cards, or on visa issues, or help to get an employee or family member who's outside the United States, or on the issues around national security, or privacy or procurement reform, or the tax issues that our finance team manages," Smith told employees.

"And I can tell you there are times when I call people who I don't personally know. And somebody will say, 'Well, you know, your folks have always shown up for me at my events, and we have a good relationship, let me see what I can do to help you,' " Smith added.

Those comments reportedly were shared online and picked up by several media outlets Friday.

In its statement Saturday, Microsoft didn't refer specifically to the Lincoln Project. But a company spokesperson suggested that some coverage of the topic had drawn an unwarranted link between Microsoft's giving to specific objecting lawmakers and its broader philosophy on political contributions.

"It's unfortunate that people have conflated two separate questions, whether we should have a PAC and whether we should contribute to those who objected to the Electoral College," the spokesperson said. "We clearly can do the first without the second."

The Lincoln Project did not respond to a request for comment.

But Microsoft itself took to Twitter on Friday shortly after Schmidt's fusillade with a post explaining the company's position and a link to the transcript of Smith's comments.

And on Saturday afternoon, Schmidt seemed to walk back his earlier warnings. "@Microsoft has sent a crystal clear message about the importance of democracy. I'm confident Microsoft will do the right thing with regard to support for 147 Members who voted to silence millions of black Americans by nullifying their votes." He added that ProjectLincoln sees "no reason to take any public actions against Microsoft and looks forward to their leadership around an issue that demand moral clarity."

Chris Vance, a veteran Seattle area political consultant and former chair of the Washington State Republican Party, who is listed as a senior adviser for the Lincoln Project, said Microsoft's reluctance to immediately sever ties with objecting lawmakers fits the company's profile for extreme caution when it comes to politics.

Vance said the company largely avoided politics in its early years, and even after it launched a PAC, remained so concerned with political neutrality that it maintained two separate internal operations to raise contributions from employees  one for Democratic employees giving to Democrats and one for Republican employees giving to Republicans.

"Microsoft is just really cautious and deliberative about how they dip their toe in political waters," Vance said. "They've always tried to play both sides."

But on this particular political issue, the Lincoln Project appeared unwilling to leave Microsoft to its cautious approach. Vance described the Lincoln Project as "the enforcer" for the coalition of largely Republican organizations that formed to defeat Donald Trump and the broader movement of Trumpism, which has sought to undermine democratic institutions.

"Within that community, the Lincoln Project is the enforcer, the 'we're not pulling any punches, we're gonna get in your face'  that's why they exist," Vance said. "They are going to wage constant war against [Trumpism]. And they're never going to back down."

___

(c)2021 The Seattle Times

Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Editor: A time comes when silence is betrayal, Martin Luther King Jr. said in 1967, referencing the Vietnam War.

That view applies to Jan. 6 and those continuing to perpetuate the lie about election fraud and other falsehoods that brought armed insurrection by domestic terrorists to our nations Capitol.

Intelligence agencies warn us to prepare for long-term danger from right-wing extremists, many who are white supremacists. Now it should be incandescently clear that no one who has any concern for the integrity and life of America today can ignore the present war, King said of the Vietnam conflict.

Yet many powerful people remain silent today, betting they will stay afloat, while all around, others are swallowed by tumult. Silence, a privilege of the powerful, masquerades as neutrality but indicates self-interest and lack of empathy. There are moments when we must speak to the needs and sufferings of others and take risks, even if we do not have all the answers.

We must speak with all the humility that is appropriate to our limited vision, but we must speak. King said.

Leaders must tell the truth so we can salvage democracy and promote peace.

There is nothing except a tragic death wish to prevent us from reordering our priorities so that the pursuit of peace will take precedence over the pursuit of war, King said

Reject the death wish. Urge civic leaders to stop the doublespeak, disinformation and dog whistles.

Reject racism, anti-Semitism and violence.

King observed: We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now.

In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late.

This is no time for apathy or complacency.

This is a time for vigorous and positive action.

LENORE ROGAN

LORDS VALLEY,

PIKE COUNTY

Editor: I read Tuesdays article describing how two community-based agencies  Friends of the Poor and Scranton Primary Health Care Center  worked collaboratively to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to 350 residents in two senior high rises (Scranton high-rise residents inoculated).

Since the first COVID-19 vaccines became available, much confusion and frustration has emerged regarding when and where older adults can be vaccinated. Even though the federal government has approved states vaccinating people at least 65 years of age, getting a vaccination appointment is a major challenge. In some states, vaccination sign-up websites have crashed under the weight of tremendous traffic and phone lines at local departments of health have been overwhelmed. Moreover, evolving state distribution plans have led to a slower- than-anticipated vaccine rollout.

Pennsylvania is expected to include its prioritization of the 65-plus in its fifth version of a COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. According to census data, there 2.3 million Pennsylvanians over 65. Since the start of the pandemic, more than 795,000 cases of coronavirus have been recorded in the state and more than 20,300 residents have died of COVID-19.

The older you are, the more deadly COVID-19 becomes, with the majority of deaths among people 60 and older. So, it was refreshing to learn that Friends of the Poor had the foresight to collaborate with Scranton Primary Health Care Center. With 78 years of experience and service to the Scranton community between them, their leadership sought and successfully conducted a state-approved elderly high-rise COVID-19 vaccine clinic.

Having a vaccine available is great. Having two community providers collaborating to make it easier for older Scrantonians to be vaccinated is greater. Having more providers follow their example so that all older Pennsylvanians can easily access a COVID-19 vaccine would be the greatest.

TERESA OSBORNE

SCRANTON

Editor: Recently, the government conducted the first federal execution of a woman in nearly seven decades.

It was one of 13 such executions since the federal death penalty was reinstated in July after a 17-year hiatus. This moral abomination of state-sanctioned premeditated killing must end.

As Sister Helen Prejean, a leading moral authority in opposition to the death penalty once said about capital punishment: People are more than the worst thing they have ever done.

That worst thing in Lisa Montgomerys situation was indeed gruesome and hideous. She murdered a pregnant woman in Kanas in 2004, a horrifying act. But it is the more part of this damaged, delusional and broken human being that needs to be addressed. Montgomery, who was executed Jan. 13, was profoundly mentally ill as a result of a lifetime of sexual violence and torture.

Vengeance rings hollow when horror meets horror. When we embrace the view of an eye for an eye, we all end up blind morally.

Hopefully, the new administration will rescind the federal death penalty. In fact, make that the death penalty in general, in states as well. Only six other countries in the world execute more people than the United States.

As Pope Francis said, Today the death penalty is inadmissible to life. That means from the cradle to the grave.

JEFFREY PETRUCCI

SOUTH ABINGTON TWP.
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Michael Allen is the District Attorney for the 4th Judicial District, encompassing El Paso and Teller Counties.Pete Lee is a Colorado State Senator representing district 11, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and practiced civil and criminal law in Colorado Springs for over 30 years. Special acknowledgement to Liz Porter-Merrill, Colorado State Public Defender, for her contribution.
Strong incentives for UAE investors to target the Israeli high-tech market are underlined in a first-of-its-kind report published today following a record investment activity and growth in 2020, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

The IVC-Meitar Israeli Tech Review 2020 points to many maturing Israeli tech companies turning to capital markets this year among trends creating opportunities for UAE investors capitalising on the new trade links between the countries.

The report underlines the markets huge appeal to foreign investors who far outperformed their Israeli counterparts during funding rounds and in follow-on investment. Foreign investment was also behind the vast majority of the years largest deals above $100 million.

Providing detailed analysis on a record-breaking year in financing rounds, the report reveals that Israeli tech companies raised $10.2 billion in 607 deals in 2020, an increase of 31% in the volume of capital and a 20% increase in the number of deals compared to 2019.

A record number of publicly-traded Israeli tech companies raised $6.96 billion by 128 companies compared to $1.95 billion by 68 companies in 2019, and Israels leading law firm in the high-tech market, Meitar Law Offices, forecasts a continuing trend of maturity and development in 2021.

Published by Meitar and IVC Research Center, Israel's leading research specialists in high-tech and venture capital, the report provides a comprehensive analysis of the Israeli high-tech ecosystem activity, now of high interest to UAE investors for the first time.

It shows foreign investors contributed $6.26 billion in funding rounds and $7.34 billion in follow on investments last year compared with $1.91 billion and $2.58 billion respectively by Israeli investors. In large scale deals, foreign investors accounted for 88% of those over $100 million and 82% of deals over $30 million.

M&As deals under $5 billion fell to $7.96 billion (99 deals) in 2020 from $14.26 billion (143 deals) in 2019, primarily due to Covid-19.

Despite this, we simultaneously experienced an increase in financing rounds by Israeli and foreign investors, in the number of deals as well as the capital invested, said Shira Azran, partner at Meitar.

Specifically, financing among growth companies showed a significant increase, as did the total number of rounds. This demonstrates the maturity and development of the Israeli high-tech industry, manifested, among other things, in the increased number of companies that have crossed the billion-dollar valuation.

Last year saw a significant increase in financing by Israeli tech companies on the capital market as well as significant growth in SPAC deals. "We see this trend continuing in 2021, and many large companies that have matured in recent years will examine the option of public capital markets for continued growth and development, said Azran. We believe it will lead to an increase in M&As in these companies, where traded shares will be used as currency".

Guy Holtzman, CEO of IVC, said: "This first comprehensive report on the Israeli high-tech industry, combining data on financing, exits, and capital markets activity, will be particularly helpful to UAE investors exploring opportunities in Israel for the first time.

After a challenging but successful year for Israeli start-ups, the Israeli high-tech ecosystem will continue to be a source of attraction for leading international financial and strategic players.

Over the past year, foreign investors activity in Israel experienced significant growth, leading to a sharp increase in the volume of capital reaching young and mature companies.

Faced with the industrys financial challenges, the next year is expected to see Israeli institutional investors increasing their involvement in the field, and helping local companies reach new heights."

VC-backed deals increased in 2020 both in monetary volume and number of deals to $8.95 billion (384 deals) compared to $6.52 billion (320 deals) in 2019.

Investments in early rounds (Seed and A rounds) declined in the first two quarters due to market uncertainties surrounding Covid-19. But Q3-Q4/2020 saw an increase in VC fund capital investments and the number of deals. Total investments in growth companies were $8.54 billion, while early-stage companies raised $1.63 billion.

There were 19 IPOs by Israeli tech companies on local and foreign capital markets in 2020, with a total offering of $1.6 billion. Israeli public companies' activity on the capital markets was $6.96 billion (including IPOs, follow-ons and RDs, PIPEs, equity, and debt) in 128 deals compared to $1.95 billion raised in 68 deals in 2019. -TradeArabia News Service
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Antony Blinken speaks during his confirmation hearing to be secretary of state on January 19, 2021

Joe Biden has begun his presidency with sharp breaks from Donald Trump in both substance and tone, from climate change to immigration to a general openness to working with the rest of the world.

But on several key international issues, the Biden administration has signalled that it will not deviate from Trump, drawing unease from some on the left who hoped for a cleaner break but also renewing a US tradition of continuity in foreign affairs.

Paul Poast, a political scientist at the University of Chicago, said that the fundamental objective of the United States since the end of the Cold War has been to maintain primacy, a challenge that has become all the more pertinent with the rise of China.

"Maybe the rhetoric changes a bit but regardless of who's president, the overall goal of US foreign policy remains the same. And with Biden, I'm not expecting that to change."

Then president Donald Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner and his ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, dedicate a plaque in December 2020 at the embassy that Trump moved to Jerusalem

Antony Blinken, Biden's pick to be secretary of state, in his Senate confirmation hearing said that Trump "was right in taking a tougher approach to China," a signature policy of the defeated president that has drawn growing bipartisan support.

Blinken also said he would keep the US embassy in Israel in Jerusalem, a landmark Trump decision on the status of the contested holy city, and stood by US recognition of opposition figure Juan Guaido as crisis-wracked Venezuela's president.

Even on Iran, where Biden plans a U-turn by returning to diplomacy, Blinken and the new director of national intelligence, Avril Haines, used nearly identical language to emphasize a long road ahead as they put the onus on Tehran to return to compliance with a 2015 accord rejected by Trump.

Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, smiled and said "we're off to a good start" with Blinken, a longtime advocate for refugees who answered the Republican's question about a caravan of Hondurans heading to the United States by advising, "I would say, do not come."

The preternaturally calm Blinken's approach may largely be shrewd politics in facing an evenly divided Senate -- and it appears to have paid off, with the former Senate aide coasting toward easy confirmation as America's top diplomat.

Biden has followed through on promises to erase some of Trump's most controversial moves, immediately taking action to rejoin the Paris climate accord and stop the US exit from the World Health Organization and rescinding a ban on visitors from a number of Muslim-majority countries.

Blinken said that the administration will end US military support for Saudi Arabia's devastating offensive in Yemen, pointing to the role of the Trump-aligned kingdom in what the United Nations calls the world's largest humanitarian disaster.

- Smaller shift on foreign policy -

Phyllis Bennis of the Institute for Policy Studies, a left-leaning Washington think tank, said that Biden was shaping up to be the most progressive president in modern US history on key issues including economic equality, racial justice and climate.

Displaced Yemenis at a makeshift camp in the city of Taez on January 18, 2021 ahead of President Joe Biden's plans to drop US support for the Saudi offensive in the country

"Having said that, I think foreign policy is the arena where you see the biggest gap between the Biden or centrist wing, whatever you want to call it, and the progressive wing," she said.

"There are some very thoughtful people like Blinken. They are smart, they are experienced, but they are also all inside players at a moment when we need bold new ideas," she said.

She hailed the shift against backing the Saudis in Yemen, calling it the culmination of years of activism to raise awareness of suffering in the country.

But she voiced particular concern about the Biden team's direction on Israel.

"Trump's actions were designed to placate the most extreme elements of Israeli political life and if Biden doesn't reverse them, the US position becomes a means of normalizing those extremes," she said.

The bulk of Biden's key officials served with him under president Barack Obama, whose legacy was on the line when Trump walked away from the Paris and Iran accords.

Obama, who rose to prominence with his opposition to the Iraq invasion, as president poured troops into Afghanistan, ramped up drone strikes and put a new focus on Asia in the face of China.

Trump vowed to end "forever wars" and break ways with Washington experts but further intensified drone attacks and hiked military spending as part of his "America First" policy.

"If you were ever to see somebody totally change the direction of US foreign policy, it would have been Trump, but even then it's hard to say that he did," Poast said.

"If anything, Trump was the exception that proved the rule."
Stimulus checks

Regarding Biden should heed GOP advice, (B1, Jan. 20): I concur with Chris Tomlinson that President Joe Biden should reconsider sending $1,400 checks to working people making up to $75,000 and proportionally less to those making up to $99,000 who have not been negatively affected by the pandemic. Financial help should only go to those who have lost their jobs or small businesses that are suffering.

Much of the $1,400 would go into saving accounts or be invested in the stock market and do nothing toward creating jobs.

Biden does want to increase taxes on workers making more than $400,000 and that is a good thing because we have too much income and wealth inequality.

Lets send help to those who have been hurt by the pandemic and not to working and retired people like myself who have not lost a dime due to COVID-19.

Jimmy Dunne, Houston

Thanks for reading

Regarding Resign, Sen. Cruz. Your lies cost lives, (A16, Jan. 10): I live in Texas because my husband is in the military. I have not taken the opportunity to read the Houston Chronicle in the past, but I intend to support your paper online in the future.

Thank you for standing up to Sen. Ted Cruzs lies and insurrection. My husband and I are Republicans, but we did not fall for the grievous lies of President Donald Trump or his allies. We did not vote for Trump for myriad reasons.

Thank you for your courage and vigilance to hold people accountable. You are the voice of people like me.

Michelle Woodall, San Antonio

Trump and Twitter

Regarding Letters, (A14, Jan. 21): Absolutely no one has silenced Trump. Especially not the federal government. His First Amendment rights are still intact. He is still free to get his opinion out into the world in any fashion he wants through newspapers, TV appearances, radio talk shows, rallies, friends and business. Twitter has rules and terms of service. Trump repeatedly violated those private company standards, was warned and made the choice to refuse to comply. Twitter holds the rest of us to those standards so why should he get a pass?

Janet Shellenberger, Houston
A Pennsylvania legislator shared on Facebook an image mocking the appearance of the states recently departed health secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, a transgender woman who has been nominated to serve in the Biden administration, and then offered a general apology Saturday.

State Rep. Jeff Pyle, a Republican from Armstrong and Indiana counties in western Pennsylvania, said on Facebook that he had no idea the post mocking Levine would be  received as poorly as it was but that tens of thousands of heated emails assured me it was.

I owe an apology and I offer it humbly, Pyle said, not specifically apologizing to Levine or other transgender people, but later repeating an apology to all affected.

Levine has not commented. The state health department did not immediately respond to an email seeking a reaction to Pyles initial post or his apology.

Comments on his Facebook page had called for him to resign.

President Joe Biden tapped Levine a day before his inauguration be his assistant secretary of health, leaving her poised to become the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Pyle, who was first elected in 2004, cited a conversation with the Democratic leader in the state House who explained the error of my post. He stressed that he did not come up with the meme but merely shared it, though he said he should not have done so.

From this situation I have learned to not poke fun at people different than me and to hold my tongue. Be a bigger man, he wrote.

Pyle wrote he would leave Facebook soon but was not resigning and would focus on a Butler Community College project and the economic revitalization of Pennsylvania amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The husband of a Virginia woman who killed five children before taking her own life says he is going through a 'truly dark time'.

Brian Bumgarner was married to Oreanna Myers, 25, when she shot her three sons and two step-children at her home near Williamsburg on December 8.

Myers then set fire to the property before turning the gun on herself. According to police, Myers was upset that her husband had been staying with relatives during the work week for logistical reasons, instead of coming home to her.

The dead children have been identified as Shaun Dawson Bumgarner, 7, Riley James Bumgarner, 6, Kian Myers, 4, Aarikyle Nova Myers, 3 and Haiken Jirachi Myers, age 1.

One day after the tragedy, Bumgarner took to Facebook, sharing a status with his friends which read: 'I just wanted to say sorry and thank you to everyone reaching out to me and messaging me. I can't get back to all of you but in a truly dark time, I feel like I could fall and all of you guys would catch me. It gives me something... I don't know what. Maybe it be hope or strength or grit, I don't know. All I know is I have something and that's not nothing!!!'

Bumgarner has since locked his Facebook account and has not spoken publicly about the death of his wife and five children.

Brian Bumgarner (left) was married to Oreanna Myers (right) when she shot her three sons and two step-children at her home near Williamsburg on December 8. According to police, Myers was upset that her husband had been staying with relatives during the work week for logistical reasons,

Pictured above are five the children who were killed: Shaun Dawson Bumgarner, 7, Riley James Bumgarner, 6, Kian Myers, 4, Aarikyle Nova Myers, 3 and Haiken Jirachi Myers, age 1

One day after the tragedy, Bumgarner took to Facebook, sharing a status with his friends saying that he was going through a 'truly dark time'

Meanwhile, Myers' sister, McKenzie Kersey, also took to Facebook in the days following the tragedy, paying tribute to her late sister.

'I don't know what I'll miss more: the love you radiated or the hugs you gave me,' Kersey wrote beneath a photo that showed her in an embrace with Myers.

Details about the horrific December 8 event were revealed during a news conference on Thursday.

Speaking to media, Greenbrier County Sheriff Bruce Sloan said the five children's bodies were found with shotgun wounds to the heads inside the Williamsburg home, while Myers was found outside near a picnic table.

Sheriff Sloan described how Myers was found, revealing that she was wearing a coat with a hood, and had a red line drawn across her face from ear to ear, reported MetroNews.com.

Myers' sister, McKenzie Kersey, also took to Facebook in the days following the tragedy, paying tribute to her late sister. Myers is pictured at left in a floral dress

The murder-suicide and arson took place outside Williamsburg, West Virginia, on the afternoon of December 8

The mysterious line was seen on surveillance video when Myers had gone to pick up two of her sons from the bus stop at the end of the school day. One of the boys asked her if it was blood on her face, but Myers replied she had just drawn the line.

An hour later, emergency dispatch got a 911 call about a house fire on Flynns Creek Road. When firefighters arrived on the scene just before 4pm, they found the residence engulfed in flames.

About 40 minutes later, Myers' body was found outdoors. Four of the children were found dead inside the house that same day, but the fifth child's body was only recovered from the debris four days later, reported WVNS-TV.

Bumgarner stayed with relatives instead of at home during the work week due to transportation issues. Text messages between Myers and her husband showed that his absence during the week had been 'a tremendous source of contention' between them.

According to the Sheriff Sloan, Myers grew more desperate after Bumgarner left the house on December 6 after dropping off groceries for his family.

'You'll have nothing to come back to but to corpse [sic]. No one cares why should I?' Myers texted her husband.

'Money will come and go, once I go there's no replacing me. I beg and cry for help but never get it. It's my mental health that needs tending tohelp me I do not care anymore.'

First responders were called to the family's home after getting reports of a fire. There, they found the bodies of the children and Myers

Sloan said he was unaware of whether the woman was under treatment for any diagnosed mental illness at the time of the deaths. But in several notes she left before carrying out the murder-suicide and setting fire to her family home, Myers complained about the lack of treatment for mental illness, according to the sheriff.

'This is no one's fault but my own. My demons won over me. Sorry, I wasn't strong enough,' she wrote.

Myers texted her husband the day of the shootings saying she left something for him in their vehicle. A letter addressed to him was found inside with a bloody fingerprint next to her initials, Sloan said.

'I'm so sorry Brian,' she wrote to her husband. 'I was not strong enough for you or this family. My head is so (expletive). I'm sorry for my evil crime. I was not strong enough to fight these demons, Snap. Crunch, Boom. So depressed. Heart numb. Soul completely shattered. I am sorry I failed you. I am sorry I failed our handsome boys. I am so sorry I was not strong enough. OAM.'

Myers left a confession and other notes addressed to her husband and relatives, blaming what happened on her 'demons'

It took officials four days to find the body of one of the five children amid the debris

The sheriff said the woman also placed three notes inside a plastic bag and taped them to a side-view mirror on the family vehicle, including phone numbers to reach relatives, a confession and a will.

'I had shot all of the boys in the head. I had set house on fire. I had shot myself in the head. I'm sorry,' she wrote in her confession. 'Mental health is serious. I hope one day someone will help others like me. Mental health is not to joke about or taken lightly. When someone begs, pleads, cries out for help, please help them. You just might save a life or more lives. Thank you, OAM.'

Also recovered from the vehicle were glass jar with a crystal and a cloth decorated with a spiral symbol.

Two of the children who died - Shaun and Riley (top and bottom left) - Brian Bumgarner's sons from his first marriage

Following Thursday's revelations, Shaun and Riley's birth mother, Raven Frisbie, wrote on Facebook, referring to Myers: 'She murdered my babies and now everyone knows it'

According to a joint obituary for four of the children, Haiken, Kian and Aarikyle were Myers' biological sons, while Shaun and Riley were her husband's children from his marriage to Raven Frisbie.

Following Thursday's press conference detailing the investigation into the murder-suicide, Frisbie wrote on her Facebook page: 'She murdered my babies and now everyone knows it. I've been more than patient waiting for this day and now that it's here there is nothing that is going to keep me quiet. I fought for them while they were alive and I will continue to do so after.'

According to the obituary for the children, Shaun was a second-grade student at Frankford Elementary and wanted to be an astronaut. Riley was in kindergarten and loved sports. He was also interested in music and was learning to play the piano and the ukulele.

'Aarikyle loved painting, being a kid and was sneaky,' the obituary read. 'He loved Ninja Turtles and superheroes. Haiken being the youngest was spoiled by all and loved driving his toy cars.'
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Dashawn Cornellius Green-Brewster, 27, was discovered dead Thursday along Mulligan Hill Road in West Wheatfield Township, authorities said.

A Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) employee was inspecting a nearby drain along Mulligan Hill Road when he found what appeared to be a body in a grassy area of the roadway, Trooper Clifford Greenfield said Friday in a news release.

Indiana County Coroner Jerry Overman Jr. pronounced Green-Brewster dead at the scene and subsequently identified him as a resident of Philadelphia.

An autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death was conducted Friday at ForensicDX in Windber. Final results of the autopsy and toxicology are not available due to ongoing examination and investigation.

Pennsylvania State Police troopers called the death suspicious.

The Troop A Major Case Team is investigating.
Annual gaming event at Wrexham Glyndwr University to set to return with new twist

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jan 24th, 2021

An annual gaming event  helmed from Wrexham Glyndwr University by its multi-award winning Computer Game Development team  is set to return later this month with a new twist.

The Global Game Jam is a regular fixture in the calendar at Wrexham Glyndwr University, which is the longest-participating game jam representative in Wales.

Registration for this years event, which will start on Friday Jan 29 and run through until Sun 31, is now open.

The goal of the jam is to bring people together and attempt to make a game from start to finish within a strict 48 hour period. Jams emphasise teams working with new people from different backgrounds to encourage creative thinking  and hopefully, at the end of the event, result in small  but innovative and experimental  games.





While this years Global Game Jam is slightly different to usual  as it will not be held in-person, due to continuing public health measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic  the team at Glyndwr are still preparing for another fun-packed weekend.

University lecturers have played a key role in developing the Global Game Jam in Wales, and have seen their work on jams and other development activities featured across the media, including a feature on Channel Fives Gadget Show among others.

Programme Leader for Game Development, Game Design & Enterprise, and Game Art, Rich Hebblewhite is reprising his role as returning as the Regional Global Game Jam Coordinator for UK and Ireland for this years jam, which will be run at Glyndwr through the universitys thriving Discord community.

He said: Im really excited to be returning as co-ordinator.

The global pandemic has brought some interesting challenges for us to overcome but the GGJ community has continued to thrive and we already have more than 700 sites registered around the world.

Game jams are a big part of our course experience here at Wrexham Glyndwr University and as the GGJ is the biggest jam event in the world, our students look forward to it every year.

We expect this years event to feel a little different due to transitioning over to an online format, but we have a great community spirit  and I have no doubt we will see a huge number of awesome games being developed over the course of the weekend.

Having helped to set a world record during last years jam  which was the largest ever  the team are looking to do even better this year.

In total, 48,753 game jammers working from 934 different locations, spread across 118 countries, simultaneously spent a staggering 2.3 million+ hours of development time building 9,601 different games.

At Glyndwr, a team of more than 90 jammers managed to design and develop 17 unique games within the 48 hour period.

Rich added: Game jams are highly recommended by industry  as we know through our close work with a range of industry partners across our courses.

They are also an excellent chance to develop creative skills, teamwork, scope management and general people skills and as such, all students at any level of study, on any course are invited to attend as the experience is very rewarding.

You dont even have to make a digital game  board games and hardware projects are fine too.

To register for the jam  which is completely free- visit the official Glyndwr Game Jam 2021 site here. More about Wrexham Glyndwr Universitys award-winning BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development course can be found here.
Two men convicted in a 2016 robbery were each sentenced to seven years in prison on Friday afternoon.

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Two men convicted in a 2016 robbery were each sentenced to seven years in prison on Friday afternoon.

Brendan Allen, 31, and Seth Leslie, 24, were convicted in October 2020 of break and enter, robbery and mischief in an Aug. 26, 2016 incident. Both men originally pleaded not guilty in Brandon Court of Queens Bench.

Over multiple days of trial spread out over spring 2019 and fall 2020, the court heard Allen and Leslie, along with another co-accused, broke into a house to settle an alleged drug debt.

The court heard they threatened Sean Johnson with a knife, assaulting him and forcing him to show them to his brothers room.

Allen also threatened the mans girlfriend, telling her not to call the police or else he would kill her.

Crown attorney Marnie Evans asked for an eight-year prison sentence for both Leslie and Allen. She argued the incident was a "true home invasion" and the accused were armed, planned to break in and threatened the occupants.

She argued Allen and Leslie had intent to steal, were armed, broke in knowing there would be people in the house and threatened to kill the people inside, including Johnsons girlfriend.

"She was sleeping when this happened, in a home she thought was safe and that she was protected. Mr. Sean Johnson was 18, also a very young individual, sleeping in his own home where he should have been safe. Both of them will clearly live with these memories forever," said Evans.

"This was a horrific and violent invasion. It was an invasion of a home, a sanctuary, where two young people were sleeping, safe in the belief that their home was their fortress."

In a victim impact statement read to the court by Evans, Johnsons mother wrote the incident was traumatizing to the whole family and the invasion of privacy was upsetting.

Defence lawyer Andrew Synyshyn suggested a sentence of five years in prison for Allen, his client.

Synyshyn argued it wasnt a true home invasion as it wasnt planned. He pointed to the fact that the three arrived at the house in a taxi, showing they had no getaway plan.

"This is not a situation where they ransack the house looking for jewels, money, drugs  there was no planning to rob anybody, there was no indication they knew there were drugs in the home, money in the home, jewels in the home," he said.

Defence lawyer Bob Harrison, who represented Leslie, said his client didnt know what would happen when he arrived at the house that night and he apologizes to the victims family.

Leslie also had a rough childhood where he saw his own father in and out of jail, said Harrison.

While speaking to the court, Allen apologized and said he regrets everything. He said he has found a passion in being a barber since the incident and its something that has helped him turn his life around.

He said he also became religious and wants to finish school to stay on a path ensuring he will never be a problem to society again.

Leslie also apologized to the victim and his family. He told the court he had addiction issues at the time but is now sober and taken steps to better himself.

Justice John Menzies said the incident was "horrible" and there were many aggravating factors.

"The two of you were so ingrained in the drug trade that somehow you felt that going over to a private citizens home, and when the target of your vengeance isnt there you take it out on his brother and his girlfriend. This is clearly something that society abhors," said Menzies.

Menzies said he recognizes the positive steps both men have taken since 2016 to improve their lives, but they subjected the victims to horrific behaviour.

He sentenced both men to a total of seven years in prison for the break-and-enter with robbery charge, minus six months time served in jail.

"Its unfortunate, gentlemen, that you before the court having changed your lives the way you have. The offence you committed back in August 2016 was one that the court cannot ignore."

 dmay@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @DrewMay_
ALEPPO, Syria  The Third Legion of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) on Jan. 14 held an event to honor several of its fighters who graduated from universities in opposition-held areas in northeast Syria, mainly the International Sham University, the University of Aleppo in the liberated areas (in reference to the areas under the control of the Turkish-backed factions) and the International University of Science and Renaissance.

Several commanders of the Turkish-backed FSA and officials in the opposition-led interim government as well as fighters who graduated attended the event held in the Cultural Center in Azaz in Aleppos northern countryside.

Al-Monitors correspondent was present to see the joy on the faces of the graduates and their families. University of Aleppo President Abdul Aziz al-Daghim said at the ceremony, There have been great accomplishments in the opposition-held areas in the field of science, and they have produced results that were unexpected years ago.

Mahmood Talha, a journalist who works for Thiqa News Agency in Aleppos countryside, told Al-Monitor, With the onset of the Syrian revolution in 2011 and the widening stretch of protests calling for toppling the regime of Bashar al-Assad, it has become difficult for many opposition Syrian young people to pursue their education in universities [in regime-held areas] out of fear of arrest and the risk of moving between Syrian provinces. But the dream of returning to college never left them. As soon as they got the opportunity, dozens of them resumed their studies and benefited from the facilitations offered by their factions, amid the relative stability in the opposition-held areas in northwest Syria.

Hoda al-Abssi, the education minister of the opposition-led interim government, told Al-Monitor during the ceremony, Education generally is quite important, especially for the fighters of the FSA, because it allows them to develop their capacities and teach other members who could not pursue their studies. This will reflect well on the development of their fighting capacity and applying their knowledge in the military field.

Al-Monitor also met with ceremony organizer Ismail Barakat, the head of the Training Department of the Third Legion. He said that 55 fighters in the Third Legion were honored in the ceremony after graduating at the end of 2020 from several disciplines, including graduates from the Arabic language faculties and departments, Islamic sharia, law, economics and other scientific disciplines.

He added, We offered the graduated fighters gifts and symbolic financial sums. We held the ceremony to thank them for their efforts, and we hope they will encourage their peers in the FSA ranks to pursue their university studies, because education is the cornerstone to developing any country, and these young people will build a free Syria. We promise to support any fighter who wants to pursue his education.

Al-Monitor also met with Mustafa al-Khatib, a fighter in the Third Legion who graduated. He said, Since I am an opposition figure who participated in the peaceful movement and later became a fighter in the FSA, I could not pursue my studies at the regime-affiliated University of Aleppo. I am now a fighter in the Third Legion, which helped us financially and encouraged us to pursue our studies by paying our tuition and giving us permits to attend lectures and sit the exams at the University of Aleppo in the liberated areas.

Firas Hamasho, an officer of the education bureau in the Third Legion, told Al-Monitor, Helping fighters receive private education allows them to understand the difficult scientific material and to attend lectures and prepare for exams. One of the key facilitations is paying the annual university tuition of the institution where the fighter is enrolled. Tuitions vary depending on the university, from $100 (300,000 Syrian pounds) to $300 (900,000 Syrian pounds) per year. The annual tuition also differs depending on the discipline.

Imad Karsho, a fighter who graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Aleppo in the liberated areas, told Al-Monitor at the honoring ceremony in Azaz, I had not been to any school for seven years, but in 2018, I decided to return to school and complete my education at the Faculty of Law of the University of Aleppo affiliated with the opposition in Aleppo. Indeed, I was able to fulfill my dream.

He added, I tried to juggle between carrying weapons and education, as I participate in battles when they break out and take exams on time. Being dedicated to fighting without receiving knowledge is one of the biggest mistakes. We cannot promote Syria without knowledge, and a fighter without education becomes a scoundrel.

Ahmed Raslan is a fighter who was in his fourth year of studying at the Faculty of Information Engineering, specializing in software engineering, at the regimes University of Aleppo when Syria's civil war erupted in 2011.

He told Al-Monitor, I had to drop out because all of my family members were threatened with arrest. We could not enter the regime-controlled areas in Aleppo, and I later joined the FSA. Seven years later, Raslan returned to complete his education at the University of Aleppo in the liberated areas and received a degree in informatics engineering.

Abdul Hakim al-Masri, the minister of finance and economy in the opposition-led interim government, told Al-Monitor, As we know, the fighter must be educated, because education alters their way of thinking and conduct. The initiative of the FSA factions and their support for their fighters in returning to education is a great step. It is also important to employ these graduates in suitable positions for their specializations to have a trained and educated army.
Sudanese police fired tear gas on Sunday to disperse angry protests in Khartoum over the country's worsening economic crisis.

Dozens of demonstrators had blocked 60th Street, a major artery in the east of the capital, setting up barricades and burning tyres to voice their anger at soaring inflation, food shortages and power cuts.

"We can't find a loaf of bread for breakfast at school," said Hani Mohamed, a young protester in a high school uniform.

Protesters in Khartoum's sister city Omdurman also blocked a central street by erecting rudimentary barriers made of concrete blocks and used car parts.

Sudan has been reeling from an economic crisis since the ouster of autocrat Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 following mass nationwide protests sparked months earlier by high bread prices.

Soaring inflation, exacerbated by the global coronavirus pandemic, has brought more pain to the country of 40 million, where many are forced to queue for hours for a loaf of bread and endure hours-long power cuts.

Inflation reached a whopping 269 percent last month, according to official statistics, and the country is also struggling with some 60 billion US dollars of debt.

Earlier this month, Sudan signed a memorandum of understanding with outgoing US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin for a bridging loan to clear $1 billion of arrears to the World Bank.

It also signed another $1 billion agreement with the US Export and Import Bank.

Last week, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok's fragile, transitional civilian-majority government approved its first budget since being removed from a US blacklist last year to help rebuild the beleaguered economy.

ab/ff/par

(Newser)  You may soon come to love catnip as much as your cat. New research suggests the chemicals derived from catnip and silver vine, an even more potent plant that grows in the mountains of Japan and China, can ward off pesky mosquitoes. Masao Miyazaki, a biologist at Japan's Iwate University, spent five years examining catnip and silver vine, eventually unearthing a silver vine chemical called nepetalactol, which is similar to but more potent than nepetalactone, the key compound in catnip. When paper pouches full of nepetalactol were put in cages with 25 domestic cats, 30 feral cats, and a five big cats housed at zoos, most felines went nuts for the stuff, rubbing against it for 10 minutes on average, while ignoring an unlaced pouch, per Science. This resulted in elevated levels of beta-endorphins, also known as the "happiness hormone," researchers say.

story continues below

But they were interested to know whether there was more to the feline obsession than pleasure. And the findings suggest that "rolling [in nepetalactol] is rather a functional behavior," says Miyazaki, whose study appears in Science Advances. Working off previous research showing nepetalactone could be as effective a mosquito repellant as DEET, per the New York Times, Miyazaki's team applied nepetalactol and a neutral substance to cats, then exposed them to hungry mosquitos, finding half as many insects landed on the cats treated with nepetalactol. Researchers therefore suggest cats "use plant metabolites for protection against insect pests." While it doesn't necessarily explain why cats love plants like catnip, this potential benefit might apply to us. Per Science, the team has already patented an insect repellent based on the research. (Read more discoveries stories.)

Controversy has erupted in Iran after senior officials blamed Chinese mining of cryptocurrencies for recurring blackouts in the country, as well as rocketing pollution. As Middle East Eye reports, following major power outages in Tehran in early January, media reports and officials began to point the finger at a large Chinese mining farm near the city of Rafsanjan. The farm, which employs 54,000 miners, is the largest authorised site for Bitcoin mining in the country, reportedly using 175 megawatt hours of electricity. The farm, which operates under the name of the company Iran-China Investment Development Group, has rejected the allegations, blaming inefficiency in the Iranian electricity industry for the blackouts.

However, following a public outcry, Fassihi Harandi, the governor of Rafsanjan, announced that the farm had voluntarily stopped its activities. "The officials of this [Bitcoin mining farm] told [us] that the purpose of stopping the activity of the unit is to provide electricity to the people in residential areas and prevent [more] blackouts," he said. It was then declared that all the Bitcoin mining farms in the country had stopped their activity for two weeks. The controversy has not just raised questions about the viability of mining cryptocurrencies in Iran, but also highlighted significant rifts within Iran's political establishment over Iran's relationship with China, with some pro-China figures accusing pro-US figures of attempting to smear Beijing over the affair.

A politicised problem?

Hossein Kanani-Moghaddam, a conservative analyst, told Middle East Eye that he believed that the furore stemmed from attempts to marginalise Chinese influence in Iran. Last year, it was reported that the Iranian government had approved a draft 25-year deal with China on economic and political cooperation.

Critics argued Tehran had agreed to a "colonial" deal that would allow China to plunder the country's natural resources and oil reserves. "Following the leakage of the report of Iran's 25-year agreement with China to the media, a negative propaganda was launched against Beijing in Iran, with some interviews against it," said Kanani-Moghaddam. "I think people close to the West are behind this propaganda." Reports have emerged about another Chinese mining farm operating in the Aras free zone in the northwest of Iran, something later confirmed by Amir Nazemi, the deputy to Iran's communication minister.

However, electricity officials in the Aras free zone have claimed that no Chinese mining farm is operating there. This comes despite comments from Mohammad Reza Sharafi, the head of the country's Cryptocurrency Farms Association, claiming 90 percent of the people active in mining cryptocurrencies are working in free and economic special zones. In reply to a question about the countries involved in mining farms in Iran, Sepehr Mohammadi, the chairman of the board of the Blockchain Association of Iran, told MEE that: "We have had Chinese and Indian mining farms in Iran." Mentioning a study conducted about two years ago, Sharafi told MEE that there were 500,000 mining machines in Iran at the time.

'Anti-China atmosphere'

Ali Shariati, a senior member of Iran's Chamber of Commerce and a reformist figure, told MEE: "There is a current inside Iran which seeks to create an anti-China atmosphere in Iran, with the sole aim of settling [internal] disputes." He said the issue of China in Tehran had turned into a partisan matter while the issue was primarily diplomatic and economic.

Others have played down the link to China. Mustafa Rajabi Mashhadi, the spokesman for Irans' national electricity grid, said the main problem stemmed from unauthorised cryptocurrency mining. On 8 January, he said: "More than 300 megawatts of unauthorised electricity is consumed by cryptocurrency miners. "The increase in the price of Bitcoin, which was once $8,000 and now has reached more than $30,000, has increased the number of miners."

Mining activists' dismay over attacks

Some of the authorised miners in Iran have expressed their concern at the atmosphere being created against them as the result of the blackouts. "Unfortunately, whatever happens, the officials blame it on miners while all these things are the consequence of their own mismanagement," said Mohammadi. "The volume of electricity consumed by miners in Iran is not high. All this ballyhoo is just a kind of hoax."

Sharafi said that some in the media wanted "to make the unreal issues real by waging propaganda, and want to deprive the country of the opportunity of mining cryptocurrencies". "Four percent of the total mining of cryptocurrencies in the world is done in Iran. "It is estimated that 12,000 megawatts is spent every hour by Bitcoin mining. If we consider a five percent share for Iran, we can say that approximately 600 megawatts of electricity is consumed every hour, for which the Ministry of Energy has issued a permission for consuming 310 megawatts." Sharafi warned that such negative sentiments may lead Iran to lose the chance it has for making profit in the industry.

Who is guilty?

There is still a debate in Iran as to who is primarily responsible for the blackouts. According to Abuzar Salehi, director general of international affairs for Iran's electricity industry, "one of the factors that has increased electricity consumption is the unauthorised cryptocurrency mining, and so far we have identified about 1,600 unauthorised cryptocurrencies. "Their mining devices were collected and electricity consumption was taken from them."

Later, the Ministry of Energy urged people to be given a reward in return for locating unauthorised miners. As a result, 45,000 unauthorised miners have been identified in the largest nationwide programme to combat unauthorised diversions. "Unfortunately, due to sanctions and the consequent recession, many industrial and manufacturing parks, which receive cheaper electricity from the government, have turned to illegal virtual currency mining," said Sahriati, calling on the state to clarify its position on the unauthorised miners.

There have also been questions around government and state-run organisations using unauthorised mining farms. In 2019, Fateme Zolqadr, a member of Iran's parliament, revealed that two studios belonging to state TV had been involved in cryptocurrency mining. In response to the accusations, Mahmoud Vaezi, chief of staff to Iran President Hassan Rouhani, denied the reports, saying the government had no mining farms. However, he made no reference to state TV channels.
The Ghana NGO Coalition on the Rights of the Child (GNCRC) has expressed disappointment about the incident of baby harvesting and child trafficking at some health facilities in Accra.



The Coalition has, therefore, urged institutions responsible for ensuring justice to act swiftly without fear or favour to ensure that the victims and their families got justice.



It also called on the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to form a task force to further investigate the matter to unravel the truth surrounding the incident.



Additionally, it called on the government to prioritise logistics and budgetary allocation for Child Protection and Child Rights to enable all children related institutions to function well.



These were contained in a statement signed by its National President, Mr Philip Bosomtwi Amoah and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Cape Coast.



The statement commended the Ghana Police Service, EOCO and the Medical and Dental Council for the collaboration and encouraged expectant mothers and their families to be vigilant at the hospitals and clinics.



The coalition urged international, national and local organisations championing child Rights and protection to double their activities to give strong support to child rights protection in the country.



It encouraged the Coalition members to activate their investigative lenses and to monitor institutions that deal with children.

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.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-25 01:42:45|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday called for efforts to promote education for all.

In a video message to mark the International Day of Education, Guterres paid tribute to the resilience of students, teachers and families in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, which, at its peak, forced almost every school, institute and university to close its doors.

Although this disruption has led to learning innovations, it has also dashed hopes of a brighter future among vulnerable populations, he said.

"All of us pay the price. After all, education is the foundation for expanding opportunities, transforming economies, fighting intolerance, protecting our planet and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals."

As the world continues to battle the pandemic, education -- as a fundamental right and a global public good -- must be protected to avert a generational catastrophe, he said.

Even before the pandemic, some 258 million children and adolescents were out of school, the majority of them girls. More than half of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries were not learning to read a simple text, he noted.

"In 2021, we must seize all opportunities to turn this situation around," he said.

"We must ensure the full replenishment of the Global Partnership for Education fund, and strengthen global education cooperation. We must also step up our efforts to re-imagine education -- training teachers, bridging the digital divide and rethinking curricula to equip learners with the skills and knowledge to flourish in our rapidly changing world. Let us commit to promote education for all -- today and every day," the UN chief said. Enditem
Vietnams Ministry of Health collected over 10,000 COVID-19 test samples as part of preparations for the 13th National Party Congress, and all of the results had come back negative as of Saturday.

More than 10,000 samples of delegates and members of service teams and relevant units have tested negative for the novel coronavirus once.

Their second tests are expected to be complete on Sunday.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long and a delegation of health officials on Saturday inspected medical preparations for the Congress at the Party Central Committee's Office and four accommodation facilities for delegates.

They also examined the second collection of samples for COVID-19 testing from staff serving the Congress, the process of body temperature screening and disinfection in entry and exit areas, and medicines and equipment in medical and quarantine rooms.

There will be medical rooms and quarantine areas at hotels serving delegates with sufficient medicines.

All employees and security guards at these hotels have already tested negative for the novel coronavirus twice.

Competent agencies have also partnered with the Hanoi Sub-Department of Food Hygiene and Safety to check all foods that will be served during the Congress.

The health ministry will work with the municipal authorities, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, and other units to readily respond to other medical contingencies.

About 500 medical workers will be mobilized to serve the 13th National Party Congress, around 300 of whom will stay on duty at conference venues and accommodation facilities.

The 13th National Party Congress will take place at the National Convention Center in Hanoi from January 25 to February 2.

Up to 1,587 delegates representing more than 5.1 million Party members nationwide will attend the event, up by nearly 80 delegates compared to the 12th Congress five years ago.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Photo: The Canadian Press Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole holds a press conference on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020.

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says he was once willing to give his former leadership rival Derek Sloan the benefit of the doubt, but no longer.

And he dismissed the idea that kicking Sloan out of caucus this week has pitted him against one of the party's most powerful wings, social conservatives, whose support O'Toole courted directly during the leadership race last year in part by backing Sloan at the time.

In an interview with The Canadian Press, O'Toole said he didn't believe Sloan meant to be racist last year in his characterization of chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam.

That's why he opposed efforts then to kick him out of caucus, O'Toole said.

"I always will give a colleague, or anyone in Parliament, in public life, the benefit of the doubt or, you know, listen to them the first time," O'Toole said.

"And that was the case early on with Derek, when he said he did not mean to malign the intentions of Dr. Tam."

But O'Toole said a "pattern developed" since then, and frustrations mounted that Sloan's extreme views posed an ever-present danger to the party's goal of forming government.

It all appeared to come to a head last week.

In the aftermath of riots in the U.S. led by extreme right wing supporters of now-former U.S. president Donald Trump.

O'Toole faced pressure from caucus, conservative supporters and his rivals to firmly disavow any elements of extremism in his party's ranks.

Last Sunday, O'Toole issued a statement doing just that. The next day, media organization PressProgress reported O'Toole's outrage over Sloan's leadership campaign accepting a donation from a known white nationalist.

While O'Toole moved swiftly to start the process of kicking Sloan out  getting 20 per cent of MPs on side as required by law  he insisted the demand was driven by caucus, as evidenced in the majority vote to remove him.

"The caucus was ready to make that decision and send a strong message that we are a welcoming party, we respect one another, and we respect Canadians," he said.

O'Toole disputed accusations from Sloan and anti-abortion groups that the decision to kick him out had nothing to do with the Ontario MP's previous statements.

In recent weeks, Sloan has been pushing to get as many socially conservative delegates as possible registered for the party's policy convention in March.

Sloan, as well as the Campaign Life Coalition and RightNow, want enough delegates in their camp so motions they support will pass, including one that would remove the existing policy stating a Conservative government would never regulate abortion.

They also want to elect a slate of directors to the party's national council to entrench their strength.

Sloan said the decision to kick him out was a kneejerk reaction to what happened in the U.S.

But he also contends the move was driven by anger from his fellow MP's unhappy to se him actively courting money and support in their ridings. He's pledged to name them so social conservatives know who is trying to silence their voices, he said.

"They think they are little petty princes ruling these fiefdoms and no one else can have a say," Sloan said.

O'Toole rejected the idea that Sloan's efforts amount to an attempt to take over the party, and O'Toole's own move was a bid to stop it.

"There is no such effort to the extent that Mr. Sloan is suggesting," he said.

Sloan had little national profile when he entered the Conservative leadership race just a few months after becoming an MP.

But early on, he garnered attention for suggesting he wasn't certain of the scientific basis for a person being LGBTQ.

From there, he quickly became well known for his often extreme social conservative views. His comments about Tam, in which he suggested her loyalty lay with China rather than Canada, sparked outrage and took criticism against him to the next level.
An Irish truck driver was arrested in France after 42 kilos of cocaine were seized from his lorry at the Channel Tunnel terminal.

He was detained on suspicion of importing controlled drugs and questioned by National Crime Agency (NCA) investigators before being released under investigation.

The discovery was made after a search of the vehicle which was carrying whey protein powder as it entered the UK zone of the terminal in Coquelles, northern France, on the evening of Tuesday, January 19.

Border Force teams, who were working with the NCA, found 42 tape-wrapped packages of cocaine hidden amongst the pallets.

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It's understood the drugs would have had an estimated street value of around 3 million (3.3m) if cut and sold in the UK.

NCA Dover branch operations manager Debbie Cook said: This was a considerable quantity of class A drugs, and the seizure will be a big hit to the criminal enterprise involved.

Working with Border Force and other law enforcement partners we are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle smuggling gangs, take their contraband off them and stop it reaching our streets.

Our investigation into this seizure continues.


South Africa jazz trombonist and composer Jonas Gwangwa, whose music powered the anti-apartheid struggle, died on Saturday aged 83, the presidency said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa led the tributes to the legendary musician who was nominated for an Oscar for the theme song of the 1987 film "Cry Freedom".

"A giant of our revolutionary cultural movement and our democratic creative industries has been called to rest," Ramaphosa said.

"The trombone that boomed with boldness and bravery, and equally warmed our hearts with mellow melody has lost its life force" the president added.

There were no immediate details on how or where Gwangwa died.

He passed away on the third anniversary of the death of the "father of South African jazz" Hugh Masekela and the second anniversary of the death of Zimbabwean musical legend Oliver Mtukudzi. Jan. 23 had become "the day the music died The South African and other media outlets said.

Gwangwa was born in October 1937 in Soweto and went on to have a career spanning 40 years.

"He delighted audiences in Sophiatown until it became illegal for black people to congregate and South African musicians were jailed merely for practicing their craft," the presidency's statement said.

He was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga, South Africa's highest national award presented for achievements in art and culture, in 2010.

The award recognised his work as composer, arranger and musical director of the Amandla Cultural Ensemble, a cultural group formed by activists from the African National Congress in the 1970s.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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On January 26, 1950, the Constitution of India came into effect throughout the whole nation. And as we gear up to celebrate the 72nd Republic Day on January 26, 2021, Zee TVs actors share their thoughts about the rights and duties of a responsible citizen and share some of their best memories of celebrating Republic day as kids.

Neha Marda who plays Shubhra in Kyun Rishton Mein Katti Batti said, The one fundamental right that I take very seriously is the right to equality by supporting my family and being independent myself. In spite of being a part of a conservative family, I have equal rights in every family decision taken in the house. Also, the fundamental duty that I think everyone should take seriously is towards the environment/nature. I like planting a lot of trees in and around my house and I also try to save water wherever I can. I have felt proud of my country at every moment of my life and I believe that one does not need a special occasion or a moment to feel proud, its in my blood and I am proud to be an Indian.

Siddhanth Vir Surryavanshi who plays Kuldeep in Kyun Rishton Mein Katti Batti said, I feel proud of our country's democracy as well as the opportunities that our country provides to its citizens. Every time we have elections, we get to choose our Government, whether it is for our state or the country. A lot of countries don't give their citizens such an opportunity. Also, the peacefully conducted election in India proves to the world that in spite of such a vast diversity in our country, we can smoothly conduct elections without any hiccups. This really makes me proud.

Shrashti Maheshwari who plays the character of Avni in Tujhse Hai Raabta said, The fundamental rights that I sincerely follow are Right to Equality and right to freedom. I strongly believe that a d difference between a girl and a boy must not limit anyone to freely speak or express themselves. A person is not defined by their gender but by their will to achieve all that they wish in life. I clearly remember the one moment when I felt really proud to be an Indian was when I became NCC sergeant from NCC cadet and won the best commanding officer of NCC in 2012. When they were giving me the badges for the best commanding officer, my parents were also present there and it was a proud moment for both of us. I also feel proud to be an Indian because of the vast culture in India and that culture can be carried from generation to generation. Given a choice, I wouldnt want to leave this country.

Amandeep Sidhu who plays the character of Mahi in Teri Meri Ikk Jindri said, I remember when I was back in school, I used to always perform in the special Republic Day dances that would happen on this day. It was a yearly fixed routine, and it was one of the things that I used to eagerly look forward to, performing in front of a large crowd and we used to begin rehearsals nearly a month before for this. Its much later in life that I began watching the parade on television with my parents and developed a different importance and meaning for this day. As we celebrate yet another Republic Day, I truly hope our nation only progresses from hereon and heres wishing each one of our viewers a very Happy Republic Day.

Adhvik Mahajan who plays the character of Jogi in Teri Meri Ikk Jindri said, The most innocent and adorable childhood memory I have of Republic Day is of the flag hoisting that used to happen in our societies. Back when we were kids, I remember we used to love standing under the flag as we would wait for the flower petals to fall on us and we would try catching them in our palms. Its only much later that we began learning and understanding the true meaning and importance of this day. Every Republic Day celebration has been the same where I have spent time watching the parade with my family and this year too, I plan to continue this tradition. I would like to wish all the citizens of India a very Happy Republic Day and I hope they feel proud of being an Indian in the same way that I do.

Tannaz Irani who plays the character of Rajeshwari in Apna Time Bhi Aayega said, I remember back in college, we had a huge Republic Day party and had to dress up in the National flag colours and had to carry food from each of our houses. On that day, I remember making a tri-coloured pulao which everyone loved eating and we also celebrated with unique tri-coloured non-alcoholic drinks as a part of the party. I think this was one Republic Day which however unusual was very memorable and till date I clearly remember how we were after our parents to give us money to purchase things of the Indian flags colour. Where this day is concerned, I often feel the value and importance that people have for Republic Day just gets completely washed out because of Independence Day. Most Indians dont even know what Republic Day is celebrated for and forget that it was the day our constitution was formed. This is a teaching that I am currently enforcing amongst my children and I hope many others also realize the value this day holds in Indian history. Heres wishing everyone a very Happy Republic Day.

Pooja Banerjee who plays the role of Rhea in Kumkum Bhagya mentioned, "I am a proud Indian and I love celebrating Republic Day every year. In fact, I have many memories from my childhood, but the most special one is seeing my cousin sister, Ruchira Chatterjee, leading her contingent at the Republic Day parade. She was the first woman RPF officer to lead the parade and as kids, we used to look up to her. We all were very proud seeing her walk at the Republic Day parade with a sword in her hand and even now, I do watch the parade whenever possible. I feel really proud of my country and this Republic Day, I feel everyone should be proud being Indians first and we should raise a voice against whoever tries to tarnish the image of our nation, even if its our friends. As a country, we should also understand the true meaning of secularism, as we have started being intolerant over the past few years. Let us unite together and work for the betterment of the country."

Sanjay Gagnani who plays the role of Prithvi in Zee TVs Kundali Bhagya mentioned, "Ever since I was a kid, Republic Day has always made my heart swell with pride. After all, it was the day, when we used to see the Republic Day Parade, go for the flag hoisting, sing patriotic songs and watch patriotic movies. I have celebrated this day with great pride and enthusiasm every year and this year is going to be the same. I must also say that we should also salute our soldiers on the borders who are fighting every day to protect us so that we feel safe and secure at home and also all the lawmakers who have ensured that every citizen feels that they are a part of this amazing democratic nation."

ALSO READ: Republic Day 2021: 5 Patriotic Dialogues Of Akshay Kumar That Had Audiences Blowing Whistles

ALSO READ: Republic Day Special: These Marathi Films You Must Watch On This National Holiday
Courtesy of the National Park Service

A 41-year-old woman who went missing during a hike at Yosemite National Park in mid-January was found dead last week at the base of a waterfall, the National Park Service said Friday.

Alice Yu Xies body was found at the base of Upper Yosemite Fall on Saturday, Jan.16, a day after she had first been reported missing. Her next of kin have been notified, officials said.
Omg i have SO many opinions about the fashion on this show.



All of season 6 trash it burn it never again. I actually like this season but the fashion is very oh honey no. And no it's not a sign of the times because the wardrobe department in season 5 or 7 did not suck ass.

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I liked some of the fashion in season 6, but most of it was pretty bad.

I think Willow had some OK looks, this might've been the first season where her style wasn't absolutely horrendous 90% of the time. But I agree, for the most part, with a lot of it.



Although season 6 is the one that brought us Tara's better fashion choices, so...hmm.

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I want buffy season 7 wardrobe and hair tbh



Those highlights and bang were superb

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her lil jean jacket look in the finale with the ponytail is still an inspiration tbh

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I'm also glad you mentioned tara because they found every which way to style her in literally the most unflattering outfit always.

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I honestly think that this was done deliberately at the behest of Joss Whedon in order to punish her for not having the kind of lithe body he is so clearly sexually attracted to. Whedon has talked openly about his disgust with Amber Bensons body and his reluctance to cast her because of it. Such a petty slimeball.

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god he never ceases to infuriate me

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Has he really?? I want to find some quotes, I'm always welcome to more reasons to seethe at this man's existence.

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Burn in the desert, Josh.

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Lol what?



He has never expressed disgust over her body.

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I'm loving these posts



but I gotta ask - OP are you Ira Madison? lol

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Hahahahaha, no. Not Ira Madison, had to google who that was. I'm just an enormous Buffy fan with a desire to be distracted from homework and work.

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Thank you for blessing us with your posts 

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Buffys short dress/high boot combo is still a favorite of mine.



There was this one outfit in S2 where Buffy wore like a blue shirt and red skirt; I always loved that outfit for whatever reason

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but I was OBSESSED with her Becoming outfit when it first aired

Buffy Summers S1 is the height of her grasping onto being into fashion and I kind of wish it lasted a bit longer then it did.but I was OBSESSED with her Becoming outfit when it first aired

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I wanted that coat from Becoming SO BADLY (I still do tbh).

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same i would still wear it

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I feel like an old lady but that dress in the first gif is SO short holy lmao. It is a great look though, I also think a lot of her style in season one is basically popular all over again so it doesn't seem as dated as the seasons from the early 2000's. Some of the leather/pleather looks they rocked in those seasons are awful lol.

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Id easily wear those first two outfits. Love the coat in the third

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I really love her fashion in season 1 (along with her hair too)

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Minidresses and knee socks a la the 90s is still such a fire look

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That first gif was a Halloween lewk of mine. I even sharpened a stake to go with it.

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The slow motion running (excellently used in the opening credits) slays me every time.



Pun not intended but accepted.

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Can you believe there's a Twitter account that documents bad outfits from BtVS, and it listed that jacket as a BAD one? I was shook.

I wouldn't say it's one of my 'favorite' looks, but it's definitely one of those iconic ones that looked good on Buffy.

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That scene was why I wanted a long coat!!!

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My understanding is that it was Sarah who put an end to the short skirts and boots, and lol I totally get why she wasnt comfortable in some of those outfits, but I always thought that she looked great in them too and they really suited Buffys character during the high school era. It always felt to me like she started dressing a little too old for her age in season 3 when she started wearing the twinsets and cardigans type stuff instead

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Just popping in v late to register my love of the coat from Becoming, the slow-motion run that went into the credits is one of the most enduring images from my teenage years.



I loved Buffy's S1/2 fashion, even 3 was A++ whenever she was in leather jackets (Buffy in leather jackets was always a LOOK).



Edit: OP you are wrong about Buffy's purple top, I think it's cute and it's also empirically true that almost every detail about it - the square neck, the smocking, the sheer sleeves - is peak 2018-20. I'm not even joking! I appreciate the effort but idk how you call that top unflattering and then put the long-sleeved black one with the weird half-sheer white skirt in the 'best' column when it's turning petite SMG into a box shape. And no love for the iconic Prophecy Girl jacket+long white dress? T_T



Edited at 2021-01-26 03:07 pm (UTC)

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While it isnt fashion, I am glad that they allowed Emma/Anya play around with her hair color/looks as much as they did. She and Oz were always showing up with a different hair color.



Im also glad that they didnt let Charisma go blonde like she attempted to do in early S2 of Buffy. Love her but...no...no Cordelia.

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even cordelia's bad looks are fine



meanwhile buffy's good looks here are 2/3 tragic, she is not pulling off those boots

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I really liked her look in buffy vs dracula. Pink leather/pleather shouldn't work but it did here.

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Her hair in Season 5 was GLORIOUS

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Edited at 2021-01-24 01:20 am (UTC) It remains hair goals honestly.

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Wasn't it season 5 and 6 when SMG was a spokeswoman for some shampoo brand, or something? I think I remember reading somewhere that's part of where the focus on her hair in "Gone" came from, and why the Scoobies kept getting distracted from the real crisis with, "Wait, you cut your hair?"

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Easily the best her hair looked on the show.

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buffy and leather pants is weirdly a thing that really works. the pink pants are ICONIC

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I just saw this episode the other day and as she was fighting Dracula all I could think was damn, I love those pants.

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Buffering podcast is doing a live watch of the episode next weekend been meaning to mention that is one of these posts

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I think its only for $10 Patreon members though?

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They do a lot of paid ones but this one is free!

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I was just telling my friend how much I want early Cordelia's poufy 90s hair.



Tara's wardrobe really is the height of tragic.

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Honestly, the audacity given what she's wearing. Honestly, the audacity given what she's wearing.

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I never watched this (my bf has gradually been forcing Whedonverse on me, my sister was always a fan but Ive never been a big TV person. Were starting Dollhouse next!) but I can already tell Buffy did not approve of that bullshit and I dig it. Classism is so passe!

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Dollhouse is my favourite Whedon series! The supporting characters are perfection and I think it had the most interesting themes to explore.

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There's a pair from an early season that I LOATHE that just too small for her face i wish I could find the screengrab.



Edited at 2021-01-24 01:21 am (UTC) Buffy summers also had tragic sunglasses style.There's a pair from an early season that I LOATHE that just too small for her face i wish I could find the screengrab.

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Also in season 5, when she has the bejeweled sunglasses with the HEART shape on them? Honey, no...

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Ok but like as a preppy girl who lived through that time I will admit to owning a bedazzled pair of tiny sunglasses that had my initial on them and thinking I was the coolest.



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Tiny sunglasses are the worst 90s trend to come back, they literally do not look good on ANYONE, not even in a cute ironic way like oversized dad jeans. I guess I admire The Youth commitment to vintage (god Im fucking old) but just...leave some shit in the past 

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They were very emblematic of the time. Like you know they shopped out of a Delia's catalog.

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nice cut work OP!

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List invalid! I LOVED that purple top Buffy wore. (And I liked the short hair, too!) I actually think this was the first time I "shopped" a TV show. I was determined to have it and hunted it down. It was stupid expensive (Prada, I think?) but I had to have it.

I also hunted down a white lace top she wore during the later seasons, that Monica also wore on Friends.



Cordelia's green prom dress and Buffy's pink Class Protector prom dress were also gorgeous.

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I think the top itself could have looked good on someone else, but it did Buffy NO favors. lol

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So did you actually get the prada top though? And do you still have it?

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Oh yeah, I got it. I had to have it lol.

I don't still have it. It surely got purged during the years when off the shoulder tops seemed hideous to me. Or destroyed, because I am not careful with clothes, unfortunately.

Ironically, I just purchased a ruffled off the shoulder top a few days ago that is quite similar in style, so clearly I came back around on the style.

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The prom dresses

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I feel like at some point I read this is one of the first shows where people really started doing that, but I cant for the life of me remember WHY I think I read that bc I cant find anything to back it up. It aired around when the internet first started becoming popular tho so it would make sense! Maybe I just filled that in myself and assumed idk.

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I think you have to remember that it was so cute at the time and so you can't really judge it by today's standards....

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That time was all about buying phoebes outfits off chickclick.com

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i feel like i am missing a comment or something in the OP's write-up. can i ask what purple top you're referencing?

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TORONTO - The Canadian military is set to help with COVID-19 vaccine distribution in northern Ontario, as officials investigate the death of a teenager who had the virus and worked at a long-term care home in the province's southwest.

Health-care workers wait in line at a UHN COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Toronto on January 7, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

TORONTO - The Canadian military is set to help with COVID-19 vaccine distribution in northern Ontario, as officials investigate the death of a teenager who had the virus and worked at a long-term care home in the province's southwest.

Federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair tweeted Sunday that the Canadian Armed Forces will support vaccine efforts in 32 communities of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. The move came after a request from the province for assistance in getting vaccine to First Nations communities, he wrote.

"Our government will always be there to support the fight against #COVID19," he wrote on Twitter.

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation, whose territory comprises 49 remote communities in northwestern Ontario, did not immediately comment on the pending deployment.

Meanwhile, officials in Middlesex-London said Sunday that a male teen who worked in a long-term care facility in the region was among the three deaths reported on the area's COVID-19 case site earlier in the weekend.

Dr. Alexander Summers, associate medical officer of health for the Middlesex-London Health Unit, said he couldn't provide the exact age or any other details about the teen.

But he said the person was a staff member of the long-term care home who was recently diagnosed with COVID-19 and died earlier in the week.

"Through the course of our investigation, the potential exposures could be many, but certainly the long-term care home is a potential exposure for this individual," Summers said in an interview.

Summers said to his knowledge, the teen was not hospitalized with COVID-19.

He is the youngest person to have died after contracting the virus in the county, Summers said, noting the majority of deaths they've seen among COVID-19 patients have been in an older demographic.

"It can have severe impacts on people of all ages and this story and this unfortunate and tragic situation as a reminder of that," Summers said.

"Certainly, this is a very rare occurrence. It's a rare event. And the investigation continues as to understanding what exactly might have happened. However, regardless, it's a sad day."

The Roberta Place Retirement Lodge long-term care home in Barrie, Ont., north of Toronto, also made headlines over the weekend after health officials said a U.K. variant of COVID-19 was behind a deadly outbreak there.

On Sunday, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit said it had learned of an additional individual with the U.K. variant within the region.

The unit said that individual had close contact with a person who is also part of a COVID-19 outbreak at Bradford Valley Care Community, a long-term care home in Bradford West Gwillimbury, south of Barrie.

Officials are now investigating whether that outbreak is also due to the U.K. variant.

Ontario reported 2,417 new cases of COVID-19 and 50 more deaths related to the virus on Sunday.

The numbers were slightly up from Saturday's 2,359 cases, though deaths declined by two from previous figures.

Health Minister Christine Elliott said there were 785 new cases in Toronto, 404 in Peel Region, 215 in York Region and 121 in Niagara.

Over 48,900 tests had been completed in Ontario over the past 24 hours.

The province reported that 4,427 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine were administered since the province's last report, and 1,436 are hospitalized with the virus.

A total of 280,573 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Ontario so far.

Since the pandemic began, there have been 255,002 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario. Of those, 225,046 have recovered and 5,803 people have died.

On Monday, the province plans to issue the results of a weekend-long expansion of its "inspection blitz" of big-box stores to ensure they were following COVID-19 guidelines.

The workplace inspections, which started in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas last weekend, stretched out to Ottawa, Windsor, Niagara and Durham regions.

Preliminary figures from Saturday showed inspectors went into 310 big-box stores and issued 34 tickets and 53 orders, Labour Minister Monte McNaughton said Sunday.

Overall, inspectors found the stores were only at "64 per cent compliance, which the minister said wasn't good enough.

"The three big issues that we're finding this weekend: masking protocols aren't being followed, in some cases; the physical distancing is still an issue in some stores; and this weekend we found that some of these big-box stores don't have a safety plan that's required of them to prevent COVID-19 from coming into the workplace," McNaughton said in an interview.

"Every business should know at this point in the pandemic what's expected of them."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 24, 2021.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said there had been 102 deaths in Ontario over the past 24 hours. There were, in fact, 50 deaths.
Courtesy of LISD

Laredo Independent School District announced the promotion of three LISD employees. The announcement was made during LISDs Board recent monthly meeting.

Erika R. Ramirez, former Assistant Principal at Macdonell Elementary School, was selected to serve as the Principal at Honore Ligarde Elementary School. With over 20 years of experience in an educational setting, Ramirez has served a large majority of her years as an assistant principal at Macdonell and Bruni Elementary Schools. Her expertise also include being an Instructional Specialist, a middle school science teacher, and health trainer. She holds a Master of Science in Educational Administration Degree from Texas A&M International University with various certifications as an instructional leader and in particular a Texas Principal certificate. Her skills extend beyond the classroom setting as she has worked with policy and procedure development, enforcement and adherence, and has created a focus on student achievement and standardized testing.
The living conditions, education, employment and life expectancy of regional and remote Indigenous communities in Australia are more comparable with those of developing nations.

A Centre for Independent Studies paper, to be released on Monday, maps the state of these Indigenous communities against the rest of the country.

Jacinta Price has authored report on the disadvantages faced by some remote Indigenous communities. Credit:Edwina Pickles

According to the papers author, the deputy mayor of Alice Springs, Jacinta Price, inequity is growing because funding is spent as if all Indigenous Australians experience the same adversities.

The Productivity Commission estimates state and territory governments spent approximately $33.4 billion on First Nations people in 2015-16.
BELGRADE: The first case of a new variant of the coronavirus has been detected in Serbia in a woman who arrived from London, but no new lockdown is planned, President Aleksandar Vucic was quoted on Sunday as saying.

Several new variants of the virus have been discovered around the world, including a highly contagious, and potentially more deadly, variant first identified in southeast England and now widespread in Britain.

Vucic said all those who had been in contact with the infected woman had been put under isolation, state news agency Tanjug reported.

The new variant was detected on time and there will be no lockdown," it quoted Vucic as saying. It is important to continue with vaccination."

So far some 172,000 people have been vaccinated in Serbia with three vaccines registered in the country  vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech, Russias Sputnik V vaccine and Chinas Sinopharm .

In the Western Balkan region, inoculation has started only in Serbia and Albania, while Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia have not yet received supplies of any vaccine.

Serbia on Sunday reported 1,318 new COVID cases and 18 deaths in the past 24 hours.

The Balkan country of 7 million has reported 383,603 coronavirus infections and 3,886 deaths since March.

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
Riot police officers clash with supporters of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Jan. 23, 2021. TASS



Police clashed violently with protesters in Moscow and arrested more than 2,500 demonstrators in cities across the country Saturday as Russians took to the streets to denounce Kremlin rule and demand the release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.



Tens of thousands nationwide answered Navalny's call to rally, issued after he was detained at a Moscow airport on arrival from Germany, where he had been recovering from a near-fatal poisoning with a nerve agent.



Washington and Brussels condemned the arrests and other tactics used against demonstrators, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell saying the bloc would discuss "next steps" on Monday.



Saturday's protests took on an unprecedented geographic scale, spanning more than 100 cities across the country. Previous large-scale opposition demonstrations in 2012 and 2019 were largely centralised in Moscow.



They were also being seen as a test of the opposition's ability to mobilise ahead of parliamentary elections later this year, despite increasing Kremlin pressure on critics.



In Moscow, protesters spilled out over Pushkin Square and pelted heavily armed riot police with snowballs. They were beaten back by law enforcement wielding batons and detained in large numbers.



The demonstrators marched towards the Kremlin before dispersing, and at one point massed on the steps of Moscow's circus, illuminating the crowds with hundreds of cell phone lights and pummelling a police van with snowballs.



"Criminals dressed in uniforms are protecting criminals at the helm," Vera Spivakova, a 71-year-old pensioner, told AFP in Moscow.



"Putin and the oligarchs are afraid of losing their trough," she said.



- 'Unprecedented protests' -



OVD Info, which monitors opposition rallies, said that more than 2,500 protesters had been seized by police in dozens of cities.



Among more than 950 detained in the capital were Navalny's wife Yulia Navalnaya  who was later released  and prominent activist Lyubov Sobol.



Several Navalny associates were also fined and jailed on the eve of the protest.



The European Union's Borrell said he deplored "widespread arrests" and the "disproportionate use of force".



Meanwhile US State Department spokesman Ned Price said Washington "strongly condemns the use of harsh tactics against protesters and journalists".



Navalny being taken into custody and the arrests of more than 2,500 of his supporters were "troubling indications of further restrictions on civil society and fundamental freedoms," he added.



Canada also voiced "deep concern" and urged Moscow to "immediately release" those detained.



On placards and in chants, protesters referenced an investigation published this week by Navalny into an opulent Black Sea property allegedly owned by Putin. The two-hour report has been viewed more than 75 million times on YouTube.



Later Saturday hundreds gathered outside Moscow's high-security prison where Navalny is being held but were pushed back by police.



Leonid Volkov, who heads Navalny's regional network, estimated that as many as 300,000 people had joined the "unprecedented" nationwide protests, and called for fresh rallies next weekend.



The Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said in a statement it had launched several preliminary probes into violence against law enforcement.



AFP journalists, who saw badly injured protesters retreating behind other demonstrators after clashing with police, estimated crowds in Moscow at around 20,000 people, with more than 10,000 in second city Saint Petersburg.



Navalny's detention drew sharp condemnation from Western countries, and the US embassy in Moscow Saturday accused Russian authorities of "suppressing" the right of demonstrators to peaceful protest.



Moscow hit back by alleging US diplomats had published protest routes in advance of Saturday's demonstrations and of promoting a "march on the Kremlin".



"Senior officials in the US embassy will have to have a serious conversation with the Russian foreign ministry," it said in a statement.



- 'Tired of Putin' -



Earlier Saturday thousands took to the streets in the Far East, Siberia and the Urals including Khabarovsk, Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg, despite sub zero temperatures and police warnings of a swift crackdown.



In Saint Petersburg, where police detained nearly 300 demonstrators, 20-year-old Alexei Skvortsov told AFP that he no longer wanted to live in a "dictatorship".



"People are tired of Putin," he said.



In Yakutsk south of the Arctic Circle, protesters wrapped up against the cold and rallied in temperatures of minus 50 degrees Celsius (-58 Fahrenheit).



Russia's media watchdog warned online platforms against encouraging minors to participate in the rallies or risk hefty fines.



A hastily organised court on Monday jailed Navalny for 30 days for allegedly flouting parole conditions.



The 44-year-old trained lawyer rose to prominence a decade ago, leading large-scale street protests against corruption and electoral fraud. (AFP)


The Internet has lately been bringing people together. From lost pets to long lost school friends, the world of web has helped a lot of us to reconnect to people. In one such instance, an incredible feat has been achieved by Redditors with a string of communications between people across time-zones to return a lost object to its rightful owner.

In a tale as enchanting as the lost glass slipper being returned to Cinderella, Redditors banded together to return a lost travel journal to its creator.

It all started when David Ryan shifted to a rented apartment in Yarraville, a suburb of Melbourne. Going through the closets in the flat, he came across a notebook. In his Reddit post, he explained that it was simply sitting there on the top shelf of a closet, evidently forgotten there by the former owner. The notebook was a travel journal and was written during 1999 to 2000. As the flat is in Melbourne, he turned to the subreddit Australia to share his find to help reunite the journal with its writer. "I bet the author would love to relive these memories," he wrote in the caption as he pleaded the community to help him with the search. The owner's name was Nick, but no last name was mentioned.

https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/ku9dq4/i_found_someones_amazing_travel_journal_please/?utm_content=title&utm_medium=post_embed&utm_name=e820b4b57f184509a6ece566e4dab038&utm_source=embedly&utm_term=ku9dq4

He posted the first two pages of the journal. There was a cheeky caption on one page to not read the journal and stay away. But the Redditors had to peruse in order to know more. As they began to read, some of the community members realised a few names mentioned in the passages of the journal. According to UPI.com, the contents suggested a journey through Southeast Asia. Then a few others noted a couple of names that appeared frequently and belonged to members of a less-known band called Ziko. The community suggested it belong to one of the band members.

The band was difficult to contact but with help of the internet, David managed to get in touch with a name that appeared very frequently in the journal, Kris Baudry. He was a member of the Auckland-based band and the only person mentioned with a full name. Baudry confirmed that there was a man named Nick Boyle in their band.

David began his manhunt, getting in touch with all NZ based Nick Boyles (there were many). He eventually found the email address of the real Nick Boyle and coordinated to have the diary parcelled to him.

Nick, who lives in South Australia now, emailed Ryan to thank him. He was also amused by the new-found popularity of his 20-year-old journal on the internet.
The ninth round of talks between senior military commanders of India and China , which began on Sunday, is likely to focus on phased disengagement of troops and de-escalation along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.

The talks are being held at Moldo on the Chinese side of the LAC, across the Chushul Valley. The Indian delegation is being headed by Lt. General P.G.K. Menon, general officer commanding of Leh-based 14 Corps, which oversees security in Ladakh.

During talks in November, officials said both sides were nearing a possible agreement on finalizing phased withdrawal plans for tens of thousands of troops and equipment deployed on both sides of the LAC. However, there was no progress on this front. So far, the two sides have agreed to ensure they do not move in more troops to the frontline and refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground".

Addressing the customary press conference ahead of the Army Day on 15 January, Indian Army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane said his troops were prepared to hold their positions for as long as it takes to achieve national objectives".

He also indicated some redeployment of troops and strike elements at present positions along the LAC. On Saturday, in a warning to China, Indian Air Force chief Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria said: If they (China) can get aggressive, we will also get aggressive. We have full preparations (to meet any eventuality)."

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Unknown armed men have attempted to storm the residence of a provincial governor in Sudans Darfur region but were repelled by guards, according to officials.



There were no injuries or damage in the attempted attack on West Darfur Governor Mohammed Abdalla al-Doumas residence in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state, but it underscored the heightened tensions in the restive region where a bout of inter-ethnic violence has killed more than 200 people since last week.



A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to talk to reporters, was quoted as saying by The Associated Press news agency that the attackers opened fire on the heavily fortified residence, prompting the guards to return fire. The exchange lasted for more than an hour.



A statement from the governor on Wednesday said the incident sought to create instability and chaos in the province.



There was no immediate claim of responsibility, and the statement, published by the state-run Sudan News Agency (SUNA), did not say who the attackers were.



The governor and his staff are safe and were unharmed, the statement added.



Earlier this week, Sudanese government officials visited El Geneina to discuss the recent outbreak of violence with the governor.



The fighting between members of the Arab Rizeigat tribe and the non-Arab Massalit tribe grew out of a fistfight on Friday in a camp for displaced people. Some 159 people on both sides, including women and children, have been killed, according to a statement by the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors, a local branch of the countrys doctors union.



Among the dead in the West Darfur violence were three aid workers, the United Nations (UN) humanitarian coordinator for Sudan, Babacar Cisse, said on Wednesday.



He called for an end to the clashes and for those implicated to be held accountable. He did not provide more details.



The fighting also led to the displacement of at least 90,000 people, who have taken shelter in schools and government buildings and nearby villages, according to the UN.



Authorities in West Darfur imposed a 24-hour curfew in all of the province and authorised military and police to use all necessary force to regain order. The central government in Khartoum also deployed security reinforcements.

Source: The Ghanaian Times









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.

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(CNN)  Getting Americans masked up is a top priority for the Biden administration.

Biden, who calls wearing masks "a patriotic act," signed an executive order Wednesday -- his very first as US President -- to ask Americans to wear masks of their choice for the first 100 days of the new administration. The executive order also requires mask use on all federal property, though in this case, not just any old mask will do.

On Wednesday, after the inauguration, US White House press secretary Jen Psaki showed off her bright white N95 mask in the press briefing room. "I wore it out, of course, here today and will continue to do that," Psaki said after removing her medical-grade mask and before turning to questions.

N95 masks are considered the gold standard in personal protective equipment because they block 95% of large and small particles utilizing a unique electrostatic filter.

The filter works by trapping neutral particles like bacteria and viruses before they pass through the mask, protecting the wearer and those around them. It's similar to how socks might get stuck to a blanket in the dryer. The N95 mask, which costs roughly $5, also fits securely to the face, eliminating most of the leakage that may occur with a loose-fitting cloth or paper mask.

Studies have shown that masks significantly decrease the chances of transmitting or contracting the coronavirus. But not all masks provide equal protection. Depending on the fabric and number of layers, homemade and simple cloth masks have a range of effectiveness that can be as low as 26%, which leaves the wearer vulnerable.

Some experts like Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School physician Dr. Abraar Karan have been advocating for public use of N95 masks from the start of the pandemic. In an interview with CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Karan outlined why N95s are critical at this stage of the pandemic.

"If for four weeks the country essentially wore these masks in those risky settings like that indoors, what kind of difference do you think it would make?" Gupta asked.

"This would stop the epidemic," Karan responded.

The quality of protection a face mask can provide is crucial. A respiratory illness like the coronavirus is transmitted through aerosols, tiny particles that waft and hang in the air. Some virus-carrying particles are small enough to travel through or around lower-quality masks, making the wearer vulnerable to inhalation of viral particles.

"We know now that aerosols spread best when there is poor ventilation, crowding and close contact that's prolonged," Karan told Gupta in an interview. "So we were arguing that actually in those settings, cloth masks alone are not going to block aerosols."

Karan is not the only expert who has been vocal in support of better quality masks for the general public. Former US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb wrote in an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal that "encouraging Americans to wear higher-quality masks is a simple step that might make a difference."

The biggest problem is lack of supply. This week marked a full year of the coronavirus, and the Biden administration has committed to invoking the Defense Production Act more often to boost manufacture of N95 masks and other critical supplies. Experts hope manufacturing will hit a speed to be able to sufficiently supply the population.

"An N95 that's well-fitted clearly is the best that you can do," National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci told CNN Friday. "You could get production of that at a much higher rate now."

Karan believes N95 masks could be an essential asset in reopening the economy as the vaccine rollout remains sluggish and quarantine fatigue soars.

"If we have better personal protection for people, they can more safely go back to work. They can more safely re-engage, especially if testing and tracing is not where we need it to be," Karan said.

"This was going to be one way to get people back in and get the economy back up."

Some European countries are already taking that step to prevent coronavirus spread within their borders. Earlier this week, Germany and France mandated that all citizens wear high filtration masks like the N95 in all public places.

After months of treating coronavirus patients, Karan says it's time to invest in making sure masks people wear are even more effective. "Focus on getting better masks to as many people as possible, focus on the messaging around masks, be consistent with your messaging, make masks part of American culture to stop the epidemic."

The key here is to always wear a mask whenever you're in public. One study in Lancet Digital Health found that a 10% increase in mask-wearing could lead to a three-fold increase in the odds of maintaining control over virus transmission in a community. The ability to control the spread of the coronavirus is in our hands -- and on our faces.

This story was first published on CNN.com.



Culture Shift Labs, a diversity and innovation consultancy, has been named to Inc.s inaugural Best in Business 2020 list in the Business Services category. Inc. created the Best in Business awards to honor companies that have gone above and beyond to make a positive difference.

The list, which can be found in the winter issue of Inc. (on newsstands December 29, 2020), recognizes small- and medium-size privately held American businesses that have had a superlative impact on their communities, their industries, the environment or society as a whole.

Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc., said, It's been an incredibly challenging year for companies. Across industries, businesses have had to make brutally tough decisions and face unprecedented uncertainty. That's why we knew 2020 called for a new recognition program, something to complement our annual Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the country. For Best in Business, companies have prioritized tackling todays problems to lead us to a better future, even if theyve struggled to stay in the black.

Instead of relying on quantitative criteria linked to sales or funding, Inc.'s editors reviewed the companies' achievements over the past year and noted how they made a positive difference in the world. They then selected honorees in more than 30 different industries  health, software, retail, business services, and more  and in age- and revenue-based categories. The applicant pool was very competitive, with around 2,700 entries and an acceptance rate in the low single digits  a huge success for these honors in their inaugural year.

Andrea Hoffman, founder and CEO of Culture Shift Labs, said, It is an incredible honor to be named to Incs first Best in Business list, along with so many other trailblazing businesses that are committed to positive change. Our mission is to drive impact and outcomes for our clients and to enable financial and economic inclusion for our #cultureshifting community (over 10,000 Black subject matter experts) while achieving visible results in racial equality. Our annual summit, Culture Shifting Weekends, is dedicated to narrowing racial inequality gaps providing access and opportunities to Black executives, venture investors, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit leaders and include allies that care about racial equality. For the past 17 years, the summit has helped enable over $410 million in deals and collaborations for attendees and our goal is to get $1 billion into the hands of this community by 2025.

Best in Business honorees for gold, silver, bronze, and general excellence across industries and categories are featured online at inc.com/best-in-business.

ABOUT INC. MEDIA

The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across various channels, including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the Inc. 5000 allows these founders a chance to engage with their peers' in an exclusive community with the credibility to help drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

ABOUT CULTURE SHIFT LABS LLC.

Culture Shift Labs is a diversity and innovation consultancy that provides services under three pillars: Advising, Strategy, and Activation. Since 2006, the firm has been a recognized leader in integrating social and financial returns in ways that improve businesses and society. Its Knowledge + Network Formula powers those outcomes in tangible ways. Culture Shift Labs serves F500, Tech Companies, Investors (Private Equity, Venture Capital, Impact, Family Offices), and Nonprofits. Its range of services support and accelerate board, leadership, workforce, business and corporate development, and corporate social responsibility. The Katapult Talent Community of 10,000+ Black / Latinx experts fuels results. This private network grows daily and allows clients to move the needle in tangible ways. For more information see https://cultureshiftlabs.com
Kinshasa, DR Congo (PANA) - The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, Saturday thanked members of the Diplomatic Corps for their support since the start of his mandate and more particularly in the resolution of crises in the DRC, during a ceremony of exchange of vows with the ambassadors accredited in the DR Congo and the heads of diplomatic missions in Kinshasa

A US Navy SEAL has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the hazing death of an Army Green Beret while the men were stationed in Africa.

Chief Petty Officer Tony DeDolph, a member of the elite SEAL Team 6, pleaded guilty earlier this month to involuntary manslaughter, hazing, conspiracy and obstruction of justice in the strangulation death of Army Staff Sgt Logan Melgar, 34, in June 2017.

A military jury handed down DeDolph's ten year sentence on Saturday at a Navy base in Norfolk, Virginia.

The officer was also hit with a reduction in rank to E-1, forfeiture of pay and allowances and was dishonorably discharged, according to a defense official.

At a plea hearing on January 14, DeDolph offered a detailed account of the night in which he and other servicemembers initiated a prank known as a 'tape job' on Melgar, a Special Forces soldier assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group.

DeDolph told a military judge that the men were trying to teach Melgar a lesson over perceived slights while they served in Mali in 2017.

But the SEAL said they were soon 'in a state of shock and deeply disturbed' after the duct-tape-bound Melgar remained unresponsive for several minutes.

Chief Petty Officer Tony DeDolph (left) was sentenced to ten years in prison on Saturday after he pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for his role in the strangulation death of Green Beret Army Staff Sgt Logan Melgar (right) in 2017

DeDolph said his role in the prank was to cause Melgar to temporarily lose consciousness by placing him in a martial-arts-style chokehold. He said the 'rear naked choke' restricts blood flow in the neck and is used in the military.

'I effectively applied the chokehold as I have done numerous times in training, in combatives, and has been done to me,' DeDolph said.

Melgar lost consciousness in about 10 seconds, but failed to wake up after the typical 30 seconds, the SEAL said.

'Usually by that time, the individual has gotten up,' he said. 'And he did not.'

DeDolph is the third of four US service members - two SEALs and two Marines - to face a court martial for the death of Melgar, a Texas native.

The case has pulled back the curtain on misconduct among some of Americas most elite service members, while offering a brief window into how some have addressed grievances outside the law.

Charging documents don't state why the service members were in Bamako, Mali. But US Special Forces have been in Africa to support and train local troops in their fight against extremists.

DeDolph will spend ten years in military prison at Norfolk Naval Station (pictured)

Adam Matthews, a SEAL who pleaded guilty for his role in Melgar's death in 2019, testified previously that two Marines felt Melgar abandoned them while driving in separate vehicles in an unsafe place.

DeDolph said Wednesday that Melgar 'had ditched' service members as a 'prank.'

The idea of pranking Melgar in return started off as a joke, but the talk escalated throughout the night, DeDolph said.

'It was more of like a pack mentality, group decision,' he said.

DeDolph said the plan included breaking down Melgar's door with a sledge hammer for effect, binding him with duct tape and performing the chokehold. Someone was supposed to dance around in a gorilla mask. And video of the incident was supposed to be taken.

Besides involuntary manslaughter, DeDolph pleaded guilty to hazing, conspiracy and obstruction of justice for trying to cover up the cause of Melgar's death.

He faced a maximum sentence of 22 and a half years in prison, losing rank and dishonorable discharge.
She's set to make a spectacular return to the ice as a special guest later in the day.

And Gemma Collins joked about being stranded at Dancing On Ice as the studio in Hertfordshire was hit by snow on Sunday.

The former TOWIE star, 39, quipped: 'Will I ever get home?' as she and professional skater Vanessa Bauer filmed the wintry weather in a series of Instagram clips.

Making a comeback: Gemma Collins joked about being stranded at Dancing On Ice as the studio in Hertfordshire was hit by snow on Sunday

Teasing her comeback, the BBC podcast host said: 'I make an appearance, can't tell you what yet! Make sure you tune in.

'Will I get out of Dancing On Ice studios tonight? Will I ever get home? This is just unbelievable.'

Moments later, the media personality winked at the camera as she sat in the hair and make-up chair for rehearsals.

German athlete Vanessa, 24, meanwhile, appeared in great spirits as she engaged in a snow fight with her professional partner Joe-Warren Plant.

Having fun: The former TOWIE star, 39, quipped: 'Will I ever get home?' as she and professional skater Vanessa Bauer (pictured) filmed the wintry weather in a series of Instagram clips

Update: 'Will I get out of Dancing On Ice studios tonight? Will I ever get home? This is just unbelievable', the BBC podcast host said

Energetic: German athlete Vanessa, 24, meanwhile, appeared in great spirits as she engaged in a snow fight with her professional partner Joe-Warren Plant

Actor Joe, 18, also uploaded a clip of himself playing with a snowman, while pair skater Hamish Gaman, 37, frolicked in Britain's blizzard.

An excited Rebekah Vardy added: 'Good morning, and we're back and it's snowing. Here we go!'

Businesswoman Gemma was a contestant on the 2019 edition with professional Matt Evers, in a turbulent stint which among other things saw her suffer a nasty fall during a performance.

According to The Sun, the TV star's arrival will be a throwback to her Marilyn Monroe-performance, which saw her famously hit back at judge Jason Gardiner after he critiqued her skating.

'DOI's Covid friendly snowman!' Actor Joe, 18, also uploaded a clip of himself playing with a snowman

In his element: Pair skater Hamish Gaman, 37, frolicked in the blizzard

Ready to go! An excited Rebekah Vardy added: 'Good morning, and we're back and it's snowing. Here we go!'

The source said: 'Gemma is part of the show's family now  and everyone's really excited that she is coming back.

'She has a huge fanbase and is always entertaining. The props department have gone all out with her sparkling trapeze hoop.

The source added: 'She has a reputation of being a diva, but she'll be on best behaviour and she will be on time.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Gemma Collins and Dancing On Ice for comment at the time of publication on Saturday.
MPs have been charging the taxpayer for extra gas and electricity while working from home during lockdown.

Members of Parliament claimed 9.1 million in expenses despite working largely remotely during the first 2020 lockdown, compared to 8.2million in 2019.

Between the stay at home order announced on March 16 and pubs reopening on July 4, the travel bill for MPs and their staff dropped by 78 per cent - from 1.8million to 412,000, an analysis shows.

But claims for heating and electricity rose, with MPs charging 48,723 for April last year - the sunniest on record - representing a rise of around one per cent from April 2019, the Sunday Times reports.

While lockdowns mean more workers staying home during the day, sparking higher energy bills, campaigners have claimed it is one rule for ordinary workers and another for MPs, as few major companies have offered to pay back they employees' increased remote working bills, reports say.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) says that MPs are allowed to claim for additional energy bills, classed as 'office costs'.

They can charge taxpayers for utility bills for their main residence and constituency office as long as the claims 'relate to parliamentary activity'.

Labour MP for Preston, Sir Mark Hendrick, claimed 126 for electricity and fuel in April and May for 'home working' due to the pandemic.

Labour MP for Preston, Sir Mark Hendrick (left), claimed 126 for electricity and fuel in April and May for 'home working' due to the pandemic. The MP for Chesterfield, Labour's Toby Perkins (right), justified a 345 electricity bill claim in September by saying that it had 'increased March onwards whilst working from home'

Figures for June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 reveal that MPs claimed nearly 29 million (pictured: the total claim each month)

The MP for Chesterfield, Labour's Toby Perkins, justified a 345 electricity bill claim in September by saying that it had 'increased March onwards whilst working from home'.

Chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, John O'Connell, said: 'While MPs must have the resources to do their jobs, many taxpayers will be worried about the growing price of politics.

'The electorate expects politicians to stay grounded and keep costs under control, including the home working expenses that most people simply have to absorb themselves.'

Figures for June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 reveal that MPs claimed nearly 29 million.

The four highest claiming MPs for that period were Brendan O'Hara, Drew Hendry, Ian Blackford and Lisa Cameron - all of whom are Scottish National Party politicians.

These are followed by Liberal Democrat Alistair Carmichael, Thirsk and Malton's Kevin Hollinrake, and the SNP's Philippa Whitford, for Central Ayrshire.

These MPs' position as top expense claimers is likely related to their Scottish constituencies being far away from Westminster, having to go back and forth between the two for constituency and parliamentary work.

So too is this likely reflected in the average total claimed by each party.

The Conservatives claimed an average of 33,306.77, while Labour claimed 38,549.26. Liberal Democrats claimed 33,911.90 on average, while the SNP average total claim was 57,639.99.

The four highest claiming MPs for that period were Brendan O'Hara, Drew Hendry, Ian Blackford and Lisa Cameron - all of whom are Scottish National Party politicians. These are followed by Liberal Democrat Alistair Carmichael, Thirsk and Malton's Kevin Hollinrake, and the SNP's Philippa Whitford, for Central Ayrshire

The Conservatives claimed an average of 33,306.77, while Labour claimed 38,549.26.

Liberal Democrats claimed 33,911.90 on average, while the SNP average total claim was 57,639.99.

Seven MPs made zero claims. From the Conservative Party, Jacob Rees-Mogg, George Hollingbery, Zac Goldsmith, Suella Fernandes, and Kenneth Clarke.

Independent MP Jared O'Mara, for Sheffield, Hallam, and the Lib Dems' Thomas Brake, also charged 0 in expenses.

The most expensive claim came from the SNP's Martin Docherty-Hughes, of West Dunbartonshire, who claimed 20,100 for rent.

The most expensive claim came from the SNP's Martin Docherty-Hughes, of West Dunbartonshire, who claimed 20,100 for rent

Seven MPs made zero claims. From the Conservative Party, Jacob Rees-Mogg, George Hollingbery, Zac Goldsmith, Suella Fernandes, and Kenneth Clarke. Independent MP Jared O'Mara, for Sheffield, Hallam, and the Lib Dems' Thomas Brake, also charged 0 in expenses

The runner-up was Labour's Marie Rimmer, of St Helens South and Whiston, with 'direct rental payment' costing 13,200.

The Conservatives' Bob Neill, of Bromley and Chislehurst, claimed 12,558.20 for the same expense.

Households are expected to see energy bills rise 18 this winter as the third national lockdown keeps Britons working from home, meaning homes need to be kept warm all day, not just early morning and evening.

Companies can pay staff working from home as much as 26 a month tax-free to help with utilities, as many civil service departments have done, but many in the private sector have chosen not to.

MPs claimed 1.7million more for 'office costs' during the first lockdown, representing a rise of 41 per cent. Accommodation cost the taxpayer 639,000 - a 28 per cent increase.

They had been given a 10,000 budget each to put towards home offices when the pandemic started.

SPRINGFIELD  New high school graduation requirements that were part of an omnibus education bill passed during the lame duck session are drawing criticism from some members of the Illinois State Board of Education.

Those new requirements were included in House Bill 2170, Amendment 3, which was introduced by Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood. They include the addition of two years of foreign language classes and two years of laboratory science instead of just science courses.

And so, the message this sends to me is that somebody has decided that two years of a foreign language class are more important than art, more important than music, more important than career and technical education courses, in a school day that is already so full and so very limited with time, ISBE member Susie Morrison, of Carlinville, said during a virtual board meeting last week.

Morrison also noted that foreign language is also an area where there is a significant shortage of teachers in Illinois, and she predicted that many districts will have a hard time finding qualified staff to meet the requirements.

The legislation, which Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to sign, will establish the laboratory science requirement for students entering ninth grade during the 2024-2025 school year. The foreign language requirement is scheduled to take effect for students entering ninth grade for the 2028-2029 school year.

However, lawmakers have said the target date for the foreign language requirement was a drafting error in the bill and there will likely be a follow-up bill in the current legislative session to move that date up.

In addition to the foreign language and laboratory science requirements, beginning in the 2023-24 school year, students entering ninth grade will be required to take one year of a course that includes intensive instruction in computer literacy, but that can include English, social studies or any other course that also fulfills another graduation requirement.

Those changes were all part of a 218-page omnibus education bill that was advanced by the Legislative Black Caucus.

ISBEs legislative affairs director Amanda Elliot said during the board meeting the additional requirements overall were intended to align the states graduation requirements with the admission standards at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

She also said the laboratory science requirement would not be a significant change because that content is already needed to meet the states learning standards for science.

Regarding the foreign language requirements, Elliot said, I think this was something that was a pretty large priority for the members of the Black Caucus and I dont know that there was much we could have done to really make any additional changes.

Board member Christine Benson, of Ottawa, said her concerns about the foreign language requirements come from her belief lawmakers had not properly researched the issue and did not consult with ISBE before passing the bill.

Whats the best time to teach a foreign language? It is not high school, Benson said. Whats the second-worst time to teach a foreign language? Its junior high. So they did no research on this. They just added it on.

Morrison said she would like to see ISBE do a complete review of all of the states graduation requirements, an idea Board Chairman Darren Reisberg, of Chicago, said was a possibility.

Lightford did not immediately respond to a request for comment or reaction to the criticisms.
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Last week, photos emerged of actress Kate Ritchie holding hands with her rumoured new boyfriend John Bell.

And while little is known about John, resurfaced court records show the cyber security businessman, 25, has had a minor brush with the law.

Court extracts reveal John was charged with careless driving in March 2015, but was not convicted.

Revealed: Kate Ritchie's (left) new boyfriend John Bell's (right) brush with the law in the past has been revealed... days after they were spotted holding hands in Byron Bay

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Bell was described as a 'messed up teenager from little old Portland [Victoria]' in an Instagram post by a friend last year.

The Home and Away star has been keeping low-key since splitting from her husband, Stuart Webb, after 10 years of marriage.

It comes as the notoriously private star sent tongues wagging about the identity of her mystery man after New Idea published photos of them on holiday together.

In the past: Resurfaced court records show that John has had a minor brush with the law - namely a careless driving charge from 2015. He was not convicted

John has several eye-catching tattoos, including the words 'Italian Pride' on his forearm.

John started security solutions business VIREOSS in September 2019. He runs the company from the small town of Seymour, an hour and a half from Melbourne.

He made all his social media accounts private after New Idea published the photos of him holding hands with Kate.

Inked: John, who is said to be a few years younger than mother-of-one Kate, has several eye-catching tattoos, including the words 'Italian Pride' on his forearm

But from what is publicly available, he seems to have a passion for travel, having visited Paris among other destinations.

He is also a fan of horse racing, with his liked pages including Racing Victoria, Flemington Racecourse, and Country Racing Victoria.

Kate and John reportedly stayed at an Airbnb and spent most of their time on holiday relaxing by their private mineral salt pool and visiting Byron Bay's top restaurants.

Traveller: John made all his social media accounts private after New Idea published the photos of him holding hands with Kate. But from what is publicly available, he seems to have a passion for travel, having visited Paris among other destinations

The sighting comes after Kate parted ways with her husband, retired rugby league player Stuart Webb, after a decade of marriage.

While it's unclear when exactly Kate and Stuart split, she hasn't worn her wedding ring in a year and moved out of their marital home in Sydney's Randwick in late 2019.

Kate moved out after police took out an interim AVO on her behalf against the former NRL star following an incident at the property.

Parting ways: While it's unclear when exactly Kate split from her husband, retired NRL star Stuart Webb (left), she hasn't worn her wedding ring in a year and moved out of their marital home in Sydney's Randwick in late 2019. Pictured on September 15, 2011, in Sydney

In December 2019, Stuart's five-time drink driving history was revealed in a police fact sheet as he faced court for blowing 0.083 when he was pulled over by highway patrolmen in the city's east in March of that year.

The former couple were last spotted together in February 2020, when they celebrated their six-year-old daughter Mae's first day of school.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Kate and John for comment.
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Report Description

A recent market intelligence report that is published by Data Insights Partner on the global Cosmetic Pencil & Pen Packaging Market makes an offering of in-depth analysis of segments and sub-segments in the regional and international Cosmetic Pencil & Pen Packaging Market. The research also emphasizes on the impact of restraints, drivers, and macro indicators on the regional and global Cosmetic Pencil & Pen Packaging Market over the short as well as long period of time. A detailed presentation of forecast, trends, and dollar values of global Cosmetic Pencil & Pen Packaging Market is offered. In accordance with the report, the global Cosmetic Pencil & Pen Packaging Market is projected to expand by healthy CAGR over the period of forecast.

Market Insight, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunity & Trends of the Market:

Definition

Global cosmetic pencil & pen packaging market is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. This growth is expected to be primarily driven by consumer life styles and preference towards luxury cosmetic products. Moreover, growing concerns on the organic cosmetic product is expected to stimulate the sales of cosmetic pencil and pen packaging in the near future. Furthermore, increasing demand of eyeliner & lip liner products owing to the growing fasionalable and easy to apply cosmetic across the globe, also a reason which is anticipated to fuel the sales of cosmetic pencil and pen packaging during the forecast period. Increasing demand for organic, herbal beauty products generates massive opportunities to extend and develop new product line as per the consumer preference which is anticipated to create massive demand of cosmetic pencil and pen packaging. In addition, Asia Pacific region is expected to witness fast pace owing to the increasing middle class population along with the greater exposure to the western cultures.

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Market Drivers

Cosmetic companies across the globe strategically focused on localization of cosmetic 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 cosmetic companies also replicated similar strategy to achieve success in local market, consequently transforming the dynamics of global cosmetics 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 cosmetic companies outsourced production to local and regional players ensuring technical know how and industry expertise. Local companies thus created the demand for packaging products such as cosmetic pencil and pen. Albeit, producing for large cosmetic companies, regional players are allowed to procure packaging 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 cosmetic packaging products. Over the past three years eleven European cosmetic 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 cosmetic brands are challenging the global brands, thus creating substantial opportunity for packaging product supplier

Market Restraints

Consolidated supplier base is major factor expected to hinder growth of Cosmetic Pencil & Pen Packaging. With increasing demand for cosmetic products and its packaging, raw material sourcing requirements has been a major concern for most cosmetic packaging manufacturers, particularly in case of metal and plastic, which are being preferred for packaging of high valued cosmetics with premiumisation trend gaining traction. Moreover, number of suppliers for plastic & metal are comparatively less than wood suppliers for cosmetic packaging. Thus, raw materials are sourced at higher prices, posing challenges for the company to package the product at a low cost and maintain overall profitability.

Globally, the governments are imposing stringent rules and regulations to the packaging of cosmetic products in order to ensure safety of the customers. Increasing adoption of environment friendly products can impact the market negatively. Moreover, depending on the cosmetic product type, different solvents or chemicals are used to detect if the packaging leaks any chemical or water into the cosmetic product. The packaging material used for cosmetics are exposed to these chemicals, which poses a major challenge for cosmetic packaging manufacturers. For instance, EU prohibited over 1,300 chemicals used for packaging and their regulations require confirmation that the chemical, water or any raw material in the products package does not seep into the cosmetic product.

Opportunities

Premium luxury packaging of cosmetics is gaining traction in major emerging economies. Key players are focusing on expanding their product line by introducing various luxury cosmetic packaging products. Luxury packaging segment is estimated to witness an impressive Y-o-Y growth of 12.5% in 2016, supported by increasing per capita disposable income, growth of aging and beauty conscious population. Moreover, with changing consumer perception towards attractive cosmetic products due to its packaging, consumers are inclined to pay higher prices for purchasing products with aesthetic look. This is expected to fuel the demand for luxury and premium packaging during the forecast period.

Trends

3D Printing is the new trend being adopted among the cosmetic packaging players globally. Key players of the market are introducing 3D printing for cosmetic packaging in their product offerings. 3D printing gives aesthetic look to the cosmetic products, and is generally used to package fragrances and shampoos. Its added advantage is that it gives an aesthetic look to the product, which particularly attracts the youth segment of the population. It is expected to drive the Cosmetic Pencil & Pen Packaging growth through 2024.

Airless packaging is gaining traction across cosmetic manufacturers, as airless packaging prevents excessive exposure of the product to air and also increases its shelf life. Generally, airless packaging is used for twist pencil & pen cosmetics . Also, double wall of airless packaging provides extra protection and aesthetic look. This along with low cost of packaging are key reasons that are projected to influence cosmetics manufacturers to adopt airless products.

Segment Covered:

This market intelligence report on the global Cosmetic Pencil & Pen Packaging Market encompasses market segments based on material type, product type, applicator type, formulation type , application type and country.

By Material Type the global Cosmetic Pencil & Pen Packaging Market has been divided into:

q Plastic

q Wood

q Metal

By Product Type the global Cosmetic Pencil & Pen Packaging Market has been divided into:

q Sharpenable Wooden Pencil

q Sharpenable Molded Pencil

q Mechanical Pencil

By Applicator Type the global Cosmetic Pencil & Pen Packaging Market has been divided into:

q Sponge

q Brushes

q Lead

By Formulation Type the global Cosmetic Pencil & Pen Packaging Market has been divided into:

q Parabens

q Sulfates

q Phthalates

By Application Type the global Cosmetic Pencil & Pen Packaging Market has been divided into:

q Eyeliner

o Eye Shadow

o Eye Brow

o Mascara

q Lip

o Lip Liner

o Lipstick

o Lip Gloss

q Clean Up Pencil

q Concealer Pencil

q Cheek Balm

q Sculpting Pencil

q Skin Glossing Pencil

By country/region, the global Cosmetic Pencil & Pen 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 Schwan-STABILO Cosmetics GmbH & Co. KG

q Alkos Cosmetiques S.A

q Intercos SpA

q Swallowfield PLC

q Confalonieri Matite S.R.L.

q Columbia Cosmetics Manufacturing Inc.

q A.W. Faber-Castell Cosmetics

q LOreal

q Estee Lauder

q Shiseido

q Avon

q Beiersdorf

q Lancome

q Johnson & Johnson

q Procter & Gamble

others have been profiled into detail so as to offer a glimpse of the market leaders. Moreover, parameters such as Cosmetic Pencil & Pen 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

Schwan - STABILO

In June 2016, Schwan-Stabilo Cosmetic GmbH & Co. KG announced to introduce its easy to apply cosmetic product range, which includes a liquid brow liner in pencil and pen format

Faber Castell

For Instance, In July 2016, Faber Castell Cosmetics showcased a new slim plastic pencil- the sharpenable airtight PVC-free barrel is ideal for its long lasting formulation

F.W Faber Castell developed high performance superior color cosmetic in convenient and high end packaging under its brand Gleam Dream, Brow WoW, Stroke of Genieus and Cool Cats. The product were designed with the initiative to attract daily user working women's

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Salient Features:

 This study offers comprehensive yet detailed analysis of the Cosmetic Pencil & Pen 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 Cosmetic Pencil & Pen 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 Cosmetic Pencil & Pen Packaging caters to the needs of various stakeholders pertaining to this industry, namely suppliers, manufacturers, investors, and distributors for Cosmetic Pencil & Pen 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 Cosmetic Pencil & Pen Packaging Market

v Identification of key factors driving investment opportunities in the Cosmetic Pencil & Pen 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

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Addressing a public meeting to commemorate the completion of one year of the Bodo Accord, Shah asked the people to elect a BJP government in Assam for speedy development of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). (Photo:PTI)

Guwahati: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi can keep Assam free of corruption, terrorism and pollution.

Addressing a public meeting to commemorate the completion of one year of the Bodo Accord, Shah asked the people to elect a BJP government in Assam for speedy development of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). Form an NDA government in Assam with absolute majority in the upcoming election and ensure the development of Bodoland, he said.

Assam is among the five states in the country slated to have elections in 2021. The other states and Union Territories are Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry.

Shah, who addressed another public rally at Nalbari, said, "I have seen many rallies in my life, but I am so happy to see today's rally... Development will be placed in Bodoland through this BTR Accord. More than 5,000 people lost their lives, I assure you that the BTR will become a more developed region in Assam in coming days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the process to end insurgency in the Northeast by signing the Bodo Peace Accord. Efforts were made for settlement for the Bru-Reang issue and 700 members of 8 armed groups laid down arms, he said.

I am here to assure people of BTR that the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will implement all BTR Accord clauses. Today, the insurgency era has ended and the peace era has started, he said.

Expressing satisfaction over the peaceful elections in Bodoland area, Shah said, "Please identify those instigating disputes in the name of Assamese and non-Assamese, Bodo and non-Bodo. They are not doing it for our development but are playing politics. It is high time that people of Assam teach a lesson to such people... This rally is a reply to those who disturbed the peace in Assam by spreading venom in the name of Bodo and non-Bodo. Today, Bodos and non-Bodos both are present here."

Shah also came down heavily on the Congress, saying, Congress had signed many accords, but they didn't implement any. But PM Modi has implemented it within time, what he had committed... Peace has come in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution... Now, BJP will protect the language, culture of Assam. Bloodshed was happening during the Congress regime. He also assured BTR chief Pramod Boro that his government would stand like a rock with him.

The BTR Accord was signed between the Central government, the Assam government and the Bodo stakeholders  NDFB and its factions  to ensure the territorial and cultural integrity of the region on January 27, 2020. Recently, the BJP, United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) and Gana Suraksha Party (GSP) also formed the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

Earlier on Saturday, Shah while addressing the 69th plenary meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC), urged all the states in the region to solve their boundary disputes by August 15, 2022, when the country will be celebrating 75 years of its Independence.

The Union home minister said that when India and Bangladesh can resolve their border issues, why cant the northeastern states do so despite being part of the same country.
It is likely to be some time before the dust around Brexit settles. Already this month, Brexit chaos has led to empty shelves in supermarkets in Northern Ireland, some disruption to the supplies of supermarkets in the Republic, parcel delays for Irish online shoppers, and logjams at ports.

For Irish consumers who continue to buy from - or have financial dealings with - the UK, Brexit has thrown them onto a whole new playing field. There are new rules and charges to grapple with - and lessons to be learned around where they now stand.

Here are ten rules of thumb which should make your life easier in the new Brexit playing field.

Keep your online order below 22 - but beware July 2021

It could cost you more - and be more complicated - to buy from UK online shops now than it did before Brexit. You may have to pay taxes and duties (such as Vat, customs duty and excise duty) when buying from UK-based retailers - depending on the value and origin of the goods being bought. (These additional charges don't apply to goods bought from Northern Ireland.)

You can currently avoid import charges by keeping the value (including cost, transport, insurance and handling charges) of any item ordered from the UK below 22. Where the customs value is more than 22, you must usually pay Irish Vat - even if you have been charged UK Vat on your purchase. You need to seek a refund of the UK Vat from the supplier if you have been charged for it.

Where the value of the item alone (excluding transport, insurance and handling charges) is more than 150, you may have to pay both Vat and customs duty. "Where the goods have originated in the UK, no customs duty will apply - as per the terms of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement," said a spokeswoman for Revenue. "However, customs duty will apply where the goods have not originated in the UK."

Be aware that from July 2021, the Vat exemption on parcels worth less than 22 will be withdrawn - so from that date, Vat will have to be paid on all items ordered from the UK (and other countries outside the EU), regardless of their value.

Only deal with UK online shops that have built Irish tax into the price tag

You can make buying from UK online shops more straightforward by only dealing with UK retailers that are registered for Vat in Ireland and using a 'duty paid' model. "If the retailer is registered for Vat in Ireland, or is operating a 'duty paid' model, the total price paid for the goods at the time of purchase will include Irish Vat and any customs duty due - meaning no further Revenue charges will arise on delivery," said a Revenue spokeswoman.

"Otherwise, the amount of Vat and duties (if any) will be calculated by customs - based on the information provided in the customs declaration. The consumer must pay any additional charges to the postal service or courier company before the goods are delivered."

Be aware too that to be able to receive an item ordered online from a UK retailer, you may have to pay a 3.50 handing fee to An Post - unless the shop has a 'duty paid' arrangement in place with An Post.

Revenue has advised consumers buying online from UK retailers to be sure what they are buying, where the goods originated from, and to check the supplier's terms and conditions around returns and refunds.

Don't order from a UK online shop if it's for an imminent birthday

Irish consumers have been warned that they could be facing months of disruption for parcels ordered from UK online retailers - largely as a result of the new rules in place for bringing goods into Ireland from the UK. So if you're ordering a gift online for a loved one's fast-approaching birthday, buy from an Irish store rather than a UK one.

Be prepared for hitches when resolving issues with UK shops

Irish consumers still have consumer rights when buying from UK retailers - however these rights will now generally be set down in UK law rather than EU law. As the UK has been a long-standing member of the EU, it has incorporated EU laws and rules into its own consumer protection laws, according to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).

"Therefore, at this time, consumer protection laws in both the EU and the UK are currently broadly aligned," said a spokeswoman for the CCPC. "The most significant change that Irish consumers are now facing when it comes to consumer rights and protections is their ability to enforce their rights when they buy goods from UK-based businesses - which means that it may be more difficult to resolve a dispute with a retailer based in the UK."

Contact ECC Ireland (eccireland.ie) if you run into problems with a UK-based retailer (such as a faulty item or non-delivery of an item) and are unable to resolve the issue with the shop. ECC Ireland can provide advice and support to Irish consumers who have problems dealing with UK retailers.

Remember, even though UK and EU consumer protection law are currently broadly similar, this may not continue to be the case - because as the UK is no longer an EU member, there is now scope for UK regulations to change over time. "There are a number of new EU regulations to be transposed over the coming years which will further strengthen the rights of consumers in the EU and this will be an area to watch carefully," said the CCPC spokeswoman. "As the UK is no longer an EU member state, they may now choose whether or not to adopt similar legislation within UK law."

Remember that UK consumer protection law also applies to Northern Ireland-based retailers.

Don't go on a UK shopping spree

You may have to pay import charges when you arrive home if you travel to the UK, buy goods while there, and then take them back to Ireland. These charges must be paid at the airport or port of arrival. You can bring home a certain amount of goods free of tax and excise duties - as long as you are within your duty-free allowance.

"You can bring in [general] goods free of duty and tax if their combined value is no more than 430 (if you are 15 or over) - or 215 if you are under 15," said a spokeswoman for Revenue. "If a single item is worth more than your allowance, you must pay duty or tax on the full value. If you are bringing back any duty-free goods you bought when you travelled out from Ireland, these count as part of your allowance."

Bear in mind that there are also specific allowances for the amount of alcohol and tobacco which you can bring home duty-free. For example, you cannot take home more than 200 cigarettes duty-free if travelling to Ireland from a country outside the EU.

You must declare any goods that exceed your personal allowances - or any prohibited or restricted items that you are carrying - to a customs officer when you arrive back in Ireland.

People travelling from the North to the Republic cannot take advantage of the UK's duty-free shopping - as it only applies to goods bought in airports and ports. Either way, rules are in place to ensure that goods can move throughout the island of Ireland without the need for customs declarations. Remember too that import changes don't apply if you buy goods when visiting Northern Ireland.

Ask any family in the UK not to send you gifts worth more than 45

You may have to pay customs duty or Vat on a gift sent to you from someone in the UK - if certain conditions are not met. To be exempt from customs duty or Vat, the value of the gift must typically be 45 or less, and the gift must be correctly declared and sent by a private individual in the UK to a private individual in Ireland. The gift must also be for personal or family use and of an occasional nature (such as a birthday or anniversary present). Furthermore, as the receiver of the gift, you must not have paid for it.

Bear in mind that gifts of alcohol, tobacco products, perfumes or toilet waters are generally not exempt from Vat or excise duty - though they may be exempt from customs duty if within specific allowances. For a bottle of eau de toilette (worth no more than 45) to be exempt from customs duty for example, it must weigh no more than 250ml.

Don't have more than 10,000 in cash on you if travelling to the UK

You must make a declaration to customs if carrying cash of 10,000 or more when travelling to the UK from Ireland. This declaration must be made if carrying such cash when leaving or returning to Ireland. The cash may be seized if it isn't declared, if it hasn't been properly declared or if the customs officer has reasonable grounds to believe that it represents the proceeds of crime - or is intended for use in criminal conduct. The requirement to make such a declaration does not apply if travelling from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland.

Fly with an EU airline if visiting UK

For Irish people flying to the UK, travelling with an EU-based airline is one way to ensure they can still rely on the protection of EU law. The air passenger rights available under EU law protect you in the event that your flight is cancelled or delayed - and may allow you to claim compensation from an airline. These rights apply to all passengers departing from airports within the EU and the European Economic Area - and in certain circumstances, will also apply to passengers departing from airports outside the EU and European Economic Area.

"If the flight is with an airline based in the EU, the consumer will as a general rule continue to maintain their passenger rights as an EU citizen to compensation - regardless of whether they travel to or from the UK," said Cyril Sullivan, director of ECC Ireland. "If, on the other hand, the flight is from the UK to an EU country with an airline that is not based in the EU, then the passenger will not be covered by EU air passenger rights. Each flight would have a unique status so if you departed from Dublin to London on a return ticket on a non-EU airline, EU law would apply on your Dublin to London trip - but not on the return leg. However, it is my understanding that it you took a series of connecting flights with a non-EU carrier and these flights started in Ireland, then EU law would apply for the whole journey."

It's worth noting that there are still air passenger rights and protections for those flying to and from the UK. "The main change [since Brexit] is that the European support and oversight no longer applies," said Sullivan. "Therefore, consumers can be assured that the same rights for compensation and reimbursement continue to be afforded them but their application under EU regulation and EU oversight protection is no longer there."

Only book package holidays with a UK travel agent if it markets in Ireland

There are EU rules in place which protect you when you book a package holiday if the operator is based within the bloc. For example, you can get back money you have paid for a package holiday should your travel agent go bust before your holiday starts - as long as the agent is licensed. Now that the UK has left the EU, you can no longer rely on the protection of EU law for package holidays bought from a travel agency in the UK - unless that travel agent has marketed its package holidays in Ireland.

"Under EU consumer law on package travel, in circumstances where a travel agent based outside the EU (including the UK) actively sells or markets its package holidays to Irish consumers, EU consumer rights and protections will still apply," said a spokeswoman for the CCPC.

There is a snag however: consumer protection law does not outline how you would definitively prove that a UK-based travel agent is actively selling or marketing its package holidays to Irish consumers. However, if a UK-based travel agent has engaged in a number of commercial activities, this should help prove that it is marketing to Irish consumers. These activities, according to the CCPC, could include the use of a website domain name which suggests a connection with Ireland or specific to Ireland - such as "ourshop4ireland.com" or "anystore.ie". A reference to Irish taxes and charges (such as the display of prices inclusive of Irish Vat) and Irish contact details (such as Irish telephone numbers) in the travel agent's website or brochures could also be evidence that a travel agent is marketing to Irish consumers. So too could statements from the company which suggest a strong focus on the Irish market - such as "Ireland's number one travel agent".

However, if the only evidence you have is that the travel agent has a website which allows Irish consumers to place orders online, "this would not be sufficient to prove proactive selling or marketing within the Irish market," said the CCPC spokeswoman. This would also be the case if the travel agent's website uses the English language or the euro currency - given the widespread use of the English language and the euro.

Know where you stand if buying a package holiday from a UK travel agent

Find out where you will stand if things go wrong (such as if the tour operator goes bust or if your holiday is cancelled) if considering buying a package holiday from a UK-based travel agent. Ask the operator if you will get a refund or compensation if it goes bust before your holiday begins - and if it will arrange to get you home if it becomes insolvent while you are on holiday. Check if your holiday is covered by ATOL - the British scheme which protects consumers from losing money if they book a holiday with a British travel company. It could be safer, and much less hassle, to simply book your holiday with an Irish travel agent licensed by the Commission for Aviation Regulation.
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As the political crisis after the dissolution of the parliament in Nepal deepens, the caretaker Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was removed from ruling Nepal Communist Party by a Central Committee Meeting of the splinter group of the party on Sunday.

"His membership has been revoked," a spokesperson for the splinter group, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, told news agency ANI.

Rival faction of the Communist Party had earlier threatened to expel Oli from the party when they had taken to streets against his decision to dissolve the parliament and order a fresh election.

"We ousted Oli from the post of Chairman of ruling NCP. Now, we will take disciplinary actions against him as he is not fit to remain a member of the Communist Party and we have ordered him to provide clarifications. He has not replied to us till date," Madhav Kumar Nepal, a leader of the rival faction of NCP, had said.

He said that an order for "clarification" has been sent to Oli for the parliament dissolution. However, the caretaker PM had not responded to it.

Madhav Kumar had also ruled out any possibilities of unification with Oli even after he acknowledges his mistakes and corrects his latest move.

"No one should be under the impression that the NCP would bow down to KP Oli. It will never happen as we do politics on the basis of value and beliefs," he remarked.

Oli's decision

The parliament was dissolved on 20 December last year at the direction of the prime minister and new elections were announced for April 30 and May 10.

Oli became prime minister after his Nepal Communist Party won elections three years ago. Olis party and the party of former Maoist rebels had earlier merged to form a unified Communist Party.

Tensions, however, have grown between Oli and the leader of the former rebels, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is also co-chair of the party. The two had previously agreed that they would split the five-year prime ministers term between them, but Oli has refused to allow Dahal to take over.

The opposition has also accused Olis government of corruption, and his administration has faced criticism over its handling of the coronavirus outbreak.

Oli also has been accused of moving closer to China and drifting away from Nepals traditional partner, India, since taking power.

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Agra, Jan 24 : The missing minor children of a couple, who had been jailed for five years for a crime they did not commit, have finally been traced to separate children's homes in Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad and Kanpur.

The couple, Narendra Singh (40) and his wife Najma (30), were unable to locate their son Ajeet and daughter Anju, who were five and three-years-old at the time of their arrest in September 2015.

According to sources, both the children were shifted to an Agra child protection home in October 2019 after their grandfather Bhagwan Das was unable to take care of them due to poor financial condition.

The duo had been handed over to their grandparents immediately after the couple's arrest.

Agra Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Chairman Gopal Sharma said, "Both the children were living in separate children's homes. They were sent to separate facilities after age verification revealed they were above 10 years." While Ajeet was found living at the state children's home for boys in Firozabad, Anju was traced to the state children's home for girls in Kanpur.

Meanwhile, the couple's lawyer Vansho Baboo disputed Sharma's claims and said the children were wrongfully removed from the child protection home despite their age.

He said the couple's priority now was to reunite with the children at the earliest and they would meet the CWC officials on Monday to complete the formalities.

Meanwhile, Agra District Magistrate, Prabhu N. Singh, said the district Probationary Official is in touch with them and would provide all assistance to bring the children back to Agra.

The police had arrested the couple -- Narendra Singh and his wife Najma -- from Bah in Agra in 2015, following the murder of a five-year-old boy.

In its order to release the couple, the Additional District and Session Courts came down heavily on the police.

"It is unfortunate that the innocent couple has spent five years behind bars and the main accused is still free," the court said and directed the Senior Superintendent Of Police (SSP) to take action against the Investigation Officer (IO) for his negligence.

The court then recommended that the case be reinvestigated on the basis of available evidence to nab the real culprit.

"The then Sub-Inspector, Chidanand Singh, who was working with the Investigation Officer, admitted in court that he did not even try to find out against whom the FIR was registered." Narendra Singh, the father of the children and who earlier worked as a teacher, said, "What was our children's fault? They had to live like orphans. My son Ajeet and daughter Anju were so small when police arrested us for alleged murder."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said as of Sunday New Yorks health care distribution sites for the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine have received more than 1.3 million first doses and administered 88% or more then 1.1 million first dose shots.

As our week six allocation finishes arriving to providers today, New York has already administered 88% of its first doses, demonstrating once again that the problem we face is lack of supply from the federal government, Governor Cuomo said.

We have the operational capacity to do over 100,000 doses a day  we just need the dosages. In the meantime, the state will continue working around the clock to get shots into arms quickly, and providers must continue administering to their assigned priority populations in order to ensure equity of distribution during this time of limited supply, he added.

New Yorks vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals far exceed the vaccine supply coming from the federal government, Cuomo said.

While the federal government has increased eligibility for the vaccine to include seven million New Yorkers, the federal supply of vaccines has actually decreased, the Governor said.

Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment, said the Governors office in a written statement.

Vaccination program numbers are for doses distributed and delivered to New York for the states vaccination program, and do not include those reserved for the federal governments Long Term Care Facility program.

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

A breakdown of the data based on numbers reported to New York State as of 11 a.m. Sunday is as follows:

First Doses Received - 1,304,050

First Doses Administered - 1,144,070

Second Doses Received - 564,600

Second Doses Administered - 139,929

In New York City, 499,101 of the 589,275 doses received have been administered, which is 85% of the shots, according to the Cuomo Administration.

SHIPMENT DELAYED

After much of the citys allotted doses were administered, officials said earlier this week a shipment of 103,000 Moderna vaccines were delayed.

The bottle line is this: the pace of vaccination is dramatically outstripping our supply. We need more doses to vaccinate the people of our city, said Avery Cohen, a City Hall spokesperson.

City Hall has said that the weekly allocation of 100,000 doses from the federal government isnt enough to sustain New York Citys vaccination effort. However, a weekly shipment is due in the beginning of this week, according to City Hall.

HUBS CLOSE

The boroughs two city-run vaccination hubs at Port Richmond and Staten Island Tech High Schools were closed Thursday and Friday due to vaccine shortages.

The two Staten Island locations are a part of 15 citywide that were closed through the end of the week due to the delayed shipment.

In addition, the opening of the mass vaccination site at Empire Outlets was delayed due to the vaccination shortages, Mayor Bill de Blasio confirmed on Wednesday.

WHERE TO GET A VACCINE

New Yorkers seeking to determine eligibility and schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site, can visit the Am I Eligible website. New Yorkers may also call their local health department, pharmacy, doctor or hospital for additional information and to schedule appointments

There are several Staten Island locations administering the vaccine. The city launched a website, NYC Vaccine Finder, to help residents find the closest vaccination hub to them  there are currently 14 Staten Island sites listed:

Appointments can also be made here, or by calling 877-829-4692.

NYC Health+Hospitals Gotham Health/Vanderbilt clinic is the only 24/7 site open on Staten Island currently.

Once you have confirmed an appointment, you must complete the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine form. This can be completed online or at your vaccination site.

Proof of eligibility must be brought to your appointment. This may include an employee ID card, a letter from an employer or affiliated organization, or a pay stub, depending on the specific priority status. If you are eligible due to age, you should bring a government-issued form of ID that includes your date of birth.

Due to a shortage of vaccines in New York, some sites may be closed or have limited availability.

Many Staten Islanders have experienced difficulty getting appointments and long lines at understaffed medical centers while attempting to get the vaccine.

*** CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK ***

COVID-19 TRACKER

The COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker Dashboard is available to update New Yorkers about the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. The New York State Department of Health requires vaccinating facilities to report all COVID-19 vaccine administration data within 24 hours; the vaccine administration data on the dashboard is updated daily to reflect the most up-to-date metrics in the states vaccination effort.
Matt Damon and his family isolating in the seclusion of a private home after arriving in Australia. Billionaire media mogul Kerry Stokes twice being granted exemptions to quarantine at his waterfront mansion.

It may seem like theres one rule for the rich and famous wanting to enter Australia or cross state borders, and another for the thousands who have had to sit out their 14-day quarantine in a hotel.

In quarantine: Matt Damon employed 24-hour security and people to undertake hospital-grade cleaning. Credit:Getty Images

However, in certain limited circumstances, ordinary Australians returning from overseas can also avoid the compulsory hotel stay.

Getting an exemption does not exempt you from paying, either. Systems differ between states, with NSW requiring individuals to pay for round-the-clock police monitoring. All states require anyone with an exemption to adhere to strict quarantine protocols, and that can include cleaning, safe food delivery and having secure, separate premises in which to wait out your two weeks.
Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, say goodbye to law and order Joe.

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Question is how to raise funds to cover losses



The Moon Jae-in administration and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) have started the legislative process to allow small businesses and the self-employed to get state compensation for their losses arising from COVID-19. The move has gained momentum since Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun instructed the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Thursday, to work out measures to help those hit hard by the pandemic.



The legislation initiative is a step in the right direction. It is the government's duty to cover the damages caused by state-imposed bans and restrictions on the operation of cafes, restaurants, bars, gyms and other crowded places. The government has so far provided two rounds of emergency relief funds to individuals and businesses. However, such one-time funding events are insufficient to solve the problem. That's why the country needs to lay the legal groundwork for compensation.



The move comes amid mounting calls for damage compensation from small business operators and the self-employed. More than 300 cafe owners recently filed a suit against the government, seeking 1.8 billion won ($1.6 billion) in compensation for losses caused by business restrictions under toughened social distancing rules. Gym operator have also launched a similar legal battle.



Few would oppose the legislative push, given the devastating economic fallout from the unprecedented public health crisis. Some lawmakers of the governing DPK have already presented similar bills aimed at easing the pains of those most vulnerable to the resurgent pandemic. Even the conservative opposition People Power Party (PPP) has acknowledged the need for the compensation legislation.



In the run-up to mayoral by-elections set for April in Seoul and Busan  the country's two largest cities  both the ruling and opposition parties could invite criticism for pushing for such a compensation bill in a seemingly populist bid to woo voters. Some conservative media outlets are denouncing the Moon government and political parties' move as "vote buying." Yet it is wrong to view the legislation process only from a negative point of populism. One of the most urgent tasks is to help the hardest-hit businesses and individuals cope with the crisis.



Now the big question is how to finance compensation payments after the bill becomes law. Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki first reacted negatively to Prime Minister Chung's legislation drive, saying that government finance is not like a "widow's cruse." Soon after he changed his position to accommodate Chung's proposal. But for his part, Hong should consider fiscal means before setting out measures to cover the pandemic-triggered losses for small businesses.



For this reason, the finance ministry should prepare detailed and viable steps to raise funds needed for compensation payouts. Otherwise, the government will face a snowballing budget deficit. An estimate calls for as much as 100 trillion won ($90 billion) for four months to help the needy. The situation could deteriorate further. The DPK is trying to legislate a corporate profit sharing act designed to offer administrative, financial and tax benefits to large corporations in return for their voluntary profit-sharing with subcontractors. Policymakers should not sacrifice long-term fiscal health to avoid a more serious crisis than the virus.






RIYADH  Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar met with the Minister of Education of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Hamad bin Mohammad Al-Sheikh and discussed educational cooperation between the two countries during his visit to Saudi Arabia on Friday.

At the outset, Minister Atmar thanked the Saudi government for its assistance in various fields, especially in education and scholarships for Afghan students, and called for the expansion of cooperation in vocational training to Afghans in scientific and technical areas.

Welcoming the Foreign Minister, Dr. Hamad bin Mohammad Al-Sheikh said, "We want to be your partner in the transition to a new chapter in Afghanistan." The Saudi Minister of Education expressed readiness to increase the number of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate programs paving the way for professional and specialized education for Afghans. He noted that Suadi Arabia can help Afghanistan through teacher training and curriculum development using the latest models and experiences.

At the end of the meeting, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on academic and educational cooperation between the Ministries of Education of Afghanistan and the Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia. This MoU will increase the mutual visits of education officials and student delegations of the two countries. It also increases the attention to Arabic language teaching for those interested in Afghanistan.
By Arlene Stein

At a summer camp in northwest New Jersey, cabins surround a lake. A photograph from 1937 shows hundreds of teenage boys dressed in light brown shirts and shorts, and girls in white blouses and black skirts carrying flags. At first, it looks like a typical summer camp of that era. But on a closer look, one sees pressed uniforms, lockstep marching, and flags with swastikas, alongside stars and stripes.

On 205 acres, Camp Nordland was the largest of more than 20 camps established by the German-American Bund, Americas Brownshirts, in the 1930s. At camp rallies and storefront meetings, Bund supporters pledged to make the United States 'a white mans Christian country again. They denounced the melting pot as a Jewish invention and gave one another the fascist salute while chanting Heil Hitler, Heil America!

As a child in Newark in the 1930s, author Philip Roth witnessed the activities of American fascists, including rallies, denunciations of Jews and communists, and brawls. In his 2004 novel The Plot Against America, he altered historical reality to make aviation hero Charles Lindbergh, a Nazi sympathizer, Americas 33rd president while keeping everything else as close to factual truth as I could. After Trumps election, reviewers saw the novel as eerily prescient; few seemed to recognize that the author based much of it on reality.

The truth is that white supremacist and fascist-inspired movements have been a recurrent part of our history. They were particularly strong during the 1930s and early 1940s, when dozens of extremist groups in this country openly espoused racist, anti-Semitic and authoritarian ideologies, and many of them called for armed revolt. Tens of thousands of Americans dedicated themselves to white Christian supremacist activities and many more were casual supporters.

Historian Philip Jenkins writes that in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the active membership of extreme rightist organizations numbered 2,000 between 1938 and 1941, with some 20,000 supporters and associates. Though they did not speak with one voice, they shared the goal of white Christian domination over Blacks, Jews, communists and immigrants, and were often willing to use violence to achieve their goals. Unlike their European counterparts, they never gained formal political power. Yet groups such as the Silver Shirts, Black Legion, Christian Front and German American Bund exerted influence by consolidating popular support for immigration restrictions, delaying the entry of the United States into World War II and suppressing working-class organizing.

Sussex County sheriff deputies examine a swastika on the ceiling of an assembly hall during a raid at the Bund camp in May 1941. While many extremist groups like the Bund were organized by new immigrants with ties to fascists in Europe, most far-right activists were local small business people who were well integrated into their communities, family men (and occasionally women) and born in American born, Stein says. (AP file photo)

Today, as thousands of Americans openly espouse violent racist and anti-Semitic beliefs and our now former president mobilizes them to wield power, this history has largely been forgotten. Yet our shock is made possible by this collective forgetting.

We sociologists know that collective memory, the term coined by Maurice Halbwachs in 1950 to describe the parts of history that we remember, does not emerge spontaneously. Understandably, few have wished to commemorate this shameful part of our national past. That is why there are no local statues to commemorate racist extremists or even those who fought them in local communities. More curious is the fact that this history is rarely, if ever, taught in classrooms.

Perhaps, this is because some view these extremist groups as comprised of deviant outsiders. The fact that some of them, like the Bund or the Italian Blackshirts, were organized by new immigrants with ties to fascists in Europe gave rise to the belief that far-right extremists were literally a foreign import. But most far-right activists were local small business people who were well integrated into their communities, family men (and occasionally women) and mainly American born.

Further contributing to this erasure was the fact that when the United States entered World War II, many extremist organizations were outlawed, their adherents shamed and ideologies repudiated  or so many believed. But the belief that our nation rightly belongs to white Christians has long appealed to a sizeable minority of Americans  or Donald Trump would not have been able to tap into these beliefs and mobilize them toward destructive ends.

The 204-acre camp opened in Andover in July 1937 to encourage pro-Nazi values. It attracted thousands to the area and held a joint rally with the Ku Klux Klan in August 1940. The land, now owned by the county, is now Hillside Park, an area with playgrounds, a banquet hall and the borough's police department.

Today, Camp Nordland is used as recreational fields for Sussex County. The huge swastika emblazoned on the ceiling of the original clubhouse is gone, but the building still stands. When local historian Wayne McCabe conducts slideshows about the history of the camp, some people resent his effort to dredge up difficult memories. They cant deal with this history, he tells me. But I want people to know.

In the wake of our national racial reckoning, statues honoring confederate leaders in the South are now the subject of long-overdue attention. It is important, too, for us to teach our children about the local history of violent white Christian supremacy because it continues to haunt us.

Arlene Stein is a distinguished professor of sociology at Rutgers University. She is the author of Reluctant Witnesses: Survivors, their Children, and the Rise of Holocaust Consciousness.

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Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Cloudy with rain ending overnight. Low 42F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with rain ending overnight. Low 42F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
Trucks are being assembled on a production line of an automaker in Qingzhou, east China's Shandong province, Jan. 18, 2021. (Photo by Wang Jilin/People's Daily Online)

China's economic performance over the past year triggered broad discussion and commendation across the world. The country was the only major economy that secured positive growth in 2020, whose GDP for the first time crossed the 100 trillion yuan mark, rising 2.3 percent from a year ago.

International observers commented that China has consolidated its position as a key driver of global growth, and the country's economy is likely to keep acting as a "locomotive" that fuels the recovery of global economy this year.

As the Davos Agenda of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is about to kick off and the world is seeking cooperation to fight COVID-19 and recover economy, China's economy is injecting positive energy into the world, revitalizing the confidence of the global community to recover economy.

Cargos are being loaded on and unloaded from international freight trains at Beilun Port along the Ningbo-Zhoushan rail, Jan. 8, 2021. (Photo by Jiang Xiaodong/People's Daily Online)

Hans-Paul Burkner, chairman of the Boston Consulting Group remarked that China's v-shaped bounceback was not by accident or luck, and it represented the arduous efforts made by the Chinese people, enterprises and government departments.

The strong resilience and vitality of the Chinese economy came from the country's efforts to coordinate pandemic prevention and control and economic and social development, which offered important experiences for the world to win the battle against the disease and secure economic performance.

The V-shaped recovery was engineered by getting Covid-19 under control and deploying fiscal and monetary stimulus to boost investment, said Bloomberg in a recent article. Experts from the International Monetary Fund also noted that China's practices proved effective control measures could promote economic recovery, which is a great example for other countries to follow.

"Integration into the global economy is a historical trend. To grow its economy, China must have the courage to swim in the vast ocean of the global market." The remarks made by Chinese President Xi Jinping when addressing the Opening Session of the WEF Annual Meeting four years ago in Davos, Switzerland, well explain why China secured outstanding economic performance last year.

Protectionism was on a rise after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. China took a series of new measures to expand opening up, stabilize global industrial and supply chains and safeguard the open environment for international cooperation, which further improved its capability to achieve win-win results with the rest of the world.

In 2020, China's foreign trade of goods went up by 1.9 percent from a year ago, and the freight trains running between the country and Europe made 12,406 trips, 50 percent more than those in 2019. Behind these figures is the energy China has injected to the world for the latter's recovery. Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme noted China not only achieved its own development, but also build a new vision of future international cooperation and economic development.

A worker manufactures products to be shipped overseas at an auto parts company in Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, Jan. 13, 2021. (Photo by Wang Zheng/People's Daily Online)

In the new year, China has both the foundation and conditions to maintain economic recovery, and is bound to make greater contribution to global economic recovery and development. By further enhancing innovation, expanding domestic demand and comprehensively implementing reform and opening up measures, it is injecting confidence into the international society for economic development.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development forecasted that China will contribute to over 1/3 of global growth this year. Japanese news outlet Nikkei reported that thanks to China's rapid economic recovery and thriving market demand, Japan's manufacturers have constantly lifted their expectation for performance. Craig Allen, president of the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC) said almost all members of the council saw China's huge contribution to the world economy and were expanding their investment in the country.

Embarking on a new journey, China is accelerating the building of a new development paradigm, releasing market potential and opening wider to the world. It will definitely create more opportunities to share development with the rest of the world and strive for win-win cooperation.

Updated: The Peoples AME Zion Church in Syracuse is no longer making appointments, the Rev. Daren Jaime said this morning.

Syracuse, N.Y. -- About 1 in 15 people in New York have tested positive for Covid-19, according to state data.

As of Saturday, 1.3 million people out of the states 19.4 million population have test positive for the coronavirus. In Onondaga County, about 1 out of 16 people have tested positive, according to county data.

At the same time, recent hospitalizations and the percent of people testing positive continue to decline.

Yet the death toll remains relatively steady. On Saturday, another 160 people died of Covid-19, Gov. Andrew Cuomo reported today.

Since the pandemic began, 34,069 people have died, according to state data.

On Saturday, the state received results from 249,955 tests. Of those, 12,720 -- or 5.09% -- came back positive, according to Cuomos office.

That decline continued to push down the states weekly average of positive cases. As of Saturday, 5.99% of tests came back positive, on average, each day for the past seven days. Thats down from a weekly positive rate of 6.15% just two days ago.

Hospitalizations statewide also continue to decline. As of Saturday, 8,613 patients were in hospitals, down 189 from the previous 24-hour count. About 1,500 people remain in intensive care.

Central New Yorks seven-day average ticked up sightly to 5.34%, according to state data. It had been at 5.29% on Friday.

Cuomo said Saturday that vaccine doses continue to arrive in New York. As of late Saturday, 1,084,814 people received their first shots at distribution sites. Thats 92% of the vaccine the state had received to date, Cuomo reported.

On Monday, the state and Onondaga County will run a small vaccine clinic at The Peoples AME Zion Church in Syracuse. The clinic is part of the states efforts to bring the vaccine into Black and brown communities, the governor said Saturday.

The appointments at the church are taken, the Rev. Daren Jaime said this morning. We dont have any more slots, he said during a live-streamed worship service. Dont call us. Well call you.

Cuomo spoke to the congregation by video this morning.

The bottom line is Covid can kill you, the governor said in a taped message. And the vaccine can save you.

As of this morning, the state had vaccine appointments available in Plattsburgh and Potsdam.

Got a story idea or news tip youd like to share? Please contact me through email, Twitter, Facebook or at 315-470-2274.
Mr Emmanuel Donkor, President of Ghana Federation of Disabilities in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region, has expressed gratitude to President Akufo- Addo for nominating Mr Joshua Makubu as Oti Regional Minister-designate.



In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Donkor said Mr Makubu's skills in grassroot mobilisation, mentorship ideals and track record in secretarial activities might have captured the President's resolve to nominate him.



He said the nominee had distinguished himself in all tasks and was always ready to solve problems.



Mr Donkor urged Parliament's vetting committee to approve the Regional Minister-designate without tension.



Mr John Nanka, President of People With Disability in the Nkwanta North District, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that Mr Makubu would facilitate the needed development for the people of the Oti Region.

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.

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Lucknow: With the completion of the construction of the 3,300-metre-long airstrip near Kurebhar on Purvanchal Expressway, Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in the country with two airstrips on expressways to facilitate emergency landing and take-off of fighter planes.

Speaking to ANI, Awanish Kumar Awasthi, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh said, "The construction of Purvanchal Expressway being completed rapidly. The construction of the 3,300-metre-long airstrip near Kurebhar on the expressway has been completed. All categories of aircraft can land on this airstrip. The Indian Air Force is likely to test the airstrip soon."

Notably, Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in the country with two airstrips on expressways. One airstrip is on Lucknow-Agra Expressway while the other is on Purvanchal Expressway. Airstrips on expressways are designed to facilitate emergency landing and take-off of fighter planes.

Earlier, the Indian Air Force had examined Yamuna Expressway and Agra Expressway. Aircraft like Mirage 2000, Jaguar, Sukhoi 30 and Super Hercules had already landed on Lucknow-Agra Expressway. Uttar Pradesh government is trying to connect the entire northern part of the country with expressways.

The Hindon and Agra airbases of the Indian Air Force will be able to use the runway of all three expressways if needed. Also, these airstrips of Uttar Pradesh can serve the Air Force to respond against China and Pakistan in case of any war.

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This week the nation witnessed our quadrennial transition of power. It was peaceful despite the predictions of many in the media.

Sadly, it was not filled with the pomp and pageantry we normally associate with Inauguration Day. There was limited seating and attendance. There were no inaugural balls. The parade was scaled down.

Inauguration Day doesnt belong to any political party or person, it belongs to the people of the United States and is a celebration of our republic and the most powerful office in the world.

Despite the ominous warnings of Hillary Clinton and others, President Trump left the White House. He even left a note for the incoming president, continuing the unbroken tradition begun by Ronald Reagan.

Across the country there were none of the violent uprisings at state capitals wed been told were coming. And in Washington DC any arrests paled in comparison to the hundreds four years ago.

As Joe Biden assumed the presidency, his inaugural address was what we expected. It was shorter than a usual Biden speech, closer to George Washingtons than William Henry Harrisons hour and 45 minute stemwinder. The tone was right and the main theme of the speech was unity.

While the nation yearns for unity, there are a couple of questions that remain to be answered. First, will the actions of the new administration and Congressional Democrats match the rhetoric of the presidents inaugural address? Second, is unity what they really seek or is it conformity?

Its difficult to imagine how an impeachment trial will bring unity. Sen. Joe Manchin warned House Democrats that speed rushing an impeachment through days before President Trump left office would only divide the nation further. Even then President-Elect Biden hinted that he agreed.

Nevertheless the House Democrats rushed forward and now intend to send the article to the Senate this week. Which, of course, sets up many legal questions, most notably how you remove from office a man whos already left.

Interestingly, the next articles of impeachment have already been brought forward. This time they seek to impeach Joseph R. Biden. There really has to be an end to this.

The question of unity followed the new president down Pennsylvania Avenue where he signed 17 executive orders, using the stroke of a pen to overturn many of the policy initiatives of the Trump Administration.

If you believe, as I do, that the overuse of executive orders and actions is a serious problem, this was the problem exacerbated to a degree we have not seen before. Many of us have criticized the use of executive order and action by previous administrations, including Donald Trumps, but we have never see such an avalanche on a single day.

President Bush didnt sign any his first day in office. Neither did President Obama. President Trump only signed one. President Biden penned 17. Thats five more than his own chief of staff said they were contemplating.

One notable order halted, and likely killed, construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. Thats terrible for all of us. Even Democrat Sen. Bob Casey broke with the Obama/Biden Administration and supported the pipeline. My counterpart on the other side of this page, former lieutenant governor and acting governor Mark Singel recently quipped that Biden had gone 16 for 17.

The immediate result was that a thousand union households will now be jobless. Undoubtedly there will be more. The oil will continue to flow. It will just come by more dangerous methods.

The order didnt do much for relations with our neighbors to the north either. Canada is furious over Bidens order. One Canadian governor called it an an insult directed at the United States most important ally and trading partner.

Theres also the question of how presidents calls for unity square up with the increasingly active cancel culture. Is it truly unity that is being called for, or is it conformity?

There are increasingly loud voices on the American left calling for reprogramming of Trump enablers. Seriously? Deprograming was the tool of Chairman Mao during the bloodiest days of Communist China. They do that sort of thing in North Korea today. To even hint at such horrific nonsense aimed at more than 74 million Americans is far beyond the zone of reason.

If President Biden is serious about his promise to be the president of all the people, including those who voted against him, he should immediately, loudly and forcefully condemn such statements as well as the cancel culture attacks on individuals and businesses who supported President Trump or his policies.

Where American unity can be found is in a common agreement on the greatness of this nation. Policy disagreements will always be with us. If resolved properly they help build an even greater country. Divisive personal battles should be replaced with healthy debate.

Charlie Gerow is a Republican strategist and CEO of Quantum Communications. He and Democrat Mark Singel write opposite each other each week on PennLive. They can also be seen each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on CBS-21s Face the State.
Thousands of farmers are set to participate in the 100-kilometre rally which will be conducted on Delhi's Outer Ring Road

The Delhi Police on Sunday granted permission for protesting farmers to hold the 'kisan tractor rally' in Delhi on Republic Day, according to several media reports. Reports quoted the police as saying that the tractor rally will begin after the traditional Republic Day parade ends.

NDTV reported that the approval was given after the Delhi Police held two rounds of meetings on Sunday. Thousands of farmers are set to participate in the 100-kilometre rally which will be conducted on Delhi's Outer Ring Road.

"Protesting farmers can enter Delhi but can't disturb the Republic Day parade. They can enter Delhi for few kilometers and then exit at designation spots," the police said, as per NDTV.

"The route has been fixed in such a way that it can be protected. The number of the tractors is not yet decided. The tractor rally will start after Republic Day programme ends  around 11.30 am." the report quoted the police as saying.

Additionally, Hindustan Times quoted Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav as saying, "Today there was a short meeting with officers of Delhi Police. We have got formal permission from police for the tractor rally. As I told earlier, 'Kisan Gantantra Parade' will be held on 26 January in a peaceful manner."

Earlier on Sunday, police officials held a meeting to discuss whether or not to grant the permission for the rally and what conditions farmers must adhere to if if permission is granted.

The Delhi Police's statement came a day after farmer leaders claimed that they had received permission for the rally. However, Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava was on Saturday quoted by reports as saying, "Farmers have not given us any route in writing. We will let you know once we receive a route in written."

Meanwhile, The Indian Express reported that the police on Sunday "proposed four routes from Ghazipur, Singhu, Chilla, and Tikri borders for the farmers tractor rally".

Meanwhile, News18 quoted sources as saying that the police will impose several conditions on the rally.

Over 20,000 farmers from states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand will be joining the 100-kilometre rally, which is set to be held on Delhi's busy Outer Ring Road.

'Onus to keep rally peaceful on farmers'

The News18 report said that the Delhi Police is considering several potential routes for the rally.

"Routes will be like dedicated loops. There will be multiple routes for Farmers tractor rally. Farmers leaders will have to agree that they will follow them strictly," the report quoted police sources as saying.

The Delhi Police will also instruct farmers leaders to be "responsible for the peaceful movement" of the rally and ensure that "no anti-national slogans or posters are allowed".

"The farmers will be escorted by Delhi police and leaders will be responsible for the peaceful movement. Traffic spillover is expected in Delhi-NCR during the rally hours," they said.

Farmers claim Delhi Police granted permission for rally

On Saturday, farmer leaders told reporters that the police had granted permission for the rally.

Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar stated that the Delhi Police has given permission to the farmers' tractor parade on 26 January, after attending a meeting between the unions and senior police officers.

The tractor parade will start from the Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri border points of Delhi, but the final details of routes are yet to be finalised, said Kohar, who is a senior member of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha.

Farmer leaders said that five routes have been decided in-principle and farmers will cover 100 kilometres with tractors on every route, and added that 70 to 78 percent of the routes will culminate inside Delhi while the remaining will be outside the National Capital.

PTI quoted sources as saying that one possible route for the tractor parade from Singhu border will be to Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar and it will pass through the Kanjhawala and Bawana areas and then return to the protest site.

Farmers camping at the Tikri border point will start their tractor parade from the protest site and cover areas like Nangloi, Najafgarh, Badli, and Kundli-Manesar Palwal (KMP) Expressway, they said.

For farmers camping at the Ghazipur border point, their tractor parade will cover areas like Apsra border-Ghaziabad-Duhai and return to Ghazipur, the report said.

However, tractor parade routes for farmers camping at Shahjahanpur and Palwal have not been decided yet, PTI reported.

Farmer leader Darshan Pal said that "barricades set up at Delhi borders will be removed on 26 January and farmers will take out tractor parade after entering the National Capital".

"We have almost finalised fives routes," Pal, who is also a member of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, said.

Another farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni said that as thousands of farmers will participate in the parade, there will be no single route as it is not possible to manage huge crowds on a particular route.

Earlier, there have been three rounds of meetings between the unions and police officers from Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, but it was the fourth round of talks over the tractor parade on Friday where both sides reached an agreement.

While police tried to convince farmer leaders to hold their tractor parade outside the National Capital, they were adamant on holding the proposed rally on Delhi's busy Outer Ring Road.

BKU claims 25,000 tractors to participate in 'kisan parade'

Around 25,000 tractors from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand will participate in the 'kisan parade' in Delhi on 26 January, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said on Saturday.

"Farmers moving towards Uttar Pradesh Gate from the two states on their tractor trolleys were intercepted by police in different districts but farmers will arrive here at every cost," he said.

"Around 25,000 tractors would arrive here and a tractor rally would be brought out on Republic Day. Apart from the districts of western Uttar Pradesh, farmers would take out rallies in every district," Tikait said in a statement.

"No political person will be allowed to participate," the BKU national spokesperson said.

District administrations are sending notices to farmers and mounting pressure on them not to participate in the rallies citing COVID-19 norms and section 144 of the CrPC, he claimed.

"Routes of the rally will be decided by the police of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana and details will be released by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha after a final decision," Tikait added.

With inputs from agencies
President Joe Biden speaks about the CCP virus response before signing executive orders in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on Jan. 21, 2021. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

We Cant Wait: Biden Admin to Push Congress for Pandemic Relief, Stimulus Checks

The Biden administration will push Congress to pass a $1.9 trillion pandemic stimulus bill, including $1,400 in direct payments, according to a spokesman, who said its needed to avert an economic crisis.

Brian Deese, the director of the National Economic Council, has told reporters that he will speak to senators as part of a White House push to make the case for a larger stimulus package.

We cant wait, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre also told Reuters on Sunday. Just because Washington has been gridlocked before doesnt mean it needs to continue to be gridlocked.

Biden, who was inaugurated on Jan. 20, said he would take aggressive action to combat the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic.

The bottom line is this: Were in a national emergency, and we need to act like were in a national emergency, Biden said on Jan. 22 before he signed executive orders on economic relief. I dont believe Democrats or Republicans are going hungry and losing jobs; I believe Americans are going hungry and losing their jobs, he added.

Biden added, We have the tools to fix it. We have the tools to get through this. We have the tools to get this virus under control and our economy back on track. And we have the tools to help people. So lets use the tools, all of them. Use them now.

A number of Republican lawmakers have pushed back on the price tag.

Spending and borrowing trillions of dollars from the Chinese among others is not necessarily the best thing we can do to get our economy to be strong long term, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) told Fox News, adding that the total figure is pretty shocking.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said that COVID-19 relief, the confirmation of Bidens cabinet picks, and the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump need to be completed soon.

The Senate must advance all three in the next few weeks, and we will, Schumer said in Manhattan on Sunday. In the next three weeks, we will be doing three things, all of which are very much needed, the Democrat said, noting that the stakes are too high to delay any of them.

Schumer has yet to come up with an organizing resolution with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

We need a big bold plan, and we hope the Republicans will join us in that, added Schumer. The stakes are too high to delay.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the Democratic Majority Whip, told NBCs Meet the Press that he was hopeful for a show of bipartisanship in the Senate.

The object is trying to see if theres an area of agreement we can launch when it comes to this rescue package, Durbin said.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Michigan residents are now receiving vaccination shots across the state, as health departments and hospitals work through the phases of vaccinations.

Health officials at locations across the state report thousands of people ages 65 and older signing up on a waiting list to get a vaccine. Multiple counties said they are waiting to receive more doses of the vaccine to vaccinate more people.

Heres the latest coverage from eight regions in Michigan:

The Michigan coronavirus vaccine dashboard shows 1,096,225 vaccines were distributed (or shipped out) as of Jan. 21.

According to the dashboard, 642,111 doses were administered.

Michigan has recorded 546,468 confirmed COVID cases as of Jan. 22, and 14,070 total COVID-19 deaths.

Read more:

Michigan health director abruptly resigns, replaced by deputy

Michigan reports 2,157 new coronavirus cases, 17 new deaths

Large-scale vaccine clinic coming to DeVos Place in Grand Rapids

ISLAMABAD : Months after the story of dubious flying licence pilots case in Pakistan broke out, the United Nations (UN) has cautioned its agency staff not to travel by any Pakistan-registered airline over safety concerns.

The News International reported that an advisory has been issued by the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) which states: "Due to an ongoing investigation of the CAA [Civil Aviation Authority] Pakistan...due to dubious licenses caution is advised on the use of Pakistan-registered air operators."

According to the Pakistan daily, the UN advisory has been recommended to agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UN High Commission for Refugees, UN Development Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization, and many others.

In the light of this development, that UN officials working in the country can not travel by any Pakistan-registered airline, even within Pakistan.

According to The News International, UN advisory said that the air operator information is the result of a new automated system, which is linked with the revised global air travel safety policy.

Back in December last year, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had extended a ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for three months, despite the Pakistani officials' expectations that the ban would be lifted.

The EASA had informed that the PIA that the ban would only be lifted after a safety audit of the Civil Aviation Authority, Dawn reported. The EASA had in July 2019 suspended the authorisation for PIA to operate flights in the EU member states due to safety concerns.

The suspension had come after it was revealed that the credentials of hundreds of Pakistani pilots were "dubious". Meanwhile, PIA has suffered a loss of billions of rupees since the suspension of flight operations to and from the European Union and the United Kingdom.

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Ninh Binh proposed the Ministry of Transport (MoT) to add an airport in the province to the national airport planning in the 2021- 2030 period, with a vision toward 2050.

Ninh Binh is looking to add an airport of its own to the national planning (illustrative image).

The province will assign the Department of Transport and relevant authorities to find a suitable location to develop the airport project. The province has highlighted two places that could potentially serve for the purpose, namely Kim Son and Yen Khanh districts.

According to the province, Ninh Binh has numerous potentials and advantages to develop its tourism sector with a diverse landscape and Trang An Landscape Complex and Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, among others.

Each year, the province attracts a large number of foreign and domestic tourists, with the visitor count reaching 7.6 million in 2019.

The provinces leadership has set the tourism industry to become the key economic industry. By 2025, the province expects to attract 8-9 million tourists with a revenue of VND8 trillion ($347.83 million) a year.

Ninh Binh is currently planning numerous tourism projects of international scale, including Kenh Ga-Van Trinh and Dong Thai tourism areas.

In collaboration with developing tourism, the province will also promote the electric and electronic industries, as well as automobile assembly and increase the attraction of foreign capital.

According to the draft master plan on the development of the national airport network to 2030 with a vision to 2050, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam has proposed to have 26 airports by 2030, 14 of which will be international airports. The number could reach 30 by 2050.

Total investment for planned airports in the 2020-2030 period is estimated at VND365.1 trillion ($15.87 billion), and the figure for the period of 2030-2050 would be VND866.36 trillion ($37.67 billion).

At present, Vietnam has 22 airports in operation, nine of which are international airports and 13 are domestic. Seven airports are located in the north, while seven others are in the central region. The remaining eight ones are located in the south. VIR

Anh Minh
WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden will impose a ban on most non-U.S. citizens entering the country who have recently been in South Africa starting Saturday in a bid to contain the spread of a new variant of COVID-19, U.S. public health officials told Reuters.

Biden on Monday is also reimposing an entry ban on nearly all non-U.S. travelers who have been in Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland and 26 countries in Europe that allow travel across open borders, said the sources, who requested anonymity because the plans have not yet been made public.

Then-President Donald Trump directed on Jan. 18 those restrictions on Brazil and Europe be lifted effective Tuesday but Bidens proclamation will rescind that decision.

Biden, who took office on Wednesday, is taking an aggressive approach to combating the spread of the virus in travel after Trump rejected mandates sought by U.S. health agencies.

Some health officials are concerned that current vaccines may not be effective against the South Africa variant, which also raises the prospect of re-infection.

The South African variant, also known as the 501Y.V2 variant, is 50% more infectious and has been detected in at least 20 countries. CDC officials said they would be open to adding additional countries to the list if needed.

The South African variant has not yet been found in the United States but at least 20 U.S. states have detected a UK variant known as B.1.1.7. Current vaccines appear effective against the UK mutations.

CDC ORDERS COMING

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director (CDC) head Rochelle Walensky will sign a separate order Monday requiring masks on all airplanes, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-share vehicles, officials said. The new requirements are set to take effect in the coming days, they said.

On Tuesday, new CDC rules take effect requiring all international air travelers 2 and older to present a negative coronavirus test taken within three calendar days of travel or proof of recovery from COVID-19 to enter the United States.

The CDC will not, as it said on Jan. 12, consider granting temporary waivers to airlines to exempt some travelers from countries with limited testing capacity. Numerous U.S. airlines last week had asked CDC for waivers, airline officials said.

But CDC officials said they would consider case-by-case humanitarian exemptions for some travelers if needed.

CDC officials noted 120 countries currently have mandatory COVID-19 testing requirements for international travel.

The CDC order says travelers should self-quarantine for seven days upon return to the United States and consider getting a new COVID-19 test within three to five days of returning to the United States, CDC officials said.

CDC officials have for weeks discussed the possibility of adding these testing requirements before U.S. domestic flights or requiring testing upon return from international travel, but have made no decisions.

The U.S. restrictions barring most visitors from Europe have been in place since mid-March when Trump signed proclamations imposing them, while the Brazilian entry ban was imposed in May. The restriction, along with the new South Africa ones, mean most non-U.S. citizens who have been in one of those countries within the last 14 days are not eligible to travel to the United States.

Permanent U.S. residents and family members and some other non-U.S. citizens are permitted to return to the United States under the order.

Under Trump, the CDC push to mandate masks in transit was blocked and the agency instead only issued strong recommendations for mask use and officials initially blocked mandating COVID-19 testing for travelers from the UK before relenting on Dec. 24.

Trump opposed efforts by Congress to require masks in transit. Airlines have required passengers to wear masks and some local governments mandate mask use.

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
Pirates have attacked Liberian-flagged cargo ship MV Mozart in the Gulf of Guinea and kidnapped 15 sailors and one sailor was killed.

The Dryad Global maritime security portal said on Saturday the incident occurred on Wednesday 98 nautical miles of Sao Tome. The citizenship of the killed crew member has not been confirmed. The number of attackers is also unknown. It also said that MV Mozart was transiting from Lagos to Cape Town.

According to reports, the pirates disabled most of the ships systems, leaving only the navigation system for the remaining crew to find their way to port. The Maritime Traffic website showed the vessel's location was last recorded at 16:39 GMT on Saturday. The Gulf of Guinea, off the coasts of Nigeria, Guinea, Togo, Benin and Cameroon, is the most dangerous sea in the world for piracy.Earlier, In July 2019, 10 Turkish seamen were kidnapped off the coast of Nigeria.

Also Read:

Joe Biden speaks to UK PM Johnson, discusses potential free trade deal

7.3 magnitude quake hits South Shetland Islands

PM Modi to address WEF via video conference on January 28
Hong Kong: 13 virus cases detected

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

More than 7,000 people in the restricted area in Jordan have undergone COVID-19 testing and so far 13 have preliminarily tested positive for the virus, the Government said today.

At a media session this evening, Secretary for Food & Health Prof Sophia Chan hailed the operation as effective and explained that the 13 cases detected in the compulsory testing exercise represent a positive rate of 0.17%.

In fact, if you look at the percent positive rate and the Hong Kong Governments testing strategy - that is the compulsory testing, the target group testing, plus the voluntary testing - the overall positivity rate is also about 0.17%. So it is similar.

I think the compulsory testing and also the testing within an area with the restriction of movement are effective in identifying these cases, and also very quickly - as soon as possible - detecting as well as isolating these cases. Their close contacts will also be quarantined. So I think this is an effective method in this particular situation.

This story has been published on: 2021-01-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.

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Each week, our survey of recent residential sales in New York City and the surrounding region focuses on homes that sold around a certain price point, allowing you to compare single-family homes, condos and co-ops in different locales.

The list price is the asking price when the property came on the market with the most recent broker. The time on the market is measured from the most recent listing to the closing date of the sale.

Long Island | 4 bedrooms, 2 baths

$690,000
SINGAPORE, Jan. 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- StashAway, Southeast Asia's largest and fastest-growing digital wealth manager for both retail and accredited investors, has announced that they're managing more than US$1billion (SG$ 1.35billion).

Since StashAway first launched its services in 2017, numerous wealth managers in Southeast Asia and MENA have emerged. StashAway is the first digital wealth manager in any of those regions to announce that it manages more than $1 billion USD. StashAway has surpassed US$1B in assets under management in 42 months, faster than it took the world's largest digital wealth managers, Betterment and Wealthfront to reach the same milestone.

Michele Ferrario, Co-founder and CEO of StashAway says, "When the company was founded, our objective was to significantly improve the way people build their wealth. For those who do invest their savings, traditional investment options just weren't acceptable. But we knew that cash in the bank is actually our biggest competitor: in Asia, 46% of financial wealth is held in bank deposits, compared to 14% in North America. That's why we've always focused not only on sophisticated investment principles and a great customer experience, but also financial education to help more people understand how to better manage and grow their wealth. This relationship with our clients and the public has been a key to our fast growth."

One of the keys to attracting so much in assets has been StashAway's ability to generate such strong returns even through the last few years' volatility: through 2 market corrections in 2018 and a market crash in 2020, StashAway portfolios generated annualised returns* ranging from 17.1% (for its highest risk portfolio) to 5.3% (for its lowest-risk portfolio) since it launched in July 2017. In 2020 alone, the portfolio returns ranged from 24.1% to 5.2% for those same portfolios, and consistently outperform their same-risk benchmarks.

The World Economic Forum recognised StashAway in 2020 as a Technology Pioneer for developing cutting edge technology and "contributing greatly to improving the state of the world."

Freddy Lim, Co-Founder and CIO of StashAway adds that "Reaching this $1 billion USD milestone in less than 4 years is only one of the many signs we see that Asia truly wants a better way to create wealth: We see high conversion rates, large consistent deposits, and engagement with our educational content, for example. We're still only scratching the surface for what's possible when it comes to transforming wealth creation in Singapore, Malaysia, and MENA."

*As of the End of December 2020, returns in USD. Past performance is not a guarantee for future returns. Before investing, investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses, and if need be, seek independent professional advice.

About StashAway

StashAway is a digital wealth management platform that offers investment and cash management portfolios for both retail and accredited investors. Its technology delivers automated, personalised portfolio management for each client's individual portfolios. It offers global growth-oriented investment portfolios targeting different levels of risk, a yield-focused Income Portfolio, and StashAway SimpleTM, a straightforward cash management solution.

StashAway has attracted financial backers from around the world. Backers include: Eight Roads Ventures, the global investment firm backed by Fidelity and early investor in Alibaba; Square Peg, the largest venture capital fund in Australia; Asia Capital & Advisors, the private equity firm led by Francis Rozario and Aaron Razario; as well as Burda Principal Investments, the growth capital arm of German media and tech company Hubert Burda Media.

StashAway has a total paid-up capital of US$36.6million. These funds have gone towards launching an income portfolio, a cash management portfolio, as well as new market entries in Malaysia and the MENA region. Since raising its Series C in July 2020, the Company has launched StashAway Workplace, a corporate financial benefits solution, and launched its services in the MENA region, out of its Dubai office. StashAway operates in Singapore, Malaysia and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. StashAway holds fund management licenses from Singapore's MAS and Malaysia's SC, and an asset management license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority.

www.stashaway.com

SOURCE StashAway
When browsing on mobile, it is quite common for websites to ask for your location data to provide you with a better experience. However, in most cases, websites dont really need access to your precise location. The location prompts can also get annoying, especially if you value your privacy. You can get rid of this problem once and for all by simply disabling all location prompts in Safari.

As a privacy measure, Apple ensures that whenever any site asks for your location, camera, or microphone access, a prompt is shown to the user. The problem is that even if you deny a website your location access the first time around, it would still show the same prompt when you visit it the next time.

Similarly, even if you grant a website your location access the first time, it can still show the same prompt when you visit it next. Depending on your preference, you can automatically grant all websites access to your location or deny them outright.

Read: The Best New Safari Features in iOS 14

How to Stop Location Access Prompts from Websites in Safari on iPhone

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone, scroll down and tap on Safari.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap on the Location option when you see it. Depending on your preference, you can grant or deny location access to websites.

Irrespective of whatever you select in this menu though, you will still have the option to individually grant or deny location access to a website. Any website that you have granted location access to previously will continue to have access to it even if you have changed the settings above.

Share Approximate Location with Websites in Safari on iPhone

Alternatively, you also have the option of granting Safari with your approximate location instead of a precise one. Apple added a feature in iOS 14 that allows one to share their approximate location with apps and services. Follow the steps below to ensure that Safari only has access to your approximate location

Step 1: Go to Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services.

Step 2: Tap on Safari Websites and then disable the Precise Location toggle.

Now, Safari will only provide websites with your approximate location whenever you grant the browser permission to do so.

If you use your iPhone or iPad heavily for browsing and are irritated by those location pop-ups or just dont want to share your location with websites, the above steps will help you achieve just that.
At the end of 2020 the U.S. Army ERCA (Extended Range Cannon Artillery) finally achieved a decade old goal of using a longer barrel cannon firing an extended range Excalibur GPS guided shell to accurately hit a target 70 kilometers distant. Over a decade ago it was realized that this required three new technologies. The primary need was a version of a reliable GPS guided artillery shell, like Excalibur, that could handle the more difficult task of keeping the shell on course over such a long range. The first version of Excalibur only worked at ranged between 20 and 25 kilometers. Second, there had to be a longer barrel 155mm artillery system that could fire the longer-range Excalibur shell. Finally, there had to be a new propellent that could provide the power to push the ERCA Excalibur out to 70 kilometers.

A longer-range Excalibur shell began development in 2010 and by 2011 Version 1A-2 of Excalibur was approved for combat use. During tests Excalibur 1A-2 accurately hit targets 40 kilometers distant. During its first combat use in 2012, a U.S. Marine Corps M777 155mm lightweight towed gun hit a target 36 kilometers away using Excalibur 1A-2. During development of Excalibur 1A-2 it was noted that, with a longer barrel gun and more powerful propellant, Excalibur could hit targets at least 60 kilometers and theoretically 70 kilometers away. Even with the short range of the original Excalibur, the GPS guided shell was quickly accepted as an essential weapon.

A more difficult problem was obtaining a new 155mm gun with a longer barrel. The relatively new and popular 4.2-ton M777 lightweight howitzer had a 155mm/32 barrel. That means the barrel length is 32 times 155mm or 5.1 meters (16.7 feet) long. The first long barrel experiments resulted in the longer XM907 barrel for the M777. This was a 155mm/52 barrel which was 8.1 meters (26.4 feet) long. XM907 worked, but was not practical for the towed M777 howitzer.

Another long barrel, the M1299 was built. This was a 155mm/58 barrel which was 9 meters (29.3 feet) long, and designed to be used in the latest version of the Paladin 155mm self-propelled howitzer. Normally the Paladin carries a 155mm/39 barrel that is 6.05 meters (19.3 feet) long, but similar vehicles have had longer barrels and been successful. An M1299 barrel on a M109A7 Paladin was used for the 2020 tests and it worked well in late 2020 tests.

A new XM1113 propellant system was first used with the long-barrel Paladin in early 2020 and was able to send a shell 65 kilometers. The XM1113 uses the decades old RAP (Rocket Assisted Projectile) technology that has been updated to provide unprecedented ranges of up to 70 kilometers. Such extreme ranges were not practical before GPS guided shells became available as the longer range, the unguided shell accuracy gets worse. The late 2020 test showed that Excalibur could put shells on targets 70 kilometers away. Only one of the three XM1113/Excalibur shells fired hit the target. The other two missed because the Excalibur guidance system was not able to handle some weather conditions, like exceptionally heavy winds. Excalibur can be tweaked to deal with that and more tests will be conducted in 2021 which should verify that the 70 kilometers Excalibur is reliable and ready for production. If that happens the longer barrel M109A7 will be in service with the new Excalibur shell by 2023.

There are already vehicles similar to the M109 with longer barrels, although not quite that long. From past experience the longer barrel on a self-propelled howitzer chassis no big thing. Making all the modifications to the recoil system, breech, and interior of the M109 did not require any new technology.

The longer barrel and 70-kilometer range of the Excalibur shell is a big deal for the Paladin, which is seen as a system eventually being replaced by cheaper, more effective artillery. During the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, the M109 was not used much. The lighter, towed, M777 has proved more useful, especially when using GPS guided shells. The army plans to keep PIM/Paladin versions of the M-109 around until 2050. The army plans to acquire as many as 500 M109A7 by 2027, reflecting the impact of the GPS guided shells, and the number of older M109s that are still fit for service.

The M109 was a solid design, which is pretty clear from how difficult it's been to come up with a replacement. So, in the end, the army replaced the M109 with another M109 upgrade. Along with the new M109A7 will come a hundred or so of the upgraded M992A3 CAT ammo resupply vehicle which is basically an M109 without the turret and space to carry nearly a hundred rounds of 155mm ammo as well as automated systems. These vehicles can quickly transfer ammo to a M109, which can only carry 36 15mm shells and propellant. Fewer M992s are needed because M109s fire fewer of the guided shells. The GPS shells have also been improved with Excalibur complemented, and often replaced by the new M1156 PGK guided shell. The advantage PGK has is that the GPS guidance is not built into a shell but instead it is a slightly heavier (about 1.4 kg/3 pounds) and larger fuze that screws into the front of a 155mm shell. This PGK fuze contains a GPS and small fins to guide the shell to a precision hit. Normally the fuze just controls how the shell will explode or when by using a timer or small radar. No one had been able to put GPS guidance in such a small package before but many kept trying for several decades. A PGK version for longer (70 kilometer) range has to be developed and, if the demand is there, it will be.

The original (2009) version of PGK was much less precise than Excalibur and could only ensure that the shell landed within 50 meters (160 feet) of the target. If it did not hit within 150 meters, PGK deactivated the shell so it did not explode. The original version of PGK was subsequently tweaked so that by 2012 it landed within 32 meters (100 feet). PGK was soon further improved to put a guided shell within 19 meters (60 feet). By 2015 accuracy was improved to 10 meters or less and the reliability problems largely eliminated as the PGK was now over 90 percent reliable. At that point, Excalibur became a premium item, which was more accurate than PGK but nearly twice as expensive. PGK proved itself in Syria where small numbers of American towed howitzers supported the Syrian Kurd forces that took the ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) capital Raqqa in 2017. ISIL thought they could defeat the attackers by defending many hidden positions inside the city. PGK made that ineffective. Most of the civilians had fled Raqqa and once a group of ISIL fighters was encountered one or two PHK shells would kill them. This broke the morale of many ISIL fighters, who fled Raqqa rather than fight to the death without much chance of hurting any of the attackers.

One of the primary advantages of longer range 155mm guns is that more of them can be quickly shifted to targets that were earlier out of range. The longer-range shell makes it easier to concentrate a lot of fire for an emergency situation. This longer range is monopolized by the M109A7 because the longer barrel does not work with the M777 or towed 155mm artillery in general. The U.S. got rid of most towed artillery decades ago and ultimately kept one lightweight 155mm model because it could be easily moved by helicopter.
Representative image

The grin on his face is hard to miss. Manas Singh is beaming during the Zoom call. The 22-year-old recently graduated as a computer engineer, with a perfect CGPA of 10 in his final semester.

And, it came easy. The coronavirus outbreak made it easy, for the Mumbai University student and others like him taking examinations online.

Singh was to sit his final semester exam in May. The last semester was crucial but then COVID-19 stuck, upending the college and university exam schedules, putting a question mark on the career plans of hundreds of thousands of students.

The government said exams would only be conducted for college and course-ending examinations, while first, second, and in some cases, third-year students, would be moved to the next class based on internal assessment.

Singhs cumulative grade point average (CGPA) for seven semesters was 7 out of 10. But, it is the Perfect 10 he is most proud of. Unlike others, our batch passed with flying colours without any effort... Felt like our college ended in March and not August 2020, he told Moneycontrol recently.

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 score is almost impossible to get but not when the exam is held online. Singh isn't the only one to break the record. His batch has at least a dozen students with Perfect 10. Students who barely managed a CGPA of 6 scored an impressive 9.5+ in the last semester.

Most universities in the country follow a semester system, with the academic year split into two six-month sessions. Examinations are held at the end of each semester.

How are tests conducted online?

Colleges affiliated with Mumbai University have a straightforward format. They use learning management systems (LMS) like Google Classroom, Blackboard, and Moodle for course resources and assignments. Video-calling software like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom is also used. But the test is conducted on Google Forms.

"The link to the form is released on our LMS according to the exam schedule. It consists of only multiple-choice questions and we're given an hour to solve 25 problems, each carrying two marks. Obviously, everyone copy-pastes the question on Google, find the answer and you're done in a minute," Singh told Moneycontrol.

Students are expected to keep Google Meet or other video-conferencing software on so that the invigilator can keep an eye on them remotely. But it does little to curb mischief or deter students from cheating. "On the side, we're also sharing and discussing answers on our WhatsApp group and helping others," Singh said.

While science and technology students have it easy with multiple-choice questions, streams like art, literature and health sciences are hard work.

They too rely on Google Forms but answers are detailed and students can either type in the form or write on a paper and upload pictures.

Sakshi Malvankar graduated in audiology and speech-language pathology from Manipal University this year. Their format was subjective, requiring students to write detailed answers, which were not easy to get online.

"Due to the nature of our course, it isn't easy to get answers online and our college officially called it an open-book test but you can always ask your friends and get through," she told Moneycontrol over the phone.

The viral edge

Several Mumbai University students scored exceptionally high when tests were conducted online. A student joked that he hadn't cleared a single semester without failing at least one subject. The online examination snapped the losing streak".

Final year students got the "online" benefit for one semester or two, their juniors are luckier. The May-June exams were given a miss and they were promoted on internal assessment. Everyone scored higher than usual. The December-January semester examination are on and are being held online.

The students who will pass out in 2021 and 2022 will have the benefit of clearing one semester on internal assessment and the second through an online exam. For a three-year course, a third of marks will be not be based on standard testing, while for four-year courses like engineering it will one-fourth.

This gives an undue advantage to these students as scores have seen a sharp increase.

But the new pattern is also putting a lot of students at a disadvantage. Vocational courses require a hands-on approach and for students of these courses, high scores are little consolation.

There were nor practicals or events; documentaries cannot be replicated online, said Saaransh Chaudhary, a student of Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication at JIMS college in New Delhi.

The third-year student complained that exams were conducted in a haste and teachers were only going through the motions to complete the syllabus. Theres no effort being made to ensure online courses cover even a small portion of what were missing out on. In the end, well be graduates without any real-world experience, said the 21-year-old.

The college didnt respond to Moneycontrols email on queries about online teaching and examination.

Teachers, too, admit that online exams are not foolproof. "We knew that this is going to happen. Online exams are a shortcut and there's no way we can expect students to keep ethics or morals in mind. Who wouldn't want a perfect score? It's the ideal time to boost your degree CGPA," a teacher at a Mumbai University engineering college said on condition of anonymity.

It wasnt that the online system was flawed or inaccurate, the teacher said. Internationally accepted tests like IELTS, TOEFL and even GMAT were done online but with a superior infrastructure that blocked the browser tab, disallowing internet search or any other program during the test duration.

"They even have AI-monitored webcams that continuously analyse students behaviour to weed out malpractices," the teacher said. "Our universities neither have the know-how nor the money to invest in these tools."

Universities have struggled to make the shift. Information technology was never high on the priority list, not until the coronavirus struck. Mumbai University is just one of the many examples.

Even before the outbreak, results were released in a 2,000-page PDF and not on a website. The last time Mumbai University tried to move its backend online, results were delayed by almost three months.

Until 2019, the pass percentages ranged from 60-70 percent for most courses. There has been a significant spike in the performance of students in 2020, Mumbai University spokesperson Vinod Malale said. He didnt share the exact figures but some teachers confirmed that that the spike was in the 25-30 percent range.

The university has made some tweaks for the ongoing semester exams. Instead of all multiple choice-based questions, half of the paper is now descriptive that requires students to write down the answers, scan, and upload the PDFs of the answersheets.

Hiring concerns

Recruiters acknowledge that the grading mechanism isn't reliable right now but they arent too worried. India never had a standard system and industries always found a middle ground, they say.

"How do you differentiate between a student from ICSE, CBSE and a state board? They've all had different syllabus and backgrounds. Yet, we've found a way to amalgamate them for a degree course. A similar approach is applicable here as well," an executive at a recruitment company said, requesting not to be identified.

Headhunters are aware of the situation students are facing and are trying to accommodate everyone.

Marks were essential for admission not work, the executive said. We look at not just marks but also extracurricular activities, internships, projects, research papers, and the overall aptitude. While most of the options in the list aren't viable right now, online courses have proven to be a good fallback mechanism" the executive said.

(Names of students have been changed to protect their identity)

(The author writes on technology, aviation, and mobility.)
Rioting youths protesting on the first night of a Dutch curfew torched a testing facility and threw fireworks at police in a Dutch fishing village.

Police said Sunday they fined more than 3,600 people nationwide for breaching the curfew that ran from 9 p.m. Saturday until 4:30 a.m. Sunday and arrested 25 people for breaching the curfew or for violence.

Video from the village of Urk, 80 kilometers (50 miles) northeast of Amsterdam, showed youths breaking into the testing facility near the village's harbor before it was set ablaze.

The police and municipality issued a statement Sunday expressing their anger at rioting, from throwing fireworks and stones to destroying police cars and with the torching of the test location as a deep point.

This is not only unacceptable, but also a slap in the face, especially for the local health authority staff who do all they can at the test center to help people from Urk, the local authorities said.

Police in Amsterdam also were bracing for another protest Sunday, sending officers to a square where demonstrators clashed with police a week ago.

(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.)
On January 23, 2021, Turkey has held the official welding ceremony of the third MILGEM class corvette for the Pakistani Navy at Istanbul Naval Shipyard (INSY), Turkey. The event was attended by the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey H.E Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi.

On January 23, 2021, Turkey has held the official welding ceremony of the third MILGEM class corvette for the Pakistani Navy at Istanbul Naval Shipyard (INSY), Turkey. The event was attended by the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey H.E Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

The official welding ceremony of the third MILGEM corvette for the Pakistani Navy was held in Turkey on January 23, 2021. (Picture source Twitter Ali Keskin)

In July 2018, The Pakistani Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with the Military Factory and Shipyard Management Corporation (ASFAT) for the construction of four MILGEM Ada-class corvettes in collaboration with the Karachi Shipyard.

In December 2018, during the IDEAS defense exhibition that was held in Pakistan, Pakistan Navy officials stated that, under the agreement, the fourth ship will be entirely designed and constructed in Pakistan which will become the first Jinnah-class frigate. The latest information published in January 2020, the contract for the four corvettes includes the construction of two ships in Turkey and two ships in Pakistan.

The delivery of the first Jinnah-class frigate to the Pakistani Navy is scheduled for 2023 while the fourth and final ship will be delivered in 2024.

The MILGEM ships build for the Pakistani Navy is based on the Ada-class corvette but modification requested by Pakistan including the use of 16 vertical launch system (VLS) able to fire the LY-80 surface-to-air missile. The HQ-16, which is the land export version of the LY-80 is already in service with the Pakistani army since 2017. Most of the subsystems will be supplied bt the Turkish company Aselsan.

The Pakistani Navy MILGEM ship will be fitted with the SMART-S Mk2 search and targeting radar. It is an active phased array radar offering an instrumented range of 250 km. The radar can detect and track up to 500 airborne and surface targets. The ship will be also equipped with the Aselsan ARES-2NC electronic support measures (ESM) suite which allows passive monitoring as well as categorize and record enemy radar and communication signals.

The Ada-class ship is powered by combined diesel and gas (CODAG) propulsion systems that will include one gas turbine engines, two diesel engines, and 2 shafts. The ship will be able to reach a top speed of 30 knots(56 km/h) with a maximum cruising range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h).
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Chair of The ECOWAS Authority, has amplified the call for increased solidarity and cooperation between states in the region to fight and alleviate the human and economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.



He said West Africa cannot risk being overwhelmed by the second wave of the COVID-19 disease sweeping the region, as this would heighten the unprecedented economic and social difficulties wrought by the initial outbreak.



Addressing the 58th Ordinary Session of The ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State And Government on Saturday in a virtual summit, President Akufo-Addo noted that the repercussions of the pandemic, which is being felt in every sector, called for a common response by the economic bloc.



He said the onset of the second wave of COVID-19 and the outbreak of a new variant in most parts of the world, was a point for the Region to coordinate more its responses and approach to the common challenge that could "worsen the exogenous shocks affecting our region."



The ECOWAS Chair told the meeting that though the region had showed considerable hardiness from the outbreak of the pandemic last year, the lessons of the period should not be lost. It should offer the bloc the chance to build a more resilient economic region.



"Far from viewing this situation as a disaster before which we are powerless, we must embrace fully the lessons it teaches us, as well as the direction it is pointing us.



"In particular, we must remember that it has given us a good sense of how important it is for us to strengthen our unity and solidarity. It has provided us with the avenue to be self-reliant, and it is a clarion call for us to remain faithful to the main objective of ECOWAS, which is to promote cooperation and integration for the well-being of our citizens," he stressed.



President Akufo-Addo extended appreciation to the Nigerian Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, for championing fight against COVID-19 in the region, by providing medicines, medical equipment, and deploying human resources to sister Ecowas countries.



He also commended the region's foreign partners for thier support, which ensured that the ECOWAS Commission and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) were able to broaden their scope of support to Member States as a complement to their efforts.



With vaccines soon to be available, the ECOWAS Chair said, "The time has now come for us to work earnestly towards the vaccination of our populations."



"We need to send a strong signal to them, from this Summit, of our determination to protect them, " he said.





Source: GNA









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A Sydney councils proposal to expand its borders has been slammed as a whimsical land grab that fails to pass any test of public interest by neighbouring councils.

Georges River Council has proposed taking over suburbs such as Monterey, Ramsgate, Dolls Point and Sans Souci that are currently part of Bayside Council.

The notice of motion from Labor councillor Vince Badalati said the amalgamation of parts of Bayside Council would result in Prime Minister Scott Morrisons federal division of Cook, located north of the Georges River, falling within Georges River Council.

The Georges River Council is attempting to take over Bayside Council. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

A community survey conducted by the council said the proposal would unite identified communities of interest around the Kogarah town centre: Further, the proposal would create service efficiency opportunities for the maintenance, promotion and use of important sport and recreation assets.
The Delhi Police has given permission to farmers to carry out the tractor rally that is scheduled to be held on Republic Day.

Delhi Police has given permission for the tractor parade on January 26, claimed farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar after protesting unions met the police, according to news agency PTI.

However, the Delhi Police have said they have not given the farmers anything in writing regarding the proposed route of their march.

File Photo

Swaraj India president Yogendra Yadav said the farmers have been allowed to enter Delhi. Farmers will take out Kisan Gantantra Parade on January 26. Barricades will be opened and we will enter Delhi. We (farmers and Delhi Police) have reached an agreement on the route, final details are to be worked out tonight, he was quoted saying by ANI.

Farmers unions protesting the Centres three farm laws had said they would go ahead with their tractor parade in Delhi on the Republic Day. They had announced to take out the tractor parade on the Outer Ring Road in Delhi.

Reuters

We all are geared up for participation in a tractor parade. Our first batch will move from Khanauri (in Sangrur) and another from Dabwali (in Sirsa district), Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan said on Friday.

Tractors would carry flags of the union and posters with slogans of Kisan Ekta Zindabad, No Farmer No Food and Kaale Kannon Radd Karo, said Kokrikalan.

Several women will drive tractors as part of the parade.




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UNDER PRESSURE: Linda Comerford  with her children Michael, Shauna, Frankie and Darragh  is struggling to cope with class closures. Photo: Dylan Vaughan

A mother has made an impassioned plea to the Government and teacher unions to agree a plan to immediately reopen schools for children with special educational needs.

Linda Comerford remains deeply dismayed as she tries constantly to prevent her daughter Shauna, who has autism, from having yet another 'meltdown'. The seven-year-old girl's behaviour continues to regress since her schooling was stopped by the pandemic.

"I'm just running on adrenaline. Shauna suffers bouts of uncontrolled screaming and throws herself on the ground and breaks things.

"She loves school, where she enjoyed having a structure in her life that she so badly needs," said Linda (39), a mother of four living in rural Skeoughvosteen, near Graiguenamanagh in Co Kilkenny.

Linda is a full-time carer as her son Michael (19) has moderate intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, is profoundly deaf and needs special care at mealtimes to avoid choking. The pandemic has caused his attendance at an adult day centre in Carlow to be cut to just two days a week.

She said her five-year-old son Frankie is still waiting for an autism assessment and remote learning is not suitable for him.

She is grateful for the support of her son Darragh (14).

She is a national campaigner for the Enough Is Enough organisation for families affected by disabilities.

While she was awarded the title of Kilkenny Carer of the Year in 2019, she said she has experienced the "horrible and scary" effects of burnout in the past and she values the support of friends.

Her main break from her parenting responsibilities is when she travels to Dublin twice a month to volunteer at a night-time soup kitchen on Grafton Street run by the Kilkenny Helping the Homeless group.

She said she and other parents with children with special educational needs had received calls from principals when it appeared they would be able to reopen for their children.

But the announcement later that they would not be allowed to return to school "pulled the rug from under us in a very cruel way".

She said she and other parents felt "so abandoned, frustrated, angry and overwhelmed" by the failure to allow their children with special educational needs to get back to school.

Services for children with disabilities remain badly affected by professionals being redeployed to Covid test centres.

She said the Government must do whatever is necessary to reopen schools and she called on unions to heed teachers and special needs assistants who want to go back to work.

Catherine Cox,of Family Carers Ireland, speaking on behalf of her organisation, Down Syndrome Ireland, AsIAm and Inclusion Ireland, said: "We cannot stress enough the scale of the impact the closure of schools is having on some children with special educational needs. We're asking again for their needs to be prioritised, and for all parties to re-engage on this issue to get these children back to school.

"Children with special educational needs continue to regress and see the decline of key skills - some severely. This is moving out of the realm of education, and we are facing a welfare and well-being crisis for these children and their families. We need additional supports made available as a matter of urgency."

Ms Cox added that the groups asked to meet Taoiseach Micheal Martin to seek a whole-of-government response to the issues and for every effort be made to alleviate the pressure on children with special educational needs and their families.

Oman's Ministry of Transport, communications and IT has announced the opening of the Suwaiq-Al Hoqain dual carriageway project following its successful completion.

It boasts a dual carriageway with two 3.75-m-wide lanes on each side, 2.5-m-wide external asphalt road shoulders and 1.5-m-wide internal asphalt road shoulders, reported Times of Oman

The 20-km-long project will fully utilise the strategic Batinah Expressway by establishing upgraded road links between Al Batinah expressway with the Al-Batinah dual carriageway and construct new interchanges to keep up with the growing traffic between North and South Al-Batinah Governorates, it added.
As the state struggles to vaccinate people against the coronavirus, a new UCSF study shows essential workers, especially in food and transportation industries, bear the greatest risk of death among Californians of working age. The authors suggest the employees be moved up in line for shots.

Cooks, packaging machine operators, agricultural workers, bakers and construction laborers are among the riskiest jobs, the study found. Other occupations with a high risk of death include sewing machine operators, shipping and receiving clerks, maintenance workers, customer service workers, truck drivers, maids and house cleaners.

While we pay a lot of lip service to essential workers, when you see the actual occupations that rise to the top of the list as being at much more risk and associated with death, it screams out to you whos really at risk, said Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, a UCSF epidemiology and biostatistics professor who worked on the study.

Researchers examined death rates of Californians ages 18 to 65  a group that accounts for a third of COVID-19 deaths  from March through October, and compared them with pre-pandemic statistics to determine which occupations experienced the biggest increases in deaths. The study also evaluated race and different occupations.

The occupational data came from death certificates and was grouped into nine general categories. The riskiest category included food and agricultural workers  everyone from farmworkers to food processors and meatpackers to cooks and others who work in restaurants  followed by transportation and logistics: people who pack, ship and deliver goods, including drivers. Most of them, including cooks, farmworkers and drivers, continue to work during the lockdown.

Working adults in the 18-65 range experienced a 22% increase in deaths during the pandemic, according to the study. Food and agriculture workers, however, had a 39% increase, with transportation and logistics workers seeing a 28% increase, facilities workers a 27% rise and manufacturing workers a 23% increase.

Most of those jobs are held by lower-income workers who dont have the choice of working from home and are often forced to work in proximity to co-workers, the study said. Many lack proper personal protection gear like masks and sanitizer and dont have adequate sick leave that allows them to stay home from work if theyre sick. In some cases, Bibbins-Domingo said, theres little enforcement of social distancing or sick leave requirements.

Brittany Hosea-Small / Special to The Chronicle

The study also found that Latino workers had a 36% increase in deaths during the pandemic and Black workers had a 28% increase compared to a 6% increase for white workers. Some non-white workers saw particularly high jumps in deaths during the pandemic, the study found. Deaths among Asian health care workers rose 40% during the pandemic while Black retail workers saw an 18% increase.

Laurie Thomas, executive director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association in San Francisco, said the study was obviously very concerning.

Its not surprising when you see the essential workers on the list, she said.

Thomas, who owns two restaurants in the city, said shed like to see the data broken down by county, to compare how San Francisco, which has more restrictive measures, has fared compared with other parts of the state. She said shes only heard anecdotally of one restaurant worker in San Francisco dying of COVID-19 and has had three cases among her employees, two that occurred when the restaurant was closed during the initial shutdown.

The study calls for employers to provide adequate protective gear for its workers, ensure proper social distancing and give adequate sick leave. It calls for government agencies to enforce those requirements. It also suggests that the higher death rate  and the role of essential workers  be considered when deciding who should be prioritized for the limited number of vaccinations.

What every Californian should recognize is that there are people who have to be at work, who have to work under conditions put them at risk, Bibbins-Domingo said. Their work is essential work, meaning its essential for all of us, and they need to be taken into account.

Michael Cabanatuan and Jill Tucker are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com, jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan, @jilltucker
ALBANY  The city of Albany will pay $200,000 to settle a federal lawsuit filed by a woman who was raped after three police officers failed to come to her aid when her friend called 911 and warned a dispatcher that she was incapacitated and being held in an apartment by a knife-wielding man.

None of the officers were disciplined for their actions during the incident, according to the city's response to a request for copies of their disciplinary records.

The 26-year-old woman was raped in November 2017 at an apartment on Eagle Street, just across from the governor's mansion. She had been drinking at the nearby Hill Street Cafe before the attack.

The 36-year-old suspect, Abdul Trowell, who has a lengthy criminal history, was later convicted of kidnapping and rape. He is serving a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

The incident began when Trowell approached the woman and her friend, a Glenmont man who was 31 at the time, and offered to drive their vehicle for them because they had become too intoxicated. However, Trowell drove them to his nearby apartment and carried the woman up to his apartment, telling her friend: "She is going with me. I need to take care of her."

The Glenmont man followed them into the apartment and sat next to the woman on a couch, but was in and out of consciousness. He was suddenly startled by Trowell, who was standing over him with a knife and ordering him to leave, according to police reports.

The Glenmont man left the apartment, called 911 and told a dispatcher that Trowell "pulled a knife on him and there's a girl that's intoxicated and (he) knows (the guy is) gonna try to rape her." He added the woman was intoxicated and that Trowell is a "loose cannon" and asked for officers to come "as soon as possible."

The dispatcher, Joseph Lee, did not classify the call for help as an emergency or a "weapons call," according to the lawsuit, even though the caller had told him Trowell had a weapon and was going to rape the intoxicated woman. The dispatcher failed to tell dispatch or the responding officers about the caller's statements about a weapon or fears of an impending rape.

The officers who responded to the apartment, according to the lawsuit, were Nick Schuler, Jonathan Jordan and Jarrod Jourdin.

"Trowell refused to allow (the police) into the apartment, instead introducing (the officers) to his pet rats while they stood outside his apartment," the lawsuit states. "Rather than credit (her friend's) warnings, call a supervisor, or enter the apartment, defendants Schuler, Buhner, and Jourdin ordered (the friend) ... to leave the scene, leaving (the victim) alone, unconscious, and unprotected inside Trowell's apartment, thereby increasing the danger to (her)."

The officers spoke with Trowell outside his apartment, for at least an hour, but he refused to let them in. At one point, they told the woman's friend that they could only arrest Trowell if the man went to the police station and filed a complaint, which was false.

Trowell opened the curtain of his front window and came back outside, telling the officers they could see the woman sleeping on the couch. The officers tapped on the window and shouted to her but she did not respond.

Based on a timeline outlined in criminal court records, Trowell began raping the incapacitated woman within minutes of the officers leaving the scene.

The city never disclosed the results of its internal investigation.

The lawsuit, citing an internal affairs report, said the department had concluded that "due to the officer's lack (of) due diligence and assuming because the caller was intoxicated his concerns did not merit concern for the female, (the woman) was left in the apartment where she was later raped." The officers received a counseling memo instructing them they should have consulted a supervisor.

A grand jury indictment later filed against Trowell indicated that at the time the woman was raped she was "mentally incapacitated due to the influence of alcohol."

Trowell had a prior felony conviction for criminal contempt and was released from prison in 2014. He was arrested that month by city detectives and charged with felony weapons possession and menacing. He was later indicted on charges of first-degree rape, kidnapping and criminal possession of a weapon, all felonies.

Benjamin W. Hill, the woman's attorney, declined to comment. Stephen J. Rehfuss, an attorney who handled the case for the city, also declined comment.
Armie Hammer hoarded mannequins in the basement of his family home to practice tying women up, his ex-girlfriend Paige Lorenze has claimed.

Lorenze, 22, opened up about her 'deeply traumatic' four-month relationship with Hammer last week, describing how it left her emotionally and physically scarred.

The former professional skier-turned-Instagram model provided DailyMailTV with an exclusive image of a sickening scar just millimeters away from her private parts that was left when Hammer allegedly carved his first initial 'A' into her skin during a kinky sex game.

Now Lorenze has revealed that Hammer allegedly learned how to tie women up by practicing on mannequins he stored in the basement of the $5.8 million home he shared with his estranged wife Elizabeth Chambers and their two young children in Los Angeles.

'He told me that he had mannequins in his basement in his family home that Elizabeth and him were living at to practice rope tying on,' Lorenze told The Sun.

'It creeped me out, honestly. It was really strange. I'd never even heard of anything like that before.'

Armie Hammer's ex-lover Paige Lorenze (pictured together) claims he kept mannequins in his basement to practice tying women up

Lorenze's story about the basement mannequins was supported by photos posted online by another alleged former lover, known on Instagram as Nastya D. Screenshots of messages (above) purportedly sent to Nastya D by Hammer showed a mannequin wrapped in red rope with what he called a 'leash' coming out of the back

Lorenze also claimed that Hammer talked about wanting to strangle his dog, a Welsh Terrier named Archie.

'He would get angry at his dog and say like: "I'm going to kill this dog, I would have strangled him if you weren't here,"' she said, noting that she does not believe he ever hurt the animal.

Lorenze's story about the basement mannequins was supported by photos posted online by another alleged former lover, known on Instagram as Nastya D.

Screenshots of messages purportedly sent to Nastya D by Hammer showed a mannequin wrapped in red rope with what he called a 'leash' coming out of the back.

A partially blurred message accompanying the photos read: 'I was thinking about how perfect your [expletive] are and I tried to come up with a chest harness that had a handle in the middle of your perfect [expletive]... oh, and a [expletive] knot.'

This is the home in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles where Hammer allegedly stored mannequins in his basement. The actor and his estranged wife Elizabeth Chambers are seeking to sell the property for $5.8million amid their divorce and custody battle

Lorenze also claimed that Hammer talked about wanting to strangle his dog, a Welsh Terrier named Archie

Lorenze said Hammer often tied her up, hit her with paddles and planned out 'high protocol nights' of painful sexual moves, which often left her covered in bruises.

She said her lover - 12 years her senior - was 'sweet and kind' but 'manipulative'.

'I think he definitely loved it that I was younger. He always had me wear lingerie and tied me up,' she said.

'I just kind of agreed to it and let it happen, I was just trying to please him.

'He would say things like: "I want to bite a piece of your skin off and eat it," he would bite me so hard. Sometimes it would basically break skin.'

A lawyer for Hammer has categorically denied the allegations against him, calling them 'patently untrue'.

But Lorenze says she wanted to make her experiences known to help protect other women.

'I'm not trying to kink shame at all,' Lorenze said. 'But I think that dangerous men [sometimes] use this as like a smoke screen for abusing and hurting women for their own sexual pleasure.

'I am holding him accountable and I think he knows that he's caused a lot of women pain, even if he doesn't want to admit it right now. And there is power in numbers.'

'This [situation] is terrible, it's so unfair on his children and I think everyone is just so disgusted and shocked.'

Lorenze, 22, opened up about her 'deeply traumatic' four-month relationship with Hammer last week, describing how it left her emotionally and physically scarred

The former professional skier-turned-Instagram model provided DailyMailTV with an exclusive image of a sickening scar just millimetres away from her private parts that was left when Hammer allegedly carved his first initial 'A' into her skin during a kinky sex game

In her interview with DailyMailTV, Lorenze exposed Hammer as an out-of-control narcissistic sexual deviant and said his wild fantasies and BDSM-fueled desires could 'seriously injure another woman.'

She described how Hammer - who has claimed he's '100% a cannibal' in vile Instagram messages to other women - licked blood from the wound he left when he allegedly carved his initial into her.

The blond beauty said Hammer was fixated on biting her body, begging that she allow him to take lumps of flesh from her arm, before consuming them.

Hammer, who is currently embroiled in a bitter divorce and custody battle with his wife Chambers, also urged his lover Lorenze to participate in 'role play' sex, she said.

Even on their first night of intimacy, Lorenze claimed Hammer insisted: 'You can either call me daddy or sir.'

Lorenze described their time together in Los Angeles as 'like a real life 50 Shades Of Grey without the love'.

Laying out more of his sick fantasies, Hammer begged the Instagram model to have her ribs removed, so that he could barbecue them.

Even with his family at Thanksgiving, Hammer took along his leather bound BDSM case for kinky sex games.

In a photo shared exclusively with DailyMailTV Hammer is seen posing with Lorenze and his mother Dru Ann during the holidays, which they celebrated in Dallas, Texas.

In another exclusive photo the former couple are seen shirtless on a moped in the desert, Hammer smiling and wearing a cowboy hat.

Lorenze told DailyMailTV: 'I want Armie to address his demons, see the pain and trauma that he has caused me and other women.

'He told me there's a whole community that will do this stuff, that it was not criminal.

'He really thought that his fantasies were normal behavior in the BDSM, non-normative, sexual kink community. I thought that this is what it was. I thought I was safe.

'But any man who is fantasizing about crushing bones, eating them, having sex with female limp bodies is a danger to all women.

'And this is not me kink shaming, I want that to be clear.

'His actions and behavior are dangerous and emotionally and psychologically damaging.

'He is saying people are kink shaming him and should not comment on his sex life, but BDSM is a smoke screen for him wanting to hurt women.

'You can be just as traumatized by consensual sex. It's unacceptable that he coerces women into agreeing to let him hurt them.'

In a statement to DailyMail.com, Hammer's lawyer said: 'These assertions about Mr. Hammer are patently untrue. Any interactions with this person, or any partner of his, were completely consensual in that they were fully discussed, agreed upon, and mutually participatory.'

Even with his family at Thanksgiving, Hammer took along his leather bound BDSM case for kinky sex games. In a photo shared exclusively with DailyMailTV Hammer is seen posing with Lorenze and his mother Dru Ann during the holidays, which they celebrated in Dallas, Texas

Even on their first night of intimacy, Lorenze revealed Hammer insisted: 'You can either call me daddy or sir.' Pictured: Hammer grabbing Lorenze's inner thigh in a photo posted to her private Instagram account

Lorenze told DailyMailTV: 'I want Armie to address his demons, see the pain and trauma that he has caused me and other women. But any man who is fantasizing about crushing bones, eating them, having sex with female limp bodies is a danger to all women'

Lorenze says she never considered raising the alarm or going to the police because naively she believed Hammer's assurance it was normal.

'I want him to get help more than be put behind bars, because I did see a loving, caring side to him,' she explains.

'It made me think that there is maybe hope for him to heal and move on from this.

'I was in love, orchestrated by him to make me be completely obsessed, feeling as if I would never be with anyone who was better than him,' she explains.

'I trusted him based on his experience, age, and the fact that I was being taken care of by him. But I really wasn't - I was being hurt by him. He put me in a role, complimented me in ways I've never experienced, but he wanted control in sex - and I allowed him that.'

Lorenze says Hammer was focused on pushing boundaries with her from the first night they spent together.

He first contacted Lorenze on Instagram, before insisting he would welcome her to LA when she moved there from New York in September.

Hours after landing, he and some friends met Lorenze at a West Hollywood B'n'B.

Within a few hours, the celebrated actor seduced the blond and then took her back to a friend's home, where he stayed.

During their first intimate moment he detailed his unusual desires.

Lorenze's body appeared to be covered in bruises during the few months she was dating Hammer. Pictured: The model appears to have a discolored mark on her chest in an Instagram picture posted in late October

Lorenze said: 'I had bad bruises all over me when we were together. I was left with marks from him using a paddle. I was his own real life Christian Grey fantasy. There were teeth marks and bite marks all over me'

She added: 'He was completely obsessed with biting me. He told me 'be proud as they were just love bites.'' Once he said, ''If you did not tell me to stop I would eat a piece out of you.'' And he was serious too. It was like he actually wanted to eat my flesh away'

She said: 'That first night, Armie told me he was a sadomasochist. I had no idea what he meant and thought it was a cult thing like Scientology.

'Armie made me watch the movie Secretary with Maggie Gyllenhaal. He wanted me to relate to her emotional problems in the way she finds purpose in life through a dominant partner and BDSM.

'Then he asked for 'high protocol nights', which is a standard trait in BDSM, where one partner sets out the night's activities from outfits to what we do sexually.

'We did a lot of those nights, which became darker and darker. It was what I had to do to please him.

'I didn't enjoy any of it, but Armie took advantage of me.

'I would have done anything to please him and make him feel happy and satisfied.'

Hammer introduced her to his BDSM toys carried in a brown leather case, which contained ropes, small sharp knives, clothes pins, whips and paddles.

After trying various erotic situations using his bag's toys, Hammer kept pushing the boundaries of pain for Lorenze.

During a night in late November, Hammer went further than ever with a set of custom made razor sharp hand knives as she laid bound by ropes at his mercy.

'He would love to do knife play, where he would wave the blade above me or glide it across my skin.

'He was obsessed with it and usually he did not cut me.

'However that night he decided he wanted to brand me as his property and carve his name on my body.

'He tried to rationalize it as his gesture of his commitment to us being together for the long term.

'I wasn't sure he was serious, as he looked over my body and said: 'where should I carve an A on you?' Before I could process it, he plunged the tip of the knife into my flesh just above my vagina.'

Lorenze described their time together in Los Angeles as 'like a real life 50 Shades Of Grey without the love'. Laying out more of his sick fantasies, Hammer begged the Instagram model to have her ribs removed, so that he could barbecue them

Pictured: The 34-year-old posted to his secret Instagram account a snippet of himself taking a drag from a vape box on December 16, writing: 'When you realize they don't test for DMT on drug tests'

She continued: 'The pain was excruciating, but I did not want to seem weak, despite the discomfort.

'I froze as he smiled at his work. He then said the cut was not deep enough, even though it was about an inch - the whole tip of the blade.

'He said he wanted to collect a kitchen knife to make it bigger, but then as it bled, he started licking it.

'This continued for a few minutes. And I kind of blanked it all out.

'I was concerned that the wound was going to get infected. I had to clean it and put a band aid on afterwards.'

Traumatized, Lorenze still trembles recalling the night in detail, but revealed: 'He knew I was upset, but did not say sorry.

'The next day he even told people about what he had done.

'I was upset, embarrassed and humiliated, but he insisted: 'You should be proud of it. I would not tell anyone who did not think it was awesome'.

'I rationalized it with his logic of us being a couple, to mask the truth - but I was completely manipulated.

'It's humiliating as it will haunt me forever. I will have laser treatment to get rid of the scar.'

Hammer, who often drank neat vodka or whiskey, adored their hour long BDSM sessions, calling them 'beautiful'.

Lorenze said: 'I had bad bruises all over me when we were together. I was left with marks from him using a paddle. I was his own real life Christian Grey fantasy.

'There were teeth marks and bite marks all over me.

'He was completely obsessed with biting me. He told me 'be proud as they were just love bites'.

'Once he said, 'If you did not tell me to stop I would eat a piece out of you'.

'And he was serious too. It was like he actually wanted to eat my flesh away.'

Hammer often enjoyed sex 'several times daily', but Lorenze recalls: 'We never had completely normal sex because he always wanted something kinky'

Lorenze says Hammer even spoke about wanting a sex dungeon room similar to one seen in the movie 50 Shades of Grey.

Hammer's obsession with her body and living out his sick cannibal fantasies did not stop there.

'He wanted to find a doctor in LA, so that he could remove one of my ribs, as 'you do not need it'; and then barbecue it and eat it while I watch,' she said.

'He said that more than once. He was very serious.'

Hammer often enjoyed sex 'several times daily', but Lorenze recalls: 'We never had completely normal sex because he always wanted something kinky.

'He liked role play, where I pretended to be a student and he was my professor.'

Up until 2020 Hammer was regarded as one of the most suave, handsome and brightest stars and family men in Hollywood.

But behind closed doors, Lorenze saw a 'broken' side of the actor, famous for films like The Lone Ranger, Social Network and Call Me By Your Name.

'Armie is deeply insecure. He really opened up at times about his marriage break-up and family issues,' she said.

'He would cry in my arms, about how he loved his kids and felt Elizabeth was a great mother. But then would villainize his wife at other times.

Despite issues with his family Hammer still took Lorenze to visit his mother Dru Ann for Thanksgiving in Dallas. Lorenze says that 'money problems' meant the pair drove 1400 miles from LA to Dallas for the family gathering

'And he also talked about all the women that he had been with, which made me think he cheated all the time. There are issues too with his parents, which haunt him. I didn't ask questions, I just listened, because I felt we had an instant trust.

'Now I think a lot of it was an act, attention seeking and part of his mind games. It was an Oscar winning performance.'

Despite issues with his family Hammer still took Lorenze to visit his mother Dru Ann for Thanksgiving in Dallas.

Lorenze says that 'money problems' meant the pair drove 1400 miles from LA to Dallas for the family gathering.

'It was a rare moment when I felt like we were in a normal relationship, because he felt we were serious enough to meet his family,' she recalls.

'I immediately bonded with his mom, who was super kind and considerate. Even around them Armie would call me his 'little pet'.'

But Lorenze sensed the tension between mother and son.

'He told me that his mother poured oil on his head one night speaking in tongues, claiming he had demons inside of him.

'That seemed weird, but she seemed a sweet traditional and Christian woman. But I feel now she knew he had a dark side.'

Hammer even took his BDSM leather case on the trip, but Lorenze 'refused to have sex out of respect to his mom'.

Just days after returning home, in early December, Lorenze, still recovering from his branding, decided to call off their romance.

While he decried the 'bulls**t claims' made against him, he has yet to comment further after two of his former girlfriends spoke out about their 'traumatizing' flings with Hammer, as his estranged wife Elizabeth Chambers is in 'complete shock' and 'sickened' over the allegations

'It was too much. I felt sick to my stomach, insecure and no longer attracted to him - and he was getting stranger,' she said.

'I texted him that morning to say I do not think we can see each other anymore.

'Perhaps I hoped he would change or try to make things right, but instead he replied: 'okay I understand'.

'He left soon after to see his family in the Cayman Islands for Christmas, but told me he did not want to go as he was lonely and sad.

'It will take me a long time to get over this. It still feels like a fever dream and not real.'

Hammer's romance came as he and ex wife Elizabeth Chambers attempted to work out joint custody of their children and requested that she return to the US to arrange a custody schedule.

In September, the actor told British GQ his separation from Chambers, whom he married in 2010, was a 'seriously seismic event'.

'I don't think you'll find anyone in the world who would ever say what I'm going through is an easy thing to go through,' he said.

Hammer said when he and Chambers discussed their separation, they kept their focus on what was best for their kids.

Lorenze added: 'Elizabeth is a really smart loving caring person and he is doing all of this with no regard to his family,

''We have been in touch. Elizabeth has been nothing but supportive of me and she wants me to get my truth out. I cannot thank her enough.

'I feel this is so hard for her, she has been through hell with him.'

She concluded: 'People who know Armie say he already has three new 'pets', one aged 19.

'I am worried for her safety. After what happened to me, I cannot imagine what she is going through, even though she may not realize the physical and mental trauma.'

Lorenze plans to use her platform to support women, who are victims in abusive relationships.

Toms pick of home-delivered Indian and Sri Lankan dishes

So here we are again, pubs shuttered, restaurants closed, our hospitality industry on the edge of collapse. The furlough scheme may ensure that employees are looked after, but those bills keep flooding in. And its not just the restaurateurs, publicans and hoteliers that suffer, but the whole supply chain. Which is why our support is more important than ever.

Restaurants and producers have pivoted with admirable speed, putting together magnificent cook-at-home kits, giving a taste of your favourite place delivered to your door. Ill be picking the very best, available nationwide, from the glittering heights of Michelin-starred masters, to the more homely charms of dazzling regional cuisines. Along with takeaway reviews and favourite suppliers. Not so much Eat Out To Help Out, as Splash Out To Keep Them Alive.

This week, Indian and Sri Lankan food. These were all sent to me free, but from next week, Ill be paying full price for every kit. First up, the Ambassador General Store (ambassadorgeneralstore.com), from the team behind Gymkhana and Brigadiers. Packaging is handsome, instructions clear, flavours sublime. Pork cheek vindaloo is my favourite, along with tandoori masala lamb chops, garlic butter pepper crab and achari beef short rib. This really is restaurant quality and, while not cheap (36 for the lamb chops), offers seriously good value.

As does Clays Hyderabadi Kitchen (clayskitchen.co.uk), which delivers some of the most thrilling regional Indian food Ive eaten for years. Soft, spicy pea patties, mashed potato kebabs stuffed with peas and green chilli. Tomato dahl, a gentle aubergine curry, good rotis, beautiful biryanis and wedding style green chicken curry, a masterpiece of succour and spice (curries and biryanis 9-16 each).

Aktar Islam is one of the countrys finest Indian chefs, and Opheem, in Birmingham, his crowning glory. News that hes doing meal kits is very exciting (aktarathome.co.uk): 70 gets you ten different regional dishes, from korma to keema to chilli paneer and Malabar fish. Plus naan, Hyderabadi style milk bread and basmati rice. Incredible value for such exceptional food.

Finally, to Sri Lanka with Hoppers (hopperscashandkari.com), where theres a cracking selection of kits, from Kalupol chicken (whole chicken plus mutton rolls, sambol and roti and more, 45) to lamb kothu roti and a vegan option too.

Drinks: Ollys wild South African wine

I dream of returning to South Africa. Visiting the wine regions with their majestic crags, coastal drama and rolling valleys reminds me of hot Scotland. Next best thing to visiting is, of course, a glass of local vino with a style to suit everyone. Sauvignon Blanc from the Cape is stellar and my two other tips are to pick from off the beaten track and splash out  rather like a ticket to Cape Town, your cash goes a long way.

Bruce Jack Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (13%), 7, Tesco. Baby Sancerre! Both punchy and zesty, a pure joyful bargain.

House of Dreams Grenache 2020 (13.5%), 9, Marks & Spencer. Silky, spicy red with a bit of poke. Heaven paired with a roast.

The Chocolate Block 2019 (14.5%), from 21.99 for mix six, Majestic. This rich red is a masterfully blended South African icon.

Momento Tinta Barocca 2018 (13%), 27.08, armit wines.co.uk. Tense and thrilling as a cherry fired from a cannon. Magic with duck.
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Moments before lift-off, British astronaut Major Tim Peake calmed his nerves with a rendition of Queens iconic Dont Stop Me Now.

Then, after burning through the sky to the International Space Station, he was treated to a truly out- of-this-world performance.

The 48-year-old today reveals how the bands guitarist Brian May, who is also an astrophysicist, serenaded the crew as they orbited 248 miles above Earth.

Moments before lift-off, British astronaut Major Tim Peake calmed his nerves with a rendition of Queens iconic Dont Stop Me Now

Major Peake, who blasted off in December 2015, told Desert Island Discs: We are allowed to make a couple of calls from the Space Station to people we really want to speak to. One of those for me was Brian May. So I rang him up from the Space Station, we had a video call, me and my crew mates, and it was wonderful.

He had just been playing in concert. We took him on a tour of the Space Station and he played a little music for us live. So it was fantastic.

The astronaut chose Dont Stop Me Now as one of his castaway tracks. While he did not quite travel at the speed of light, as the song describes, the astronaut revealed how the crew prepare for the 18,000mph rocket journey to the base.

We are allowed to choose three tracks before we launch. They are actually played into the Soyuz capsule when you are sat there in the five minutes before launch. Its designed to take your mind off what is about to happen.

I thought what could be better than listening to Dont Stop Me Now just before you launch into space. It still makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck every time I hear it.

The 48-year-old today reveals how the bands guitarist Brian May, who is also an astrophysicist, serenaded the crew as they orbited 248 miles above Earth

Major Peake, who trained as a helicopter pilot with the Army, wondered whether his six-month stint in space meant he was better able to cope with the deprivations of lockdown.

He also revealed how, before the trip to space, the crew spent a week living in a cave and 12 days underwater to deal with both confinement and isolation. He said: I have thought about it an awful lot.

Everybody has been launched into a year of various lockdowns with no preparation, no training, no guidance or advice as to what you can do to make your life easier.

We stick to structure and routine on a space station to help us to make sure everybody knows what to do, when to do it, to manage expectations, to avoid conflict.

Major Peake served with the military in Northern Ireland, Kenya and Bosnia, and met his wife Rebecca while stationed in Germany.

Recalling a secondment with the US military and how he might have to fly attack missions in Afghanistan, he says: You make that decision very early in your military career really that you are there to defend what you believe are the principles of democracy, to keep people safe, your loved ones safe and also our nation safe.

lDesert Island Discs is on BBC Radio 4 today at 11am and is repeated on Friday at 9am.

San Francisco:

Google is going to stop reading your Gmail in search of opportunities to sell ads. The change announced today will end a practice that Google has embraced since the company introduced Gmail in 2004, even though it raised concerns among privacy watchdogs and creeped out some users.



To help finance the free service, Google has been scanning through what Gmail users were discussing and then showing ads connected to some of the topics. Someone writing about running, for instance, might see ads for Nike or Asics shoes.



Google still plans to show ads within Gmail. But instead of scanning through email content, the company's algorithms will rely on other signals to determine which ads are most likely to appeal to each of its 1.2 billion Gmail users.




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User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale

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Graneros, Chile / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : Horrendous noise before the quake, everyone is safe here. | 3 users found this interesting.

Chillan, Chile (743.2 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 5-10 s : Al principio pense que era un mareo, pero llegaron alertas al telefono para evacuar playas y supe que era un temblor.

Santiago (403 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Me and my girl both on bed felt it. Someone else who was on foot in the same household didn't feel it.

Intercontinental hotel downtown Santiago / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : Got up and saw people in adjacent buildings through windows moving around rapidly probably looking for the same thing I was. People running outside.

Santiago / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s : Short movement. Started softly, with sounds from the structure, after 2 or maybe 3 seconds, a strong movement happened, lasted 2 or maybe 3 more seconds, then stop

Colina (361.3 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex motion difficult to describe

388.4 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Las Condes, Santiago (382.8 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 10-15 s

387.4 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI)

santiago (386.5 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s

Santiago (387.2 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / single vertical bump / 5-10 s

384.9 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Santiago de Chile (386.2 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

1031.2 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

389.5 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : Building shook a little bit, nothing to write home about.

406.1 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : Pets alarmed, loud sounds from the earth

Quinta normal, Santiago de chile (385.4 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : Estaba tendiendo la ropa y empezo a moverse mucho, la casa crujia

San vicente (496.1 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 15-20 s

385.2 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI)

380.3 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s

380.9 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s

Villa Alemana (340.6 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s

Santiago / Strong shaking (MMI VI)

Santiago / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Santiago / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 10-15 s : Nice

Chicureo / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) : Very strong

los andes / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Vina del Mar / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating

Colina, Santiago / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s

Santiago metropolitan / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s

Santiago / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Santiago / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Vina del Ma / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Santiago, Lo Barnechea / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : Two strong shakes; not very long

Uk / not felt

Lo Barnechea, Santiago / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 5-10 s : heard my glassware shaking, watched my plants rattle

Vina del Mar / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Santiago, Chile / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 20-30 s

Lo Barnechea / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 15-20 s

Santiago / Strong shaking (MMI VI)

Santiago / Very strong shaking (MMI VII)

Paine / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s

Rapel / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Las condes / Strong shaking (MMI VI)

Av egana 252 / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 10-15 s

Santiago de Chile / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / vertical swinging (up and down) : Inicia con salto, vertical, sigue meciendose suave y fuerte alternado.

La ballena / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / very short

Santiago / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 20-30 s : So strong, very moved, and very shaking

SANTIAGO CENTRO / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Santiago, Chile / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Santiago / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 5-10 s

Horcon, PUCHUNCAVI / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 15-20 s

Lo Barnechea / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s

Santiago / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

santiago / Strong shaking (MMI VI)

Providencia, chile / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging

Las Condes, Santiago / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Vitacura / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s

Santiago de Chile / Light shaking (MMI IV)

rancagua / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling : me asuste xd

Las Condes / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Santiago / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s

Lo Barnechea / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 5-10 s

Santiago / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) / complex motion difficult to describe

Santiago / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Santiago / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s

santiago / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Santiago de chile / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s : I was verya scare! Kime shit

Santiago / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Santiago de Chile, RM, Chile / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : In apartment building

Santiago / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Vitacura / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Santiago, La reina / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 10-15 s

Santiago / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s

san antonio / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Quilicura / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

San Miguel, Santiago / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s

Santiago, Chile / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s : I could hear the doors of my house clashing with the door frames so yeah it was strong

Santiago / Strong shaking (MMI VI) : 5,6 Chile Santiago

La Reina, / Light shaking (MMI IV) : .

Santiago de Chile / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 5-10 s

Santiago airport / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s

Cartagena chile / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 5-10 s

Las condes Santiago / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s

La Reina,Santiago / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Cordoba Argentina / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : .

Santiago de Chile / Strong shaking (MMI VI)

Santiago / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

santiago / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / single lateral shake

Talca / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 20-30 s

Santiago de Chile, Las Condes / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s

Santiago de chile / Light shaking (MMI IV)

san isidro 292, santiago centro, santiago / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 2-5 s

Santiago / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s

Santiago / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / very short

Flor de notro 203 maipu / Strong shaking (MMI VI)

Santiago / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

los andes / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Las Condes, Chile / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Shaky shaky earth quakey

Vina del Mar / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 5-10 s

Penalolen, Santiago de Chile / not felt / 20-30 s

Chicureo / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) : Very strong

Coronel / not felt
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working with officials in the United Kingdom to review recent data suggesting there is a realistic possibility that the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant is not only more contagious but deadlier.

In a paper released Friday by Britains New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group, scientists said some preliminary analyses have been undertaken which show that there may be an increase in the severity of disease associated with this new variant, B.1.1.7.

The group noted that rates of death per infection remain low, and that the new data is based on a relatively small number of people from a small number of settings.

More data is being collected and the position will become clearer over the coming weeks, the group wrote.

But British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted Friday that, We have now learned that, in addition to spreading more quickly, the new variant of the virus may also be associated with a higher degree of mortality. It is therefore more important than ever that we all follow the rules and stay at home, protect the (National Health Service) and save lives.

We have now learned that, in addition to spreading more quickly, the new variant of the virus may also be associated with a higher degree of mortality.



It is therefore more important than ever that we all follow the rules and stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.  Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 22, 2021

A CDC official told CNN on Saturday that the agency has reached out to UK officials and is reviewing their new mortality data associated with variant B.1.1.7.

First identified in the U.K. in November, the variant swept through the country and has been transmitted to more than 50 countries, including the U.S.

More than one case has been discovered in Massachusetts, including a Worcester County resident who traveled to the U.K. during the holiday season. For more on the B.1.1.7. strain, read here.

Early data from the U.K. and CDC showed the new strain is more contagious but does not lead to more severe symptoms or a higher rate of hospitalizations or death. But public health officials have still urged caution and encouraged continued social distancing efforts and vaccinations in light of the B.1.1.7. strain and a similar one detected in South Africa and Brazil.

I am concerned ... that since it spreads more easily, more people will become infected, Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist, researcher and chief innovation officer at Boston Childrens Hospital, said in a recent post on the strain. That would likely lead to more hospitalization and deaths, which highlights that we still need to take seriously public health measures like mask-wearing and social distancing.

Brownstein noted that many variants of the COVID-19 virus are already circulating worldwide, which is expected with any virus. Most have just a few genetic changes that dont dramatically change the viruss behavior, he said.

He added that the B.1.1.7 variant hasnt acquired enough mutations so that it could escape coverage by the vaccines, so existing vaccines being administered across the country will still blunt the variant.

According to the CDC, B.1.1.7. could become the predominant source of the virus in the U.S. by March. Nearly 200 cases have already been detected in at least 22 states, CNN reported.

Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist on President Joe Bidens COVID-19 transition team, told CNN that the data in the recent U.K. report has convinced him the new variant is deadlier.

The data is mounting  and some of it I cant share  that clearly supports that B.1.1.7 is causing more severe illness and increased death, he said. Already we know this variant has increased transmission, and so this is more very bad news.

More than 25 million Americans have contracted COVID-19 and more than 417,000 have died throughout the pandemic, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Related Content:

SHENANDOAH  A section of Furnace Street in the village of Turkey Run will have improvements made in the near future after leftover funding from other projects is transferred.

The Shenandoah Borough Council voted at Thursdays meeting to revise the Community Development Block Grant for fiscal year 2017 for the reallocation of $1,443.98 to the fiscal year 2020 block grant budget for the Furnace Street improvements project.

As soon as the weather breaks, wed like to get that started, Borough Supervisor Anthony Sajone said.

The road would extend from the Defender Hose Company at 300 Furnace St. and go west to Pioneer Road.

It has not gone out for bid, Sajone said of the proposed project. We just got the preliminary information on it.

In other business, the cost of sewage service is raised $6 per quarter in 2021 following the councils action in adopting Ordinance No. 2021-01.

According to the ordinance, the residential sewer rental for each private dwelling unit goes to $492 per year, payable at a rate of $123 per quarter.

For non-residential customers, the per-quarter metered rate is $123 for the first 15,000 gallons or a fractional part.

Any amount over the first 15,000 gallons will be billed at $355 per 1,000 gallons for a fractional part.

The council also approved a resolution to authorize filing with the state Department of Community and Economic Development to have Downtown Shenandoah Inc. designated as a Keystone Main Street Program.

The resolution was prepared by DSI indicating that council supports the vision statement and five-year action strategy as an integral part of the application required by the department.

It will be DSIs third application.

Keystone Main Street designation is a community-based approach to revitalizing downtowns throughout Pennsylvania, DSI Executive Director Susan Williams. As a designated Main Street, Downtown Shenandoah Inc. collaborates with the Shenandoah Borough to ensure the historical nature of the Main Street is preserved while ongoing revitalization efforts continue.

New businesses are always welcome in Shenandoah and we are here to assist them improve their facades and find resources they need to start and grow their businesses.

Also Thursday, the council decided to table an agenda item to apply block grant demolition funds for $50,000 to raze the former Jefferson School at Centre and West streets.

The school last held elementary students almost four decades.
One of the architects of the negotiate-arbitrate model aimed at tackling Google and Facebook's monopoly in Australia has been tapped to lead Seven West Media's regulatory and government affairs team.

The Kerry Stokes-controlled media company has appointed former Nine Entertainment executive Clare Gill to lead government and regulatory affairs as the fight to introduce laws to level the playing field between local media companies and international tech giants heats up.

Former Nine executive Clare Gill will start her new role at Seven in February.

Ms Gill left Nine (owner of this masthead) after four years in late 2019. Nines chief executive Hugh Marks and Ms Gill were under scrutiny in 2019 for hosting a $10,000 a head fundraiser for the Liberal Party.

Seven, which owns The West Australian newspaper, is expected to have a more vocal position on the news media bargaining code, given Ms Gill's experience working on ways to regulate Google and Facebook in her time with Nine.
BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has called for greater efforts to ensure workplace safety and forestall major accidents.

Li made the remarks in an instruction to a national video and telephone conference on production safety held Saturday.

"Workplace safety is of great importance, and we must always remain alert," Li said in the instruction.

While the country made progress in ensuring workplace safety last year, the task is still arduous as uncertainties remain, Li noted.

He called for efforts to make sure relevant parties fulfill their duties at every link of production and urged strengthened emergency response and rescue capabilities to forestall major accidents.

Vice-Premier Liu He, also head of the Work Safety Committee of the State Council, as well as Wang Yong and Zhao Kezhi, both state councilors and vice heads of the committee, attended Saturday's meeting. Enditem
DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- StashAway, Southeast Asia's largest and fastest-growing digital wealth manager for both retail and professional investors, has announced that they're managing more than US$1billion.

Since StashAway first launched its services in 2017, numerous wealth managers in Southeast Asia and MENA have emerged. StashAway is the first digital wealth manager in any of those regions to announce that it manages more than $1 billion USD. StashAway has surpassed US$1B in assets under management in 42 months, faster than it took the world's largest digital wealth managers, Betterment and Wealthfront to reach the same milestone.

Michele Ferrario, Co-founder and CEO of StashAway says, "When the company was founded, our objective was to significantly improve the way people build their wealth. For those who do invest their savings, traditional investment options just weren't acceptable. But we knew that cash in the bank is actually our biggest competitor: in MENA, 45% of financial wealth is held in bank deposits, compared to 14% in North America. That's why we've always focused not only on sophisticated investment principles and a great customer experience, but also financial education to help more people understand how to better manage and grow their wealth. This relationship with our clients and the public has been a key to our fast growth."



One of the keys to attracting so much in assets has been StashAway's ability to generate such strong returns even through the last few years' volatility: through 2 market corrections in 2018 and a market crash in 2020, StashAway portfolios generated annualised returns* ranging from 17.1% (for its highest risk portfolio) to 5.3% (for its lowest-risk portfolio) since it launched in July 2017. In 2020 alone, the portfolio returns ranged from 24.1% to 5.2% for those same portfolios, and consistently outperform their same-risk benchmarks.

The World Economic Forum recognised StashAway in 2020 as a Technology Pioneer for developing cutting edge technology and "contributing greatly to improving the state of the world."

Ramzi Khleif, General Manager of StashAway in MENA adds that "Reaching this $1 billion USD milestone in less than 4 years is only one of the many signs we see that Asia and MENA truly want a better way to create wealth: We see high conversion rates, large consistent deposits, and engagement with our educational content, for example. We're still only scratching the surface for what's possible when it comes to transforming wealth creation in Singapore, Malaysia, and MENA."

*As of the End of December 2020, returns in USD. Past performance is not a guarantee for future returns. Before investing, investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses, and if need be, seek independent professional advice.

About StashAway

StashAway is a digital wealth management platform that offers investment and cash management portfolios for both retail and accredited investors. Its technology delivers automated, personalised portfolio management for each client's individual portfolios. It offers global growth-oriented investment portfolios targeting different levels of risk and StashAway SimpleTM, a straightforward cash management solution.



StashAway has attracted financial backers from around the world. Backers include: Eight Roads Ventures, the global investment firm backed by Fidelity and early investor in Alibaba; Square Peg, the largest venture capital fund in Australia; Asia Capital & Advisors, the private equity firm led by Francis Rozario and Aaron Razario; as well as Burda Principal Investments, the growth capital arm of German media and tech company Hubert Burda Media.

StashAway has a total paid-up capital of US$36.6million. These funds have gone towards launching an income portfolio, a cash management portfolio, as well as new market entries in Malaysia and the MENA region. Since raising its Series C in August 2020, the Company has launched StashAway Workplace, a corporate financial benefits solution, and launched its services in the MENA region, out of its Dubai office.

StashAway operates in Singapore, Malaysia and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. StashAway holds fund management licenses from Singapore's MAS and Malaysia's SC, and an asset management license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority.

www.stashaway.com

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MILFORD  Amanda Pitre, 30, lives with her parents and can only work part time because she has an autoimmune disease that creates constant, burning pain as if a blowtorch was lit inside her.

But Pitre , 30, who was born weighing only 2 pounds, 2 ounces, has begun forging a path to independence and handicap accessibility in a creative way: By seeking donations of cans and bottles she can redeem.

Shes giving half of the proceeds of those she redeems to the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association. The organization, headquartered in Milford, offers services and information for those with her condition, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, or CPRS.

The other half of the money from redeemable items is going into a fund for to eventually enable Pitre to obtain housing with handicapped accessibility, as she said she knows shell never work full-time and be able to save for the future.

Her parents live in a small duplex, not easy to maneuver in with handicapped equipment she uses, and someday she could need a wheelchair and hence, a ramp. In the duplex, she has a chairlift to take her up the stairs.

I dont want to be a 40-year-old and still living at home, Pitre said. My dream is to have a house of my own without stairs, a handicapped-accessible bathroom, a custom-made ramp for when I cant walk.

Pain, 24/7

CRPS, also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, is a chronic neuro-inflammatory disorder, classified as a rare disorder, although 200,000 people in this country experience the condition in any given year, according to the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association website.

CRPS occurs when the nervous system and the immune system malfunction as they respond to tissue damage from trauma, the organizations website states. The nerves misfire, sending constant pain signals to the brain. The level of pain is measured as one of the most severe on the McGill University Pain Scale, the site states. Pitre said just the touch of a sock or other closing item can flare extreme pain.

Christian Abraham Hearst Connecticut Media

Pitre started the call for collecting redeemables in November through her church, Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church, but is unable because of the pain to walk around to collect the items. She then moved it to Facebook and is now putting the call out to the world: anyone who wishes to donate cans and bottles can simply leave them on the porch of her familys home at 40 Earle St., Milford. Or her dad will drive her to make big pickups . She is not able

I like returning them and seeing how much they add up in the end, she said. She said it is better way to ask for donations than asking for money, as many people are struggling. Since November, shes raised $250.

Church friend Sheryl Hollyday, who has known Pitre since she was a child, has donated at least 10 large bags of cans and bottles so far. She said Pitre is an amazing woman for all she does for others, and kind, despite all her suffering in pain.

Striving to live independently is a great goal for Pitre, Hollyday said, and the can and bottle drive is a good start. Hollyday said she hates returning them, so she likes that the proceeds are going for a great cause: Pitres future and the organization that helps her.

Shes always had health issues, but never let that stop her, Hollyday said. Im amazed by what she does for other people.

Pitre often asks for prayers at church and, I can only imagine to have to have prayers to get through the day, Hollyday said.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

A local organization

Jim Broatch, longtime executive director of the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association, said he thinks Pitres can and bottle drive is a great idea. He said Pitre is a sweet woman who has been involved with the organization for many years.

I think its wonderful that she wants to live independently, Broatch said. Its difficult for people to get better and she has such a positive attitude and its wonderful.

He said CRPS is the only condition with the word complex as the first word and it reflects how complicated the disorder can be, including psychologically, because of the 24/7 pain.

Of Pitre donating to the organization, Broatch said, Its wonderful shes giving back, and the first $250 donation will be put toward a camp in Kentucky the organization sponsors for people in pain - not just CRPS pain. Broatch said its a great camp with social events where campers meet others like themselves dealing with chronic pain.

Pitre, who takes 60 pills per day  none of them a narcotic  had a medically complex childhood because of being three months premature, and today suffers from a kidney condition with its cardiac complications, and controlled epilepsy in addition to the pain syndrome.

The CRPS struck at about age 16 and twice has left her unable to walk, but with continued physical therapy her condition fluctuates. Right now Pitre is able to walk, but every movement is a struggle, as in her case the CRPS affects both legs to her toes, her entire back, her shoulders and neck. She said she has a burning pain 24/7 that feels like a blowtorch running inside her.

Her parents, Pitre said, taught her to do your best and dont give up, so she perseveres - but its a constant struggle. When shes not at work, Pitre wears orthotic ankle braces and uses crutches, and on really bad days, a wheelchair.

Everything I do is a struggle - getting out of bed, walking. I have days where I just cry and put my head down, she said. I dont know how much more my body can handle. My mind isnt tired of fighting, but my body is.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

A great job

Pitre took her parents guidance to heart and moves onward, working 20 hours per week at a special education school in North Haven as a one-on-one aide.

I love it, she said of the job. Being a former special education student herself with learning disabilities and overcoming obstacles to earn an associate degree from Gateway Community College in early childhood special education, Pitre revels in every student success - no matter how seemingly small.

Getting to take care of kids when they need extra help and see them accomplish things is what I love. The littlest things - sitting in a chair, using a fork.

As a child once diagnosed with a learning disability, attention deficit disorder, sensory processing disorder and executive functioning disorder, Pitre said she great empathy for the special education population and knows what its like to be put down by others. She attended Gateway on a full scholarship through the governors Coalition for People with Disabilities.

Everything is an effort, she said, noting her best friend lives in Ireland with the condition and gives her hope. Her cat, Monroe, 9, also helps Pitre get through it all  knowing just when a cuddle is needed.
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Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party

Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms

Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh

NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country

104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion

Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation

Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination

Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity

Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well

Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions

Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never!

Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial

Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?"

France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity

Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election

Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia

US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China

Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war

Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet

Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases

Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan

US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces

Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can

UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians

Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India

Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately

France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint

Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow

Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen

Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops

Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia acting FM resigns

Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity

China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order

Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM

Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage

EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting

Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post

6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest

Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan

UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas

Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening

His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia

Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens

Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon

Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures

Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension

Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire

ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces

Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards

Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory

Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan

Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia

Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia

Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws

Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone

Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control

Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor

Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation

NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning

European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched
A row has broken out over the Treasury's plan to set up a Northern base after top civil servants were accused of a 'Yes, Minister' style stitch-up.

Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, has proposed moving 800 officials to the hub  dubbed Treasury North  with locations thought to include Leeds, Teesside and Newcastle.

It is part of a Whitehall shake-up that will see thousands of jobs moved from London. A decision could be announced with the Budget.

Plans: Chancellor Rishi Sunak has proposed moving 800 officials to a northern base  dubbed Treasury North

But top civil servants have been accused of trying to engineer the selection of Newcastle, angering leaders in Teesside who say their area is well-suited to the hub and has most to gain economically.

There have also been cries of foul play after it emerged that the government agency in charge of finding buildings for the hubs is chaired by a top council official from Newcastle. Mr Sunak is said to have been interested in Teesside, which neighbours his Richmond constituency.

Locals argue it is the kind of place Tory ministers promised to level up in the last election.

But there is dismay in Teesside following reports that civil servants favour Newcastle because of its 'better cultural life' and visited last week to scout out locations, signalling it could be the frontrunner.

The involvement of a Newcastle City Council official at the Government Property Agency (GPA), which is advising the Treasury, has also raised eyebrows. Pat Ritchie, 61, is the local authority's chief executive but she has also served as chairman of the GPA since January last year.

Ben Houchen, the Tory metro mayor for the Tees Valley, said: 'I have a very real fear that certain Treasury officials still believe the area is 'all flat caps and steel works' and that this outdated view will undermine the case for the area.

'This could end as a 'Yes, Minister' situation, where civil servants in the Treasury and the GPA try to stitch this up.' Andy Preston, the independent elected mayor of Middlesbrough, added: 'We deserve a fair chance and cast-iron guarantee that there is going to be no stitch up. Newcastle is booming. But in Middlesbrough we have been overlooked for so long.'

A Treasury spokesman insisted that the GPA 'does not have a role in the location decision' and that this would ultimately fall to Sunak.
Belgium will prohibit its population from non-essential cross-border travel between Wednesday 27 January and 1 March.

This decision is aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus and recently emerged variants. Leisure or leisure travel is prohibited and there will be border controls with fines, Elio Di Rupo, president of the Walloon region told TV station RTBF. Cross-border workers are not affected.

Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo defended the idea on Thursday at the European summit. The EU had finally called for non-essential travel to be avoided in response to the threat of new variants of the coronavirus, calling the health situation "very serious".

In Friday's press conference with Xavier Bettel and Paulette Lenert, it was stressed that incoming travellers to Luxembourg may also be subjected to new measures, such as providing a negative test result, once the government has settled upon an acceptable solution after discussions with health authorities and their European counterparts. Bettel said further details on travel would be available following Monday's government meeting. He added that he did not wish to ban travel, but certain safety measures would need to be installed both for foreign arrivals and Luxembourgers returning home from abroad.

The Prime Minister supported Jean Asselborn's statement earlier on Friday that Luxembourg's borders must not close, saying that the healthcare system in the Grand Duchy was very much dependent on cross-border travel. Bettel explained that Asselborn would discuss the matter with the Minister-Presidents of the German border regions, Tobias Hans and Malu Dreyer.

Jennifer Camus Moore, 50, a registered nurse from Warrendale, was last seen alive on January 13

The body of an Oregon nurse who went missing for 10 days after she vanished when her car was swept away during a mudslide has been found under 15 feet of mud, rocks and logs.

Jennifer Camus Moore, 50, of Warrendale, had been driving through Dodson at approximately 1:15am on January 13 when her car was hit by a landslide and swept off the road.

Moore, a registered nurse, had been driving just behind her husband Charles, who said he was talking to her from his truck when the incident occurred.

He said he heard screaming and crashing sounds over the phone but the weather was so bad he could not see which direction Jennifer's blue Ford Explorer went.

Moore, a mother-of-two, was not seen or heard from again. A desperate days-long search to find her was launched in the hours after, which came to a tragic end on Saturday after he body was recovered.

Moore (left in 2020), a registered nurse, had been driving just behind her husband Charles (right, together in 2014), who said he was talking to her from his truck when the incident occurred

Moore had been driving through Dodson at approximately 1:15am on January 13 when her car was hit by a landslide and swept off the road

Multnomah County Sheriff's deputies recovered the body of Jennifer Moore Saturday, January 23

In the days following the landslide, searchers identified an area in the debris flow where they believed Moores vehicle likely came to rest, Multnomah County Sheriffs Office said in a press release. Searchers estimated her vehicle was buried under 15 feet of mud, rock and logs.

Authorities described their operation to find Moore as incredibly treacherous. MCSO said rescuers had to use heavy machinery  such as front loaders and dump trucks  to move debris to reach where Moore was buried.

The work had to be carried out incredibly delicately, because the mud in the area was wet and unstable, authorities said.

Once located where they believed Moore to be buried, MCSO began working with a private contractor who used a high-powered metal detector to locate the exact location of her SUV underneath 15-feet of mud.

The sheriffs office said they were able to complete the recovery with the help of firefighters from Corbett County.

In her own post to Facebook, Legacy colleague Stephanie Lawson wrote: 'Our beautiful Jenny has finally been found. Although I thought I might feel relief on this day, I don't.

'The pain, disbelief and devastation is still here. I'm reminded about how tragically this beautiful soul left our earth. I know healing takes time but for today, I'm still utterly heartbroken for my friend, Jennifer Moore.'

Its not the outcome everyone would have hoped for, River Patrol Unit Sgt. Steve Dangler said, but at least at this point, it brings closure to the family and allows them to begin the grieving process' (image from 2014)

A GoFundMe page set up by her colleagues has so far raised $26,000 - $21,000 more than its original goal of $5,000

CSO said rescuers had to use heavy machinery  such as front loaders and dump trucks  to move debris to reach where Moore was buried

The work had to be carried out incredibly delicately, because the mud in the area was wet and unstable, authorities said

Its not the outcome everyone would have hoped for, River Patrol Unit Sgt. Steve Dangler said, but at least at this point, it brings closure to the family and allows them to begin the grieving process.

He said it was a situation he had never seen before with how much rock and debris there was in and around the area and within the vehicle. It was a really tough day.

Moore was an oncology nurse at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center for 17 years, according to the hospital.

A GoFundMe page set up by her colleagues has so far raised $26,000 - $21,000 more than its original goal of $5,000.

She was remembered by friends as 'an amazing woman', a 'compassionate nurse, trusted colleague, a wife, a mother, and a wonderful friend.'

'Her infectious laugh brightens any room and her kindness extends to all she meets,' the post reads.

Moore (second from left) was remembered by friends as 'an amazing woman', a 'compassionate nurse, trusted colleague, a wife, a mother, and a wonderful friend'

Once located where they believed Moore to be buried, MCSO began working with a private contractor who used a high-powered metal detector to locate the exact location of her SUV underneath 15-feet of mud

During the initial search for her, firefighters used a drone and looked for heat sources using a thermal imaging camera, but were unsuccessful

The cliffs around the search area near the small community of Dodson remain unstable

During the initial search for Moore, firefighters used a drone and looked for heat sources using a thermal imaging camera, but were unsuccessful.

Throughout the last 10 days, searchers were seen using inflatable yellow rafts as they drove metal poles into deep mud.

The landslide was triggered by a powerful Pacific Northwest storm that swept into the area on January 12 through to the 13th.

Heavy rainfall and high winds left more than a half-million people without power, felled trees across Oregon and Washington and swept a tractor-trailer off a bridge.

Localized flooding and debris flows shut down roads throughout the region, including a portion of Interstate 84 in Oregon.

One person in Spokane, Washington, also died in the storm when a tree fell on a car and trapped a woman inside.

(Natural News) In case you didnt know it, the Washington Post has decided it is going out of the presidential fact-checking business.

Thats right, now that President Donald Trump the serial liar is out of the White House, theres no need to fact-check the commander-in-chief any longer.

Mind you, the Post didnt just idly fact-check Trump; the paper set up a false claims project  which was essentially a fact-checking operation on steroids, poring money and resources into hanging on every syllable that came out of Trumps mouth or passed into the ethernet via Twitter.

The database of Trump claims was started a month after Trump became president as a way to not overwhelm our fact-checking enterprise, where the core mission is to explain complex policy issues, Post director of communications Shani George told The Daily Caller.

And Joe Biden, now that hes president?

While we do not have plans to launch a Biden database at this time, we will continue to dig into the accuracy of statements by political figures of all party affiliations, George added.

Of course. The Post didnt have a truth commission when Barack Obama was president either, because he lied like it was his job and left-wing newspapers dont fact-check Democratic presidents.

All of which is going to be a real big benefit for Biden because before Biden even began his presidency he lied.

Townhalls Katie Pavlich reports:

Speaking at the White House Tuesday night, Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed President Biden will follow through with campaign promises to ban new fracking on federal land.

President Biden promised to end all new oil and gas leasing on federal lands when was a candidate, asked a reporter. Does the administration still have that commitment today? To end that lease?

We do and the leases will be reviewed by our team we just have only been in office for less than a day now, Psaki said.

Now mind you, in the months before the November election, when Biden and running mate Kamala Harris were still trying to woo voters in Pennsylvania and Ohio  where the fracking industry is a major driver of their economies  they repeatedly told (lied to) voters that Biden, as a decrepit president, would never ban the one technique that has actually made the U.S. energy independent (which is a huge boost to our national security) while helping to lower emissions overall (and without membership in the costly, unfair Paris Climate Accords that Biden also rejoined via executive fiat).

I am not banning fracking. Let me say that again. I am not banning fracking, declared Democratic presidential candidate Biden in a speech in Pittsburgh in late August. No matter how many times Donald Trump lies about me.

Then, in a debate with President Trump in October, Biden claimed again that he would not ban fracking. He then added that he never said he would in the first place  which was such a blatant fib even CNN fact-checked the former vice president:

Facts First: Its false that Biden never said he opposed fracking. In two Democratic primary debates, Biden made confusing remarks over fracking that his campaign had to clarify. In 2019, Biden said we would make sure its eliminated when asked about the future of coal and fracking; in 2020 he said he opposed new fracking.

Harris said the same thing.

I will repeat, and the American people know, that Joe Biden will not ban fracking. That is a fact, she said during her only debate with former Vice President Mike Pence.

They both left the impression that Biden would not ban any fracking. And yet  he has.

And for good measure, he also killed the Keystone XL pipeline, which destroyed 11,000 jobs with the stroke of a pen (during a pandemic) and an $8 billion investment by Canadian governments and firms.

Worse, Bidens just getting started.

Heres hoping you liked $5 gas during the Obama years, as well as endless Middle East wars to secure their oil fields.

See more reporting like this at Fracking.news.

Sources include:

TrendingPolitics.com

NaturalNews.com

Townhall.com
Herreid Legion to remember 400 Campbell County area veterans Monday

The Herreid American Legion and the Sons of the American Legion work together to recognize veterans on Memorial Day.

The union health ministry on Sunday has issued fresh guidelines for the forthcoming Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. As per the Standard Operating Protocol (SOP), pilgrims will be required to carry a Covid-19 negative certificate after undergoing an RT-PCR test.

According to the Centre's guidelines, RT-PCR test taken not more than 72 hours prior to their visit to Haridwar during the Kumbh Mela are mandatory. The reports will also be required to be uploaded on the Uttarakhand governments official web portal.

Senior citizens above 65 years of age, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 will not be permitted to visit Haridwar during Kumbh. Patients with underlying health conditions and comorbidities such diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease, chronic lung disease, cerebro-vascular disease, chronic kidney disease, immune-suppression and cancer will be discouraged to visit.

Additionally, visitors will have to bring a health report issued from Community Health Centre/District hospital/Medical college in their State. Officials have estimated around 10 lakh pilgrims are likely to visit Haridwar to take the holy dip in Ganga river. The number of visitors could go up to 50 lakhs during the six big occasions.

Considered to be the biggest Hindu religious festival, the 'Maha Kumbh' is celebrated every 12 years and draws a huge crowd. This year, the Kumbh would continue for two months  from February 27 to April 27. During the two months, six major 'snans' will take place among which -- February 27 (Magh Purnima snan) and March 11 (Maha Shivratri) is expected to draw huge gatherings. Other major dates include -- April 12 (Somvati Amavasya), April 14 (Baisakhi), April 21 (Ram Navmi) and April 27 (Chaitra Purnima).

The Uttrakhand government has been working on safety measures and crowd management for the mega event in view of the ongoing covid-19 pandemic situation.

Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat took stock of the preparation on Sunday and expressed satisfaction on the ongoing works.

The health ministry has advised the state government to install foot-operated water taps instead of the hand taps. The authorities have been instructed to ensure that social distancing and highest hygiene standards are maintained to curb the spread of Covid.

Apart from pilgrims, Kumbh also attracts lakhs of saints associated with the 13 Akharas (monastery) who come to Haridwar for the mega event. Acharaya Kailashanand, head of the Niranjani Akhara  one of the biggest Akharas said safety measures will be followed: Kumbh is the major event for sadhus. We will do whatever possible to follow protocols.
He has thrilled audiences with portrayals as diverse as Prince Hamlet and Hercule Poirot.

But now Sir Kenneth Branagh is set to take on perhaps his most challenging character part yet.

The 60-year-old is to play Boris Johnson in a highly controversial five-part TV drama about Britains year-long battle with the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week, The Mail on Sunday revealed how the series, This Sceptred Isle, would depict the Prime Ministers 11-year-old love child Stephanie, whom he fathered in 2009.

And yesterday it was announced that five-time Academy Award nominee Sir Kenneth would be taking the lead in the drama, which will be aired on Sky Atlantic next year.

Casting for Mr Johnsons fiancee Carrie Symonds is ongoing and it is understood that a decision has yet to be made.

The 60-year-old is to play Boris Johnson in a highly controversial five-part TV drama

Labour supporter Michael Winterbottom has co-written the series with Kieron Quirke and will direct all five episodes.

Mr Winterbottom said: Our series weaves together countless true stories  from Boris Johnson in No 10 to frontline workers around the country  chronicling the efforts of scientists, doctors, care home workers and policy makers to protect us from the virus.

Despite sharing more detail about his series, he refrained from admitting that Stephanie, who has been able to live her life away from the limelight, will feature.

The series will explore Mr Johnsons first six months in office, as the pandemic swept the country

Last week this newspaper told how producers are looking for a young actress to play Stephanie, who is the Prime Ministers daughter by former mistress Helen Macintyre. Ms Macintyre is also to be portrayed in the drama.

Television production company Fremantle hired London-based Des Hamilton Casting to search for a well-spoken girl, aged 11 to 12, with blonde/brown hair.

Candidates were asked to record themselves acting out a scene in which Stephanie meets Ms Symonds and Wilfred, her son with Mr Johnson, who was born in April, a month into the first lockdown.

The series will explore Mr Johnsons first six months in office, as the pandemic swept the country.

It is based on first-hand testimony from staff in Downing Street, the Department of Health, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies and those working in hospitals and care homes.

Shortly after the Brexit referendum, Sir Kenneth, one of Britains leading Shakespearean actors, said: Its impossible not to feel were living through another moment of historical import politically. It will be interesting to see how that plays with the audience.

The PM was previously depicted in the 2017 BBC drama Theresa v Boris and the 2019 Channel 4 drama Brexit: The Uncivil War. He has been portrayed on stage several times  including the recent The Last Temptation Of Boris Johnson.

CLAIMS of a dissident republican helicopter sniper attack were actually an elaborate stunt staged by a convicted bomber, police and MI5 now believe.

Read More

Sunday Life can reveal that John Connolly, the 'military commander' of a violent Continuity IRA (CIRA) unit in Co Fermanagh, is suspected of scattering bullets held in an old arms dump around the scene of last week's border security alert.

We can also reveal that despite serving a 14-year jail term for possessing a 220lb mortar, Connolly was allowed a gun licence after being freed from jail.

The 45-year-old, who is from Fermanagh but now lives in Cavan, was often seen walking the fields with a shotgun despite being on terror watchlists on both sides of the border.

It is believed police chiefs took action to stop the licence being renewed after intelligence that he had become a leading figure in the CIRA in recent years.

Police believe Connolly is behind the bogus CIRA claims that it shot at a helicopter near Newtownbutler last week.

The statement was branded "lies" after bullets from a high-powered Russian rifle found at the scene were found not to have been fired.

Expand Close ON ALERT: A bullet found nearby and (left) police near the scene of the apparent attack Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook

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Whatsapp ON ALERT: A bullet found nearby and (left) police near the scene of the apparent attack

Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie, a decorated military veteran who spent 28 years in the British Army, confirmed bullets pictured at the scene of the alleged helicopter attack had not been fired.

After being shown images of one of the bullets, he said: "That's an unspent round. It was never in a weapon. It still has the warhead and there are no markings on it. It was never ejected from a weapon. It was planted. It's lies to say that round was fired."

The UUP justice spokesperson also said he was shocked to learn Connolly was ever allowed a licence to carry legal guns despite having a terrorist conviction.

He said: "I'm stunned. How on earth could a convicted dissident republican bomber be granted a firearms certificate?

"The PSNI and Garda need to be questioned about their firearms policy and to whom certificates are being issued. They need to get a grip."

His comments about the supposed helicopter attack being a hoax back up what PSNI sources told Sunday Life: that it never took place and the CIRA's claims are nothing more than a publicity stunt.

Police have admitted that a helicopter was in the area at the time of the alleged attack on January 14, saying it was piloted by a civilian who did not realise he was in danger.

The terror gang claims to have used a Dragunov rifle to fire nine shots at the aircraft during a security alert on the Wattlebridge Road. This was after attempts were made to lure police into the area with a hoax bomb phone call.

John Connolly served a lengthy prison sentence after being caught 21 years ago with a 220lb Real IRA mortar en route to blowing up a police station on Remembrance Sunday weekend.

Following his release, the 45-year-old publicly renounced violence, but in recent times has found a new home with CIRA.

Veteran republican John Joe 'JJ' McCusker, the gang's leader in the area, is believed to have recruited Connolly.

The 66-year-old was recently questioned by the PSNI about a 2019 bomb attack on police near the Fermanagh-Cavan border.

He was subsequently freed without charge.

While Connolly denies any link to either the CIRA or the helicopter gun attack, he has been gloating about the incident on social media.

Writing on Facebook, he accused "the crown forces" of telling lies about the shooting, saying: "Egg in the faces of the crown forces caught telling lies, not once, but twice lol."

In another video of a helicopter flying high in the sky near the border, he says: "Flying very high today for some reason."

The hoax bomb alert on the Wattlebridge Road is the second time in 18 months that the CIRA has attempted to lure police into the area.

In August 2019, cops searched the same isolated roadside looking for a bogus device when a bomb exploded nearby.

Officers escaped serious injury, but fears of a repeat ambush meant the PSNI was reluctant to send vehicle patrols back during last week's alert.

The CIRA claims that a helicopter was dispatched instead - an allegation that police chiefs deny - and that its men opened fire on the aircraft, forcing a retreat.

The PSNI yesterday remained at the scene, which was cordoned off from the public.

While John Connolly denies being involved in the CIRA, he plays a leading and very public role in its political wing Republican Sinn Fein (RSF).

He was at the forefront of a recent campaign backing dissident republican Liam Campbell, who is facing extradition to Lithuania on firearms charges.

This is not the only controversial crusade to which Connolly has aligned himself - he has also been highly critical of the directors of the former Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH), who took over the business from billionaire Sean Quinn. In 2019, one of these directors, Kevin Lunney, was kidnapped from his Fermanagh home and tortured - an attack condemned by Mr Quinn.

A masked man, reported to be Connolly, was pictured afterwards, threatening: "This is your last warning to resign your positions in QIH. Obviously, you have not learned the lesson after what happened to Kevin.

"The Quinn family that have employed hundreds of people in work were stabbed in the back. We have the capabilities and manpower to see this through until the end. A 'permanent solution' it will be."

In a 2011 interview with Sunday Life, Connolly insisted he had abandoned violence, saying: "I am not involved in militant republicanism in any way. When I got out of jail in 2007, I broke all contact with the IRA. If I'm guilty of anything, it is of being a proud, unrepentant Irish republican."

cbarnes@sundaylife.co.uk
NIZAMABAD: The Turmeric Farmers Joint Action Committee demanded that Nizamabad MP Dharmapuri Arvind get a Turmeric Board set up in the city and secure minimum support price (MSP) for turmeric within 10 days, or keep his promise and resign. Arvind had promised on a bond paper during the 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign to get the Turmeric Board within five days of his election, or leave the seat.

The JAC met at Chowtpally village in Kammarpally mandal on Saturday. A few turmeric farmers, who contested in the Parliament elections also took part in the meeting. Talks between the MP and farmers failed and Arvind left the meeting. Angered farmers raised slogans against him.

Speaking at the meeting, a few farmers expressed displeasure with Arvind. Despite sincere efforts for establishment of the Turmeric Board and getting MSP, the MP is trying to divert the issue, the farmers said. We will take up agitation against the TRS government at an appropriate time, but the BJP should act swiftly on the turmeric farmers issues, they said.

The cost of cultivation had increased and at least Rs 15,000 should be given as MSP, they demanded. We have incurred heavy losses due to the fall in turmeric prices. Who will rescue us, they asked. Heated arguments took place between the MP and turmeric farmers and there was a tense situation for some time.

Reacting to the farmers comments, Arvind said that he did not promise to bring turmeric board within five days after his election. He admitted that he had promised to establish the Turmeric Board in Nizamabad. I discussed the issue with the Centre government and it resulted in the setting up of the Spices Board regional office in Nizamabad, he explained. Whatever I have done so far, the future course of action is in the farmers hands, he said.

Speaking to newsmen, Turmeric Farmers JAC leaders said Arvind was trying to escape from his promise. He is trying to throw his responsibility on the state government, they said. We will finalise future course of action for the Turmeric Board and the MSP, they said.

The Mail has launched a campaign to ensure all Britains schoolchildren are equipped with a laptop or computer tablet  so no child is prevented from learning during the lockdown.

With schools closed, up to a million pupils are struggling with accessing lessons from home because they dont have essential equipment.

That is why our celebrated charity Mail Force  which gifted millions of items of PPE to the NHS last year  has launched a new fundraising drive called Mail Forces Computers for Kids initiative.

Up to a million UK schoolchildren are struggling with lessons at home because they cannot work online. Now the Daily Mail is swinging into action for Mail Force  the celebrated charity that gifted PPE to the NHS. Pictured: Emily Lyons, 37, struggles to share her laptop between her four children on a daily basis for their online school classes

Mail Force will help companies recycle old computers for school use  and is set to help fund new laptops and tablets.

HOW TO DONATE TO COMPUTERS FOR KIDS CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO YOU, THE READER: How to send us donations The Daily Mail has launched a brand new campaign, Computers For Kids, to raise money for Mail Force  a charity which aims to provide much needed school equipment and resources for pupils across the UK learning from home. With schools closed, we are left with the dilemma of hundreds of thousands of pupils in the UK having no access to a computer in their home. As part of this campaign, companies are donating their old laptops which, for around 15, can be wiped, professionally refurbished and made safe and fit for home schooling. They can then be delivered to a child or young person who needs one. In addition, the campaign is looking to support childrens needs in other ways such as funding brand new laptops and tablets, and assisting with data access and connectivity for online learning. Any surplus funds will be used to support of the work of UK schools via other means. TO MAKE A DONATION ONLINE Visit mailforcecharity.co.uk/donate and follow the steps to complete your donation. Please don't send us your old device. TO COMPANIES: Could you give your old laptops? Upgrading office computers is something all companies do from time to time  and there has never been a better time to donate old laptops. If you are a company with 50 laptops or more that you could give, please visit www.computacenter.com/daily-mail to check they are suitable and register your donation. We will arrange for collection by our specialist partners Computacenter. Please note: we cannot accept donated laptops from individuals. COMPANIES SHOULD GO TO: computacenter.com/daily-mail TO SCHOOLS: Where to apply for the computers Schools must apply to the Department for Education, which is managing the demand and prioritising the schools most in need. The Mail Force initiative means more laptops will become available more quickly. SCHOOLS CAN APPLY HERE: https://get-help-with-tech.education.gov.uk Advertisement

This newspaper is asking its famously generous readers to contribute whatever they can towards the costs.

About 15 could pay to refurbish a laptop for a child in danger of missing vital weeks of education.

We are not asking for readers to send in old laptops or devices to us. However, we are keen to hear from companies with 50 or more computer devices available for donation.

The new initiative was hailed by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, all the main teaching unions, and the Childrens Commissioner for England yesterday.

Robert Halfon, chairman of the Education Select Committee, told The Mail on Sunday: The deepening divide between the haves and have-nots has been exposed all too clearly by coronavirus. I salute the Mail for all they are doing.

'Nothing can be more important than getting our children learning while the schools are closed.

Unlike the first lockdown, schools are now mandated to provide three to five hours of lessons per pupil every day  yet lots of youngsters cannot access them because they dont have laptops or tablet devices.

Ofcom estimated last year there were 1.78 million children in the UK without access to a device for online learning.

Since then, the Government has ordered 1.3 million laptops.

So far, 800,000 have been delivered, leaving almost one million children without a device. Mail Force aims to speed things up.

It is set to use our readers donations to help fund new kit and is appealing for firms willing to donate 50 or more of their old machines.

The charitys expert partner, IT specialists Computacenter, will collect the machines for free, securely wipe content and install software to make them ready for a child to use.

Last year, Mail Force donated an incredible 42 million items of PPE to the NHS, care homes and charity sector front lines.

The campaign won a public service award and the Mail was hailed for holding the Government to account at the same time as helping to solve the problem.

As with the PPE crisis, Mail Force is resolutely working with the Government to get our hands on devices.

Families, head teachers, MPs and the teaching unions have been consulted.

There have been long and productive meetings with civil servants from the Department for Education, and with IT experts.

Brand-new laptops or tablets from household-name manufacturers will be funded  in a purchasing scheme running parallel to the Governments one.

Companies old laptops will be repurposed to rescue a childs education and help save the planet to boot.

The benefits for companies are clear: recycle old laptops, save the environment and help out a great charity for schoolchildren.

Mail Force is a registered charity established and supported by the Daily Mail and General Trust, which owns The Mail on Sunday and Daily Mail newspapers.

The money raised in this campaign will be used to get schoolchildren online. Laptops will be allocated to schools on a needs basis.

If more money is raised than needed for this mission, all extra funds will be applied in support of the work of UK schools in other ways.
Amina Mohamed Abdi was just 24 years old when she was first elected to Somalias parliament in 2012. She defeated two other candidates to win a seat saved specifically for women.

But to reach her political goal, Abdi had to go against the wishes of leaders in her Hawiye clan. Some had urged her not to run for office.

I was asked you want to be a prostitute? How can a woman represent a clan? she told Reuters. Abdi dismissed the comments and kept her plans. She says she thought it was important to run because a clan is not only made up of men.

Four years later, she won an open seat in Hiran, an area north of the capital Mogadishu.

Abdi is now 32 years old and is an active critic of her government. She will seek a third term in an upcoming election. She is the only woman among six politicians competing for the same seat. Abdi is a member of the oppositions Union and Peace for Development party. She is one of 81 women lawmakers in the 275-seat legislature.

Somalia is a country with a long history of war and fighting. Abdi grew up during a violent civil war that started in the early 1990s. It is estimated that around 300,000 people died of hunger and disease as a result of the fighting.

Growing up in this environment made Abdi want to enter politics to help rebuild her country. As an eight-year-old, she remembers returning from school in Mogadishu to find her house empty and her family gone after fighting broke out. Everywhere there were gunshots and mortar shells were landing, she said.

Abdi later lived with her uncle, who is also in parliament, and he inspired her further to work toward her goal.

I was ... brought up ... in a country when there was no government, she said. It is necessary for our children to have a government in order to get the basic rights: security, clean water, and quality education.

Abdi has expressed those wishes during emotional speeches to parliament that have spread throughout the country. She often accuses the government of corruption and says this makes it unable to protect the countrys 15 million people. The government denies the accusations.

Canab Hussein is a Mogadishu store owner and mother of six. She told Reuters, Lawmaker Amina is not from my state but I love her.

I learnt (about her) over the radio and on Facebook and YouTube. She is a role model, a smart female politician. She bravely speaks the truth, Hussein said.

The parliamentary elections were set to take place in December but have repeatedly been delayed. The opposition has accused President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed of cheating by putting his allies on an electoral board.

The election delay led to protests in Mogadishu and the opposition has threatened to boycott the upcoming voting.

Winners of the legislative elections will choose Somalias next president. President Mohamed is seeking a second term. That vote is planned for February 8, but it is almost sure to be delayed.

I'm Armen Kassabian.

Abdi Sheikh from Associated Press reported this story. Armen Kassabian adapted it for VOA Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

clan n. a large group of people who are related

prostitute  n. a person who has sex with someone in exchange for money

mortar shells  n. a weapon that shoots explosive bombs far away

inspired  v. having a particular cause or influence
Facing flak over the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is struggling to regain his old image of an able administrator who ended the so-called jungle raj from Bihar after assuming power in November 2005.

After restoring order, the chief minister had proudly proclaimed at the end of his first five-year term in 2010 that his government had been able to instill enough confidence among the common people and it was no longer possible for anybody, howsoever mighty, to go scot-free after breaking the laws of the land.

Also read: 'Arrest Me If You Can': Tejashwi Challenges Nitish Kumar on Bihar Govt's Social Media Ruling

People acknowledged his claim and the NDA - then comprising the Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party - returned to power with 206 out of the total 243 seats in the 2010 state assembly elections. It was recognition of his efforts to create an almost crime-free atmosphere without the recurrence of cases of kidnapping for ransom and serious crime.

After 15 years, checking crime in the state is proving to be a big challenge for Nitish Kumar as mafia and criminals have once again raised their ugly heads. High-profile murders, rapes and ransom demands have been occurring with consistent frequency, giving an opportunity to the opposition to assail the government and seek his resignation.

Despite regular review meetings with senior civil and police officials on the law and order situation, the chief minister is unable to re-establish the rule of the law in the state. The state is currently on the boil over the recent murder of Rupesh Kumar Singh, the station manager of a private airline in Patna.

Also read: Ailing Lalu Yadav Shifted to Delhi AIIMS from Ranchi Hospital After Condition Deteriorates

In defence, the chief minister compares the present crime situation with that of the 15-year rule of Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi before 2005 which witnessed an unprecedented rise in the crime graph. He dismissed the alleged spurt in the crime graph as a "perception created by the opposition" to destabilise his government.

He asserted that Bihar ranked at 23 in the country in terms of crime cases to drive home the point that the situation in Bihar was well under control compared to other states. However, the crime data released by the state police affirms that there were an average of nine killings and four rapes per day in 2020.

The rising crime figures are suggestive of the fact that the process of nailing the outlaws has weakened over the years. In his first term, the chief minister had evolved a system of quick disposal of the Arms Act cases and set up a dedicated cell at the police headquarters.

Many witnesses of the Arms Act cases, who are primarily policemen, were made to depose before the courts. The policemen, who were posted in Jharkhand after 2000, were brought to Bihar to depose as witnesses. This proved very effective in bringing down the number of pending cases under the Arms Act, as scores of accused were convicted or acquitted at the end of their trials.

There was a time when musclemen including politicians used to flaunt their guns through tinted window panes of their SUVs and displayed their might by firing shots in the air through the shamiana (marquee) of wedding ceremonies with their licensed or unlicensed firearms. The speedy trials in the Arms Act had sent across a message that such activities would not be tolerated any more.

In 2006, the government had formulated an action plan to accelerate the process for speedy justice after holding a meeting with the-then chief justice and judges of the Patna High Court besides all the public prosecutors, district magistrates and superintendents of police. It resulted in the conviction of thousands of accused in different cases through speedy trials. Many trials involving high-profile accused were even held in the jail premises.

The governments zero-tolerance policy vis-a-vis crime and expediency of the speedy trials instilled a sense of fear in the minds of the gun-toting brigade, so much so that the brazen display of arms came to a halt and there was a steady decline in crime incidents. The habitual offenders who broke the law with impunity in the past came to realise the governments commitment to rein in crime at any cost.

The government had recruited retired Army personnel on contractual basis to deal with organised crime and extremist violence in the state. But over the years, Army personnel were posted in police stations and speedy trials were disregarded and delayed.

The government had also adopted a policy that fresh arms licenses would not be issued by district authorities without ascertaining the background and urgency of the applicants. However, the system later collapsed especially after Nitish Kumar joined hands with Lalu Prasad in 2015 to form the government. It has been alleged by the opposition leaders that a district magistrate of north-eastern Bihar district had issued nearly 700 arms licences.

One of the major reasons for the spiraling crime graph is involvement of a large number of police personnel in enforcing prohibition, which was imposed in April 2016. A nexus of police and bootleggers thrives in Bihar for the past five years as police stations have become hubs of brokers involved in illegal liquor business.

The escalating crime cases and rampant sale of liquor in the state have given voice to his detractors in the BJP, who have been demanding that Nitish Kumar should relinquish the charge of the home portfolio and hand it over to the saffron party. The BJP MP from Aurangabad, Sushil Kumar Singh, alleged that prohibition has been a failure in the state as police patronise sale of illegal liquor in their respective areas.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav has targeted Nitish by alleging that law and order has vanished under the National Democratic Alliance rule in Bihar. Tejashwi called Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "Maharaja of Maha Jungle Raj" to pin the NDA government in Bihar. Modi had taken potshots at Tejashwi by describing him as "Jungle Raj Ke Yuvaraj" during the high-octane campaigning for the state assembly elections.

The government needs to roll out the juggernaut of speedy justice effectively so that anybody committing a crime in Bihar can not evade the long arms of the law. It is a reality that crime cannot be extirpated completely from society but it can be effectively brought under control through proper policing.

To say the least, the task before Nitish is challenging and he would have to demystify the myth created by the opposition that crime can not be kept on a tight leash now in Bihar. The law-and-order situation needs to be improved to repose peoples faith in governance.

(The author is a senior journalist. Views expressed are personal.)
Crooked politicians like to divide people, because they thrive on division. Even when they try hard to utter "unity," it is as fake as the mainstream media. When they have two propositions in a sentence, you need only to focus on their second one. That's all that matters.

So here we are. President Joe Biden's inaugural address began like a speech from heaven:

"This is a great nation. We are good people."

"So, with purpose and resolve, we turn to those tasks of our time. Sustained by faith. Driven by conviction. And devoted to one another and the country we love with all our hearts."

This is the first of the two propositions. All is good. All is well. All is hopeful and inspiring  until you hammer it with the second proposition, which reveals the true motive: an indictment of a portion of our population while at the same time perpetuating a victimhood mentality of another portion.

Biden then recited what he believes to be the historic crimes of the nation that torment a subset of the American people. Among them are "political extremism," "white supremacy," and "domestic terrorism."

It's always division. It's always a villain-victim framework  class warfare, whether by race or political ideology.

Just like death and taxes, socioeconomic differences are certain. They happen in any society and even within families. God doesn't give each and every person exactly the same amount of endowment. What He gives to each and every person is a brain to think and discern his surrounding world, which can then help him achieve his life goals.

The real problem in America is not racism, but political corruption by the ruling elites from both parties. It's not about economic or racial injustice deliberately designed by a certain racial background to exploit other people of different racial backgrounds. It's true that some portions of the population are still struggling socioeconomically. However, it's due to a combination of various factors, not the least of which is the failure of the most sacred institution in human life: family. Socioeconomic malaise in our society generally stems from the failure of families as a fundamental institution that is supposed to inculcate constructive values and traits in our and future generations.

Politicians and political activists love to muddy the water. As such, they take advantage of the situation by offering a wrong diagnosis and even worse solutions. "Your suffering," they say, "is because of the injustice committed by another group of people." There are villains out there, those who are different from you.

Having preached that wrong diagnosis, they then come up with a cunning solution: to give power to crooked politicians. The result? The problem still exists and may even be getting worse, but the crooked politicians stay in power for decades with lavish lifestyles.

How to overcome these evils  "political extremism," "white supremacy," and "domestic terrorism"?

True to himself as a longtime career politician (47 years in public office, mind you), Biden offered a non-solution solution: "unity is the path."

Quiz: How do you contradict yourself in one sentence or speech? Ask a politician. When you continually for decades disparage a group of people as villains and describe another group as victims, there is no unity in it. It's all about revenge!

Don't take my word for it. Take a look at this article on Thursday (Jan. 21) at the New York Times, amplifying the calls of people who think President Joe Biden's plan for unity needs to include "healing [that] requires holding perpetrators accountable."

"Mr. Biden should not pitch unity to those who oppose shared political power, they say, but should unite the country in defeating those who stand in the way," the author wrote.

And another, which comes from Dr. Jalane Schmidt, an activist and associate professor of religious studies at the University of Virginia who said:

We have a whole major political party that, too large of a section of it, supports undemocratic practices, voter suppression, and the coddling of these conspiracy theories. So healing? Unity? You can't do that with people who don't adhere to basic democratic principles.

Their basic message is the same. Unity is only with their ilk, but it's payback time for others.

It's power and revenge. This is not surprising because the underlying theology of the left and the Democratic Party has been social justice, not true redemption and salvation. The underpinning of that theology is socioeconomic class warfare, which essentially divides rather than unites people from diverse racial, ideological, and socio-economic backgrounds. Politicians, especially the corrupt ones, will thrive under such circumstances. For them, government is an all-encompassing solution, and the state is the only player.

It's no wonder that the left is not a big supporter of Jewish and Christian ideologies, which are rooted in individual empowerment through redemption granted by God and people's genuine connection with others. In this framework, God's grace is an all-encompassing solution upon which all individual liberty and dynamics of human relationship are based. Equipped with God's grace, each individual is a player in this world that can go about his business to pursue and create his own destiny within the confinement of God's commandments. Because the God of the universe is the creator and the giver of life, all lives, not just some, matter. In this case, the currency of life, as Martin Luther King said, is "character," which is inspired by people's relationship with God, not skin color.

Only through this ideological paradigm can we build and promote real unity. Unfortunately, the left's message of unity is all about the former: "us against them," rooted in social justice theology, with race as currency.

Shama Tobin established Republic Report as a conservative counter to the left-leaning Drudge Report. Check out the website at www.dailyrepublicreport.com.

Image: tomaszmichalkania via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
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They've been inseparable ever since they went public with their romance earlier this month.

And Demi Sims and Francesca Farago's relationship seems to be heating up as they got tattoo tributes for each other during a raucous night out in Mexico on Saturday.

The TOWIE star, 24, took to her Instagram Stories to show off her dainty 'F' piece on her wrist, while the Too Hot To Handle personality, 27, debuted her 'Demi' inking, which was placed on her bottom.

Wow! Demi Sims and Francesca Farago's relationship seems to be heating up as they got tattoo tributes for each other during a raucous night out in Mexico on Saturday

In a clip, make-up artist Demi pulled an animated facial expression as she recorded their big step.

'Baby, how you feeling? What you gonna get tattooed on you?', the Essex native asked her new girlfriend, to which Francesca replied: 'Great!'

The Netflix star then pointed at her tiny tattoo, with her partner admitting: 'She wants to go bigger, she's so funny!'

Moments later, Francesca returned to the chair as she enlarged her design, before Demi flashed her tatted wrist.

Wild: The TOWIE star, 24, showed off her dainty 'F' piece on her wrist (L), while the Too Hot To Handle personality, 27, debuted her 'Demi' inking, which was placed on her bottom (R)

Options: The Canadian beauty ensured she picked out the right font for her body art

'Uh oh!' In a clip, make-up artist Demi pulled an animated facial expression as she recorded their big step (pictured right: artist flashed a peace sign)

First draft: 'Baby, how you feeling? What you gonna get tattooed on you?', the Essex native asked her new girlfriend, to which Francesca replied: 'Great!'

Not pleased: The Netflix star then pointed at her tiny tattoo, with her partner admitting: 'She wants to go bigger, she's so funny!'

She's going for it! Moments later, Francesca returned to the chair as she enlarged her design, before Demi flashed her tatted wrist

In their element: The dynamic duo have been flaunting their loved-up status on social media during their sun-soaked 'work' trip

The dynamic duo have been flaunting their loved-up status on social media during their sun-soaked 'work' trip.

After revealing their new status, TV star Demi received a sweet message from her ex-girlfriend Megan Barton Hanson, who she briefly dated in 2019.

Francesca first received attention for her role in the Netflix original series Too Hot to Handle, which premiered last April.

Inspired by an episode of the hit sitcom Seinfeld, the show places 14 contestants together in a Mexican luxury resort, and in order to win $100,000, none of the cast members are allowed to have sex or engage in any other intimate contact.

Cute: Days earlier, the influencer shared the moment the PrettyLittleThing model asked her to be her new girlfriend as she held a surprise date on the beach during their Mexican trip

Amicable: After revealing their new status, TV star Demi received a sweet message from her ex Megan Barton Hanson as she wrote 'cuties' underneath her Instagram post (pictured in 2019)

The Canadian beauty was one of the contestants that made it to the final episode, and forged a close relationship with co-star Harry Jowsey.

The two split up shortly after the show's finale, but reconciled and became engaged during the show's reunion special taped eight months later; Francesca later announced that they broke off the relationship.

Demi has previously dated Leonie McSorley, with them last being seen out together in October, and having confirmed their romance in July.
West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhurys defence of Mamata Bannerjee, over the issue of Jai Shri Ram slogans at Netaji Subhash Chandra Boses birth anniversary event, did come as a bit of a surprise for many who are aware that he is a known Mamata Bannerjee baiter. But it bears political significance and also gives a glimpse into what could be the Congress plan for West Bengal.

Rahul Gandhi did two tours of Tamil Nadu in a short span and the reason is that he wants to send a message to the DMK, that an alliance with them will not be on a begging bowl basis. The Congress wants to contest in over 40 seats, given that the state gave the largest number of MPs to the party during the Lok Sabha polls. The huge crowds that greeted Rahul Gandhi is also the Congress's way of showing to the DMK that it has a presence in the state and that its belief that Congress would be a liability is unfounded.

Also read: PM in Attendance, Mamata Refuses to Speak at Netaji's Birth Anniversary Event After Slogans Raised Against Her

The next tour of Rahul Gandhi is expected soon in Bengal, and heres the plan he is most likely to hit the areas where the BJP is believed to be in the stronghold or from where it has won in the Lok Sabha polls. Even if parts of TMC stronghold are chosen as part of his tour, it is unlikely that he will attack the TMC aggressively.

The logic is simple. The Congress may have formed an alliance with the Left to take on Mamata, but it also knows a defeated TMC would be a huge boost for the BJPs plans for an all India presence. Mamata Bannerjee is one of the strongest netas who has taken on the BJP and the prime minister. Her defeat would mean the Oppositions fight against the BJP gets weaker.

Also read: Mamata from 'Demoness' Culture, Has Faulty DNA: BJP MLA's Slur on CM's Refusal to Speak at Netaji Event

But the Congress is in a dilemma. One, the TMC has weaned away about 20 MLAs of the Congress and this is unacceptable to the cadre. This was also one of the reasons why Chowdhury pushed for an alliance with the Left. To teach a lesson to the TMC.

Also as a national party that wants to fight the rising clout of regional players, Congress cannot be seen as not putting up a fight. But there is no denying that both the TMC and the Congress realise that fighting each other would only end up strengthening the BJP. Entry of players like Owaisi has only made things tougher for the TMC. He is likely to cut into the minority votes of Mamata which have till now been solidly behind her. He could also threaten Chowdhurys minority vote bank in Murshidabad, which is his stronghold. Hence the need to  stick together without making it look so. Just recently Sougato Roy of the TMC had thrown a googly at the Congress by asking it to join hands to keep the BJP away. Chowdhury on behalf of his party had rejected it, instead asking it to merge with the Congress.

But behind this, what seemed like an off-the-cuff remark, is a plan and idea brewing. That BJP is the bigger enemy.

A Disney World ticket booker helped a Pennsylvania woman escape domestic violence, police say.

The Northern York County Regional Police Department in Pennsylvania said the booker could hear the woman who had called yelling, get off me and get away from me, NBC Orlando affiliate WESH reported.

The booker asked the woman if she was calling because she needed a trip, and she replied that she wasnt. When the booker asked the woman if she needed help, the woman replied that she did, according to WESH.

Northern York County police, who could not be immediately be reached Sunday, arrived to her home on January 9.

The woman told police that she was arguing with boyfriend, Wayne Shiflett, about his employment status.

WESH reports the woman said Shiflett, 38, choked her and she feared for her life.

Records show Shiflett, who was charged with strangulation, terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another and simple assault, remained in York County Jail on Sunday. It was not immediately clear whether he had representation.

Law enforcement authorities and experts have warned against trying to reach 911 through a third party or coded language like the pizza order, saying some people might be misinterpreted. Some departments now offer the ability to text 911 for those who find themselves in a situation where they are fearful of making a call.

Revise.ie is going the extra mile to support school goers during the Covid-19 pandemic, now catering for both primary and secondary school students.

A leading company in the education and ed tech space, Revise.ie recognised that students needed support as secondary schools were not prepared for online learning when the first lockdown commenced last March.

Revise.ie decided to provide free classes to all students until the end of the last school year. The response was phenomenal, with almost 20,000 students availing of the classes.

Delivering live classes to so many students has given Revise.ie the expertise to constantly deliver to students the online content it wants.

Revise.ie founder and owner Carl Lynch said: "We use a platform called Zoho because it is by far the best to allow interaction between students and teachers. This is core to what we do. We know it works as students give us feedback at the end of each class, which has made a world of difference."

Due to huge demand, Revise.ie has now started catering for children in primary school.

After consulting with parents, Revise.ie has put together a schedule whereby pupils attend Maths on Mondays and Irish every Thursday. Classes, which are for fifth and sixth class pupils, take place at 4pm and last for 45 minutes.

These sessions are planned out to make the transition from national school to first year in secondary as easy as possible. It is important to Revise.ie that students enjoy the sessions, whilst still benefiting a lot from each class.

More information is available on Revise.ie.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 21:00:08|Editor: huaxia

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ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths announced on Sunday the launching of a new round of consultations on exchanging war prisoners between Yemen's two warring rivals.

According to a press statement released by the envoy's office, the fifth meeting of the Supervisory Committee on the Implementation of the Prisoners and Detainees Exchange Agreement between Yemen's government and the Houthi group has started in Jordan under the auspices of the United Nations.

Griffiths urged the delegations of the two warring sides "to prioritize in their discussions the immediate and unconditional release of all sick, wounded, elderly and children detainees as well as all arbitrarily detained civilians, including women."

He also urged the parties "to discuss and agree on names beyond the Amman meeting lists to fulfill their Stockholm commitment of releasing all conflict-related detainees as soon as possible."

The UN envoy expressed his gratitude to Jordan for hosting the meeting.

The committee brings together the parties to the conflict in Yemen and is co-chaired by the Office of the Special Envoy for Yemen and the International Committee of the Red Cross, according to the envoy's statement.

The delegations representing the two warring rivals will discuss the release of additional numbers of prisoners and detainees after releasing 1,065 prisoners and detainees in October last year, according to a local government official in Yemen.

The official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that "this round will be specified to discuss implementing the second part of Amman's deal signed between the two warring rivals on Feb. 16 of the last year."

The second part of the Amman's deal considers releasing nearly 300 prisoners from both sides including high-ranking government officials who are still seized by the Houthis in the country's capital Sanaa, he said.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014, when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized control of several northern provinces and forced the internationally-recognized government of Hadi out of Sanaa. Enditem
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Scientists at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are speaking with UK health officials to learn more about British data that suggests a new coronavirus variant could be more deadly.

'The CDC has reached out to UK officials and is reviewing their new mortality data associated with variant B.1.1.7,' a CDC official told CNN Saturday, using the scientific name for the variant first spotted in the UK in November.

A UK report released Friday states there is 'a realistic possibility' that the new variant has a higher death rate than other variants.

While the data is not conclusive, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said 'there is some evidence that the new variant ... may be associated with a higher degree of mortality.'

Variant found in 22 US states

CDC modeling shows this new variant, which has been shown to spread especially quickly, could become the predominant variant in the United States by March.

Only 195 cases of the new variant have been spotted in the US so far, according to the CDC, but public health officials believe many more cases are going undetected. Cases have been found in 22 states, the CDC says, with California and Florida detecting an especially high number.

So far, studies suggest that the current vaccines will protect against the new variant, and that wearing masks, social distancing and hand hygiene are key to controlling spread of the virus.

Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist and member of President Joe Biden's coronavirus transition team, said he has reviewed the UK report, as well as other data that has not been publicly released, and he is 'convinced' that the new variant is deadlier.

'The data is mounting -- and some of it I can't share -- that clearly supports that B.1.1.7 is causing more severe illness and increased death,' said Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. 'Already we know this variant has increased transmission, and so this is more very bad news.'

A CDC adviser said it would be ideal if US doctors could check and see how patients with the new variant fare compared to patients infected with other variants.

But Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said this could be difficult because genomic sequencing -- the lab work necessary to detect new strains -- is not very robust in the United States.

'Our current ability to determine whether your particular patient has this new strain is very limited, and so this really reinforces the notion that other countries have much more capacity to do this than we do,' said Schaffner, a member of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

The UK has one of the strongest genomic sequencing programs in the world. Their report gives details of several studies that compare the severity of the new variant with previous ones.

The UK's chief science adviser, Patrick Vallance, cited the mortality data, adding that the evidence is not yet strong and the data remain uncertain.

'If you took ... a man in their 60s, the average risk is that for 1,000 people who got infected, roughly 10 would be expected to unfortunately die with the virus. With the new variant, for 1,000 people infected, roughly 13 or 14 people might be expected to die,' he said Friday.

'That's the sort of change for that sort of age group, an increase from 10 to 13 or 14 out of 1,000 and you will see that across the different age groups as well, a similar sort of relative increase in the risk,' he added.

Analyses cited in the UK report include those done by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Imperial College London, the University of Exeter and Public Health England.
Harrisburg-area Congressman Scott Perry finds himself at the center of the latest revelation about former President Donald J. Trumps refusal to accept President Joseph R. Biden Jr.s electoral victory last fall, and Trumps seemingly unending schemes to try to undo it.

Perry was identified in a New York Times report Saturday evening as the person who introduced Trump to a senior U.S. Department of Justice attorney who was open to Trumps unproven claims of election fraud and, according to the Times reporting, might have been interested in providing a route around more senior leaders who had steadfastly rejected them.

In an earlier report on Friday, the Times described the scheme revolving around attorney Jeffrey Clark, in which Trump had apparently discussed firing Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen in the dying days of his administration, replacing him with Clark, and seeing if that could give new juice to block Bidens win at the state or federal levels.

Biden was sworn into office on Jan. 20.

Clark, at the time the alleged plot was coming together, was the Acting Assistant Attorney General of Justices Civil Division. The Times also has reported that he is claiming that some aspects of the Times reports on the situation - based on interviews with four other DOJ officials  are incorrect.

Clark also told The Times he could not discuss any conversations with Mr. Trump or Justice Department lawyers because of the strictures of legal privilege... Senior Justice Department lawyers, not uncommonly, provide legal advice to the White House as part of our duties, he said. All my official communications were consistent with the law.

Perry, a conservative Republican from northern York County who was just re-elected to his fifth term in the House of Representatives, did not reply to text or telephone messages left by PennLive on Saturday, first left in an effort to determine if he might have been the unnamed Pennsylvania politician that the Times identified as the conduit between Clark and Trump in its initial report.

As a result, it was not clear Saturday night what Perrys role was in the ongoing Trump-Clark conversations, if any, beyond first introducing Clark to the president as someone who, as the Times reported, agreed that fraud had affected the election results.

The Times, in its report, also said that it could not get any responses from Perry.

In emailed responses to a PennLive question about whether he accepted Bidens election last week, Perry said he did, though he still had fundamental problems with the way the election had been administered in Pennsylvania.

In fact, he was the leader of the floor fight to get Pennsylvanias 20 electoral college votes invalidated in the House earlier this month, in the hours after the police and National Guard members had reclaimed the U.S. Capitol from pro-Trump mobs who had violently stormed the building during Congresss session on Jan. 6.

Heres Perrys emailed response to PennLive from Jan. 15 about whether he had any doubts about the validity of Bidens win in Pennsylvania.

Whether you identify as Republican, Democrat, Independent or other, American voters need to trust that their vote counted, and equally trust that no illegal vote nullified their voice. This is not  nor has it ever been  about one person or achieving a certain outcome. It is a mission to ensure the preservation of the very heart of our Republic  a free and fair election.

There continue to be unresolved issues that will be vetted over the next few weeks by the Pennsylvania House and the courts. In the end, what we should all hope for is that all Pennsylvanians are able to look one another in the eye and know without a shadow of doubt that their elections are secure and their voices equally heard.

While our objection as prescribed by the Constitution ultimately failed, the constitutional concerns of my constituents were recognized by the Speaker and aired before our Nation in accordance with the sacrosanct process intended by our Founders and codified by the Constitution. Congress upheld its duty, and Joe Biden was certified as President-Elect of the 2020 election.

I accept the results, and have always respected the Office of the President of the United States  regardless of who sits in it. I fully intend, however, to continue to work with my colleagues at the state and federal levels to strengthen election integrity to ensure that these constitutional abuses never happen again. We simply must have  and restore faith and trust in our electoral system. The future of our Republic, and the millions of Americans who have fought and sacrificed for it, deserve nothing less.

In the end, the effort to replace Rosen with Clark was dropped. The Times account said that happened because virtually the entire rank of top managers at the Department of Justice had learned of the effort and indicated they would resign en masse, and Trump eventually worried that that mass exodus would only further undercut his diminishing efforts to stay in office.

For a lawmaker whose willingness to shoot from the hip has regularly left him exposed to ridicule by critics and left even some supporters cringing, the latest episode might put Perry on the national radar to the greatest extent yet.

Next month, Trump is set to stand trial in the U.S. Senate on articles of impeachment that blame him for inciting the violence at the Capitol this month. And the plot to execute an 11th-hour Department of Justice change-out  which seemed particularly focused on attacking Bidens electoral win in Georgia  could add to the argument that Trump was willing to anything to cling to office.

One rising state Democrat was already calling on Perry to resign his office Saturday night: Scott Perry, this is not your first time being a national embarrassment but make it your last  resign, said Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Philadelphia.

And Attorney General Josh Shapiro fired off a Tweet calling for consequences for Perrys actions.

Representative Perry ought to familiarize himself with Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of our Constitution.



There must be consequences for this conduct.https://t.co/09boH490Pv  Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) January 24, 2021

Top Republicans who spoke with PennLive earlier Saturday, and were not aware of Perrys involvement in the DOJ scheme, said Trumps fascination with overturning Georgias results appeared to come from the fact that loss caught his campaign the most by surprise, and it was the closest of the swing states.

The Trump campaign appeared to have hoped, they added, that if they could get Georgia blocked, other states might follow suit until Bidens electoral college majority was undone.

The Times story on Saturday evening that identified the Pennsylvania politician as Perry wrote about he and Clark in the context that their involvement showed how Trump, in his last weeks, was increasingly willing to give audiences to lower-level officials when their superiors or elected leadership werent telling him what he wanted to hear.

It was not clear how or when Perry met Clark, a Philadelphia native but someone who had spent the vast majority of his professional career working out of Washington D.C., either in private practice or at the Department of Justice.

Telephone messages left by PennLive at Clarks residence in Fairfax County, Virginia, through the day Saturday also went unanswered.

More than 1,500 cumulative hours of work over the past 4 1/2 months by the 19 members of the Michigan Dam Safety Task Force will be discussed in a virtual public meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

During the meeting, members of the public will have a period of 80 minutes to comment on the task force's 10-plus pages of 86 draft recommendations for changes to Michigan's Dam Safety Program. The task force will then have its eighth and final scheduled meeting on Feb. 3 before the recommendations are presented to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The draft recommendations can be read online at this link: https://bit.ly/39YpPun

The link to join Wednesday's meeting by Zoom is https://bit.ly/3iGaQsY

The meeting can also be accessed by phone at 646-558-8656. The webinar ID is 953 6129 8105 and the passcode is 960666.

"The purpose (of Wednesday's meeting) is to hear what people have to say," Evan Pratt, chair of the task force and Washtenaw County water resources commissioner, told the Daily News on Saturday. "Have we covered the bases well enough? Will somebody bring up something that we hadn't covered?"

Following the failure of the Edenville Dam and, consequently, the Sanford Dam last May after heavy rainfall, which led to devastating flooding in Midland, Gladwin and Saginaw counties, the task force was formed in early September. It was charged with providing "recommendations on policy, budget, legislative and enforcement reforms to prevent future dam failures across the state," according to a September news release from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, which administers the Dam Safety Program.

The historic rain event which led to the dam failure and catastrophic 500-year flooding event in mid-Michigan illuminated the consequences of inadequate investing in infrastructure," EGLE Director Liesl Clark said in the September release. "It also points to potential improvements that should be made in policies, procedures, funding and regulations. The Task Force will analyze those areas and others and we are eager to see their recommendations.

The task force includes Clark along with Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Eichinger, Department of Transportation Director Paul Ajegba and Public Service Commission Director Dan Scripps.

The group also includes representatives of Consumers Energy and Michigan Trout Unlimited and other private, municipal and university officials with expertise in resource management, such as Pratt, who's been in his current position for eight years and was a municipal engineering consultant for 25 years before that.

"(The task force) sure had a broad spectrum of people," Pratt said. "So, no problem came up where someone wasn't experienced in that area. We weren't lacking for conversation on any of the topics."

The 86 recommendations are divided into five subheadings: "Address the risk of failure," "Address financing for and attention to dam maintenance, repair, and removal," "Address adequate authority and resources for the state Dam Safety Program," "Address emergency preparedness in case of failure," and "Address public awareness."

Two recommendations under the third subheading appear to be in response to the situation of the Edenville Dam at the time that it failed. They read as follows:

"30. Provide the ability to initiate an emergency order to draw down dangerous dams (Part 307). Allow for an emergency order by the dam operator or EGLE to allow variance from a court-ordered lake level, in effect until the safety risk stated in the order is addressed (or remediated or ameliorated)."

"31. Provide the ability to initiate an emergency order to draw down an impoundment that has a court-ordered lake level as needed to preempt or otherwise mitigate flooding, heavy flows, or other causes of existing or anticipated high water. Allow for an emergency order by the dam operator to be declared and in effect for up to 14 days to allow variance from a court-ordered lake level."

Early in the process of the task force's work, the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) presented an evaluation of Michigan's Dam Safety Program to the task force.

"That was definitely the foundation (for a lot of our discussions)," Pratt said of the ASDSO's evaluation, noting that the ASDSO's peer review teams always include a dam safety consultant, a dam owner, and someone who has been the director of a state's dam safety program.

One entity which has a lot of interest in the task force's recommendations is the Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF), which recently acquired from Boyce Hydro four dams along the Tittabawassee River: the Edenville, Sanford, Secord and Smallwood dams.

The Daily News sought comment from FLTF chair Dave Kepler about the recommendations, but was told by Trapani Communications, which represents FLTF, that Kepler would not be commenting at this time but plans to give public comment on the recommendations during Wednesday's meeting.
Reporter

Ben Zigterman is a reporter covering business at The News-Gazette. His email is bzigterman@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@bzigterman).
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A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abdullahi Ibrahim, died of COVID-19, on Sunday.

Mr Ibrahim, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who served as Minister of Transport and Aviation in the military regime of Muhammadu Buhari, was said to have died in an isolation centre in Abuja on Sunday.

A former top government official, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter ahead of the family, broke the news to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday.

Mr Ibrahims Wikipedia page was also updated on Sunday to reflect his demise.

Mr Ibrahim, from Kogi State, served as the AGF of the military regime of Abdusalami Abubakar, an army general, that handed over to the civilian administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999.

Prior to his appointment as the AGF, Mr Ibrahim served as the Minister of Education, Science and Technology.

Mr Ibrahim is the latest among former and serving top government personalities who lost their lives to COVID-19.

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Credit Scott Adams with the best conservative strategy since Reagan's "We win. They lose" plan against the USSR. A couple of weeks ago on a Periscope broadcast, he introduced his "Aggressive Compliance with the Rules" plan. Under this strategy, Republicans would have to demand that Democrats play by the Democrats' rules.

Adams suggests that this be applied in the case of impeachment. He argues that the Democrats' case against Trump should be made against them. Democrats argue that he incited people to violence in his January 6 speech, as stated in the articles against him:

Shortly before the Joint Session commenced, President Trump, addressed a crowd at the Ellipse in Washington, DC. There, he reiterated false claims that "we won this election, and we won it by a landslide". He also willfully made statements that, in context, encouraged  and foreseeably resulted in  lawless action at the Capitol, such as: "if you don't fight like hell you're not going to have a country anymore". 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.

Adams says the equivalent of 'Fine. If that's the standard to remove Trump from office, it must also be the standard for removing members of Congress as well.' (Not a direct quotation.)

We all know that speaker Pelosi, along with Representative Waters and a host of others, has said far worse. So articles of impeachment must immediately be filed against each of them and any other Democrat who's said likewise. Adams makes the point that highlighting the Democrats' hypocrisy  the traditional tried and failed GOP strategy  needs to be thrown onto the ash heap. For far too long we've complained, we've talked, we've followed conservative media, we've written essays  hell, we've even voted Republican. Now is the time for action.

It's time for conservatives to contact Leader McCarthy and their nearest GOP member of Congress and demand that they file articles of impeachment against Pelosi and Waters ASAP. Democrats must be held to the same standards they wish to apply to Republicans. The time for talking is over. Only by applying what Adams called "aggressive compliance with the rules" will we have any hope of success.

And the impeachment issue is just the first one.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Egypts Ministry of Health started on Sunday the process of coronavirus vaccination of medical teams across the country, beginning with staff at Abu Khalifa hospital in Ismailia governorate.

Egypt is using Chinas Sinopharma coronavirus vaccine in this phase of inoculation.

Minister of Health Hala Zayed attended the event at Abu Khalifa hospital, which has served as Egypt's first coronavirus isolation hospital after the outbreak of the pandemic last February.

According to the health ministry, the coronavirus vaccination priority list starts with the medical teams at the isolation, fever, chest and screening hospitals; followed by kidney failure and cancer patients; then the elderly.

The total of medical teams targeted to be vaccinated in chest, fever hospitals is 207,000 people, including doctors, nurses, administrators, and workers.

Meanwhile, the target for vaccination in chest hospitals is 10,000 individuals, while the target in the fever hospitals is 14,000, and 13,000 in isolation hospitals.

The target in screening hospitals is 170,000 individuals.

The health ministry has already prepared, in coordination with the interior and local development ministers, 34 centres for the delivery of vaccines to citizens.

Last week, Minister Zayed inaugurated the National Complex for Vaccines and Serums, which aims to provide safe storage for vaccines according to international standards.

The first batch of Sinopharms vaccine - 50,000 dozes - reached Egypt in late December and received health ministry approval in early January.

The Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and the Management of Medical Technology (UPA) announced on Saturday it has signed a deal with the R-Pharma and Serum Institute to purchase 20 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.



Egypt is also in talks for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

Egypt has also separately contacted the vaccine alliance GAVI to secure 40 million doses of one of the coronavirus vaccines for 20 million citizens. The first batch of the GAVI vaccine will arrive sometime in the first quarter of 2021, while the other batches will be arrive later throughout the year.



Egypt entered the second wave of the pandemic in the last week of December, recording double the number of infections daily compared to previous months.



However, the country has seen a drop in cases in the last two weeks, reporting under 1,000 cases in daily infections.

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An age discrimination lawsuit filed by a former Montgomery Hyundai plant employee can go to trial, after a federal judge last week said the companys legal logic reminded him of the hapless Wile E. Coyote of Road Runner cartoon fame.

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ruled in favor of James Michael Keller, who was let go from his job at Hyundai after 14 years in the stamping shop during a 2018 downsizing move. Keller, who was 50 at the time, claims that his age was a factor.

Keller seeks reinstatement on the job, plus double the amount of his back pay, along with court costs.

Hyundais senior management responded in depositions that Keller was fired because he did not tamp down union sentiments among employees. Keller eventually claimed the company also broke state law when it dismissed him for keeping his employees from attempting to unionize.

A high number of employees under Kellers supervision wore gold shirts, which symbolized support for a union drive. According to testimony, this was noticed at the highest echelons of the companys leadership. The company interpreted this as employees having low morale, as they felt they needed representation to have their concerns addressed, Thompson noted.

Hyundai asked for summary judgment, saying he couldnt have been fired for both reasons. Thompson dismissed this argument, writing on Jan. 19 that it crashes, Wile E. Coyote-esque, into veritable mountains of contrary precedent. However, he added that Keller has little remedy under state law if he was fired for not properly containing pro-union sentiments among employees.

As to the age claims, Thompson wrote that he was skeptical that age was not a casual factor in some of the companys decisions.
London, Jan 24 : The Italian Data Protection Authority has directed Chinese short-video making app TikTok to block unverified users in Italy until at least February 15.

The Italian watchdog began an investigation into the accidental death of a 10-year-old girl who allegedly took part in a "blackout challenge" on TikTok, reports The Guardian.

The child died of asphyxiation, and authorities were investigating whether anyone invited her to try the challenge.

"The safety of the TikTok community is our absolute priority, for this motive we do not allow any content that encourages, promotes or glorifies behaviour that could be dangerous," a TikTok spokesperson said in a statement on Saturday.

According to TikTok's terms of service, users must be at least 13 years old.

However, according to the Italian authorities, it is easy to get around that rule.

TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, said it had not found any proof that could have encouraged the girl to participate in any such challenge.

The girl's parents told La Repubblica newspaper that another daughter explained that her sister "was playing the blackout game".

"We didn't know anything," the girl's father told the paper.

Italy's data protection agency filed a lawsuit against TikTok in December, alleging a "lack of attention to the protection of minors." The Italian watchdog said that by February 15, TikTok would have to meet the regulator's demands.
https://www.aish.com/jw/s/My-Grandfather-Survived-the-Killing-Fields-of-Ukraine.html

Yankel Wiesenfeld miraculously emerged from the Ukrainian hell with his life and faith intact.

In August 1941, Hitler granted a huge swath of conquered Ukrainian land to his close ally, Romanian dictator and raging anti-Semite, Ion Antonescu. The purpose of this little-known region was to serve as a dumping and killing ground for Romanias Jewish population.

The area encompassed 16,000 square miles of freezing Ukrainian countryside bordered by the River Bug to the north and the River Dniester to the south. To access this vast land from Romania required crossing the Dniester, from where the area drew its name; Transnistria, meaning, across the Dniester.

Hundreds of thousands of Romanian Jews were forced to board barges to cross the river to their deaths. Transnistria was dotted with dozens of ghettos, labor camps, and death camps bearing names like Golta, Sarsgorod, and Mogilev-Podolsk. These camps were unlike the efficient death factories in Germany and Poland; the Romanians had none of the Germans organizational acumen. Jewish prisoners were not issued numbers or uniforms, and neither gas chambers nor crematoriums were erected.

Jews gathered on the west bank of the Dniester River before their deportation to Transnistria on the east bank of the river, June 10, 1942 (Yad Vashem)

The Romanian approach to the final solution was to force death through cold, starvation, exposure, disease, and murder. Often, prisoners were not provided with any food or shelter whatsoever. Starvation was rampant and rape was a fact of life. With no way to replace rotted clothing, many prisoners were naked. Typhoid epidemics, freezing temperatures, forced marches, and firing squads ravaged the deported and local population.

My grandfather, Yankel Wiesenfeld, was deported to Transnistria in 1942, one month shy of his 19th birthday. He was born and raised in the Jewish Quarter of Czernowitz, a thriving town with a large Jewish community. Czernowitz was the principal city of Bukovina, a disputed territory wrested from the Romanians by the Soviet Union, only to be returned to Romanian control by the advancing Wehrmacht, the German army. The Gestapo promptly assumed control of Czernowitz, established a Jewish ghetto, and mandated that all Jews sew a yellow star to their clothing.

The Mayor of Czernowitz, Traian Popovici, was a rarity among Romanians: he was not a rabid Jew-hater. Popovici strove to shield the Jews of his town from deportation, but only succeeded in securing a small number of exemption permits for skilled tradesmen. Yankel, his parents, and his brothers, lacking the requisite wealth or connections, were not among the lucky few granted a Popovici permit. They were herded to the train station and crammed onto filthy railcars bound for Transnistria.

Yankel, in Italy, circa 1947

As Yankel watched his family and friends, one by one, succumb to Transnistria, he lost all hope of survival. Of the roughly 130,000 Jews from Czernowitz that were deported across the Dniester, only 10,000 made it out alive. Yankel himself did not understand why or how he was one of the lucky few. The fact that he emerged from the Ukrainian hell with not only his life but also his faith intact defies rational explanation.

On one occasion, Yankel and two companions managed to slip the guards to roam the countryside in search of food. They soon heard the terrifying sound of Romanian soldiers and their dogs hot on the trail. Amid a heavy snowfall, Yankel and his companions scaled a tree and hid among the branches. Their hunters, knowing that the starving fugitives were nearby, dropped potatoes in the snow, betting that the young men lacked the strength to withstand the temptation. They almost succeeded in luring Yankel to the ground  his companions had to forcibly hold him back.

Towards the end of the war in Ukraine, when liberation was imminent, the Romanian guards forced all the Jews in Yankels labor camp to dig a mass grave. The prisoners were lined up and shot at point-blank range, Yankel among them. When the Soviets arrived to liberate the region, Yankels comatose frame was hauled from the jumble of bodies by a local Jew living nearby under false papers.

The author with his grandfather

The Soviets gave Yankel two months to recuperate and then sent him to the front to fight. After the war, Yankel made his way to the displaced persons camps of Italy, where he remained for two years. Failing to obtain entry to Israel, he was granted permission to emigrate to the United States. Yankel was processed at Ellis Island in 1948 at the age of 25, penniless and alone. Nevertheless, he succeeded in building a life and raising a family in the Jewish traditions of his youth.

Annie and Yankel on their wedding day

Yankel borrowed a few hundred dollars, bought a pushcart, and went to work as a ragman on New York Citys Lower East Side. He worked tirelessly and was scrupulously honest, and eventually upgraded his pushcart to a station wagon, and then his station wagon to a shop. Ultimately, he bought the building where the shop was located. Yankels honesty was such that the IRS once audited his business and ended up writing him a check for $20,000.

Yankel began to do business with a Dutch Jew named Gustav van Dam, a veteran of the War who had been captured and tortured by the Japanese. Gustav introduced Yankel to his daughter, Annie, who herself had spent the war in a Japanese-run internment camp in Indonesia. Yankel and Annie soon married and moved into the top floor of a two-family home in Boro Park. Annies parents moved in downstairs.

Tragically, Annie contracted a brain tumor soon after the birth of her third child. After a decade-long battle with the disease, Annie passed away. Yankel never remarried.

Yankel passed away in 2007 when I was 18. I remember him as exceedingly private and withdrawn. Clearly haunted by his experiences in the Holocaust, he generally kept his memories to himself. In early 2016, while discussing the Holocaust with my sister, it occurred to me that we are the last generation to know survivors personally. In a sense, the Holocaust dies with us. I resolved to commit my grandfathers story to paper for posterity.

My grandfather rarely spoke about his wartime experiences, so it fell to me to track down old friends and relatives, documents and records, and books and videos in a multi-year effort to reconstruct my grandfathers story. I hope The Man Across the River honors his memory and the memories of all those who perished in the Ukrainian killing fields.

The Man Across the River is available for order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has launched a state-of-the-art bus terminus project named after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at his birthplace Cuttack. Patnaik laid the foundation stone of the Rs 65 crore Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal (CNBT) at Khannagar on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of the great freedom fighter Saturday.

Netaji was born on January 23, 1897 at his ancestral house Janakinath Bhawan, named after his father Janakinath Bose, in Oriya Bazar area of the Cuttack city. He spent his early childhood in Cuttack.

The ancestral house has been converted into a museum called the "Netaji Birthplace Museum" by the Odisha government and memorabilia associated with the great freedom fighter are being showcased through galleries. A large gate with green sculptures of Netaji leading his Indian National Army (INA) stands at the approach road to the museum.

The museum contains rare photographs of Netaji, letters that he wrote to his family members during his stay in various jails and Netaji's INA uniform. There is a study room that contains the table and chair of Netaji and book shelves,while in another gallery on his prison life, letters written by him from the prison have been exhibited.

Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited the birthplace of Netaji Saturday and paid his tributes to the freedom fighters. Giving detail of the new project, the chief minister said the CNBT will be of international standard.

" with the laying of foundation stone for the Netaji Bus Terminus, the year-long celebration of the 125th anniversary of Netaji has begun," said Patnaik. The proposed bus terminal will be developed on 12 acre land in the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) limit at a cost of Rs 65 crore. The terminal will have motifs and paintings on Netaji's life and his sacrifice for the country.

A three storeyed terminal building, regular bus bays to accommodate 180 buses at a time, space for local and 'Mo Bus' (my bus) service, bus repair workshop and special parking lot for four-wheelers and three-wheelers, will be some of the features of the CNBT, Patnaik said. The terminal will have all amenities like ticket counters, restroom, cloakroom, food court and e-vehicle charging station, rooftop rain water harvesting and solar panels.

It will also have an integrated information management system for the benefit of passengers.

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Former President Donald Trumps upcoming Senate impeachment trial poses a security concern that federal law enforcement officials told lawmakers last week requires as many as 5,000 National Guard troops to remain in Washington through mid-March, according to four people familiar with the matter.

The contingency force will help protect the Capitol from what was described as impeachment security concerns, including the possibility of mass demonstrations coinciding with the Senates trial, which is slated to begin the week of Feb. 8.

Despite the threat, the citizen soldiers on the ground say they have been given little information about the extension and wonder why they are being forced to endure combat-like conditions in the nations capital without a clear mission.

Quite frankly this is not a combat zone, so combat conditions shouldnt apply, said one Guard member on the ground in D.C. who has deployed twice to Afghanistan.

Several National Guard units have seen their deployments extended involuntarily, though a majority of Guardsmen remaining in Washington will do so on a volunteer basis. Around 7,000 troops will continue to provide riot security through the beginning of February, with that number decreasing slightly to 5,000 by the time Trumps impeachment trial begins.

We are not going to allow any surprises again, said one Guard member, referring to the widespread lack of preparedness for the insurrection on Jan. 6.

There is also some concern over potential unrest surrounding March 4, the date some QAnon conspiracy theorists believe Trump will be inaugurated for the second time.

A Capitol Police spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

National Guard troops were deployed to the capital city in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol, when supporters of Trump stormed the building while Congress was certifying President Joe Bidens Electoral College victory. The House impeached Trump a week later, charging him with willful incitement of insurrection.

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By Inauguration Day, around 25,000 troops were in Washington, where unprecedented security measures were put into place to prevent similar attacks.

Now, thousands of Guard members will remain in Washington far longer than they initially expected when they packed their suitcases for what they believed to be a short-term mission on Jan. 6. The rank-and-file have so far been given no official justifications, threat reports or any explanation for the extended mission, said two Guard members  nor have they seen any violence thus far.

There is no defined situation, or mission statement.  This is very unusual for any military mission, said one member, who has deployed twice to Afghanistan. We are usually given a situation, with defined mission perimeters, and at least a tentative plan on how to execute those objectives.

Some dont even know how long theyll be here, said another Guard member.

A fourth Guard member confirmed that the troops had not been told of any specific threat, rather that federal authorities were concerned about the potential for continued unrest. Far-right militias remain the biggest cause for concern, he said.

Morale is low among the troops, who described having to stand guard for hours at a time in full gear with limited access to food and water, waiting for hours to be transported to and from their hotels, and very little sleep. Many are washing socks and cold-weather undergarments in hotel bathroom sinks because they do not have access to laundry facilities.

Some have been forced to purchase their own food out of pocket to supplement the sparse meals they have been provided, which do not provide enough calories to sustain the long days. Even meals ready to eat are hard to come by due to logistical and transportation issues.

Even if they do arrive all on time, the calories are just not there for the amount of work we put in and time we're spending on our feet, in the cold, in full gear, one Guard member said.

The vast majority of Guard members are not full-time soldiers and also hold civilian jobs. Many are law enforcement officers, firefighters and small business employees with families struggling to juggle bills and child care during the pandemic. For many, the D.C. deployment means losing weeks of higher pay in their civilian jobs.

One of the Guard members, who has deployed to the Middle East, described extremely austere conditions and compared the D.C. mission to invasion operations.

We essentially invaded and occupied a city, the person said. It was certainly an experience I didnt think Id have in an American city, much less the capital.

Trump has not commented publicly since leaving office four days ago, but he has been assembling his defense team for the upcoming trial. If the former president urges his supporters to protest on his behalf, it could seriously strain law enforcement resources. Already, officials have set up a perimeter around the Capitol using 10-foot barricades with razor wire.

The renewed security concerns come amid intensifying tensions between Capitol Police and the National Guard. Last week, Capitol Police officials forced troops to vacate congressional office buildings, where they were taking rest breaks during their shifts that often last 12 or 14 hours. POLITICO first reported that approximately 5,000 troops were packed into a parking garage on the Senate side of the Capitol, with temperatures dropping as the sun went down.

The move prompted outrage from lawmakers from both parties, many of whom intervened with Capitol Police officials. The Guardsmen were eventually allowed back inside.

Moreover, the National Guard has struggled to contain Covid-19, with no clear testing regime and some troops being forced to break their quarantines. At least 200 Guardsmen have tested positive for Covid-19, and several hundred additional troops are in quarantine due to exposure.

The compounding troubles for the National Guard have caused lawmakers to step in to mediate the myriad disputes within the federal bureaucracy. Members of both parties had already been calling for investigations of the security failures on Jan. 6, when pro-Trump rioters overran officers from the Capitol and D.C. police departments.


Martha Turner Sothebys International Realty Realtor Linda Plant is in a country state of mind and enjoys helping her clients reach that goal.

Plant, who works primarily in Fayette, Washington, Austin and Colorado counties between Houston and Austin, specializes in country properties, whether its a 400-acre ranch or a 10-acre farm. She also offers residential properties throughout Brenham, Round Top, La Grange, Bellville and other small towns.

I am passionate about the country lifestyle and love driving down beautiful back roads to see country property big or small and the charming small towns in this area. This past year has shown Houstonians that they can work from anywhere. Why not have a place with plenty of room for kids to play and be outdoors with plenty of room for social distancing? she said.

Plant, who formerly lived in West University with her husband, purchased their country property in Round Top in 2003 and moved there full time in 2015.

After retiring from the energy industry as an international crude oil trader in 2015, Plant then became a Realtor, where she was able to utilize her negotiating, analytical and organizational skills.

I wanted to do something totally different and have always loved farm and ranch real estate, Plant said. I have always valued and nurtured my relationships with my clients and that carries over to Real Estate. It makes me truly happy to see my clients either find the property that best fits them or sell their property for the best price.

Plant has been honored by MTSIR as a Top Producer and recognized in the Circle of Excellence.

Her goal is aid clients find their perfect place. She is known for her extraordinary communication ability, problem solving, honesty and strong ethics.

I know it sounds cliche, but I do want my clients to be happy and go above and beyond to make that happen. I am positive glass is half full person, hard worker, honest, problem solver and love what I do, she said.

Plant also cares about her Round Top community and is immersed in numerous organizations including serving as on the board as president of Friends of Winedale. She also supports the Winedale Historical Complex, a division of the University of Texas Briscoe Center for American history and is involved in the Round Top Library and Friends of Highway 237.
STAFFORD  A Stafford man faces charges in connection with a road rage incident, according to a post from state police.

Steven Brett Kellner, 31, has been charged with operating a motor vehicle under suspension, unlawfully possessing a weapon in a motor vehicle and second-degree breach of peace, a state police document read.

Officials arrested Kellner Wednesday after someone told police about an active disturbance on West Street, according to the document.

Upon arrival, Officers determined that the above listed individual was in violation of the listed charges, the document read. As a result the above listed individual was taken into custody and transported to Troop C.

Officials set a non-surety bond for $2,500 and let Kellner go. He is due to appear in court March 31, according to the document.
Patna, Jan 24 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday wished opposition RJD supremo Lalu Prasad a speedy recovery after the latter's health deteriorated and he was shifted to New Delhi's AIIMS.

Nitish Kumar said he wants Lalu to get healthy soon and wished him well.

After attending the birth anniversary celebrations of former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur in Patna, when Nitish was asked about Lalu Prasad's deteriorating health, he said,"I wish Laluji gets well soon. When we were apart as political adversaries, too, even then I used to enquire about his health if he was unwell, but now we only get information about him through newspapers." Nitish Kumar also made a reference to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

The JD-U chief also said that earlier he used to enquire about Lalu's health telephonically, but the person (referring to younger son Tejashwi Yadav) who used to take care of Lalu used to insult him. The Chief Minister said since then he keeps getting information about Lalu Prasad only through news.

Lalu Prasad is currently serving a jail sentence in Ranchi after being convicted in the fodder scam case. He was admitted to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi for health reasons. His health suddenly worsened on Thursday night and after completing all legal formalities on Saturday, he had been sent to New Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
The candidacy of 5th Congressional District Republican Allen Guillory got off to an inauspicious start Wednesday, when he questioned an opponents very ability to serve.

The target of his obnoxious remark was Julia Letlow, a top University of Louisiana at Monroe administrator whose husband Luke was elected to the seat but died from COVID-19 complications days before he would have been sworn in, leaving her to care for their two young children without him.

I asked her to please think about this, Guillory told journalists covering qualifying. Those kids could lose two parents.

Those watching the busy political day on split screen might have noticed that the scene unfolded around the time the first female vice president of the United States was being sworn in. And that Kamala Harris joins a new president who spent his formative years in the U.S. Senate as a single dad, taking the train home to Delaware each night to be with his young sons after they lost their mother and sister, suddenly and tragically. And maybe even that Joe Biden is accompanied at the White House by his wife Jill, who, like Julia Letlow, has earned the title of Dr. before her name.

All those steps forward, and still pushback.

Letlow, of course, can make her own decisions about whats best for her family, thank you very much. When she showed up to file her papers the next day, she shrugged off suggestions to the contrary.

I absolutely do not see it as a problem for raising kids, in fact, I think its a positive, she said. Theres no better example you can set for them, to see you in that role. ... And you know what? Theyre going to be along for the ride, and theyre going to be better for it.

Thats hopefully the last well hear of any preconceptions about what a mother can and cant  or should and shouldnt  do.

But it shouldnt be the end of the conversation about why these questions still come up. Could it be because politics is still so lopsidedly male?

It certainly is in Louisiana these days.

Fifteen years ago, the states governor and senior senator, Kathleen Blanco and Mary Landrieu, were women. But now, every statewide office is held by a man. The eight-member Congressional delegation has been all male since Landrieu lost to Bill Cassidy in 2014; Louisiana is one of just 11 states  most of them much smaller  with no women in Congress. And last year the state ranked among the nation's lowest in terms of female representation in the Legislature, at just 18.1%, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

One notable storyline in the two March special elections for Congress  the other in the 2nd Congressional District to replace Cedric Richmond, who has joined the Biden administration  is that both feature major female candidates. Among the best-known hopefuls for Richmonds old seat is state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, the former head of the state Democratic Party. So after the runoff in April, its possible that at least one or possibly even two women could be joining the delegation.

This is not meant as an endorsement of any particular candidates, just an observation that having diverse representation not only signals whats possible  think about the message that Harris position sends to little girls, and boys  but also brings issues facing people like them into the policy conversation.

Lets circle back to Guillorys assumption for a moment. While hes got no business judging, it is true that our government policies offer precious little support to parents of young children, certainly when compared to the rest of the industrialized world. Even paid parental leave, which has picked up long overdue traction in both parties, remains a long way from becoming reality.

Maybe one reason is that most of the people who represent us havent faced these challenges personally. And perhaps one way to change that isnt to sideline the people who have, but to ask them about their experiences on the campaign trail.
Welcoming the move, Dasgupta said it was victory of the movement of the people of Chittagong.

Following the Prime Minister's demand, Chittagong district authorities have evacuated the building and installed a signboard with an order issued on 6 January by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh that the site is to be conserved for a museum, Advocate Rana Dasgupta told IANS on Saturday.

"We are happy that the Prime Minister herself handled this issue with a plan to secure the heritage as a museum. We hope the local administration will accelerate implementing the order," he added.

Since January 5, several sit-in programmes were held in front of the heritage structure urging the government to take steps.

But over the last two weeks, miscreants have stayed at the building and burned the doors, local residents told IANS.

Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindrath Tagore, Netaji Subhas Bose and other the legendary leaders met Jatindra Mohan Sengupta and his father advocate Jatra Mohon Sengupta at their law chamber.

"Anti-British revolutionaries led by 'Master da' Surya Sen in 1930 and afterwards to raid a British arsenal, but we couldn't protect the historical house from the land grabbers for last 50 years," Dasgupta told IANS.

"At last prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself rescued the house, which is partly damaged by the hooligans already."

On January 6, Dasgupta had submitted a memorandum to the administrator of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) urging the government for necessary steps to turn the house into a museum in order to preserve the memory of anti-British movement heroes.

Officials of CTG district administration deployed law enforcers around the house, complying with a High Court order asking the authority to protect the historically important structure and heritage of Chittagong.

Mohammad Mominur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of CTG district administration, told IANS that he deployed 10 officials of the Armed Police Battalion (APBN), a specialised unit of the Bangladesh Police, to take care of the heritage structure in light of the High Court order.

Earlier in the month, a land grabber named Farid Chowdhury had taken over the heritage house bulldozed and demolished the wood-worked front part with a group of armed hooligans based on a court order.

Following the incident, Dasgupta along with a group of social, cultural and history conservationists tried to stop further demolition.

The hooligans withdrew the bulldozer, but remained there for the last 18 days.

The Cultural Ministry at a meeting held on July 17, 2018, had ordered to the district authority of Chittagong to conserve all the heritage buildings, both Advocate Rana Dasgupta and Mominur told IANS.

Cultural, social and historical building conservationists of Chittagong hailed the move by the district administration urging them to turn the structures into a museum.

--IANS

sumi/ksk/


Respecting Kisan Morcha's decision, the Delhi Police on Sunday said that it has allowed farmer unions to hold tractor rally on Republic Day inside the national capital. The officers added that this will be done under strict vigil as they had received intelligence inputs that hinted at "disturbance of peaceful protest".

"Three hundred and eight Twitter links were found that were linked to Pakistani handles. The areas decided have been pointed out in accordance with full-proof security arrangements. Haryana Police was also included in the discussion," Delhi police said, adding that the limit to the number of tractors will be finalised soon.

"We trust the farmers that they'll not camp in the capital and will return to their respective borders," they added.

Dependra Pathak, Special CP, Intelligence, Delhi Police said the tractor rally will enter Delhi from Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur borders, and return to its originating points. From Singhu, it will pass through Kanjhawala, Bawana, Auchandi border, KMP Expressway and then return to Singhu.

"From Tikri border, it will go to Nagloi and pass through Najafgarh and Western Peripheral Expressway. From Ghazipur border, the rally will go to 56-feet road and return to its originating point passing through Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal Expressway," Pathak said.

Earlier in the day, Swaraj India's Yogendra Yadav had revealed that the protesting farmers had got "formal permission" from Delhi police for their tractor rally.

"As I told earlier, 'Kisan Gantantra Parade' will be held on January 26 in a peaceful manner," he said. According to reports, the protesting farmers will hold a 100-km tractor rally in Delhi on Republic Day.

Speaking to news agency PTI, farmers' leader Abhimanyu Kohar also claimed that the Delhi police has given them "permission for tractor parade" on 26 January.

Quite early in the Netflix film The Dig, Carey Mulligan's character Edith Pretty offers a dinner invitation to Basil Brown, whom she has hired to excavate the massive, mysterious mounds of earth on her Suffolk land.

By this point in the plot (see our review on page 18), we have come to know both Edith and Basil (Ralph Fiennes) as reserved and proper people, bound by the class structures and polite strictures of 1939 England.

We have also seen Edith, a widow, sit down to dinner alone every night, dressed as if for a formal party, her hair coiffed, her clothes brought to her by a maid. Basil, his hands ingrained with earth and his clothes care-worn, spends his evening in his room, studying, but a mutual interest and respect has grown up between the two, and her dinner invitation seems like the start of something more.

Then, Basil's wife, May (Monica Dolan) arrives and all our notions of romance between the two central characters of The Dig go out the window. It's not because May's arrival has stopped something in its tracks, however, but because a conventional cinematic love match is not what concerns The Dig.

Carey Mulligan felt instantly drawn to the lack of romance for her character, she tells the Sunday Independent by Zoom from what I assume is her home. An actor who closely guards her private life, she's speaking from a room that is both neutral and telling. The walls are white, but the bookcases are heaving.

"As long as I've been working," Mulligan says, "it's rare enough to find the roles that aren't the wife or the girlfriend. Or to be someone who isn't led by romance or an accessory to that relationship."

The connection between Edith and Basil is deep, but that depth didn't have to turn into romance for it to have meaning, or for it to lend the film weight.

"There was something about their relationship that I found really exciting," Mulligan says, "because it was just based on mutual interests and appreciation. Despite their different circumstances, they found a connection and such mutual respect. They got to the point where they could sit in silence and there's something so beautiful about that. I love that this film celebrates silence. It offers silences and doesn't rush to fill them."

Set in an England that is on the brink of the Second World War, The Dig, directed by Australian Simon Stone, tells the quietly powerful, true story of the discovery of the Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon treasure on the Suffolk land belonging to Edith Pretty.

In real life, Edith Pretty, widowed and with a small son, Robert (played by Archie Barnes), took on local expert excavator Basil Brown to dig out the mounds in the hope of, literally, unearthing the truth. Slowly but steadily, he discovered the remains of a ship and then treasures that ultimately proved the mounds to have been the final resting place of a significant Anglo-Saxon leader.

After Basil Brown unearthed the ship, professional archaeologists were brought in to complete the dig, but the excavator, self-educated, stayed on and worked alongside them, as coins and jewellery and other artefacts were found. In the end, Edith Pretty donated the full discovery to the British Museum, and for the duration of the war, it was hidden in a London Tube station. Credit for the primary discovery was only given to Basil Brown in recent years.

"The treasure was found just in time," says Mulligan, "because during the war that land was used by the military as a training site. So they were a year away from the land being flattened and the treasure never being discovered."

There is, she says, something incredible about the idea that something so precious could so easily have been lost.

In the early part of the film, Basil Brown himself is nearly lost, when one of the mounds collapses on him. Edith Pretty and two of her farmhands-turned-excavating-assistants have to dig him out by hand. They scrabble in the earth, clawing it away much like the ancient treasure, and Mulligan was in charge of clearing Fiennes' face and head. He emerges caked in earth, his mouth and ears and eyes full of it and, Mulligan says, it was a tense scene to create, even though it was carefully and safely handled.

"I did feel a certain pressure not to be responsible for the demise of one of our greatest living actors," she laughs.

"The line in the script that really got me when I read it for the first time," says Mulligan, "was when Edith brings her son out and Basil shows them [the discovery] and she says, 'It's a ship.' Just that sense of wonder.

"Then there is the wonderful story of the people coming together to rescue a part of our history so that we can learn something more about ourselves," Mulligan says. "I found that very moving."

There is something very moving about The Dig, perhaps particularly so in the times we live in now. Visually, the huge open skies and balmy-looking summer evenings in Suffolk are almost heartbreaking viewed from our currently constrained and limited lives.

The big and small elements of the story also tap into how we are living now. There is the digging into history and having a sense of ourselves as a very small element in the continuum. Then there is the sense of global and national dread as another world war looms. And there is the personal tragedy of Edith Pretty, fatally ill and acutely aware that her death will leave her son an orphan. All in all, the film touches, gently but profoundly, where we are now.

Mulligan, says director Simon Stone, has a quality that works perfectly for a role and a film such as this. Certainly, she is an actress who works well in a period setting, having starred in films such as Suffragette, The Great Gatsby and Far From the Madding Crowd without ever seeming jarringly modern.

"She has this extraordinary quality," Stone says, "that the vulnerability she bares in films, the stronger that she seems, and vice versa."

As the film progresses, Edith Pretty grows sicker, and she retreats further into herself, but, Stone notes, Mulligan "doesn't become cold through shutting herself away from people". It's an interesting quality to note in a time of Covid, keeping our distance and self-isolation, and it possibly accounts for part of why this film resonates now.

It has been reported that the Edith Pretty role was originally tipped for Nicole Kidman, whose very modern face and affect seems entirely wrong for it. There is an old-fashioned stillness to Mulligan that accounts for her regular casting in period roles. This must also be down to the fact that Mulligan is drawn to such parts.

She is a constantly working and instantly recognisable film actress, and yet she keeps her own life very private. Married to musician Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons, Carey and Marcus do not court publicity. Instead, the couple live quietly in the Devon countryside with their young children where, reportedly, they raise chickens and pigs.

Certainly, Mulligan seemed at home in rural Suffolk, in a film that exists far from bustle and hurry and even, in some ways, from worry. It is a film, perhaps, about time suspended and Mulligan's brand of delicate determination contributes to that.

"The more I learned about Edith Pretty," Mulligan says, "the more extraordinary I realised she was. I think we can learn so much from people like that and I was excited to introduce her to a wider audience.

"She was so generous with her time and herself and the way she treated people and I think people like that are worthy of attention."

Strong stillness, in Mulligan's view, is an underrated quality, and she might well believe that, given it has served her well.

'The Dig', starring Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes, is available from Friday, on Netflix

https://www.aish.com/ci/s/Jewish-Senator-Holds-Great-Grandparents-Immigration-Papers.html

Sen. Jon Ossoff brought his great grandparents Ellis Island documents to his inauguration.

When Jon Ossoff of Georgia took his oath of office recently, he used a Hebrew Bible that once belonged to an Atlanta synagogue that was firebombed by white supremacists in 1958. Later that night, he tweeted that the Bible  which hed talked about publicly before his inauguration  wasnt the only important piece of American Jewish history he had with him during the ceremony. Hed also brought something much more personal with him.

Today, as I was sworn in, I held in my jacket pocket copies of the ships manifests recorded at Ellis Island when my Great Grandfather Israel arrived in 1911 and my Great Grandmother Annie arrived in 1913, Sen. Ossoff announced, concluding, A century later, their great grandson was elected to the U.S. Senate.

Sen. Ossoff's touching family gesture reflects the key Jewish value of remembering our family histories and ancestors. Time and again, Judaism reminds us that were not alone: each one of us is the child and grandchild of relatives who worked hard to pass on wisdom and family traditions to us. No matter what path we tread in life, we each are inextricably linked to our ancestors. We are the repository of their hopes and their dreams for the future.

The Hebrew language reflects the unbreakable link we each have to our parents. The way we say Jewish names  the key to our identity  includes our parents names as well. Jewish names are a combination of our Hebrew first names then bat (daughter of) or bar (son of) and our parents name. The message is unmistakable: none of us is solitary  we are all part of a family history whose story we continue to write. Our story stretches back through the generations that came before us.

Sen. Ossoff isnt only Jon Ossoff, hes also Jon Ossoff, the son of his parents  and great grandson of his ancestors whose ship manifests he held in his pocket during his inauguration.

Knowing where we came from gives us a greater sense of gratitude. So many people worked so hard and took great risks so that we can enjoy life today. Their struggles paved our way, and the values they held dear inform us still. In a sense, we each walk around carrying our great-grandparents ship manifests or other documents as stories and memories that make us who we are. And it's our responsibility to continue their legacy and live up to our familys hopes and dreams.

Residents who are in priority groups and searching for a coronavirus vaccination could soon have 12 Walmart and Sams Club stores to choose from in New Jersey when the doses become more widely available, the company says.

When the company gets the vaccine, in conjunction with New Jersey health authorities, the retail giant will join six mega centers and 200 other locations in the state.

The Walmart sites could help, after New Jersey has faced criticism for having a slower rollout than dozens of other states as it continues to deal with a second wave of the pandemic, according to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The announcement is part of Walmarts expanding efforts at the states request in administering the COVID-19 vaccine to state-designated priority groups, Alexa Cangialosi, a Walmart spokeswoman, said in a statement. None of the New Jersey stores are currently providing vaccines.

So far, we have an estimated 100 stores and Sams Clubs across more than half a dozen states administering vaccines to those the state has deemed eligible, including here in New Jersey, she said.

Stores and clubs in the following locations are preparing to administer vaccinations to priority populations when doses are available: Pleasantville, Toms River, North Brunswick, Burlington Township, Pennsville, Franklin, Garfield, Hamilton, Vineland, Linden, North Bergen and Boonton.

In New Jersey, shots are currently available for health care workers, long-term care residents and others in congregant living, and police and firefighters. Also included are anyone 65 or older and those between 16 and 64 with specific medical conditions - including smokers.

Some sites in the state has asked people to pre-register through the states website. Many have reported getting appointment times several weeks away.

The announcement comes as the state reported 4.613 more coronavirus cases and 17 deaths on Sunday. It was the same day the state Department of Health issued new predictive models that showed Sunday could be the peak of the states second wave of the pandemic.

Whether that bump happens could depend on how quickly New Jersey receives and distributes vaccine doses. Gov. Phil Murphy has said he wants to have 70% of the states eligible population  nearly 5 million people  vaccinated by May.

Walmart also has a website and a store locator dedicated to the vaccine, though no appointments are currently listed in New Jersey.

At full capacity, the company expects to be able to deliver 10 to 13 million doses per month nationally when supply and allocations allow, Walmart officials said in a statement.

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Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com.
Education Minister Alan Tudge says digital vaccine certificates could provide a pathway for bringing large numbers of international students into Australian universities without a need for quarantine.

The proposal relies on finding a way to link verified COVID-19 vaccine certificates to a new digitised system for incoming passenger cards that the federal government aims to implement later this year.

Education Minister Alan Tudge first raised the proposal in December. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Tudge stressed a number of preconditions would need to be satisfied before any such scheme could be considered, including availability of an effective vaccine.

The federal government has been looking very carefully at the concept of a vaccination passport, given some countries were already rolling out COVID-19 vaccines.
It is the sort of post-Brexit glitch that will hit home with renowned oenophile Michael Gove  the claim that extra paperwork and haulage costs will add at least 1.50 to the price of a bottle of fine wine.

The claims, made yesterday by wine importers, come as fishing firms warned of impending bankruptcy and retailers said they might burn clothes held in the EU, after being returned from European customers, because of customs charges.

The Financial Times quoted wholesaler Daniel Lambert as saying new export documents for wine leaving the EU, plus a 30 to 50 per cent increase in haulage costs, would push up prices on the shelves and reduce the range available.

Mr Lambert said: On a top-quality wine, it could easily be 2, but on the stuff retailing for 12 youll see 1 across the board. It will be less on a 3.50 bottle of supermarket wine, but I dont really count that as wine.

Wine importers claim that extra paperwork and haulage costs will add at least 1.50 to the price of a bottle of fine wine, and could even affect red wine fan Michael Gove (pictured)

Mr Gove, one of the architects of Brexit and the Minister most closely involved in the transition, is a particular fan of red wine.

But a source close to the Minister for the Cabinet Office said: There may be some additional costs and processes but there are a lots of excellent-value wines available in UK markets and there will continue to be. A lot of wine is from outside the EU, too.

About 28 million British consumers drink wine at least once a month, according to research group Wine Intelligence, with the UK importing 2.2 billion worth of wine from the EU each year.

Last night, Labour MPs rounded on Mr Gove for the prospective price rise. Tonia Antoniazzi, MP for Gower, said: Lots of people will be feeling like they were sold a vintage bottle only to find it corked on arrival.

'Thanks to Michael Gove, it will be even more expensive for people to drown their sorrows during lockdown due to red tape and higher import costs as a result of his Brexit deal.

Rupa Huq, MP for Ealing Central and Acton, added: The barrier-less friction-free trade that Gove and chums promised was complete fantasy. Brexit at best has been a glass half-empty situation. Im livid, and I say that as a teetotaller.

There are fears new export documents for wine leaving the EU, plus a 30 to 50 per cent increase in haulage costs, will push up prices on the shelves and reduce the range available. Picture: Stock

Fishing bosses in Scotland have accused the Scottish government of not doing enough to ensure their produce could continue to reach the Continent.

The sector has struggled to cope with leaving the EU, with additional customs checks and tariffs costing millions of pounds in lost business.

Scottish salmon suffered a 3 million loss in the first week of January, while several small exporters have been pushed to the brink.

The source close to Mr Gove said the Government had taken swift action to resolve issues arising from the UKs exit from the EU single market and the customs union, and that such significant change would inevitably cause some turbulence.

The source added: Despite the doom-mongering and predictions of chaos at the border, disruption has so far been minimal.

Thanks to the efforts of traders and hauliers, turnbacks at the border are averaging just around five per cent each day. For example, on Tuesday this week about 5,000 HGVs crossed the Channel, with flow at around 70 per cent of normal levels.
U.S. National Guard troops patrol the vicinity of the U.S. Capitol hours before the Inauguration of President Joe Biden in Washington on Jan. 20, 2021. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)

The World Watches While the US Elite Wages War on America

Commentary

On Jan. 23 and Jan. 24, Peoples Republic of China planes flew into Taiwans airspace. Incursions are a normal occurrence but the most recent ones represented an escalation.

Typically, one or two planes will probe Taiwans air defenses but, on Jan. 23, it was reportedly eight bombers and four fighter jets, followed by 15 military aircraft on Jan. 24. It appears that the regime in Beijing is eager to test President Joe Biden early. Its likely China wont be the only one. The more than 20,000 National Guard troops that were sent to Washington last week to protect the new presidents nearly unattended inauguration is evidence that the United States is broken.

Observers widely misunderstood the Guard deployment as a show of force asserting the Biden teams legitimacy as the elected government of the United States. But the most salient fact of the troops presence is that some who were found to have supported Donald Trump were sent home. And thus the reason for the deployment, which may now continue into March, is that the Biden White House is keen to use the sporadically violent but mostly peaceful Jan. 6 march on the Capitol building as a political pretext to further target Trump supporters.

From the perspective of the administration and its media surrogates, Trump supporters were already deplorable, but now that they have attempted an insurrection, the gloves will come off. The nearly 75 million people who voted for Bidens opponent deserve whatever is coming to them nextfurther impoverishment, further collective punishment in the guise of public health (i.e., coronavirus) measures, designation as domestic terrorists, imprisonment, and even death.

Lets try to imagine how foreigners see our circumstances: Neither traditional U.S. allies nor adversaries can share the new administrations assessment that the United States government faced an insurrection on Jan. 6. In comparison to their own domestic challenges, those protests were plainly mild.

In France, for instance, the Yellow Vests movement has been engaged in protests for more than two years that have frequently devolved into street violence, leaving 11 dead and more than 4,000 injured. From the perspective of the nation that produced the French Revolution, Jan. 6 was nothing like an insurrection. Same for Israel, which has been fighting terrorist attacks plotted by some of the states Arab citizens since the countrys founding.

Consider how authoritarian states must see it. Does the Islamic Republic of Iran, periodically engaged in low-level violent conflict with its growing opposition movement, believe that Jan. 6 was an attack on Americas domestic peace? What about Russia, where, over the weekend, authorities arrested more than 2,000 who marched nationwide to demand the release of Vladimir Putin critic Alexander Navalny? Does the Chinese Communist Party, which uses mass detentions and forced sterilizations to eradicate the Muslim minority Uyghur population, believe that American families and seniors marching in the winter cold amounted to an existential threat to the American regime? No, they all see through itthe American political, corporate, cultural, and media elite is waging war on the Americans it despises.

What can foreign powers be thinking when journalists, think-tank experts, and current and former law enforcement officials recommend that the Biden administration deploy the same counterterrorism tactics against Americans that U.S. forces have used to kill Islamic extremists around the globe since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon? Or how can they interpret the heavily guarded inauguration attended by faded pop stars celebrating a man in a black mask who prophesied a dark winter, who for months had been hidden underground by his handlers, and who is unlikely to finish his four-year term under his own power except as a drum circle of celebrity necromancers? If our allies and adversaries see us at all clearly, they are thinking Americas leaders have lost their minds.

It can hardly surprise anyone to see the country gone mad since Bidens inauguration represented the culmination of the U.S. elites four-year-long insurrection against reality.

It began in December 2016, when Barack Obama instructed his director of the Central Intelligence Agency, John Brennan, to delegitimize his successor by assessing that he was helped to the presidency by a foreign power, Russia. Subsequently, with the robust support of prestige media organizations and the rest of the elites ideological apparatusthe academy, think tanks, Hollywood, and so onhalf the country invested its political convictions and mental health in a conspiracy theory.

It doesnt require much imagination to see America the way outsiders have for the last several years. The U.S. agency singly responsible for discovering and stopping the efforts of foreign agents to sabotage the American political system, the FBI, was focused instead on sabotaging the American president. Because top officials werent held accountable for their illegal political operation, others were emboldened to join the effort. An official from the Pentagon and another from the CIA led a government-wide campaign that included senior U.S. diplomats to impeach Trump.

With the arrival of COVID-19, the U.S. elites increasing use of the phrase the new normal to rationalize unconstitutional edicts targeting the businesses, homes, and liberties of Trump supporters was evidence that the country was split not between political parties but between those who saw the light slipping away and those who had willfully migrated to a dark dream world.

We will be fortunate if adversaries such as the Chinese Communist Party choose to simply stand aside and watch while Americas leadership class consumes itself in madness. But we shouldnt count on it.

Lee Smith is the author of the recently published book The Permanent Coup: How Enemies Foreign and Domestic Targeted the American President.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The Telegraph

American soldiers have mistakenly revealed the exact locations of US nuclear weapons in Europe by uploading details as part of revision exercises that were publicly available to view, a report claims. An investigation by Bellingcat alleges that soldiers attempting to learn intricate security protocols uploaded a multitude of sensitive information to the internet, including not only the bases at which the weapons are held, but in which exact vaults they are stored. The US Air Force has launched an investigation into "the suitability of information shared via study flashcards." Questions and answers were written on flashcards, which have now disappeared, and appeared to show the positions of cameras, the frequency of patrols around the vaults, secret duress words that signal when a guard is being threatened and the unique identifiers that a restricted area badge needs to have, Bellingcat said. The cards had been uploaded as long ago as 2013 on websites including Cram, Quizlet and Chegg, and accessed as recently as April this year. Some of those sites have the visibility of the cards set to be viewed by anyone by default. The presence of US nuclear weapons in Europe acted as a deterrent to the Soviet Union during the Cold War and also meant European countries would not need to develop their own.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 21:28:47|Editor: huaxia

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LUSAKA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has allocated Zambia 8.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines under an initiative the African body was pioneering, a government official said on Sunday.

The COVID-19 African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) has been created by the continental body in August 2020 to ensure that the African continent will be able to secure sufficient vaccine doses to achieve herd immunity.

Zambia's Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU Emmanuel Mwamba said the country's allocation may rise to 25 million doses by December 2021.

He said in a release that the initiative has been mandated to secure the necessary vaccines and blend financing resources for achieving Africa's COVID-19 vaccination strategy which targets vaccinating a minimum of 60 percent of Africa's population.

Under the initiative, the vaccines were being sourced from Pfizer and AstraZeneca, he added.

According to him, a financing facility has been created under the AVATT, the Advance Procurement Commitment (APC) facility to be backed by the African Import and Export Bank.

The mechanism will also ensure a timely, equitable and cost-effective availability of COVID-19 vaccine supplies within the African continent and by so doing, mitigate the protracted financial and socio-economic costs of the pandemic.

The vaccine doses, which are in addition to the expected COVAX doses, will be distributed through the African Medical Supplies.

Zambia has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases during the second wave of the pandemic.

In the last 24 hours, the country recorded 745 new cases out of 7,903 tests done, according to health ministry figures.

This brings the cumulative cases to 45,337 while 1,667 passengers were discharged during the same period bringing the total recoveries to 35,960.

The country, however recorded 12 new deaths during the same period bringing the total deaths to 639 while active cases currently stand at 8,738. Enditem
The Telegraph

American soldiers have mistakenly revealed the exact locations of US nuclear weapons in Europe by uploading details as part of revision exercises that were publicly available to view, a report claims. An investigation by Bellingcat alleges that soldiers attempting to learn intricate security protocols uploaded a multitude of sensitive information to the internet, including not only the bases at which the weapons are held, but in which exact vaults they are stored. The US Air Force has launched an investigation into "the suitability of information shared via study flashcards." Questions and answers were written on flashcards, which have now disappeared, and appeared to show the positions of cameras, the frequency of patrols around the vaults, secret duress words that signal when a guard is being threatened and the unique identifiers that a restricted area badge needs to have, Bellingcat said. The cards had been uploaded as long ago as 2013 on websites including Cram, Quizlet and Chegg, and accessed as recently as April this year. Some of those sites have the visibility of the cards set to be viewed by anyone by default. The presence of US nuclear weapons in Europe acted as a deterrent to the Soviet Union during the Cold War and also meant European countries would not need to develop their own.
Western Sahara's pro-independence Polisario Front bombarded the Guerguerat buffer zone under Moroccan control in the far south of the desert territory in an overnight attack Rabat described as part of a "propaganda war".

"The Saharawi army launched four rockets in the direction of Guerguerat," on the border between Morocco and Mauritania, the Saharawi press agency SPS said in a statement Sunday, citing a military leader of the separatist Saharawi forces.

Morocco launched a military operation on November 13 in the buffer zone of Guerguerat, in the extreme south of the former Spanish colony, to drive out a group of Saharawi militants who were blocking a transit route to neighbouring Mauritania.

The SPS statement also reported attacks along the security wall that separates Saharawi fighters from Moroccan forces in the vast desert expanse.

A senior Moroccan official contacted by AFP in Rabat said: "There was harassing fire near the area of Guerguerat, but it did not affect the trunk road, traffic was not disrupted."

"It's been part of a cycle of harassment for more than three months," he said.

"There is a desire to create a propaganda war, a media war, on the existence of a war in the Sahara" but "the situation is normal", he said.

Western Sahara is a disputed and divided former Spanish colony, mostly under Morocco's control, where tensions with the Polisario Front have simmered since the 1970s.

In November, Morocco sent troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone to reopen a key road leading to Mauritania.

The Polisario responded by declaring a 1991 ceasefire null and void, arguing the road had not existed when the truce was signed.

The two sides are reported to have since exchanged regular fire along the demarcation line.

The UN-backed ceasefire deal was meant to lead to a referendum on self-determination.

Morocco has offered autonomy, but maintains the territory is a sovereign part of the kingdom.

UN-led negotiations involving Morocco and the Polisario, with Algeria and Mauritania as observers, have been suspended since March 2019.

The Polisario Front, which fought a war for independence from Morocco from 1975 to 1991, said it was still willing to join UN talks on the territory's future -- but would not lay down its arms.

"In the past, we put all our trust in the international community and definitively ended our armed struggle," senior Polisario security official Sidi Ould Oukal said on Tuesday.

"We have waited 30 years. Thirty years of broken promises, prevarication and untenable waiting."

Ould Oukal insisted the group was "open to any mediation".

"But at the same time, we will keep up the armed struggle, based on past experiences," he said.

For its part, Morocco's position was reinforced last year by US recognition of its sovereignty over the entire disputed territory, breaking decades of precedent.

The move came under president Donald Trump in exchange for Rabat normalising relations with Israel.

Short link:


Senior scientists in the UK have questioned the British Government's decision to rush out data suggesting the new UK variant of Covid-19 has a 30pc increased mortality rate.

The data, presented by Prime Minister Boris Johnson at Friday's Downing Street briefing, suggested the variant first spotted at the end of last year may be deadlier than the original strain.

However, several scientists yesterday said that it was too early to draw "strong conclusions" from the data.

Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of a Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies subgroup, said: "I was surprised the news had been announced at a news conference. It seems to have gone up a little bit from about 10 people per thousand to about 13, which is a small rise, but it's based on a relatively small amount of data. I would be wanting to wait for a week or two more, monitoring a little bit more before we draw really strong conclusions."

Public Health England medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle said it is still not "absolutely clear" the new variant is more deadly than the original strain. She said more work was needed to determine whether it may be associated with "a higher degree of mortality" as stated by Johnson.

"It is too early to say," she told the BBC.

Scientists have pointed out while the new variant shows a relative increase in mortality rates, the absolute risks for older people are far higher than for those in a younger age bracket. For those in their 60s, the risk of dying if infected with Covid goes from 10 people in 1,000 under the old variant, to 13 in a 1,000 with the new strain. But for those in their 80s the risk of dying goes from 80 in 1,000 to 100 in 1,000 and for those in their 90s from 200 in 1,000 to 270 in 1,000.

Professor David Spiegelhalter, Winton Professor of the Public Understanding of Risk, said: "Based on the findings there is a huge difference in the impact of the new strain depending on how old you are."

Professor Peter Horby, from the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group, defended Johnson's decision to announce the news, saying: "If we were not telling anybody about this news we would be accused of covering it up."

Visit our Covid-19 vaccine dashboard for updates on the roll out of the vaccination program and the rate of Coronavirus cases Ireland

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
South Korea has reported the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in pet.

During a tracking process, officials found that a mother and daughter staying at the facility were raising three cats -- a mother cat and two kittens -- there. The infected pet is one of the two kittens.Health authorities suspect the cat got the virus from the mother and daughter, who have both tested positive for Covid-19.A government official said it is very rare for pets to transmit the virus to humans, citing health experts, the report said.The Prime Minister urged health authorities to look into the possibility of transmissions between humans and animals and to transparently share the findings for people who live with pets or are often exposed to them.He also asked the farm ministry to consult with health authorities to prepare guidelines for pet owners.While cases of pets getting the infectious virus through their owners have been reported in places like Japan, Hong Kong and Brazil, no such case had been confirmed in South Korea.Source: IANS
The first woman elected mayor in the 154-year history of Scranton stood her 13-month old daughter up behind the bully pulpit and placed her tiny left hand on a childrens book about iconic women who changed the world.

Waving her right hand at the cameras, Sloane Gebhardt Cognetti cooed through an oath of office as her mother, Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, laid out the Deputy Mayors three-pronged political platform:

Cheerios for everyone.

Use the Defense Production Act to make more Cheerios

Mandate a universal bedtime of 9 p.m.

Sloanes grandmother, Linda Gebhardt, voiced strong support for the bedtime mandate as we stood on the steps of the Lackawanna County Childrens Library on Friday morning. The replica inaugural stage was assembled by students of Marywood Universitys architecture, theater and dance programs to celebrate the inauguration of Scranton-born President Joe Biden and support the Friends of the Poor.

Patrons were asked to donate warm winter clothing and non-perishable food and encouraged to pose behind the podium and share photos on social media with the hashtag #ScrappyKid. The stage was supposed to be struck after the inauguration on Wednesday, but a steady parade of potential presidents convinced Scranton Public Library CEO Scott Thomas to let it stand through Saturday.

Its been a really positive thing, Thomas said Thursday. Weve had a lot of kids, a lot of parents have come to see it, and it represents that anybody can be president, even a scrappy kid from Scranton.

While the response has been overwhelmingly positive, some snowflakes melted with rage on antisocial media.

There are people who dont like the (new) president, Thomas said. So youll have that, but if it had been a Republican who was from Scranton that was just elected president, wed have the podium out there just the same.

The library is for everybody. It doesnt matter what political party youre from. ... This is not a political statement. Its a community statement.

Sam Maloney  an Army veteran and mother of four  helped organize the charity drive behind the podium. When I reached her at her Scranton home on Friday, she was preparing lunch for her kids, ages 5 through 12, during a break from online parochial school instruction.

One of the reasons I was a strong supporter of Joe Biden is because he has a certain element of compassion and respect and integrity. And he grew up here in Scranton, so it gives my children an opportunity to really see somebody who has the values Id like them to mimic.

Maloneys children helped collect donations at the library, learning that service to others is the essence of community. She was moved by President Bidens calls for unity, honesty and civility and relieved that the nations children now have a president and vice president they can look up to.

In the military, its understood that the best leaders lead by example, Maloney said. But children also learn by example. There was a point over the last four years where I had to turn off the news because what was being displayed was not something I wanted my children to learn. Right now, I feel comfortable having my children listen to the president.

And that poet! Oh my God!

OMG, indeed. Amanda Gorman, Americas first National Youth Poet Laureate, stole the actual inauguration stage with a recitation of her poem, The Hill We Climb. The 22-year-old Black author and activist has an auditory disorder that makes her hypersensitive to certain sounds and gave her a speech impediment as a child.

Standing a few feet from a president who has struggled with a stutter all his life, Gorman delivered her stirring, stinging prose with an astonishing confidence, courage and conviction that elevated the spirits of millions  perhaps billions  watching around the world.

Weve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it, would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy. And this effort very nearly succeeded. But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated...

When day comes, we step out of the shade, aflame and unafraid. The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light if only were brave enough to see it, if only were brave enough to be it.

Gormans soaring poem and Bidens rousing speech echoing Abraham Lincolns appeal to our Better Angels underscored an indelible lesson of the past four tortured years  the bully pulpit must never again be surrendered to a bully.

Back on the library steps, Deputy Mayor Cognetti posed for a few parting shots (Mom doesnt allow photos that show her face). The library decided to strike the replica inauguration stage Saturday at 5 p.m., but Cognetti said she hopes to find it a permanent home where scrappy kids from Scranton and its neighboring communities can picture themselves as presidents.

Checking the time, the mayor donated a bag of hats, scarves and gloves and asked Sloane to wrap up her inaugural address. Cognetti was late for a meeting, but couldnt resist another quick swearing-in.

When I was pregnant with her and won the mayors race in November of 2019, and then to get sworn in with her at 2 weeks old as we turned into 2020 and were celebrating 100 years of suffrage ... and then to have Kamala Harris become the vice president on Wednesday, it was a really special moment for Mom and me to have Sloane sit in my lap as we watched together, Cognetti said.

Its so good to know shell grow up assuming that a woman can hold any position of power. ... Itll just be part of her living history and that of all of her friends. Itll just be normal.

The mayor handed the deputy mayor off to grandma and stood back to take stock of the mock podium her daughter will likely remember only through photos.

You know what I really love about this? the mayor asked. She was born in Scranton, just like the president of the United States.

CHRIS KELLY, the Times-Tribune columnist, wants to share your #ScrappyKid photos.
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Wu Litian is a retired teacher who lives in Shanghai. The 91-year-old had witnessed the environment of a rural school many years ago: the classroom had no window, the tables and chairs were dilapidated, and there was only an old teacher teaching students of all grades. Since then, Wu made up her mind to help improve the learning conditions for children in backward areas.

In 2013, Wu used her savings to build a primary school in a small town in southwest China's Guizhou Province. But before long, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She chose to give up surgical treatment and continue to support poor students. "I want to spend the money where it is needed more, such as building classrooms and dormitories for children."

Two years later, Wu sold her only real estate in downtown Shanghai and moved into a small apartment in Kunshan, a place near Shanghai. With the money she made from selling the house, she built another primary school in a small village in east China's Jiangxi Province. What's more, Wu also used her retirement salary to set up scholarships to help as many poor students as possible.

"As long as I can walk and move, I will continue to donate to build school and use love to create a better future for the children," said Wu.





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The Delhi Police said over 300 Twitter handles have been generated in Pakistan to create disturbance during the farmers' tractor rally in the capital on Republic Day, as per a TOI report according to Agencies.

"Through intelligence and various other agencies, we have continuously been getting inputs regarding threat to create disturbance during the tractor rally. 308 Twitter handles have been generated from Pakistan between January 13 and 18 to create confusion," said Dependra Pathak, Special CP (Intelligence), Delhi Police.



Pathak added that due to the threat, adequate security arrangements shall be provided during the tractor rally after the Republic Day parade ends.



PTI

"It will be a challenging task for us but the rally will be conducted amid tight security after the Republic Day parade is over," Pathak said at a press conference.



Detailing the plan, Pathak said that the rally will enter Delhi from Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur borders and return to its originating points.



"From Singhu, it will pass through Kanjhawala, Bawana, Auchandi border, KMP Expressway and then return to Singhu. From Tikri border, it will go to Nagloi and pass through Najafgarh and Western Peripheral Expressway. From Ghazipur border, the rally will go to 56-foot road and return to its originating point passing through Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal Expressway," he said.



PTI

On Saturday, the farmer unions were given permission to take out a tractor march on January 26 as a mark of protest against the Centre's three agriculture laws.



Enacted in September last year, the three farm laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country.
The law enforcement personnel deployed for security at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi are required to be on alert for law and order arrangements during the farmers' tractor march , the Delhi police commissioner said on Sunday.

"All officers and men, as well as CAPF and other force deployed for Republic Day Parade security, should remain in a ready position to move at short notice for law and order arrangement in connection with Kisan tractor rally," the commissioner said in a statement.

The statement came on the day Delhi police granted formal approval to farmers for their peaceful tractor march.

The commissioner said that the farmers can enter Delhi but without disturbing the Republic Day parade. "They can enter Delhi for few kilometres and then exit (at designation spots)," he said.

The tractor rally will enter Delhi from Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur borders. From Singhu, it will pass through Kanjhawala, Bawana, Auchandi border, KMP Expressway and then return to Singhu.

From Tikri border, it will go to Nagloi and pass through Najafgarh and Western Peripheral Expressway. From Ghazipur border, the rally will go to 56-foot road and return to its originating point passing through Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal Expressway.

Farmers have also been appealed by their leaders to bring their tractors inside Delhi and not trolleys.

"Today there was a short meeting with officers of Delhi Police. We have got formal permission from Police for the tractor rally. As I told earlier, 'Kisan Gantantra Parade' will be held on 26 January," said Yogendra Yadav of Swaraj India.

Agrarians from all across the country are marching towards Delhi in order to take part in the scheduled rally. Tractors from Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan have reached on Tikri border as the farmers sit in for protest for nearly two months.

Govt-farmers 11th round of talks

The eleventh round of talks between the Central Government ministers led by Union Agricultural minister Narendra Singh Tomar and 40 farmer leaders earlier on Friday was inconclusive.

Farmer leaders stuck to their demands while the Centre urged them to consider its offer to hold discussions to address their concerns after deferring the three contentious farm laws.

Farmers have been protesting on the different borders of the national 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.

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New Zealand has been widely praised for its handling of the pandemic, with just 25 deaths from 1,927 confirmed virus cases in a population of five million. (Representational Image/AFP)

WELLINGTON: New Zealand health officials on Sunday confirmed the first case of Covid-19 in the community for more than two months, sparking urgent contract-tracing efforts north of Auckland.

A 56-year-old woman who recently returned from Europe tested positive 10 days after completing a compulsory two weeks in managed isolation, although she had noticed symptoms several days before getting tested.

Contact tracing was underway after it was revealed the woman and her husband spent several days travelling around the Northland region while she was potentially infectious, visiting about 30 different locations.

Health Minister Chris Hipkins said it was too soon to decide whether a full or partial lockdown would be reintroduced.

"We don't know the origin or the strain of the infection," he told a press conference.

The woman returned to New Zealand on December 30 after spending four months in Europe -- mainly in Spain and the Netherlands -- and was released from an Auckland quarantine hotel on January 13.

New Zealand director-general of health Ashley Bloomfield said she had returned two negative tests while in isolation, and her husband had not shown any symptoms.

It marks the first known case of community transmission in New Zealand since November 18.

Authorities were reviewing closed-circuit television footage to see if the woman contracted the virus while in the managed isolation facility.

More than 600 people who had spent time in the hotel have been asked to self-isolate and be re-tested for Covid-19.

It is the second time a returnee has developed coronavirus symptoms after being cleared to leave an isolation facility in New Zealand.

A man who returned from India in August returned two negative tests in isolation but did not start showing Covid symptoms until five days after his release.

New Zealand has been widely praised for its handling of the pandemic, with just 25 deaths from 1,927 confirmed virus cases in a population of five million.
On Jan. 20, right on schedule and without interruption, Chief Justice John Roberts swore in Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States. Yet all is not well. That 25,000 National Guard members had been summoned to Washington to stand watch over the citys streets and provide security for the inauguration testified to the distrust and anger roiling the nation.

On Jan. 6, peaceful protests in Washington, D.C., against the certification of Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election deteriorated into a violent riot, which culminated in the storming of the U.S. Capitol. The short-lived uprising stained Donald Trumps presidency, inflamed the partisan anger raging for years through the nation, and deepened doubts at home and abroad about the stability of democracy in America. A judicious assessment -- of where we stand, how we got here, and of the principles that must guide the renewal of the great American experiment in ordered liberty -- is a paramount priority.

The storming of the Capitol deserves harsh censure. Those who committed crimes should be prosecuted. Yes, its true, as Trumps defenders maintain, that at the rally preceding the riot the president said, I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard. But its also the case that in much of the speech he revved up the crowd with reckless disregard for the impact of his vehement, rabble-rousing rhetoric. A week later, with no Democrats opposed or abstaining and with the backing of 10 Republicans, the House voted to impeach him.

Even as it is unequivocally condemned, the appalling January lawlessness must be perceived accurately -- neither sweeping its multilayered harms under the rug nor extravagantly casting aspersions and assigning guilt. The same goes for the violent riots of last spring and summer in cities from coast to coast. Also beginning in peaceful protests -- over the killing of George Floyd -- they spawned attacks on government buildings and widespread looting and burning of business districts resulting in more than a billion dollars of damage. It was the most costly civic unrest in American history.

In the first week of January, many on the left and the right promptly rose to the occasion.

In immediate response to the violence, President-elect Joe Biden stated, Let me be very clear: The scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect a true America. Do not represent who we are. Other Democrats joined him. This is not the America I know and love, declared U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence from Michigan. Former President Jimmy Carter agreed: This is a national tragedy and is not who we are as a nation.

Republicans were by and large in agreement. This is not who we are, tweeted Rep. Nancy Mace from South Carolina, and Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse said much the same. Were the United States of America. We disagree on a lot of things, and we have a lot of spirited debate  but we talk it out, and we honor each other -- even in our disagreement, proclaimed Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma. And while we disagree on things -- and disagree strongly at times -- we do not encourage what happened today. Ever. Former President George W. Bush said, This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic -- not our democratic republic.

In a bipartisan and bicameral statement, Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin, Mark Warner, Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, and Dick Durbin joined Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy, Lisa Murkowski, Mitt Romney, and Susan Collins, as well as Collins Maine colleague, Independent Angus King, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (a New Jersey Democrat) and Rep. Tom Reed (a Republican from New York), in affirming, The behavior we witnessed in the U.S. Capitol is entirely un-American.

Squarely confronting the breakdown of public order and the violation of our nations non-negotiable commitment to the peaceful transfer of power, these public officials and former presidents from both major parties summoned Americans to our fundamental principles and finest traditions. Consistent with the appeal from left and right to what is best in America, law enforcement officers on Jan. 6 eventually restored order in the Capitol. Congress, presided over by Vice President Mike Pence, proceeded with its constitutionally assigned responsibility to count the electoral votes and certify Joe Bidens victory. The rule of law and constitutional government prevailed over mob rule.

In Denial Is the Heartbeat of America, which appeared in The Atlantic five days after the Capitol Hill riots, Ibram X. Kendi argues that the civil and unifying statements from members of Congress and former presidents reflect the determination, as old as the country, to deny the history of American tyranny. For Kendi, director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research and best-selling author of How to Be an Antiracist, the assault on the Capitol was not a departure from American society and government but a representative instance of the countrys history of carnage. The bipartisan condemnations of the riots, according to Kendi, represent a bipartisan effort to conceal the nations systemic injustice.

There is no doubting the temptation to deny political reality in order to accumulate power and advance partisan agendas. Indeed, Kendis critique succumbs to it.

First, by insisting on a purely literal reading of the swift condemnations of the Capitol riot, Kendi denies the well-understood meaning of the utterances he purports to debunk. Those who said after the riots that This is not who we are, he argues, are in complete denial that the rioters are part of America. The professor writes as if the members of Congress and former presidents were ignorant of, or sought to suppress, the record in the United States of incitement against, and violence targeting of, government. Kendis flamboyant recitation in his article of low points in American history does not prove his point, because the Democrats and Republicans whom he accuses of engaging in denial were not asserting that antidemocratic politics are not part of American politics. Rather, they were insisting -- and most who read or heard their words understood them to be insisting -- that antidemocratic politics violate Americas defining dedication to liberty under law.

Second, Kendi denies Americans readiness to confront their moral flaws as individuals and as a nation. Whats also part of America is denying all of what is part of America, he writes. The most egregious form of denial, he maintains, is the regular structural denial that racial inequity is caused by racist policy. Contrary to Kendi, however, racism in America -- with a focus on its allegedly systemic character and the supposed implicit bias that sustains it -- may well be the favorite and single-most-discussed subject in the countrys universities, media outlets, corporate boardrooms and human resources offices, and federal bureaucracies. One could reasonably wonder whether any country anywhere today -- or for that matter that has ever existed on the planet -- has more energetically engaged in self-examination and self-criticism of, and self-flagellation for, its sins, real and imagined, than has the United States of America.

Third, Kendi denies the significance of Americas founding principles. For decades, historians have been documenting and cataloguing -- and teachers have been featuring in the curriculum -- the nations transgressions, betrayals, and defilements of those principles, beginning with the protection the Constitution gave to slavery. Kendi goes further. Sexism, racism, homophobia, and anti-Semitism, he argues, should be viewed as systemic and pervasive. Accordingly, we must recognize that the attack on the U.S. Capitol is precisely who we are (italics in the original). By insisting that those transgressions, betrayals, and defilements of Americas principles are defining features of American institutions and the American spirit, Kendi obscures the primacy of the nations founding principles in correcting American injustices. A reasonably comparative and historical inquiry, however, would show that America is not distinguished from other peoples and nations by racism and other forms of bigotry -- which abound around the world -- but rather by the remarkable progress our constitutional regime has made in fulfilling for a large and diverse nation the Declaration of Independences promise to secure the rights inherent in all persons.

Kendi is not wrong to be outraged by racism or to shine the light on injustice in America, but his extravagant accusations undercut the common ground on which Americans of diverse persuasions can join together in defense of individual freedom and human equality.

The judicious assessment that is crucial to national renewal at this difficult moment must counter the interests and forces that fuel polarization. We can do this by recovering an understanding of the principles of freedom on which America was founded, and of the nations historic achievements -- and failures and setbacks -- in building a tolerant, prosperous, and pluralistic society.
New Delhi: India took only 6 days to administer one million Covid-19 vaccine doses as the number of beneficiaries who have received the anti-coronavirus shots inched close to 16 lakh. This count is higher than that of countries like the US and the UK, the Union Health Ministry said.

Nearly 16 lakh (15,82,201) beneficiaries have received the COVID19 vaccination so far. India took only 6 days to roll out 1 million vaccine doses: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare pic.twitter.com/GdoS6we4sV  ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2021

The UK took 18 days whereas the US took 10 days to reach the one million mark, the ministry said.

As on 24 January, till 8 am, nearly 16 lakh (15,82,201) beneficiaries have received COVID-19 vaccination. In a span of 24 hours, close to 2 lakh (1,91,609) people were vaccinated across 3,512 sessions. A total of 27,920 sessions have been conducted so far, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, India's active cases today stand at 1,84,408 which comprises of 1.73 per cent of the total cases. With 15,948 recovered cases in a span of 24 hours, a net decline of 1,254 cases has been recorded in the total active caseload during the same period.

Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal account for 75 per cent of the total active cases in the country.





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It's all quiet across the region on your Saturday, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the low to mid 50s. Big changes are on the way for the rest of the weekend. Clouds begin to filter in from west to east overnight ahead of our next system. This will keep overnight lows at bay, but we still bottom out in the mid 30s by Sunday morning. A warm front moves into North Alabama from the south tomorrow afternoon. Rain coverage will increase along the front, with scattered showers lasting through the evening. One or two storms aren't out of the question Sunday night, but no severe weather is expected. Highs tomorrow stay in the mid 50s with lows tomorrow night hovering near 50.

Scattered showers will continue throughout your Monday. Thanks to Sunday's warm front, highs will surge to the upper 60s and maybe near 70 in a few locations. A cold front brings another chance for widespread showers and a few thunderstorms Monday night. No severe weather is expected with any storms along the cold front. However, one or two strong storms with gusty winds and heavy rain are possible. We should dry out by Tuesday morning. Around a half inch to one inch of rain is expected now through Monday night. Outside of storms, Monday will be very breezy, with wind gusts up to 30 MPH.

Tuesday is shaping up to be a quiet day with some clearing and highs still in the low 60s. The active pattern continues Wednesday as another quick hitting system is expected to bring showers to North Alabama once again. Rainfall totals with this midweek system should be very light. Behind this system, temperatures crash into the 40s Thursday. The rest of the work week looks dry before another system looks to cause more problems next weekend.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) at a border security discussion hosted by Center for Immigration Studies in Washington on July 30, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Chinas Sanctions on Former Trump Administration Officials an Escalation: Sen. Cotton

The Chinese regimes sanctions against former Trump administration officials is an escalation that must be met with a reciprocal response, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said Sunday.

These sanctions against former Trump administration officials are a dangerous and insidious escalation of Chinas effort to influence American policy, Cotton said on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures.

The Chinese Communist Party, on the same day President Joe Biden was inaugurated, sanctioned 28 Trump administration officials, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former national security adviser Robert OBrien.

Former President Donald Trump and his administration were notably tough on China, which U.S. intelligence officials and Chinese state mediasaid preferred Biden to win the 2020 election over Trump.

Cotton, who was sanctioned last year, said he initially laughed off the fresh sanctions.

But these sanctions apply not only to these individuals, they apply to any company or institution that associates with them. Now, this is not designed so much to punish Trump administration officials for taking a tough line on China, but to send a shot across the bow to Biden administration officials, he said.

Many former government officials like to write memoirs. China threatened publishing houses that give contracts to officials they sanctioned with cutting off access to their market for all their books.

Cotton called for the Biden administration to announce reciprocal sanctions. Biden administration officials also need to find out if the China ambassador was involved in it, and, if so, kick him out of the country, the senator said, adding, We cannot tolerate China trying to influence government officials at the highest levels of American government.

Bidens National Security Council spokeswoman said on the same day the sanctions were announced that the timing of the imposition is seemingly an attempt to play to partisan divides.

Americans of both parties should criticize this unproductive and cynical move. President Biden looks forward to working with leaders in both parties to position America to out-compete China, she added.

The White House hasnt appeared to comment on the sanctions since then. The White House didnt respond to an inquiry on Sunday.
They have never been afraid to push the boundaries when it comes to fashion.

And now Brisbane pop duo The Veronicas will soon be launching their own 90s-inspired fashion range with Gold Coast designers, Jagger and Stone.

Twins Lisa and Jessica Origliasso, 36, announced their edgy collaboration on Thursday, which will be part of a limited edition collection later this year.

Inspired: Brisbane pop duo The Veronicas (pictured) have teamed up with Gold Coast fashion brand Jagger and Stone to release their own edgy clothing line

'We've been wearing Jagger and Stone at our festival shows for the past year,' Jessica said in a statement after attending an event with the label's co-founders, Lucy Jackson and Nikki Westcott.

'We are so excited to create a collaboration range with them, inspired by our music and our favourite 90s era of fashion, grunge and films.'

It's unclear what the Veronicas' collection will entail, and at what price point.

'We've been wearing Jagger and Stone at our festival shows for the past year,' Jessica, 36, said in a statement on Thursday. Pictured in 2019

Jessica and Lisa are set to appear on the upcoming season of Celebrity Apprentice Australia, and have since filmed various challenges in Sydney.

The revamped show is being hosted by British billionaire Lord Alan Sugar. 73, who replaces the former CEO, Mark Bouris.

They are also due to release their first album in six years in the coming months.

Stylish: Lisa, left, and Jessica Origliasso, right, 36, announced their collaboration on Thursday, after attending an event with the label's co-founders, Lucy Jackson and Nikki Westcott

Also joining the cast is Married At First Sight's Martha Kalifatidis, The Block's Shaynna Blaze, actor Rob Shehadie and fashion designer Camilla Franks.

Radio host Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli, professional surfer Alex Hayes and Olympic gymnast Olivia Vivian round out the line-up.

Celebrity Apprentice will air on Channel Nine and 9Now in 2021


Julien Messias 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". It has emerged as one of the best absolute return houses in France in the last couple of years. Julien Messias, portfolio manager and co-founder, will present in the webinar, Investor Workshop: The Seven Keys to Behavioural Investing, tomorrow at 10 am EST. Quantology's investment philosophy rests on four pillars, Messias explains, namely, psychology, quantitative finance, systematic investing and collective intelligence. On the psychology side, the managers believe equity market opportunities are mainly linked to behavioural biases, and that the psychology of investors does not change over time. So exploiting it creates a robust source of alpha. "We exploit behavioural basis dating back to more than 50 years in the academic literature," he says. "We think that equity markets are highly unpredictable Thus we only work on corporate event-driven opportunities that create robust price momentum." On the quantitative finance side, the firm has been developing a proprietary quantitative and textual database for the last seven years. The managers are R&D-centric, with a four-people team entirely dedicated to crunching data and testing strategies. "The real wealth of a quantitative asset management company relies on algorithms, but it relies even more on the databases it has been able to collect and on their 'cleanness'," he explains. Indeed, 50% of the managers' time is dedicated to reading papers or books by psychologists, sociologists and biologists. The systematic side is applied on the basis that discretionary decisions cost a lot of alpha, as in fast markets rationality disappears behind fear or exuberance. So rule-based strategies are in order. "Human beings are weak when trying to moderate their emotions," Messias says. "For example, at Quantology Capital we avoid keeping our eyes on screens with data moving up or down. At best, screens with financial data consume too much energy and are huge time-wasters. More realistically, they implicitly encourage traders to act and trade more than they should." And finally, on the collective intelligence side, the managers think that, when facing randomness, a group of a large number of non-experts tends to outperform a group of self-proclaimed experts. The errors of the ones compensate for the errors of the others, making the collective average the best estimation or choice. "We have no market conviction, and we really want to avoid having one!" he says. "Don't ask us to predict the level of the S&P at the end of the year. Being agnostic is the best way for us to deliver strong Sharpe and uncorrelated performances and to avoid big trading drama due to personal ego. We use data to try to understand what the market practitioners think, not to try to understand the market itself. It is a huge difference."

Related article:

11.Jan.2021 Opalesque Exclusive: French behavioural finance specialist sees no value in timing the market

Webinar: Investor Workshop: The seven keys to behavioural investing

- With Julian Robertson, Tiger Management,

- Robert Zuccaro, Target QR,

- Roy Niederhoffer, R.G. Niederhoffer Capital Management,

- and Julien Messias, Quantology Capital Management.

Date: Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 at 10 a.m. EST

Register here for this free webinar: www.opalesque.com/webinar/
London, Jan 24 : UK Prime minister Boris Johnson said he "looks forward to deepening the longstanding alliance" with the US while speaking to US President Joe Biden.

This was the first phone call between the two leaders since Biden's inauguration as the 46th US President on January 20.

Taking to Twitter on Friday night, Johnson said: "Great to speak to President Joe Biden this evening. I look forward to deepening the longstanding alliance between our two countries as we drive a green and sustainable recovery from Covid-19." According to a Downing Street spokesman, the two leaders also spoke about about "the benefits of a potential free trade deal" between the UK and the US, with Johnson reiterating his intention "to resolve existing trade issues as soon as possible", the BBC reported.

During the call, Johnson also "warmly welcomed" the new President's decision to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement as well as the World Health Organization, which were both abandoned by Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, the spokesman said.

"The Prime Minister praised President Biden's early action on tackling climate change and commitment to reach net zero by 2050." Regarding the two nations' "long history of cooperation in security and defence, the leaders "re-committed to the Nato alliance and our shared values in promoting human rights and protecting democracy", the BBC quoted the spokesman as further saying.

Johnson and Biden "looked forward to to meeting in person as soon as the circumstances allow" and to working together during the forthcoming G7, G20 and COP26 summits, the spokesman added.

In a statement regarding the call, the White House said that the resident "conveyed his intention to strengthen the special relationship and revitalise transatlantic ties".

The first foreign leader Biden spoke to after assuming office was Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : To vaccinate or not to vaccinate - is the question on everybody's mind today. But in truth, an informed decision must be made as our country begins one of the biggest immunization drive of the century.

In the early 80s no one really talked about getting vaccinated. It was just a routine part of a doctor's visit. In fact, it was mainly for kids, and elders never had to bother so much about being vaccinated. But with the progress in science and technology, children around the world have been getting vaccinated more than ever owing to the eradication of diseases such as Smallpox and Rinderpest. In India, the biggest success story was the Pulse Polio drive.

Yet now, it is almost impossible to publicly speak about immunizations, without sparking a debate. And in the past few month, vaccines have been increasingly dogged by controversy. IANSlife spoke to Dr Sanjay Shah, General Physician, Fortis Hospital, who shares a few facts that will demystify the fears within.

Should we get vaccinated or not? According to WHO, UNICEF and the United Nations (UN), vaccines are one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, preventing many deaths per year. Vaccines are a necessity to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of our future generations. Vaccines, by contrast, are designed to bring about a more consistent and optimal immune response, Dr Shah says.

"They help sustain immunity for a longer time and boost whatever pre-existing immunity a person might have from an infection.

"Moreover, in a country like India, achieving naturally immunity for the entire population is next to impossible. Therefore, our country will need to take a two-pronged approach where we develop vaccine induced immunity and a part of the population can achieve natural immunity. We will require around 70 per cent of our population to develop immunity in order to control the pandemic." Can a Covid-19 vaccine make me sick with Covid-19?

Dr Shah replies: "No. None of the Covid-19 vaccines contain the live virus that causes the infection, so a Covid-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with the virus." Are the vaccines that received approval safe?

Dr Shah says: "Yes, the two Covid-19 vaccines - Covishield and Covaxin that are available in India, they have been shown to be effective at preventing Covid-19. Covishield has completed phase III trial, Covaxin is still under phase III trial. They have been developed very carefully and are authorized because they display higher efficacy rate." Can a pregnant woman get vaccinated?

While the government has mentioned that pregnant women should not get vaccination, Dr Shah says if a pregnant woman holds the risk of been exposed to virus in any way, then it is safe that she takes the vaccine shot. The parents-to-be must speak to their physician before making this decision.

What if I travelled abroad and had 1 dose of vaccine from Pfizer but India has not approved the brand here? Can I take a second shot of another company or wait? Such cases will be few though. But if someone has travelled aboard and had a vaccine shot of Pfizer, it is important to consult your doctor and then take the second shot of vaccine here. Consulting your doctor is necessary, Dr Shah says.

In coming months there will be more vaccine companies who will get DCGI approval. How do I choose which one vaccine company over the other? "In it necessary to check for the efficacy rate of every vaccine. Vaccines such as Covishield and Covaxin have been developed using viral vectors which has been a tried and tested way in the past. Whereas the DNA or RNA-based vaccines have been a fairly new concept. But all vaccine candidates have been found to be efficacious against severe infections than against milder ones," Dr Shah says.

Which group of people need the vaccine the most? Elderly population requires the vaccine the most, the expert says. "However, people must check with their physician first before getting their vaccine shot. People with co-morbidities and those with immune-compromised conditions should consult a doctor first." Can cancer patients opt for the vaccine?

Patients who have survived Cancer and those are recovering and have better immunity, can opt for the vaccine shot, but again not without your doctor's permission, Dr Shah points out.

I am not a healthcare worker, but I have taken the Covid-19 vaccine, should I hide it from my physician, since I am not eligible? Dr Shah says: "It is fine to inform the physician about taking the vaccine as there are no legal consequences for the same. Patient should not hide it as this knowledge will help the physician in giving the right treatment." (Puja Gupta can be contacted at puja.g@ians.in)

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II

EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation

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Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow

Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast

We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan

Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory

Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances

Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections

Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day

Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan

Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake

Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS)

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Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time

Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation

Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country

Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor"

Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building"

Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

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Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms

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104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

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Reuters

Dutch authorities have arrested 57-year old Canadian national Tse Chi Lop at the request of the Australia Federal Police after a long probe into drug trafficking in the Asia-Pacific.

Tse had been on a global most-wanted list and was of "significant interest" to law enforcement agencies in multiple countries, said Dutch and Australian police.

WHO IS TSE CHI LOP?

Tse - known by his nickname "Sam Gor", Brother Number Three in Cantonese - is the alleged senior leader of a sprawling transnational drug trafficking syndicate known as "The Company" to its members or, to some police, the "Sam Gor syndicate."

Born in China's southern Guangzhou province, he became a member of the Big Circle Gang, a Triad-like organisation founded by disillusioned Red Guards at the end of the Cultural Revolution, police sources have told Reuters.

He moved to Hong Kong, then Canada, and was arraigned by United States authorities for heroin trafficking in 1998. After release from an Ohio prison in 2006, he found his way back to Asia, where police allege he led the transformation of the region's $70 billion annual drug trade. Described as immensely wealthy and a prodigious gambler, Tse lost $66 million in one night at a casino and travelled with a guard of Thai kickboxers, investigators told Reuters.

WHAT IS 'THE COMPANY"?

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated that Tse's drug syndicate earned as much as $17 billion from trafficking drugs in 2018.

Police and analysts said the syndicate drove a rapid expansion of crystal-methamphetamine trafficking in the region, which increased fourfold in the five years to 2019. The syndicate also manufactured heroin and has been a major player in the global market for MDMA, a euphoric party drug also known as ecstasy, police say.

The UNODC's Jeremy Douglas has said Tse was "in the league of" the Latin American narco-bosses Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and Pablo Escobar.

Police allege Tse's crime syndicate was formed after a peace pact among five Asian criminal groups - the Big Circle Gang (also called the Big Circle Boys); the 14k, Wo Shing Wo and Sun Yee On triads from Hong Kong and Macau; and the Bamboo Union, based in Taiwan.

The collaboration ended the blood-soaked rivalries of some of the crime groups and paved the way for gargantuan profits.

As well as pioneering industrial-scale meth production in super-labs in Myanmar, Tse's syndicate built its customer base among smaller, nation-based crime groups by offering to replace any drugs that were seized by law enforcement at no extra cost, police say.

WHAT NEXT?

Tse bunkered down in Taiwan in 2019 after he became aware of a major multinational investigation into him and the syndicate, four police sources say. China and Australia issued arrest warrants for Tse, but neither has extradition agreements with the self-governing territory that is claimed by Beijing.

Following his arrest at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport on Saturday, Australian police said they can seek Tse's extradition to Australia to face court. No charges have been revealed. But the Australian police believe Tse has been involved in at least 13 drug importations to Australia, according to a document viewed by Reuters.

Whether Tse's arrest dents the Asia-Pacific drug trade remains unclear. While he has kept a low profile in the past year, the syndicate's activities have been largely unaffected, two police sources told Reuters. The UNODC and police sources have told Reuters that, with the exception of a few countries, the trafficking of illicit substances has been largely unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Asia-Pacific, unlike other regions.

Pro-independence rebels fighting Morocco over the disputed territory of Western Sahara on Sunday vowed a military escalation, hours after launching an overnight attack.

The Polisario Front said they had bombarded the Morocco-controlled area of Guerguerat, a crossing point between Western Sahara and Mauritania in a UN-patrolled buffer zone.

AFP could not obtain independent confirmation of the reported rocket strikes, or of any possible casualties, from the remote desert region that is largely off-limits to journalists.

"The war will continue and escalate," senior Polisario security official Sidi Ould Loukal told AFP by phone. "All positions of the Moroccan army are targets of this war."

A Moroccan official however told AFP there had only been "harassing fire", labelled the attack claim part of a "propaganda war" and insisted "the situation is normal".

Moroccan TV channel 2M showed images of trucks in the Guerguerat area and reported the situation was "normal" early Sunday.

Western Sahara is a former Spanish colony contested since the 1970s between Morocco, which controls three-quarters of it, and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which demands independence for what it calls the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

A UN-backed political process has been suspended since March 2019, and the two sides remain separated by a 2,700-kilometre (1,700-mile) sand barrier.

Tensions rose sharply when Morocco on November 13 sent troops into the buffer zone to reopen the only road leading from Morocco to Mauritania and the rest of West Africa, after separatists had blocked it the previous month.

The Polisario responded by declaring the 1991 ceasefire null and void, arguing the road had not existed when the truce was signed and was therefore illegal.

The two sides are reported to have since exchanged regular fire along the demarcation line.

- 'War zone' -

The pro-independence rebels overnight launched four rockets toward Guerguerat, the Sahrawi press agency SPS said, also reporting attacks along the security barrier.

Story continues

The Guerguerat road crossing had been "closed" and the situation there was "chaotic", said Ould Oukal, secretary general of the Sahrawi ministry of security.

"This is only the beginning," he said. "It is a warning to the users of this road and this land. The whole territory of Western Sahara is a war zone and is not safe."

The senior Moroccan official contacted by AFP in Rabat however said: "There was harassing fire near the area of Guerguerat, but it did not affect the trunk road, traffic was not disrupted.

"It's been part of a cycle of harassment for more than three months," he said.

"There is a desire to create a propaganda war, a media war, on the existence of a war in the Sahara" but "the situation is normal", he said.

The UN-backed ceasefire deal was meant to lead to a referendum on self-determination for the Britain-sized territory, home to about one million people.

Morocco has offered autonomy but maintains the territory is a sovereign part of the kingdom.

Rabat has won the recognition of its claim to sovereignty over the entire disputed territory from numerous countries which have opened consulates in Western Sahara.

Former US president Donald Trump late last year also backed Morocco, breaking decades of precedent, in exchange for Rabat normalising relations with Israel.

The Polisario Front, which fought a war for independence from Morocco from 1975 to 1991, has said it is still willing to join UN talks on the territory's future -- but would not lay down its arms.

"In the past, we put all our trust in the international community and definitively ended our armed struggle," Ould Loukal said on Tuesday.

"We have waited 30 years -- 30 years of broken promises, prevarication and untenable waiting."

Ould Loukal insisted the group was "open to any mediation. But at the same time, we will keep up the armed struggle, based on past experiences."

amb-agr/fz/pjm
Protesting farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, are gearing up for the massive tractor rally on Republic Day in Delhi. Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at several border points of Delhi since November 28 last year, demanding a repeal of the three farm laws and a legal guarantee to the minimum support price (MSP) for their crops.

Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal had earlier said, "Tractor march on January 26 will take place as decided by us on Outer Ring Road. We have informed the police it is for the government to ensure that it should be peaceful." Around 25,000 tractors from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand will participate in the 'kisan parade' in the national capital on January 26, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said on Saturday.

Amid the protests and preparations for the tractor rally, a farmer from Punjab reached Delhi on his tractor in reverse gear. The stunt was a symbolic one, appealing the Centre to 'reverse' the farm laws.

A farmer drove his tractor from Punjab to Delhi in reverse gear.He said @narendramodi should also reverse (repeal) the anti-farmer laws.#BharatKaregaDelhiKooch pic.twitter.com/a0ESH9Zt9y Tractor2 (@Tractor2twitr) January 24, 2021

The tractor parade will start from the Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri border points of Delhi, but the final details of routes are yet to be finalised, said Kohar, who is a senior member of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of the agitating unions.

Enacted in September last year, the three farm laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country.

However, the protesting farmers have expressed their apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of MSP and do away with the "mandi" (wholesale market) system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.

Residents desperate for decent food after lockdown

Residents desperate for decent food after lockdown

Residents of the locked-down area of Jordan said they were thrilled to be allowed to leave earlier than expected at 6pm on Sunday, with many saying they were desperate to get some decent food.



A resident surnamed Cheng said he had been eating instant noodles for two days. He said he was going to leave immediately and have dinner at his mother's home. Another resident said she had also been living off instant noodles as she didn't have a stove. She said she would go and buy some warm food.



Meanwhile a man, surnamed Tsang, said he was relieved that he could finally get out of his home.



I was so bored as I live alone. I had run out of everything. I need to buy a pack of cigarettes, he said.



One man, a Muslim, said the government had failed to provide Halal food. Luncheon meat, containing pork which is forbidden to Muslims, had been included in government food packages, though other items, such as pasta and tinned tuna, were also provided.



We don't have anything to eat because we are Muslims and we eat Halal food, he said.



At a press conference on Sunday evening, the Home Affairs Secretary Caspar Tsui, had said residents who had tested negative for Covid-19 could now leave and re-enter the locked down area of Jordan provided they wore an official wristband.



The move essentially ended the operation, which began at 4am on Saturday and was due to last 48 hours, though restrictions remain in force. It created Hong Kong's first lockdown of a block of streets following a Covid outbreak in the area, with the government testing at least 7,000 for the virus during the operation.



The government has now said it will step up disinfection of the area, including Yau Ma Tei Market and the hawker bazaars on Reclamation Street and Temple Street.
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Lifeboat launched to assist yacht after engine fire



Credit: Rob Marshall

Port St Mary lifeboat assist a yacht which had suffered an engine fire and as a result lost steering and drifted onto rocks in Port Erin Bay.

They were called out to the incident at just after 5:30pm yesterday.

The lifeboat had already been tasked to assist the 45ft yacht, but due to the size of the vessel, the UK Coastguard also requested the help of Port St Marys all-weather relief lifeboat RNLB Forward Birmingham.

The casualty vessel was already safely tied up on a mooring in Port Erin Bay.

Crew doctor Juan Corkill said: 'The RNLI like all the emergency services has had to adapt its procedures during the Covid pandemic. The crew for tonights shout were well drilled in wearing enhanced PPE, maintaining their commitment to each others safety and to saving lives at sea. Recent Covid restrictions have limited the opportunities to exercise but the Port St Mary lifeboat's experienced crew members were as always there to mentor the newer members such as myself.'


A man was found dead of a gunshot wound in a car in the 3100 block of Houma Boulevard in Metairie on Saturday afternoon.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office said deputies responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle in the back parking lot of a business at about 12:30 p.m. and found the man inside with at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

JPSO said there is no motive or suspect information available at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Homicide Section at (504) 364-5300 or contact Crimestoppers.

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Gatwick Airport increased its Government borrowing by 75million over the last week to shore up its finances during the extended travel shutdown.

According to documents seen by The Mail on Sunday, the latest financing means Gatwick has borrowed 250million under the Bank of England's Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) scheme.

Gatwick applied to access the CCFF in August, saying at the time it was a contingency measure and hoped not to touch the money.

However, the lockdowns and travel restrictions have led to a situation where Gatwick has now accessed a total of 250million  and has 12 months to repay it.

Grounded: Gatwick, owned by France's VINCI Airports and $71billion fund GIP, still has the option of accessing a further 50 million under its 300million CCFF facility

Gatwick, owned by France's VINCI Airports and $71billion fund GIP, still has the option of accessing a further 50million under its 300million CCFF facility.

A spokeswoman confirmed the loan had been drawn down 'to preserve liquidity and protect the business while there is ongoing uncertainty regarding the length of time' of the current air travel restrictions.

She added: 'This loan gives the business some flexibility in case the state of affairs regarding international travel deteriorates further.'

Gatwick, Britain's second biggest airport, cut 600 jobs last year. It posted a 344million pre-tax loss for the six months to June as passenger numbers fell by two-thirds.

The airport is currently operating from just the North Terminal, last week running just 20 to 30 flights a day, for around 1,000 passengers.

Before the pandemic, it was the world's biggest single-runway airport. But last year, passengers were down 80 per cent on average compared with 2019, as airlines scaled back or suspended flights.

And this month, Norwegian Air said it was closing its long-haul base at Gatwick, making 1,100 staff redundant.

The Mail on Sunday understands Norwegian is now dismantling its fleet of 35 Boeing 787 Dreamliner transatlantic jets, which will be sold or returned to leasing firms.

Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, warned last week airports could have to shut temporarily.

There is speculation UK borders could be shut completely as soon as this week.

Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said the restrictions could lead to several airlines going bust.

Gatwick last night urged the Government to announce 'a comprehensive support package for aviation'.

It added: 'It is vital that critical national infrastructure such as airports are able to thrive and provide the international connectivity required to ensure Britain remains open for trade and business.'

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Work culture experts say there are steps companies can take before the lawyers get involved. These are among them: closely monitoring large chat groups, listening to complaints, reminding employees they are on the job and not bantering with friends, and being aware that a move to a virtual work force can expose new issues like age discrimination.

At a lot of American companies, this is the first time colleagues have had to come to terms with working and socializing almost entirely online. There is likely no going back: Nearly half of the U.S. labor force is working from home full time, according to the Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom. And 67 percent of companies expect working from home to be permanent or long lasting, according to a study by S&P Global, which provides financial analysis.

At the beginning of the pandemic, everyone patted themselves on their back, like: Oh, look, productivity has not fallen. Weve transitioned to digital. Weve done things we were seeking to do  streamline processes, move things online, decentralize decision making. But they were forgetting about culture, said Jennifer Howard-Grenville, a professor in organization studies at the University of Cambridge. Now the reality of that has hit.

When message boards, chat rooms and Facebook become work tools, off-color humor is more common. Aggressive political discussions that would be out of place among cubicles now seem fine. The hierarchy of physical space disappears when everyone is a username: Confronting senior management does not require a walk and a knock on the door, and confronting colleagues does not require sitting next to them the rest of the day.

Ive seen bullying by text in the various kinds of internal instant messenger platforms, and weve seen an uptick in those kinds of complaints coming our way, said John Marshall, an employment and civil rights lawyer in Columbus, Ohio. Harassment from colleagues in internal messaging platforms is not new, he added, but now there is more of it.
State Rep. Jeff Pyle, a conservative Republican from Western Pennsylvania, is facing calls on social media for his resignation and censure from colleagues for a Facebook post mocking the appearance of recently departed Health Secretary Rachel Levine, a transgender woman who has been nominated to serve in the Biden administration.

Pyle, 56, who was first elected in November 2004, issued an apology on his now-deactivated Facebook page but said he would not resign.

A few days ago I copied and shared a meme, he wrote. I had no idea it would be ... received as poorly as it was. Tens of thousands of heated emails assured me it was.

I owe an apology and offer it humbly, he wrote, not specifically apologizing to Levine or other transgender people, but later repeating an apology to all affected.

Pyle did not respond to a request made through a spokesperson for a comment. Levine has not commented.

President Joe Biden has tapped Levine to be his assistant secretary of health, leaving her poised to become the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Pyle has been a vocal critic of Pennsylvanias shutdowns to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. His Facebook post about Levine drew angry responses on social media sites.

 READ MORE: After insults and fraught politics in Pa., Rachel Levines nomination to Biden administration is a new day for transgender America

Philadelphia State Rep. Brian Sims tweeted what he labeled a reprimand and called on House Republican leadership to act, saying, As Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus I have conferred with my colleagues, members Caucus & the Democratic leadership, and all are in agreement that this discriminatory & dangerous behavior by state @RepJeffPyle must be condemned by House Republican leadership.

Homophobia and transphobia have no place in the General Assembly or in our commonwealth, Sims wrote. The kind of discrimination & hatred displayed by Rep. Pyle are a direct violation of the public trust afforded to him as a member of the General Assembly.

In May, Pyle was among a group of House legislators who supported a bill calling for an end to COVID-19 business shutdowns. He was one of 10 state lawmakers who wrote a letter that month asking Gov. Tom Wolf to move certain counties, including his Armstrong County, from the red phase of lockdown to the less restrictive yellow phase.

He said he did not come up with the offensive post on his own but had merely shared it, though he said he should not have done so.

From this situation I have learned not to poke fun at people different from me and to hold my tongue. Be a bigger man, he wrote.

Levine became the states health secretary in 2017. Since the emergence of COVID-19 she has become a regular presence explaining the states response. She previously served as the Pennsylvania physician general from 2015 to 2017 and is among a handful of openly transgender government officials in the United States.

 READ MORE: What to know about Rachel Levine, the history-making Pa. health official tapped for Biden administration

Instead of resigning, Pyle said he will focus on a Butler Community College project and the economic revitalization of Pennsylvania amid the pandemic, among other things.

Associated Press reporting contributed to this article.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has issued a decree ratifying the extension of a nationwide state of emergency for three months starting Sunday, 24 January.

According to the decree, the Egyptian Armed Forces and police are to take measures necessary to confront the dangers and the funding of terrorism, safeguard security across the country, protect public and private property, and save citizens lives.

The decree comes days after parliament approved on Monday the extension of the state of emergency for three more months starting 24 January.

The state of emergency, first declared in April 2017 after two deadly church bombings that killed dozens of people, has been extended on the grounds of fighting terrorism, implementing development programs in a stable climate, and more recently containing the coronavirus crisis.

It has been renewed since for periods not exceeding three months, in accordance with the Egyptian constitution.

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Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron speaks at a press conference to discuss his office's role as special prosecutor in the investigation of the death of Breanna Taylor. PHOTO:Cynthia Howe

Petitioners Want Impeachment of AG Cameron

By The Associated Press

FRANKFORT - A petition has been filed seeking the impeachment of Kentucky's attorney general.The petition seeks Daniel Cameron's ouster for his handling of an investigation into Breonna Taylors shooting death by police.The petitions allegations against the Republican attorney general include breach of public trust and failure to comply with his duties as the states chief law enforcement official.It was submitted to the overwhelmingly Republican Kentucky House. The petitions signers include an attorney for three grand jurors who have accused Cameron of misleading the public when describing the grand jury proceedings.

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At the ceremony (Photo: LDO)

The participation of the armed forces in protecting the Tan Son Nhat International Airport, the Air Traffic Control Station and the Tan Son Nhat Radio Station, will contribute to creating consensus in society, a joyful and exciting atmosphere among the citys people during the lunar New Year festival.



The Tan Son Nhat International Airport is one of the major airports in the country, an important project related to national security, and absolutely security and order is required. This is an important traffic gateway not only of Vietnam but also internationally, with the highest flight frequency in the country, with more than 50 domestic and international airlines participating in the operation.

Major General Le Hong Nam, Director of the city Public Security, said that hostile forces are always looking to destructive activities in order to destabilize the security situation in the country, especially provoking demonstrations, disrupting security and order, affecting aviation operation safety and the citys security and order./.

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.


A RFS Bell 412EP Helicopter is seen at RAAF Base Richmond in Sydney, Australia on Oct. 23, 2020. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Volunteer Firefighter Charged After Allegedly Starting Over 30 Bushfires

A volunteer member of the Rural Fire Service in New South Wales (NSW) has been charged for deliberately lighting over 30 grass fires during bushfire season in late 2020.

NSW Police said in a media release that a 30-year-old man was arrested at a home in Whitton in the states south-central region just after 11 a.m. on Jan. 22.

A search warrant was executed at the home and police seized items of interest for forensic examination.

The arrest follows an extensive investigation by detectives from Murrumbidgee Police District who established Strike Force Rummery to look into the fires.

The man allegedly deliberately lit more than 30 separate spot fires in the Whitton area between November 2020 and January 2021.

He was taken to Griffith Police Station and charged with five counts of intentionally causing a fire and being reckless as to its spread.

On Jan. 23, he was refused bail and will appear before a judge at Wagga Wagga Local Court on Jan. 27.

The NSW Rural Fire Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A sign reading We are survivors of the bushfires is shown at Maurice Avenue round about in Mallacoota, Australia on Dec. 31, 2020. (Diego Fedele/Getty Images)

The arrest comes as the NSW Rural Fire Service warned of fire danger in parts of the state in the coming days.

Fire danger over coming days will be tempered in most areas by recent rain & moderate winds. The area of concern continues to be around the Riverina where hot, dry & windy conditions on Monday are likely to lead to severe fire danger and possible total fire bans, the service said on Twitter on Jan. 22.

Fire danger over coming days will be tempered in most areas by recent rain & moderate winds. The area of concern continues to be around the Riverina where hot, dry & windy conditions on Monday are likely to lead to severe fire danger and possible total fire bans. #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/pQG2mirYbq  NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 22, 2021

During bushfire danger periods over the summer, fire permits are required in New South Wales.

The Australian landscape is prone to fires, which can become catastrophic when conditions are ripe, as was seen during the devastating 2019-20 bushfire season.

The Black Summer bushfires were made possible by climatic conditions triggered by a sudden warming event in the atmosphere above Antarctica in September, which fuelled raging fires across Australia for months. In New South Wales, the fires claimed 26 lives and destroyed 2,448 homes, according to the Australian Disaster Resilience Knowledge Hub.

Nationally, over 33 lives were lost, including nine firefighters, and more than 80,000 head of livestock, and millions of native plants and animals.

A royal commission into the bushfires was held, making some 80 recommendations.
Some Charleston-area retailers and restaurants were quick to go under shortly after the ill effects of the coronavirus seeped too deeply into their livelihoods.

Still, other entrepreneurs, some of whom lost their jobs because of the pandemic, soldiered on with plans to launch a business despite a virus that had darkened others' dreams.

Mount Pleasant native Emilie Huesca lost her closet organizing job in New York in March when the coronavirus locked down much of the service economy.

Laura Rames, a psychiatrist, had considered opening a vintage goods business with three partners before the pandemic took hold.

Charlotte-based home goods retail shop owners Kelley Lentini and Berkeley Minkhorst had already met with a real estate agent and looked at several spots in downtown Charleston for a second store when the virus temporarily derailed their plans.

The pandemic didn't stop any of them.

Starting at the bottom

Two weeks after losing her job in New York, Huesca moved back to the Lowcountry to live with her parents.

"I knew New York would not be the same anytime soon, and I've always wanted to have my own store," she said.

Huesca looked to King Street and she wanted to be north of Calhoun.

Being a recent College of Charleston graduate, she knew students were now concentrated in new apartment buildings in the Upper King area and she believed it was advantageous to be close to her target market of 18- to 40-year-olds.

The first month after she returned home she hit the pavement, walking up and down King Street looking for the right location.

She settled on a 1,400-square-foot space with big showcase windows beside Italian restaurant Indaco.

The ground-floor space previously housed cubicles for a marketing company. Huesca felt it had "a dark industrial vibe."

She knew it had to change to meet her vision so she borrowed money from her father to lighten up the insides. She installed new walls with a creamy white color, added new lighting and put up an antique chandelier.

Huesca signed a two-year lease with subsequent three-year options, adding it became affordable when the landlord split off the back part of the building for possible other use.

Earlier this fall, she opened Something About Me at 522 King.

Shoppers have been receptive of her new business and weekends have been busy, but she said her biggest challenge so far is a scarcity of walk-in traffic during the week.

"Tourism isn't anywhere near where it used to be," Huesca said.

She was hopeful the holiday season would bring more shoppers to the downtown area.

"There is no good time to open a store," Huesca said. "As long as you believe in it, it will get better. Since I started at the bottom, I can only go up from there."

Her advice to would-be entrepreneurs: "Save everything you can."

'Don't overbuy'

In early August, Rames and three partners  Cindy Mazzei, Jacquie Hughes and Jean Gabriel  launched Village Emporium, a 7,200-square-foot resale store in Moultrie Plaza on Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant.

"Some people would probably think we were kind of crazy opening when we did," Rames said.

But the business, she added, has done well because it offers something different and people are tired of sitting at home and buying online.

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"Since we sell home furnishings, that has drawn people to us because they want to get out," Rames said. "There is something unique about going into the shop. People like to touch it, feel it and see it before they buy it."

Still, the co-owners are guarding against a new surge of the coronavirus that could trigger another lockdown.

"You have to make sure you keep some money in the bank just in case we have to close," Rames said.

Their leasing contract includes lenient terms as well, a reflection of the times.

"The landlord has worked with us to cut our rents somewhat if there were to be a resurgence of the pandemic or a hurricane," Rames said.

Rames wonders how businesses are being affected by people who still aren't leaving their homes. To allay fears, she and her partners try to make sure the store is clean and sanitary and social distancing is easily achievable since the space offers cross aisles.

"People aren't on top of each other," she said. "This is one of the few things people can do safely."

The pandemic has also caused a shortage of some items that are on back order, but Rames said keeping track of inventory is paramount.

"You really have to plan ahead and get enough of what you need," she said. "You also don't want to overbuy because you don't know how long this is going to last."

'Powering through'

For the shopkeepers at Charlotte-based interior design shop House of Nomad, opening a store in downtown Charleston was always on their radar.

The Queen City store was thriving, and Lentini got to know the city well when she attended the College of Charleston, before transferring to Appalachian State University.

She and Minkhorst had visited the Holy City on occasion and it was the next stop on their expansion list.

"We packed our bags and met with the real estate guy and were shown several locations," Minkhorst said.

They were attracted to a space close to Belmond Charleston Place and the cluster of antique stores just south of the big hotel and shopping complex.

With a built-in base of tourists and plentiful other retailers nearby, they were sold on an 1,800-square-foot shop at 214 King.

"Then COVID happened," Minkhorst said. "All of our hopes and dreams were quickly taken away from us."

But they didn't abandon their idea. They just put it aside while focusing on keeping their employees in Charlotte still on the payroll.

To make it through, they focused on online sales and looked to the future location on King Street as a beacon of hope.

"Just keep powering through and maybe someday we will get back to the place on King Street and make it happen," Lentini said. "We were lucky. Online sales picked up, and we were back in Charleston and saw the place was still available."

In late May, they signed a three-year lease. Renovations began in July, and they opened in October.

The main problem they experienced once they decided on the location was getting inventory.

"We have experienced delays in getting things," Lentini said.

They usually shop for items abroad, but with the limited ability to travel during the pandemic, they turned to international contacts and have been buying through them by telephone.

The pandemic, though, has not curtailed their business, they said. On the contrary, they said consumers have been stuck at home and doing home repairs or renovations.

"We are consumed with work," Lentini said.

As for opening a new business during a pandemic, Lentini said, "It's not for the faint of heart, but we have seen such support and people want small businesses to thrive and survive. We hope that support will take us through our opening and beyond."
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More than 180,000 people have stopped identifying with the Presbyterian Church (USA) in the past four years, according to official church numbers. Now theres one more: President Donald Trump.

Trump told Religion News Service last week in a written interview mediated by spiritual advisor Paula White-Cain that he doesnt consider himself to be Presbyterian. He was confirmed in the church and has called himself Presbyterian numerous times over the years. But no more.

I now consider myself to be a non-denominational Christian, Trump said in the statement. Melania and I have gotten to visit some amazing churches and meet with great faith leaders from around the world. During the unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak, I tuned into several virtual church services and know that millions of Americans did the same.

While the mainline denomination has previously challenged Trumps affiliation, his recent departure seems to be the result of the president slowly moving away from his childhood church and toward a more evangelical faith.

Trump was not a regular churchgoer before he was elected president. He attended Norman Vincent Peales church for a while and praises Peales book The Power of Positive Thinking. He has also attended Episcopal churches for several Christmas and Easter services. In 2016, he was described by one prominent evangelical supporter as a baby Christian.

Since moving to the White House, however, he has visited many different churches, mostly evangelical and Pentecostal. He has met with numerous ministers, been prayed over, and sought the advice of spiritual counselors like White-Cain, a Florida televangelist often associated with the prosperity gospel, who took a position as the Trump administrations faith outreach coordinator last year. City of Destiny, the church White-Cain founded in Florida, is nondenominational.

Most Americans dont think Trump has strong religious beliefs, according to the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute poll. Roughly 40 percent say the president is mostly using religion for political purposes. White evangelicals who vote Republican see things differently: Fifty-nine percent say Trump has strong religious beliefs.

In some ways, Trumps decision to disassociate with a mainline denomination is also part of a larger cultural trend. Many Americans have done the same. In 1975, nearly a third of Americans identified with a mainline denomination. Today, that has dropped to a little more than 10 percent.

The Presbyterian Church (USA) has declined from 3.1 million members in 1984 to about 1.3 million today. Membership has dropped by an average of 4.5 percent every year that Trump has been president.

Changing religious identification is also common in the United States. Social scientists call this switching. This includes dramatic conversions, like when someone has a born-again experience, but also more subtle changes, like when someone moves to a new town and decides to try the local Baptist church instead of another Methodist congregation.

Religious switching seems to happen more often when there are a lot of choiceslike there are in the United States. And it seems to happen more when people take religion very seriously and think its an important and distinctive part of their personal identitylike they do in the US.

In the three-wave Cooperative Congressional Election Studywhich surveyed the same individuals in 2010, 2012, and 20141 out of every 6 Christians changed their religious identification over four years. Some stopped identifying as Christians and either called themselves none or nothing in particular. But about 16 percent changed denomination, including about 20 percent of Presbyterians, who stopped calling themselves Presbyterian and started calling themselves something elseoften nondenominational.

Of course, most Americans are not the president. It is highly unusual for the chief executive to change religious identification in office. The last time it happened, Trump was six years old.

Dwight Eisenhower was baptized the second Sunday he was in the White House, in January 1953. He was joining the group that Trump is now leaving: the Presbyterians.

Eisenhower, like Trump, was not particularly religious before his election. He was raised in a small Anabaptist denomination, which he left when he went to military school. His parents later joined the Bible Students, a group that became the Jehovahs Witnesses. When he was running for office in 1952, the World War II heros lack of a denomination became an issue. He was called a man without a church and without a faith.

One of his spiritual advisors, the evangelist Billy Graham, encouraged Eisenhower to set an example for the nation by joining a church, and recommended he become a Presbyterian. Though Graham was a Baptist, he worked across denominational lines, knew the Presbyterian minister in Washington, DC, and thought Eisenhower would feel comfortable at the orderly, formal Sunday service.

Eisenhower originally resisted the idea, according to historian Gary Scott Smith, thinking the move would just look cynical and political. He felt his faith was private.

He was convinced when one of his staff asked him to think about the nations children, yanked out of bed every Sunday to go to church, complaining that they shouldnt have to go if the president of the United States didnt have to go. The president should set a good religious example.

Eisenhower made it a priority in his administration to promote belief in God and religion, in very general terms. He saw religion as a spiritual resource in the Cold War conflict with Communism. He added under God to the Pledge of Allegiance and promoted the National Day of Prayer. He spoke frequently about the importance of a deeply felt religious faithmost famously when he said, Our form of government has no sense unless it is founded in a deeply felt religious faith, and I dont care what it is.

Most Americans came to see Eisenhower as a very religious president, though some critiqued him for being specific about his faith. He seemed to promote a generic American religion, which had nothing to do with Jesus or any particulars about God or any theological content. He seemed to have, one person said, a very fervent believer in a very vague religion.

Today, when the Cold War struggle has been replaced by culture war conflicts, critics see Trumps move from Presbyterian to nondenominational Christian in the opposite light: Its too specific. Instead of trying to represent all Americans with platitudes about deeply felt faith, they claim Trump is making a political move, identifying with the religious voters he needs at the polls.
I hate being scared, says Nathan Alexander. Which is fair enough. But slightly ironic, given he spent most of 2020 sending shivers down the spines of Australians.

Alexander and his partner Amy Johnson are the producers behind Darkfield Radio in Australia, whose three immersive horror-tinged audio productions were among the few homegrown theatrical success stories in a year stripped nearly bare of performance by the pandemic.

Realscape Productions producers Amy Johnson and Nathan Alexander

In the BC  Before COVID  era they put audiences in blacked-out shipping containers. When social distancing rules made that impossible they were surprised how well it worked simply to sell audio content to listen to at home.

Its been really powerful, says Johnson.
OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 24, 2021 /CNW/ - On Friday, January 22, Canada Post sent afternoon shift workers from the Gateway East facility home to self-isolate for 14 days, based on the recommendations of Peel Public Health authority. This directive comes after positive COVID-19 cases continue to increase at the largest postal facility in the country.

"We are pleased that public health authorities have finally made the right call, listened to the Union, and prioritized the health and safety of workers," says Jan Simpson, CUPW National President. "Postal workers are on the front lines, helping people stay home and flatten the curve, but it should not be at the expense of their health and well-being."

CUPW continues to work with Canada Post and public health authorities to make sure health and safety protocols are adequate and enforced to prevent future outbreaks and keep workers safe. That means making sure the highest level of cleaning is done in the facility, proper protective equipment must be available to all workers, and physical distancing protocols are respected. Rapid testing also continues to be offered by Canada Post for all workers at the facility.

CUPW has also ensured that the quarantine leave provisions in the collective agreement are respected so members who are sent home will be paid while in isolation and away from work.

"Workers should not be penalized for needing to isolate and protect themselves, their families, their coworkers and their communities," says Simpson.

"Unions have always fought for the health and safety of workers, and the pandemic has brought this issue to the forefront of society," says Simpson. "In order for us to ensure safe workplaces, this must be a priority for everyone."

SOURCE Canadian Union of Postal Workers

For further information: Emilie Tobin, CUPW Communications, 613-882-2742 or at [email protected]

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Marshall Co. School Shooting Was Three Years Ago

By West Kentucky Star Staff

BENTON - Saturday marks three years since the shooting at Marshall County High School.The school district, local law enforcement, and numerous others posted #MarshallStrong images and messages on social media as a way to remember the tragic act of violence that claimed the lives of 15-year-old students Preston Cope and Bailey Holt. Some folks also used the hash tags #BeLikeBailey and #PlayLikePreston to honor the teens who were random targets.An event hosted by the Marshall County Resiliency Center and Marshall County Schools invited the community to remember those effected by the events of January 23, 2018. The lobby of the Kenneth Shadowen Performing Arts Center at Marshall County High School was open from 10:00 to 11:00 am on Saturday so people could view artifacts sent to the school in the days and weeks after the shooting.Those who attended were also given the opportunity to write thoughts, prayers or comments that will be added to those from an event last year.Gabriel Ross Parker was 15 when he fired a handgun into a crowd of students before classes started at the school on Jan. 23, 2018. He was arrested at the school and charged with murder and 14 counts of assault. Parker entered a guilty plea on April 28, 2020, and started serving two life sentences last June. He will not be eligible for parole until he serves 20 years in prison.
Hospitals are supposed to be sharing more information about the prices they charge and negotiate with insurers under a new federal rule, but in South Carolina, many aren't yet complying.

Under the transparency move pushed by the Trump administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services asked all hospitals to post spreadsheets of prices to their websites by Jan. 1.

The rule builds on another that took effect a year ago. Then, hospitals only had to share raw costs before insurance or any discounts kicked in. Many in the health care industry said the lists would be next to useless to patients.

Now, hospitals are required to share the prices they have negotiated with insurers.

The federal government, meanwhile, has said it could soon begin auditing medical centers that don't comply.

That presents a dilemma for many organizations, given that those rates are negotiated confidentially with insurers.

Most South Carolina hospitals haven't shared the files.

Charleston-area Roper St. Francis Healthcare, which hasn't posted the newly required information, pressed patients to call the hospital to get a personalized price estimate.

"We continue to seek clarity from the federal government on how to fully comply with these rules while not breaching our payor and managed care provider agreements that prohibit us from sharing negotiated rates," a spokesman said in a statement.

The American Hospital Association, one of the largest lobbying groups in the nation, has urged the incoming Biden administration to practice leniency as hospitals confront COVID-19.

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The trade group, which recently lost a lawsuit to keep the mandate from going into effect, has also said the new rules aren't clearly defined, leaving hospitals unclear on what they have to share.

Advocates for the policy say even though patients may not be savvy enough to use the information themselves, injecting price transparency into the twisted market of American health care will foster competition.

A spokesman for North Charleston-based Trident Health said in a statement the provider has been sharing pricing estimates online since 2007. The HCA-owned hospital system also wants patients to get a price point by contacting it directly.

"Trident Health is committed to supporting efforts to provide relevant information to help patients understand what their out-of-pocket costs may be for hospital care so they can make informed decisions," a spokesman said.

But the system hasn't posted the newly required prices, either.

Prisma Health, the largest hospital system in South Carolina, did not respond to questions about the price transparency rule. The organization has not yet posted the required documents.

At least a handful of South Carolina hospital groups are following the new rule, however. The Medical University of South Carolina, Pickens-based AnMed Health Cannon, Tidelands Health in the Grand Strand and Beaufort Memorial hospital each posted spreadsheets to their websites showing a comparison of what people with different insurance will pay for hundreds of common procedures.

And though those prices are still not a reflection of what portion a patient is ultimately responsible for, they do offer insight into how much costs can vary based on the insurance company that's paying for it.

For instance, the price BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina will pay for an employee of the state to get a hip or knee replacement at the AnMed hospital is nearly $14,000 less than what Aetna has agreed to shell out. And even the price of simple X-ray exams will vary by hundreds of dollars depending on who's covering it.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 20:50:24|Editor: huaxia

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ISTANBUL, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced on Sunday that 6.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines would arrive in Turkey from China on Monday.

Koca said in a tweet that the deliveries are part of a second planned shipment of 10 million doses of the vaccines developed by the Chinese company Sinovac.

"The rest will be delivered in a way that the mass inoculation program of Turkey will continue without interruption," the minister added.

After receiving the first batch of 3 million doses of vaccines from China at the end of December, Turkey launched the mass vaccination program on Jan. 14.

More than 1.24 million people have been vaccinated so far, according to the Health Ministry data. Enditem
Jakarta, Jan 24 : Indonesia remains committed to developing a new capital city in East Kalimantan province, which will start after the national Covid-19 vaccination program scheduled for completion in March 2022, according to a media report.

The country started its massive Covid-19 inoculation program on January 14 with health workers across the archipelago getting the main priority, after President Joko Widodo received the first shot of the vaccine developed by China's biopharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech on January 13, the Xinhua news agency report said.

The Indonesian government has set the schedule of national vaccination program in phases as the following: Phase 1 (January-April 2021) will target health workers, health worker assistants, support staff and residents.

Phase 2 (January-April 2021) will target personnel of the Indonesian Armed Forces and National Police, legal officers, and other public service officers as well as the elderly group.

Phase 3 (April 2021-March 2022) is intended for the vulnerable and other members of the community and business people based on clusters where infections are rife.

National Development Planning Minister Suharso Monoarfa said recently that after the vaccination program, the government would start development of the new Indonesian capital city, which is expected to create more job opportunities.

The bill on the new capital city has been incorporated in the national legislation program, and a presidential regulation on establishment of an authority board for the new capital city is already there, he added.

According to him, the development of the new capital city is now waiting for President Widodo's instruction, as currently Indonesia is concentrating on the vaccination program.

The agency's deputy for regional development Rudy Soeprihadi Prawiradinata said that the timeline on the development of the new capital city is still on schedule despite the ongoing pandemic.

The groundbreaking of the new capital city development was initially expected to be conducted in August 2020, but it was delayed until the completion of the national vaccination program, he said, in the hope the head of state would have his office in the new capital city in 2024.

Meanwhile, Hamdam, deputy to the head of Penajam Paser Utara district where part of the capital city would be relocated, said the effort to move the national capital city to East Kalimantan province has been on the finalisation stage.

"The draft law for the new capital city has been completed and has been in the national legislation program, which is a priority for discussion by the House of Representatives," Hamdam told Antara news agency last week.

The detailed plan for the new capital city has also been finalised by the National Development Planning Ministry, he said, adding that moving the capital city is just waiting for the political decision of the president and the approval of regulations from Parliament.

The authority board to manage all plans to move the capital city is already prepared and it is only to appoint the chairman of the board, said Hamdam who hoped that the movement of the capital city to East Kalimantan would further drive development of infrastructure, health and education in the province.

The relocation of the capital city is contained in the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan.

On August 26, 2019, Widodo announced that a new capital city would be built between the administrative areas of North Penajam Paser district and Kutai Kartanegara district in East Kalimantan province.

East Kalimantan, with an area of about 125.337 square kilometres is located in the island of Kalimantan also known as Borneo with a population of more than 1 million.

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The issue of shouting 'Pakistan Zindabad' near Khan Bazar in the capital city of Delhi just before republic Day has come to notice. According to the information, the PS Tughlak Road received a write-up at about 1 p.m. that some people are shouting slogans in Pakistan Zindabad near Khan Bazar Metro station. Thereafter, the police immediately took full notice of the incident. Delhi police said, slogans of 'Pakistan Zindabad' were raised due to e-bike race near Khan Bazar Metro station on Sunday morning.

According to the police, Tughlak Road police station received a PCR call, which was made to shout 'Pakistan Zindabad' near Khan Bazar metro station. On arrival on the occasion, the police found 2 men, 3 women and a teenager with a blue-coloured yulu. "On questioning, the police found that two families had arrived to see India Gate with their children," Delhi police said.

He took the e-bike rent. He started running on e-bikes and named each other on the basis of various countries including Pakistan, and that is why he also raised the slogan 'Pakistan Zindabad' in happiness. Police said, further enquiries are being made in the case, information is being taken from the persons. At the same, the two families who have said that we have made the slogan of Pakistan Zindabad are being interrogated continuously.

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The Kremlin has accused the United States of interfering in Russian domestic affairs after U.S. officials in Washington and Moscow criticized the police crackdown on protesters backing jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny.

The comments by spokesman Dmitry Peskov, made in an interview broadcast on January 24, echoed earlier remarks from the Foreign Ministry, which alleged that the U.S. Embassy had sought to encourage protesters by publishing an alert warning Americans about the location of the Moscow protest.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other major cities in support of Navalny, who was jailed a week ago after returning to Russia following his recuperation in Germany for poisoning by a military-grade nerve agent.

"Of course, these publications are inappropriate," Peskov told state TV. "And, of course, indirectly, they are absolutely an interference in our domestic affairs."

It wasn't clear what Peskov was specifically referring to.

Ahead of the protests, the U.S. Embassy published an alert on its website as a warning to U.S. citizens about the potential danger for unrest. Such alerts are routine, and neither Peskov nor the Foreign Ministry provided any evidence that the United States played a role in the protests.

"The safety and welfare of U.S. citizens in Russia is our highest priority," an embassy official told RFE/RL. "U.S. embassies and consulates around the world regularly issue safety and security messages to our citizens. This is a common, routine practice of many countries' diplomatic missions."

The U.S. Embassy also published a statement just prior to the start of the Moscow protests that said: "The U.S. supports the right of all people to peaceful protest, freedom of expression. Steps being taken by Russian authorities are suppressing those rights."

Later, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department condemned the heavy police crackdown, which resulted in the detention of nearly 3,500 Russians nationwide, with nearly half that number coming in Moscow.

Spokesman Ned Price also called on authorities to release Navalny and "credibly investigate his poisoning."

Other Western nations also criticized the Russian government's response. France's foreign minister offered support for the protesters and called for new sanctions.

European Union foreign ministers were scheduled to discuss the bloc's next steps on Russia at a meeting on January 25.

With reporting by AFP
A singularly odd thing happened on Friday at the Singhu border. The farmers protesting three new laws brought by the Narendra Modi government-produced before the media a masked man.

He claimed that he and a few accomplices were sent by an unknown outfit to pose as policemen. They were apparently tasked with beating up farmers with batons on Republic Day if they tried to proceed to the heart of Delhi. But it does not stop there.

The man said they were told to kill four farmers' leaders as well. The protesting farmers have handed them over to the Haryana Police.

A day later, he claimed he was accosted by some people who abducted him, stripped him, and beat him up with belts for telling the media what he did.

Meanwhile, many Indians including this columnist kept receiving voice-recorded calls supporting the creation of Khalistan from US and Canada numbers. These have been for a couple of months urging all to make the 26 January mobilisation as largescale and disruptive as possible.

This is despite the Supreme Court suspending the implementation of the laws, the government agreeing to discuss and work alternatives to all the demands, and even offering to put the legislation on hold for one-and-a-half years.

Are you wondering why the farmers are being so stubborn?

Because this is not just a farmer protest. Farmers are just cannon fodder in this political attempt to wage an insurrection against the popularly elected government.

The Left faces an existential threat in India. It faces another wipeout in Bengal and may do poorly in Kerala in elections due this year. Kerala is the only state where it has any chance of electorally get power in the foreseeable future.

Emboldened by the farmers protest, the Left trade unions are also trying to stir themselves up to create trouble for the government.

But why is the Left getting so desperate to create trouble?

Where is it getting hundreds of crores to sustain the movement?

How is it aligning globally with small and shadowy forces like Khalistanis?

Who is funding the Khalistanis?

And most importantly, who is the master puppeteer that stands to gain the most if violent anarchy is let loose on Indias streets? In my previous column, I tried to analyse this string of pressing questions.

If violence happens on 26 January and people get killed in retaliatory police firing, it will hurt Modi. It will create a ground to provoke further flare-up, and he can then be branded as the man who ordered the killing of farmers. This is why these forces do not want any compromise.

If the farmers issue gets sorted and the BJP does well in the Assembly elections this year, Modi will get a massive boost to his political capital for the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election and 2024 General Election to Lok Sabha.

Modi is the first BJP leader who could create a rock-solid voter base of the poor, Dalits, farmers, and generally the underdog. He succeeded in overwriting the perception of the BJP as a Brahmin-Bania party, which had stuck on for decades.

He will not let that be wasted in a fit of unthinking toughness.

This is exactly why the government has uncharacteristically bent backward to placate the farmers. It has, under full media glare, been at its accommodative best with the farmers' leaders. It is getting increasingly clear to the common public now that whatever the government might do, the protesters are tone-deaf. They seem to be puppets whose strings are with dark, invisible forces playing in the deep background.

There is one miscalculation on their part though: their charade of a moral struggle is slipping. Like a petulant childs COVID-19 mask.



Actor Emma Corrin has said she is pleased to move on from playing Princess Diana in The Crown.

Corrin portrayed the late Princess of Wales from the ages of 16 to 28 in the recent fourth season of Netflixs hit period drama.

In the next season, the role, which served as a breakthrough for the 25-year-old Corrin, will be taken over by Widows star Elizabeth Debicki.

Speaking to The Guardian, Corrin seemed to embrace leaving the series behind, and revealed that she was keen to see what Debicki made of the role.

Im looking forward to it, she said. Though Im sad I only did one series, I always knew that was all I was signing on for, and I played her from 16 to 28. I took her from girl to woman, and I loved that arc. But Im also quite pleased to move on.

The industry loves to pigeonhole, she added. The sooner I can move away from doing posh English, the better, even though thats what I am.

Elsewhere in the interview, Corrin also addressed last years debate over the proposed need for a fiction warning before episodes, alerting viewers to the fact they a watching a work of fiction.

The disclaimer was proposed by the UKs culture secretary Oliver Dowden, prompted by controversy over some of the factual inaccuracies contained within the show.

Emma Corrin as Princess Diana in season four of The Crown (Des Willie/Netflix)

On some level, I do understand it, said Corrin. These people are alive. Theres bound to be protectiveness. I just think it does a disservice to the appreciation of cinema, television, writing, even the imagination.

The Crown can be watched now on Netflix.
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A renowned Zambian Jesuit priest of Tullamore origin, Fr. Michael Kelly has died at the age of 92.

His death was announced by Fr Leornard Chiti.

"It is with great sadness and grief of the loss of our companion, Fr Michael J Kelly SJ. Eternal Rest grant unto Michael and may perpetual light shine upon him, Fr Chiti stated.

Professor Father Michael J Kelly SJ. was born in Tullamore in 1929.

He was a past pupil of the Christian Brothers, Tullamore, the old school beside the canal. He studied at University College Dublin and was awarded a B.A. in Maths and Mathematical Physics in 1952, both with first class honours.

He went on to receive a licentiate in philosophy in 1955.

He moved to Zambia and has lived and worked here for over 50 years, becoming a Zambian citizen.

He worked for many years as headmaster of Canisius Secondary School is one of the earliest centres of learning in Zambia. It is located at Chikuni Mission about 10 km east of Chisekesi town in Monze.

Father Michael completed his PhD studies in the area of child and educational psychology in 1974 and subsequently became a senior lecturer and Dean of the School of Education in the University of Zambia (UNZA), in 1975.

He served as pro-vice chancellor and deputy vice chancellor and became professor in 1989.

The pioneering work of the Irish Jesuit, as an educator and a campaigner for HIV/AIDS in his adopted home of Zambia.

He is also a renowned speaker and advocate on HIV and AIDS, and has worked tirelessly to educate and promote safe behaviour among youth and those most at risk in Zambia, throughout sub-Saharan Africa, and much further afield.

He was also active in other policy areas, such as strategies for HIV prevention, and human rights.

A prolific researcher and writer, Father Michael has authored 15 books, and many original research articles.

Throughout his long and distinguished career, Father Michael has worked as a consultant to organisations such as the World Bank, UNESCO, UNICEF, the FAO, UNAIDS, Oxfam, Irish Aid, and many more.

Over the next 60 years, he held a series of appointments across the country, which resulted in his nomination as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Zambia in 1980 and a promotion to Professor of Education in 1989.

He worked tirelessly to get rid of the stigma of HIV/AIDS through education and advocacy work across Zambia and further afield.

Fr Kelly was Patron of Power4Good since 2010 and inspired the group's fundraising work for projects in Zambia with children with disabilities.

Volunteers were planning a trip to Zambia in 2020 but due to Covid the trip had to be postponed.

Fr Kelly has been the recipient of many awards, in Ireland and abroad for his aid work. In recognition of his contribution to education in Zambia and worldwide HIV advocacy, the Association of Commonwealth Universities presented him with the Symons Award in September 2003.

In 2013 Fr. Michael was recognised in his home town at a civic welcome and citation at Tullamore town hall in honour of his "International contribution to education and health in the developing world ".

Local charity Power4Good, working to support education for children and adults with disability in Zambia and Malawi, was proud to have Fr. Michael as patron for many years.

He has received several honorary degrees including Doctor of Science (2004), from the University of the West Indies, Doctor of Laws from NUI (2006) and an honorory doctorate from the Royal College of Surgeons (2012).

He received the Presidential Distinguished Service Award from President Michael D. Higgins at Aras an Uachtarain in November 2012, which honours the Irish diaspora in recognition of its sustained and distinguished service abroad.

Describing Fr Kelly as a true hero, President Higgins, in a tribute this week, said: As an academic, writer and educator, Fr. Michael made an immense contribution to improved health outcomes for many people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Through his work with Irish Aid and several multilateral organisations, he was an inspirational figure to health workers, aid workers, humanitarians and diplomats from Ireland, Zambia and beyond.

I was honoured to present Fr. Michael with the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad in 2012. In 2018 he received the Order of Distinguished Service Award from President Lungu of Zambia, in recognition of his contributions to the promotion of education, social justice and HIV/AIDS. His image featured last year on a stamp by An Post as part of their series celebrating the achievements of the Irish abroad.

In February 2020 Fr Michael was featured on a stamp, part of a collection produced by An Post, paying tribute to the Irish abroad.

Fr. Michael will be fondly remembered by his family and his many friends in Tullamore and beyond. May he rest in peace.
About 2008, Melissa Kutney was scouring cubbies built into a room of her former Scranton home when she discovered a 19th century Bible and a broken rosary tucked away in a back corner, almost buried in insulation.

Kutney, now of Thompson, held onto the mammoth Catholic Bible she found at 357 N. Garfield Ave. for more than a decade. It was missing its front cover, but Kutney considered the Bible a fascinating find. A family name, Blewitt, recorded several times in the antique book, piqued her curiosity and prompted research that last year led to an exciting discovery.

The Blewitts memorialized in the Bible, researcher and genealogist Barbara Spellman Shuta eventually confirmed, were ancestors of President-elect Joe Biden  making the Bible a tangible manifestation of Bidens well-documented and frequently touted Scranton roots.

The family record section of the Bible includes one recorded marriage and three deaths, including the deaths of Catherine Blewitt in February 1901, and her husband Patrick Blewitt on Nov. 26, 1911. Catherine Blewitt, whose hand-written name is misspelled as Cathrine in the Bible, and Patrick Blewitt were Bidens great-great grandparents on his mothers side of the family.

Their son, Bidens maternal great-grandfather, Edward F. Blewitt, served as Scrantons city engineer before being elected a state senator, among other notable achievements. A Democrat, he won the 22nd District state Senate seat representing Lackawanna County in 1906.

Doing her own research, Kutney knew the Blewitts were a prominent and historically significant family in Scranton, but didnt make the Biden connection. Motivated by a desire to return the heirloom to the familys descendants, she first tried to track down living ancestors before seeking assistance from St. Peters Cathedral  the site of the marriage recorded in the Bible  in late March.

I thought that somebody might want it and it might be important to them, Kutney said. People dont really hold on to the old things like they used to, so I was hoping I could find somebody that would appreciate it.

Thats when Shuta, a volunteer researcher at the Cathedral, got involved and got to work tracing the Blewitt family line down through the generations. Her pedigree chart details Bidens lineage.

Edward F. Blewitt married Mary Ellen Stanton at St. Patricks Church in Scranton on May 10, 1879, according to Shutas chart. Their daughter, Bidens maternal grandmother, Geraldine Blewitt, married Ambrose Joseph Finnegan, Bidens maternal grandfather, in 1909. Bidens mother, Catherine Eugenia Finnegan, was born to the couple in 1917, and married Joseph R. Biden Sr. in May 1941.

Joseph R. Biden Jr., set to become president of the United States on Wednesday, was born in St. Marys Hospital on Hickory Street in South Scranton on Nov. 20, 1942.

I was so excited I have to tell you, Shuta said of connecting the Bible to Bidens ancestors. I was beyond excited.

Kutney gave Shuta the Bible in May, but the task of returning it to the Biden family remained. After fruitlessly exploring other avenues, Shuta happened to relate the Bible story to Lackawanna Historical Society Executive Director Mary Ann Savakinus, who reached out to Green Ridge resident Virginia McGregor.

McGregor, who knows the Bidens and who the president-elect recently nominated to serve as treasurer of the Democratic National Committee, emailed photos of the Bible to Bidens sister, Valerie Biden Owens, and asked if the family would want it. She already knew the answer.

Knowing how deep the Catholic faith runs in the Biden family I knew they would want it back, McGregor said. And, not only because it was a Bible, (but) because it belonged to their ancestors, and it was the thread that connected them all.

Valerie Biden Owens responded to the email almost immediately and provided her address, McGregor said. She sent the Bible July 31.

In a handwritten note, Valerie Biden Owens thanked Savakinus for helping facilitate the return of the Bible.

It is a treasure, and I cant wait to share it with my brothers, the note reads. Hopefully, God willing  it will find a place with Joe in the White House. On behalf of all my brothers  and myself  thank you.

For Savakinus, the Bible is yet more evidence that Joe Biden shares a similar heritage with many residents of Northeast Pennsylvania. As an artifact, the Blewitt Bible represents that heritage and a familys history, and Savakinus, Shuta, Kutney and McGregor said theyre pleased its back with the Bidens.

I was just so happy that it was now back in their familys hands, because, as a genealogist, to me thats (of) the most value, Shuta said. I always feel really great when Ive helped any of the clients that Ive had over the years find the piece of information that unlocks the mystery of what theyve been trying to solve for so long, that gets them back to the generations beyond.

Kutney said she plans to look for the broken rosary she found with the Bible more than a decade ago.

Because I think theyd really want that as well, she said.

Shuta also lauded Kutney for wanting to return the antique book to the Blewitts descendants.

Truthfully, if it had not been for her appreciating the fact that there might be someone who would want this Bible ... none of this would have happened, Shuta said.
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Vaccinated Anganwadi teacher in Telangana dies following chest pain

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pti-Deepika S

Hyderabad, Jan 24: A 45-year old Anganwaadi teacher who was administered COVID-19 vaccine nearly a week ago, died after complaining of chest pain overnight in Warangal district in Telangana, doctors said on Sunday.

The teacher, vaccinated on January 19, had taken some medicines on Saturday night as she was having chestpain and slept in her house at Shayampeta on the outskirts of Warangal. She was found dead on Sunday morning, they said.

Her body was shifted to state-run Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital, for postmortem and samples were also collected there and sent for testing to ascertain the cause of death, its Superintendent Dr K Nagarjuna Reddy said.

Pakistan approves emergency use of Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine

She is the second person, who had taken COVID-19 vaccination, to have died in the state after complaining of chest pain. Earlier, a 42-year-old healthcare worker in Nirmal district died on January 20 but a health official had said preliminary findings suggested it was unrelated to the vaccination.

The Sutton Hoo excavation of 1939 was as important to Britain's creation myth as Wood Quay would be to Dublin's. Unlike Wood Quay, however, the large burial mounds near Suffolk in south-east England were carefully and respectfully approached, with landowner Edith Pretty initiating the archaeological dig at her own expense.

What was uncovered there was unprecedented. A 90ft-long wooden ship on which an Anglo-Saxon king and his stunning array of treasures had been laid to rest in the 6th century. With Britain being dragged into war and London now a target for German bombing raids, museum officials had to think fast about how best to store the Sutton Hoo findings, settling on an underground train station for the task.

If asked to depict the discovery of the Sutton Hoo in a narrative setting, a writer would surely rub their hands together. Archaeology in general should be a rich breeding ground for cinema, what with its intrinsic flavours of mystery, revelation, and pricelessness. So why then do films about uncovering the past always treat the actual archaeology like a fairground attraction? While good fun, Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider are to archaeology what Waterworld is to sailing.

The other side, of course, is films such as this wartime drama from director Simon Stone and screenwriter Moira Buffini. Taking some cues from John Preston's 2007 novelisation of the Sutton Hoo excavation, and then shovelling on as much human drama as the thing will hold, it is an exercise in telling a story about archaeology that seems intent on shoving the archaeology out of the way. It's main curtsey to the discipline is as a mural to Basil Brown, the local amateur archaeologist who oversaw the excavation and its remarkable hoard.

Brown (Ralph Fiennes, giving it lots of "ooh-arr") is called to the country estate of widow Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan). She hires Brown to commence excavating the strange mounds on her land, and with pipe ever clenched in teeth, Brown and his small team start digging. Lonely and poor of health, Edith also must negotiate the museum officials (including Dublin actor Peter McDonald) looking over Basil's shoulder.

No sooner has shovel hit clay than we are moving away from buried treasure to a half-arsed, will-they-won't-they romantic allusion as Basil's honest-to-goodness, salt-of-the-earth charm starts to rub off on Edith and her young son. No sooner are we presented with this affectation than another flaky romantic set-up is improbably heaped on the dig. Edith's rakish cousin (Johnny Flynn) arrives to help out Basil, setting things up all too perfectly when a beautiful but unhappy young archaeologist (Lily James) is assigned to the site alongside her closeted husband.

RAF fighters rumble overhead, past rolling English meadows. Basil pedals through charming biscuit-tin villages, and the wireless murmurs away about the looming spectre of Hitler. Every moment comes coated in Stefan Gregory's sombre piano tinkles. The feeling of being trapped in a Hovis commercial sets in. This is not an aching drama that uses archaeology as a vehicle. This is post-Brexit nostalgia porn.

Stone and Buffini's film never achieves the force it assumes it does, neither as a romantic saga (too tacked-on and underdeveloped), nor a parable of British resilience on the eve of its greatest challenge. Too many lush shots of characters yielding the frame to beautiful scenery, or voiceover cuts as Stone looks to link up scenes and sensations, a device done to death here. All very stirring and picturesque, but it comes to feel cloying and empty. It also smothers the symbolic cornerstone - the archaeological heritage - by crowding the metaphor with these ineffective romantic adornments.

The dialogue veers from naturally tuned to ridiculously heightened and showy. Ken Stott's stuffy museum chief seems solely there to remind us about the significance of the finds, in case we'd forgotten they exist. He and Monica Dolan (as Basil's wife May) provide splashes of colour in a film determined to work in tones of beige. Flynn, a tremendous talent, is resigned to a romantic prop, while Fiennes and Mulligan don't connect chemically in the way the filmmakers want us to believe.

The Dig could have benefitted from that very thing that archaeological excavations themselves require most - a lightness of touch. We know it can be done - just look at Zeina Durra's Luxor (2020). Until another of those comes along, archaeology in cinema looks consigned to booby traps and mummies.

The Dig



Cert 12, Netflix





76 Days

Now available ifi@home



One year ago yesterday, on January 23, 2020, the Chinese city of Wuhan went into lockdown because of Covid-19. Here in the west, even if we knew about the situation in Wuhan, we had no idea that we would soon be in the same situation. In those early days of the pandemic, some Chinese hospitals welcomed the media because they wanted to get the word out. Journalists Hao Wu, Weixi Chen and one other who prefers to remain anonymous had gathered quite a bit of information before there was a ban placed on media coverage in March. They smuggled out the footage and Hao Wu worked on it, even after their original American backers pulled out. The resulting film is remarkable.

The film opens on a harrowing scene. A woman in horror movie-style PPE is in great distress because her father has died. Others in PPE comfort her, they tell her to remember that they all have work to do. And that work involves the cold, sick people who are banging on a door to get in. The film settles into a rhythm as a system develops in the hospital. And, although masks mean you rarely see a face, from the mobile phones of the dead to a baby girl born in a pandemic, this is a deeply human historical document.





Persian Lessons

VOD now



The Holocaust is such an emotive subject that it can be difficult to be objective about anything pertaining to it. In the face of such horror, opinions seem irrelevant. Suffice to say then that Vadim Perelman's Holocaust-themed film is an interesting take on the genre, but one not without complications. The credits says it is based on true events, but also on a short story, and it is difficult to ascertain which elements are based on what.

In France in 1942, Gilles (Nahuel Perez Biscayart) is in a lorry full of Jews who know not what their fate will be. Events unfold and Gilles finds himself in a Nazi transit camp pretending to be Persian so as to teach Farsi to Commandant Koch (Lars Eidinger). This means Gilles has to make up and remember an entire language to survive. He also has to contend with the petty politics of the guards for, although the camp is a scene of unimaginable horror for its inmates, for the Nazis, it's a workplace. One guard, Max (Jonas Nay), has it in for Gilles.

Sticklers for realism might baulk at various holes in the plot, but the lead performances are excellent and the friendship between Gilles and Koch is a rich vein with complex and contradictory emotion. Some scenes are cruel, they have to be, and if the story conceit is a bit contrived, it does allow the ending to pack an emotional punch.





The Elfkins

VOD, usual platforms from Jan 26



I would be much more comfortable if the movie that finally inspired me to deploy the single-star rating that signals "dismal" was a bloated budget, ego offering of overpaid big names. Instead, it's an animation feature called The Elfkins, a movie which will please the target audience of smaller children, but does so rather lazily.

In this German animation, voiced in English, the Elfkins live underground in a community deeply suspicious of humans. Their motto is "mastering handicrafts perfectly" but Elfie (voiced by Rivka Rothstein) does not have a great success record. She feels that the world of humans mightn't be too bad and so sets off with two friends.

After a brush with a pug and the first of several fart jokes, they meet failed baker Theo (Erik Hansen) and saving him becomes their mission.

It all falls into place in an entirely predictable way. The characters have that loud chirpiness so often deemed kid-friendly, even though it's not adult friendly. The animation is colourful, there's a chirpy song. Lazy but effective, kids will love it.

Aine O'Connor
Press Release

January 22, 2021 SEN. GRACE POE's TRANSCRIPT

Committee of the whole hearing

Jan. 22, 2021 Sen. Grace Poe: Just a few questions. To Secretary Galvez and Secretary Duque, we filed Senate Bill No. 1994 which is basically for us to have a vaccine passport or a vaccine certificate. I know I asked you this earlier, in the last hearing, but I would like again to get some clarification points from you with regard to, is this something that you are considering? And in what capacity will you do it? Have you already devised some sort of method or guideline on how this will be implemented if ever? Sec. Francisco Duque III: Sa ngayon po, Mr. Chairman, Madam Senator, pinag-aaralan pa po ito kasi wala pa pong malinaw na ebidensya na nagpapakita na ang mga bakunang ito ay makakaiwas po, ang tinatawag nating transmission or hawaan. Based on the clinical trials lumalabas po they can prevent or reduce deaths, symptomatic. Poe: Mr. Secretary, if I may interrupt you, the point of this is so that we can keep track who has been given the vaccine. Whether or not the vaccine is a long term prevention or whether it's effective or not, we have to be able to know what was administered to a person. I don't think further study is necessary. Duque: My apologies, Madam Senator. Kasama na po sa vaccine administration natin, bibigyan po natin ng card ang bawat vaccinee para nakalagay po doon lahat ng detalye 'nung pong kanyang pagbabakuna at kung merong adverse events following immunization, nakalagay din po doon. And the next schedule of vaccination. Poe: Okay, because you said that there will be an initial rollout of Sinovac, if I'm not mistaken, sometime mid-February, am I correct? Duque: I defer to Secretary Galvez. I think that information came from him. Poe: Secretary Galvez, please clarify. Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr.: Yes, that is our target--that we will have the rollout on the third week or fourth week of February. Poe: Third week and how many are you planning to inoculate and where again? Galvez: Initially, we have the 50,000 is intended for us to have some sort of... Poe: Can you speak louder, sir? Galvez: The target that we have this February is 50,000 so that we can have some sort of mini rollout, a rehearsal. Poe: Did you say 50,000, sir? Galvez: Affirmative po, Ma'am. Poe: What areas po? Have you chosen the areas to be prioritized? Galvez: It will be designated on the different areas, particularly the priority sector, Ma'am. Poe: My question is this, did you already have FDA approval? Galvez: Ma'am, we have said earlier that the rollout will only start when we have the EUA approval of the vaccines. The tentative date is only for planning purposes so that we can have some sort of target date for the preparation. Poe: Okay but how come you were able to plan ahead? This is already assuming that you will be getting the approval, am I correct? Galvez: Yes, Ma'am, kasi po para lahat ng preparation namin, we will have a targeted rollout so that all the preparation will be anchored on that. So it may be earlier than Feb. 20 so that everybody will take note. And our preparations should be finished by the second week of February or maybe earliest is the end of January. Poe: So, Secretary, with that in mind, as I was already talking to Secretary Duque, would you have some sort of certificate? And how are you going to be able to record those that received it? What database? Can you walk us through this? Duque: Ma'am, with your permission, Mr. Chairman, meron po tayo sa vaccine administration plan, meron po tayong master listing ng lahat po ng mga vaccinees. That will be generated at the LGU level and kasama rin po ito sa ating micro planning, a bottom-up type of planning together with the LGUs. So we will validate all the list of vaccinees coming from the priority groups or sectors. So ito pong 50,000 na pinag-uusapan kanina, ang pagkakaintindi ko po ibibigay muna ito doon sa ating mga referral, COVID referral, hospitals. Para ito pong nasasakupan, ang ating mga healthcare workers. Poe: Okay, Secretary, kunyari ako nagpabakuna o kung sinuman, may ibibigay ba sa akin na parang resibo na pwede kong itago bilang pruweba ng bakuna? Duque: Tama po kayo, Madam Senator. Meron pong card na iaabot sa inyo at doon po ay nakalagay po kung kailangan kayo, 'yung first dose at saka kailan 'yung next dose, usually between 21 and 28 days. Poe: Secretary, ganito din po, 'yan bang resibo na 'yan ay standardized sa buong Pilipinas at DOH ba ang may format or free-for-all ang mga LGUs? Duque: Hindi po, prescribed form po ito, your honor. Poe: Mr. Secretary, before you roll out this trial of 50,000 doses, can you give us a copy of the certificate that you will issue? Duque: Yes, Ma'am. Poe: Okay. Another question that I have is with regard to the non-disclosure agreement. I understand that there's a certain contract that will specify this. I would like to ask Secretary Galvez, 'yun bang NDA, sinong humingi 'nun? Tayo ba o ang mga kumpanya na magsu-supply ng bakuna? Galvez: Ma'am, sa kumpanya po 'yan. Kapag po hindi tayo pumirma ng NDA mawawalan po tayo ng access. So ang NDA po na 'yan is required po ng kumpanya, ng vaccine maker. Poe: So sila po ang nag-isyu? Galvez: Yes po, sila po. Poe: Bakit po kung meron nga tayong NDA, bakit doon sa Sinovac nasabi natin na P3,000 something ang presyo? Tapos biglang binabaan naman, nabanggit ng spokesperon ng Malacanang, ng P600? So kung meron tayong NDA talaga, bakit nabanggit ang mga 'yun? Galvez: Actually po, Ma'am, para lang to correct 'yung impression ng public na P3,000 po 'yun, binigyan lang po natin ng indicative but 'yung actual price po, we cannot tell it to the public. Poe: So sinasabi ninyo na hindi talaga ninyo sinasabi sa publiko ang tunay na presyo? Galvez: Yes po, because we will be charged with the violation of the NDA. And once we are proven that we have specifically stated the exact price, the volumes or the contract can be terminated. Poe: But, Mr. Secretary, I think I'll be more insistent on this. So basically you don't want to divulge the real price so you're lying to the public? Galvez: Yes, Ma'am. Ang ano po talaga, Ma'am, doon these are the, ito ang tinatawag nating special price, is included in the NDA. Considering that the company, the vaccine company is also negotiating simultaneously with other companies because if the other countries will know the price and there are also, in some instances, poor countries like us, we are being given special prices. So, they don't want to compromise the prices along the negotiating table of the different negotiating companies and negotiating countries. Poe: So, Mr. Secretary, you're saying that the reason why there's an NDA is so that the other companies will also not feel violated with their agreements kaya wala kayong binabanggit? Pero 'di ba, paulit-ulit na itong tinatanong, sa ibang bansa sinasabi naman nila kung magkano? Galvez: Ma'am, hindi po. Lumalabas lang po sa newspaper but there is no confirmatory that it is the negotiated price. Normally ang lumalabas na price po sa newspaper are only the indicative price or the market prices, not the negotiated prices. Poe: Okay, so you are saying that it's probably the market price. I just find it a little discomforting that you openly admitted that you are lying to the public. Although, I know that maybe you can justify it by saying it is for the greater good so that we don't lose our contracts. Galvez: Ma'am, I'm not lying to the public considering that I am saying that in order to correct the impression of the public that we are doing an overpricing. We're just saying the indicative price of not more than P700. Poe: Okay but with all due respect, I thought I asked you that you basically lied to the public and you said yes. Galvez: No, Ma'am. I just said that the prices that have been published in the newspaper is incorrect considering that it is not the real negotiated price, that's the market price. Poe: Okay, well then. Galvez: Ma'am, there's a difference between the published market price in the internet and the negotiated price. The negotiated price is being kept in secret considering it might compromise the negotiations of other companies because we are negotiating with different companies simultaneously. Poe: Okay. So, Mr. Secretary, eventually will you be open in showing those negotiated prices to at least the senators? Galvez: Yes, Ma'am. For as long as the supply agreement and all the conditions have been signed, we will reveal it in due time, Ma'am. Poe: Okay, thank you. My next question will be, with regard to the local governments because we were actually delighted to hear that many local governments are doing their own procurement of the vaccines. We've heard from Makati, we also heard from certain places like Taguig and even Iloilo. Many different LGUs are already doing their own procurement. Now, I also found out from one of the suppliers of the vaccine that yes they are making their own negotiations, but they actually have to go through the IATF and get IATF approval before they can get those vaccines, am I correct? Galvez: Yes, Ma'am, they have to go through the IATF, to me, so that we can see the tripartite negotiations. Poe: Mr. Secretary, can you give us an example of what LGU has approached you? And when is the soonest possible time that they will get the vaccine and be able to administer it to their constituents? Galvez: Many mayors of the different, NCR and also mayors of Region 6 and also the governors of Region 6. And the different mayors of Visayas po, talagang they called me up in order for them to be allowed to procure. And with that I recommended to the President, on our meeting, that the LGUs be allowed to procure through the tripartite agreement. Poe: So you already allowed them? Galvez: Yes, with the approval of the President po. Poe: Okay. So, Mr. Secretary, alam po ba ninyo kung ano 'yung siyudad na mauunang magkakaroon ng vaccine? Galvez: Based po sa ano natin, sa prioritization which is not yet final, ang mauuna pong mava-vaccinate are those areas with the most affected, in terms of infections and also 'yung attack rate po. That's why I requested the IATF to finalize the prioritization geographically so that we will implement. So that with different considerations, like for example economic risk and social risk and also the affectation will be considered. Poe: So basically wala pa kayong timeline? Kailan ba sa tingin ninyo mag-uumpisa ang local government na mag-rollout ng vaccine? Galvez: 'Yung first rollout po natin this coming February, we will have a mini rollout from Covax and also from our vaccine companies. The delivery of the other companies is not yet final considering that we will have the supply agreement yet. And we have an indication that they will also have mini rollout this coming February. So most likely, there are more or less three to four branches that we will be rolling out this first quarter, considering that some companies have already accepted our appealthat we are appealing to them that we don't have much vaccine for the first and second quarter. So we are requesting that they can give, even few thousands of vaccines during first quarter. It is not yet final considering the supply agreement has not yet been signed. Poe: May I request from your office, Secretary, the timeline of the rollout at least at this point. Para kapag tinanong kami kung saan ba talaga, alam namin kung kailan at anong mga lugar. Galvez: Yes, Ma'am. I will submit it to you, Ma'am. Poe: And then lastly, just the point that I made earlier, Mr. President. I would just like to get an assurance that before they roll out second week, third week of February the first tranche of the vaccines. Secretary Galvez and Secretary Duque, please coordinate with regard to record keeping the database of who already were administered and also a certificate that they can issue at no cost to the recipient, indicating what dose and as Secretary Duque mentioned earlier, may mga barcode. Mag-uumpisa na ba 'yan, Secretary Duque, 'yung barcode na 'yan? Duque: Yes, Ma'am. Mag-uumpisa na po tayo diyan and we will give you a copy of the form and the card that will be issued to the vaccinees in the master list. Poe: That will be very effective, at least kapag naghanap sila ng trabaho at pinakita nila 'yun medyo advantage na 'yan sa kanila. Alam naman natin na 'yun ang kulang sa atin ngayon na kailangan talagang mas dumami ulit ang mga nagtatrabaho.
NEW HYDE PARK, NY  Long Island nurse Sandra Lindsay delivered a special message of hope during the 'Celebrating America' television special marking the inauguration of President Joe Biden on Wednesday.



Lindsay, a Port Washington resident, is a critical care manager overseeing intensive care patients at Long Island Jewish Hospital Medical Center  one of the hardest-hit hospitals during the height of the pandemic in April. She became a global sensation when she volunteered to be the first person in the United States to receive the vaccine Dec. 14 in a livestream feed from the hospital.

"Continue to focus on the light. It might be dim right now but it will get brighter in the days to come. So I'd encourage everyone not to give up hope, be patient. Healing is coming," Lindsay said in a clip featured on News 12 Long Island.



The special, which was hosted by Tom Hanks, honored frontline workers in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. It featured performances by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Demi Lovato, Katy Perry, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and the Black Pumas. Former presidents Bill Clinton, George Bush Jr., and Barack Obama also appeared to offer advice to Biden in his next four years.

This article originally appeared on the Port Washington Patch
Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II

EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation

ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason

Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia

Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest

"Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan

Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator'

Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow

Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast

We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan

Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory

Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances

Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections

Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day

Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan

Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake

Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS)

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS)

Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time

Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation

Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country

Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor"

Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building"

Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials

MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan

Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas

France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party

Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms

Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh

NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country

104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion

Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation

Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination

Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity

Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well

Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions

Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never!

Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial

Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?"

France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity

Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election

Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia

US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China

Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war

Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet

Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases

Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan

US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces

Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can

UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians

Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India

Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately

France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint

Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow

Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen

Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops

Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia acting FM resigns

Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity

China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order

Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM

Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage

EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting

Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post

6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest

Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan

UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas

Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening

His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia

Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens

Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon

Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures

Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension

Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire

ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces

Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards

Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory

Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan

Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia

Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia

Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws

Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone

Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control

Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor

Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation

NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning

European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched
Israel is preparing to suspend all incoming passenger flights for a two-week period in a bid to prevent the spread of highly-infectious Covid-19 variants.

The suspension is subject to Cabinet approval and would see all incoming and outgoing flights halted for 14 days.

The country, which has the world's fastest vaccine distribution rate, has been under a third national lockdown since December 27.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested a plan to suspend all flights for two weeks to prevent the spread of mutant Covid-19 variants

Israel recorded 4,933 new cases and 75 deaths on Saturday, bringing the respective totals to 593,961 and 4,341.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting with officials from the Health Ministry, the Transportation Ministry, the National Security Council, and the Civil Aviation Authority to discuss the move on Saturday night.

An initial agreement was reached to prevent the entry into Israel of additional coronavirus mutations.

Netanyahu will today seek government approval over the plans.

They would see flights at Ben Gurion airport significantly reduced, with only those needing to travel for 'exceptional circumstances' permitted to do so with the approval of a committee headed by the transport ministry.

Travellers arrive at the check-in desk at the departures area of Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport in Lod, near Tel Aviv, on January 24. Israel is preparing to suspend all incoming passenger flights for a two-week period in a bid to prevent the spread of highly-infectious Covid-19 variants

According to local news reports, the travel ban will apply to everyone, including those who have already been vaccinated against Covid-19.

Israel recorded 4,933 new cases and 75 deaths on Saturday, bringing the respective totals to 593,961 and 4,341.

It comes as the country expanded its COVID-19 vaccination drive on Sunday to include 16- to 18-year-olds in what the government described as an effort to enable their attendance at school exams.

Israel, which has the world's fastest vaccine distribution rate with around 30 per cent of its citizens having had at least a single dose of a jab so far, is hoping to begin reopening its economy next month.

Or, an 18-year-old teenager, receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine at Clalit Health Services, in Israel's Mediterranean coastal city of Tel Aviv, January 23

With regular imports of Pfizer Inc. vaccines, Israel has administered at least one dose to more than 25% of its 9 million population since Dec. 19, the Health Ministry says.

The vaccines were initially limited to the elderly and other high-risk categories, but are now available to anyone over 40 or - with parental permission - those between 16 and 18.

The inclusion of late-teens is meant 'to enable their return (to school) and the orderly holding of exams,' the Education Ministry spokeswoman said.

Israel awards a matriculation certificate to high school students in grades 10-12 who pass exams, administered by the Education Ministry, that play a major role in acceptance to universities. They can also affect placement in the military, where many Israelis do compulsory service after high school.

Education Minister Yoav Galant said it was too early to know if schools would reopen next month. Among factors deciding this was how much Israel, which is struggling against a surge of infections, was affected by the contagious variant of the virus first detected in Britain, he told Ynet TV.

Hezi Levy, director-general of Israel's Health Ministry, was asked in an Army Radio interview whether vaccinating teens might pose unforeseen risks - perhaps to their own yet-unborn children.

'I don't know,' Levy said. 'This vaccine is no different to vaccines against other viral diseases ... and was successfully tested for side effects.' He added that he had no doubt that - weighing the relative risks from the coronavirus - it was preferable to get the vaccine.

An Israeli healthcare group on Friday said coronavirus infections had plunged among people aged over 60 who had been vaccinated with the Pfizer Biontech vaccine. Pictured: An Israeli healthworker vaccinates an older resident

An Israeli healthcare group on Friday said coronavirus infections had plunged among people aged over 60 who had been vaccinated with the Pfizer Biontech vaccine.

KSM Maccabi Research and Innovation Center claimed on Friday there had been a 'significant decrease' in the number of coronavirus infections among people aged over 60 who were vaccinated between December 19 and 24.

After analysing data of more than 50,000 patients aged over 60, they also found that hospitalisations in the same group had plunged by more than 60 per cent.

Israel secured access to large amounts of Pfizer's jab by agreeing to provide data about its citizens for the company to track how well the jab works.

The new figures are a sign of hope that nationwide infections, deaths and hospitalisations could soon start to see a sustained fall.
As far as sporting taboos go the topic of sexuality in gymnastics is right up there. Tonight, local coaches join the discussion room on the touchy subject of what is appropriate or inappropriate for gymnasts to wear.
A volunteer NSW firefighter has been charged with deliberately lighting more than 30 grass fires during the state's catastrophic Black Summer bushfires last summer.

The 30-year-old man, who is a volunteer member of the NSW Rural Fire Service, was arrested on Friday at a home in Whitton following a long investigation.

NSW Police allege the man deliberately lit more than 30 separate spot fires in the Whitton area, near Griffith, between November 2020 and January 2021.

He was charged with five counts of intentionally causing a fire and being reckless as to its spread.

The 30-year-old man (pictured) is a volunteer member of the NSW Rural Fire Service

A search warrant was executed at the home and police seized items for forensic examination

A search warrant was executed at the home and police seized items for forensic examination.

He was denied bail and is due to face Wagga Wagga Local Court on Wednesday, after facing bail court on Saturday.

Footage of the arrest was released by NSW Police, showing the man being approached by officers at the rural home before he was taken into custody.

Footage of the arrest was released by NSW Police, showing the man being approached by officers at the rural home before he was taken into custody (pictured)

Pictured: Fire and Rescue personnel run to move their truck as a bushfire burns next to a major road and homes on the outskirts of the town of Bilpin on December 19, 2019

The Black Summer bushfires raged across Australia for months, claiming 33 lives, including nine firefighters, and destroying 10,000 homes and other structures.

More than 80,000 head of livestock were killed and millions of native plants and animals were lost.

A royal commission into the bushfires was held, making some 80 recommendations.
The Royal British Legion has been blasted by military veterans after spending nearly 100,000 designing a new logo.

Former servicemen have been left 'dumbfounded' at the 'gross misuse' of money spent on the rebranding job, which is set to be launched on Tuesday.

The servicemen pointed out that the enormous cost comes at a time when thousands of former veterans are living homeless.

It is estimated that between 3,500 and 6,000 former veterans are currently living homeless in the UK and the suicide rate among former military personnel has doubled in the last decade.

Former servicemen have been left 'dumbfounded' at the 'gross misuse' of money after the Royal British Legion spent nearly 100,000 designing a new logo. Pictured: Afghan War veteran Andy Price who has criticised the cost of rebranding

The RBL, which has an annual income of around 150m and bank reserves of almost 70m, will launch its new logo to coincide with the charity's centenary year.

The new design, which has been three years in the making and cost 100,752, is made up of the initials of the charity with the R and L coloured in blue and a bright red poppy in place of the letter B.

The rebranding replaces the traditional logo which had the words of the RBL in a blue box next to a red poppy.

Now, ex-servicemen claim the charity has 'lost touch' with its original ethos to support soldiers and have accused it of becoming too corporate.

Andy Price, 42, who runs the Veterans Hub in Weymouth, Dorset, a support group that helps former servicemen, said: 'I am dumbfounded. Spending 100,000 on a brand change is a gross misuse of their funds and unforgivable at all levels.

The new design (pictured), which has been three years in the making and cost 100,752, is made up of the initials of the charity with the R and L coloured in blue and a bright red poppy in place of the letter B

'Our logo and branding cost us a pint of beer.

'I have to beg borrow and steal to keep the hub open in order to help people.

'We have just helped one guy who was 79 in arrears on his rent and was about to be evicted. It would have taken two or three months for the RBL to have helped him.

'Another member who suffers from bad arthritis and can't use his bath has waited for a year for the RBL to put in a wet room.

'Another member was rehoused by them yet it took three months for him to receive white goods and an oven to enable him to live.

Price, an Afghan War veteran, added: 'I think the RBL has lost touch with what they are supposed to be. When they were set up they supported veterans returning from the Great War but they are more like a corporate organisation now.'

Price, 42, (pictured) who runs the Veterans Hub in Weymouth, Dorset, a support group that helps former servicemen, said he was 'dumbfounded' by the RBL's rebranding

Veteran Trevor Coult, who suffers from PTSD, said the RBL owes ex-servicemen an explanation.

He said: 'The RBL shut down every one of their respite centres because they needed to save money yet they are still willing to spend over 100,000 on a new logo.

'That tells me their priorities are all wrong.

'It is shocking and is a kick in the teeth when so many veterans are struggling.

'They have gone from being a charity that helps veterans to being a massive corporation.'

Another veteran, Craig Monaghan, has set up a support network in Manchester, called the Veterans Garage.

The former Rifleman, who suffered brain injuries from an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2009, said: 'I had been in the army all my adult life and when I came out I didn't know what to do or thing like how to pay my bills.

'I went to the RBL for some guidance and advice but I never heard anything from them.

'When veterans reach out to them they are already in their most darkest place yet a lot of them time they are told to go back to their regiment welfare system or to Combat Stress.

'Spending over 100,000 on a new logo while veterans are killing themselves left, right and centre or crying out for help leaves a sour taste in the mouth.'

Responding to criticism of the cost of rebranding, a spokesperson for the RBL said that it was the first time in 30 years the charity had had a new logo.

They said: 'Our current brand was designed before many of today's digital channels existed and unfortunately it is no longer fit for purpose in the modern world.

The rebranding replaces the traditional logo which had the words of the RBL in a blue box next to a red poppy

'The new logo places the poppy at the heart of the RBL and recognises our heritage as the lettering is inspired by the grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey. It is clear, legible, and adaptable to different sizes.

'The cost covers more than a new logo. It covers the iterative process of a new brand identity over a two-year period including stakeholder engagement, research and design work, development of the logo and brand assets, and fulfilling trademark requirements.

'The Royal British Legion is constantly evolving and looking for ways to make sure we best support the Armed Forces community and as we mark our centenary in 2021 it is vital we lay the foundations for an organisation that is fit for the next 100 years.

'We take the use of charitable funds extremely seriously and we have made this significant investment to ensure we can reach and support more members of the Armed Forces community in the future by making it simpler for them to find us and understand who we are and what we do.'
Bharti, however, was granted bail to enable him to file an appeal before the high court against his conviction in the case and jail term

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party MLA and former Delhi minister Somnath Bharti was on Saturday sentenced to two years in jail by a court here in a 2016 case related to assaulting AIIMS security staff and causing damage to hospital property.

The mindset to cause damage to public property and infrastructure was an attack on the common man, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Pandey said, as he rejected Bharti's plea to release him on probation but granted him bail to enable filing of an appeal in a higher court.

The judge, who also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on Bharti, said he was well educated and an MLA and, therefore, aware of the consequences of committing the offence.

Bharti said in a statement that he has "full faith" in the judiciary and he is going to file an appeal against his conviction.

The ruling AAP in Delhi backed its MLA from Malviya Nagar, claiming that "injustice" has been meted out to Bharti and expressed the hope that he will get justice at the appellate level.

The BJP demanded that Bharti be disqualified from the Delhi Assembly and expelled from the party.

In its statement, the AAP said, "We respect the judiciary and have full faith in the judiciary. However, we feel an injustice has happened to Mr Somnath Bharti in this case."

The party said Bharti is filing an appeal. "We are confident that justice will be done to him at the appellate level," it said.

"Somnath is a very popular leader and is loved by everyone in his constituency. He works 24 hours for his people. People are quite sad in his constituency as the news of his conviction is spreading," the AAP said.

According to the prosecution, on 9 September, 2016, Bharti, along with his around 300 associates, broke the boundary fence of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, with JCB for creating access to AIIMS.

The FIR was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by RS Rawat, Chief Security Officer, AIIMS.

The court is of the considered view that prosecution has duly proved its case beyond all reasonable doubt against accused Somnath Bharti, the judge said.

The court convicted Bharti for various offences punishable under IPC, including section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 353 (assault or use of criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 147 (rioting).

It also held Bharti guilty under section 3 (mischief causing damage to public property) of the Prevention of Damage to the Public Property Act.

Experts said Bharti may not face an immediate disqualification and all will depend on whether the higher court orders a stay in the case.

"I have sought legal opinion in the matter and will take decisions accordingly and as per law," Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel said when asked about the matter.

Bharti had told the court that police officials and witnesses deposed falsely against him to implicate him in the case.

During the arguments, he sought leniency from the court and prayed that he be released on probation.

The prosecution, however, sought maximum punishment of a five-year jail term for Bharti.

The court is of the view that the mindset to cause damage to the public property and infrastructure is an attack on the common man. The infrastructure and public property of the country are not of any leader, party or government but these are national assets.

The infrastructure is built with the contribution of every poor, every taxpayer, middle class and every section of society. While exercising democratic rights, people must not forget about the national duty to preserve the national assets and resources meant for each and every citizen, the judge said.

While denying the AAP leader the benefit of probation, the judge said, Bharti is a well-educated person having qualification of M.Sc.(IIT Delhi) and he is also Law Graduate and he is also Member of Legislative Assembly.

He was well aware of the consequences of committing the offence and he actively participated in the commission of the offence in order to damage the Public Property belonging to the AIIMS, New Delhi. Hence, the court is not inclined to grant him the benefit of The Probation of Offender Act, the court said.

The court, however, acquitted Bharti's associates and co-accused - Jagat Saini, Dileep Jha, Sandeep Sonu and Rakesh Pandey - citing lack of evidence.

The AAP leader is not new to controversies. In 2014, as the law minister in the then Kejriwal government, he led a late-night vigilante raid against some African women, accusing them of being drug runners.

In 2015, he was arrested in connection with a domestic violence case lodged by his wife. He was later cleared of the charge.
By Richard Hanania

January 24, 2021 " Information Clearing House " - After tragedy struck the Capitol last week, calls for policy change came swiftly. In response to the deadly mob that rampaged through the halls of Congress, many now advocate new anti-terrorism laws that would give the government powers at home that are usually only exercised abroad. Among these are the ability to work off of broader definitions of crimes like conspiracy or providing material support to organizations that commit violent acts.

Some see the war on terror as a model for what to do now. Political scientist Seth Masket asks us to imagine a world in which, after 9/11, members of Congress were urging us to forget the attack in the name of unity.

In that context, its important to look back at the policies adopted in the aftermath of 9/11 and their results. We can then hope for some estimation of how a domestic war on terror would be the same, and how it would be different.

Contrary to what Masket says, forgetting the 9/11 attack would have been preferable to what we actually did.

That day, the U.S. lost 2,996 lives. In response, it launched two wars that between them have killed more than twice as many American soldiers. Afghan and Iraqi deaths are difficult to track, but 500,000 is a low-end estimate. An economic perspective shows the post-9/11 wars to have cost at least two to three times more than the attack itself.

Such investments did not even have their intended effect on terrorism. The 10 years after 2001 saw more than twice as many terrorist deaths in the Middle East and North Africa than the previous 10 years. By 2018, al-Qaida had more than 20,000 men under arms globally, being much stronger than it was in 2001. ISIS and its affiliates have even more members. Terrorist and extremist organizations control territory throughout the Middle East and Africa, something that would have been all but unthinkable two decades ago.

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A major reason for the increase in terrorism has been the chaos unleashed by American regime change wars. But we cannot not ignore the psychological dimension. In the aftermath of 9/11, Bush talked of terrorism as a global struggle, on par with the fights against communism and Nazism. While careful to explicitly say the U.S. was not at war with Islam itself, such his words rang hollow in the face of daily images of the U.S. killing Muslims abroad.

According to the American president himself, Osama bin Laden and his associates were not a ragtag bunch of criminals hiding in a remote part of the world; they were representatives of a broader struggle, the last ideology remaining at the end of history with the ability to challenge the worlds sole superpower.

This propaganda gift helped Islamic fundamentalism become a romantic ideal with appeal to young Muslims across the world.

A war on domestic terrorism would have a more local focus of course. While fighting QAnon and other American extremists wont require foreign invasions, the struggle can still have pernicious consequences.

The Program on Extremism at George Washington University calls for expanding terrorism statutes to cover home grown ideologies in order to bring moral equivalency between foreign and domestic violent extremists. In other words, the hope is to elevate white supremacists and others in the same way we have Islamists.

While the individuals who stormed the Capitol seemed to have little in common ideologically besides their devotion to Trump, they are united by a sense of grievance against elites. White nationalists hate the federal government for its racial policies and feel they are fighting a culture war, Trumpist conservatives feel put upon and condescended to, and QAnon thinks its at war with a cabal of satanic pedophiles.

Some of these views overlap with attitudes expressed by many in the law enforcement community and even members of Congress. Just like the war on terror put conservative Muslims who posed no danger to the west under suspicion, similar policies domestically could potentially wreak havoc on the civil liberties of even more Americans, perhaps in the tens of millions. Bin Laden and other extremists came to represent true Islam in the minds of many Muslims after 9/11. In America, true conservatism may come to be associated with the most virulent resistance to liberal elites and the government. While censorship can certainly work to purge some ideas from public life, the effect of a wholesale effort to do so would likely inflame tribal passions beyond what we have already seen in recent decades.

What should the government do instead? There is no easy answer to what has gone wrong with the American right, any more than there was with regards to the most extreme forms of Islam. Some of the activities of the Capitol Hill attack were being planned and discussed on internet forums and social media, and intelligence agencies seem to have missed the chatter or failed to act on it. Beyond doing a better job on intelligence and enforcing laws already on the books, we should apply the right lessons of the response to 9/11 going forward. The most obvious of these is to avoid an overreaction that has the potential to do much more damage than the problem itself.

There are some indications that the forces unleashed by Trump will gradually subside now that he has left office and lost access to social media. Republicans may become more convinced that a change is necessary given that Trump supporters have threatened their lives, and polling indicates that many Americans are disgusted with what they have recently seen. If Republicans continue down the same path, a few consecutive election losses have a way of sobering a party up.

At home and abroad, benign neglect is often the least bad policy option, even if emotionally unsatisfying.

At last week's Tullamore Municipal District meeting, Councillor Tony McCormack described as "an eejit" a person using a scrambler motorbike to ride up and down the grassy side of the grand canal in Tullamore from the Whitehall Bridge to Digby Bridge.

"They have ripped up the whole area and it's made it impossible for the people to walk on that side of the canal because of all the muck it has created. I live along the canal and I've heard the scrambler in action. I hope the gardai got him. If people see them will they ring the gardai, because it's ruining an amenity that we have. They think they are clever, but all they are doing is ruining it for other people," remarked Cllr McCormack.

On a related issue, Cllr McCormack commented: "We have a fantastic amenity along the canal - the greenway, and it's a victim of its own success. Im using it quite a bit myself for running and walking and I find in the evening and weekend there are hundreds of people on each stretch of the canal.

"The problem is the parking. A lot of people are driving up whether it's down beside Elliffes at Puttaghaun or down at the Rahan road or Digby bridge. We are going to have to do something to alleviate this problem. It's going to cause accidents. I think we may look at car parking, he added.

Cllr McCormack asked people to park at the Daingean Road, car park and walk to the canal. "It's a huge success and compliments to the council and the people who thought about it in the first place," he said.

In response the Director of Services, Tom Shanahan said: "It is fantastic that the Greenway is getting so much use. That's what it's intended for. Eventually, that route will extend from Shannon Harbour in the west right up to Dublin.

"At this stage we have part 8 planning for the entire route from Edenderry to Shannon Harbour. Tullamore, the attractions and facilities along the grand canal which will include parking, is obviously very central in that.

"One of the next phases is the urban section which will go from Convent View through Bury Quay over to the Clara road and Srah area. It's a more expensive piece; a different funding stream and will have some more phases to go through. The intention would be that people would come into the car park in town and walk out from there, Some will have to drive to use it.

"We will be looking at all the amenities and along the canal in due course. That's very much in hand. Im disappointed that there has been some unsatisfactory use, it's not intended that there would be any motorised vehicles used on the route, it's entirely for pedestrians and cyclists, stressed Mr Shanahan.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 02:26:21|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will embark on a five-nation tour for talks on bilateral as well as regional issues, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh announced Saturday.

Zarif's tour will start on Monday and cover Azerbaijan, Russia, Armenia, Georgia and Turkey, said Khatibzadeh, according to the Ministry's website.

During his tour, Zarif will meet with his counterparts and other senior officials to discuss bilateral issues, latest developments in the Caucasus region, joint projects as well as peace and stability in the region, he noted. Enditem
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will speak by telephone with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday to discuss Mexico's acquisition of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19, the government said on Sunday.

Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Twitter the leaders' conversation would address "the future of the bilateral relationship as well as the supply of Russian vaccines to Mexico" and take place at 8 a.m. Mexico City time (1400 GMT).

A ministry official said Ebrard was referring to the Sputnik V vaccine, which Mexico wants to use to fight the pandemic. A Kremlin spokesman also confirmed the call would take place.

Lopez Obrador said in August he would speak to Putin if the Russian vaccine proved effective, and his government said this month it aims to acquire 12 million doses of Sputnik V, with the first potentially arriving as soon as the coming week.

Mexico aims to administer 7.4 million doses of Sputnik V by the end of March, part of the country's scramble to quickly secure as great a supply of vaccines as possible.

However, the Mexican government has yet to approve the use of the Russian vaccine, which requires two doses per person.

(Reporting by Mexico City Newsroom; Additional reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Most of us have spent our weeks in lockdown curled up on the sofa in our pyjamas or a favourite pair of trackies.

But a stylist has revealed the key wardrobe pieces everyone should be investing in now so you are ready to look your best when lockdown lifts.

Katie Eastwood, a stylist ambassador for Stitch Fix UK, explained it is worth investing in high quality knitwear that you can wear now and reuse for years to come. She said it is also the time to buy a new coat for those daily winter walks.

The expert also shared her tips on how to nail a great Zoom look, from statement accessories to wearing a roll neck under a blouse to look smart yet cosy.

However there are definitely things everyone should avoid buying while we're stuck inside, including tight-fitting jeans and other 'hard trousers', as well as new shoes.

Speaking to FEMAIL, Katie shared some of her essential style hacks to make sure you are still getting out of your cosy pyjamas during a winter amid the coronavirus pandemic...

STOCK UP ON KNITWEAR THAT YOU'LL WEAR FOR YEARS

Time to invest: Katie said now is the time to splash out on high quality jumpers made from cashmere or wool. Pictured, the Pure Cashmere V-Neck Relaxed Jumper by M&S (89), left. Or go bold with something like the Effingham Fluffy Jumper (85) by Boden

Something we can all be sure of when it comes to lockdown 3.0, is that we're going to be spending lots of time indoors, likely cosying up on the sofa with a book or in front of Netflix.

Revealed: How to style your new jumper One of my favourite things about jumpers or knitwear is just how versatile a wardrobe staple they are, meaning you can create many different looks based on your personal style, or even just your mood that particular day! For example, opt for a plain, pattern-free affair and let your colour of choice do all the talking, or keep it simple in neutral tones and jazz it up by layering on some statement jewellery. Alternatively, you can go in completely the opposite direction and make your jumper of choice the main event by embracing a bold print, quirky pattern, clashing colours or statement embellishments. Advertisement

That means we need comfortable clothes to go with it - so invest in a great, wear-with-anything knitwear staple such as a jumper or cardigan that will ensure you get out of your dressing gown, but gives you the comfort you need for a wintry lockdown.

When it comes to staple knitwear, you can't ignore the comfort and durability benefits of a high-quality fabric. Naturally this can come with a slightly heftier price tag (hello, cashmere!) but if your budget allows for a little luxury, it's 100% worth it!

If cashmere isn't your bag then other natural fibres such as wool are excellent go-to fabrics for cosy knitwear choices - and that's not just in terms of quality, but also comfort and just how long they'll last (a well-made jumper or cardi should last you for years).

Whilst synthetic materials may prove more wallet-friendly, generally speaking they make for a quick win that may not stand the test of time.

My advice? Make the investment purchase if you can - it'll be worth it and you'll thank yourself when you're cosied up on the sofa or out enjoying a frosty walk.

If you're on a budget, cotton (organic if you're after a more sustainable and ethical offering) is your best bet.

It still provides that warmth and comfort, but is cheaper than wool and cashmere - just watch out when washing the item as some cheaper cottons might lose their shape over time, and stick to 30 degrees to avoid any unwanted shrinkage.

EXPERIMENT WITH RAINCOATS, PUFFER JACKETS AND 'SHACKETS'

Something for everyone: It's time to update your coat for your daily walks, whether that's a raincoat or quilted jacket like this Oversized Quilted Coat by Mango (89.99). Katie also suggested looking in to a 'shacket' - or shirt jacket - which will look great in spring over a dress and a pair of boots. Right, the Blue Check Longline Shacket With Wool by Next (65)

Daily walks continue to be our favourite (albeit only) thing to do in lockdown - and with the weather turning colder each day, you'll definitely need a toasty coat to wrap up warm in!

Finishing touches: Don't forget a hat! Then there's the accessories - scarves, gloves, and in my mind the best of the lot, the hat. Fur bucket hats, beanies in bright colours or animal print - a hat is sure to keep you warm on those walks, so is something I always include in a Fix if a customer asks for a cosy yet practical accessory. Advertisement

Think puffers, faux fur, duvet style, hooded or waterproof - whichever your style of choice, invest in one that'll protect you from the cold and make you excited to step out in.

Some of my favourites we currently stock are a longline puffer from Mango and a wax jacket by Mint Velvet, both super comfortable and versatile.

If that's not your thing, why not try a chic raincoat or waterproof jacket? A raincoat is a wardrobe staple and so practical, you'll wonder why you don't have one already.

Paired with a hoodie, your favourite jeans, plus a pair of biker boots, the raincoat makes for an effortlessly cool look, whether it's khaki or black, or a more out-there shade of lilac.

The 'shacket' trend has also gained popularity in recent times, inspired by Taylor Swift's lockdown looks.

Whether it's a longer length, check print or boxy style, the shacket can easily be teamed with chunky jumpers or hoodies and can be layered under a thicker, longline coat.

Another great thing about this style is that you can also get wear out of it in spring - styled with t-shirts and dresses.

DRESS FOR COMFORT WITH SHIRT DRESSES AND ELASTIC WAISTS

Comfort is key: Cos Wool Mix Shirt Dress (89) is ideal for layering. Right, the Elastic Waist Crepe Trousers by Arket (40) are surprisingly versatile and can be dressed up for lunch

I'm a comfort dresser and so love anything with an elasticated waistband, including trousers and skirts.

Not only do these items help when my weight fluctuates, especially through the various lockdowns, but they are just so much more comfortable to wear whilst sitting at a desk or on the sofa.

The fashion dos and don'ts during lockdown Do: Invest in wear-with-anything knitwear staples for daily wearing

Jazz up your everyday outfits with statement jewellery

Buy a cosy coat to wrap up warm in during those vital lockdown walks

Make sure your wardrobe is full of wintery accessories, including beanies, hats and gloves

Buy Zoom-friendly good quality T-shirts and long-sleeved tops

Wear a roll neck jumper under a blouse to stay warm while WFH

Wear floating dresses if your weight is fluctuating during lockdown

Expand your loungewear collection

Treat yourself! Don't: Stay in your pyjamas and dressing gown all day

Buy jumpers in synthetic materials that will not stand the test of time

Splash out on knee-high boots - but instead buy practical trainers

Reintroduce 'hard trousers', including jeans, after spending time in more elasticated clothes

Stock up your wardrobe your entire wardrobe with 'lockdown only' items Advertisement

There are some great printed trousers with stretch or an elasticated waist that will feel comfortable without losing that style credibility. I recommend 'dressing to your mood' - so you can style a skirt with a loose oversized jumper one day or a fitted roll neck the next.

I also recommend dresses that can be worn in a loose and floaty way or with a waist belt for a more fitted silhouette.

Shirt dresses, jumper dresses and shift dresses are great adaptable, flattering shapes that can be cinched in at the waist, worn as they are, or styled with a long necklace to add shape, without the tight feel of a fitted garment.

LAYER A ROLL NECK UNDER A BLOUSE FOR AN EASY LOOK

We're now experts at the WFH, 10-Zoom-calls-a-day routine, but to avoid rolling out of bed and grabbing the same old top and leggings each day, invest in a few basic but good quality tees or long-sleeve tops.

For an important meeting, or if you need to look like you've made an effort, accessories are your number one friend and the perfect way to elevate any outfit from the waist up.

A pair of earrings and a necklace can go a long way - even if it's as simple as a pair of gold hoops and a thin chain.

Another tip I've been sharing with my clients, is to wear a fitted roll neck jumper or jersey top under a blouse - perfect for getting wear out of your work wardrobe and looking professional, whilst still feeling warm and cosy at home.

Mauvette & &et have some classic jersey tops with lace detailing or puff sleeves, which make them a fantastic option to wear whilst working from home. These easy-to-wear items offer a great balance between feeling comfortable and looking stylish when on Zoom calls.

Overall, when you're working, you want to feel motivated, and focused, and whilst pyjamas may work for some, make sure you have appropriate items in your wardrobe that put you in the mindset for a day's work.

... BUT GIVE JEANS AND SHOES A MISS

Lockdown living has made certain items harder to shop for or - dare I say it - a little redundant when it comes to our daily wardrobe needs.

Now's not the time! Give jeans a miss

For me 'hard trousers' (aka jeans - a usual wardrobe essential!) were quickly eliminated from my daily outfits. When restrictions first started lifting last year, reintroducing my body to jeans was a bit of a shock to the system.

If you are in the same boat, take it from me that opting for looser styles, whether it be mom, boyfriend or wider leg flares, is the way to go to help ensure you still feel comfortable and not too restricted.

And if you're not ready to even think about hard trousers again any time soon (and who can blame you!?) why not try out leather-look leggings for a stylish alternative?

It's no surprise that footwear trends have also taken a huge turn - I bought a pair of white knee-high boots nearly a year ago and haven't worn them outside yet!

I am sure that they'll make a comeback in the summer but for now, avoid buying shoes unless they are wellies, trainers, walking boots or cosy slippers!
Press Release

January 24, 2021 Lies about UP 'communists' undermine military professionalism: Pangilinan LABELLING prominent personalities as the communists that the University of the Philippines produced undermines the military's professionalism and gives the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) a bad name, Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said Sunday. "Nakakadismayang may ilan sa AFP na sinisiraan ang pangalan ng institusyon at dinudungisan ang professionalism nito (It is sad that some in the AFP are giving the institution a bad name and tainting its professionalism)," he said. Pangilinan stressed that aside from endangering private citizens, false accusations such as these also put the military organization at risk. "We cannot afford to have a politicized and unprofessional AFP. Let us not forget that it was the glaring lack of professionalism in the AFP that caused it to turn against itself during the last years of the Marcos regime," he said. "Tiwala tayong magiging independent ang military, at gagabayan ng kanilang mandato na paglingkuran at proteksyunan ang mamamayan (We trust the military to be independent and guided by their mandate to serve and protect the people)," he added. Pangilinan was reacting to the AFP list of supposed New People's Army members who were either captured or killed by government forces. The list includes former peace adviser Alexander Padilla, who was also Customs chief and PhilHealth head. "Bahagi ito ng tangkang bansagan ang UP bilang sentro ng mga rebeldeng komunista. Mapanganib itong pabara-barang mga paratang dahil nilalagay sa peligro ang kaligtasan at buhay ng mga nasa listahan (This is part of the attempt to label UP as center of communist rebels. These careless allegations are dangerous as they put at risk the safety and lives of those on the list)," said the former UP University Student Council chairman. "Dapat tigilan na ng mga military na gumagawa nito ang pag-re-red-tag. Dahil sa maling pag-label sa mga tao, nagiging target sila ng panggigipit at pinakamalala pa, pagpatay (Those in the military who are doing this must stop the practice of red-tagging. Falsely labelling people makes them target of harassment and worst, killings)," he added. Pangilinan reminded the bad eggs in the AFP that the Philippine Constitution guarantees freedom of political beliefs and free speech. "Lahat tayong lingkod-bayan ay sumumpang itataguyod ang Saligang-Batas. Bukod sa ginagarantya ng Saligang-Batas ang kalayaan sa paniniwala at pananalita, sinasabi rin nito na hindi krimen ang maniwala sa anumang ideology (All of us public servants vowed to uphold the Constitution. Apart from guaranteeing the freedoms of belief and speech, the Constitution also says that espousing an ideology is not a crime)," he said. On AFP's accusations of shabu lab and criminality in UP, the first UP Student Regent with voting powers said: "Etong mga walang basehan at maling-maling mga paratang ng iilan ang sisira sa integridad, credibilidad at professionalism ng ating sandatahang lakas (These baseless, erroneous and false accusations of a few erode on the integrity, credibility and professionalism of our armed forces)." Pangilinan has spearheaded the call for a dialogue between UP and the Department of National Defense (DND) following the unilateral termination by the DND of the UP-DND Accord, which among other things bans military and police presence in its campuses.

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Coronavirus vaccines may not fully prevent people from passing the virus on to others and people who have had the jab should still continue to abide by lockdown restrictions, the deputy chief medical officer for England said.

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said that if those who have been vaccinated begin easing off because they are protected, they are potentially putting at risk those further down the priority list who still need inoculation.

His warning came as the latest Government figures showed the number receiving the first dose of the vaccine across the UK has passed 5.8 million, with a record 478,248 getting the jab in a single day.

Prof Van-Tam, writing in the Telegraph, said it was still not known if people who had been vaccinated could still pass on the virus to others, even though they were protected from falling ill themselves.

"So even after you have had both doses of the vaccine you may still give Covid to someone else and the chains of transmission will then continue," he wrote.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 28 May 2021 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he meets Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Downing Street in London REUTERS UK news in pictures 27 May 2021 White Pelicans in the sunshine in St James's Park, London PA UK news in pictures 26 May 2021 Boats are seen at Southsea Moorings in Portsmouth Reuters UK news in pictures 25 May 2021 York Glaziers Trust employees Kieran Muir (left) and Emily Price (right) remove a stained glass window panel at the start of a new five year, 5m project to conserve York Minsters South East Transept and its medieval St Cuthbert Window PA UK news in pictures 24 May 2021 Dark rain clouds above an oast house at Bewl Water reservoir near Lamberhurst in Kent during one of the rainiest Mays on record, with the UK seeing 131 per cent of the usual months rainfall already PA UK news in pictures 23 May 2021 The Premier League trophy with the Manchester City club colour ribbons on, at Etihad Stadium, prior to the last Premier League match of the season. City will finally pick up the trophy after they won the league on 11 May Getty UK news in pictures 22 May 2021 Gary Kenny lifts the Buildbase FA Vase Trophy after Warrington Rylands won the FA Vase Final against Binfield at Wembley Stadium Getty UK news in pictures 21 May 2021 A family buffeted by the wind whilst crossing the the Millennium Bridge in London, with wind and rain forecast to ravage the UK on the first Friday that people have been allowed to meet in large groups outside in England PA UK news in pictures 20 May 2021 Devon And Cornwall Police Demonstrate Their Skills For Policing The G7 Summit Getty Images UK news in pictures 18 May 2021 An employee stands before a costume for the Queen of Hearts by Bob Crowley on display at the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London PA UK news in pictures 17 May 2021 Passengers prepare to board an easyJet flight to Faro, Portugal, at Gatwick Airport after the ban on international leisure travel for people in England was lifted following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 16 May 2021 Emergency workers at the scene of a suspected gas explosion, in which a young child was killed and two people were seriously injured, on Mallowdale Ave Heysham which caused 2 houses to collapse and badly damaged another PA UK news in pictures 15 May 2021 Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters let off smoke flares, wave flags and carry placards during a demonstration in support of the Palestinian cause as violence escalates in the ongoing conflict with Israel, in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 14 May 2021 Member of staffs tighten screws and paint a Marlin skeleton, before it goes on display at the Natural History Museum in London, as the museum prepares to reopen to the public on 17 May, following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 13 May 2021 A worshipper at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Mordon, south London, ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The celebration marks the end of the Muslim month of fasting, called Ramadan. PA UK news in pictures 12 May 2021 A couple have wedding photos taken in Westminster, London Getty UK news in pictures 11 May 2021 The sun rises on Coquet Island, off Amble on the Northumberland coast, where as many as 35000 seabirds cram onto this tiny island to breed PA UK news in pictures 10 May 2021 Newly elected for a second term Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during his signing in ceremony at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on Londons Southbank PA UK news in pictures 9 May 2021 People mill around St. Michael's tower on top of Glastonbury Tor as it is seen through blooming yellow rapeseed on a day of mixed weather in Glastonbury, Somerset PA UK news in pictures 8 May 2021 Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford elbow bumps newly elected MS Labour candidates Elizabeth Buffy Williams, Rhondda, left, and Sarah Murphy, Bridgend & Porthcawl Labour, right, as they meet in Porthcawl, Wales PA UK news in pictures 6 May 2021 A group of five Sisters from Carmelite Monastery in Dysart cast their vote in the Scottish Parliamentary election at Dysart Community Hall, West Port, Dysart PA UK news in pictures 5 May 2021 Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer (centre) with West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Liam Byrne (far right) and Labour Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner (far left) during a visit to Birmingham, whilst on the election campaign trail PA UK news in pictures 4 May 2021 Artists Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey stand within 100 oak saplings which form part of a living art installation entitled Beuys' Acorns by the UK-based artist duo, outside the Tate Modern in London PA UK news in pictures 3 May 2021 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie feeds the Gentoo penguins during a visit to Edinburgh Zoo on the campaign trail for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election on May 6 PA UK news in pictures 2 May 2021 Chelsea players celebrate their fourth goal during the Womens Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, at Kingsmeadow Stadium in south west London. The Blues won the game 4-1, (and the tie 5-3 on aggregate) sending them through to their first Champions League final AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 1 May 2020 Demonstrators during a march through London during a 'Kill the Bill' protest Angela Christofilou UK news in pictures 30 April 2021 Shoppers queue outside Primark in Belfast as shops reopen and hospitality is able to open outdoors in Northern Ireland where lockdown restrictions have begun to gradually ease PA UK news in pictures 29 April 2021 Specialist operators at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, near Telford, Shropshire, clean the Hawker Hunter aircraft displayed within the museum's National Cold War Exhibition, during annual high-level aircraft cleaning and maintenance PA UK news in pictures 28 April 2021 Millions of tulips in flower near Kings Lynn in Norfolk, as Belmont Nurseries, the UK's largest commercial grower of outdoor tulips, offers socially-distanced visits to its tulip fields at Hillington to raise funds for local charity The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House PA UK news in pictures 27 April 2021 Paula Laughton checks one of the newly installed Lego models in the new Lego Mythica land at Legoland Windsor Resort PA UK news in pictures 26 April 2021 A red panda rests on a tree at Manor Wildlife park, which reopened its doors as lockdown restrictions continue to ease, in Tenby, Wales Reuters UK news in pictures 25 April 2021 Sheep climb the hillside as flames from a moor fire are seen on Marsden moor, near Huddersfield AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 24 April 2021 Supporters protest against Manchester United's owners, outside English Premier League club Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium in Manchester AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 23 April 2021 People enjoy the warm weather at City Hall near Tower Bridge in central London PA UK news in pictures 22 April 2021 Uyghurs during a demonstration in Parliament Square, London, which is being held ahead of a House of Commons debate, bought by backbench MP Nus Ghani, on whether Uyghurs in China's Xinjiang province are suffering crimes against humanity and genocide PA UK news in pictures 21 April 2021 People walk at the Taihaku Cherry Orchard in Alnwick REUTERS UK news in pictures 20 April 2021 People stand in front of anti Super League banners outside Anfield as twelve of Europe's top football clubs, including Liverpool, launch a breakaway league Reuters UK news in pictures 19 April 2021 Women enjoy sunny weather in Greenwich, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in London, Britain, Reuters UK news in pictures 18 April 2021 Stephen Maguire (right) of Scotland interacts with Jamie Jones of Wales during day 2 of the Betfred World Snooker Championships 2021 at The Crucible, Sheffield PA UK news in pictures 17 April 2021 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburghs coffin, covered with His Royal Highnesss Personal Standard arrives by Landrover Defender at St Georges Chapel carried by a bearer party found by the Royal Marines during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle Getty Images UK news in pictures 16 April 2021 Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, checks the teeth of "Dentosaurus" during a visit to the Thornliebank Dental Care centre in Glasgow, as she campaigns ahead of the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary Election AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 April 2021 Myanmar's former ambassador to the UK, Kyaw Zwar Minn, outside his residence in north west London. The ambassador has been barred from entering the Myanmar embassy in Mayfair after he was removed from office PA UK news in pictures 14 April 2021 People take part in coronavirus surge testing on Clapham Common, south London. Thousands of residents have queued up to take coronavirus tests at additional facilities set up after new cases of the South African variant were found in two south London boroughs. 44 confirmed cases of the variant have been found in Lambeth and Wandsworth, with a further 30 probable cases identified PA UK news in pictures 13 April 2021 The core of the Milky Way becomes visible in the early hours of Tuesday morning as it moves over Bamburgh Lighthouse at stag Rock in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 12 April 2021 Rebecca Richardson (left) and Genevieve Florence, members of the Aquabatix synchronised swimming team, during a practice session in the swimming pool at Clissold Leisure Centre in north London, which has reopened to the public. Many facilities have reopened in the latest easing of lockdown include pubs and restaurants who can serve outside, non-essential shops, indoor gyms and swimming pools, nail salons and hairdressers, outdoor amusements and zoos PA UK news in pictures 11 April 2021 A pub staff pins up a sign announcing the reopening of the Fox on the Hill pub on Denmark Hill in London EPA UK news in pictures 10 April 2021 The Death Gun Salute is fired by the Honourable Artillery Company to mark the passing of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the The Tower of London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 9 April 2021 A man arrives to lay a bunch of flowers outside Buckingham Palace in central London after the announcement of the death of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. - Queen Elizabeth II's husband Prince Philip, who recently spent more than a month in hospital and underwent a heart procedure, died on April 9, Buckingham Palace announced. He was 99. 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"If you change your behaviour you could still be spreading the virus, keeping the number of cases high and putting others at risk who also need their vaccine but are further down the queue.

"Regardless of whether someone has had their vaccination or not, it is vital that everyone follows the national restrictions and public health advice, as protection takes up to three weeks to kick in and we don't yet know the impact of vaccines on transmission.

"The vaccine has brought considerable hope and we are in the final furlong of the pandemic but for now, vaccinated or not, we still have to follow the guidance for a bit longer."

Separately, a further 32 vaccine sites are set to open across the country this week including one at the museum made famous as the set of hit TV series Peaky Blinders.

Prof Van-Tam also hit back at doctors who have criticised the decision to extend the gap between the first and second doses of the vaccine to 12 weeks.

The British Medical Association has written to the chief medical officer for England urging a rethink, saying that in the case of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine a maximum gap of six weeks had been mandated by the World Heath Organisation (WHO).

Prof Van-Tam said that extending the gap was the quickest way to get a first dose to as many people as possible as quickly as possible.

He said: "But what none of these (who ask reasonable questions) will tell me is: who on the at-risk list should suffer slower access to their first dose so that someone else who's already had one dose (and therefore most of the protection) can get a second?"

BMA council chairman Dr Chaand Nagpaul said that while he understood the "rationale" behind the decision, no other country is taking the UK's approach.

"We think the flexibility that the WHO offers of extending to 42 days is being stretched far too much to go from six weeks right through to 12 weeks," he said.

"Obviously the protection will not vanish after six weeks but what we do not know is what level of protection will be offered. We should not be extrapolating data where we don't have it."

Press Association
People world-wide are dying at the fastest pace in years because of the coronavirus. In response, deaths are now getting counted faster than ever, potentially giving public-health experts and policy makers a clearer picture to make decisions.

Weeks after the virus hit Italy last year, doctors, funeral homes and officials realized that government Covid-19 death tolls were too low and many victims werent getting included. Informal tallies quickly revealed that thousands of deaths most likely caused by the virus had been omitted. Limited testing left the number of infections unknown, and many people had died outside hospitals, which were the initial source of fatality figures.

Italys statistical agency, Istat, scrambled to assemble more reliable information, collecting data from towns and cities faster than ever before. In May, it revealed what people at the front lines had suspected: a 39% jump in nationwide deaths between Feb. 21 and March 31 compared with previous years.

Normally, they [the data] would have arrived six months later," said Istat President Gian Carlo Blangiardo in May. We made an extraordinary effort."

Authorities across Europe and the U.S. soon followed Italys race for information on deaths. Eurostat, the European Unions statistical agency, in April for the first time collected and published weekly death data for 31 countries, it said, to support the policy and research efforts related to Covid-19." The same month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the first time began publishing weekly national death data.

Public-health experts say processing death data quickly can help spotlight mortality risks across a population, such as by age and gender, and point epidemiologists toward areas for investigation. It can also show how many more deaths than usual occur during an event like a natural disaster or pandemic, especially when testing is sparse, as it was in Covid-19s early days. Tracking surging fatalities, known as excess deaths, was a motivation for the CDC to start publishing weekly numbers.

Its really useful to do this kind of very simple public-health monitoringit informs everybody," said Lasse S. Vestergaard, a senior medical officer and epidemiologist in Denmarks national institute for infectious disease and coordinator of the European Mortality Monitoring Project, or EuroMOMO, a network organized in 2008 to track excess deaths across the continent.

But amassing sufficient data to make accurate conclusionsand doing it amid infection fears and lockdownswas a daunting task. The CDC started its work late last January, months before publishing numbers.

Robert Anderson, chief of the mortality-statistics branch at the CDCs National Center for Health Statistics, said current real-time analysis of excess deaths during the health emergency is exceptional. Its always been done after the fact."

In principle, few census data points are more clear-cut than a death: People are either alive or not. But until last year, mortality data was rarely needed urgently. Irelands Central Statistical Office, wanting quick mortality data during the pandemic, in March turned to the countrys unofficial death-notice website, RIP.ie, which it found to be useful for fast information.

Death-reporting channels tend to be complex and slow, potentially involving health authorities, law enforcement and civic administrations before national numbers are aggregated in statistics offices. Hospitals in much of the world regularly report deaths to health authorities, but deaths occurring outside medical institutions may get officially registered long after they occur, or never.

There are a lot of bottlenecks to getting useful statistics, and in a timely fashion," said Patrick Gerland, chief of population estimates and projections in the United Nations population division.

In Bangladesh, which in May launched its first rapid survey of mortality under U.N. guidance, only 15% of deaths occur in a medical facility, the health ministry said. Across big parts of Africa and Asia, deaths go unreported. Even in rich countries, people often attend funerals, read obituaries and process insurance claims long before government statisticians receive notification of a death.

A year ago, the number of countries tracking nationwide deaths daily could be counted on about one hand, and only a few dozen tracked them on a weekly basis. Many more track deaths monthly or annually, often with a long lag. Several countries post road-death data monthly but figures on total fatalities only annually.

In roughly half the worlds 200 or so countries and jurisdictions, the only source of data on deathsor birthsis surveys, which are incomplete and slow to yield useful data, said Mr. Gerland. Many efforts have been under way for more than a decade to improve and accelerate record-keeping, with varying degrees of success, he said. Latin America has made great progress in death reporting, experts say.

The world became more aware of death data in the spring partly because Italy, Spain and other countries hit early and hard by the coronavirus had already reported weekly deaths through EuroMOMO. The consortium had formed to track deaths from influenza and has since tracked excess deaths across Europe.

EuroMOMO experts use as a reference the death rates during recent spring and summer weeksperiods when people generally dont die from winter flu or summer heatto develop baselines for each contributing countrys normally expected mortality rate. Deaths above that baseline are deemed excess.

Online visitors to EuroMOMOs weekly excess-deaths graphs, which had never passed 100,000 in a year, topped 25 million in 2020. It was just wild," said Dr. Vestergaard. Our network had been invisible to the public for 10 years."

Internet volume and public interest prompted EuroMOMO staff to implement a long-planned site update over Easter weekend.

In the fall, the CDC and EuroMOMO began comparing methodologies and cooperating on excess-death analysis. They aim soon to publish research on excess deaths in the U.S. and Europe using their weekly data.

Margherita Stancati in Rome and Jon Kamp in Boston contributed to this article.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text)

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When prophecy fails, the prophets get creative. That was the lesson of Leon Festinger and his colleagues who, in their 1956 study of an American UFO cult, coined the term "cognitive dissonance" to describe how the cultists frantically rewrote their own beliefs after their predicted apocalypse failed to appear.

The inauguration of US President Joe Biden has set off a similar scramble for meaning. The Stop the Steal protesters behind the violence at the Capitol were certain that they would expose a massive election fraud and keep Trump in power. Many were adherents of the cult-like QAnon movement - which mixes evangelical Christianity with baroque conspiracy theories - who believed right up until last Wednesday that the "Satanist" Democrats were about to be liquidated in a military coup. Instead, like Lucifer and his angels in Paradise Lost, these extremist groups now find themselves cast out into a political netherworld: condemned by legislators, harried by law enforcement and exiled from mainstream social media.

On Friday, Biden ordered a probe into domestic terrorism, while the FBI has arrested more than 100 people and may charge some with sedition.

Yet as movement leaders scramble to explain their prophecy's failure, the future of American politics - and particularly the Republican Party, which has often embraced their ideas - may be shaped by what their followers do next.

"I think QAnon as a vessel will be significantly damaged by the anticlimax," says Liam Donovan, a Republican strategist and former Senate fundraiser. "But the isolation, frustration, and desperation it tapped into will find somewhere else to go."

On fringe social networks such as Telegram and Gab, pro-Trump extremists are sharply divided.

A flurry of new theories are competing to show how this month's events are all part of the plan, while some people struggle with doubts. "I want to believe you, but what we are seeing can't be fake," said one message seen by reporters.

Mike Rains, who helps run a support group for people whose loved ones have been sucked into QAnon, says many of its "rank and file" believers are furious at its "promoters".

"It will be harder to recruit, but the people in the movement now will be more extreme," says Rains.

The chaos is already being exploited by neo-Nazis and white supremacists, among whom Gab and Telegram are widely used. Monitoring the internet, it is not difficult to find many attempts at channelling despair into recruitment - with certain users pointedly blaming Israel or Jews and posting links to archives of racist texts. Not everyone is receptive: one Telegram group leader complained of newcomers spreading vicious anti-Semitism. Some were kicked out, with the leader saying, "this is not the Nazi group".

The bigger issue is what will happen to Trump's base, and to the Republicans. Those groups are hard to disentangle from QAnon and Stop the Steal because of how thoroughly Trump and leading members of the party have adopted their platforms.

"A Venn diagram of those three circles shows that the overlap is growing," says Doug Heye, a former communications director of the Republican National Committee. He recalls how conspiracy theories about Barack Obama's birth certificate began to spread through the party's voters in 2009 and 2010, and later served as a springboard for Trump's candidacy.

Donovan describes the former president as a man who "marinated in, ingratiated himself with" the Republican "fever swamp" - an "authentically conspiracy-minded" president who stoked these latent currents until they became inescapable. His prize was a fervent, energised and volatile support base - including first-time voters and former Democrats - which many Republicans still fear to cross.

Even after the Capitol riots, 140 Republicans in the House of Representatives voted not to certify Biden's victory, while 197 opposed Trump's impeachment. The House Republican leader reversed his claim that Trump was responsible for the violence. Loyalist RNC chairman Ronna McDaniel was re-elected. Two newly elected House members have declared support for QAnon.

Donovan argues that while QAnon and Stop the Steal's specific ideas may not last, they have revealed a deeper feeling that future politicians will seek to harness. "The energy within the party in recent years, and the impulse that propelled Trump himself, is anti-elite, anti-establishment, populist and grievance-minded. I don't expect that to change, and if anything it will become more powerful."

Much depends on Trump himself, whose social media posts delivered regular shots of adrenaline to extremists. Without that, insiders say the temperature in the party has already gone down. Yet the former president still commands enormous influence, and if he can find a new megaphone - or launch a party of his own - Republicans may be forced to dance to his tune again.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
Manitoba reported 438 new cases of COVID-19 over the weekend, 216 on Saturday and 222 on Sunday, with more than half coming from the provinces north.

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Manitoba reported 438 new cases of COVID-19 over the weekend, 216 on Saturday and 222 on Sunday, with more than half coming from the provinces north.

A total of 234 new cases of the virus were reported in the Northern health region, along with 111 new cases in Winnipeg, 42 in Interlake-Eastern, 17 in Southern Health - Sante Sud and 34 cases in Prairie Mountain Health.

The province also announced six new fatalities related to the virus throughout that two-day period, one of which was a man in his 80s from PMH whose death is linked to the ongoing outbreak at the McCreary-Alonsa Health Centre.

This marks the eighth death associated with the health facility, which is located approximately 140 kilometres northeast of Brandon and first began reporting fatalities on Jan. 11.

Meanwhile, Pine Creek First Nation also reported its second case of COVID on Sunday, with the PMH community already being under strict lockdown conditions as of Friday to help contain the spread of the virus.

Altogether, the five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate currently sits at 10.6 per cent provincially and 6.4 per cent in Winnipeg.

Additionally, there are 143 people in hospital with active cases of the virus and 28 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well.

The province is enduring 3,521 active cases of the virus right now, and Manitobas COVID-19 death rate currently sits at 799 as of Sunday afternoon.

This weekend also marked the first time in two months that the province decided to roll back some COVID-19 restrictions under code red, allowing certain businesses to re-open and giving other retailers the green light to sell items deemed "non-essential."

Home visits are also back on the table, with the province now giving Manitobans the option to invite two designated guests into their residence.

However, these looser rules do not apply to the northern part of the province, where case numbers continue to rise unabated.

Despite these modified health orders, public health officials are still advising Manitobans everywhere to exercise extreme caution as they go about their day-to-day lives.

"The chief provincial public health officer reminds Manitobans to self-isolate immediately at the onset of possible COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild," a press release from the province read on Saturday.

"This means staying home from work, school or other daily activities. Testing should be done as soon as possible once symptoms appear."

 The Brandon Sun
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 22:45:31|Editor: huaxia

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A staff member checks servers in Guizhou Information Park of China Telecom Cloud Computing in Guian New Area, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 9, 2020. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- China aims to build 30 "fully connected" 5G factories in 10 key industries by 2023, as the country has fast-tracked industrial Internet development through integration with 5G technologies.

Three to five industrial Internet platforms with international influence will come into being and a big data center for industrial Internet will be established by 2023, said an action plan on industrial Internet development for the next three years, which was unveiled by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

The action plan pointed out that the next three years (2021-2023) will be the period of the rapid growth of China's industrial Internet. Emerging business formats will prevail such as intelligent manufacturing, network-based collaboration and personalized customization during the period, it said.

The industrial Internet, also known as the Internet of Things (IoT) for industry, refers to the broader adoption of advanced technologies such as next-generation wireless networks, big data and artificial intelligence and IoT.

MIIT data showed China has already nurtured over 70 industrial Internet platforms into regional influence, connecting about 60 million sets of industrial equipment and more than 400,000 industrial enterprises. 

You would think that corsets  and the art of making them  had been left behind in the 19th Century.

But the makers of bodice-ripping hit Bridgerton had undercover knowledge.

They sought out the skills of corsetier Mark Erskine Pullin, also known as Mr Pearl, a secret weapon for celebrities when they want to look simply breathtaking.

Victoria Beckham was said to have asked for a 'Scarlett O'Hara waist' when she married David in 1999, and so wore a Mr Pearl bodice beneath her Vera Wang gown.

Kylie Minogue wore his corsets for her 2005 Showgirl tour and more recently he has worked with reality star Kim Kardashian.

The makers of Netflix hit Bridgerton sought out the expertise of corsetier to the stars Mr Pearl when costuming the cast

Mark Erskine Pullin, also known as Mr Pearl, (pictured) has worked with celebrities including Kylie Minogue, Kim Kardashian and Victoria Beckham [File photo]

Bridgerton's costume designer Ellen Mirojnick said there was 'nobody in the world' like Mr Pearl and his 'magnificent' work.

His bodices were designed to be similar to those worn in 1813, when the drama is set.

However, they were adapted to allow for ease of movement and instead of creating an hourglass, the focus of the engineering was on the bosom.

Miss Mirojnick told Page Six: 'The shape of the corset just hugged underneath the bosom, shaping the cups and the shoulders so the bosom was without a question accented in the most beautiful way.'

Among the actresses to wear them were Phoebe Dynevor, who stars as Daphne Bridgerton.

Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington, shared an image from the corset-fitting process on Twitter.

The Irish actress wrote: 'Wearing my custom corset made for #Bridgerton by the incredible artist and wonderful man, Mr Pearl. Having something made for you by the world's foremost corsetier is very special.'

Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton, shared an image from the corset-fitting process on Twitter

Despite her admiration, Miss Coughlan revealed it was still uncomfortable wearing one.

'I don't know if there are corsetry acting awards, but I would like one for doing a full jig in this,' she joked.

'Taking off a corset at the end of the day just feels incredible. It's a bra times 10,000.'

Kylie Minogue wore his corsets for her 2005 Showgirl tour and more recently he has worked with reality star Kim Kardashian [File photo]

Kim Kardashian wore a Mr Pearl corset under her dripping Thierry Mugler outfit at the 2019 MET Gala
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Matt Hancock today fuelled Cabinet tensions over a UK border crackdown urging 'precautionary' action against Covid variants that have not been detected yet - amid claims the PM wants a more targeted approach.

The Health Secretary gave a strong hint he favours blanket curbs on arrivals ahead of a showdown in a key committee on Tuesday. He also said 77 cases of the South African variant, all linked to travellers, and nine of a Brazilian variant have been identified in the UK.

The key 'Covid O' group of ministers are expected to meet to thrash out a tightening, but 'hawks' such as Mr Hancock, Michael Gove and Priti Patel have been wrangling with 'doves' such as Rishi Sunak and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

There are calls for all arrivals to be forced into Australia-style 'quarantine hotels' at airports for 10 days at their own expense - and a full border shutdown for foreign passengers has not been ruled out.

Sources told the Mail on Sunday that Boris Johnson favours targeting the restrictions on Covid hotspots rather than making all air passengers quarantine.

However, in a sign of the tensions, one Cabinet 'hawk' told MailOnline that the policy will be 'worthless' unless it covers all arrivals to the UK.

In interviews this morning, Mr Hancock was asked whether he favours a blanket border ban.

'We've got to have a precautionary principle that says let's not bring these new variants back to the UK,' he said.

'Further than that, the new variant I really worry about is the one that is out there that hasn't been spotted.

'There's probably those elsewhere that simply haven't been picked up because the country doesn't have that genomic sequencing service.'

In other coronavirus twists and turns today:

The UK declared another record day for vaccinations with 491,970 first doses and 1,043 second doses;

Mr Hancock revealed that as of this morning three quarters of the over-80s have been vaccinated;

The UK has detected 77 cases of the South African variant of Covid and nine cases of one of the Brazilian variants;

Nicola Sturgeon faces fury for ramping up her independence drive during the pandemic as she threatened to hold a referendum without Boris Johnson's agreement - and SNP MPs said they are 'focused on undermining the union';

Nursing leaders have called for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of coronavirus.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock (left) gave a strong hint he favours a blanket ban on arrivals ahead of a showdown in a key committee chaired by Boris Johnson (right) tomorrow

Boris Johnson is set to compel visitors from high-risk Covid countries to quarantine for ten days, The Mail on Sunday understands. Pictured: Crowds at London's Heathrow Airport

UK monitoring 77 cases of South Africa variant The UK has identified 77 cases of South African coronavirus variant and nine of a Brazilian mutant, it was revealed today - amid warnings the virus is changing so fast new vaccines might be needed every year. Matt Hancock said the cases were being kept under 'very close observation' stressing that they appeared to be linked to travellers - amid a Cabinet row over how to tighten border rules. 'They are under very close observation, and we have enhanced contact tracing to do everything we possibly can to stop them from spreading,' the Health Secretary said. The figures emerged as Professor Anthony Harnden, deputy chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said the country will need to 'get used to' living with coronavirus. Advertisement

Mr Hancock told Sky's Sophy Ridge On Sunday he wanted to see the UK's genomic sequencing capability 'made available across the world' so that emerging variants could be caught.

'In the meantime we've got to have a precautionary principle so we've introduced pre-departure testing and we've also introduced checks on everybody to check that that has happened,' he said.

'It is absolutely vital that we protect this country from a variant that is not as well dealt with by the vaccine. We cannot risk the progress we have made.'

Travellers from Brazil and South Africa, plus their neighbouring countries, could be met on arrival and escorted to hotels to quarantine for ten days under plans being discussed by Ministers.

Mr Johnson is expected to chair a Covid-O committee to finalise the measures tomorrow. Passengers will have to pay for the mandatory hotel stays.

Meanwhile, spot checks for quarantining travellers from all countries will be 'ramped up' this week with visits to make sure they are home.

The checks would be carried out by the police or Public Health England officials, a Government source said last night.

Home Secretary Priti Patel is among Cabinet Ministers who favour ramping up the checks.

At the moment they only made after three missed or 'suspicious' phone calls.

People found not to be quarantining where they said they would will be fined. Ministers are understood to have rejected proposals for GPS tracking of all arrivals on civil liberty grounds.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said there was 'no such thing as closing the border entirely', adding: 'You always have to ensure you have a system where nationals can return.'

Cabinet 'doves' such as Rishi Sunak (right) and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps (left) have been voicing caution about tightening borders too far

EU leaders are reportedly drawing up plans to ban flights from the UK to all member states.

German chancellor Angela Merkel has called on the bloc to act in unison to prevent a new wave of the virus.

Portugal and the Netherlands have already suspended flights to and from Britain amid concerns over the new Covid variant.

Meanwhile, photos of crowds at Heathrow Airport sparked concerns over poor social distancing and 'super spreading' the virus.

Former British ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott posted a photo on social media captioned: 'T2 Heathrow Friday afternoon. No ventilation. Long delays. Super-spreading.'

Yesterday, a Home Office source said: 'Airports are massive. We are encouraging them to snake people around the airports in more socially distanced ways.'
IT was known as the graveyard for police vehicles.

But it has been about two years since the Vehicle Management Corporation of T&T (VMCOTT) has actually serviced a police vehicle.

Natasha Prince, the State companys chief executive since 2018, told Express Business last week that the TTPS just stopped sending their vehicles to service and no reason was given.
KT CEO Ku Hyeon-mo speaks during his New Year's address, Jan. 4. / Courtesy of KT



By Kim Yoo-chul



Sometimes, but not always, steady enhancements are well-driven by thoughtful leaders. But other times, improvements only happen as aspiring leaders acknowledge when to step aside and let them happen organically.



For KT, the country's leading telecom company, its growth momentum has long been stalled. It might have been acknowledged but it has long been turning a blind eye to how hierarchy-driven changes create stiff barriers to success.



Rigidity, bureaucracy and bulkiness had been the words commonly used for decades to describe the telecom company, as well as core factors that kill employees' enthusiasm. KT reported 23.4 trillion won in revenue and 1.2 trillion won in operating profit last year. It has 42 affiliates and employs 60,000 full-time and contract employees.



Two past controversial CEOs  former senior government official Lee Suk-chae and ex-Samsung CEO Hwang Chang-kyu  became embroiled in various scandals including accusations of bribery, embezzlement and collusive ties to influential political figures. Consequently, KT's business growth momentum was badly hit.



Now, its new CEO Ku Hyeon-mo seems to have identified agility, core strengths and lightness as his credentials to help the telecom improve transparency and boost corporate sustainability in the medium to long term. Ku, a long-time in-house figure who took power, is on track to unload non-core assets and retire unprofitable businesses rather than seeking bulky external growth as pursued by his two predecessors.



Last week, KT named IDIS, a local security solutions provider, as preferred negotiator for a controlling stake in the radio systems unit of KT Powertel. The disposal of its 44.85 percent stake in KT Powertel, if it materializes as scheduled, would bring KT 40 billion won.



Given the estimated monetary value from the disposal, the announcement isn't that substantial. However, what is of note is that Ku has set his sights on a lightweight and streamlined structure as the desired direction.



"The question is how even a light touch from leadership could possibly bring visible and tangible results. KT's stock price has stagnated even though stock market investors were bullish on stocks. KT's management has to ensure investors that there would be many rewarding investment opportunities for investors willing to seek out long-term rewards by investing in KT stocks. I believe KT CEO Ku is trying to tell investors that their investments will continue to grow," a senior industry official said Sunday.



Regarding the possibility of unloading its shares in KT Submarine, a lackluster group affiliate in terms of growth potential, KT said it can't comment on M&A issues being discussed. But it added that Ku will never stop exploring ways to improve the company's value on multiple fronts through restructuring.



Given its ownership structure with the National Pension Service (NPS) holding 11.91 percent as of Dec. 7 last year, Ku's task is how to successfully avoid "invisible influences" from the political circle to move forward with his agenda. The fate of the KT CEO has long been on the minds of various "external forces" in sync with government administrations, with parachuted candidates typically receiving extra credits for the top spot. Ku's fixed three-year term will expire in March 2023 and whether or not he will be given another term is subject to approval in a shareholders meeting.











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Representatives from rival Libyan camps said a candidacy process would open Tuesday for key institutional appointments, after a new round of talks in Morocco on ending nearly a decade of conflict

The process, set to run until February 2, aims to quickly fill several strategic posts in order to facilitate collaboration with an interim executive body set to be elected next week in Geneva, a joint statement said Saturday.

Oil-rich Libya has been riven by civil war since a NATO-backed uprising that ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Libya has been divided between two authorities in Tripoli and Tobruk for six years.

Commander Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) controls the east and is allied to the Tobruk-based House of Representatives.

The LNA is backed by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, France, and Russia.

Meanwhile, the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli is supported by Turkey and Qatar.

A fragile ceasefire between the two sides, agreed in Geneva last October, has largely held.

The talks that opened Friday in Bouznika, south of the Moroccan capital Rabat, bring together representatives from the Tobruk-based House of Representatives and the Tripoli-based High Council of State, which advises the GNA.

The GNA had said the negotiations would centre on appointments to the country's "sovereign" posts.

The joint statement said the positions included the heads of the central bank, electoral commission, anti-corruption commission, supreme court and administrative control authority as well as the attorney general.

The parties also agreed to form working groups to deal with the candidacy process for the posts, which have long been points of contention between the rival administrations, the statement added.

Once finalised, the candidacies will be presented to representatives of the two sides.

The talks are the latest in several inter-Libyan dialogues held since September in the North African kingdom.

At separate talks in Geneva earlier this week, Libyan representatives voted to pass a mechanism to choose an interim executive to govern until elections planned for December 24.

At UN-backed talks in Egypt Wednesday, Libyan envoys agreed to hold a constitutional referendum before the December polls.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

Short link:


London: World leaders will be urged to look beyond the coronavirus crisis and refocus on climate change during the first major economic summit held since the pandemic began and Donald Trump left the White House.

The annual World Economic Forum will be held virtually this week instead of its traditional home at the Swiss ski resort of Davos. It usually features a host of political figures, business leaders, celebrities and other global heavyweights.

Political and economic leaders usually gather in person at the Swiss ski resort of Davos, but the conference will be held online this year. Credit:AP

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has not attended the forum since 2017, will deliver a keynote address that is expected to include hints about Beijings approach to the new geopolitical landscape ushered in by the election of US President Joe Biden.

However Australia will not be represented at the summit, with no political leaders or business figures listed to speak individually or on dozens of special panels.
Married At First Sight fans won't get to see the show's biggest success story on the upcoming reunion special.

New parents Jules Robinson and Cameron Merchant, from the sixth season in 2019, turned down a generous offer to appear.

According to Woman's Day, the couple snubbed the franchise that made them famous after negotiations broke down over money.

Scroll down for video

'They just wanted more cash': Jules Robinson and Cam Merchant reportedly refusing to attend the Married At First Sight reunion unless they were paid more than $60,000

Jules and Cameron met on season six of Nine's controversial social experiment, which was filmed in late 2018 and aired in early 2019.

After falling in love, they got engaged during the finale and later married for real in a legally binding ceremony, selling the broadcast rights to A Current Affair.

According to an insider, the lovebirds were offered an eye-watering $60,000 to attend the two-part reunion - but they insisted they needed more money 'to involve their baby', Oliver, who was just nine weeks old at the time.

Fairytale start: Jules and Cameron met on season six of Nine's controversial social experiment, which was filmed in late 2018 and aired in early 2019

'Filming is very long and I need to be with him [Oliver]': In December, while filming for the Married At First Sight reunion was taking place, Jules told Daily Mail Australia she'd declined Nine's invitation to appear - but said it was due to her demanding role as a new mother

'There were murmurs on set that they just wanted more cash,' the source told the magazine.

Meanwhile, an anonymous cast member claimed everyone was told Jules and Cam would be attending.

'A few of us brought gifts for Oliver and flowers for Jules because producers insisted they'd be in attendance with "The MAFS baby". But they just skipped it,' they said.

Producers were apparently 'left scrambling' to fill the couple's spot and asked season five star Charlene Perera to be a last-minute replacement days before filming began.

Replacement? Producers were apparently 'left scrambling' to fill the couple's spot and asked season five star Charlene Perera to be a last-minute replacement days before filming began

In December, while filming for the Married At First Sight reunion was taking place, Jules told Daily Mail Australia she had declined Nine's invitation to appear.

She said she had more pressing things to attend to at the time - namely her and Cam's newborn son, Oliver.

'Filming is very long and I need to be with him [Oliver],' Jules said.

Jules and Cam had previously sold rights to their November 2019 wedding to Nine's A Current Affair, making their decision not to attend the reunion surprising.

In April 2020, the pair announced they were expecting their first child in an exclusive cover story with Stellar magazine. They welcomed Oliver on October 3.

Cashing in: Jules and Cam had previously sold rights to their November 2019 wedding to Nine's A Current Affair, making their decision not to attend the reunion surprising

Baby makes three! Jules and Cam welcomed son Oliver Chase on October 3

When Nine confirmed the cast for the 'Grand Reunion' mini-series earlier this month, the only lasting couple present were Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli.

Elizabeth Sobinoff and Seb Guilhaus were together at the time of filming the reunion in December, but have since announced their separation.

Married At First Sight Grand Reunion will air over two big nights on Sunday, January 31, and Monday, February 1, from 7pm on Nine and 9Now
Julie Sharp has been welcomed in at retailer Brown Thomas/Arnotts. Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins

Business has matured like a fine whiskey for West Cork Distillers co-founders John OConnell and Ger and Denis McCarthy.

The companys latest results show the whiskey distillery company and brand has had yet another good year, growing sales to around 34.9m in 2019, up from over 26.8m the previous year.

Despite the over 8m sales boost year-on-year, profit before tax was 4.8m last year, down around 1.16m on 2018. The directors blamed higher distribution costs for the decrease in profit level.

On product demand, West Cork Distillers said in its results that consumers are more demanding in relation to the variety of goods consumed, consequently leading to more diverse products being offered.

Considering the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic, the company recognised the demand for beverages had fallen due to Government-imposed lockdowns. The results said West Cork Distillers had mitigated this risk by increasing its diversification into other product lines.

In 2019, West Cork Distillers employed a monthly average of 79 people, up from 53 the previous year. Its wage bill had grown to around 3.1m, up from nearly 2.1m in 2018.

Last month, West Cork director and co-founder OConnell said the firm would add another 20-30 people over the next two years

According to the results, West Cork Distillers also entered into a stock purchase agreement with Halewood International Beverages. The deal is in relation to new make whiskey at a pre-agreed price of 2m.

BOIs ex-HR boss joins Brown Thomas/Arnotts

The former head of HR at Bank of Ireland Group Julie Sharp has joined retailer Brown Thomas/Arnotts, which has recently become known as BTA in corporate terms.

Sharp was one of a number of executives who left the bank in the months after Francesca McDonagh took over as CEO in 2017.

Sharp left to pursue other opportunities, according to an internal memo at the time. It was later reported that she and two other executives shared a 1m-plus severance package.

Sharp joins the retail group at an extremely challenging time for the sector, with non-essential retail closed for much of the last year.

Brown Thomas/Arnotts, which is owned by the Selfridges Group, has consolidated a number of senior roles as it develops its one business, two brands strategy. Last autumn the company announced it was seeking 150 redundancies.

The final episode of Fergal Keanes BBC Radio 4 series How the Irish Shaped Britain airs tomorrow night (8pm) and will feature Sean Mulryan, founder and CEO of the Ballymore Group.

Mulryan will speak about how Britain provided him with the opportunity to start and grow Ballymore and talks about the amazing welcome he received even when Anglo Irish relations were at their worst.

Last month, Ballymore received approval from the Mayor of London to regenerate a sprawling 10-acre site in Shoreditch, central London.

Brood X is here

Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield.
Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II

EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation

ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason

Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia

Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest

"Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan

Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator'

Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow

Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast

We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan

Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory

Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances

Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections

Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day

Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan

Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake

Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS)

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS)

Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time

Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation

Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country

Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor"

Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building"

Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials

MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan

Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas

France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party

Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms

Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh

NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country

104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion

Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation

Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination

Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity

Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well

Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions

Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never!

Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial

Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?"

France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity

Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election

Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia

US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China

Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war

Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet

Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases

Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan

US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces

Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can

UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians

Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India

Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately

France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint

Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow

Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen

Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops

Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia acting FM resigns

Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity

China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order

Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM

Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage

EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting

Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post

6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest

Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan

UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas

Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening

His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia

Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens

Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon

Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures

Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension

Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire

ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces

Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards

Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory

Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan

Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia

Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia

Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws

Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone

Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control

Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor

Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation

NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning

European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched
A Tacoma Police vehicle plowed through a group of pedestrians swarming it, knocking several people to the pavement, after authorities responded to reports of drag racers in the Washington city's downtown, online video showed early on Sunday.

One person was hurt, although the severity of the injuries was unclear, according to local media.

The short video, which was shot by an onlooker just before 7 p.m. local time on Saturday and later posted online, shows cars with squealing tires turning donuts on downtown streets. Then the Tacoma Police patrol car - surrounded by people - surges forward, knocking roughly five people to the ground before driving off.

Tacoma Police spokeswoman Wendy Haddow said police were alerted to the street racers and a 100-person crowd blocking area streets, according to the News Tribune. When the patrol car responded, the crowd began pounding on the vehicle's windows, she told local media.

He was afraid they would break his glass, Haddow told the News Tribune, saying the officer sped away from the scene for his own safety.

One person was injured in the incident and taken to a local hospital, she said.

Haddow did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Ronica Blackmon had her first experience with therapy as a student at Prairie View A&M University more than a decade ago. Feeling anxious and overwhelmed, she decided to give the campus health center a try, seeking therapy once a week.

But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Texas in 2020, and Blackmon was prohibited from visiting her mother, who was healing from surgery, the pressure became too much. Blackmon, 29, who returned to PVAMU after a break in 2016, upped her sessions with her therapist Bernadine Duncan to twice a week.

She helped me to focus on things I can control, said Blackmon, adding that Duncan encouraged her to pursue activities that brought her joy and relaxation.

College students across the country are experiencing more feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed.

A September survey of more than 2,000 students by Active Minds, a nonprofit that seeks to raise awareness about mental health on college campuses, showed that 75 percent of students reported that their mental health had worsened during the pandemic. Stress, anxiety, disappointment, sadness, isolation and loneliness were cited in the survey.

Despite this, some Texas college health professionals say the demand for mental health services on campuses has declined.

Our interpretation of this includes multiple factors, including data on how people respond to natural disasters  hunker down and try to survive, then face the emotional fallout after the danger is over, said Randal Boldt, who oversees Baylor Universitys Counseling Center. We do know that freshmen may be a little shocked by how different the college experience is from what they had imagined a year ago and are simply trying to survive.

Norman Ngo, director of Counseling and Psychological Services at the University of Houston, added that trauma can often cause a delayed response, especially when students are dealing with serious or pressing concerns, such as the health of family members.

They may be putting off some of their own stuff, Ngo said.

That trend has been seen at colleges across the country. The Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors surveyed 144 colleges and compared the first four weeks of the fall 2020 semester with the same period in fall 2019. The survey found a 29 percent decrease in the number of students seeking counseling services and a 22 percent decrease in appointments, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported.

A shift from in-person mental health services to virtual ones likely had an effect on demand for mental health services, Ngo said.

Zoom fatigue, or tiring of virtual communication, and a preference for in-person help could make students less likely to seek counseling online, Boldt said.

Students might not feel comfortable or have privacy if participating in counseling or therapy virtually at home or in shared spaces with relatives, roommates or loved ones, Ngo said. In addition, Texas law, which requires residents to see mental health professionals in the same state in which they are residing, might mean students who are from out of state cannot use on-campus resources, even online.

Quantifying or tracking the use of online health services can be challenging because the services are newer, said Elizabeth Plummer, clinical director at Rice Universitys Counseling Center.

Many practitioners predict the demand for mental health services will increase in 2021.

We knew prior to the pandemic that students were stressed and feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities, their academics and their different roles, said Santana Simple, assistant director of the suicide awareness and prevention office at Texas A&M University. The pandemic has heightened many of these emotions, she added.

Some students returned home to be caregivers or picked up jobs to address financial insecurity, Simple said. With new COVID-19 regulations, students also felt increasingly isolated from their identity as college students, from their peers and from typical learning environments.

Texas A&M implemented telehealth early on in the pandemic and saw demand for such services fluctuate. Overall attendance increased, meaning more students were keeping and meeting their appointments, Simple said.

The college also promoted its virtual sims program, which helps students and employees act out and learn ways to help friends who might be facing a mental health crisis, and has more recently worked to amplify its response to suicide awareness.

A&M launched the Aggies Reaching Aggies program in mid-January. The program trains student volunteers and peer educators on how to best support students and discuss suicide, the second-leading cause of death among young adults.

Demand for mental health services at the University of Texas at Austin, which were held virtually, increased by roughly 3 percent in 2020, which is still lower than the 10 percent that it has increased over the years, said Chris Brownson, associate vice president for student affairs and director of the universitys Counseling and Mental Health Center.

Knowing that many of its students were off campus, out of state or overseas, UT-Austin partnered with an organization that allows them to work with a network of professionals around the globe to ensure they and employees could access services no matter where they are.

We also found when we converted to providing our services through telehealth, not all students had a private space to speak with a therapist, Brownson said, an issue that prompted the health center to transform 19 of its offices into spaces where students could come for privacy.

UH, which saw a 22.7 percent decrease in requests for clinical services in 2020 but a 19 percent increase in the use of its after-hours crisis call line, similarly opened private rooms for students to use equipment and virtually meet with a clinician last year, Ngo said.

Workshops on topics ranging from isolation and racial trauma to depression and anxiety were offered at UH. The college also offered a platform with on-demand resources addressing motivation, mindfulness and anxiety, and 24-hour Zoom Rooms, where students as well as faculty can have one-on-one meetings with a health professional.

Ngo said the results of UHs virtual mental health efforts have been positive. For students who received teletherapy, 69 percent strongly agreed that they were pleased with their services, and 60 percent said it became important to their academic success, according to results provided by Ngo.

While most schools experienced declines in requests for services, the opposite was true for historically Black university Prairie View A&M. The college experienced a drastic increase within the last year, with many students reporting stress, anxiety, depression and loneliness, said Duncan, director of the colleges counseling services.

The increase has been particularly significant because Black adults are considered less likely to receive or seek out mental health, with 1 out of 3 Black adults receiving the mental health services they need, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health.

The support has been crucial, as many students grapple with a change in the typical tight-knit, intimate environment of an HBCU, Duncan said.

It took this pandemic for us to realize just how important those social activities and cultural activities are that help us to see ourselves and relax in times of stress, Duncan said. She said the college has aimed to help students understand what theyre feeling and to define different forms of mental health issues.

Many say they cant get out and engage with social individuals, and theyre taking long periods of time at home, which for a lot of students, being under the auspices of their parents, is taking a step back, she said.

In addition to talking to students about their stressors and challenges during the pandemic, Duncan said college mental health professionals have also been tasked with talking with students about their hesitancy toward vaccines, grief, domestic violence and sexual assault, which has increased during the pandemic.

This is a crisis overlaid on a crisis, UTs Brownson said. Once students are back and things are kind of more back to normal  the fallout from this pandemic, the impact that its had on peoples mental health.  Im anticipating an even great surge.

Ngo echoed that point. Typically, we have situational stress. It usually goes away. You get a break and a chance to recover, but (2020 was) so unique in that its relentless, Ngo said. Theres not a break.

brittany.britto@chron.com

HOUSTON (AP)  Carlos Rosario posted 17 points and eight rebounds as McNeese State narrowly beat Houston Baptist 74-71 on Saturday.

Dru Kuxhausen had 15 points for McNeese State (7-8, 1-6 Southland Conference), which snapped its five-game losing streak. A.J. Lawson added 13 points, six rebounds and six assists. Keyshawn Feazell had 10 points and nine rebounds.

Zach Iyeyemi had 17 points and three blocks for the Huskies (2-12, 1-5), who have now lost five consecutive games. Pedro Castro added 16 points and six assists. Brycen Long had 16 points.

___

For more AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and http://twitter.com/AP_Top25

___

This was generated by Automated Insights, http://www.automatedinsights.com/ap, using data from STATS LLC, https://www.stats.com
A man said to be one of the world's biggest meth dealers and accused of being responsible of 70 per cent of all narcotics entering Australia has been arrested after a two-year operation.

Asia's most wanted man, Tse Chi Lop, is a Chinese-born Canadian national who is known as 'El Chapo of the East' in reference to the Mexican cartel boss El Chapo, is one of the world's most notorious gang leaders.

Tse Chi Lop is in the league of El Chapo or maybe Pablo Escobar, Jeremy Douglas, Southeast Asia and Pacific representative for United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime told Reuters in 2018.

The word kingpin often gets thrown around, but there is no doubt it applies here.

However, he is now facing possible extradition to Australia, after he was hauled off a plane in the Netherlands on Friday following an Australian Federal Police request for his arrest through international law-enforcement agency Interpol.

Tse Chi Lop is accused of sitting atop a multi-billion dollar enterprise called Sam Gor, or The Company, which authorities say has thrived during the global pandemic.

In a sense, the pandemic is an opportunity for them to increase market share, Douglas said last week.

Authorities say Sam Gor factories are based in areas like the Golden Triangle centred on the borders of Myanmar, Thailand and Laos, and protected by private militias.

While the world has shifted its attention to COVID-19, all indications are that production and trafficking of synthetic drugs and chemicals continue at record levels in the region, Douglas said.

Tse Chi Lop, who travelled with a guard of eight Thai kickboxers is alleged to oversee an alliance of five Chinese Triads that distribute everything from heroin and MDMA to ketamine via its 'Golden Triangle' super-labs in Asia.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates Tse's alleged network rakes in between $10 billion and $23 billion a year from organised crime.

Police say the multinational cartel moves drugs throughout Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Europe and other parts of the world. The Company also has links with local criminal groups including Japan's Yakuza and Australian outlaw bikie gangs.

Tse, who has a Canadian passport, travels by private jet and hosts lavish parties at five-star hotels and resorts.

He hangs out with a group of drug traffickers and makers nicknamed the Billionaires Club but hes not known to be a drug user.

He keeps a low profile but is also known for his outlandish spending and once gambled away $85million in a single night at a Macau casino.

Tse has been on the Australian Federal Police's radar for about eight years after a major drug bust in Melbourne.

On that occasion police seized 2kg of heroin and meth, $4million in cash, $5million worth of residential properties, $10,000 in jewellery, 99 designer handbags and wallets, a Lamborghini and $600,000 in casino chips.

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission in 2012 described The Company's members as having a well-established network of contacts across many governments as well as legitimate business and company structures, that enables them to mask and support their criminal activities.

In December 2017 a record 1.2 tonnes of methamphetamine were seized on the west coast of Australia in December 2017.

Police estimate the drugs seized in the operation have a street value of $1.04 billion.

It was the largest meth bust in Australian history, topping a 903-kilogram seizure in Melbourne earlier that year.

The haul would have been enough to feed the meth appetite of the entire country for two months and is also larger than the total amount of meth used in the city of Perth in a year.

Police alleged that shore parties working for The Company unloaded the drugs from a mothership, 500km off the coast of Western Australia.

Tse is now facing possible extradition to Australia, where he could face trial on charges of drug trafficking.
Canberra, Jan 24 : Leader of Australia's opposition Labor Party Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that he is preparing for a federal election, promising to release his signature economic policies well in advance of votes being cast.

He told Sky News that the economic policies of the two major parties would be the main issue in the election, promising that a Labor government would prioritise boosting productivity and better outcomes for workers, Xinhua news agency reported.

He said there would be revenue policies and expenditure policies before the election.

An election is not due until 2022, but there is speculation Prime Minister Scott Morrison will call one in the second half of this year.

"If it's early, it's because Scott Morrison doesn't have the confidence in his own government to be able to last a three-year term," Albanese told Sky News.

The Labor Party has not governed in Australia since 2013.

The party was defeated by the Liberal National Party coalition in the 2019 federal election despite opinion polls projecting a comfortable victory.

According to the latest polls, the coalition holds a narrow lead over Labor with Prime Minister Morrison enjoying record-high approval ratings for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Arizona Republican Party members voted on Saturday to censure prominent GOP figures Cindy McCain, Gov. Doug Ducey and former Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who've all faced clashes with former President Trump.

Why it matters: Although the resolution is symbolic, this move plus the re-election of the Trump-endorsed Kelli Ward as state GOP chair shows the strong hold the former president has on the party in Arizona, despite President Biden winning the state in the 2020 election.

Driving the news: McCain, widow of Trump nemesis Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), endorsed Biden for president last September.

Flake is a longtime Trump critic who joined the "Republicans for Biden" group last August.

Ducey endured tirades from Trump after he didn't overturn Biden's win in the state, per Axios' Jonathan Swan.

AZCentral notes the governor was censured over emergency measures in response to the pandemic, which the state GOP said "restrict personal liberties and force compliance to unconstitutional edicts."

Of note: All three of those censured attended Biden's inauguration last Wednesday.

What they're saying: Ward, who's filed unsuccessful lawsuits attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, described herself as a "Trump Republican" who'll "always put America first, who believes in faith, family and freedom," AP reports.

Ducey's political director Sara Mueller said in a statement the people behind the inconsequential resolutions "have lost whatever little moral authority they may have once had."

McCain tweeted after the vote, "It is a high honor to be included in a group of Arizonans who have served our state and our nation so well...and who, like my late husband John, have been censured by the AZGOP. I'll wear this as a badge of honor."

A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.
Tyler Hoechlin is set to be the next Man Of Steel as her takes the lead in the upcoming CW series Superman And Lois.

And on Friday the 33-year-old actor was spotted in costume on the Vancouver set of show.

He filmed several scenes during the smoky night shoot, and at one point, he performed a Thunderclap to showcase the character's superhuman abilities.

Hard at work: Tyler Hoechlin was spotted in character as the Man Of Steel on the smoky set of the upcoming CW series Superman And Lois in Vancouver

In between scenes, the actor interacted with other cast and crew members and stretched out his arms to keep up with the physical demands of the role.

Hoechlin was costumed in the DC Comics character's iconic getup, including a blue bodysuit that fit tightly around his muscular arms.

The superhero's signature emblem was clearly emblazoned across the actor's chest.

The actor also had a large red cape attached to the back of his costume, which was allowed to hang freely during production.

His short black hair was teased slightly upwards for the night's shoot.

Iconic costume: The Teen Wolf actor was pictured dressed in Superman's iconic blue bodysuit and red cape during the night shoot

Development on the upcoming series was first announced in October of 2019, and the series was given an official order from The CW in January of the following year.

The network is well known for its hosting of shows in the Arrowverse, a media franchise that focuses on producing television adaptations of DC Comics characters.

Other properties from the longstanding comic book company that have been given their own series include The Flash, Green Arrow and Batwoman.

Long time coming: The show was first announced in 2019 and filming was supposed to begin in March of last year, although the onset of the global pandemic forced filming to be delayed until October

Superman And Lois is the newest addition to the shared universe, although both Hoechlin and his costar Elizabeth Tulloch, who portrays Lois Lane, have previously appeared in various Arrowverse shows as their respective characters.

The series was initially set to begin filming in March of last year, but production was shut down shortly before it was set to begin due to the circumstances of the global pandemic.

Shooting for the show was then announced to have been pushed back to August, and further delays forced the start date to again be delayed until October when filming finally began.

Back at it: Hoechlin and his costar Elizabeth Tulloch have previously portrayed Superman and Lois Lane, respectively, in various other Arrowverse-related shows

Ahead of Superman And Lois' planned February release date, many of the cast members have taken to their social media outlets to promote its upcoming premiere.

On December 9th, both Hoechlin and Tulloch both posted the same promotional image to their respective Instagram accounts.

The photo showed the actor in character as Superman, posing in front of a city skyscape; the statue atop The Daily Planet headquarters.

Tulloch referenced the numerous other actors that portrayed the character before Hoechlin in her caption as she wrote: 'Carrying on the symbol.'

Teen Wolf is available to stream on Stan in Australia
New Zealanders will find out on Monday whether a new case of COVID-19 will prompt new restrictions, or the infected woman's 'extremely assiduous' personal contact tracing has stopped spread of the disease.

On Sunday, health officials announced they had identified a first case of the deadly virus in the community since November.

The positive test came from a 56-year-old Northland woman who travelled in Spain and the Netherlands, departing from London and arriving in Auckland around the turn of the year.

She left NZ's mandatory 14-day hotel isolation regime after producing two negative tests, as is standard.

New Zealanders will find out on Monday whether Covid-19 restrictions will be tightened after the nation recorded its first locally acquired coronavirus case since November. Pictured: People wait to be tested at a testing station in Auckland in November

However, the woman subsequently developed muscle aches and reported her symptoms to health workers in follow-up interviews.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said it was too early to order a further lockdown, with no evidence the woman transmitted the disease to anyone else.

Dr Bloomfield said the 'extremely compliant' woman is quarantining at home.

Four close contacts have been identified and while none are symptomatic, each has been ordered to take tests - along with their close contacts.

COVID-19 Minister Chris Hipkins praised the woman for using the government's contact tracing app as she visited places in the south for Northland, between Whangarei, Helensville and Dargaville.

'This woman concerned has been scrupulous in keeping a good record of her movements, scanning the QR codes wherever she has gone,' Mr Hipkins said.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said it was too early to order a further lockdown without evidence the virus has been transmitted to other members of the community. Pictured: People wait in line at a Covid-19 testing clinic in Auckland on November 13

'That's laid a very good foundation for our contact tracing team ... I want to acknowledge that.'

Dr Bloomfield said the pair 'weren't meeting with friends or attending mass gatherings' as they were spending time together after a four-month spell apart.

Through contact tracing, the government will continue to gather information about the case, and make a decision on future actions based on those inquiries.

Health authorities have also ordered further testing at the woman's isolation hotel, the Auckland-based Pullman Hotel.

While the case is the first in the community for three months, New Zealand has continued to pick up cases within the border regime, including the concerning UK variant strain.

The country's total number of confirmed cases is 1927, with 25 deaths recorded since the disease arrived on Kiwi soil in February last year.
In a recent episode of Bigg Boss 14, contestant Rakhi Sawant had to pee in her pants during a task in the BB house. The housemates were divided into two teams and during the task, Arshi Khan had blocked the toilet. As a result, Rakhi was seen telling Rubina Dilaik that she couldnt control and ended up peeing in her pants.

And now, former Bigg Boss contestant Sofia Hayat has spoken about the incident and said that the scene could have been edited out as it was inappropriate to show on national TV.

Sofia told ETimes, I saw the recent episode in which Rakhi urinated in her pants during a task. She was already battling thirst and hunger while performing the task. While I feel that she performed well, I feel that the makers could have edited the part where she urinated in her pants because that was inappropriate to show on national television. I am disappointed with 'Bigg Boss for showing things like this. People just keep arguing on the show all the time.

For the unversed, Sofia made headlines a couple of years ago by announcing that she was embracing spirituality and becoming a nun. She then went on to address herself as Gaia Sofia Mother. This was followed by the actress getting married to Vlad Stanescu in 2017, but the couple got divorced two years later.

And now, Sofia reveals that she has found love again and is dating an athlete but refuses to reveal his name. She shared, It has been years since I broke with Rohit, but people still talk about it. It is silly for people to do so. He has moved on and has a family now. Similarly, Ive also moved ahead with my life. Im now dating a man, who is a professional athlete. I'm in a happy space in my life and don't want my past to stress me anymore.

ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE! Mahika Sharma On Rakhi Sawant Peeing In Her Pants: I Feel She Did It Intentionally

ALSO READ: Rakhi Sawant's Brother On His Sister's Wedding: Ritesh Very Much Exists & I Was Present At Their Wedding
(CNN)  A Chinese-born alleged drug kingpin accused of presiding over a multi-billion dollar narcotics operation has been arrested by Dutch authorities.

Canadian national Tse Chi Lop was detained at Amsterdam's Schipol International Airport on Friday, according to Australian Federal Police (AFP), which has taken the lead in a sprawling international investigation. Before his arrest, Tse was one of the world's most-wanted fugitives.

Authorities allege that Tse, 57, is the leader of the Sam Gor Syndicate, arguably the biggest drug-trafficking operation in Asia's history. Experts say he is in the same league as notorious drug lords El Chapo and Pablo Escobar.

"The importance of Tse's arrest can not be underestimated. It's big and (has) been a long time coming," said Jeremy Douglas, the Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Asia's methamphetamine trade is believed to be worth between $30 billion and $61 billion a year, and Sam Gor, which is sometimes simply referred to as "the Company," is allegedly its biggest player.

The organization is accused of running a synthetic drug manufacturing empire in large swathes of the under-policed jungles of Myanmar, a region marred by civil war and still under the control of various competing warlords and militias  conditions that make it easy to hide industrial-scale drug manufacturing operations from law enforcement.

From there, Sam Gor has allegedly been able to procure large amounts of precursor chemicals, the ingredients to make synthetic drugs, and then move them across the region to nearby markets in Bangkok, but also to farther-flung ones in Australia and Japan, law enforcement said.

Sam Gor allegedly had operatives working throughout the globe, with players in South Korea, England, Canada and the United States, according to a briefing on the syndicate shared with CNN by an official with direct knowledge of the investigation.

The documents described Sam Gor as a "triad-like network"  a reference to ethnic Chinese gangs that operate in Asia and North America  but more mobile and dynamic. The group's existence was revealed in 2016 after a Taiwanese drug trafficker was arrested in Yangon, Myanmar, the briefing showed.

Further police investigations revealed that the organization was, as of 2018, earning between $8 billion and $17.7 billion worth of illicit proceeds a year, according to the briefing. The organization uses poorly regulated casinos in Southeast Asia to launder a significant portion of those proceeds.

AFP said a warrant was issued for Tse's arrest in 2019 in connection with an operation targeting Sam Gor.

"The syndicate targeted Australia over a number of years, importing and distributing large amounts of illicit narcotics, laundering the profits overseas and living off the wealth obtained from crime," AFP said in a statement.

Tse allegedly ran his multibillion dollar operation from Hong Kong, Macao and southeast Asia. But his name  or existence  was not public knowledge until he was revealed by a Reuters investigation published in 2019.

Dutch police spokesman Thomas Aling said Tse is expected to be extradited after appearing before a judge. Authorities in the Netherlands were unable to provide details about the legal proceedings and it was not clear whether Tse had a lawyer.

This is not Tse's first run-in with law enforcement. Tse pleaded guilty to felony narcotics charges in the United States in 2000 and was sentenced to nine years in prison. Details surrounding the case are limited because it is still sealed, but the source said he was released in 2006 and returned to Canada before moving to Hong Kong.

While Douglas of the UNODC praised Tse's arrest, he said more needed to be done to ensure drug lords cannot take advantage of poor government oversight of the areas in Myanmar and Laos.

"While taking down syndicate leadership matters, the conditions they effectively used in the region to do business remain unaddressed, and the network remains in-place," he said. "A lot of difficult information is about to come out."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Chinese-Canadian alleged drug kingpin, accused of running one of the world's biggest methamphetamine cartels, is arrested in Amsterdam."

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The main opposition challenger in Belarus disputed presidential election urged the United Nations on Friday to call for a halt to violence and lawlessness in the country, including media censorship, internet shutdowns, website blockages and cancellation of accreditation for journalists.

Former presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya told an informal meeting of the U.N. Security Council that since September the situation in her nation has only worsened and the media remain under assault from President Alexander Lukashenkos regime.

Mass protests have gripped Belarus, a former Soviet nation of 9.5 million people, since official results from the Aug. 9 presidential election gave Lukashenko a landslide victory over Tsikhanouskaya. She and her supporters refused to recognize the result, saying the vote was riddled with fraud.

Authorities have cracked down on the largely peaceful demonstrations, the biggest of which attracted up to 200,000 people. Police have used stun grenades, tear gas and truncheons to disperse the rallies, and thousands of people have been beaten. Nevertheless, the protests have continued.

According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists, in 2020 independent journalists were detained over 470 times, 97 served administrative arrests, 50 media websites were blocked, and 15 journalists are currently facing false criminal charges, Tsikhanouskaya said.

But the former English language teacher said the assault on the media is just part of the bigger picture of repression in Belarus," where she said more than 32,000 people have been detained and about 900 are suspects in politically motivated criminal cases. She said the U.N. has reported 400 cases of torture and eight activists have died in relation to state-backed violence.

Not a single government official has been held responsible, she said.

In spite of this violence, Belarusians continue protesting every day," Tsikhanouskaya said. This demonstrates courage, dignity and resilience.

Story continues

Among journalists under arrest are four members of the Belarus Press Club, including its founder, Yuliya Slutskaya; Ihar Losik, administrator of the most popular social media channel in the country who has been on hunger strike for over a month; and three female journalists imprisoned on charges of organizing mass protests and disclosing information about a protester, Roman Bandarenka, who was killed by the regimes cronies, Tsikhanouskaya said.

She said her husband, prominent video blogger Siarhei Tsikhanouski, is charged with organizing mass protests but his guilt is telling the truth and running for president. She said she and their two children havent seen him for almost eight months.

Tsikhanouskaya became a presidential candidate after her husbands arrest on May 29, and she fled to neighboring Lithuania after the election in fear of repercussions.

Pavel Latushka, a member of the Belarus oppositions Coordination Council, highlighted examples of the essential role of independent media that show the abuses perpetrated by the Lukashenko regime. Several journalists spoke of their ordeals and their colleagues courageous reporting.

Tsikhanouskaya said the U.N. should take a vocal stand to stop the violence and lawlessness in Belarus, including against the media, and she called on the Security Council to put Belarus on its agenda -- a move strongly opposed by council member Russia, which is Belarus' neighbor and ally.

The virtual council meeting was organized by Estonia and co-sponsored by France, Ireland, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu expressed alarm that representatives of free media -- journalists, cameramen, bloggers -- have been turned into a target for the governments repression along with the protesters.

Russias deputy U.N. ambassador, Dmitry Polyansky, called the meeting a clear provocation and a blatant attempt of interference into internal affairs of a sovereign state.

He said claims where a losing side doesnt accept election results and claims they were fraudulent and rigged arent rare. He pointed Donald Trumps refusal to concede that he lost the U.S. presidential election to Joe Biden while claiming widespread election fraud.

Polyansky said there are further similarities between the United States and Belarus.

The losing side instigates popular protest, he said. But there is a big difference in how these cases are presented by the Western media.

Whereas actions here (in the United States) are characterized as criminal, the actions of Belarusian opposition are being praised and its appeals are supported with sanctions while self-proclaimed leaders are being presented as legitimate leaders of the country `a la (Juan) Guaido in Venezuela, Polyansky said.
They hail from vastly different parts of the world, drawn to Australia by love, career opportunities and, in the midst of a deadly pandemic, safety and security.

This Tuesday, on January 26, they will pledge their loyalty to Australia and its people at the Sydney Opera House before joining Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore for a glass of Australian sparkling wine and canapes made with Australian produce such as macadamia and wattleseed.

Gabriele Tedesco, Hayat Horma, Duhita Khadepau and Abhijeet Gandhi will become Australian citizens on Australia Day at a ceremony at the Sydney Opera House. Credit:Edwina Pickles

For Hayat Horma, Australian citizenship will be the culmination of a journey that began in 2014 when she met her Australian husband Ben in Singapore.

Ms Horma was born in Morocco and studied, lived and worked in France, the United States, United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates before her first visit to Australia.
With desks, chairs and file cabinets, hundreds of Native Americans barricaded the entrances to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in downtown Washington, D.C., just six blocks from the White House.

It was the week before the 1972 presidential election between President Richard Nixon and Sen. George McGovern, D-S.D., and the group of men, women, children, activists and elders had come to the nation's capital in a caravan of vans, trucks and cars to demand a meeting with Nixon and top officials. They wanted to describe the poor housing, underfunded schools and health crises they faced - a result, they said, of the U.S. government's failure to honor treaties with their tribal governments.

They called their effort "The Trail of Broken Treaties," a nod to the forcible removal in the 1830s of thousands of Native Americans from their homelands during the "Trail of Tears."

"We wanted them to know the conditions we lived in. We wanted them to know the downright blatant persecution of the government of Native Americans," said Sid Mills, one of the leaders of the takeover of the bureau in 1972.

An estimated 500 to 800 Native Americans took part, taking over the four-story granite headquarters of the BIA. Their siege bore little resemblance to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. It lasted much longer - six days vs. several hours. And the Indians didn't storm inside but rather walked in and refused to leave.

"It was a messy coalition of politics and a bunch of individuals and groups who came together under a common goal. They wanted attention to the plight of Indians," said Paul Chaat Smith, a Comanche whose book "Like a Hurricane" chronicled large-scale Indian protests in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Almost a half-century later, Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., 60, a member of Pueblo of Laguna, is set to make history by becoming the first Native American to lead the Interior Department, putting her in charge of the BIA.

In 1972, the Native Americans didn't start off planning to take over the agency in charge of handling a variety of affairs, from fishing and mineral rights to maintaining roads and bridges on reservations.

Their pursuit instead began when three simultaneous caravans set off from Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. They made their way east, speaking at reservations and churches, en route to Washington with plans to present their "Twenty Points" doctrine directly to the White House.

The Indians arrived on Nov. 1, 1972. One problem: No housing had been arranged. After a night crowded in the basement of a church off 16th Street that had rats, they headed to the BIA on Constitution Avenue, asking if they could bed down in a large auditorium and use the bureau's kitchen.

But one top official with the Interior Department laughingly told them the "bureau was not in the housing business and threatened to have us thrown out," Carter Camp, a member of the Ponca tribe who was also one of the protest coordinators, recalled in the New York Times.

Mills said they told the bureau officials: "'That's not going to work. This place belongs to us. It's the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This is an Indian building.'"

At the time, the BIA was housed in a building separate from the Interior Department. (It was later relocated to the Interior building.)

While the Native Americans tried to reach a deal on housing, a group of guards for the General Services Administration tried to get some of the Indians who were in a downstairs area of the building to leave, according to Kent Blansett, a Native American scholar who teaches Indigenous studies and history at the University of Kansas. But fights erupted, and some of the guards were thrown out.

Ramona Bennett, 82, a former chairwoman of the Puyallup tribe in Tacoma, Wash., who was at the occupation, recalled how leaders of the group told them to wait in the building while they tried to make accommodations for them to stay for the night. But "while we were waiting there," she said, "we were attacked."

"They started coming in through the doors and beating people with clubs," Bennett said. When police in riot gear arrived, some Native Americans started to block the entrance doors. The protesters said police tried to smash the windows to get in.

"We said, 'We're not leaving,' " Mills recalled. That's when "they surrounded us with police, and then it became an occupation."

Some bureau employees were allowed out, while others opted to stay. Police surrounded the building and snipers took up posts on the Interior Department building across the street.

"It was scary, but we were strong," Bennett said.

Soon, a banner went up across the facade of the building that read "Native American Embassy." Some Native Americans put up a tepee on the front lawn, calling the property their "liberated territory," according to "Like a Hurricane."

Government officials desperately wanted them out. At one point, they offered the group a larger auditorium at a nearby federal building where there would be cots, showers and canteens set up for cooking. But when a few Native Americans went to check out the accommodations first, before moving everyone, they found the doors were locked.

Native Americans spent days in the building going through - and taking - files that raised questions about unfair deals on land, water, fishing and mineral rights. Others took artifacts, pottery and artwork that they said belonged to tribes.

Suzan Shown Harjo, 75, who is Cheyenne and Muscogee, recalled her time as a radio journalist covering the occupation for a New York station, WBAI-FM, in a piece on the 30th anniversary. She said, "Indians were camped all over the building, busy with security and other tasks, but mostly reading documents."

"Everyone talked about the thick carpeting, leather couches and chairs, running water and indoor plumbing that were more comfortable and modern than most Indian homes."

Taking over the building, Harjo said, was significant because it was the "stand-in agency for everything the federal government had done wrong to Indians. It was the stand-in for massacres. It was the stand-in for removal acts."

GSA officials, at one point, proposed ending the takeover by tunneling into the building and "surprising the attackers." But Nixon "ruled against an assault and in favor of restraint," according to "Like a Hurricane."

Determined to avoid bloodshed before an election, the government sought a court order to clear the group from the building. The court set a deadline for the Native Americans to be out, but an hour before it went into effect, a judge ordered a two-day extension to give government negotiators and the Native Americans more time to reach a deal.

Inside, some Native Americans broke off table legs to make clubs and wrapped knives onto pieces of broken furniture to make spears because they feared an attack by law enforcement or military police.

At one point, Harjo said, someone yelled into a bullhorn that the building was going to be blown up. Eight months pregnant, she and her husband, who was also a radio journalist, ran down the stairs, past bottles of flammable liquids with cardboard wicks.

Outside on the steps of the building, Russell Means, an Oglala Lakota who was a leader in the American Indian Movement group, lit a long fuse to a molotov cocktail and said, "It's a good day to die." Several people, including Harjo's husband, put out the fuse.

Harjo said Oren Lyons, who was a faithkeeper of the Onondaga tribe, told Means: "You can't kill the people and destroy all those records. This is only a battle, not the war."

Leonard Garment, acting special counsel to Nixon who was involved in negotiating with the occupiers, described the precarious situation in a 2007 interview kept at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. He said that with the nearness of the election, plus "a lot of craziness, anger, and a lot of children, babies ... it was all the ingredients of a great tragedy."

Then he realized that one of the obstacles to an agreement was that the Native Americans had no cash to get home.

Eventually, Garment said, he called officials at the Treasury Department and told them: "Get me some money so I can get bus tickets for all these Indians."

The occupation ended the day after Nixon won a landslide victory and after Garment arranged for $66,000 in cash to help the Native Americans with travel expenses.

Government officials accused the group of causing thousands of dollars in damage - a charge many of the Native Americans denied. As part of the agreement, the government said it wouldn't prosecute the Native Americans who had occupied the federal building.

In their book, Smith and his co-author Robert Allen Warrior, an Osage, called it "the most important act of Indian resistance since the defeat of Custer at Little Big Horn, yet after all the vows of victory or death, everyone agreed to leave in exchange for gas money home."

Still, for many of the Native Americans involved in the occupation, it felt like a success.

"The most important thing we won was to have brought to the world the condition of our people," Vernon Bellecourt, a leader of the American Indian Movement, said in a Washington Post article from that time.

"This is our country," Bellecourt said. "This is our land. We have the right to live and thrive."

- - -

The Washington Post's Magda Jean-Louis contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  The Department of Health reported on Sunday that 1,949 more people nationwide tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the overall case count to 513,619.

According to the latest data, 27,765 or 5.4% of the total infected are active cases. It also showed that Davao City is the top contributing area with 99 new infections, followed by Quezon City with 98, Cavite with 74, Baguio City with 73, and Leyte with 63.

Meanwhile, 7,729 more recoveries were logged, as the nationwide recovery count surged to 475,612.

The death toll also reached 10,242 after 53 more people succumbed to the disease. Of the new fatalities, the DOH said two were earlier tagged as recoveries.

Five testing laboratories failed to submit data on time and were not yet included in the updated count, the department said. It added that after final validation, eight duplicates, as well as a case found to have tested negative, were removed from the case count.

Among Filipinos abroad, the Department of Foreign Affairs said three more beat the virus for a total of 8,820 recoveries. Meanwhile, the case tally and the death toll remain unchanged at 13,779 and 945, respectively.

Worldwide, cases have breached 98.7 million, with over 2.1 million deaths and 54.4 million recoveries, based on the Johns Hopkins University tracker.

Katie Holmes has been practically inseparable from boyfriend Emilio Vitolo Jr for several months.

But the Dawson's Creek star is getting in plenty of 'me' time as she goes about her daily routine.

She bundled up in a retro chic look Saturday, sporting a red knit newsboy cap and some bell-bottoms jeans, as she ran errands in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City.

Retro chic: Katie Holmes bundled up in a retro chic look Saturday, sporting a red knit newsboy cap and some bell-bottoms jeans, as she ran errands in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City

The 42-year-old kept warm in a paint-splattered black puffer jacket, finishing the look with a pair of white sneakers.

She carried a black crossbody bag across her chest and a big brown shopping bag in her hand, as she took precautions against COVID-19 in a white face mask.

Holmes previously took to Instagram with her latest work of art, a 40x40 dye painting titled In Bloom.

It comes after she posted about her creative outlet earlier this week on Instagram, writing: 'I have been painting for about ten years now. And definitely more during Covid.

Bundled up: The 42-year-old kept warm in a paint-splattered black puffer jacket, finishing the look with a pair of white sneakers

Work of art: Holmes previously took to Instagram with her latest work of art, a 40x40 dye painting titled In Bloom

Creative outlet: It comes after she posted about her creative outlet earlier this week on Instagram

'I wanted to share a piece that I am proud of and even though I believe art is much better experienced in person, I understand that we are living in a digital age for now. This piece is something that makes me feel hopeful and I hope it transcends...'

She's also been promoting her boyfriend's art, recently sporting a t-shirt he designed, featuring a drawing of a city skyline with the words: 'It was all a dream.'

A source told People last month of the blossoming relationship: 'They are having fun. Emilio has had a lot of stress this year because of the shutdowns that have affected the restaurant business. Katie is very supportive. Their relationship is cheering him up.'

The insider added: 'Since Katie is not working, they have had time to really get to know each other. Emilio thinks their relationship will continue to be strong in the new year. When things return to a more normal and Katie is working again, they will figure it out. For now, they enjoy all their time together in New York City.'

It comes after they made their relationship Instagram official on her 42nd birthday, when Vitolo Jr, 33, paid tribute with a sweet black-and-white photo of her sitting in his lap.

Art enthusiast: She's also been promoting her boyfriend Emilio Vitolo Jr's art, recently sporting a t-shirt the restauranteur, 33, designed

Instagram official: It comes after they made their relationship Instagram official on her 42nd birthday, when he paid tribute with a sweet black-and-white photo of her sitting in his lap

'L' bomb: 'The most amazing, kindest, beautiful person. Every time I see your face it makes me smile. Happy Birthday!!! I love you!!' he wrote in the caption, as the birthday girl commented: 'Thank you so much my Love. I love u too!!!!!'

Whirlwind romance: Holmes and the restauranteur were first romantically linked in September, when they were spotted on a dinner date in SoHo (pictured in November, 2020)

'The most amazing, kindest, beautiful person. Every time I see your face it makes me smile. Happy Birthday!!! I love you!!' he wrote in the caption, as the birthday girl commented: 'Thank you so much my Love. I love u too!!!!!'

Holmes and the restauranteur were first romantically linked in September, when they were spotted on a dinner date in SoHo.

The couple seems to be joined at the hip, as they've since put their love on display with some hand holding and kissing around the city.

A source told Us Weekly back in October: 'Emilio and Katie act like young teens in love when they are together. Emilio lights up when she enters his restaurant and they kiss and hug like they haven't seen each other in forever, but really they see each other almost every day.'

They added: 'Emilio is into Katie. Whenever he's asked about her, he blushes and smiles. They are always laughing when they're together. It's constant smiles and loving looks between them and Emilio's friends more than approve of Katie. They think she's so great for him.'

Calling it quits: Holmes and Jamie Foxx, 53, previously split in May of 2019, after they began a discreet relationship back in 2013 (pictured in January, 2018)

Red carpet debut: The exes had only just made their first official red carpet debut as a couple at the Met Gala that month (pictured in May, 2019)

Holmes and Jamie Foxx, 53, previously split in May 2019, after they began a discreet relationship back in 2013.

The exes had only just made their first official red carpet debut as a couple at the Met Gala that month.

Another insider told Us Weekly in September: 'Katie has no ill will toward Jamie, but she has completely moved on from him and just thinks of Jamie in a friend type of way now.'

They also revealed that she 'is happy she can be free and comfortable with her relationship with Emilio and doesn't need for it to be private, like her past relationship with Jamie Foxx was.'

Holmes and Foxx's relationship came after she was married to his pal Tom Cruise, 58, from 2006 to 2012, sharing daughter Suri, 14.

Dawson's Creek is available to stream on Stan in Australia
Varun Dhawan And Natasha Dalal To Host A Wedding Reception In Mumbai Next Week; Deets Inside

Bollywood actor Varun Dhawans wedding rumors have been the talk of the town since the last few weeks. Well the Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania star will be tying the knot with the love of his life, Natasha Dalal, today at Alibaugs five star hotel, The Mansion House. Their fairytale wedding is a private affair and will be attended only by 50 guests due to the pandemic, but it will definitely be a star studded event with performances by some of the most popular personalities of Bollywood, including Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by VarunDhawan (@varundvn)

While fans have eagerly been waiting for a sneak peek of the celebrations or a glimpse of the newlyweds, a report in TOI has revealed that Varun and Natasha will step out for the paparazzi after their ceremony. The report also states that the couple will be hosting a grand wedding reception in Mumbai next week, most probably on 2nd February. This event will also be star-studded and will be attended by their family and industry friends.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by VarunDhawan (@varundvn)

Earlier reports had claimed that Varun will dive right back into work post his wedding. It was said that he will travel to Arunachal Pradesh in February with co-star Kriti Sanon for two months to shoot their next film Bhediya. However, latest buzz suggests that Varun and Natasha will jet off for their honeymoon to Turkey, where they have reservations at The Ciragan Palace in Istanbul.




By Lee Min-hyung







The Bank of Korea (BOK) has expressed optimism for the super-expansionary fiscal policy of U.S. President Joe Biden's new administration.







"The planned implementation of new pump-priming measures by the Biden administration will mitigate weak consumption in the first half of the year," the central bank said in a report on the global economy, Sunday.







The BOK said hopes for a U.S. economic recovery would have a positive impact for a rebound of other major economies across the globe throughout 2021.







The administration's economic aid package worth $900 billion will serve as a "bridge" for economic revitalization before COVID-19 vaccines take full effect, according to the BOK report.







The central bank also remained hopeful that Biden's willingness for an expansion in infrastructure investment would bode well for the Korean economy.







Earlier, Biden pledged to inject $2 trillion for infrastructure projects in the automobile, transition into eco-friendly energies and high-efficient housing construction sectors.







Starting from 2022 when Biden's major pledges are expected to become a reality, the global economy will be able to begin a stable recovery, according to the report.







"The aforementioned expansionary policy will lead to revitalization of consumption and investment in the U.S., and this will increase demand for imports in the world's largest economy, helping activate the global economy," the report said.







But the central bank also left open the possibility that it may take longer for a U.S. economic rebound if the side effects from the COVID-19 pandemic continue to remain in place despite the vaccines, or the Biden administration faces legislative hurdles in passing its major economic pledges. But the scenario is unlikely to take place for the time being, as Biden's Democratic Party has taken control of the House and Senate.






U.S. Army Forces Command has reinstated the top enlisted leader at Fort Hood, Texas after an investigation cleared him of allegations that he used unprofessional language with subordinates last year.

Lt. Gen. Pat White, commanding general of III Corps, suspended Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur "Cliff" Burgoyne III in December after allegations involving a specific incident and the language Burgoyne used to address subordinates.

Forces Command (FORSCOM) concluded its investigation Friday, ruling Burgoyne's language was "not unprofessional and he did not exhibit counterproductive leadership," according to a FORSCOM news release issued Friday evening.

"Putting People first includes holding our leaders to a high standard," FORSCOM Commander Gen. Michael Garrett said in the release. "Command Sgt. Maj. Burgoyne is a tough leader who cares about every soldier in his formation. I have faith in his leadership, and I know his soldiers are his top priority."

Read Next: Military Leaders Given 2 Weeks to Show Their Sexual Assault Prevention Efforts Are Working

The investigation came on the heels of an independent review of Fort Hood focused on the installation's command climate in light of the murder of Spc. Vanessa Guillen. The review found that the command allowed a culture of sexual assault and sexual harassment to exist unchecked at Hood. It resulted in the firing or suspension of 14 leaders at the post.

FORSCOM stressed that Burgoyne's investigation was unrelated to the other investigations occurring at Hood.

Ryan McCarthy, then secretary of the Army, ordered the suspension of 1st Cavalry Commander Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Broadwater and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas C. Kenny, the 1st Cavalry's command sergeant major, pending the outcome of a fact-finding investigation into 1st Cavalry Division's command climate and the unit's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program, known as SHARP.

The Army also selected Gen. John Murray, commanding general of Army Futures Command and one of the Army's most senior commanders, to lead an in-depth investigation into the chain of command's actions related to Guillen.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

Related: Fort Hood's Top Enlisted Soldier Suspended, Investigation Pending

Gardai arrested and charged a man after seizing a huge haul of suspected cannabis plants and cannabis herb at a growhouse in Co Longford.

Officers attached to the Roscommon/Longford Divisional Drugs Unit made the bust after searching a home in Aughnacliffe under warrant at approximately 1pm on Saturday, January 23.

During the search, they found "a sophisticated cannabis growhouse" which was spread over two bedrooms and a basement area.

The suspected cannabis plants are estimated to be worth approximately 45,000 while suspected cannabis herb worth approximately 85,000 was also seized.

GardaA have seized a130,000 of suspected cannabis during a search operation in Co Longford. The discovery was made when the Roscommon/Longford Divisional Drugs Unit conducted a search of a house Aughnacliffe on Saturday afternoon. A man in his mid 30s was arrested. pic.twitter.com/haLG8VM9Nu  Garda Info (@gardainfo) January 24, 2021

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In total, approximately 130,000 of suspected cannabis was recovered (pending analysis).

A man in his mid 30s was arrested at the scene and is being detained at Granard Garda Station under Section 2 of The Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.

He is due to appear before a sitting of Mullingar District Court at 1pm today charged in connection with the investigation.


U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke on the phone Saturday with his Israeli counterpart Meir Ben Shabbat, Israeli officials tell Axios.

Why it matters: This is the first contact between the Biden White House and Israeli prime minister's office. During the transition, the Biden team refrained from speaking to foreign governments.

Driving the news: Israeli officials said the call was meant mainly as an introduction and to kick off the dialogue.

One of the issues discussed was Iran.

The two national security advisers also covered the Abraham Accords  the biblical branding the administration has given to the individual normalization agreements between Israel and Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

In recent days, Sullivan made calls to his counterparts in the U.K., France, Germany, Japan and South Korea.

The White House did not comment on the call with the Israeli national security adviser.

The big picture: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is concerned about President Biden's stated goal of trying to resume the nuclear deal with Iran. Such a move could result in tensions between the Biden administration and the Israeli government.
Getting a spot in line for a coveted coronavirus vaccine has been a frustrating, chaotic process for countless New Jerseyans. It often entails navigating confusing websites, figuring out eligibility and scrambling to compete for an elusive slot.

The process is even more impossible if there is a language barrier or if you dont have access to a computer. Or the internet. Or a drivers license so you can drive to a vaccination site.

As the vaccination roll out continues, advocates say they are concerned that members of New Jerseys immigrant and undocumented communities may have difficulty getting vaccinated and that it may even be hard for them just to get much-needed information about available doses.

Immigrant workers and workers of color are highly represented in the essential workforce, said Sara Cullinane, the director of the advocacy group Make the Road New Jersey. They are doing the backbreaking, often risky work, so that other people can stay home and shelter in place. And so they must have access to vaccine. Our state wont be able to recover if they dont.

According to an NJ Advance Media analysis of town-by-town mortality data, municipalities with the greatest increase of deaths in 2020 often included those with the highest Hispanic populations, which all experienced disproportionate impacts from coronavirus.

In addition, Hispanic people account for 26% of New Jerseys coronavirus cases, despite making up 18% of the states total population, according to the states COVID-19 dashboard. And of the roughly 475,000 vaccination doses administered in the state as of Friday, only 5% were to Hispanic or Latinx people.

New Jersey health officials have acknowledged that communities of color and poverty experienced the worst of coronavirus as the disease further exposed longtime social disparities. And advocacy groups are sounding alarm bells about the need to get immigrant, undocumented and disenfranchised communities more direct access to the coronavirus vaccines.

Were never going to get to a place of equity and true healing without acknowledging the depth of pain that has happened in these communities precisely because they were ignored, said Amy Torres, Executive Director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice. Working with community partners to identify those gaps and being able to be stewards of the message into communities that dont have that access is important.

New Jersey has 23 federally qualified health centers and 136 licensed sites that provide primary care services to people who are uninsured, underinsured or undocumented, according to Donna Leusner, a spokeswoman at the Department of Health. Many of these sites are scheduling vaccinations, and that theyre accessible by public transportation, Leusner said.

The Department has consistently said we will provide equitable access to all who live, work and are being educated in New Jersey, she said previously.

Additionally, the Department of Health is formulating plans to send mobile vans staffed with trained community health workers travel to community centers, churches and other sites to provide education and access to vaccination, Leusner said.

The community health workers will be able to discuss key issues about the vaccines without sharing names or addresses with immigration officials, she added.

The state is also planning on doing outreach, she said.

Once vaccine supply increases, the state will implement a public awareness campaign to work with community, faith and other local leaders to assist them in engaging with their communities to address concerns and provide fact-based information about the vaccine in multiple languages, as necessary, Leusner said.

Despite efforts by the state, Torres said, shes concerned about digital equity regarding the undocumented and immigrant communities, creating hurdles to sign up online. She said many dont have access to computers or internet, and even some that do have experienced problems with Google Translate plug-ins on state government vaccine websites.

The state started distributing the vaccine in December and, until now, has primarily relied on an online registration system. At a briefing earlier this week, state Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said the state was in the final stages of setting up a call center that is expected to go live on Monday.

It will have an interactive voice response platform in both English ad Spanish that provides key information to New Jersey residents on how to register (for a vaccine) as well as how to schedule vaccination appointments as people become eligible, she said.

The phone number will be (855) 568-0545.

It is of utmost importance that the state makes a concerted effort to get information and vaccinations into undocumented and underserved communities, said Renee Wolf Koubiadis, director of the Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey. She pointed to the devastation the virus wrought on many in these communities in 2020 as a crucial reason why they should be among the early groups to get vaccinated.

These people, people of color in general, are more vulnerable to the effects of the virus, and there just needs to be an intentional plan to make sure that theyre getting the access to the vaccine, Koubiadis said. Its not unanticipated that there would be problems with this population accessing the vaccine because we certainly saw last year that people were unable to access the appropriate medical care.

One other hurdle, Torres and Cullinane said, is potential distrust of local officials within the undocumented and immigrant communities. Many are hesitant to communicate with local officials, making it more difficult to get vaccines into their arms, they noted.

That distrust makes it even more important that state officials work with local community and advocacy groups to get information into the hands of immigrant and undocumented populations, Torres said.

The state has partners in community-based organizations and faith-based institutions, Torres said. The solutions are there in the community.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Matthew Stanmyre may be reached at mstanmyre@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattStanmyre. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Experts have warned that the delays suffered by South Africas COVID-19 vaccination programme could result in a third wave hitting the country, the Sunday Times reports.

Vaccinologist professor Shabir Madhi told the publication that the government has dropped the ball on the vaccine acquisition process.

It seems to me that the government only started planning in early January after a media backlash, said Madhi.

Even after this resurgence dies down well get another one [wave], and vaccine deployment will be too late for high-risk groups then.

Madhi and other experts were kicked out of the countrys COVID-19 ministerial advisory committee (MAC) in September.

Some from this group have since complained that it is not clear when vaccines will arrive and how the government will distribute them.

Professor Ian Sanne, who is still on the MAC, said the biggest issue regarding vaccines is that there are no clear plans for their distribution.

We have not gone the next step of elucidating exactly where the people are who would benefit from the first 1.5-million doses  we should be working on those logistics, said Sanne.

Vaccines deals nearly done

The Health Department had previously said it expects to complete deals to acquire millions of coronavirus vaccines within about a month.

This followed a letter to Corruption Watch where National Treasury director-general Dondo Mogajane confirmed that government had previously been placing its hopes into the Covax programme.

Government has since confirmed that it has struck a deal for 1.5 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, while president Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that 20 million more doses have been secured for 2021 so far.

These 20 million doses include the allocation from Covax, as well as vaccine doses from Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, and possibly Moderna, but exclude the aforementioned doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Health minister Zweli Mkhize recently said that everything is on track for vaccine doses that are expected to be received in the first quarter of the year.

Lockdown level 3

While the country waits for vaccines to arrive, South African citizens continue to abide by the adjusted level 3 lockdown.

This lockdown includes a blanket ban on alcohol sales, while masks are compulsory when in any public area.

Ramaphosa first returned the country to this adjusted level 3 lockdown on 29 December, when he noted the threat posed by the second wave that was hitting South Africa.

Unless we act now and unless we act decisively, the number of new infections will far exceed what we experienced in the first wave, and thousands more people will lose their lives, said Ramaphosa.

He has since held another announcement to confirm that the country would remain at an adjusted level 3 lockdown.
Despite the Congress partys poor bench strength, the veteran leader managed to get under the governments skin on several occasions

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad has been the leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha for over six years. This post will soon be falling vacant as Mr Azads term ends next month. The Budget Session of Parliament is barely a few days away but theres no clarity about Mr Azads successor in the Upper House. From all accounts, the post would have gone to Anand Sharma who is the partys deputy leader in the Upper House. However, Mr Sharma now has competition as veteran leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who was recently elected to the Rajya Sabha, is emerging as a serious contender. The Opposition leaders post is critical as he or she leads the charge against the Treasury. Mr Kharge held the post in the Lok Sabha for five years (he moved to the Rajya Sabha after he failed to make it to the Lower House in the 2019 election) and despite the Congress partys poor bench strength, the veteran leader from Karnataka managed to get under the governments skin on several occasions. Though Mr Sharma has acquitted himself well in the Rajya Sabha, Mr Kharges seniority could well tilt the scales in his favour.

There is a strong buzz in the capital that Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh chief ministers Trivendra Singh Rawat and Shivraj Singh Chouhan may be shifted to Delhi when Prime Minister Narendra Modi reshuffles his Cabinet, which may now take place only after the West Bengal election. Mr Rawat has made himself unpopular with the people and party workers. Both complain that Mr Rawat has no presence and has failed to make any impact. Furthermore, he comes across as a poor second in comparison to his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath. Unlike Mr Rawat, Mr Chouhans popularity ratings remain high but the BJP leadership is unhappy at his acquiring a larger-than-life image. Mr Chouhan has become increasingly assertive and aggressive in his second term and this has not gone unnoticed by the leadership in Delhi. In fact, the party has been keen on promoting another leader in the state for some time but has not got an opportune moment to do so.

First, Congress insiders had a grouse that Nehru-Gandhi scion Rahul Gandhi was inaccessible to them and that his politically-inexperienced team members kept him from meeting party cadres. And now it is the same story with his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh. When Priyanka joined politics two years ago, excited Congress cadres were confident that her entry would bring about a much-needed change in the party as she was reputed to be more open and connected well with workers. But, unfortunately for Congress members, it is as difficult to get an audience with Priyanka as it is with Rahul Gandhi. In Priyankas case, they blame Sandeep Singh, the main honcho in her office, for her inaccessibility. Unhappy Congress members maintain that Sandeep keeps a tight control on her appointments and is known to give preference to those who defer to him. There have been several instances when Sandeep has exchanged hot words with party leaders, the latest being Uttar Pradesh legislator Aradhana Mishra.

Ever since home minister Amit Shah visited the Delhi Police headquarters for a review meeting last week, speculation has been rife that the force will finally get a full-ledged commissioner. According to the grapevine, S.M. Sahai, a 1987 IPS officer, presently serving in the PMO, is the frontrunner for the post. The present incumbent, S.N. Shrivastava, was given additional charge as police commissioner after his predecessor Amulya Patnaik demitted office last March. An official order issued then had stated that Mr Shrivastava would hold this charge till further orders. He has since been continuing as an ad hoc police chief as his confirmation orders have yet to come. He is set to retire in June. This is perhaps the first time that the Delhi Police has been functioning with an acting chief commissioner for such a prolonged period.

When Arnab Goswami, Republic TVs editor-in-chief and co-founder, was arrested by the Mumbai Police last year in an abetment to suicide case, the ruling BJP had gone all out to defend him. Union ministers and party spokespersons had lined up to attack the Maharashtra government for indulging in a witch hunt. Mr Goswami is currently embroiled in a fresh controversy over his long WhatsApp chats with the head of the Broadcast Audience Research Council revealing that he was fixing his channels TRPs. But, unlike the last time, no minister or BJP spokesperson has come to his rescue suggesting that the saffron party wishes to distance itself from its favourite news anchor. Maybe it has something to do with Mr Goswami flaunting his proximity to the governments top bosses and how they were ready to hand down favours to him. Worse, he made fun of Prime Minister Narendra Modis poetry. Clearly, Mr Goswamis benefactors have not taken kindly to his remarks.
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Like most commercial movies about feminist history, Misbehaviour has a toothless vision of protest and empowerment thats doomed to fail its subject

The cheerfully one-dimensional Misbehaviour puts a smiley face on female rage. A comedy flecked with seriousness, it revisits a 1970 feminist protest against the Miss World pageant in London. Bright and insistently upbeat, the movie has period polish, some swinging detail and a sympathetic cast headed by Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Jessie Buckley. Like most commercial movies about feminist history, though, it also has a toothless vision of protest and empowerment thats doomed to fail its subject because its makers dont (cant) risk making the audience uncomfortable.

Directed by Philippa Lowthorpe, the movie personalises its story with a manageable handful of characters, including Sally Alexander (a fine Knightley), an academic. In short, bouncy scenes, she is shown as smart and ambitious, loved by her family but thwarted by her sexist colleagues, which leads her to join the nascent womens liberation movement. Her ostensible opposite is Jennifer Hosten (Mbatha-Raw), aka Miss Grenada, who arrives amid a sorority of giggling contestants. Jennifer isnt given much to do or say, but Mbatha-Raw makes it clear that the character has an inner life, with faraway looks that you hope foretell that a more interesting movie is on the horizon.

The two women are ready-made for dialectical fun but are largely separated on parallel tracks. The movie  the script is by Rebecca Frayn and Gaby Chiappe  establishes two opposing camps: one populated by the pageant people, the other by the feminists, including Buckleys Jo Robinson, a live wire. While men linger in the background on Team Libbers, they take a prominent role on Team Pageant because the filmmakers seem to think the audience needs reminding that sexist men can be, well, sexist. So, rather than deep, revealing looks into the lives of the contestants, theres a lot of the shows host, Bob Hope (an affable Greg Kinnerwith a fake schnoz).

Lowthorpe spends a wearying amount of time on the comedy of male buffoonery. The marquee clown is Hope, whos introduced in the opening via parallel montage with Sally, and comes with his own aggrieved woman (Lesley Manville, adding bitter tang to Mrs. Hope). The most cartoonish buffoon, however, is Eric (Rhys Ifans), who with his wife, Julia (Keeley Hawes), runs the contest. Its mildly amusing to watch Ifans swan about in a pageant crown and cape when he shows the contestants how to walk onstage. The contenders tee-hee-hee and you might too, even if theres nothing all that funny about how strenuously the movie tries to soft-pedal sexual exploitation.

The one time that the movie puts on its deeply serious face is when it addresses race, which it navigates with self-conscious awkwardness culminating in a clunkily handled showdown between Sally and Jennifer.

Until then, the issue is largely taken up through Pearl Jansen (Loreece Harrison), the first Black South African contestant. Pearl has some heartfelt moments, like when she explains the circumstances of her participation to Jennifer. For her part, Jennifer barely says anything of note until she and Sally meet, an encounter that finds Jennifer delivering a few stinging words about race and representation, having been abruptly transformed into an avatar of feminism.

The scene between the women approaches weightiness by asking who gets to protest and why. But the two have scarcely met before the movie rushes off to its finish and the risible claim that The Miss World protest succeeded in putting Womens Liberation on the map. Whose map? Who knows  but this would be news to the hundreds of women who in 1968 boycotted the Miss America pageant in New Jersey, a week after the Democratic National Convention exploded in Chicago. The activist Flo Kennedy said that Chicago was like throwing a brick through a police-station window but the pageant protest was akin to peeing on an expensive rug at a polite cocktail party.

The Man, Kennedy continued, never expects the second kind of protest, and very often thats the one that really gets him uptight. She didnt explain further, but presumably what gets him uptight is that while the brick comes hurtling in from the outside, the rug  and its despoilers  are already inside, one reason that feminism continues to make so many so nervous. Its too bad Misbehaviour doesnt explore that nervousness or do justice to the women who became a front-page scandal when they threw flour bombs at Bob Hope and whose slogan was Were not beautiful, were not ugly, were angry. The scandal wasnt the protest. The scandal was the anger.

Manohla Dargis c.2020 The New York Times Company
A clinical trial is under way to prove the effectiveness of a new method developed by Queensland scientists to remove the major side-effect of a treatment for cancer and genetic disorders in children.

The trial is expected to involve about 20 children aged between three months and 18 years who need stem cell treatment for blood cancers or genetic immune deficiencies.

Researchers at QIMR Berghofer have developed a method to remove a major side-effect from stem cell therapy, giving hope to hundreds of children with cancers and genetic disorders.

A very effective treatment for those conditions is to use stem cell therapy, however finding a perfect donor match can often take a long time  time which sick children can rarely afford.

As a workaround, stem cells are often donated by a member of the childs family, however this means the stem cells might not be a perfect match, which raises the risk of complications such as "graft versus host" disease where the immune cells in the donor tissue attack the already immunocompromised childs body.
Colombo: Sri Lankas Health Minister, who has faced criticism for consuming and endorsing a herbal syrup made by a sorcerer, has tested positive for COVID-19.

A Health Ministry official on Saturday confirmed that Pavithra Wanniarachchi became the highest-ranking official to be infected with the virus. She and her immediate contacts have been asked to self-quarantine.

Encouraged by the health minister, thousands of Sri Lankan had sought the potion in hopes it would prevent the spread of COVID-19. Credit:AP

Doctors have said there is no scientific basis for the syrup as remedy for the coronavirus. Its said to contain honey and nutmeg.

Thousands of people gathered in long queues in December in the town of Kegalle, north-east of the capital Colombo, to obtain the syrup, just days after Wanniarachchi and several other government officials publicly consumed it.
A 20% rise in the price of cobalt since the beginning of this year shows how the rush to build more electric vehicles is stressing global supply chains.

Already a shortage of semiconductors is slowing the recovery in auto production. Now cobalt, a blue metal that is needed for many types of batteries including those in EVs, is a concern, according to people in the auto and battery industries and analysts.

The demand is not going to shrink any time soon, while the supply remains tight mainly due to logistics disruptions in South Africa during the pandemic," said Ying Lu, an analyst at London-based commodity research firm Roskill.

Energy-dense cobalt is used as the stabilizer in batteries. It helps protect the batterys cathode from corrosion that can lead to a fire.

A majority of the worlds cobalt is mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa. It typically is carried overland to South Africa, shipped out from the port of Durban, South Africa, and processed in China before the material goes to battery makersmeaning the supply chain has several choke points that make it vulnerable to disruption.

In 2017 and 2018, during an earlier rush of interest in EVs, the price of cobalt quadrupled in the space of two years before a boost in production calmed the market down. Recent moves arent as extreme, but the spot price of cobalt rose to $38,520 a ton as of Jan. 21, according to Futuresource, up 20% since the end of December.

The election of President Biden as well as recent climate-change initiatives by China and Japan have accelerated a shift to electric vehicles. Tesla Inc. has said it aims to build 20 million vehicles annually a decade from now, a 40-fold increase from last year.

More EVs mean more batteries. They account for about 40% of an EVs cost, according to a report published by China-based Guotai Junan Securities Co. last year. Analysts say cobalt is the most expensive material in the batteries.

Car and battery makers have been looking for more control over their cobalt supply and ways to avoid the metal altogether. Honda Motor Co. last year formed an alliance with a leading Chinese car-battery maker, Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd., hoping that CATLs supply-chain clout would help stabilize Hondas battery supply. The two are also researching alternatives to cobalt and other costly materials, a Honda spokesman said.

A spokeswoman at Japanese electronics manufacturer Panasonic Corp., which has a joint battery-making venture with Tesla, said it aimed to mass-produce cobalt-free batteries in two to three years, a goal earlier stated by Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk.

Currently, the Tesla/Panasonic venture uses a formulation called NCA, containing nickel, cobalt and aluminum, which is extremely low in cobalt at less than 5%.

Meanwhile, China plays a critical role even though it doesnt have significant reserves of cobalt itself. Chinese companies control more than 40% of Congos cobalt-mining capacity, according to an estimate by Roskill, the London research firm.

Given the concentration in Congo, its very easy for countries like China to dominate the cobalt market because it only needs to be in control of a limited number of mines," said Judith Kinnaird, professor of economic geology at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

In an indication of the importance of Congo to Chinas industrial policy, foreign minister Wang Yi visited the country in early January despite the coronavirus pandemic, met Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and announced new aid.

Chinas ambassador to Congo was quoted in state media last year as saying more than 80 Chinese enterprises have invested in Congo and created nearly 50,000 local jobs.

Based on Roskills research, Chinas National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration is stockpiling some 5,000 tons of cobalt cathode for this year, said Ms. Lu, the analyst.

To break Chinas stronghold, auto makers and suppliers are trying to recycle more cobalt from old batteries and exploring other nations for alternative supplies of the material.

Another reason to look for alternatives is instability in Congo and continuing ethical concerns about miners working in sometimes-harsh conditions with rudimentary tools and no safety equipment.

Conflict between the Congo government and armed militias, often over control of mineral wealth, has destabilized the nation for decades and led many companies to look elsewhere for resources.

Ms. Lu observed that EV buyers are typically environmentally conscious customers. Cobalt-free might be the ultimate solution for the industry to avoid dealing with the complicated situation" in Congo, she said.

Chieko Tsuneoka contributed to this article.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

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Plans to rename roads in Britain after Victoria and George Cross heroes have been backed by Government ministers as they continue the 'war on woke'.

The idea was put forward by a group of Conservative backbench MPs who have suggested the country's roads be renamed after winners of the Victoria and George Cross.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick have both backed the plans, the Telegraph reported.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden (left) and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick (right) have backed plans to name roads after Victoria and George Cross heroes as 'war on woke' continues

The newspaper reports that the 'Common Sense' group of MPs have also suggested communities install statues of the medal holders were born.

The group, which now counts 59 MPs and seven members of the House of Lords in its ranks, told the Telegraph: ' In many places, locals may be unaware that they tread in the footsteps of heroes.

'Which is why the Common Sense group has launched a campaign to honour every recipient of the VC and GC through the erection of a statue, immortalising them in their place of birth.

The Victoria Cross is the highest award in the honours system and is given to those in the armed forces who display valour. Pictured: Sir Harry Pendergast's Victoria Cross

'Where this is not practically possible, these heroes could be recognised by a plaque, or have a public building, park or road named or renamed after them.'

There have been 1,358 recipients of the Victoria Cross and 408 recipients of the George Cross since their creation.

The Victoria Cross is the highest and most prestigious award in the British honours system, given to members of the British armed forces who display exceptional valour.

The George Cross is the second highest award and is given to members of the armed forces or civilians who have carried out acts of heroism and great courage.

It comes after one city council was accused of virtue signalling after it gave six new streets 'woke' names.

Birmingham City Council called the roads in Perry Barr: Diversity Grove, Equality Road, Destiny Road, Inspire Avenue, Respect Way and Humanity Close.

The titles were decided by a panel of judges after locals were asked to submit suggestions for the 1,400 addresses.

The winner was Louise Kilbride from Handsworth Wood, whose theme was based on 'cohesion and shared values for Perry Barr and surrounding areas'.

The street names, which will be given to a new housing estate set for completion in 2023, sparked backlash from the community with some branding it 'embarrassing' and 'utter woke nonsense'.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick is set to change laws to make it harder for left-wing councils to conduct a 'revisionist purge' by taking down statues and changing road names.

Birmingham City Council was accused of 'virtue signalling' after it gave six new streets 'woke names' (pictured) with residents describing them as 'cringeworthy' and 'utter woke nonsense'

The minister will change the law and make it so that historic monuments cannot be removed without a formal planning process.

The legislation will also state that controversial statues should be explained and contextualised, rather than concealed and therefore protected.

Culture Secretary Mr Dowden who is in charge of preserving culture is planning to meet with the group this week.

He told the Telegraph: 'Celebrating the history of the places where we live and the men and women who shaped them builds a sense of pride in our communities.

'It is important that we recognise the diverse contributions of everyone who has shaped our nation. I look forward to discussing these ideas further with the group.'
Its the viral picture that has captivated a nation. The sight of bundled, mitten-clad, mask-wearing Senator Bernie Sanders sitting on a folding chair at the inauguration of Joe Biden was just one of many the veteran photographer Brendan Smialowski snapped on Wednesday. Little did he know that the seemingly innocent view of the proceedings would go onto break the internet wide open, becoming an iconic peek into an event like no other, and sparking a tidal wave of creative memes the world over.



Smialowski, the Washington D.C.-based photographer who was working the inauguration behalf of the global news agency AFP, isnt a stranger to having a front row seat to history or even going viral, but his shot of Sanders has served as a unique lighthearted respite during a lead-up that was anything but. The eye behind the iconic shot spoke to Esquire about the photo that inspired the masses. Its not a great photo, but it is a nice moment, he says.

ESQ: Congratulations on capturing the photo of the century. You gave a gift to the world.

Smialowski: (Laughs) Uh, maybe. Im not sure what kind of gift it is. Maybe its a pair of socks.

Why do you think this picture, out of all the photos taken at the Inauguration, resonated with people? I dont think its hyperbole to say that its now in the annals of American political history.

When it comes to memes or virality, its kind of crazy to try to make sense of it; you probably needed an education in sociology or psychology, which I dont have. But that said, its not a great photo, but it is a nice moment. I took the picture for a reason, its a good slice of life. It trades on who this man is. I think why its successful has very little to do with my actual picture, but more to do with Bernie Sanders and his followers and his well-defined image that can carry something like this.

Take me through your Inauguration Day leading up to the ceremony. What was the mood like?

I think this was my fourth or fifth inauguration, Ive done. They all kind of blend into one another after a while. It was a little different this year, as obviously theres heightened security around D.C. The ceremony starts around noon, but I got there when the gates and security checkpoints opened at 4 a.m. You dont need to arrive that early, but theres just a lot of new things with COVID and security, so I gave it extra time. Plus, everything has been a little chaotic on the Hill after the insurrection on January 6th. But we have a little trailer workspace for the inauguration which is very nice, and I went to my position and made sure everything was working. Our positions are hardwired with internet and power so we can send what we take straight from the camera to an editor. Its very convenient. So, I double checked everything and went to some other positions where I set up some remote, robot cameras and made sure those were working and transmitting and focused right. I like to have these quiet moments beforehand and have fun with the photography, just taking pictures that probably nobody needs.

So, your perspective was from a viewing platform?

Yeah, it was a fixed position which looks at the President-Elect being sworn in as theyre becoming President. Theres usually a lot of people thereits a big platform. But because of COVID, its significantly less now that each position is six feet apart, which actually makes it pretty easy to work on with nobody next to you. There are times when you cant turn because youre going to hit another photographer; were holding cameras with pretty long lenses, and as you turn you usually have to be careful not to clobber somebody. That wasnt the case this time, you have all the space in the world. But it was cold and windy and you're 30 feet high up on scaffolding, and that does get to you.

At what point during the day was the photo taken?

It was taken around 11:30 a.m., about a half hour before the actual swearing in began. It was during the arrivals. These folks are VIPs, they can just wander out of the Hill and be out on the platform. The actual inaugural platform is pretty much built onto the basement level of the Capitol, its a short walk for the Senators attending.

When your lens found Senator Sanders, were you simply scanning the crowd trying to find a good shot?

Well, youre in a fixed position and it makes it pretty difficult to be creative and thats really not what youre doing at an event like this anyway. Youre there for history and taking very matter-of-fact images. But a few of the things that make this inauguration different is obviously COVID and this riot on the Hill on January 6, and the former President really fighting these election results, so Im looking for ways to visually show [those storylines]. You can show that through security, you can show that through the fact everyones seats are spread out, you can show that by looking towards the mall and all the grass where its typically packed with people. So in the morning, Im trying to see how to tell this story and if this is going to be a one picture shot, how do you show it?

When people start to arrive, you have to be careful because youre going to see people you normally dont see and politicians who maybe retired or were forced out and how theyre interacting with people. It can be very inside the Beltway stuff. One of the big things Im watching for are the people who are involved in the 2020 election. Bernie Sanders, of course, is somebody who was a heavy hitter during the primaries and has a very popular brand of politics. He certainly carries a lot of weight, so Im keeping an eye on him, as well as Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley and how theyre acting with other people. Sanders was low down on the platform close to the swearing in.

Take me to the exact moment. How did the iconic picture come about?

Id seen him walk in and was watching how he mingled with people, but he kept to himself. Bernie is politically independent, and hes probably personally independent as well. So I think hes fine sitting in a chair by himself. But I was keeping an eye on him because hes one of these people who is also actually very easy to photograph. Theres some technical challenges from taking pictures from my physical position, so you need people who are easily identifiable and easy to photograph to carry the photo. These arent beautiful photos and there isnt amazing composition involved in this. It can be very difficult to make one because its very busy up there. When I took the photo,I practiced a technique I learned from photographing sports: you look through the camera with one eye, but then you keep your other eye open to kind of look around (for other possibilities). So when you have a long lens, you can use your other eye to see everything at once. My lens was originally on somebody else, but out of my other eye I saw him fiddling with his hands and I just very quickly went back to him. I originally thought I had missed it.

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When you got the shot, with what he was wearing, the framing, his chair, it all really conveys Bernie resembling something like a supportive grandfather at his grandson's little league game as opposed to a Senator at a Presidential Inauguration. Did you immediately realize it was something special?

When I captured the moment, I had just decided to swing back, take it, and then I transmitted that photo from my camera to my editor. So there were three moments there and if your timings are not just right, it wouldnt have come together.

When did you realize that this photo was starting to make an impact? Was it after the ceremony?

Oh, it was the next day. I dont really pay attention to this stuff. Theres plenty to be doing and I had my job cut out for me, not only because I was busy but it was pretty damn cold. It wasnt the coldest inauguration, Obamas first was really cold, but its cold enough that Im not fiddling with my phone. I also have a big heavy coat on, so I dont feel my phone vibrate.

The photo struck something in the collective consciousness, with the world dropping Bernie into everything you could imagine. My local coffeeshop put him sitting in front of their storefront, theres one of Bernie sitting with the Sex and the City girls, another with Bernie on the cover of a Bruce Springsteen album. Then, little Bernies making up the design of Melania Trumps dress when she arrived in Palm Beach, or dozens of sitting Bernies in place of Beyonces backup dancers. How did you grasp that it became a meme?

The next morning I had a bunch of emails from bosses and such. I think when theres a webpage that automatically drops Bernie into a photo, I think that makes it pretty clear that it made it.

Do you have any favorites?

I havent looked at too many, just because Im juggling work with a little baby at home. Sleep is a premium right now, so I havent been looking too close. In general, the ones I enjoy the most are art, where they take a nice piece of art and drop in the image in there and not just do a paste job, but make it look like it belongs by changing something like the texture. Theyre not only cool to look at, but somebodys certainly taking a lot of effort and didnt just drop my photo in. Im not crazy about having it become a meme. I wish that photojournalism is consumed as photojournalism. People are having fun with this and thats fine, and cool to see the creativity involved. Whats nice about it is that its fairly lighthearted. Literally two weeks before, I was just yards away from where Bernie was sitting, making my way through a fairly violent crowd of protestors, choking through tear gas. So It is nice to see people taking a break.

I think thats a great point with these two polarizing events, insurrection and inauguration, in just two weeks. It does seem like people were craving lightheartedness and warmth, and thats something you certainly delivered.

I grew up without the Internet and have seen it all evolve since and in the early days, it was fairly lighthearted, fun, goofy and jokes. Maybe it feels like the early days.
What a change it was from receiving hundreds of responses about the Light Horse Interchange poles early last week to just the one about the poles at Eridge Park (C8). Val Keys of Moss Vale has driven past these poles thousands of times and remembers when they were placed there. The poles are called Winds of Change and were commissioned as a public artwork by Wingecarribee Shire Council to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the townships of Moss Vale and Bowral. They were unveiled on 16th May 2013. If you want more details about the artist and what the leaf on each pole represents, Val suggests the WSC website.

"I never realised how many Eastern Suburbanites have had tracheotomies until I noticed so many masks worn under chins," observes Andrew Taubman of Queens Park. "Bravo, people!"

In the late 70s, as a 17-year-old in the Commonwealth Bank in Blacktown, I was issued a handgun (C8) and a large sum of money to walk the kilometre or so to the sub-branch at Westpoint, writes Steve Mathews of Norfolk Island. Before that day, I had never seen a gun. The consensus at a later staff training on handguns was that my best option would have been to throw the gun at any would-be robber, hoping to knock them out.

More tales of teenaged bank tellers and guns (C8). Barry Riley of Woy Woy remembers that as a teenaged Commonwealth Bank clerk in the 60s, I often ferried cash to city branches that had run out. The gun they gave me for protection was useless since with heavy rolls of coin in one pocket and the gun in the other I needed both hands to hold my trousers up.

In response to Richard Shields of Beecroft, David Mason of Scarborough writes that a number of years ago he lived relatively close to the Bellambi Bowling Club, obviously in the Circumference of Consumption (C8). I came to the conclusion that my house was the ideal walking distance from the club, enabling the average punter to often discard their empty takeaway stubbie into my front yard.
According to the latest Covid-19 news, an emergency waiver permits Californian dentists to administer the newly released vaccines against the coronavirus. If you want to know more about what this new waiver means and want to start your search for a dentist giving Covid vaccine in Los Angeles, keep reading. In this article, we will give you all the information you need. To read all the details please visit https://www.drkezian.com/dentist-giving-the-covid-vaccine/

Other than being vaccinated himself, the dentist giving Covid vaccine has to pass some training. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a 4 hour training session, covering the basics of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Covid vaccines, such as how to inject them safely and what symptoms to look out for after. Any dentist passing this course can now administer the Covid vaccines.

One highly-qualified and expert dentist who will be giving Covid vaccine in Los Angeles is Dr. Arthur A. Kezian, DDS. By taking every recommended precaution and going even further to ensure his office is Covid-free and his patients are safe, Dr. Kezian has been providing dental services since the beginning of the pandemic with the help of his professional team. And now he has passed the training and is prepared to administer the Covid vaccine.

So when will the dentists have access to the vaccines? Depending on how many vaccines each area gets and how the distribution process goes, this can be different. The CDAs goal is to distribute the vaccines as fast as possible and is doing its part by creating lists of qualified dentists and facilitating the registration process.

Dr. Kezian has been tending to your teeth even during the pandemic and with the help of his committed team, he has created one of the safest dental offices in Los Angeles. Now he will help you become immune to the coronavirus. So your search for a dentist giving Covid vaccine in Los Angeles ends here. Pick up your phone and call the office of Dr. Kezian for more information and get vaccinated as soon as possible. Share this article with your friends to spread the word and please stay safe.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS

443 N. Larchmont Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90004

(323) 467-2777

http://www.drkezian.com
(Newser)  Recent data suggests the UK strain of the coronavirus is more deadly, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday. "We want to look at the data ourselves," Fauci said. Until that happens, he said, the US needs to "assume now that what has been circulating dominantly in the UK does have a certain increase in what we call virulence, namely the power of the virus to cause more damage, including death." Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert now working in the Biden administration, made the comments on CBS's Face the Nation. Fauci earlier had said the UK strain didn't seem to be any deadlier, the Hill reports, but he said that premise changed when British experts looked closer. They found in one age group that the death rate "was one per thousand and then it went up to 1.3 per thousand in a certain group," Fauci said. "Thats a significant increase."

story continues below

Fauci also addressed the US vaccination effort, saying President Biden's goal of giving 100 million doses in 100 days is "really a floor and not a ceiling." Fauci called it a reasonable target, per CBS, that's still going to be a challenge. Modeling by the Biden team projects that 100 million shots would translate to about 33 million people being fully immunized and 67 million at least partially immunized, per the Washington Post. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says almost 17.4 million Americans have received at least one shot so far. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines still appear to be effective against the UK strain, Fauci said Sunday, but the variant that seems to have started in South Africa concerns him. "It looks like it does diminish more so the efficacy of the vaccine," he said. "But we're still within that cushion level of the vaccines being efficacious against these mutants." (A higher vaccination goal would be better, health experts say.)
As the farmers agitation against farm laws continue at Delhi borders, there is a growing disquiet withing the ranks of the BJP in Punjab. Former BJP national vice president and veteran party leader Laxmi Kanta Chawla said that the agitation shouldnt have been allowed to go for so long.

The party leaders are expressing apprehension that the protests could turn violent, even as the civic polls is scheduled next month.

Speaking as a citizen of India and not as a BJP leader, I feel no protest should run so long. A solution to it should have been found at the earliest. In mid-December, after the number of farmers dying due to cold or suicide had reached 30, Chawla reportedly said, according to the Indian Express.

Also read: Farmer Leaders Say Delhi Police Has Allowed Tractor Parade on Republic Day, Over 2 Lakh to Participate

The former minister said that the farmers had set an example for the world by ensuring peace despite the protest going on for so long.

Kisan is not 100 per cent wrong and neither are the farm laws. I feel that if the solution can be found in a day, chawla added.

He added that inspite of the protests intensifying in October, the first meeting with the Union ministers was arranged only on November 13.

The BJP leader added that even though there were many rounds of meetings in Delhi with the central government, only one meeting were held with farmers protesting in Punjab since June 6.
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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Sadia Umar-Farouk, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development to publish details of proposed payments of N729bn to 24.3 million poor Nigerians for six months, including the mechanisms and logistics for the payments, list of beneficiaries, and how they have been selected, projected payments per state, and whether the payments will be made in cash or through Bank Verification Numbers or other means.

SERAP also urged her to explain the rationale for paying N5,000 to 24.3 million poor Nigerians, which translates to five-percent of the countrys budget of N13.6 trillion for 2021, and to clarify if this proposed spending is part of the N5.6 trillion budget deficit.

Ms Sadia Umar-Farouk had last week disclosed that the Federal Government would pay about 24.3 million poor Nigerians N5,000 each for a period of six months to provide help to those impoverished by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the Freedom of Information request dated 23 January 2021 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: Publishing the details of beneficiaries and selection criteria, as well as the payment plan for six months would promote transparency and accountability, and remove the risks of mismanagement and diversion of public funds.

SERAP said: Transparency and accountability in the programme would improve public trust, and allow Nigerians to track and monitor its implementation, and to assess if the programme is justified, as well as to hold authorities to account in cases of diversion, mismanagement and corruption.

SERAP also urged Ms Umar-Farouk to: invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to jointly track and monitor the payments.

The FoI request, read in part: We would be grateful if the requested information is provided to us within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions under the Freedom of Information Act to compel you to comply with our request.

Providing support and assistance to socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians is a human rights obligation but the programme to spend five-percent of the 2021 budget, which is mostly based on deficit and borrowing, requires anti-corruption safeguards to ensure the payments go directly to the intended beneficiaries, and that public funds are not mismanaged or diverted.

SERAP notes that the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended], UN Convention against Corruption, and African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party require the government to set the highest standards of transparency, accountability and probity in programmes that it oversees.

The government has a responsibility to ensure that these requirements and other anti-corruption controls are fully implemented and monitored, and that the payments are justified in light of the huge budget deficit and borrowing, and whether there are better ways to spend N729bn to support poor Nigerians.

Several questions remain as to the implementation and monitoring mechanisms for the payments, and whether this is the best and most effective way to spend N729bn to support socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians.

Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the Freedom of Information Act, and UN Convention against Corruption, African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, and African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.

By Section 1 (1) of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act 2011, and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, SERAP is entitled as of right to request for or gain access to information, including information on details of beneficiaries of the direct payments of N729bn.

By Section 4 (a) of the FoI Act, when a person makes a request for information from a public official, institution or agency, the public official, institution or urgency to whom the application is directed is under a binding legal obligation to provide the applicant with the information requested for, except as otherwise provided by the Act, within seven days after the application is received.

By Sections 2(3)(d)(V) & (4) of the FoI Act, there is a binding legal duty to ensure that documents containing information including information on details of payments of N729bn to N24.3 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians are widely disseminated and made readily available to members of the public through various means.

The information being requested does not come within the purview of the types of information exempted from disclosure by the provisions of the FoI Act. The information requested for as indicated above, apart from not being exempted from disclosure under the FoI Act, bothers on an issue of national interest, public concern, interest of human rights, social justice, good governance, transparency and accountability.

Kolawole Oluwadare

SERAP Deputy Director
WASHINGTON -- President Joe Biden likes to talk about unity and his intent to rise above partisan rancor to heal the divisions that led a pro-Trump mob to swarm the Capitol on Jan. 6. Given his history of cutting deals with Republicans, I believe he wants to work across the aisle.

But a hail-fellow-well-met demeanor can't paper over his party's intolerance and readiness to use government as a club to beat dissenters into submission. Choice? That's not for Little Sisters of the Poor -- or at least it wasn't last year as Biden was the presumptive Democratic nominee and the Supreme Court ruled in their favor.

Let me back up and lay the scene. The Little Sisters of the Poor is an organization of Catholic nuns who want, as their mission statement explains, to provide for "the neediest elderly of every race and religion a home where they will be welcomed as Christ."

Then they ran into Obama administration regulations that required most employers to include in their employee health care plans free birth control. The Little Sisters objected because they believe "deliberately avoiding reproduction through medical means is immoral."

You would think the federal government would have better things to do than pick on nuns caring for old people. Indeed, Congress passed no legislation with this mandate, and Barack Obama never signed such a law. His Affordable Care Act, however, mandated that essential benefits be included in most employer-provided health care plans, and then nameless bureaucrats did the rest.

In 2012, Obama's Department of Health and Human Services declared that contraception was essential preventive care and hence was exempt from co-payments. Thus began a series of legal battles in which the Little Sisters generally prevailed against the federal machine because they did not back down.

In July, the Little Sisters won one of many cases against the group by a 7-2 margin. Justices Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer, who were appointed by Democratic presidents, concurred with the majority. Biden's response? It befitted the response of a Democratic presidential nominee.

The former vice president released a statement in which he said: "Health care is a right that should not be dependent on race, gender, income or ZIP code. Yet as a result of today's decision, countless women are at risk of losing access to affordable, preventive care."

Note: Women who work for the charity would not lose access to health care. They'd still be able to go to a clinic or see a doctor for contraception. They'd just have to pay for it. Both employees and employers would be free to choose.

Biden also nominated as his Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, who sued the caregiving nuns to force them to obey the Obamacare mandate.

At Thursday's daily press briefing, I asked press secretary Jen Psaki if Biden still planned to go after the religious and moral objection exemptions given his stated goal of bringing the country together.

Her answer: "I haven't discussed that particular issue with him. I'm happy to circle back with you, but I don't -- there's not a change in his position from what he said earlier this summer."

I don't agree with the Little Sisters of the Poor, but a government that would work to bring these compassionate nuns to heel is a government that cares more about conformity than people. Where's the tolerance? There is no tolerance for conservative Christians.

And if Biden pursues this track, he will further divide America.

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UTICA, NY  The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and United Way of the Mohawk Valley announced Friday that their joint Mohawk Valley COVID-19 Response Fund will be ramping up efforts to address the growing needs of the community stemming from the pandemic. To support these needs, MetLife Foundation has announced a $150,000 contribution to the fund.

Over the last several months, Community Foundation and United Way have channeled more than $1 million in donor support to nonprofit organizations for personal protective equipment, technology needs, food, supplies and more.

Nonprofit organizations addressing pandemic-related relief and recovery efforts in Herkimer and Oneida counties are encouraged to visit mvcovidfund.com to apply for funding. Members of the community are also encouraged to individually contribute via the Mohawk Valley COVID-19 Relief Fund site. In addition to its $150,000 contribution, MetLife Foundation will match individual donations dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000.

"We're hoping people will be willing to support the fund, their will be a place for people to donate. Other donors are also interested, so I think we are just starting to ramp this up," said Community Foundation President and CEO Alicia Dicks.
There is a curious irony to how state responses to the covid pandemic are playing out in different parts of the world in this current second wave of infections, as compared to the first wave last spring. India, in the first wave, was one of the first countries (apart from those European countries most directly hit at the very outset, such as Italy) to impose a harsh lockdown in an attempt to flatten the curve" of new infections. Meanwhile, responses in the UK, US, and Canada, to pick the worlds three major Anglo-Saxon countries, were light in comparison. European countries, which were hit hard in the first wave, imposed more stringent restrictions even in the first wave, but were not quite as harsh as Indias total lockdown.

Fast forward to today and the ongoing second (and in some cases perhaps third) wave of the covid pandemic, and there has been a reversal of roles. India has more or less opened up, and such restrictions as remain on daily life are relatively light. Meanwhile, in many Western countries (with the notable exception of the US in the waning days of the Donald Trump administration), harsh new lockdowns have been imposed that rival in their stringency Indias efforts last year. These new measures range from closing all public places, restricting restaurants to pick up or delivery only, and even imposing stay at home" orders and curfews and police checkpoints to enforce them.

How does one explain this fascinating reversal? My hypothesis is that, having experienced a harsh lockdown full-on, and seeing how it did not really succeed in curbing new infections once re-opening began, most Indians have opted to take a more laissez-faire approach to dealing with the covid pandemic, an approach that is, at least tacitly, endorsed by state and central governments. Put simply, Indians have learnt to live with the infection. Perhaps they hope that Indias youthful demographic will ensure that most cases are mild and patients will recover quickly, without putting a strain on the hospital system and intensive care beds in particular. Perhaps there is also a sense that, given the relatively high infection rate (and recovery rate), some sort of herd immunity" might have been achieved (or may soon be). Finally, with a vaccine rollout finally having begun, there may be a sense that there is little to be gained by sequestering oneself at this juncture, and that, even in the absence of a vaccine, a quick recovery could be hoped for if one does catch the infection.

In no way do I endorse the scientific veracity or wisdom of such beliefs, nor the lackadaisical response that emanates from them. But, whether appropriate or not, this seems to be what is happening in India, and, indeed, in a host of other emerging countries that do not have the state capacity to enforce harsh lockdowns beyond a certain pointand have counted the economic cost of whatever lockdowns have already been undertaken. There is, in other words, a certain pragmatismI hesitate to invoke the overused concept of fatalismto the response.

By contrast, in the West, the pandemic and the heavy-handed response of governments has marked a turn back toward what used to be called scientific socialism in the heyday of central planningthe idea that a benevolent and well-informed government with all the necessary policy tools at its disposal is better placed than decentralized, individual action to achieve a socially desirable goal. Indians will be familiar with this thinking, since it was the intellectual foundation of Nehruvian socialism. We know the result of Indias tryst with, nay embrace of, scientific socialism: decades of stagnation and frustrated opportunity, until we threw off its shackles in 1991 and thereafter.

Your columnist has been crying hoarse since the outbreak of the covid pandemic and attendant lockdowns that the era of big government is back with a vengeance. Western populations seem strangely quiescent in the face of this danger, and willing to be led by the hand by increasingly empowered governments.

In many places, in Western countries that have not seen such a situation since World War II, governments rule by decree under enabling emergency laws. While the powers have been but lightly used in most places, the potential exists for greater restrictions on individual liberties, especially if infections, hospital admissions, and deaths remain above what authorities deem acceptable.

Several polls in countries ranging from Canada and the UK to Australia and most European nations show a high degree of support by those polled for harsh lockdowns and stiff penalties for violators. For example, a January survey in Canada by pollster Maru/Blue found that the majority of those surveyed favoured harsher lockdowns, restrictions and fines. Remarkably, in the province of Quebec, 52% of respondents supported barring anyone from travelling more than 5km from home except for an essential purpose. This is a province where there have been several reports of police harassing residents who have legitimate reasons (such as shift work) for being out during a nighttime curfew.

Perhaps Western countries are going to learn the hard way that governments are loath to give up an outsized role in peoples lives once they have acquired it. Time to thumb through a well-worn copy of Friedrich von Hayeks The Road to Serfdom?

Vivek Dehejia is a Mint columnist

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New Delhi:

Rajasthan government on Friday agreed to hold talks with members of the Jat community who were carrying protest in Bharatpur demanding benefits of reservation under OBC category.

In the latest development on Saturday over the issue of Jat agitation, Nizamuddin-Kota special express is cancelled, Kota-Patna Express will be short originated from Mathura and two other trains are diverted

According to District Collector of Bharatpur, Narendra Kumar Gupta, social justice and empowerment minister Arun Chaturvedi along with senior officials are likely to meet the agitators late in the evening.

They will also hand over to the protesters a letter assuring the Jat community of being granted reservation under the OBC category, Gupta said.

However, there is no information yet with regard to the outcome of this meeting.

In the latest development over the issue of Jat agitation, Nizamuddin-Kota special express is cancelled, Kota-Patna Express will be short originated from Mathura and two other trains are diverted

Rail and road network remained affected in Bharatpur and neighbouring areas in Rajasthan due to stir by Jat community members demanding grant of OBC reservation benefits to the community in Dholpur and Bharatpur.

Rail and road network connecting to Bharatpur are jammed due to the agitation.

Roads connecting Mahua, Agra, Bharatpur, Jaipur are blocked. State transport and private buses are being diverted to take alternative routes.

Market in Bharatpur is closed to avoid any untoward incident, SP Bharatpur Anil Kumar Tank said on Friday.

ALSO READ: Jat agitation affects rail, road network in parts of Rajasthan

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A former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Founder of the Atta Mills Institute (AMI), Koku Anyidoho has disclosed former President Jerry Rawlings was about releasing two books before his demise.



The former President passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.



Speaking in a one-on-one interview on Neat FM's Me Man Nti programme, Koku Anyidoho said: "President Rawlings is gone; he was in the process of going to release two books as far as I am concerned. will the books come out; I don't know. What happens to the Rawlings legacy?"



Listen to him in the video below





Meanwhile, all is set for the final funeral rites of former President Jerry John Rawlings. The funeral will commence on 24th January 2020 with the main funeral event taking place on Wednesday, January 27, at the Independence Square, Accra, from 9am to 11am.The national activities will start with a Catholic Requiem Mass on Sunday, January 24 at the Holy Spirit Cathedral and a vigil at the Air Force Officers Mess in Accra.

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.

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The finance ministry on Sunday said it has allocated an additional Rs 660 crore to Madhya Pradesh for capital expenditure to undertake citizen-centric reforms.

"A list of capital projects with an estimated cost of Rs 660 crore was approved by the Department of Expenditure. Fifty per cent of the approved amount (i.e. Rs 330 crore) has also been released to the state (Madhya Pradesh) as first installment for the approved projects," it said in a statement.

The ministry has allocated this additional funds to the state for capital expenditure for undertaking the 'One Nation, One Ration Card' reforms, Ease of Doing Business reforms, and urban local bodies reforms. The state has also completed part of the fourth reform - the power sector reforms.

The 'Special Assistance to States for capital expenditure' scheme was announced by the Centre in October last year as part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat package. The scheme is aimed at boosting capital expenditure of the state governments that are facing difficult financial environment due to a shortfall in tax revenue arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.

"So far, capital expenditure proposals of Rs 10,657 crore of 27 states have been approved by the Ministry of Finance. An amount of Rs 5,328 crore has already been released to the states as the first installment under the scheme.

"State-wise allocation, approval granted and funds released is attached. Tamil Nadu has not availed the benefit of the scheme," it added.

Also read: Republic Day 2021: Delhi Metro lays out new set of guidelines
No referendum on Scottish independence before 2025 is 1.910/11 on the Exchange after the Scottish National Party revealed their road map for a vote within the next few years.

It says a "legal referendum" on independence will be held after the pandemic if there is a pro-independence majority at Holyrood following May's Scottish elections. A poll last week forecast that the SNP would win 72 seats, that would comfortably give them the 65 needed for a majority.

The Scottish government would request from the UK government a section 30 order which allows Holyrood to pass laws normally reserved to Westminster. It would then pass a bill through the Scottish parliament allowing a referendum.

The most likely year for that would be 2022, although the odds show that bettors are not confident it will happen at 4.77/2.

On the Sportsbook you can get even odds on Scotland voting Yes to independence at the next referendum.

If Boris Johnson gets his way that won't come into play for some time though. He has vowed to reject a request for a referendum and claimed there should be no new vote for 40 years.

Johnson believes the referendum of 2014, when Scots voted 55-45% to stay in the union, settled the matter and that's why no referendum before 2025 remains odds-on, albeit narrowly.

Supporters of independence point to Brexit - the fact that Scotland voted 62% to remain in the European Union - and claim the country was taken out of the EU against its will. They also argue that Sturgeon's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic has been better than the UK government's.

Speaking to Andrew Marr today Sturgeon said Johnson was "frightened of democracy". She added that she saw no reason why the elections, scheduled for 6 May, should be delayed due to the pandemic.

She said: "It's about what the people of Scotland want and the increasing evidence is that they want independence."

Sturgeon's claim is backed up by several polls since last summer which have shown a majority in favour of independence. The latest for Panelbase was consistent with this, although it indicates there are still enough undecided's to tip the balance in favour of remaining in the union.

Scotland - "How would you vote in an independence referendum?"



Independence: 49%

Remain in the UK: 44%



via @PanelbaseMD, 19 - 22 Jan pic.twitter.com/xs5qFFuwE0 ? Britain Elects (@BritainElects) January 23, 2021

Today the Sunday Times' Tim Shipman reports growing support for similar referendums to be held in Wales and Northern Ireland. In the Sportsbook's "Next country to hold a referendum without Scotland" market, Northern Ireland is 1/3.

Odds shorten on UK for Biden's first trip

The UK is 5/2 to receive Joe Biden for his first foreign visit after the new US president called Johnson on Saturday.

The prime minister took the call on Saturday night and became the first European leader to do so. He claimed afterwards the UK and US would work together on a green and sustainable recovery from the pandemic.

Ireland had been the favourite to receive Biden first, due to his ancestral roots there, but its drifted to 4/1 for the first Biden visit.

With Donald Trump now out of office the Exchange market on his second impeachment is open. The US congress voted to impeach Trump and proceedings have moved to the Senate which is 5.49/2 to convict the former-president.

Jeremy Hunt, meanwhile, this weekend said he hasn't given up his ambitions to lead the Conservative Party. The former-health secretary came second to Johnson in the leadership contest of 2019.

Hunt, who sits on the Tory backbenches and chairs the parliamentary health select committee, is increasingly vocal in his criticisms of the government's pandemic response. On the Exchange he is 9.08/1 to be next Tory leader behind chancellor Rishi Sunak 3.55/2.
New Delhi: As National Girl Child Day is being celebrated today, Shrishti Goswami became Uttarakhand's Chief Minister for a day, on Sunday.

Shrishti, 19, is a student at BSM PG College Roorkee and lives in Daulatpur village in Haridwar. She attended an official meeting to review various schemes run by the state government.

Shrishti will review various schemes run by the Trivender Singh Rawat-led government. Schemes on Atal Ayushman Scheme, Smart City project and Homestay Scheme by the tourism department and other development projects.

Earlier in May 2018, Shrishti became the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Bal Vidhan Sabha. She has been a part of many initiatives and participated in several programs on International Girl Child Day.

Her father Praveen is a businessman while her mother Sudha Goswami is a homemaker.

Every year on January 24 this day is celebrated as National Girl Child Day. The initiative to celebrate the National Girl Child Day was taken by the ministry of women and child development.
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Dellys / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short : Felt like car shaking, all people in next houses felt also. | One user found this interesting.

100.7 km W of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s

Jijel cirque, Algeria (150.6 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt Non ressenti (reported through (reported through our app / not felt

Jijel cirque, Algeria (150.6 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt : Non ressenti.

Mila (200.1 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

179 km E of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

Working in tizi ouzou town center ( conservation d / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / very short : It had been as a explosion with one light lateral wave,very short.

Tizi Ouzou, Tamda / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Dellys boumerdes / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating : So quick and strong shake many people felt it

Tizi-Ouzou ville / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / very short

DRAA-BEN-KHEDDA, Tizi-Ouzou / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

Tizi Ouzou / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s

Makouda / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / very short

Tigzirt / Weak shaking (MMI III) / complex motion difficult to describe / very short

Azazga / Light shaking (MMI IV)
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More than one million Sydneysiders have been put on high alert after traces of coronavirus were detected in sewage at multiple locations across the city.

The latest sewage surveillance program picked-up fragments of the virus at two treatment plants on the city's Northern Beaches.

The North Head plant takes in a catchment area of about 1.3million residents, from north of the Parramatta River in Western Sydney, east through to Manly.

More than one million Sydneysiders have been issued with an urgent alert to monitor for symptoms of coronavirus after fragments of the virus were detected in sewage. Pictured, residents wearing masks while shopping in Sydney's CBD last week

The treatment plant at Warriewood has a catchment area of about 70,000 people in the northern end of the Northern Beaches.

Residents should monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if they appear.

'While this likely reflects known recent confirmed cases in these areas, NSW Health urges everyone living or working there to monitor for symptoms and get tested and isolate immediately if they appear,' NSW Health said.

Fragments of coronavirus were also detected at the Liverpool treatment plant, in Sydney's southwest, which has a catchment area of about 180,000 people across almost 40 suburbs.

Those who live or work in the area should also monitor for symptoms and get tested and isolate immediately if they appear.

NSW recorded zero locally acquired cases of coronavirus on Sunday for the seventh consecutive day.

NSW Health is urging residents who have even the slightest symptoms of coronavirus to come forward for testing. Pictured, the drive-thru testing site at Bondi

Fragments of coronavirus were detected in sewage at three treatment plants in Sydney, including North Head (pictured), Warriewood and Liverpool

A total of 11,344 tests were processed in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday but health authorities are concerned not enough people are coming forward for testing.

'NSW Health continues to urge people across the state to come forward for testing with even the mildest of symptoms,' NSW Health said.

'High testing rates are essential to give us confidence that no cases are going undetected in the community.

'Everyone who gets tested is playing an important role in helping to contain the spread of Covid-19.'
Kiara Advani Joins Rumoured Boyfriend Sidharth Malhotra For Lunch Outing With His Parents; See Pictures

Rumours of Bollywood actors Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani dating have been doing the rounds for a while now. While the two have never commented on these reports they are frequently spotted in each others company.

Sidharth was spotted in Mumbai on Sunday afternoon for a lunch outing with his parents where Kiara Advani also joined them. Both Kiara and Sidharth arrived separately at BKC in Mumbai and were clicked by the waiting cameras.

The two Bollywood actors who have been rumoured to be dating since 2019 and have been going steady since. They also rang in the New Year in each others company in the Maldives. Both of them posted several pictures from the vacation on their respective social media handles but maintained not to post a picture together although they were snapped at the airport jetting off together.

Sidharth and Kiara have both been asked questions about each other on various occasions in the past but have maintained that they are single.

The actors have not shared screen space in a movie yet but will be seen together in the upcoming biopic on Captain Vikram Batra titled Shershah which is set on the Kargil war. The shoot for the film wrapped up last year but is yet to get a release date.
TORONTO - The Canadian military is set to help with COVID-19 vaccine distribution in northern Ontario, as officials investigate the death of a teenager who had the virus and worked at a long-term care home in the province's southwest.

Health-care workers wait in line at a UHN COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Toronto on January 7, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

TORONTO - The Canadian military is set to help with COVID-19 vaccine distribution in northern Ontario, as officials investigate the death of a teenager who had the virus and worked at a long-term care home in the province's southwest.

Federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair tweeted Sunday that the Canadian Armed Forces will support vaccine efforts in 32 communities of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. The move came after a request from the province for assistance in getting vaccine to First Nations communities, he wrote.

"Our government will always be there to support the fight against #COVID19," he wrote on Twitter.

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation, whose territory comprises 49 remote communities in northwestern Ontario, did not immediately comment on the pending deployment.

Meanwhile, officials in Middlesex-London said Sunday that a male teen who worked in a long-term care facility in the region was among the three deaths reported on the area's COVID-19 case site earlier in the weekend.

Dr. Alexander Summers, associate medical officer of health for the Middlesex-London Health Unit, said he couldn't provide the exact age or any other details about the teen.

But he said the person was a staff member of the long-term care home who was recently diagnosed with COVID-19 and died earlier in the week.

"Through the course of our investigation, the potential exposures could be many, but certainly the long-term care home is a potential exposure for this individual," Summers said in an interview.

Summers said to his knowledge, the teen was not hospitalized with COVID-19.

He is the youngest person to have died after contracting the virus in the county, Summers said, noting the majority of deaths they've seen among COVID-19 patients have been in an older demographic.

"It can have severe impacts on people of all ages and this story and this unfortunate and tragic situation as a reminder of that," Summers said.

"Certainly, this is a very rare occurrence. It's a rare event. And the investigation continues as to understanding what exactly might have happened. However, regardless, it's a sad day."

The Roberta Place Retirement Lodge long-term care home in Barrie, Ont., north of Toronto, also made headlines over the weekend after health officials said a U.K. variant of COVID-19 was behind a deadly outbreak there.

On Sunday, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit said it had learned of an additional individual with the U.K. variant within the region.

The unit said that individual had close contact with a person who is also part of a COVID-19 outbreak at Bradford Valley Care Community, a long-term care home in Bradford West Gwillimbury, south of Barrie.

Officials are now investigating whether that outbreak is also due to the U.K. variant.

Ontario reported 2,417 new cases of COVID-19 and 50 more deaths related to the virus on Sunday.

The numbers were slightly up from Saturday's 2,359 cases, though deaths declined by two from previous figures.

Health Minister Christine Elliott said there were 785 new cases in Toronto, 404 in Peel Region, 215 in York Region and 121 in Niagara.

Over 48,900 tests had been completed in Ontario over the past 24 hours.

The province reported that 4,427 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine were administered since the province's last report, and 1,436 are hospitalized with the virus.

A total of 280,573 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Ontario so far.

Since the pandemic began, there have been 255,002 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario. Of those, 225,046 have recovered and 5,803 people have died.

On Monday, the province plans to issue the results of a weekend-long expansion of its "inspection blitz" of big-box stores to ensure they were following COVID-19 guidelines.

The workplace inspections, which started in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas last weekend, stretched out to Ottawa, Windsor, Niagara and Durham regions.

Preliminary figures from Saturday showed inspectors went into 310 big-box stores and issued 34 tickets and 53 orders, Labour Minister Monte McNaughton said Sunday.

Overall, inspectors found the stores were only at "64 per cent compliance, which the minister said wasn't good enough.

"The three big issues that we're finding this weekend: masking protocols aren't being followed, in some cases; the physical distancing is still an issue in some stores; and this weekend we found that some of these big-box stores don't have a safety plan that's required of them to prevent COVID-19 from coming into the workplace," McNaughton said in an interview.

"Every business should know at this point in the pandemic what's expected of them."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 24, 2021.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said there had been 102 deaths in Ontario over the past 24 hours. There were, in fact, 50 deaths.
Angry residents of Suipe-Kpelikope, a farming community in the Akatsi South Municipality of Volta Region, have attacked some police officers, who were to effect an arrest.



Six officers were dispatched to the community to investigate a case, when the youth attacked them.



Briefing the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after the incidence, Chief Superintendent Joseph Atsu Dzineku, the Akatsi South Municipal Police Commander, said they received a complaint from the Social Welfare Department at Akatsi about a case it was investigating.



He said the case related to a fight by relatives on the custody of a child, which Mr Emmanuel Dorkordi, the Akatsi South Director of Social Welfare was seeking police assistance after several invitations by the feuding parties proved futile.



Mr Dzineku said on Thursday, at about 1900 hours, his men, including a detective PW Sergeant, Patience Dzihlornu from the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) who was in charge of the team, went to the area to enquire about why the parties failed to honour the invitation.



He said when the police officers arrived, the angry residents, including the youths wielding offensive implements suchas cutlasses, stones and other objects surrounded the police vehicle and threatened to kill the officers if they failed to leave.



Mr Dzineku said his men tried to calm tensions by explaining issues to them but none of them listened.



"One officer was physically hit by blows around the chest and another officer's dress was held at the neck level," Mr Dzineku said.



To avoid further attacks, Mr Dzineku, said the officers left the community.

He said no arrest has been effected.



Mr Dzineku, however, said the community members, who exhibited such violent behaviour, would be dealt with according to the law.



Mr Johnson Agbemazie, Assembly Member for the area, on his part, said the perpetrators of the act must be brought to book.

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.

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Supporters of detained Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny clash with riot police officers during an unsanctioned rally in central Moscow on Jan. 23, 2021. (Xinhua/Evgeny Sinitsyn)

Attempts by U.S. diplomats to incite radical actions are doomed to failure, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

MOSCOW, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry blamed the U.S. Embassy in Moscow for interference in opposition rallies in Russia, which are the country's domestic affairs.

The U.S. Embassy has shown disregard for diplomatic rules and regulations by actively posting messages on social media in support of unsanctioned protests in Russian cities, the ministry said in a statement.

"We are talking about encouraging violent actions, hypocritically declared as peaceful protests, in which the organizers cynically involved even minors," the statement read.

Attempts by U.S. diplomats to incite radical actions are doomed to failure and will have negative consequences for Moscow-Washington relations, it added.

Protesters hold posters in support of detained Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny during an unsanctioned rally at Pushkin Square in central Moscow on Jan. 23, 2021. (Xinhua/Evgeny Sinitsyn)

The ministry made the remarks after activists staged unauthorized protests in a number of Russian cities earlier in the day to show support for detained opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

About 4,000 people participated in the rally at Pushkin Square near the Kremlin, the Moscow branch of the Russian Interior Ministry said in a press release.

More than 600 protesters have been detained by police in downtown Moscow, according to TASS news agency.
The living conditions, education, employment and life expectancy of regional and remote Indigenous communities in Australia are more comparable with those of developing nations.

A Centre for Independent Studies paper, to be released on Monday, maps the state of these Indigenous communities against the rest of the country.

Jacinta Price has authored report on the disadvantages faced by some remote Indigenous communities. Credit:Edwina Pickles

According to the papers author, the deputy mayor of Alice Springs, Jacinta Price, inequity is growing because funding is spent as if all Indigenous Australians experience the same adversities.

The Productivity Commission estimates state and territory governments spent approximately $33.4 billion on First Nations people in 2015-16.
Democrats are lashing out at Congressman Scott Perry after it was revealed he had a role in Donald Trump's efforts to replace his acting attorney general with a loyalist who wanted to overturn the election results in Georgia.

The Pennsylvania Republican helped organize the meeting between Trump and former Justice Department attorney Jeffrey Clark.

'Scott Perry has disgraced South Central Pennsylvania, failed his country, and betrayed the trust of anyone who cares about our democracy,' Pennsylvania State Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy Patton Mills said.

'He is a stain on our Congress and must resign immediately,' she added.

Democrats are calling for Pennsylvania Representative Scott Perry  a Republican  to resign after it was revealed he played a role in setting up a meeting between Donald Trump and DOJ attorney Jeffrey Rosen to ry and overturn the presidential election results in Georgia

'Scott Perry has disgraced South Central Pennsylvania, failed his country, and betrayed the trust of anyone who cares about our democracy,' PA Democratic Party Chair Nancy Patton Mills said. 'He is a stain on our Congress and must resign immediately'

Mills continued with claiming if he doesn't resign, then House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy should remove him from his congressional committee assignment.

'There must be consequences for this conduct,' Pennsylvania's Attorney General Josh Shapiro, a Democrat with gubernatorial aspirations, said in a social media post.

A report from The New York Times last week revealed that Trump was plotting to replace then-acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, who took over for Bill Barr when he resigned at the end of December, with Clark  a loyalist.

Perry arranged for Trump to meet Clark, the newspaper reported.

According to the report, Clark was sympathetic to Trump's 'Stop the Steal' campaign.

He met with Perry to discuss a plan to have the Justice Department send Georgia a letter disclosing the department would be investigating the election results.

Reuters has not independently verified the details of the New York Times report, which cited several anonymous former officials. Neither Perry nor Clark, who served as head of the Environment and Natural Resources Division before becoming the acting assistant attorney general for the Civil Division in September, could immediately be reached for comment.

A New York Times report revealed that Trump considered Jeffrey Clark, a Justice Department attorney, to replace then-acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen

Jeffrey Rosen became acting Attorney General when Bill Barr stepped down before Christmas  but he was not on board with Trump's demand to overturn the election results in Georgia

In a statement to the New York Times, Clark declined comment on his relationship with Perry, and denied trying to oust Rosen, saying he had participated in 'a candid discussion of options and pros and cons with the president.'

On Saturday, the Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Monty Wilkinson saying it was launching a congressional probe into Trump and Clark's actions, and asked for the department to turn over documents and communications to help assist their inquiry.
Sinn Fein MEP Chris MacManus has expressed his disappointment at the passing of an amendment to a European Parliament report regarding the Right to Disconnect for workers.

MacManus said, this amendment long fingers legislative action for the right of workers to disconnect outside of working hours.



Speaking from Brussels MacManus said: In this era of huge advancements in new technologies, lifestyle changes such as working from home are becoming more attractive for many workers. We have seen a huge uptake in persons remote working since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that means that it is important we legislate for the right of workers to disconnect when not inside their allocated working hours.



MEPs voted on a proposal for the right of workers to disconnect. Whilst I recognise this is an important step forward as it is the first time the right to disconnect has been legally recognised by the European Parliament, I was disheartened to see an amendment from regressive forces within the Parliament calling for a three-year delay before the Commission implements any legislative action. This grace period is unacceptable.



Workers are experiencing stresses from out of work hours emails, whatsapps, texts and calls. Solutions need to be found now, not in three years time. There was no grace period offered to workers when employers began to contact them at out of work hours, therefore there should be no grace period for employers to cease this practice.



The Midlands Northwest MEP concluded, Thankfully workers in Ireland may not have to wait as long for the right to disconnect. My colleague, Sinn Fein spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade, Employment and Workers Rights Louise OReilly TD has introduced a bill to give workers in Ireland a legal right to disconnect and I am pleased that her work in Dublin is leading the way for offering workers a better work/life balance.


Firefighters worked to extinguish a small fire that broke out Saturday evening at a two-story home in Franklin Township, Warren County.

The initial call came in for the 2400 block of Route 57 around 9 p.m., according to New Jersey State Police. Smoke and light flames were found on the second floor and quickly extinguished, police said.

All occupants evacuated safely and there were no reported injuries, police said.

Route 57 was closed for a short while during the time of the blaze. The scene was cleared by 11:40 p.m., according to a witness.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Warren County Fire Marshal and the state Fire Marshals Office. Also responding were New Jersey State Police in Washington, Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Co. and Emergency Medical Services, Washington Township Fire, Washington Fire Dept., Stewartsville Volunteer Fire Co., Harmony Township Volunteer Fire Dept., and Warren County Fire and Emergency Medical Service coordinators.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
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Vedanti Dani's Inkblot was one of the several movies that was screened virtually at the recent Film Bazaar, organised by the National Film Development Corporation.

Inkblot took me back to 2003 Cannes, where I saw the renowned French helmer Francois Ozon's Swimming Pool with the British actress, Charlotte Rampling, playing crime novelist Sarah Morton, with French star Ludivine Sagnier as the young, impulsive and sexually provocative Julie.

(When the work was released in India, I saw only a skeleton of it; it was heavily censored!)

When Morton faces a writer's block, her well-meaning publisher asks her to take a break at his country home in France. After Morton settles down there with her laptop computer, hoping for peace and quiet that may get her out of the predicament, in walks Julie, the publisher's daughter. The young girl is rebellious and invites her boyfriends home, and the kind of noise and din they make unnerves Morton. And so goes the story twisting and turning, and finally hitting a crime. The end is ambiguous. Did Julie really arrive at the country home? Was she the publisher's daughter? Or were all these what Morton imagined and wrote in her new novel.

In a way, Inkblot follows a similar trajectory. Writer Sara's (Mina Boshkan) publisher wants a thriller from her, and asks her to experience something eerie so that she would find inspiration. So, much like Morton, Sara is also packed off  not to tranquil place, but a lonely haunted house in the middle of nowhere. At the palatial mansion, the housekeeper (looks like housekeeper Mrs Danvers from Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca) advises Sara not to step on to the first floor. We have company here she (Nazneen Madan) cautions Sara.

But the young author, who has come away after an argument with her boyfriend, is not to be cowed down by the fear of the supernatural, and she converts a room as her study on the forbidden floor and begins to write, hoping to be so scared that words would flow out of her head to form an eerily gripping plot.

Inkblot is a short work of 61 minutes, but offers all the excitement one may associate with this genre. Much like the Swimming Pool, here in Inkblot too, we come away wondering whether Sara had really gone through the frightening experience. Or was it a figment of her imagination?

Although Ozon does give us some kind of closure, Inkblot has an open-ended climax  which I felt was good. It is always nice to leave a viewer with something to ponder over, maybe even have a debate in his or her head.
A cross-section of residents in Techiman, the Bono East Regional capital, have described Mr Adu Gyan, the Bono East Regional Minister-designate as an astute politician with a rich experience to head the region.



They lauded President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his nomination and expressed the hope that Mr Gyan would operate an open-door administration to allow people to contribute to the decision making process to deepen decentralisation.



Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Techiman, Mr Richard Asamoah, the Bono East Regional National Service Coordinator, said the presidents nominee would be able to manage and push the development of the region to the next level.



He said the previous regional minister did well to uplift the image of Techiman and expressed the hope that Mr Gyan would build on that to attract local and foreign investors for rapid socio-economic growth and development.



Mr Kofi Ameyaw, a resident, noted that the nominee was the right person to head the Region because of his rich experience in public administration.



He expressed optimism that the regional minister-designate administration would focus on empowering the youth and vulnerable women to make life better for them.



I expect Mr Gyan to work harder to build the business community through new initiatives that will enhance economic growth and prosperity, Mr Joseph Ahinkrah, a businessman, 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.

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Sweet corn processing for export (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  The mammoth trade deal Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is expected to unlock more export markets for Vietnamese agricultural products, according to insiders.

At the RCEP-UKVFTA opportunities to promote value chains of Vietnamese agricultural products recently held in Ho Chi Minh City, Chairman of the Vietnam Farms and Agricultural Enterprises Association (VFAEA) Le Duy Minh laid stress on the worlds largest trade pact which covers a market of 2.2 billion people, with a combined GDP of 26.2 trillion USD or about 30 percent of global GDP.



RCEP is said to open up ample opportunities for Vietnamese agro-forestry-aquatic products since it forms a large market that includes Vietnams key importers such as China, ASEAN, Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK), he added.



Nguyen Anh Dung, from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developments Agro Processing and Market Development Authority, said China is the second largest importer of Vietnamese agro-forestry-aquatic products with total imports worth 10.36 billion USD in 2020. Meanwhile, ASEAN came fourth with 3.69 billion USD, Japan fifth with 3.42 billion USD and the RoK seventh with 2.34 billion USD.



According to Secretary of the Vietnam Vegetables Association Tran Le Nguyen, only ten types of Vietnamese fruits are licensed to be exported to China via official channel, and with RCEP, negotiations for other fruits like durian, passion fruit, grape fruit, avocado, star apple, and rose apple will be much easier.

RCEP is also said to create favourable conditions for more Vietnamese products to enter Japanese, RoK, Australian, Thai, Malaysian and New Zealand markets, he added.



However, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said Vietnamese exporters may face fierce competition from their foreign rivals right on the domestic playground as other RCEP members like China and other ASEAN member states have similar fruits with better quality.



In this context, Vietnam needs to build a stable agriculture in which farmers must ensure food safety and improve product quality while businesses should help farmers to form a stable value chain, said Nguyen Dinh Tung, General Director of Vina T&T.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday condemned the North Delhi Municipal Corporation's proposal to hike development funds for municipal councillors in the next financial year.

AAP national spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj citing a copy of north civic body's budget proposal for 2021-2022, said the civic agency has proposed to increase funds for municipal councillors from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore.

Addressing a press conference, Bhardwaj said, "On one hand, BJP-ruled civic authorities in Delhi say they do not have funds even to release monthly wages for employees and sanitation staff, on the other side, they are increasing municipal councillors' funds at this level. AAP wants to appeal to BJP's central leadership not to allow such practices in MCDs." He stated that the employees of all three civic authorities have been in protest against their pending dues which has resulted in filthy conditions with garbage piled up across the city. "It is on record that North civic bodies have not cleared dues of doctors, nurses, sanitation staff, school teachers and of other employees for past five years but they seem in a hurry to increase councillors' funds," the AAP spokesperson said.

Bhardwaj also questioned the civic authorities' proposal to set up kiosks and nurseries in parks located under their jurisdiction. Citing North MCD's budget copy, Bhardwaj said, "North MCD has proposed to allow private parties to set up eateries and other activities in parks and it says that municipal councillors will be the final authority to decide. By doing this, BJP-ruled MCDs will give a free hand to private parties to encroach in parks." The face-off between AAP and BJP on MCD funds has been a long running issue. AAP demanded that the BJP should immediately disclose why they have not taken any initiative to get MCD dues from DDA which owes around Rs 2,000 crore.
Elizabeth Warren has made an impassioned plea for women who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic to be given more help, as they will likely face lifetime consequences.

The US economy has lost around 10 million positions since the pandemic struck, with women accounting for around 1 million more of those losses than men. Latest figures showed that in December, jobs increased for men, while women lost a further 140,000 posts.

The pandemic has really set women back. And make no mistake, this is not something women are going to recover from in just the space of a few months or even a few years, she told CNN. This will have lifetime consequences.

She added: Women are getting hit in every direction. Low-income women and moderate-income women, have suffered from greater layoffs, they've struggled with childcare, so that they can't get to work and, therefore ended up with more job loss.

Other surveys have shown there is a clear racial disparity hidden in the numbers as well. Black and Latina women have suffered more job losses than their white counterparts.

Many women of colour occupy roles that do not offer childcare, or the chance to work from home, as many people have done during the pandemic.

Ms Warren, 71, who represents Massachusetts, was among the large pool of candidates seeking the Democratic Partys 2020 nomination for the presidency and the chance to take on Donald Trump.

 Joe Biden hosts memorial to honour Covid victims

She was particularly popular among progressives, and impressed many for offering detailed, costed plans to support the programmes she backed, including Medicare for All, and the Green New Deal.

As it was, she dropped out in March 2020, having failed to win any of the early primaries and running into fierce competition from the likes of Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.

She very noticeably waited some weeks before endorsing Mr Biden, not wanting to be seen to be disloyal to Mr Sanders, many of whose policies she shared.

Empathy matters. And, in this moment of crisis, it's more important than ever that the next president restores Americans' faith in good, effective government, she said when she did endorse him. Joe Biden has spent nearly his entire life in public service. He knows that a government run with integrity.

Some had hoped she might join the cabinet, possibly as Treasury secretary. Many had also hoped Mr Sanders might also feature as Labour secretary.

Yet there was also a real desire to keep her Senate seat in Democratic hands, and there was concern over the fact Massachusetts Republican governor Charlie Baker may appoint a temporary replacement for her.

As it was, Janet Yellen was appointed Treasury secretary, becoming the first woman in that role, and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh was picked to be nominee for the labour job.

During the campaign, Ms Warren had backed universal childcare, to help women in the workplace. She returned to that idea on Sunday, when she said the way women were being hit by job losses now would last into their later careers, and even retirement.

Thats the nature of the problem. What we need to focus on is real structural solutions, she said.  First one, we need universal childcare in this country. We need to join the other high income nations that make a real investment in letting parents work or letting parents finish their education.

She added: We also need to raise the wages of every child care worker and preschool teacher in America. That's one way that we can help women.
On the occasion of the 176th anniversary of the first arrival of Indian immigrant labourers to these shores, I intend to comment briefly, through a couple of letters to the press, on the current status of Indo-Trinidadians after their presence here for over a century and a half. They may be regarded as ethnic-focused, divisive and contentious, or may be deemed irrelevant and inconsequential in these times.
A young crowd of rioters have burnt down a coronavirus testing centre in a conservative Dutch fishing village, as the first night of a nationwide curfew was met with a largely peaceful  but occasionally incendiary  response.

The angry mob was also accused of destroying police cars and pelting officers with bricks and fireworks in Urk, situated 50 miles northeast of Amsterdam, prompting the mayor to invoke emergency powers and call for riot police  who arrived after the crowd had been tamed.

Footage showed dozens of protesters at the villages harbour as the new 9pm curfew came into effect, some blaring car and moped horns. While several fires appeared to have been lit, the largest was the blaze at a drive-through test centre, which was reduced to a burnt-out shell.

Local officials and police issued a statement denouncing the protest as not only unacceptable, but also a slap in the face, especially for the local health authority staff who do all they can at the test centre to help people from Urk, adding: The curfew will be strictly enforced for the next week.

Dutch police said it was totally quiet in most parts of the Netherlands after 9pm on Saturday, but some unrest was reported elsewhere.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 20 May 2021 Formula One F1 - Monaco Grand Prix - Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco REUTERS 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

Police said they handed out 3,600 fines for curfew violations and arrested 25 people who refused to go home or committed acts of violence.

More than a dozen arrests were made in the town of Stein after a group of around 100 young people refused to go home, some of whom shot fireworks at police, according to broadcaster 1Limburg.

And in Rotterdam, 50 people were fined for protesting lockdown and the new curfew, Dutch News reported.

Meanwhile officers in Amsterdam apprehended almost 200 people at a protest at Museum Square on Sunday afternoon after mayor Femke Halsema designated the area as a "high-risk zone" to give police the power to frisk people for weapons.

More than 240 people were arrested across the country and riot police were deployed in at least 10 cities and towns after the curfew went into effect - with national broadcaster NOS reporting vehicles were set alight, police were pelted with stones and public property was destroyed.

Last Sunday, protesters clashed with riot police on horseback on the square, leading to the detention of 143 people.

The curfew  enforceable with 95 fine  was narrowly approved last week by Dutch politicians often swayed by assertions that the variant discovered in the UK is about to cause a new surge in cases.

New infections in the Netherlands have generally been declining for a month, after hospitality venues shut in October and schools and non-essential shops closed in mid-December.

The last EU country to start vaccinating, only around 77,000 doctors and nurses have received a dose so far.

Additional reporting by agencies

(Natural News) The Republican attorney general of Texas has vowed to fight President Joe Bidens illegal and unconstitutional proclamations. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced his commitment to fighting Bidens illegal orders in a tweet hours after the presidents inauguration. Paxton promised to challenge federal overreach and serve as a major check against lawlessness shortly after extending his felicitations.

Paxtons Jan. 20 tweet read: [Congratulations,] President Biden. On Inauguration Day, I wish our country the best. I promise my fellow Texans and Americans that I will fight against the many unconstitutional and illegal actions that the new administration will take, challenge federal overreach that infringes on Texans rights and serve as a major check against the administrations lawlessness. Texas First! Law and Order always!

Paxtons proclamation came amid numerous executive orders Biden signed during his first day in office. CBS News reported that some of the signed executive orders had to do with the Wuhan coronavirus, immigration and human rights. Most of these overturned earlier edicts by his predecessor.

Biden also signed an executive order ending the Keystone XL oil pipeline, which will also revoke related permits. He commented on his rather busy first day in office: I thought theres no time to wait. [I have to] get to work immediately.

Texas lawmakers are not convinced. Sen. John Cornyn slammed Bidens plans to revoke the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. He said that doing so would only kick the industry further down the well. A spokesman for Rep. Dan Crenshaw said Bidens actions on his first day in office and his executive orders certainly do not signal a sense of humility and unity.

The Lone Star States attorney general has been ardently fighting against vote fraud

A large percentage of GOP voters believe that Biden illegitimately won the election, with nearly half saying that Trump was the rightful winner. Biden dismissed the election fraud claims in his Jan. 20 inaugural speech. He urged the country to reject the culture in which facts themselves are manipulated and even manufactured. The newly-inaugurated president also vowed to defend the truth and defeat the lies.

However, it appears that Paxton is the one defending the truth to defeat the lies based on his recent actions following the November 2020 general elections.

Representing the Lone Star State, Paxton filed a lawsuit in December 2020 exhorting the U.S. Supreme court to throw out the election results in four battleground states. The suit alleged that the states unconstitutionally changed election laws, treated voters unequally and triggered significant voting irregularities by relaxing ballot integrity measures. (Related: A summary of the Texas election lawsuit.)

The high court rejected the complaint for lack of standing under Article III of the Constitution. The one-page motion said that Texas has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another state conducts its elections. (Related: No plans to yield: Texas stands by claim that Biden win statistically impossible.)

In a subsequent filing, Paxton argued that the four defendant states in an earlier lawsuit did not address grave issues. These states  Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin  instead chose to hide behind other court venues and decisions.

The new reply stated that the defendants do not seriously address grave issues that Texas raises. Instead, the four defendants hid behind other court venues and decisions in which Texas could not participate. Moreover, the reply said the states did not address the Lone Star States points to mischaracterize the relief it seeks and its reasons for doing so.

Texas asks [the Supreme Court] to recognize the obvious fact that [the] defendant states maladministration of the 2020 election makes it impossible to know which candidate garnered the majority of lawful votes, Paxtons reply stated.

GreaterTexan.com has more news about Ken Paxtons fight against unconstitutional orders by President Joe Biden.

Sources include:

NewsPunch.com

RT.com

Twitter.com

CBSNews.com

Reuters.com

SupremeCourt.gov [PDF]
The first 100 days of a new administration are crucial. The first three months set the tone for the next four years and show us where the priorities lie for our new president and vice president. Its exactly the time that our united voices can work to push change.
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Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 8:00PM

by Claudio Alves

Our first voyage through the Best International Feature contenders took us to the films of the latest Oscar champions: South Korea, Mexico, and Chile. Now, we shall turn our attention to nations that haven't been nearly as lucky with AMPAS. The entire African continent, in fact, has been chronically ignored by the Academy ever since the genesis of this award. Shining a light on the African cinema in contention this year, we find the first-ever submissions from Lesotho and Sudan, as well as a deadpan comedy from Morocco

THIS IS NOT A BURIAL, IT'S A RESURRECTION (Lesotho)

In a small country village, 80-year-old widow Mantoa waits for the return of her son. However, what arrives is news of his end, a body to be interred alongside those of the matriarch's husband, daughter, grandchildren, and ancestors. Mouth bitter with the taste of Death, Mantoa regards God and Nature with contempt, wishing for her passing, an end to all the pain. However, when the land she regards as an Eden and a graveyard is threatened by outside forces, grief becomes the fuel that feeds the fires of defiance. If she has to sacrifice herself to galvanize her community, so be it. Mantoa knows, as we also come to discover, that Death may tear apart, but it also unites. Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese, a cinematographer turned director, shoots her story as an ancestral pageant complete with repetitive rites and symbolic costumes, folkloric storytelling, old beliefs, primordial fears. It's a picture like none other, a brilliantly unique piece of filmmaking whose beauty is impossible to overstate, each of its images branding itself in the audience's mind with disquieting violence. How can one forget the luminous blue of Mantoa's resting place or the mournful spectacle of ashes rising from the earth, carried by the breeze like snow falling upwards? Lead actress Mary Twala died in July of last year, leaving behind a masterful final film and a powerhouse performance whose silent strength is awe-inspiring. A-



THE UNKNOWN SAINT (Morocco)

From its opening moments, Alaa Eddine Aljem's The Unknown Saint announces itself as a comedy of the absurd whose sense of humor is as bone-dry as the desert vistas that dominate its frames. With the police on his heels and a car that's giving up the ghost, a messy-haired thief buries his loot in the barren land, fashioning his hiding place as an unmarked grave. Years later, after completing his sentence, the same criminal returns in search of his treasure, only to find a shrine erected around the fake grave honoring an unknown saint. As the narrative unravels, Aljem's camera drifts from the dumbfounded thief to the villagers who live near the monument, lovingly documenting their idiosyncrasies in rigidly composed tableaux whose long duration brings out the humor in the seemingly mundane. Colorful details like the vexing abundance of misspelled signage or televised nature documentaries that verge on snail erotica paint a whimsical picture with a heart steeped in cynicism. Still, while Lilian Corbeille edits the film to the rhythm of a steady metronome, the stone-faced nature of the comedy asks for a swifter narrative structure. As it stands, The Unknown Saint is an austere delight that overstays its welcome despite some chuckle-inducing gags and an insightful reflection on the role of faith in everyday life. B-

YOU WILL DIE AT 20 (Sudan)

Adapted from Hammour Ziada's short story Sleeping at the Foot of the Mountain, the first Sudanese Oscar submission's the tale of a man whose death at the age of twenty was predicted by a sheik upon his birth. From then on, young Muzami's existence becomes a waiting game, a half-life lived in darkness and fear. Religion offers him solace, but the pull of desperate hedonism is too seductive, like two mighty forces fighting for a condemned soul. While this happens, Muzami's mother, Sakina, goes through her painful transformations. Haunted by ominous dreams and terrified by her child's fate, she dresses in perpetual mourning as if the boy's already six-feet-under. Director Amjad Abu Alala, winner of the Best Debut award at Venice, explores matters of belief and need for purpose, for paternal love, through this story. Nonetheless, his characters struggle to emerge as more than meat puppets in a conceptual exercise. Muzami's particularly nebulous, while the strength of Islam Mubarak's performance does manage to make up for Sakina's narrative undefinitions. The advent of sexual assault near the end highlights the troubles of characterization, revealing the problematic nature of an unfocused perspective on Muzami's arc, his actions, his choices. What impresses most and manages to elevate the film is its formal splendor. From Sebastien Goepfert's painterly cinematography to Amin Bouhafa's melancholic score, You Will Die at 20 is a marvel of austere craft. B-

Judging by its Visionary Award victory at Sundance and near-universal critical acclaim, Lesotho's This is Not a Burial, It's a Resurrection feels like the safest bet from this trio. However, The Unknown Saint's got a good reputation too as well as connections to Hollywood. Woody Allen's one of the many people who gave notes to Alla Eddine Aljem when he was workshopping the screenplay. Despite its gorgeous images, You Will Die at 20 seems like the likeliest one to be ignored by AMPAS despite being the only one of these already released in the US.
Beyond forbidding walls and taut, guarded fences, beyond wild-eyed Paul Revere warnings about roiling waves of desperate people lapping at our door, beyond the fear, cruelty and suspicion of a nativist Stephen Miller as official government policy, we would like to think this weeks new beginning in Washington also inaugurates a new beginning for immigration reform.

For those lawmakers, Republicans and Democrats, interested in actually getting things done, the task of establishing reasonable and pragmatic metes and bounds for the nation offers a real opportunity, just as it did in 2013. Thats when a Democratic-led Senate passed comprehensive immigration reform legislation that would have provided a path to citizenship for the undocumented, paired with tough border-security measures. Supporters of that ambitious legislative package included Republican Sens. Marco Rubio and Lindsey Graham, but in the House a nascent Tea Party sent GOP members scurrying like startled quail. No vote was ever taken.

Were pleased that President Joe Biden has made immigration reform a legislative priority, pleased that he immediately signed executive orders dismantling several of the more egregious policies of his predecessor. Biden acknowledged, however, that executive orders are mere starting points. Actual immigration reform  the durable kind that requires legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by the president  has proven devilishly difficult over the years, and theres little reason to think this time will be any different.

We choose to hope, though, that under Bidens leadership, members of both parties realize that fair, orderly and reliable immigration policy is good for this country  the comprehensive kind and, if need be, even the piecemeal kind.

Bidens Day One orders last week included immediately halting construction of the border wall. They put deportations on hold, lifted the so-called Muslim Ban affecting travel, and preserved the DACA program that allows undocumented immigrants brought here as children to stay without fear of deportation.

The hard part remains: Convincing Congress to find a permanent solution, and to address the estimated 11 million immigrants who live and work in the U.S. without proper documentation, including an estimated 1.7 million in Texas. The new administration calls for an eight-year pathway to citizenship, granting five-year temporary residency status for qualified applicants, who would then be able to apply for a green card or permanent residency status, conditional on passing background checks and paying taxes.

The Biden package would provide DACA recipients, some agricultural workers and recipients of the program known as Temporary Protected Status a faster path to citizenship by letting them apply for green cards immediately. After three years, green card holders would be allowed to apply for citizenship if they pass additional background checks, learn English and become familiar with U.S. civics.

The new legislation would increase the number of immigration judges working in the backlogged immigration court system  something many Republicans, including both Texas senators, have called for  and would fund legal counsel for children and other vulnerable immigrants. And it would authorize regional processing centers in Central America to register and process those applying for refugee resettlement.

Bidens immigration-policy focus is a reminder that we are a nation of immigrants, as were often told. True, of course, but the new administration cannot rely on high-minded admonitions.

Biden and company must make the case that our immigration policies not only are in line with our values and priorities, but also are sensible. They must make sense to the Energy Corridor high-tech company that needs workers from overseas, to the Brazoria County farmer who relies on seasonal workers, to the aspiring medical student from India or Nigeria or China who will inevitably contribute to this community.

Open borders do not make sense. A nation closed off to the rest of the world makes no sense either.

When it comes to making immigration work, a big, sprawling Texas city that we know well has a message for Congress, particularly Republican lawmakers. Look to one of the most diverse cities in the nation, a city that relies on international trade for its economic vitality and on newcomers for its continuing cultural vitality.

Houston is proof positive that immigration works for everyone. Crafting sensible, fair and reliable immigration policy will make it work even better.
The coronavirus pandemic, which abruptly canceled the 2020 session of the General Assembly, will continue to cast a shadow over the legislatures new Zoom era. And this year, dozens of bills have been filed to shape Connecticuts reaction to the crisis.

The new measures range from economic aid to public health initiatives to the future of mail-in voting and the extension of the governors emergency powers, which expire on Feb. 9. Its all happening as lawmakers and citizens try to manage public discourse from homes and offices far from the State Capitol complex in Hartford.

Theres a litany of recommendations, said state Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport, co-chairman of the legislative Public Health Committee, stressing long-term care facilities, infection control and telemedicine as areas where the panel hopes to build consensus in the coming weeks. As the committee of cognizance, were very COVID-focused.

Public option health insurance

For Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, better insurance coverage for small businesses and non-profit agencies is going to be a major goal during the budget-making session, which ends at midnight on June 9. We need to figure out a way to bring down the cost of health care in Connecticut, Ritter said in a Friday interview.

While President Joe Biden has set public-health goals centered on mass vaccinations, Ritter isnt sure the new administration in Washington will have much leeway, with only a nominal Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate. Still, Ritter hopes for additional federal support for Access Health CT, the states exchange under the Affordable Care Act, which recently enrolled about 105,000 residents for coverage in 2021.

If we can come up with some options for small business, it could be a success for us, Ritter said.

He recently participated in a news conference led by Comptroller Kevin Lembo in support of a so-called public option for residents to join the states employee health plans. But Gov. Ned Lamont is skeptical of the potential cost to the state, putting into doubt legislation for 2021  two years after a similar bill died under pressure to kill it by the insurance industry.

Relief for workers

State Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven and Sen. Julie Kushner, D-Danbury, the co-chairwomen of the Labor and Public Employees Committee, support a variety of measures, including the reimbursement of expenses for first responders and frontline workers.

We are still having to endure this pandemic, Porter said last week during a committee meeting. We are definitely going to make sure that the workers of the state get the relief that they deserve and that we get our small businesses back up and running, we get work back in the state and that we get our revenues flowing.

We know that working families in Connecticut are struggling with the effects of the pandemic and the terrible impact that has had on the economy, on jobs and - in every way - in workers lives, Kushner said. We want to get it right. We know that there are many things that got held up because of COVID last year.

The 2020 legislature was suspended on March 12, but lawmakers returned twice in special sessions, passing 13 bills including no-excuse mail-in voting for the 2020 elections and a broad police accountability reform law.

As we know, COVID brings a super dimension to it for us, said Rep. Harry Arora, R-Greenwich, a labor committee member. We need to discuss and work on what is viable and fundable, and also delivers the benefits as its supposed to.

Election reforms

Picking up on the enormous public response to mail-in balloting, the Government Administration and Elections Committee, led by Rep. Dan Fox, D-Stamford and Sen. Mae Flexer, D-Killingly, is planning public hearings on a resolution for amendments to the state Constitution on both early voting and no-excuse absentee voting. The measures could go before voters in 2024 or perhaps as soon as 2022 if both the House and Senate pass them with 75 percent super-majorities.

The early-voting bill passed the 2019 General Assembly and needs only a simple majority this year to get the question on the 2022 statewide ballot. But the no-excuse absentee voting measure must receive a super-majority to get on the 2022 ballot and lawmakers may combine the two measures, which would make a 2022 ballot question less likely.

Democrats have a 97-54 majority in the House and a 24-12 margin in the Senate.

I think this session is a new reality for all of us, Fox said in response to criticism from conservative GOP lawmakers including Rep. Craig Fishbein of Middletown and ranking committee members Sen. Rob Sampson and Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco, both of Wolcott.

This particular language is extremely vague, Sampson said, calling for a rewritten version. It basically says that early voting has no limitations. It means that early voting could begin the day after the completion of the previous election.

The committee approved the calls for hearings, which were introduced by the secretary of the state, the attorney general and the Office of State Ethics; Fishbein, Sampson and Mastrofrancesco voted against holding hearings.

Executive powers at issue

Legislative hearings by the General Assemblys 26 committees will be open to the public to speak via Zoom, over the phone or through written testimony. Most hearings will be available to view on CT-N or YouTube.

On Friday, the Office of Legislative Management, which runs the 14-acre complex, announced someone who worked on the campus on Jan. 15 had contracted the virus, bringing another dose of pandemic reality to the business of the legislature, even as committees were continuing business remotely. In previous weeks, staff members in the offices of Lamont and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz have contracted the virus, resulting in quarantines for both the states top executives.

Lamonts Chief of Staff Paul Mounds said last week that informal conversations have been taking place with leaders of the House and Senate over possible extensions of his emergency powers for at least several more months. We havent had any official conversations with the legislature, Mounds said, during a news conference last week.

In September, legislative leaders extended Lamonts powers until February.

What you dont want is for all your executive orders just stop on Feb. 9, Lamont said. Thats not very good. Whether we extend the orders for two months or four months, you know, Paul and the leadership can figure that out. And in the meantime, you know, the legislature is back in session.

Lamont then advised legislators to tell him if there are orders they dont like.

Or if you want to, cast a vote in the legislature to open the bars or whatever your priority might be, because you have a chance to exercise that privilege if you want to.

kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT

Australia has approved its first coronavirus vaccine and will start rolling it out to millions of Australians by late February.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration approved the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine on Monday morning.

The vaccine met strict standards for safety, quality and efficacy, and has been provisionally approved for Australians over 16.

Frontline hotel quarantine staff and health workers will be the first in line to receive the vaccine, followed by aged care employees, seniors, and other vulnerable people.

Two doses will be required  at least 21 days apart. The TGA said provisional approval of the vaccine is valid for two years.

'The TGA has granted provisional approval to Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd for its Covid-19 vaccine, Comirnaty, making it the first Covid-19 vaccine to receive regulatory approval in Australia,' it said.

The Pfizer vaccine has met strict standards for safety, quality and efficacy, and has been provisionally approved for Australians over 16

Frontline hotel quarantine staff and health workers will be the first in line to receive the jab, followed by aged care employees, seniors and other vulnerable communities

'Following a thorough and independent review of Pfizer's submission, the TGA has decided that this vaccine meets the high safety, efficacy and quality standards required for use in Australia.'

Speaking to reporters on a year to the day since the first case of Covid-19 was diagnosed in Australia, Scott Morrison said Monday's approval was not an emergency and all protocols had been followed.

'This will build. It will start at small scale, it will build up and it will happen over a period of time as we have outlined over the course of this year,' he said.

'We are more looking at late February now than mid-February because of the challenges that we have seen in production and delivery.'

The Prime Minister said TGA experts found the vaccine to be safe, effective and of a high standard.

Scott Morrison reiterated that Australians will need to remain vigilant even after they get vaccinated

The rollout will begin across 30 to 50 hospital sites covering aged care and disability residents and workers, frontline healthcare workers, as well as quarantine and border workers

'Australians should take confidence in the thorough and careful approach taken by our world-class safety regulator,' he said.

Mr Morrison said it was more likely four million people will be vaccinated by early April rather than late March as previously anticipated.

He also reiterated that Australians will need to remain vigilant even after they get vaccinated.

'It is important to understand that once the vaccine starts, that doesn't mean you can jump on a plane to Bali the next day, it doesn't mean that the masks disappear,' he said.

'Of itself, it is not a silver bullet because there are still limitations to what these vaccines can do.'

AUSTRALIA'S COVID-19 VACCINE ROLLOUT PHASESTITL Phase 1a (up to 1.4 million doses) Quarantine and border workers Frontline healthcare worker Aged care and disability care staff Aged care and disability care residents Phase 1b (up to 14.8 million doses) Elderly adults aged 80 years and over Elderly adults aged 70-79 years Other health care workers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 55 Younger adults with an underlying medical condition, including those with a disability Critical and high-risk workers including defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing Phase 2a (up to 15.8 million doses) Adults aged 60-69 years Adults aged 50-59 years Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 18-54 Other critical and high-risk workers Phase 2b (up to 16 million doses) Balance of adult population Catch up any unvaccinated Australians from previous phases Phase 3 (up to 13.6 million doses) If recommended for under 16 years Advertisement

Health Minister Greg Hunt said within the guidance the government was provided, it was likely 80,000 doses will be administered each week.

Mr Hunt said there was still no specific date set for the rollout in late February, but it would be dependent on shipping times.

'Those shipping times were provided last night, which means we are in a position to commence in late February and our guidance has always been for a window,' he said.

'Because of the global risk, we have to proceed with a safe, secure vaccine program but Australians can have confidence if the best regulator in the world approves the vaccine, it is safe and effective.'

The rollout will begin across 30 to 50 hospital sites covering aged care and disability residents and workers, frontline healthcare workers, as well as quarantine and border workers.

It will then expand to 1,000 vaccine administration sites as the five-phase rollout widens across the population.

Mr Hunt said it's likely the majority of the Australian population will be vaccinated by October.

'The commencement remains on track for February, as the Prime Minister has said. The completion remains on track for October,' he said.

'This approval by the TGA is one of the earliest in the world for a full approval. We know that the European Medicines Agency and the Swiss have already made such an approval but Australia is amongst the earliest.'

Health Department secretary Brendan Murphy said the vaccine will stop people from getting critically ill from the virus, but scientists don't yet know how effective the jab will be in stopping the transmission of Covid-19.

'We don't yet know how effective they are at preventing the transmission of the virus. Those arrange studies that were published, the phase 3 trials are based around prevention of clinical disease,' he said.

'We will be progressively getting data over the coming months about the impact on transmission of the virus.

'It stands to reason that these vaccines will also prevent, to some degree, transmission of the virus but we don't know how effective they are at doing that.'

Professor Murphy said health authorities have 'major logistics issues' vaccinating the nation.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the world class regulators at the TGA have been working tirelessly to introduce a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine in Australia

In Australia the vaccine will be rolled out in five phases over the coming months and, over time, will involve more than 1,000 vaccination administration sites

'The preparation that is going on for this vaccination journey is huge,' he said on Monday.

'We are ready to go. We are planning very exciting and very exciting that we have not had to do this in an emergency way because we have a crisis to deal with. We can do this in our normal safe Australian way.'

TGA boss John Skerritt said the regulator's job was far from finished.

'The monitoring of vaccine safety post-approval is an important part of the regulatory review of vaccines,' he said.

'We now check the individual batches of vaccines that are destined for Australians while closely monitoring the safety and efficacy of the vaccine as it is rolled out.'

The Government continues to work with Pfizer on the final date of delivery of vaccines, noting that Pfizer has experienced some temporary production delays from its European manufacturing plant as it ramps up production to meet extraordinary global demand.

Regulatory review for the Oxford/AstraZeneca and Novavax vaccines is ongoing.
Moscow, Jan 24 : The Russian Foreign Ministry blamed the US Embassy in Moscow for interference in opposition rallies in Russia, which are the country's domestic affairs.

The US Embassy has shown disregard for diplomatic rules and regulations by actively posting messages on social media in support of unsanctioned protests in Russian cities, the ministry said in a statement.

"We are talking about encouraging violent actions, hypocritically declared as peaceful protests, in which the organisers cynically involved even minors," the statement read.

Attempts by US diplomats to incite radical actions are doomed to failure and will have negative consequences for Moscow-Washington relations, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The ministry made the remarks after activists staged unauthorised protests in a number of Russian cities earlier in the day to show support for detained opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

About 4,000 people participated in the rally at Pushkin Square near the Kremlin, the Moscow branch of the Russian Interior Ministry said in a press release.

More than 600 protesters have been detained by police in downtown Moscow, according to a report.
Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II

EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation

ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason

Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia

Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest

"Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan

Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator'

Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow

Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast

We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan

Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory

Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances

Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections

Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day

Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan

Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake

Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS)

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS)

Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time

Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation

Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country

Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor"

Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building"

Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials

MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan

Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas

France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party

Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms

Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh

NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country

104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion

Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation

Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination

Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity

Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well

Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions

Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never!

Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial

Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?"

France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity

Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election

Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia

US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China

Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war

Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet

Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases

Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan

US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces

Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can

UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians

Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India

Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately

France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint

Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow

Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen

Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops

Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia acting FM resigns

Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity

China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order

Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM

Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage

EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting

Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post

6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest

Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan

UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas

Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening

His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia

Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens

Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon

Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures

Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension

Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire

ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces

Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards

Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory

Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan

Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia

Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia

Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws

Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone

Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control

Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor

Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation

NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning

European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched
The Rifle Republican's proposed legislation would prevent the United States from rejoining the Paris climate agreement, suspend a mask mandate on federal property and interstate travel, and block funds from going to the World Health Organization until "America holds both the WHO and China accountable for their failures" in the global pandemic.
Grant aims to accelerate sustainable shellfish aquaculture

Oysters, mussels, and scallops are the shellfish that are a vital component of coastal economies that are both sustainable and environmentally beneficial. However, in order to leverage these benefits of aquaculture, farming methods for shellfish must be improved.

To help bring aquaculture farming on par with its land-based counterparts, the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center received a $750,000 subset of a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of a multi-institutional effort to accelerate sustainable farming techniques.

The multidisciplinary team will develop technologies that allow for a sustainable framework for farming such shellfish as oysters, mussels, and scallops. This effort will incorporate a wide berth of smart technologies by combining modern technologies in the fields of robotics, agricultural automation, computer vision, sensing and imaging, and artificial intelligence.

Jonathan van Senten, an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Cooperative Extension specialist and affiliate faculty in the Virginia Tech Center for Coastal Studies - in collaboration with the University of Maryland, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Louisiana State University, Pacific Shellfish Institute, and the Fraunhofer USA Center for Experimental Software Engineering -- will be analyzing the economic viability of the technologies developed by the other members of the team.

"There hasn't been such a cohesive effort to address this set of challenges that exist in aquaculture before," van Senten said. "The exciting part of this, for me, is this new approach to solving some of these decades-old problems through new technologies."

The first step of this collaborative effort is for the group to take successful models and technologies and adapt them to meet the harsh aquatic environments - such as corrosive saltwater, currents, storms, and animal interactions, all difficult factors to overcome.

Implementation of the future technologies will have a cost, and van Senten will study the impact of these technologies on the economics of shellfish farmers in the Chesapeake Bay.

Van Senten's efforts will include analyzing the cost of implementation of the new tech, along with weighing that cost against potential gains when compared to current methods.

"The current state of the seafood markets exacerbated the need for automation and more precise handling of inventory and stock for these farms," van Senten said. "This technology could provide a way to maximize inventory to ensure that farmers are getting 100 percent of the market-ready product and not harvesting anything that is not ready to be sold."

There are environmental benefits to implementation as well. Dredging, a current harvesting processes for shellfish, relies on casting a net or cage and dragging across the bottom of a body of water, catching buried shellfish. This process could be harmful for the health of habitats needed for shellfish and other species.

The technology to be developed by this grant, such as underwater drone monitoring, could allow for targeted harvests and improved success rates that can help protect these underwater ecosystems.

"This is a perfect example of the benefits of a multidisciplinary team - everyone will be bringing their unique insights and experiences to the table to make this successful," van Senten said.

With each of their areas of expertise, the multidisciplinary team will work to develop technologies to help aquaculture farming methods leverage land-based farming methods to help farmers and ecosystems alike.

###

This story has been published on: 2021-01-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.

New Delhi:

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik on Friday admitted that the situation of law and order has not completely improved in state and there is lot more to be done in this regard.

Naik hosted an Iftar party at Raj Bhawan which was attended by deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma and state women and family welfare minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi. Congress leader Pramod Tiwari also graced the occasion.

Former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had already questioned the Adityanath government over the law and order situation in the state, saying that BJP government has become a mute spectator.

Also Read: Why are secular leaders silent on the issue of triple talaq, asks Yogi Adityanath

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
The family of a 22-year-old who died in a road accident in Australia are having to fundraise to cover the costs of transporting his body home for his tangi.

Titan McCall died on January 8 in a tragic car accident, thought to have been caused by him falling asleep at the wheel after finishing his mining night shift, his sister Le Reve McCall says from Auckland.

His death was a huge shock to the family but the loss has been made worse by the fact they have been unable to see his body nor plan a date for his tangi, she says.

Now his mother, Fleur Robson, faces a bill of about $15,000 to bring his body back from Western Australia and have him transported to Makahae Marae in Bay of Plenty.

The cost has been pushed up by the coronavirus border closures, which has resulted in less travel and more expensive flights.

My mum is a solo mum, she does not have that big sum of money saved up.

Le says her mum would have liked to have gone over to Western Australia, where Titan McCall had lived for the last three years.

But that would have involved 14 days quarantine there and 14 days quarantine on return, and its already been too long, she says.

The delay has partly been caused by the police investigating the crash and coroner not wanting to release his body.

But the situation was also made more difficult by the fact Titan McCalls girlfriend in Australia is not talking with his family in New Zealand, and initially did not want his body repatriated.

She was listed as his next of kin at his work place. Tragically, now he has been lost, the girlfriend still hasnt contacted us; shes trying to shut us out, Le says.

Lawyers had to be engaged to work out a compromise, and now Titan McCalls Western Australian whanau will have a funeral service for him there, before he is brought back to New Zealand.

Le says while the transport costs are huge  and the tangi costs will be additional  she has been blown away by response to a Givealittle page she up on Friday, with people donating more than $2000.

Weve had so much support and its been absolutely amazing ... Its just so much help already, she says.

Im full of regret of not being there for him, but you dont expect to not see your younger brother again.

-Stuff/Denise Piper
Molly and sarah in 2016, the year Mollys mental health battles began

Watching her daughter Molly win The Voice in 2019 was a hugely emotional moment for Sarah Hocking. They reveal here how behind the cheers and confetti lay a heart-wrenching story of pain and perseverance

SARAHS STORY

Sarah Hocking, 48, is a boutique owner and lives in St Ives, Cornwall, with her husband Paul, 56. They have three children: Molly, 20, Harry, 18, and Ted, 14

Call it maternal instinct but, as I stood in the audience of The Voice in April 2019, as Emma Willis prepared to announce the winner, I just knew it was going to be Molly. Finally, she was going to have the recognition shed fought so hard for. Watching her jump with joy as confetti rained down on her, I felt every emotion. Only a few people knew what a journey Molly had been on.

There are those who will look at her and imagine success came easily. That couldnt be further from the truth. Molly had battled mental health problems, low confidence and crushing disappointment. Even now shes still fighting for her dream in an industry badly hit by Covid.

Since she was a little girl, all Molly wanted to do was sing. Quiet and unassuming, she came alive on stage  but getting her on to it was the problem. When she was 13, I began encouraging her to sing in local pubs. I thought it was a good way to get more experience of performing to audiences and build her confidence. Often, she felt very nervous and it would take some gentle persuasion to get her to perform, which left me feeling very conflicted. I wanted to support her but not be a pushy showbiz mum. I persevered, because every time she did it, shed believe in herself a little bit more.

Molly was 15 when her mental health problems began. One day she fainted at school. I put it down to hormones but it kept happening. She fainted in class, on the street and at home. It was terrifying. Then, when she was admitted to hospital, we were told it wasnt a medical condition causing her to collapse, it was psychological.

To learn my child was so troubled that it was manifesting in such a distressing way hit me very hard. Doctors told us it is called psychogenic fainting, and often caused by stress or anxiety. I questioned myself. Was I responsible  had I pushed her too hard?

Paul and I told Molly nothing mattered more than her health, that she didnt need to put pressure on herself to perform. But she insisted singing was all she wanted to do; she wasnt going to give it up.

For six months we lived on edge. She collapsed on stage at a local theatre and even sat her GCSEs surrounded by crash mats. Then, as the fainting eased after she started therapy, Mollys problems began to manifest as an eating disorder. Despite spending time in and out of hospital, she refused to give up on singing. All I wanted was for her to be well and happy; her fragile body and empty eyes broke my heart.

All I wanted was for Molly to be well and happy, says Sarah

When Molly asked to audition for The X Factor in 2017, my husbands response was no. She was still suffering from anorexia so Paul felt she was too vulnerable. I shared his concerns, but when she spoke about auditioning there was a spark in her eyes I hadnt seen for months. I wanted to do anything I could to bring her out of the shell shed retreated into. But allowing her to go was a decision Id come to regret.

After auditioning for producers then the judges, Molly made it through to the Bootcamp stage of the competition. Her bag was packed, and shed told her friends, when I received a call telling me they didnt have space for her  she wasnt going any further. She was devastated. It was a brutal experience for any teenager, let alone one as vulnerable as Molly. It shook me and my belief in my judgment, too.

Somehow, Molly bounced back. She told me it was a learning experience  to keep trying but never expect too much from the industry  and, a year later, she decided to audition for The Voice. I wasnt surprised. I knew how determined she was. She had matured and her previous experience had taught her to be pragmatic. But now she was recovering from anorexia and there was a risk that rejection could set her back again.

She had to have a psychological assessment as part of the process, so when she got the green light, I felt reassured they believed she was mentally robust enough.

Its a myth that shows such as The Voice mean overnight success. Molly left with a record deal but had to find management and she worked so hard building her profile only for Covid to put her career in limbo.

From the high of winning in 2019 to the low of lockdown, its been hard to see her frustration and anxiety, her worry that the world will forget about her.

All I can do is keep reminding her that shes faced disappointment and adversity before and has come out fighting. And she will again.

MOLLYS STORY

Molly Hocking, 20, won The Voice in 2019 and lives with her family in St Ives

When you have success young, theresan assumption there must be a pushy parent involved. Through no fault of her own, Mum has fallen victim to that stereotype. The truth is Mum may have been everything from my stylist and chauffeur to confidante and mumager, but her role has never been anything but a supportive one.

I know if I turned round tomorrow and told her I never wanted to sing another note, shed be fine with that. Do what makes you happy is what shes always told me.

For a long time, she blamed herself for my mental health problems, wrongly believing she had put pressure on me. Ive assured her it all came from within, but its hard for her to let go of the guilt.

Looking back, Im glad I was dropped from The X Factor, as devastating as it was. I wasnt well enough, and it would have been wrong of the producers to put me on TV. On The Voice, although I was much further on in my recovery from anorexia, I refused to wear outfits that would show too much of my body. I know better than anyone that young girls watch those shows and the last thing I wanted to do was inspire  in the worst possible way  someone else struggling with their body image. I wanted those girls to hear my voice, enjoy my music and follow their own dreams.

Molly performing on the voice in 2019

After winning, I felt momentum was building. I supported Celine Dion at Hyde Park, I got booked to perform on a Caribbean cruise and my single was all set to be released in April last year. Then the pandemic struck. At first I didnt cope well, and I suffered a breakdown. I thought everyone would forget about me and everything Id achieved would be for nothing.

As ever Mum was there for me. Weve had our squabbles  our home like so many others has been a pressure cooker at times  but she kept encouraging me and assuring me this will pass.

Ive been doing live performances online and staying active on social media. And hearing my single on the radio for the first time, after it was finally released in November, stopped me in my tracks. It reminded me of how far Ive come and that Mum has been with me for every step of my journey.

Sarah and Molly in four

Describe each other in three words

Sarah Determined. Funny. Empathetic.

Molly Caring. Hardworking. Memorable.

When youre together you love

Sarah Having a little drink and laughing.

Molly A day spent with Mum is the best kind of day.

Favourite memory of each other?

Sarah Playing Mary Poppins as a teenager  she was wonderful.

Molly When she got caught short at her friends wedding and had to go to the loo in a bush!

Their worst habit?

Sarah Shes very messy.

Molly Mum loves using cliches when she talks.
Microsoft Ireland MD Cathriona Hallahan is the main speaker at the first Network Ireland Kildare event of 2021.

In line with Covid-19 regulations, the talk will be a virtual event, and registration and Zoom tickets are available on Eventbrite. The free event will take place on Tuesday, January 26, from 7pm and is expected to last two hours.

As managing director for Microsoft in Ireland, Cathriona is responsible for driving Microsofts commercial business on the island of Ireland. In addition to managing the continued growth and expansion of the business, Cathriona also represents the company in Ireland on all strategic policy, corporate affairs and communications issues including overseeing a number of community, education and innovation programmes.

Cathriona joined Microsoft in 1986 and over the past 34 years has held a variety of senior roles in both finance and operations.

In June 2015 the Womens Executive Network inducted her into its Hall of Fame following three successive years of recognition as one of Irelands Top 25 Most Powerful Women.

Other speakers on the evening Kildare businesswomen Jill O'Meara of Jill O'Meara Photography; Maureen McCowen of Soft Skill Success and Emily Mahon of MentorUs Business Solutions (Kildare Branch Awards Coordinator).

Network Ireland is a nationwide organisation for women in business, professionals and entrepreneurs. This event is run in association with AIB, Leinster Leader/KildareNow and the Kildare Local Enterprise Office.
Facing high retention rates, the U.S. Air Force is expanding its voluntary force management programs in an effort to transfer some airmen into the Reserve. The programs are available to officers and enlisted troops.

The service announced this week that it has opened the application process for the Palace Chase program, which gives active-duty airmen the opportunity to finish their careers in the Air Force Reserve. It is also offering the limited Active Duty Service Commitment waivers program, in which eligible airmen will be asked to retire no later than Sept. 1 or separate no later than Sept. 29, according to a news release.

Officials didnt say how many airmen are eligible for these early-out programs.

"Voluntary force management programs provide airmen with flexible options to retire, separate or affiliate at times that suit their personal circumstances and allow the Department of the Air Force to balance certain specialties to ensure we meet the needs of the high-end fight," Col. Richard Cole, Military Sustainment and Transition Program Division chief, said in the release.

Read Next: Biden Has 'Not Spent a Moment' Considering Air Force One's Paint Job, Press Sec Says

"Air Force leaders are working hard to preserve the mission and care for the airmen who accomplish it," Cole said.

Last month, Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, said the Air Force would begin to move some troops voluntarily into other specialties or to the Guard or Reserve, because its retention rate in 2020 was the highest in two decades. The service had about 334,600 active-duty members at the time, exceeding its end strength goal of 333,700, he said.

Kelly attributed the retention gains to the downturn in the economy but also credited the service's efforts over the last five years to build up the force following congressionally mandated spending caps known as sequestration.

The programs are the service's initial steps to move airmen out of "overmanned" career fields; the Jan. 19 release did not identify those fields.

Applications for both programs will close April 2, according to the release.

The Palace Chase service commitment has been shortened.

Previously, enlisted airmen moving into the reserve component were required to serve two years for every year of service left within their commitment. Officers had to serve three years for every one year left. The expanded program now gives approved officers and enlisted members a 1:1 ratio -- serving one year for every year they had left in an active-duty capacity.

Those who finish out their careers under Palace Chase will not have to return unearned portions of their bonuses, officials said. And educational costs will be deferred until an airman finishes his or her commitment under Palace Chase.

To be eligible for the Active Duty Service Commitment waivers program, airmen must complete at least 20 years of total active federal military service; officers need at least 10 years of total active federal service as an officer before their requested retirement date, the release states.

Waivers for enlisted airmen would apply toward permanent change of station (PCS) moves, date estimated return from overseas (DEROS) curtailment, and senior noncommissioned officer promotions. Officer waivers will be considered for PCS, DEROS curtailment, tuition assistance, direct accession, and extended active-duty, ROTC or Officer Training School commitments, according to the release.

Airmen who receive a waiver will be required "to repay the government for related unearned portions of bonuses, special pays, education assistance and all other monetary incentives," the release states.

Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, Cole said.

"While an airman may be eligible, manning and mission requirements will be considered when evaluating applications," he said. "Airmen should consider their options and apply promptly if interested, as eligibility is subject to change quickly as applications are approved."

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.

Related: After Hitting Record Retention Numbers, Air Force May Push Some Troops Toward Reserves
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahraini students are continuing to prove that they are a cut above the rest when it comes to creativity.

Ali Hussain Al Muharraqi, Muhammad Ishaq, Noura Jalal, Zainab Al Momen, Khalil Ibrahim, the achievers list is growing at record speed.

Joining them in making Bahrain proud yesterday was Zahra Abdul Latif Abdullah.

Zahra is a student of Al- Hidd Secondary School for Girls.

She took first place in caricature competition held as part of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Awards for Childhood Creativity.

Coronavirus pandemic was the events theme, this year. I dedicates the victory to my dear country, which nurtured and encouraged me with several talented and creative students, said Zahra. She also thanked the Ministry of Education for the support.

I joined the ministrys Center for the Care of Gifted Students, under the supervision of Zainab Swar. Zahra also belongs to an artistic family. My older sister has previously participated in several foreign events.

I am also dedicating this win to my teachers at Al-Dair Primary and Preparatory School for Girls Shaima Murad, Nariman Abdullah, and A. Manal Youssef. They gave me constant motivation and encouragement. My teacher, Prof. Ibtisam Flamerzi, of Al-Hidd High school also helped me a lot.

I had previously participated in many Ministry of Education events, including the Childrens Art Exhibition, the Teachers Day Competition, and national events, which gave me many accolades and prizes, Zahra said.

When asked about her plans, Zahra said she is looking forward to work as an engineer to benefit from her capabilities in the technical field.

She is also planning to study more in art and participate in global events.
OLYMPIA, WA  A rapidly-spreading variant of the coronavirus has made its way to Washington, according to the state's top health officials.

The Washington State Department of Health confirmed Saturday that two Snohomish County residents had been found carrying the mutant strain  and that more are likely carrying it as well, but have yet to be detected.

"While finding the B.1.1.7 variant is concerning, we knew it was only a matter of time before we found evidence of it here in Washington." said Dr. Umair Shah, Washington's Secretary of Health. "That said, the health and safety of all Washingtonians remains our top priority."

The strain, sometimes called the "B.1.1.7 variant" or "SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01" was first detected in the United Kingdom back in September. The variant is especially worrying, as studies have found that it spreads much more easily and quickly than the first COVID-19 strain. It does not, however, cause more severe illnesses or further increase the risk of death.



While the two Snohomish County residents are the first to be found carrying the variant in Washington, they're very unlikely to be the last: the Centers for Disease Control predict that the fast-spreading variant will become the dominant strain of the disease in the U.S. within the next few months. As of Friday, there had been 195 confirmed cases of the variant strain in the country, spread across 22 states.

Still, it's unfortunate news for the evergreen state. Health officials have been warning that this variant could push Washington's already dangerously high transmission rate over the cliff.

"We need to expect the coronavirus equivalent of a Mount St. Helens-like eruption sometime in the next few months. That's because a more transmissible strain can cause a viral eruption in infections, hospitalizations and deaths that can overwhelm our hospital," said Dr. Jeff Duchin, King County's health officer.



Story continues

Related: King County Warns Variant Strain Could Stir Coronavirus 'Volcano'

The two cases of the variant strain were first identified by UW Medicine's Virology Lab, who will continue the search to catch any other cases of the variant that may crop up.



We thought this variant of concern was here, and now we know its here. It was a huge team effort by the UW Medicine Virology Lab and required development of several new rapid tests to detect and confirm it, said Dr. Alex Greninger, assistant professor for UW Medicine's Clinical Virology Lab.



In the meantime, the DOH warns that it is more critical than ever to follow COVID-19 safety regulations.

Now that this variant has been found, it underscores the absolute importance of doubling down on all the prevention measures to protect Washingtonians against COVID-19, Shah said.

They're reminding everyone: wear a mask while in social settings, keep gatherings outside when possible and avoid indoor events, to wash hands often, and to get tested if they have been exposed to COVID-19.



This article originally appeared on the Puyallup Patch
For those who have wondered about the early days of Tauranga, there are two highly informative nights planned this month.

The Battle of Pukehinahina - Gate Pa - in 1864 is one of the most significant events in the history of the city.

Historians Buddy Mikaere and Lt Col Dr Cliff Simons will explore why this battle happened, what happened during and after the battle and its importance for Tauranga today.

Cliff will also outline the story of the early Christian missionaries who made Tauranga their home.

St. George's Anglican Church in Gate Pa sits on the site of the Battle of Pukehinahina and will be hosting the two summer lectures.

Each year we offer free lectures to help the community understand our city's history and how it shapes our present, says the churchs vicar, Rev. John Hebenton.

The first lecture to be presented by Cliff at 7pm on Sunday, January 24, is titled: The story of the early CMS missionaries in New Zealand.

Cliff is a well-known historian, speaker and author who specialises in New Zealand's colonial and military history. He recently released the book Soldiers, Scouts and Spies, a military history of the New Zealand Wars 1845-1864.

Cliff will be placing the story of the early missionaries within the historical context so that we can understand the enormous contribution they made to Aotearoa-New Zealand, for better and for worse, in the nineteenth century, and their legacy today, says John.

On January 31, at 7pm, Buddy and Cliff will co-present a lecture on The Battle of Pukehinahina  Gate Pa.

Buddy is a former director of the Waitangi Tribunal and is a consultant, author and historian. Buddy and Cliff are the co-authors of the book: Victory at Gate Pa? and will offer both their up-to-date research done for their book published in October 2018, and the work they have done since for the reprint.

St George's Church operates with the kaupapa of  let everyone who enters here be reconciled, says John. There will be an opportunity for questions and discussion at the end of each lecture.

A koha  donations  will be collected at the door to help cover the costs.

For more information please contact Rev. John Hebenton on: John.Hebentontssf@gmail.com or go to the website: www.stgeorgesgatepa.com
Due to the recent Kentucky Supreme Court ruling, Red Mile Gaming & Racing has suspended its Historical Horse Racing operations temporarily.

We were disappointed the Kentucky Supreme Court denied our petition for rehearing, said Keeneland and Red Mile in a statement issued on Sunday (Jan. 24). At this time, Keeneland and Red Mile have made the very difficult decision to temporarily close historical horse racing operations until there is more clarity surrounding the situation. We have confidence the Kentucky legislature will continue its efforts to protect jobs and state revenue generated by historical horse racing, as well as protect Kentuckys signature horse racing industry.

The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled on Sept. 24, 2020 that the more than 900 historical racing machines in operation between Kentucky's racetracks violated Kentucky's Constitution because the betting into the machines did not operate using pari-mutuel pools.

Red Mile's statement comes after the Supreme Court rejected an appeal to rehear its ruling. The machines, which use the Encore system, also operate at Kentucky Downs and Ellis Park, while Churchill Downs runs different machines at Derby City Gaming and Oak Grove. At this time the Supreme Court's rejection to rehear its decision has implications for the machines running at the other tracks and on Churchill Downs' properties. However, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission issued a statement on Thursday (Jan. 21) saying that it will "act in accordance with the terms of the judgement entered by the Franklin Circuit Court" as determined by the Sept. 24 decision.

Members of the Kentucky government have voiced concern over the implications of the Supreme Court's decision, with Gov. Andy Beshear showing support to make the necessary amendments to Kentucky's current law.

If its going to take a legislative change, we need to make a legislative change to keep our horse industry competitive and to keep our commonwealth competitive, Beshear said to the Courier Journal.

Red Mile will close at end of business on Sunday (Jan. 24). A reopening date has not been identified at this time.

(with files from Red Mile and Courier Journal)
Sen. Bernie Sanders said the photo of him from Inauguration Day that became a viral meme and exploded across social media has turned out to be a good thing, and not only a fun thing.

The photo from President Joe Bidens inauguration on Wednesday features the Vermont senator sitting cross-legged in a chair and decked out in a coat, mask and mittens  sitting at a social distance from other spectators. The image almost immediately caught the internets attention.

The picture was not only spread far and wide as a meme, but it eventually led creative people to Photoshop the image of Sanders sitting in the chair onto different backgrounds, placing him in setting such as movie scenes, famous paintings and historical moments.

When asked by CNNs Dana Bash on State of the Union on Sunday about the photo and subsequent memes, Sanders said hes having fun with the viral moment. He added that hes turned the image into sweatshirts and T-shirts, which hes selling in his campaign store, with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward Vermont charities focused on fighting hunger.

What we're doing here in Vermont is, we're going to be selling around the country sweatshirts and T-shirts. And all of the money that's going to be raised, which I expect will be a couple of million dollars, will be going to programs like Meals on Wheels that feed low-income senior citizens, Sanders said. "So, it turns out, actually, to be a good thing, and not only a fun thing.
VERONA, Miss. (WTVA) -- A Verona police officer is being treated for injuries after a struggle with a man at a city convenience store.

Police Chief Marsenio Nunn says the officer and the man began to struggle inside the store around 3:30 this afternoon.

Nunn says the man attempted to get the officer's service weapon and it discharged during the struggle.

Update - Greenwood man charged with assaulting Verona police officer

He says no one was hit by the gunshot.

Nunn says the man was taken into custody and the police officer was taken to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo with injuries.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is looking into the shooting.
Cairo, Jan 25 : Turkey announced on Sunday that 6.5 million more doses of Covid-19 vaccines would arrive in Turkey from China.

Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said in a tweet that the arrival of new Chinese vaccines on Monday are part of the second planned shipment of 10 million doses of the vaccines developed by the Chinese company Sinovac, the Xinhua news agency reported.

After receiving the first batch of 3 million doses of vaccines from China at the end of December, Turkey launched the mass vaccination program on January 14. More than 1.24 million people have been vaccinated so far.

Turkey reported 5,277 new Covid-19 cases and 140 deaths, pushing its tally of infections to 24,29,605 and its death toll to 25,073. The total recoveries from the disease rose by 5,860 to 23,07,721.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 20:52:17|Editor: huaxia

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THE HAGUE, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- On the first curfew day in the Netherlands, 3,600 fines were handed out and 25 people were arrested on Saturday night for violating the curfew rules, police said on Sunday.

In the battle against the spread of COVID-19 in the Netherlands, people are not allowed to enter the streets between 9 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. without a valid reason from Saturday night.

The police said that the overall picture was mostly calm after the curfew started. Of those who were checked, 80 percent had the correct forms with them to fall under the exception rules.

The 25 arrests were made because these people refused to go inside or due to public violence, said the police. The 3,600 people who received a fine have to pay 95 euros.

A group of young people caused unrest in the northern town of Urk where police cars were destroyed and a COVID-19 testing facility was set on fire. Two people were arrested and several dozen fines were issued, according to the police.

In the southern town of Stein, about a hundred people wanted to enjoy music and drink alcohol after 9 p.m. local time. When the police intervened, one officer was slightly injured by one of those present. According to the police, fireworks were also thrown at officers. Fourteen people were arrested.

The curfew is scheduled to last until Feb. 9. Enditem
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.

Satyanarayana rebuked the SEC for preparing to hold the elections when the state government was struggling to contain Covid and was busy with the vaccination programme. (Photo:DC)

NELLORE: Municipal administration minister Botsa Satyanarayana on Saturday came down heavily against Leader of the Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu for hobnobbing with State Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar and weakening the states democratic process.

He was in Nellore to take part in various developmental programmes along with Water Resources Minister Dr P. Anilkumar Yadav.

Speaking to media persons, he slammed Naidu for not holding elections although the tenure of the local bodies had ended in 2018 when he was the chief minister.

Satyanarayana rebuked the SEC for preparing to hold the elections when the state government was struggling to contain Covid and was busy with the vaccination programme.

Nimmagadda has been addressing officials like a political leader forgetting that he is a Commissioner, he said adding that he had never seen such a situation in his 30-year political career.

He expressed his displeasure over the SECs stance against senior IAS officer Gopala Krishna Dwivedi while reminding that he had earlier served as the Election Commissioner with utmost sincerity.

Stressing that the SEC has been acting in an inappropriate way and in a biased manner, he said the SEC was utilising the constitutional body for his personal reasons.

The minister said that the SEC had postponed elections when the government was ready and there were only 50 odd Covid cases then.

He is going ahead with the election process when the situation is critical in the state the Municipal minister alleged while maintaining that nothing will happen if elections are postponed by two to three months.

Pointing out to some officers being relieved, he said the SEC had done so before releasing the election notification.

Satyanarayana charged that the opposition was behind attacks on temples and theft of idols as they were frustrated at the rising popularity of the ruling party. He said CCTV footage on the Tekkali incident is a clear example of TDP role in the incidents.

Meanwhile, the municipal development minister laid the foundation stone for the Gosha hospital in the town along with Dr. P Anil Kumar.

After a review of the activities of Nellore Municipal Corporation, the Minister inspected the housing colony built by TIDCO during the TD regime. Nellore rural legislator Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy was also present.


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SANTA FE, N.M.  Jaquelyn Martinez and her dog Mija were the only demonstrators outside the Roundhouse last weekend.

With threats of violence made upon state capitals nationwide ahead of President Joe Bidens inauguration last Wednesday, we at Journal North were tasked with staking out the Roundhouse last weekend to make sure there wasnt any trouble.

And, if there was trouble, we were to spring into action and do that journalism thing we journalists love to do.

But, frankly, I didnt feel like doing any journalism last weekend. Because if I did, it meant that something bad happened. And the threat was real; it just might.

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Id seen the images from the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol 10 days earlier, including attacks on journalists, and I wasnt up for that kind of excitement. I would have been perfectly happy to spend my time on Roundhouse Riot Watch kickin back in my car, listening to tunes, sipping coffee and keeping warm.

I had the early shift Saturday morning and it was quiet around the Roundhouse when I arrived shortly after 9 a.m. The Capitol was completely enclosed by a 6-foot chain-link fence erected a few days earlier, there were police vehicles with emergency lights flashing at every intersection and several streets were blocked off. But, other than that, it was a cold, blustery winter morning in the City Different no different from any other.

There was a little activity. Workers were putting up a second layer of fencing on the east side of the Roundhouse. But there were no signs of trouble. So, I found a place to park my car without appearing too conspicuous, kicked back and turned on the tunes.

After a while, I did notice a curious sight. It was a woman carrying a sign I was too far away to read, walking a dog along Old Santa Fe Trail in front of the Capitol. What made it unusual was that the dog was wearing some kind of glittery red vest and there were balloons protruding from it. I watched them cross Paseo de Peralta and head west out of my view.

A while later, they appeared again coming back the other way. It became apparent that this woman and her dog were demonstrating, and that I might need to do some journalism.

So, I left the warmth of my car to venture out into the cold and wind to find out what the story was with this woman and her dog.

The dogs name is Mija, which means my daughter in Spanish, I was reminded.

Shes an Australian Shepherd about 1 years old. And shes a sweetheart.

Speaking of which, Mija was wearing an outfit seemingly fashioned from a pair of sparkling red Valentine hearts with Love written in white letters.

Alas, the balloons once tethered to Mijas vest had been lost to the wind.

The young womans name was Jaquelyn Martinez. Shes from Santa Fe and shes 20 years old.

Dressing up her dog like she did, she obviously wanted to get attention. She had something to say and she summed it up in four phrases:

Spread love not hate!

America needs unity

Love thy neibor (presumably use of the obsolete form of the word to save space)

We are in this together

Thats the message Jaquelyn wanted to communicate  if not to violent protesters that might show up, then to random passersby along Paseo de Peralta.

But there was more to the story.

I asked Jaquelyn what compelled her to come out, and walk up and down the street on a cold windy day.

My grandmother works at the Legislature, she told me. I dont want what happened in Washington to happen here.

Jaquelyn said she had been there since 9 a.m., and planned to keep marching back and forth until it was time for her Nana to come home.

I went to work that morning feeling a bit apprehensive about what might happen that day. But, when my shift was over, I went home that day feeling a bit more hopeful for the future.

T.S. Last is editor of Journal North
Rescue workers on Sunday lifted out the first of 22 miners trapped for two weeks hundreds of metres underground in an east China mine, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

The man, discovered Sunday in a separate section of the mine to the 10 workers who had already established contact with rescuers, was in "extremely weak physical condition", CCTV said.

Rescuers have been battling difficult conditions to help the workers since an underground explosion at the Hushan mine in Shandong province sealed them underground amid rising waters on January 10.

State broadcaster footage showed a small elevator carriage lifted to the surface by a huge drill, accompanied by rescue workers. A masked man, who appeared unable to stand, was carried out.

Contact was first established a week ago with a group of 11 miners trapped in a section of the mine around 580 metres (1,900 feet) below the surface.

One of them was seriously injured in the initial explosion and has been confirmed dead after suffering head injuries and falling into a coma.

Rescue teams have been lowering food, medicine and other supplies through several "lifeline" shafts drilled into the rock. Life detectors and nutrient solutions have been lowered to other parts of the mine to find the other missing miners.

The rescued miner was found in a section closer to the surface than the section where the first group are located, CCTV reported.

State media footage on Sunday showed several tall drills boring down.

A twelfth miner is believed to be trapped on his own, 100 metres further down in rising waters.

For the other nine miners, hopes are dwindling as they have not been heard from since the explosion.

Rescue workers said Friday it could take at least another two weeks to free the miners, citing a massive blockage that has delayed drilling efforts, according to state media.

Rescuers are trying to widen one of the shafts to eventually allow the workers to be brought up to the surface.

Story continues

Mining accidents are common in China, where the industry has a poor safety record and regulations are often weakly enforced.

In December, 23 workers died after becoming stuck underground in the southwestern city of Chongqing.

lxc/qan

Yet another lockdown party was disbanded by the police in Tintigny on Sunday morning at 4AM, the public prosecutors office says. 27 French citizens had attended it.

Despite social distancing restrictions, twenty-seven young French people had gathered in a holiday home that was designed for just 20 guests. It was the third time that police discovered such an illegal gathering this weekend in the province de Luxembourg.

On Friday, 17 Dutch partygoers were found in a holiday home in Mande-Ste-Marie, close to Bastogne.

The same night, police also disbanded a party that took place in an office space in Gouvy; 8 people had attended it.

MDHHS reiterates importance of COVID-19 testing as more cases of B.1.1.7 variant detected at U-M and in Wayne County resident

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 23, 2021

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112

LANSING, MICH. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is emphasizing the importance of COVID-19 testing with additional cases of the variant B.1.1.7 detected in a Wayne County resident and among people associated with the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Today MDHHS identified a variant case in an adult male who lives in Wayne County through a specimen sent to the departments Bureau of Laboratories. The laboratory also detected the variant in specimens from two adult females associated with the U-M, which previously had three B.1.1.7 cases identified.

B.1.1.7 spreads more easily between people, but there has been no indication that it affects the clinical outcomes or disease severity compared to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that has been circulating across the United States for months.

The new variant is present in Michigan and we are at risk of seeing more spread of COVID-19. Everyone should do their part to end this pandemic. Get tested if you have been exposed, have symptoms, or have recently traveled to an area with a new variant spreading, said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. Make sure you are following all quarantine and isolation guidance. And do your part to prevent the spread of this virus by continuing to wear your mask, avoid gatherings, socially distance, and washing your hands.

Residents can find COVID-19 test sites in their communities at Michigan.gov/CoronavirusTest.

Symptoms may include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, loss of taste, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.

Because the variant spreads more easily, it could increase the number of people who need to be hospitalized or who lose their lives to COVID-19 should the new variant begin circulating widely in Michigan. It is possible that there are more B.1.1.7 cases in Michigan that have not been identified.

The health departments are working closely with U-M on strategies to prevent spread of the virus.

Based on available evidence, current tests and vaccines for COVID-19 also work against this new variant. Protective actions that prevent the spread of COVID-19 will also prevent the spread of the new variant, B.1.1.7. Michiganders should:

Get vaccinated for COVID-19.

Wear a mask around others.

Stay 6 feet apart from others.

Wash hands often.

Ventilate indoor spaces.

Whole genome sequencing allows scientists to examine the genetic material of pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. Over the past 10 months, laboratories across Michigan have been submitting samples to the state public health laboratory for surveillance to help monitor the emergence of any variants of concern. MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories prioritizes additional specimens for whole genome sequencing when there is increased concern for a new variant of the virus, such as in people with a travel history to places where the variant is known to be circulating.

At this time, information is limited and changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

# # #
Posted Sunday, January 24, 2021 8:16 am

In his first week in office, President Joe Biden swiftly signed a stack of executive orders intended to make a break from the Donald Trump era.

And as Biden moves forward, Washington state residents are likely to see a dramatic  if not surprising  sea change in national policy expected to trickle out of the nation's capital all the way to the Pacific Northwest.

The policy shifts range from a national distribution strategy for a COVID-19 vaccine and more pandemic relief, to reversals on immigration and environmental policy, and perhaps even a nationwide infrastructure package.

The new presidency comes along with Democratic control of Congress, and a U.S. Senate majority that elevates Washington Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to influential committee chair positions. Those positions allow the senators powerful positions to oversee policy on everything from schools and health care to aviation, rail and roads, and to make sure Washington state issues get attention.

"I think it's fair to say that Washington is better positioned right now in terms of the change of a national government [than in] in years," said Cornell Clayton, director of the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University.

The dynamics have Democratic elected officials hoping for strong action on a range of their priorities.

"We are for the first time going to have a president who actually understands how serious this virus is and how deeply engaged the federal government has to be in terms of utilizing every tool," said U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle.

On the other side of the aisle, Washington State Republican Party Chairman Caleb Heimlich said he appreciated Biden's calls for unity in his inaugural address.

"It's going to be really telling in the coming days how President Biden chooses to govern," said Heimlich, pointing to the president's speedy executive orders. "And if he chooses to govern by executive authority, I don't think that's going to bring the country together."

Here's a look at what a Biden administration may mean for Washington residents:

COVID-19 aid and vaccine distribution

Biden plans to launch a nationalized vaccine rollout, ramped-up testing and aid to states.

That ambitious push comes as the pandemic reached yet another grim milestone last week, with more than 400,000 Americans dead.

The vaccine rollout comes with Biden's new proposed $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid package. It includes funding to help reopen schools; assist state and local governments facing budget shortfalls; provide rental assistance and small-business relief; and provide $1,400 direct payments to individuals.

With Democrats holding the slimmest of majorities in Congress, it's doubtful the whole package will pass, Clayton said. But, "Something will come through, for sure."

Democratic state lawmakers have said they are hoping for a robust aid package.

With Washington state's vaccine rollout having started slowly, GOP House Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox of Yelm said he hopes the federal government can help on that front.

"Let's continue to put the pressure on improving the rollout of vaccines," he said.

Democratic House Speaker Laurie Jinkins of Tacoma said Biden will have "a competent approach to delivering vaccines throughout the country" and actually show "an interest in the health of Americans across the country." Biden has announced a goal of administering 1 million vaccinations a day.

Democratic state lawmakers still hope for aid to state and local governments to fill budget gaps created by the pandemic.

But state Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, said she hopes any new federal dollars will go not to governments, but to "job creators, our family-owned businesses, our employees."

Transportation and infrastructure

Washington officials have for years talked about the need for additional transit and road projects as well as new water infrastructure.

And while the former president campaigned on and talked about delivering a big federal infrastructure package, a deal between the president and majorities in Congress never materialized.

Here, state lawmakers have been discussing a new statewide transportation package, including the replacement of the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River between Washington and Oregon, and Snohomish County's aging Highway 2 trestle.

Sen. Rebecca Saldana, D-Seattle, said she hopes the federal government will help fund those projects, as well as improvements to multimodal and clean-energy projects.

"Hopefully we'll have a partner that's willing to build back better, and that will invest in green infrastructure and transportation," said Saldana, vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.

There are also needs around the state for water- and wastewater-infrastructure projects that a Biden administration could address, Wilcox said.

Cantwell said last week that she expects to join with the Biden administration in pushing for the sort of national infrastructure that has stalled in recent years. The committee she is set to chair oversees a range of transportation topics, from roads, rails and buses to commercial airplanes.

Environment and climate

Shortly after being sworn in Wednesday, Biden moved to rejoin the Paris climate accords, which commit 195 nations and other signatories to set goals to reduce carbon emissions.

The office of Gov. Jay Inslee, whose signature priority has been fighting climate change, said they will push for the Biden administration to address carbon emissions in various ways.

Inslee's office will "advocate for bold climate action and restore the United States' role as a global leader on fighting the existential threat of climate change," according to spokesperson Mike Faulk. And the office "will fight to reinstate strong emissions standards and clean car standards, eliminate tax subsidies for fossil fuels and providing incentives for renewable energy projects.

"We'll also push for more funding for Puget Sound and salmon recovery," added Faulk in an email.

Cantwell and Murray also sent a letter to Biden last week requesting that he approve the repeated requests Inslee made to Trump for a major disaster declaration and federal assistance resulting from last fall's wildfires. The fires destroyed more than 600,000 acres and hundreds of homes and businesses.

Immigration policies

The Trump era was defined by attempts to restrict immigration, deport undocumented immigrants and keep out visitors from many Muslim countries.

The Biden administration moved swiftly last week with executive orders to reverse the travel ban and protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. In Washington state, large numbers of immigrants help fuel both the high-tech industries and the labor-intensive agricultural sectors.

Jayapal said she expects to see a strong immigration reform bill from Biden, who has said he will lay out "a clear road map to citizenship" for 11 million people living in the U.S. unlawfully, and create permanent protection from deportation for young migrants, known as "Dreamers," under the DACA program.

Raul Garcia, a GOP candidate for governor who lost in the August primary and is considered more of a moderate in his party, said he hopes for a deal on immigration reform.

"When I ran for governor, one of the things that differentiated me from the other Republican candidates is that I wanted immigration reform.

"I even went on to say that I think that we should find a way for those people who have been here for 20 years, working hard, paying taxes and trying to be Americans, and not committing crimes, to find a way for them to be sponsored, as Ronald Reagan did," said Garcia in an interview. "I think it's only fair that these people get a chance."

Economy and trade

Jayapal, who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said she expects Biden to embrace a $15 minimum wage  a policy the president has already put in his proposed COVID-19 relief package  as well as the hiring of 600,000 long-term care workers and 100,000 public health workers.

Biden is unlikely to get a new national minimum wage that high, Clayton said, and Washington state already has one of the highest such laws in the nation at $13.69 per hour.

But increasing the national minimum wage by any measure would benefit Washington, Clayton said. As other states increase their base wages, he said, "it'll make Washington look more competitive."

On trade issues, Biden is expected to move away from the former president's emphasis on tariffs. That move could benefit Washington agricultural industries and its technology sector, Clayton said.

Seattle Times staff reporter Nina Shapiro contributed to this report.

___

(c)2021 The Seattle Times

Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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O God, only your kingdom is everlasting and your power infinite.

Your Word tells us that you plant, uproot, and tear down the nations as you will. Righteousness exalts a nation, and sin is a reproach to any people. Therefore, have mercy upon these United States, forgive us of our many sins, and do not judge us accordingly. Stay your hand of wrath still, show grace to everyone, but especially to them that love you and seek to walk in your ways. Restore us, God Almighty; make your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved. (Ps. 80:7).

Sovereign Lord, we earnestly pray for our new President, Joseph R. Biden Jr., and Vice President, Kamala Harris, and their administration. Your Providence removes rulers and sets up rulers, and so we receive them now as coming from you for this time and hour, whether we support their political stances or not. We humbly ask you to direct their hearts and minds like you would a stream of water, guiding it wherever you please. Knowing they are first to be your ministers, we fervently pray that paramount to them would be your honor and glory. We petition that everyone, duly considering whose authority our President and Vice President bear, may faithfully, appropriately, and obediently honor them, according to your blessed Word and ordinance.

Gracious Lord, guide those that make up their administration, and grant to them at this time gifts of wisdom and understanding, counsel and strength; to truly uphold what is right, and follow what is true.

You are the King of righteousness. We plead with you to lead us in the ways of justice, peace, and freedom. Inspire us as a people to reject every form of tyranny and oppression, to work for the gain of every persons due, and to receive from every person their due service, that each may live for all and all may care for each.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Telcos have asked the government to clarify about the entity that will be held liable if there is security breach in the network post implementation of National Security Directive (NSD) on the telecom sector, according to industry sources aware of the development. The telecom operators have given their input to the government in a meeting called by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) about one-and-a-half weeks back, industry sources told .

"A meeting was called to work on road map for trusted products by the NSCS. Senior regulatory officials of telecom service providers attended the meeting and gave their inputs. Telcos wanted the government to come out with clear guidelines on who will be responsible for breach in the network if the government is making a list of trusted products that have to be deployed in the network," a private operator official told .

Under the current rules, telecom operators are held responsible if there is any security breach in their network.

Another private operator representative said that two private mobile service providers want the government to ensure price competitiveness among vendors in case equipment from China are barred from the networks.

"It was suggested that the price competitiveness can be maintained by way of reducing import duties. Nokia and Ericsson have told government officials that the prices of their telecom gears will come down as they are manufacturing in India and saving on import duty," the representative said.

In a bid to tighten security of communications network, the government on December 16 had announced the National Security Directive on Telecommunication Sector, which will mandate service providers to purchase equipment from trusted sources.

Notably, Chinese telecom gear maker Huawei has had its run-ins in the past with governments of Canada and the US. The US has alleged that it did not comply with its cybersecurity and privacy laws leaving the country and the citizens vulnerable to espionage.

There have been several reports claiming that India will likely cut Huawei gear from telecom network.

The meeting was attended by representatives from industry body COAI, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea.

Telecom equipment companies were not part of the said meeting, the source said.

Also read: If not 100 MHz, telcos should get 80 MHz 5G spectrum: TRAI Chairman

Also read: BSNL staff body asks CMD to meet unions for telco's revival
Forbidden Children by Russian director Evdokia Moskvina won the Best Documentary award in the Women Filmmakers Section of the Dhaka International Film Festival in Bangladesh.

Taking place between 16 and 24 January 2021, the festival's 19th edition screened over 220 films across its numerous sections: The Asian Film Competition, Bangladesh Panorama, Cinema of the World, Women Filmmakers, the Spiritual Section, Children Film Session, Tributes and Retrospectives, the Short Films Competition, among others.

This year, the general theme of the festival is Better Film, Better Audience, and Better Society.

The_ISIS_CHILDREN_Trailer from Evdokia Moskvina on Vimeo.

Directed by independent Russian filmmaker Evdokia Moskvina in 2019, Forbidden Children looks at the lives of five small girls who after losing their parents to ISIS, were left alone in Al-Hol camp in North-East Syria.

Al-Hol is the largest refugee/internally displaced people camp in Syria with a population exceeding 65 thousand refugees.

"In an indifferent world that does not know what to do with them since they had been growing up inside a so called caliphate. Now they returned to their homeland, to those who love them. Can the international community help repatriate those who are still left behind?" the brief reads.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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Pakistan has generated 308 Twitter handles between January 13 and 18 to push hashtags on farmers' tractor parade on Republic Day and create confusion among the protesters and trouble during the rally, Delhi Police claimed on Sunday.

Special Commissioner (Intelligence) Deepender Pathak told reporters that a social media analysis using a sophisticated IT tool showed the generation of these Twitter handles, which were posting messages that are meant to create "confusion" within farmers.

Farmers' protest news update on DH

He said these handles were working to create confusion and trouble during the tractor rally. "These handles were pushing the hashtags on the tractor parade. We also have our eyes on Pakistan-based terror outfits who may want to use the occasion to create trouble. We have put in place a robust security ring," Pathak said.

Sources said Delhi Police has noted in its analysis that various profiles on Twitter posting messages on tractor parade mention their location as Middle-East and Turkey among others but were actually proxy accounts created by Pakistan to bolster the campaign "#SupportKhalistan".

Read | Farmers set for tractor rally on Republic Day; Delhi Police step up security

The analysis also showed that the support from Pakistan was coming in two shapes, one direct and open and other disguised as accounts from different countries, they said adding Pakistan is the most active location of the hashtag on Khalistan.

With a large number of Sikh farmers participating in the protests, some Khalistani groups have jumped in offering support and solidarity. The analysis also names Radio Pakistan, the official broadcaster, and some journalists as being influencers from Pakistan.

Sources also claimed that Pakistan agencies created a number of Twitter handles with Indian names to hoodwink people searching social media. Pathak said they have also received intelligence inputs from various agencies and states about attempts to create trouble during the farmers' parade.

Since November last year, farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have been protesting against the Centre's three new agriculture laws at several Delhi border points, including Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur, demanding that the legislations be repealed.

While police tried to convince farmer leaders to hold their tractor parade outside the national capital, they were adamant on holding the proposed rally on Delhi's busy Outer Ring Road.

Earlier, there have been three rounds of meetings between the unions and police officers from Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, but it was during the fourth round of talks over the tractor parade on Friday where both sides reached an agreement.
The shattered widow of a young carpenter who died one month after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer says she will do everything in her power to ensure no other family is left without a father like her three beloved children.

To anyone who knew them, Chloe and Peter Cook were the picture of 'happily ever after'.

The high school sweethearts devoted themselves to raising daughter Ava, four, sons Chaz, three, and one-year-old Reed in Colac, the lakeside town they grew up in 150 kilometres south-west of Melbourne.

Their world came crashing down when Peter, 29, was diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma, an inoperable and incurable form of brain cancer with an average life expectancy of 12 months. The father-of-three had just 32 days.

'I guess you'd say we were inseparable,' Chloe told Daily Mail Australia.

'I still can't believe he's gone. I can't wrap my head around never seeing him again, it just blows my mind.'

Scroll down for video

Chloe and Peter Cook were the picture of 'happily ever after', raising their children Ava (left), Reed (centre) and Chaz (right) in Colac, the lakeside town they grew up in 150km south-west of Melbourne

Chloe and Peter (pictured in the final weeks of his life) were inseparable until the end

Peter started to experience intense fleeting headaches and an uncharacteristic loss of appetite in the first half of 2020, but it wasn't until late July that his health took a frightening turn.

Crippled by the excruciating pain in his head, by that time almost constant, he saw a GP who immediately referred him for scans and blood tests at a local medical centre.

The journey to and from that facility on July 28 was the last time he would ever drive a car.

A call from the doctor three hours later revealed a 'large mass' was growing on Peter's brain, but the couple were assured it was 'low grade' and likely benign.

'We were both in shock but we definitely didn't think this would be something that would take him,' Chloe said.

'It's like, you look at people with tumours and you think, "doctors will fix you and life goes on" - we thought we'd just go back to living ours.'

The high school sweethearts (pictured) were always together and had endless plans for the future

The life Chloe and Peter (pictured) had built together came crashing down when he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer

Chloe has been left to raise her three kids (Ava, centre, Chaz, left and Reed, on his mother's lap) alone

An assessment at a major Melbourne hospital on July 29 confirmed the growth was inoperable due to its position deep in the cerebral cortex.

But a shunt inserted to drain fluid from the mass instantly alleviated Peter's headaches, raising hopes his condition could be managed with treatment.

Those dreams were dashed weeks later when Chloe woke to find Peter gazing ahead with a 'blank stare' that told her something much more sinister was at play.

'It was like the lights were on but no one was home. He lost the sparkle in his eyes,' she said.

A shunt inserted to drain fluid from the mass saw Peter (pictured at a radiation centre in Geelong) improve, raising hopes his condition could be managed with treatment

Chloe (pictured with Peter in palliative care) never left her husband's side

With Peter becoming increasingly disoriented, losing his balance and suffering persistent short-term memory lapses, the couple returned for a CT scan on September 20 which showed huge volumes of fluid collecting on his brain.

A biopsy taken during a second shunt surgery looked positive and doctors reiterated that the mass was 'low grade' and treatable with chemotherapy and radiation which would shrink it to manageable size.

'I was on a high, that sick feeling in my stomach was gone,' Chloe recalled.

But the high was short-lived.

The doting father (pictured with three-year-old son, Reed) believed he would survive right up until the day he died

Peter's health deteriorated with frightening speed and he began to suffer limb spasms, delusions and extreme fatigue that saw him sleep more than 20 hours a day.

At a meeting with neurosurgeons on October 5, Chloe and Peter were given the devastating news that the tumour was stage four glioblastoma.

He was allowed to return to Colac to be with his family until his illness became so grave that Chloe could no longer care for him at home.

'He was always outside playing with the kids, making them breakfast. He was a great dad but that part of him was gone then,' she said.

Peter spent a week in palliative care before losing his battle on the evening of November 6.

Peter lost his battle on November 6 and was laid to rest one week later on November 13, in a ceremony attended by his friends and family including little Ava, four, and Chaz, three (pictured sticking close to their mother)

Chloe's babies farewelled their father by releasing a balloon that floated over his hearse

He was laid to rest one week later in a ceremony on November 13.

Peter's children farewelled their father by releasing a balloon that floated over his hearse.

Chloe said it was 'unimaginably difficult' to watch the love of her life bedridden and unable to speak as he lost control of his bodily functions.

'It just happened so fast. I knew he was never going to come home and he didn't,' she said.

'He still believed he'd be back at work, he believed that right up until the day he died.'

Peter's death left Chloe (pictured in two months after his passing) feeling angry with the world

Peter Cook is one of roughly 1,879 Australians diagnosed with a brain tumour each year, government health data shows.

While annual figures for glioblastoma patients are not regularly recorded, a 2013 report lists 982 new cases in Australia.

Warning signs include headaches, fatigue and light sensitivity, as well as nausea, vomiting, double vision and confusion.

But as Peter's story proves, the disease can progress rapidly and insidiously with scarcely any symptoms.

When glioblastoma has advanced to level four, patients are given a prognosis of 12 to 14 months.

Peter's death left Chloe feeling angry with the world.

'I just couldn't stop thinking, I'm 25, he's 29, we've got three kids under five,' she said.

'You hear of people passing away, you read these stories, but I never thought I'd be the one telling it.'

Symptoms of glioblastoma Glioblastoma is a rare and highly malignant brain tumour that typically develops in the cerebral hemispheres of the brain (the main body), but can also occur in any area of the brain or spinal cord. They are particularly malignant because they grow rapidly, supported by an extensive network of blood vessels connected to the brain. It is most common in older adults, but can also occur in children and teens. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, double vision and confusion or sudden change in mental clarity. More specific symptoms depend on the location of the tumour and the functions affected. For example, glioblastoma that occur near the motor cortex - the part of the brain involved in movement - can cause loss of sensation on one side of the body. Source: Cure Brain Cancer Australia Advertisement

Since sharing her story on her Instagram page 'The Cookie Clan', Chloe has been inundated with messages and said she is 'blown away' by the number of lives claimed by brain cancer.

'All in it was only 104 days from the time they found the mass and 32 days from the glioblastoma diagnosis until he passed,' she said.

'Our lives have changed so much, so quickly.'

Brave Chloe is channelling her grief into raising awareness about brain cancer, selling children's clothing she designed with her husband before his death with 15 percent of profits donated to Australian charities and support foundations.

Sales of Chloe's Cookie Clan children's clothing (pictured) have raised $3,000 for Australian brain cancer charities since Peter's death in November

Sell-out sales have raised $3,000 in the three months since Peter's death, providing a faint glimmer of light amidst the darkness.

'I keep thinking he should be here to see this,' Chloe said.

She said it is her life's mission to fight for better treatment and a cure for brain cancer so other families are spared the heartbreak hers are going through.

'I get to talk about him and share our story everyday,' she said. 'I'm grateful for that.'

For more information on glioblastoma and other types of brain tumours, please visit the Australian Cancer Council or Brain Foundation.


Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Cloudy. Periods of rain early. Thunder possible. Low near 40F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Cloudy. Periods of rain early. Thunder possible. Low near 40F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%.

In a scathing attack on former US President Donald Trump, The Washington Post revealed that the republican leader had made a total of 30,573 false claims during his tenure as the President.

As per the publication, Trump's assault on power began on the very first day in the office and continued to increase over the period of his reign. What began as his fabricated notion that he held the "all-time record" for appearing on the cover of Time magazine, culminated in his spreading wild theories that the coronavirus pandemic would disappear "like a miracle" and that the presidential election had been stolen.

The Washington Post reported that for more than 10 years, the Fact Checker had assessed the accuracy of claims made by politicians in both parties but Trump, with his total disregard for facts, posed a new challenge. What started as a weekly feature, "What Trump got wrong on Twitter this week" was soon enough turned into a project for Trump's first 100 days. Then, in response to reader requests, the Trump database was maintained for four years.

An assessment of the Fact Checker database shows the rapid escalation in the rate of Trump's dishonesty over time. Trump averaged about six claims a day in his first year as president, 16 claims day in his second year, 22 claims day in his third year, and 39 claim a day in his final year.

Noting Trump's penchant for lies, presidential historian Michael Beschloss stated that "As a result of Trump's constant lying through the presidential megaphone, more Americans are skeptical of genuine facts than ever before,".

As per findings, nearly half of the false claims were communicated at his campaign rallies or via his now-suspended Twitter account.

Some of the claims made by the leader include, in late 2019 when he responded to the uproar over a phone call in which he urged Ukraine's president to announce an investigation of former vice president Joe Biden with more than 1,000 false and misleading claims on the issue in just four months.

Trump touted phony metrics to claim he successfully defeated the virus, pitched ineffective "cures" and constantly attacked former President Barack Obama for alleged failures, such as leaving a "bare cupboard" of ventilators and bungling the response to the swine flu pandemic in 2009-2010.

The only time he was quiet was when he was detected having contracted the deadly virus.

Also read Trumping Trump: Joe Biden Signs 30 Executive Orders in First 3 Days in Office. Here are All of Them

In speech after speech, he made baseless claims of potential election fraud, while attacking Biden as a mental incompetent.

"It's going to be a fraud," Trump told Sean Hannity of Fox News a month before voters went to the polls. "This is a terrible thing that's happening to our country."

After Nov. 3, he made more than 800 false or misleading claims about election fraud, including 76 times offering some variation of "rigged election." At his Jan. 6 speech at the Ellipse, in which he incited the attack on the Capitol, Trump made 107 false or misleading claims, almost all about the election.

One-fifth of his nearly 2,500 claims about the economy was the same falsehood that he was responsible for creating the greatest economy in U.S. history. After the coronavirus outbreak tanked the economy, he amped up the rhetoric to say he had created the greatest economy in world history.

Nearly 300 times Trump falsely said that he passed the biggest tax cut in history. Even before his tax cut was crafted, he promised that it would be the biggest in U.S. history - bigger than President Ronald Reagan's in 1981. Reagan's tax cut amounted to 2.9% of the gross domestic product, and none of the proposals under consideration came close to that level.

Trump's penchant for repeating false claims is demonstrated by the fact that the Fact Checker database has recorded about 750 instances in which he has repeated a variation of the same claim at least three times.

His eccentric claims often landed him in trouble, the very last one resulting in the US Capitol siege following his impeachment on Jan 6, 2021.
Journey to the Mountain of Worshipers in Southern Turkey

The house of an Assyrian in the village of Arkah, designed to resemble an Assyrian palace from the ancient period. ( Athra Kado) ALQOSH -- In November, I traveled to the beautiful Assyrian villages situated in TurAbdin in southern Turkey. Located a few hundred kilometers northwest of my home in the Nineveh Plains in northern Iraq, TurAbdin is accessible using the Ibrahim Al-Khalil port. It took me five hours to reach TurAbdin's city of Midyat (Akkadian: Matiate).

I was welcomed by my friends Eliyo Eliyo, an archeologist, Adem Cosken, a Syriac language teacher in Mardin University, and his brother Sharo. They all speak a western-dialect of the Syriac language, which any eastern-dialect speaker can understand with some concentration or word comparison.

Many of the TurAbdin-area families returned from Europe to rebuild and renovate their homes. They have also reclaimed many areas, properties and villages from the government after being forced to abandon them in the 1980s and 1990s due to Kurdish and Turkish clashes. The inhabitants fled over safety concerns and were forced to leave or were killed if they refused to welcome the fighters. The situation is currently more stable as the Turkish army increased control.

My trip began in the village of Anhil. Together with Eliyo, Adem and Sharo, we met a couple who were cleaning pistachios and offered us some of their local natural products to eat.

We then travelled to the Arkah village, passing by Kafro Tahtayto (the lower Kafro). There, we met Moris, an Assyrian that returned from Europe to renovate his house in the village. The design of the house was beautiful; it resembled an Assyrian palace from the ancient Assyrian period.

We finished our day by spending time in the beautiful Mor* Malke monastery followed by an evening gathering in Kafro.

Our second day of the trip began with a visit to the Mor Eliyo monastery in the village of Zergal, Batman province. The village is empty of its inhabitants as they were forced to abandon it, leaving only the shadows of the monastery as a standing memory. Later, we headed to Mor Qeryaqos, a monastery near Mor Eliyo. The state has begun renovating the historic building to serve as a touristic site.

After visiting the village of Zergal, we took a break on a Tigris River bridge while on our way to the village of HasanKeyf / HasnoKifo (Akkadian: Kepaneh). Hasankeyf is one of the ancient cities that dates back to the 18th century BC and is situated on the Tigris river. The area was once guarded by Assyrian armies to prevent enemies from sailing to the capital of Nineveh from the north.

The Mor Qeryaqos monastery in the village of Zergal in the Batman province. The village is empty of inhabitants, leaving only shadows of what once stood here. ( Athra Kado)

As we traveled from Hasankeyf back to Midyat, we visited Mor Aho monastery. One of five monasteries built by Saint Aho, it was constructed and named after a piece of the True Cross that he brought back from Constantinople.

I then headed alone to the beautiful city of Mardin to meet with two individuals: Dr. Nicholas Al-Jeloo, a returnee from Australia who works as a teacher in Kadir Has University in Istanbul, and Malfono Yusuf Begtas, a classical Syriac language expert. We spent the night in the Mar Hurmizd Chaldean church.

The next morning, we visited the Zerzevan ancient fortress. It was built between the 2nd and 7th century AD and is currently a part of an archaeological excavation project. The fortress holds two churches and a Mithraeum temple. The first church was built between the 3rd and 7th century. The second was built in the 6th century. The temple dates back as far as the 2nd century. Aramaic and Syriac scripts have been found at the site despite it being described as an ancient Roman fortress.

A small cafe in the city of Mardin. ( Athra Kado)

While travelling to Amed (DiyarBakir), we passed near a big bridge called, "Gishru Da'sar Aynotheh" (the bridge of 10 eyes), as there are 10 open arches beneath it. It is built on the Tigris river and is thousands of years old. It was renovated three times: first in 90 AD during Edessa's\Urhay kingdom, a second time in the 5th century AD by Amed's metropolitan, and a third time in the 11th century AD to allow access to those travelling to the 40 martyr's monastery on the other side.

In Amed, we met with the DiyarBakir Association for Syriac Culture. The organization's objectives are to educate Assyrians who converted to Islam about their identity as Assyrians. The talk focused on how the Assyrian identity was lost or altered to a Kurdish one as a result of the genocide that was perpetrated by the Kurdish tribes with the support of the Ottoman empire against the Assyrians, Armenians and Greeks during World War I.

A student at the DiyarBakir Association for Syriac Culture shows off his studies. The organization strives to educate Assyrians who had converted to Islam about their identity. ( Athra Kado)

It is worth mentioning that prior to the formation of the organization, thousands of these families secretly taught their children about their real identity as not being Kurds but actually as being Assyrian/Syriacs of the Christian faith who converted to Islam. Since the formation of the organization (also registered within the government and supported by diaspora Assyrians), these families openly and proudly are able to identify as Assyrians of the Islamic faith.

During our time there, we met with the children of those families. They had gathered at the organization's building to learn their ancestor's Syriac language, as previously they couldn't learn or speak it because of the fear that was instilled from genocidal trauma.

On the last day of our stay in Mardin, prior to returning to Midyat, we visited the official museum of Mardin. The museum contains artifacts of the area, of which most are from the ancient Assyrian period and after Christianity, including inscriptions, stones and other kinds of collections belonging to our ancient people.

Upon traveling back to Midyat, we passed by a village named BneyBeel, meaning, "sons of the god Beel." The village was a target of Ahmad Sulayman Jaziri and his army of thousands of men during the genocide. When he attacked, twenty local Assyrian men resisted and fought from a cave on the village's mountain named "Habis". Ahmad's men couldn't reach the locals, and he was faced with defeat. The local Assyrian men managed to run to Za'faran monastery before their food finished, where they defended the monastery as well.

Assyrian men resisted attacks by Ahmad Sulayman Jaziri during the genocide by hiding in these caves on the BneyBeel village's mountain named Habis. ( Athra Kado)

The people of the village are originally from the city of Mosul, Iraq and they used to speak Syriac; however about 4 centuries ago, the mayor of Mardin at that time forced everyone to speak Arabic. Their church sermons are in Syriac, and the people continue to maintain their beautiful village.

We passed by the ancient Mor Gabriel monastery, built at the end of the 4th century. Inside the building walls, one can find science, knowledge, Syriac language students, monks, nuns and flocks of tourists from surrounding areas and around the world, despite the restrictions due to pandemic as it could not prevent them from visiting this site to enjoy its breathtaking beauty, design and spiritual energy.

Next, we passed by the village of Midin to Mor Yaqoub church, where we attended a Syriac language class held for the children of the village. I was truly impressed with their sense of energy, passion for learning and fluency in reading the Syriac language.

We drank coffee with their teacher and then set out to Mor Dodo, a 7th century church in the Bisorino village. Father Saliba Erden greeted our group after he finished mass. Father taught us about the history of the village and how its men protected the people and the surrounding villages from their neighbors' violence during WWI genocide. Behind the walls of the church, many Assyrians survived the attacks. After a couple of years and a peace deal, however, Assyrian villagers attempted to return to their villages and were attacked and their villages were demolished.

A Syriac language lesson for children at Mor Yaqoub church in the village of Midin. ( Athra Kado)

Father Saliba also spoke about Saint Dodo, a bishop in Tekrit, Iraq. A dream by Saint Dodo's cousin told him to bring Saint Dodo to the village. When they arrived near the cemetery, there was a funeral of a young man from the village. The people prayed to Mor Dodo and the young man suddenly resurrected from death.

We finished our day in the church of Mor Malke in Ister village. The name of the village is derived from Ishtar (the ancient Assyrian goddess) and many people from Europe returned to renovate their homes for use during summer.

On my last day in TurAbdin, we visited the church of Mor Demet in Zaz village. The church is protected by a nun named Maryam, who works alone after the monk Yaqoub passed away in 2014. She is now the guard of the church, despite facing many difficulties from the Kurdish mukhtar of the area.

Maryam, a nun in Zaz village, works alone to protect the Mor Demet church. ( Athra Kado)

At the end of my trip summary, I would like to share an image of what remains of some Assyrian victims of Seyfo, the genocide committed by the hands of Kurdish tribes and leaders by the support of the Ottoman empire against the Christian Assyrians in those areas. I apologize for the disturbing image and for security reasons, I will not mention the location where I took the photo.

Last but not least, my message to my people in the homeland, especially in Iraq, as well as to those in diaspora is that it is very vital that we increase our relationships, strengthen the bridges between ourselves, and avoid the barriers of borders from separating us from one another.

Mardin is only about two hours from Zakho. The Hakkari center is one hour from Barwar region in Iraq. While in Nisibin, Turkey you can see Beth-Zalin (Qamishli) in Syria with the naked eye with it being about three hours from Nohadra (Dohuk). Urmia in Iran is only about four hours from Erbil.

Let's strengthen ourselves, because we don't have anyone but each other, and we are better when we support each other.'

Note: There are so many villages, monasteries and churches with lots of stories, many of which I visited but that I did not include in this article. Each family in the villages also had stories to share. Through this text, my goal is that you, a respected reader, will consider doing some research about the areas in TurAbdin and perhaps even try visiting for a great learning experience.

*Mor is a western Syriac dialect term for "Mar" in eastern dialect, and it means "my master" or "my teacher" and it is also used for the saints and for Jesus Christ.

*The details about the areas were obtained from Eliyo Eliyo and Dr. Nicholas Al-Jeloo who accompanied me on my trip. I'm grateful for the priceless information they provided.

Senior Trinamool Congress leader and state cooperative minister Arup Roy was on Sunday hospitalised after he complained of chest pain, health department sources said. Roy (60), MLA from Howrah Madhya, who had been complaining of uneasiness since Saturday, was rushed to the hospital in the southern part of the city this morning, they said.

He is under observation as the doctors have prescribed him "total rest", a senior official of the hospital said. "We have conducted several tests on the minister. We are waiting for the results. At the moment his condition is stable. He is under observation," he said.


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Pakistan has authorised the emergency use of Russia's Sputnik V, the third anti-COVID-19 vaccine approved by the country against the deadly coronavirus, authorities said on Sunday. The government has given a go-ahead to a local pharmaceutical company for the import and distribution of the Russian-developed Sputnik V, the Dawn newspaper quoted an official as saying.

Sputnik V is the third vaccine to be approved for the emergency use in the country, the report said. In a meeting conducted by the registration board of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), another vaccine has also been given EUA (emergency use authorisation) which was developed with the backing of Russian Development Investment Fund, the official said.

A local pharmaceutical AGP, he said, had been authorised as the sole importer and distributor of the Russian vaccine, according to the paper. Pakistan reported 48 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the number of fatalities due to the disease to 11,295, while 2,070 patients were in a critical condition, according to the ministry of National Health Services.

The ministry further reported that 486,489 people have recovered, meaning that the number of active patients was 34,628. The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country reached 532,412 after 1,594 new infections were detected in the past 24 hours.

The authorities so far have carried out 7,642,665 tests in the country, including 40,285 in the last 24 hours. On January 17, DRAP authorised the Oxford University-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use in Pakistan. A couple of days later, the regulatory body approved Chinese state-owned firm Sinopharm's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, the second shot to be given approval for the use in the country.

Last week, Hungary became the first European Union country to approve the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine for public distribution. A short time later the UAE also announced the same decision making it 12th country outside of Russia which have authorised its use.
The Telegraph

American soldiers have mistakenly revealed the exact locations of US nuclear weapons in Europe by uploading details as part of revision exercises that were publicly available to view, a report claims. An investigation by Bellingcat alleges that soldiers attempting to learn intricate security protocols uploaded a multitude of sensitive information to the internet, including not only the bases at which the weapons are held, but in which exact vaults they are stored. The US Air Force has launched an investigation into "the suitability of information shared via study flashcards." Questions and answers were written on flashcards, which have now disappeared, and appeared to show the positions of cameras, the frequency of patrols around the vaults, secret duress words that signal when a guard is being threatened and the unique identifiers that a restricted area badge needs to have, Bellingcat said. The cards had been uploaded as long ago as 2013 on websites including Cram, Quizlet and Chegg, and accessed as recently as April this year. Some of those sites have the visibility of the cards set to be viewed by anyone by default. The presence of US nuclear weapons in Europe acted as a deterrent to the Soviet Union during the Cold War and also meant European countries would not need to develop their own.
Dear reader,

Welcome to Gandhara's weekly newsletter. This briefing brings you the best of our reporting from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

If youre new to the newsletter or havent subscribed yet, you can do so here.

Afghans hopeful for change under Biden

There is relief that Washington is likely to review its deal with the Taliban and possibly leave behind a small counterterrorism force that Biden has long favored, effectively leading to a continued U.S. military presence in the country.

Many in Kabul are telling us theyre hoping the Biden administration pays closer attention to the peace talks and finds incentives for the Taliban to reduce its current killing spree. (Heres an overview of recent attacks.)

Shahzada Masoud, a former presidential adviser, is one of these voices. Biden needs to make sure that the American forces depart in a responsible manner, he told Radio Free Afghanistan.

Upping the religious ante against the Taliban

Meanwhile, President Ashraf Ghani has been trying to brandish his governments religious credentials to dent the Talibans main argument that the secular government should be booted to the curb because it isnt Islamic enough.

This is an intentional and calculated move by the government to redefine the nature of the state further toward Islam, said Omar Sadr, a Kabul-based political analyst.

But for the civic rights of millions of Afghans, these efforts have far-reaching consequences. In one such change, mosques would be turned into primary schools, which some say would give hard-line clerics the upper hand in radicalizing future generations.

Despair in Waziristan

My colleague Pamir Sahill investigated the targeted killings that have plagued Pakistans former tribal areas, which are once again becoming a Taliban hub. Some blame the governments murky dealings with the militants for the killings.

Waziristan is being prepared to be used against other countries [such as Afghanistan], one activist told him. These targeted killings and other security incidents are part of that plan. And the security forces arent exactly helping, with allegations of abuse and a battle of their own against attacks from militants.

Terrorism is being promoted again in Waziristan. As in the past, Waziristan is being prepared to be used against other countries [such as Afghanistan], one activist told us. These targeted killings and other security incidents are part of that plan. This is what the masses in Waziristan think.

Meanwhile, the lack of faster and more reliable Internet connections is becoming a growing cause for discontent. It was no surprise that Prime Minister Imran Khan timed his visit to South Waziristan this week with the launch of 3G/4G Internet connections. (Our contacts there have not been able to confirm an increase in speed so far.)

Mercenaries join Pashtun tribal conflicts

My colleague Ashan Arian broke a major story by reporting on the changing dynamics of tribal disputes in Afghanistans Pashtun heartland, where mercenaries now replace tribal members who previously would have volunteered out of kinship and expectations of bravery and chivalry.

War is ugly, it is messy, and it never brings us happiness, but we have no choice but to join in, recounted one combatant, whos paid $400 to fight on behalf of a Dubai-based patron. Our circumstances have forced us into this war.

Are Pakistan and Saudi Arabia ready to make up?

Islamabad is seeking to rekindle its ties with former ally Saudi Arabia after months of strained relations. The cold spell began last August over Islamabads public demands for greater Saudi support for its stance on Kashmir.

This week, Pakistan appointed Lieutenant General Bilal Akbar, who retired from the military just last month, to be its ambassador to Riyadh in a move that highlights the Pakistanis militarys eagerness to mend fences.

The abuse of addicts in Afghanistan

Drug addicts in Farah Province told my colleagues there that they have been forced to work without pay for the local police. Watch their video report here.



The men say they were made to work away from prying eyes on construction sites inside military compounds. The provincial offices of Afghanistan's Labor and Social Affairs Ministry later confirmed their statements.

They take us by force, wherever we are, and force us to work, said Mohammad Hashem, a father of five whose addiction drove him away from his family. They dont pay us anything. They dont even feed us well.

The promise of pine nuts

In closing, Id like to share this video report about a new pine-nut processing factory in the Afghan city of Gardez. It promises to create to 1,000 new jobs -- and bring hope for a bolstered economy. It points to the countrys potential as a major exporter of agricultural produce.

Now that we have our own processing factory, no one will be able to reject our product or keep our money, Sahel Khan, a pine exporter, said at the opening ceremony.

I hope you enjoyed this weeks newsletter, and I encourage you to share it with colleagues who might find it useful. If you havent subscribed yet, you can do so here.

I also encourage you to visit our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

You can also reach us directly at gandhara@rferl.org.

Yours,

Abubakar Siddique

Editor


Donald Trump is reportedly moving forward with his plans to create a 'Patriot Party' to put pressure on Republicans who oppose him and attempt to head off conviction in his second Senate impeachment trial.

Trump has told people that the third-party threat gives him leverage to prevent Republican senators from voting to convict him during the Senate trial next month, people in his orbit told the Washington Post.

Since President Joe Biden took office, Trump has been ensconced at Mar-a-Lago, remaining publicly cryptic about his plans except to tell a reporter on Friday: 'We'll do something, but not just yet.'

But behind closed doors, Trump is already drafting an enemies list of Republicans who opposed his baseless claims of election fraud, instructing aids to prepare primary challenges against them, sources told the Post.

Donald Trump is reportedly moving forward with his plans to create a 'Patriot Party' to put pressure on Republicans who oppose him and attempt to head off conviction in his second Senate impeachment trial. He was seen playing golf at West Palm Beach International Golf Course on Saturday

The list is said to include the House's number three Republican, Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who broke party ranks and voted to impeach Trump over his role in the January 6 Capitol riot. Rep. Tom Rice, a South Carolina Republican, is on the list for the same reason.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is also reportedly on the list after provoking Trump's fury for refusing to back his challenge to the state's election results, which were certified for Biden.

Senator Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican who has signaled that she is open to voting to convict Trump, is also said to be a Patriot Party primary target. Kemp and Murkowski are both up for re-election in 2022.

Trump advisers say they plan to recruit opposing primary candidates and commission polling as soon as next week in districts of targeted lawmakers.

To fund his splinter party, Trump has more than $70 million in campaign cash on hand, the sources said.

Reps. Liz Cheney (left) and Tom Rice (right) are said to be on Trump's enemies list of Republicans to target for primary challenges. Both voted to impeach him

Senator Lisa Murkowski (left) and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (right) are also on the list

Though the Trump campaign was essentially tapped out on Election Day, the campaign and several allied groups raised $207 million between November 3 and November 23, fundraising on his push to challenged the election results.

The number is certainly higher by now, but hard numbers won't be disclosed to the Federal Election Commission until January 31.

Much of Trump's fate in the Senate trial will rest in the hands of Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been cagey about his plans but publicly rebuked Trump after the Capitol riot, saying Trump had 'provoked' the mob.

McConnell will have to weigh the exodus of corporate donations away from the GOP in the wake of the riot, against the risk of infuriating and alienating Trump's base by voting to convict.

A vote to convict could split the party, but some see it as the only way to unify Republicans, by banishing Trump to the sidelines and removing the source of the tensest divisions.

A conviction would also allow the Senate to bar Trump from holding federal office again, insuring Republicans would be able to put forward a slate of non-Trump candidates in their 2024 presidential party.

Much of Trump's fate in the Senate trial will rest in the hands of Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been cagey about his plans

Because conviction requires a two-third vote in the Senate, at least 16 Republicans would have to join the 50 Democrats to secure a conviction.

Opening arguments in the trial will begin the week of February 8.

Meanwhile, the widening split in the Republican Party was on evidence on Saturday in Arizona, where state GOP officials voted to censure John McCain's widow Cindy McCain and two other prominent Republicans who bashed Trump's election fraud claims.

The censures of McCain, former Senator Jeff Flake and Governor Doug Ducey are merely symbolic.

But they show strong elements of the party are focused on enforcing loyalty to Trump, even in the wake of an election that saw Arizona inch away from its staunchly Republican roots.

Party activists also reelected controversial Chairwoman Kelli Ward, who has been one of Trump's most unflinching supporters and among the most prolific promoters of his baseless allegations of election fraud.

The Arizona GOP's combative focus has delighted Trump's staunchest supporters and worried Republican insiders who have watched the party lose ground in the suburbs as the influence of its traditional conservative establishment has faded in favor of Trump.

GOP activists in Arizona on Saturday reelected controversial state party Chairwoman Kelli Ward, who has been one of Trump's most unflinching supporters

A growing electorate of young Latinos and newcomers bringing their more liberal politics from back home have further hurt the GOP.

'This is a time for choosing for Republicans. Are we going to be the conservative party?' said Kirk Adams, a former state House speaker and chief of staff to Ducey. 'Or is this a party ... that's loyal to a single person?'

Its a question of Republican identity that party officials and activists are facing across the country following Trumps 2020 loss, and particularly after a mob of his supporters laid siege on the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

Cindy McCain endorsed Biden and became a powerful surrogate for the Democrat following years of attacks by Trump on her husband.

After the censure vote, she wrote on Twitter that 'it is a high honor to be included in a group of Arizonans who have served our state and our nation so well.'

'I'll wear this as a badge of honor,' she wrote.

Also after the vote, Flake tweeted a photo of him with McCain and Ducey at Biden's inauguration and wrote: 'Good company.'

Flake was one of the few congressional Republicans who was openly critical of Trump for failing to adhere to conservative values. He declined to run for reelection in 2018 and endorsed Biden in last years election.

'If condoning the Presidents behavior is required to stay in the Partys good graces, Im just fine being on the outs,' Flake wrote on Twitter before and after the vote.

Ducey is being targeted for his restrictions on individuals and businesses to contain the spread of COVID-19. While its not mentioned in the proposed censure, he had a high-profile break with the president when he signed the certification of Bidens victory.

'These resolutions are of no consequence whatsoever and the people behind them have lost whatever little moral authority they may have once had,' said Sara Mueller, Ducey's political director.
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 18:53:12|Editor: huaxia

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A snow removing machine, with workers on board, slowly pulls out of the garage of the Tiechanggou repairing team in Emin, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 21, 2021. Maytas, dubbed "Hell of Wind," is a wild area where the Karamay-Tacheng railway trunk line in Xinjiang runs through. It is also a place where the Tiechanggou repairing team under the China Railway Urumqi Bureau Group Co., Ltd. is on the watch 24 hours a day to ensure safe operation of all trains passing by. Maytas is a blizzard-prone area rarely seen in China and even in other parts of the world. More often than not, powerful wind there ploughs through the snow, and buries railway tracks during winters; and the snow on tracks, once caked, would endanger trains dashing on them. Removing snow from tracks is therefore a top priority of the team in recent days. The railway track snow removing machine does help a lot, but team members still have to lay their hands on manual tools to enhance job efficiency. This team of young workers braves the harsh natural environment and fights the snow, wishing that passengers reach their destinations safe and sound. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

George Jones, CPA, has lived full time in Santa Fe for over 10 years. He has a masters in mathematics and a masters in computer science from Ohio State University. He co-authored The Seven Layers of Integrity and developed and taught a course on science policy and ethics for Rice University.
A man who went missing for 18 days and stayed alive by eating wild mushrooms and drinking dam water has been found alive by a Queensland MP.

Robert Weber, 58, was last seen with his dog leaving a hotel in Kilkivan, about 170 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, in a white 2000 model Ford Falcon sedan on January 6.

Robert Weber, 58, is checked over by paramedics after being found by Gympie MP Tony Perrett on Sunday morning. Credit:Queensland Police Service

Police said Mr Weber, who is from Narangba in the Moreton Bay region north of Brisbane, had planned to drive about 410 kilometres to Dululu, south of Rockhampton, and arrive there the day after he disappeared.

Police officers, State Emergency Service volunteers and local community members spent a week searching dense bushland, rivers, dams and steep terrain during wet conditions in the Kilkivan area before the search was suspended on January 20.
Paramedics and ambulances at the Mater Hospital in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

Irelands health service is battling to hold the levels of care that it values due to the high levels of Covid-19 in the community, its chief executive has said.

Paul Reid said there were 650 coronavirus patients receiving some level of critical care on Sunday morning.

Some 214 people with the virus were in intensive care units and a further 436 on advanced respiratory support.

Mr Reid said: Our teams are battling to hold the levels of care that we value and to save lives. 650 Covid-19 patients are now receiving levels of critical care.

Our teams are battling to hold the levels of care that we value & to save lives. 650 #COVID19 patients are now receiving levels of critical care. 214 in ICU & 436 on Advanced Resp support. It's not an Emergency Dept crisis now but it's probably more critical than that. @HSELive  Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) January 24, 2021

214 in ICU and 436 on advanced respiratory support. It is not an emergency department crisis now, but its probably more critical than that.

In total there were 1,914 people in hospital with Covid-19 on Sunday morning.

There were 80 admissions to hospital and 47 discharged in a 24-hour period.

Saturday saw a further 77 deaths and 1,910 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed by the Department of Health.

It said 76 of these deaths occurred in January, one happened last month.

The median age of those who died was 84 years and the age range was 43 to 98.

If you have any of these symptoms this Sunday:

ai fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above)

ai cough

ai shortness of breath

ai loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

Self-isolate & call your GP Out of Hours service and ask about a coronavirus test.#StaySafe pic.twitter.com/VySMapQZjd  HSE Ireland (@HSELive) January 24, 2021

Of the new cases, 710 were in Dublin, 150 in Cork, 103 in Meath, 102 in Limerick, 86 in Louth, and the remaining 759 cases are spread across the remaining counties.

Irelands 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population is now 955.

The chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, on Saturday said Ireland was starting to flatten the curve thanks to people adhering to public health measures.

Through the solidarity shown by families and communities across the country in recent weeks, we are beginning to flatten the curve of Covid-19 infection, he said.

Each individual effort to follow the public health advice is making an impact, but we can only continue this positive trend and drive down incidence in the community by continuing to stay at home and avoid meeting or mixing with others in our social circle.

He urged people to all behave as though they are infectious and minimise close contacts with others. He also stressed that if you do have symptoms it was important to self-isolate immediately.
SUV

Serial number FJ55046688 belts out 228 horsepower and 302 pound-feet (410 Nm) of torque from the 2UZ-FE engine, a 4.7-liter V8 that guzzles on gas like theres no tomorrow. The upside to this legendary but understated powerplant is the world-class reliability that you'd expect from Toyota.During current ownership, the FJ55 received a replacement water pump, timing belt, alternator, valve cover gaskets, coil packs, and fluids. Currently showing 222,000 miles (357,274 kilometers), although true mileage is unknown, the old-school utility vehicle features a very durable four-speed automatic transmission connected to a two-speed transfer case.Listed on Bring a Trailer with six days of bidding left at the time of writing, the FJ55 received its most recent service in 2020 when the axles and steering knuckles were overhauled. Equipped with three locking differentials and BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 rubber wrapped around steelies, the one-of-onealso rocks Delta radius arms, Toyota radius arm bushings, Tokico dampers, Old Man Emu coil springs, and RedHead power steering.Just like the chassis, the fabric-trimmed front seats and leather-dressed shifter are sourced from an FJ80. The cabin further sweetens the deal with a heater, air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, and a black vinyl-covered rear bench seat. There are, however, two problems with the drivers door and crank windows that need to be addressed as soon as possible. More to the point, the door lock needs to be re-keyed, and the windows need new seals.Currently presented in blue and white and a dash of patina, the FJ55 is selling with a custom rear sleeping platform and a clean Florida title in the sellers name. The restomodded SUV is currently going for $30,000 after two bids.
Patricia Highsmith was born 100 years ago this month. She lived an extraordinary life, but it had less to do with the times she lived through than her own strange and perverse personality. Her novels are, Richard Bradford argues in this scintillating new biography, a "lifelong autobiography".

She was born in Fort Worth, Texas, her parents divorcing before her birth.Her mother subsequently left her with her grandmother. According to another biographer, for a time Highsmith believed she was a boy in a girl's body. As an adult she sought out a psychoanalyst in order to help "cure" her of her homosexuality.

After attending Barnard College, Highsmith's debut novel Strangers on a Train was adapted for film. Monsieur Hitchcock, as Truffaut called him, took over after Raymond Chandler was relieved of screenwriting duties, and the movie's ending changed to make it more palatable than the novel's. Highsmith's third fiction, The Price of Salt, was written under a nom de plume, later published as Carol under her own name, and explored Highsmith's experience of secrets and lesbian lives.

Then Highsmith wrote her masterpiece, The Talented Mr Ripley, which takes the premise of Henry James's The Ambassadors and twists it with her own brand of darkness, danger and madness. The assumed and false identities, the American Abroad all came from Highsmith's life and inner conflicts. Bradford writes that "Tom Ripley is one of the most fascinating exercises in autobiographical fiction ever written".

According to one of her lovers, Highsmith kept on at the "same thing", rewriting the same book with its psycho-sexual conflicts, and there followed a number of sequels to Ripley which is sometimes referred to as "The Ripliad". Many of Highsmith's novels attracted the interest of film makers. In 1960, the very suave Alain Delon appeared in Plein Soleil directed by Rene Clement, a beautiful French adaptation of The Talented Mr Ripley, nearly 40 years prior to Anthony Minghella's version with Matt Damon. Highsmith had already turned her back on America by then, and come to Europe, where her love affairs were reflected and refracted into her own very personal fictional universe.

Nearly all of Highsmith's lovers were women, and in her diaries or cahiers, which Bradford mines extensively, she often associates her head-over-heels love for her new paramours with death, and more specifically with murder.

It's no surprise then to her latest biographer that this psychological conflict is played out in her fiction, again and again, and not always to great success. Much of her writing is uneven, and Bradford is merciless in his assessment of the implausibility of many of Highsmith's plotlines, perhaps not helped by her chaotic love-life and worsening alcoholism.

One particularly distasteful trait Highsmith carried with her most of her life was her anti-Semitism. That three of her lovers were Jewish tells a tale of personal animosity transposed to a race, rather than any ideological prejudice. Not that that is any excuse for some of the vile statements she made in the company of others and wrote into her diaries. Her racism against African-Americans is also revolting. As one of her closest friends commented, "She was an equal opportunity offender You name the group, she hated them."

Her collection of and fascination with snails was less offensive, but also symptomatic of a deeply disturbed mind. Bradford recounts stories of Highsmith carrying colonies of snails about in a handbag which also held a head of lettuce the snails could feed on. In one instance, the contents of her handbag were emptied on to the table at a dinner party. At another, inebriated, her hair caught fire from the dining table's candle.

There's something subversive about the biographies that Richard Bradford writes. While many critics are busy decolonising the curriculum to include authors of greater diversity to a canon of literature, Bradford is busy toppling literary greats from the pedestals they have been put on. In that sense, Devils, Lusts and Strange Desires is not a celebratory centenary account of a writer's life, but a dispassionate exposition of it. "My writing," Highsmith relays in her diaries, "does not permit me to express love."

Highsmith made a fortune from her writing. She moved many times; she bought and sold houses throughout Europe, and eventually donated a substantial sum to Yaddo, the artists' colony in New York which had proved a sanctuary to her in her early writing life.

She was a writer of shadow selves, and in one book after another, the contending identities within her played out a fictional game of life and death. Having made her home in France, Highsmith came to loathe the country, relinquished her love interests and became a recluse. She did, however, keep writing until the end. Her last planned, but unwritten novel, was to be Ripley's Luck.

Paul Perry's latest novel 'The Garden' appears in May from New Island Books
The global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines has failed to ignite CSL shares despite boosting offshore pharmaceutical firms, with analysts warning that vaccine making wont be a key revenue driver for the homegrown biotech giant.

CSL shares have dropped 3.6 per cent to $274.60 in the first three weeks of 2021, with the price dipping earlier this month after concerns over Australias reliance on the AstraZeneca vaccine which CSL is producing in Melbourne.

CSL scientists at the company's Broadmeadows production facility in Melbourne with the AstraZeneca vaccine 'freezers'. The biotech giant confirmed last week that the first batches of bulk product for the vaccine had been completed.

Meanwhile, global vaccine stocks are booming, with the Nasdaq healthcare index up 9.3 per cent so far this year compared with the local health indexs drop of 1.7 per cent.

Companies at the forefront of the vaccine rollout have continued to build momentum. German firm BioNTech is up 26.5 per cent year-to-date to $US108.44, Moderna has gained 17.2 per cent year-to-date to $US131.02, while Novavax is up 12.4 per cent to $US126.98.
The World Economic Forum's online Davos Agenda Summit began on Sunday night with the premier of a concert filmed during the coronavirus pandemic in different parts of the world and the event will see top global leaders, including Prime Minister and Chinese President Xi Jinping, speak on the state of the world over the next five days.



After a welcome address by WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Shwab, Swiss President Parmelin delivered a special address, followed by annual Crystal Awards and the premier of 'See Me: A Global Concert'.



The concert was presented as a shared expression of trust, connection and hope and it features orchestras and choirs in Beijing, Drakensberg, Florence, Kabul, Philadelphia, Vienna and Sao Paulo, with the cellist Yo-Yo Ma and music director Marin Alsop. The concert was filmed on location despite the COVID-19 challenges.



In what could be the first major global summit of the year, the event will see more than 1,000 global leaders, including heads of state and government, CEOs and chairmen of big companies, heads of multilateral organisations as also members of academia and civil society, discuss economic, environmental, social and technological challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic.



The WEF said there would be 15 special addresses from G20 heads of state and government and organisations during the summit that will continue till January 29. Prime Minister will deliver his address on Thursday.



Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and Petroleum and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, as also business leaders such as Anand Mahindra, Salil Parekh and Shobana Kamineni would be among other speakers from India.



While the WEF will host its physical annual meeting in May in Singapore, as against the regular venue of the Swiss ski resort town of Davos, the Geneva-based organisation is hosting this online event, named 'Davos Agenda' around the same time it generally hosts its yearly congregation of the rich and powerful of the world.



The event has been billed as a platform that will see top world leaders deliver special addresses and engage in dialogue with business leaders at the start of a "crucial year to rebuild trust".



Chinese President will deliver a special address on Monday, while the day will also see several sessions including on the COVID-19 crisis, restoring economic growth and stakeholder capitalism. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also address a session.



On Tuesday, the speakers would include South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, as also IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva.



Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in, Italy Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are among the listed speakers for Wednesday.



On Thursday, in addition to Modi, Jordan King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and Argentine President Alberto Fernandez will also deliver their special addresses.



Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will speak on Friday, the last day of the summit.



On Monday, Schwab will also release his latest book, titled 'Stakeholder Capitalism: A Global that Works for Progress, People and Planet.' It explores how societies can build the future post-COVID and builds on the WEF's 50-year-old advocacy of the stakeholder approach.





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Other major speakers would include Christine Lagarde, Bill Gates, Punit Renjen of Deloitte, Brian T Moynihan of Bank of America, Al Gore, Ishaan Tharoor, Mark Carney, Angel Gurria of OECD, Ajay Banga, K T Rama Rao, Masayoshi Son of Softbank and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the WHO.



The list of registered participants also include Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani and Piyush Goyal, along with top business leaders such as Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Ravi Ruia, Rishad Premji, Pawan Munjal, Rajan Mittal, Sunil Mittal, Ajay Khanna, Ajit Gulabchand, Hari S Bhartia and Sanjiv Bajaj.



Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, Tata Steel CEO T Narendran and Walmart CEO Doug McMillon are also among registered participants.





ALSO READ: 'We can't wait:' Biden to push US Congress for $1.9 trn in Covid-19 relief

The WEF's Davos 2020 summit was the last major global event that took place before almost the entire world got locked down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.



The 'Davos Agenda' will also mark the launch of WEF's "Great Reset Initiative'' and begin the preparation of the special Annual Meeting in the spring, said the Geneva-based entity, which describes itself as an organisation for public-private cooperation.



Industry leaders and public figures will discuss how to advance and accelerate public-private collaboration on critical issues such as COVID-19 vaccination, job creation and climate change, among others, according to the WEF.



While the WEF annual meeting for 2021 will be held during May 13-16 in Singapore, the high-profile summit will return to Davos in 2022.



The conclusions from the Davos Agenda week will feed into task forces working on global issues for the upcoming Special Annual Meeting in Singapore, the WEF said.


In 1976, in an unfrequented museum attic at Harvard University, Lorna Condon opened a drawer.

Condon, a young editorial assistant at the school's Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, had been foraging around a dusty corner of storage with two colleagues that day. Amid the clutter of items little used in displays, she'd stopped at a wooden cabinet. Someone had pushed it under an eave.

Inside, she noticed a group of flat leather cases, each a little bigger than a deck of cards. Condon called over Elinor Reichlin, the museums registrar.

She grasped a case and unlocked its tiny latch. With that simple flip, they released a genie of history, a long-lost story of humanity and inhumanity that stretched from the esteemed halls of Harvard to the dirt and bolls of South Carolina's cotton plantations.

None of them knew this yet.

Donate to our Investigative Fund to support journalism like this Our public service and investigative reporting is among the most important work we do. Its also the most expensive reporting we do. We cant do it without your support. Donate Now

Each of the 15 identical cases contained a daguerreotype, an early form of photography from the mid-1800s. Beneath glass and faux-gold frames, a lone Black person stared into the camera, stony-faced and resolute, except one young woman whose eyes appeared blurred with tears.

All of the people, photographed portrait-style and beautifully lit, were partially or entirely naked.

Most were middle-aged or older men. Two were women who sat in fluffy antebellum dresses, hands clasped in their laps, dress tops pulled down to fully expose their breasts.

In other images, men stood fully nude, barefoot on a handsome rug in front of a wooden stool. Each was photographed facing front, then from the side, then from behind.

They didnt appear undressed for pornographic purposes. The pictures felt oddly clinical.

What on earth were these?

Nothing in the drawer explained what they'd discovered. Only small, handwritten labels affixed to each offered clues:

"Fassena (carpenter), Mandingo, plantation of Col. Wade Hampton, near Columbia, S.C."

"Jack (driver), Guinea, plantation of B.F. Taylor, Esq., Columbia, S.C."

"Jem, Gullah, belonging to F.W. Green, Esq."

One of the researchers rushed downstairs to summon their colleagues.

The discovery sent Reichlin and others on a quest to solve the disturbing mystery. It continues today, 45 years later.

But Harvard historians weren't the only ones hunting for clues. In 2019, a woman named Tamara Lanier sued the university for possession of the daguerreotypes. Based on her own research, she claimed to be a descendant of two people captured in them.

The complaint, filed by an attorney who handles high-profile civil rights cases, cast its demands in sweeping terms: The story of this case spans 175 years. It is a story about opportunism, greed, and profound moral abdication by one of the countrys most revered educational institutions.

So many years after slavery's end, not unlike in the aftermath of wars or colonization, the question remains: Who has rights to the plunder of the most egregious wrongs?

Different origins

The story began, in many ways, in 1846 when a famous Swiss scientist named Louis Agassiz immigrated to the United States. He'd been invited to give a series of lectures in Boston, and to the elation of many, had accepted.

The 39-year-old was known for his groundbreaking method of classifying animals. At just 22, hed published a tremendous study of Brazilian fish in which he had drawn and arranged in order more than 500 species. Hed since written copious books and articles about all manner of scientific topics, further boosting his profile.

Shortly after arriving in Boston, Agassiz decided to take a quick jaunt to Philadelphia to meet another lover of classifications. Samuel Morton, a physician and craniologist there, had amassed perhaps the world's largest collection of skulls.

The men hit it off. During his visit, Agassiz admired the vast collection; Morton explained some of his ideas.

Saying his measurements of human skulls proved Caucasians had the largest cranial capacity, Morton surmised this must prove they were the most intelligent race. He also claimed to have measured the smallest cranial capacity in Africans, which he argued meant they had the lowest intelligence.

Then he added something else: The races must, therefore, have derived from different origins  not a common one.

The idea, called polygenesis, intrigued Agassiz. A European, he'd never been immersed in American racism or its vast institution of slavery.

His thoughts buzzed as he bid Morton farewell and headed to his hotel.

When he arrived, he noticed the hotel's domestic staff were Black. So were those who served his meal. He was repulsed by them.

He later wrote to his mother about the interaction.

"I experienced pity at the sight of this degraded and degenerate race, and their lot inspired compassion in me in thinking that they are really men. Nonetheless, it is impossible for me to repress the feeling that they are not of the same blood as us.

Agassiz was sold on polygenesis.

When he returned to work in Boston, he continued lecturing and researching, joined elite social circles and became increasingly influential.

The following year, Harvard received a $50,000 donation, worth about $1.7 million today, from textile magnate Abbott Lawrence, a man whose wealth depended on Southern cotton plantations. The windfall allowed the university to create a scientific school  with Agassiz soon at its helm.

He had become an American celebrity.

Despite his interest in polygenesis, race wasn't Agassiz's top issue then, said Molly Rogers, an Agassiz researcher and author of Delias Tears: Race, Science, and Photography in Nineteenth-Century America.

He and many other scientists were focused on explaining the natural world through creationism. A decade remained before Charles Darwin's "Origin of Species" would introduce the theory that populations evolve over time through natural selection.

Agassiz, a ministers son, believed God had created different plants and animals specifically to live in their zoological provinces, or areas of the world.

But to say that human beings had different origins?

When Agassiz uttered the idea, Boston clergy attacked him. The Bible describes one Adam and Eve who gave rise to all people. Polygenesis rang sacrilegious.

In response, to preserve his academic and social stations, Agassiz modulated what he said  until 1850. That spring, he headed south to Charleston, land of plantation slavery.

Going public

Agassiz arrived in March, when the weather warmed and azaleas began to bloom. But he arrived to a tempest.

Scientists from around the country flocked to Charleston for the third meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The main topic: the unity or diversity of species.

Its key speaker was Agassiz, now the most famous scientist in America.

The meeting convened as slavery increasingly divided the nation. In just two weeks, John C. Calhoun's death would renew Southern fidelity to him and his view of slavery as a "positive good." That fall, the Compromise of 1850 would avert a showdown between free and slave states after the Mexican-American War, albeit temporarily. Clouds of war clustered on the horizon.

In that environment, Agassiz spent his free time soaking in Charlestons plantation culture. He befriended prominent locals, including John Edwards Holbrook, an internationally known herpetologist and a founder of the Medical College of South Carolina. Holbrook offered Agassiz access to his Cooper River plantation where he could stroll and observe enslaved people up close.

"He was fascinated by slavery, a labor system completely unknown in his homeland; he was even more fascinated by the slaves," writes Rogers, the Agassiz expert.

When the scientific meeting was in session, Agassiz kept busy presenting his own papers and opining on others.

On day four, one by surgeon and anthropologist Josiah Nott particularly caught his attention. Although it focused on Jews, Nott made the larger argument that no physical causes exist which can transform one race into another, as the white man into the negro, etc.

The races, he added, did not originate from a common center.

Agassiz rose to speak. Here in the Deep South, he didn't need to soften his views.

The different races, he declared, were well marked and distinct. He agreed: People did not originate from a common pair.

Agassiz's comments exploded in the Boston newspapers.

Nott, the scientist whose paper triggered them, wasnt at the meeting. But when he heard what happened, he dashed off a note to Morton, the scientist with the skulls, a fellow polygenesis believer.

With Agassiz in the war," he wrote, "the battle is ours.

The contentious meeting adjourned with Agassiz prepared to return home for his wedding.

But among his new friends was Dr. Robert Gibbes, a physician to elite planters in the state capital of Columbia. The role gave Gibbes access to thousands of enslaved people on plantations  including the dwindling few who had been born in Africa. Congress had ended the international slave trade four decades earlier, so most slaves by then had been born in the United States.

Gibbes made Agassiz an offer: Come examine them yourself.

Agassiz couldn't say no. He abruptly postponed his wedding and boarded a train to Columbia.

The camera's eye

A good 130 miles of pine forest and cotton fields later, he arrived. Agassiz had never been to the interior of South Carolina.

During his weeklong visit, he dined with the Hamptons, Taylors and other patricians of Columbia society. They too allowed him access to their plantations, where he thrilled at viewing captives from Africa up close.

How many people were subjected to his notoriously rigorous observations, or just what they entailed, remains unknown, Rogers said. But given he would return to Boston soon, Agassiz surely lamented his fleeting access to this trove of people.

So he and Gibbes concocted a solution. It involved a fairly new technology that could produce permanent  and highly detailed  images.

They were called daguerreotypes.

Before this technology arrived to huge fanfare in 1839, only the most wealthy could afford portrait paintings. Few people had visual records of themselves. That was changing thanks to this new photography, which Edgar Allen Poe declared perhaps the most extraordinary triumph of modern science."

After Agassiz returned to Boston to marry and to pursue his work at Harvard, Gibbes moved forward with plans in earnest. He reached out to Joseph Zealy, the top photographer in town.

Zealy worked from a second-floor studio on Main Street downtown that welcomed clients into a handsomely decorated parlor complete with a piano. A dark backdrop, a rug with diamond patterns, a wooden chair, and a stool provided tools for taking elegant portraits. A skylight ensconced his subjects in natural light.

There, he photographed an array of socialites, planters, politicians and merchants.

One day in spring 1850, a small group of enslaved people arrived. They numbered at least seven.

What did each of them  Alfred, Drana, Fassena, Jack, Jem, Delia and Renty  think when they were transported downtown to this strange building?

Most of the people were middle-aged or older. Most also toiled on plantations owned by Benjamin Taylor, the Princeton-educated state representative, racehorse breeder and cotton grower.

A man named Renty, who hailed from the Congo, likely was the oldest. He arrived with his daughter Delia, likely the youngest, around 20 years old.

Another man also came from a Taylor plantation. Born in Guinea, his named was Jack. He was a driver, someone who oversaw other enslaved workers and therefore walked a tightrope between master and fellow captives.

Jack arrived with his daughter Drana, the second woman in the group.

Two other men, Alfred and Jem, were owned by different slaveholders in the Columbia area.

Fassena, a 57-year-old West African carpenter, was owned by Col. Wade Hampton II, planter and member of a South Carolina dynasty. Fassena likely helped build Hamptons famed Millwood mansion, which Gen. William Sherman would burn down 15 years later on his infamous March to the Sea.

Jem, who was a few years older, likely was the only one who worked in the city, Rogers said. His owner lived several blocks away from Gibbes.

Did they all arrive at the same time to wait and witness the others' suffering?

Did they know what was about to happen to them? Or why?

And who ordered them to remove their clothing?

Surely Gibbes was there, directing Zealy as to how one should position specimens for observation: up close, then full body. Frontal view, side, back.

History shrouds details of what happened inside the studio as each person stood before the camera for the 3 to 15 minutes each daguerreotype required.

But the pictures remain.

Daguerreotypes produce a black-and-white image that records the texture of every hair and nail, the divots of each wrinkle and scar.

Charleston historian Harlan Greene describes the images in an essay for a voluminous book about the daguerreotypes. Published in the fall by Harvard's Peabody Museum Press and co-edited by Rogers, it is entitled To Make Their Own Way in the World: The Enduring Legacy of the Zealy Daguerreotypes."

Greene writes, Its not just the subjects nakedness and their lack of power over the cameras clinical eye that horrify, but its the full front and back views, the debasing and degrading reduction of human beings to specimens, that is the real issue.

When Zealy completed his work, he placed each picture into a leather case lined in red velvet and stamped with his name. Then he gave them to Gibbes.

Gibbes, in turn, jotted quick notes describing each person.

"Renty, Congo, B.F. Taylor, Esq. Columbia, S.C.

Delia, country born of African parents, daughter of Renty, Congo.

Excited, he also penned a note to Morton, the scientist with the skulls: I have just finished daguerreotypes for Agassiz of native Africans of various tribes. I wish you could see them.

Then he shipped the images to Agassiz at Harvard.

Show and tell

That fall, when Agassiz received the daguerreotypes, he apparently was so excited that he brought them to a gathering of his elite Harvard peers.

The men were part of the Cambridge Scientific Club, which counted among its members two Harvard presidents, historians, philosophers, lawyers and literature professor Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, although the poet wasn't there that evening.

Rain poured as the men gathered in one members' palatial home. The night's discussion topic was the unity of races.

When they got to business, Agassiz pulled out the daguerreotypes.

He passed them around.

Those gathered studied the images: two women with their breasts exposed, men with naked genitals. What did they think?

Viewing nude enslaved people wasnt unusual among slaveowners, explains John Stauffer, a Harvard professor of English, African and African American Studies.

It was common for white men, in particular, to look at scantily clad or naked slaves in public, especially at auctions and whippings, he writes in To Make Their Own Way in the World.

Ilisa Barbash, a Peabody curator and co-editor of the book, notes the particular exploitation of Black women who "were scrutinized on auction blocks, raped in the households where they served, and acted as 'wet nurses' to children not their own."

But Agassiz wasnt in a slave state anymore.

What was the reaction in that room? Rogers, who unearthed evidence the meeting occurred, said details remain elusive.

Perhaps a clue lingers in the fact that Agassiz never published the images. Nor does it appear he presented them again.

Instead, the daguerreotypes wound up in a drawer in the attic of Harvard's Peabody Museum until 1976, a century after Agassizs death, when the group of employees discovered them.

'I saw what happened'

Back before the internet could so easily set images free to the global masses, Harvard tried to restrict access to and dissemination of the disturbing photographs.

It required viewers to sign a contract promising not to use them without the universitys permission.

One day in the 1990s, Carrie Mae Weems, an acclaimed Black artist, signed the agreement. Shed been lecturing about the daguerreotypes for years as part of her interest in how Black people had been portrayed in photography.

Despite signing the contract, she used the pictures anyway in a project entitled From Here I Saw What Happened and I Cried, 1995-1996.

The university threatened to sue her.

In a 2009 interview with the program Art21, she recalled thinking: The richest university in the world is going to sue me for using these images?

After considering Harvard's effort to control the images, she called back: I think actually you suing me would be a really good thing. You should. And we should have this conversation in court.

Instead, the university purchased Weems' artwork.

'Write this down'

In 2010, a couple hours' drive away from Harvard, an elderly Black woman lay dying.

At 86, Mattye Thompson Lanier knew her time on earth was dwindling. So did her daughter Tamara Lanier, who sat listening to her mother retell the family stories she had long shared with pride.

Mattye had grown up in Montgomery, Ala., the daughter of sharecroppers, picking cotton herself, going to college with civil rights activist Ralph Abernathy and then migrating north to Connecticut.

Her brother, a carpenter, had even taken part in the Montgomery bus boycott. His given name was Renty William, although everyone called him Willie.

Mattye especially loved to talk about an enslaved ancestor who had taught himself to read and then taught others, despite the severe risks. They called him Papa Renty.

Write this down, Mattye told her daughter.

Okay, Mom.

As her body weakened, Mattye persisted: I want you to do this.

She died on Jan. 8, 2010.

While grieving, Tamara Lanier realized shed made a promise. But she knew nothing about doing genealogy research  and what she did know was that it was particularly hard for African Americans to find clues to identity in slavery's void. White people had seen little value in recording much about their human property.

Lanier felt overwhelmed. A chief probation officer, she left work one day to get lunch at a favorite little ice cream shop in downtown Norwich, a small harbor city in eastern Connecticut. The older couple who owned it often made small talk as she paid for her salads.

This time, Lanier told them about her mothers death. And the promise. She mentioned Papa Renty.

Let me help, the owner, Richard Morrison, offered. Lanier thanked him and left.

A week or so later, she returned for lunch.

Where have you been? Lanier recalled him asking. I found your Papa Renty on the internet!

Morrison emailed her details. That evening, Lanier opened his note to find a story about Agassiz. Her eyes connected with a man staring back from an old daguerreotype. The article said his name was Renty.

Oh my God, Lanier thought.

I knew in my heart he was the man Id heard about for so many years.

Finding Renty

Knowing in her heart and finding historical evidence proved quite different.

As Frederick Douglass once lamented, Genealogical trees do not flourish among slaves. And in many Southern cities, what little did exist had been destroyed in wars, earthquakes, hurricanes and fires.

Lanier was luckier than most; Gibbes had left a critical clue. On the note he'd stuck to the pictures of Renty, he named the man's owner: B. F. Taylor, or Benjamin Franklin Taylor.

Lanier started calling South Carolina libraries, clerks' offices and universities. She found plenty about the prominent Taylor family  but little about the descendants of the enslaved people on their plantations.

I was hitting so many roadblocks and dead ends, she recalled.

Night after night, long into darkness, she combed online records, agonizing at the massive gaps. The longing to know family history really creates a void thats hard explain, she said.

But she did find a few gold nuggets along the barren historical road.

Among them was an 1834 slave index of Benjamin Taylor's father's estate. It listed hundreds of people sectioned off into family groupings. Two families included men named Renty.

On the left-hand side, one Renty was listed with six others, including Delia, the woman in the daguerreotypes.

On the right-hand side, "Big Renty" was listed with two other people.

Lanier wondered if "Big Renty" was Rentys father.

She had a start.

Over time, she also found a living Black descendent of the Taylor plantations who knew how to get in touch with Dr. Edmund Rhett Taylor, a descendant of Benjamin Taylor. The man was almost 100 years old.

Lanier stared at Dr. Taylor's phone number. Would he slam the phone down? Dismiss her? Listen? Laugh? Apologize?

Mostly, Lanier wanted to know where the Taylor family had migrated, taking their enslaved workers with them. Her mother's family had lived in Montgomery, Ala., during Jim Crow.

Lanier dialed and held her breath. A woman answered.

You dont know who I am, Lanier recalled saying. My family descended from Benjamin Taylors plantation ... 

Mary Haque, the elderly physician's daughter, responded kindly. She put Taylor on the line.

He, in turn, invited Lanier to their home in Columbia.

So in May 2016, she stood at the front door of the Taylor familys house on a lake in Columbia. Taylor, his wife, daughter and other relatives greeted her warmly.

Like Laniers mother, Taylor proved a gifted storyteller. Still sharp and gregarious, he read aloud from family documents hed collected, stopping to sprinkle in family lore.

It gave Lanier chills.

"In that moment, I felt I was hearing from him the historic perspective of the slaveholder that was completely in line with what I had heard from my mother. Both stories were virtually the same but told from two different perspectives.

As they spoke, Lanier also recognized names.

Mary, John, William, Anne, Sarah, Benjamin, George and Simon  all names in common. She realized her own family members were named after the Taylors.

When the daguerreotypes came up, Taylor noted that Benjamin hadn't been particularly interested in science. Lanier wondered if Gibbes, the Taylor familys physician, had been honest about where he'd planned to take the enslaved people that day  or why.

Then she got the answer she'd come for. The Taylors confirmed that Benjamin Taylor had, indeed, owned property in Alabama.

Between her mother's stories and the records she found, Lanier began to piece together a story.

Her grandfather Renty Taylor was born enslaved by the Taylors in South Carolina. She believes he was the son of "Renty" listed on the 1834 slave index and grandson of "Big Renty," the man in the daguerreotypes.

After Benjamin Taylor died, this third Renty's new owners changed his name to Renty Thompson. After the war, he migrated to Alabama.

There, Renty Thompson had nine children, including a son named Frederick Thompson.

And that man, Lanier said, was her mother's father.

It all adds up.

Contacting Harvard

In 2010, Lanier approached the Peabody Museum with a request. Shed found evidence that she could be a descendant of Renty and Delia and wanted to see their likenesses in person.

The museum agreed. Lanier took her daughter, unsure what to expect. She also brought the early research she had gathered so far.

When they arrived, Lanier handed the documents to a woman. Then they went through enough security, signatures and other hoops that the whole process felt hollow and strange by time they set eyes on the daguerreotypes.

After they left, Lanier said, she heard nothing back about the documents she'd shared.

The following year, she emailed Harvards then-president, Drew Faust. Could Harvard provide a formal review of her research?

Four years had passed since several dozen Harvard students set out to unearth the storied universitys complicity in slavery. They discovered that its presidents had enslaved people live with them on campus and that the university's significant endowments had drawn from the exploitation of slave labor."

Their findings prompted fresh discussions and actions at Harvard aimed at grappling with that history.

Faust emailed back that she appreciated Laniers offer to be of assistance and that two employees have agreed to be in touch with you if they discover any new information.

Lanier felt dismissed.

Harvard spokeswoman Rachael Dane, however, said researchers already had engaged with Lanier. Shed been welcomed to view the daguerreotypes and met with an archivist.

"Members of the Peabody staff were excited when they first learned Ms. Laniers story," Dane said.

They also had reviewed what research she'd handed over and encouraged her to share any other evidence she found.

"Ms. Lanier was treated with respect and repeatedly informed that the museum was open to reviewing additional information about her story," Dane added.

This kind of historical research is notoriously difficult to prove with certainty, especially for African Americans whose descendants are recorded only as first names, often common ones, if they are recorded at all.

A few years later, in 2017, Lanier heard that Harvard was hosting a conference at which the acclaimed Black writer Ta-Nehisi Coates would give the keynote.

She and her daughter attended. When they walked in, Renty's image stared back from a gigantic screen. It also adorned the conference's program. Renty, she said, was described as invisible.

Lanier felt insulted. By then, she had collected enough research and oral family history that she felt convinced the Renty staring back was Papa Renty.

It was a slight to my mother and her reverence of him, her memories of him," Lanier recalled. "This larger-than-life person, they referred to as invisible.

She wrote to Faust again. She didn't want Harvard, the school that had employed Agassiz, to tell Renty and Delia's story anymore.

This time, she included a demand: Please accept this notice as my formal request to have the Slave Daguerreotypes immediately relinquished to me as the lineal descendant of Congo Renty and our family.

Going to court

Harvard did not give her the daguerreotypes. So Lanier contacted Benjamin Crump, the prominent Houston attorney who represents the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor  whose killings prompted nationwide protests over the summer and deeper discussions about racism.

In spring 2019, they sued Harvard in Massachusetts state court.

On Twitter, Crump called it one of the most important cases since Brown v. Board of Education. By my calculation, Renty is 169 years a slave. When will Harvard finally set him free?"

The complaint reads part historical odyssey of sin, part legal challenge alleging unlawful seizure, possession and expropriation of photographic images. It asks a court to force the university to hand over the daguerreotypes, taken under the subjects' extreme duress, and at long last, bring Renty and Delia home.

As next of kin, Crump argued, Lanier has more right to the daguerreotypes than Harvard, which employed the racist man who directed the crime of their taking.

We believe this lawsuit is landmark in nature," Crump told The Post and Courier.

If Lanier prevails, he said it would be the first reparations lawsuit in which a Black descendant of slavery recovered something from an institution through a direct legal action.

He compared it to Jews trying to recover family artifacts taken by Nazis during the Holocaust.

There is no way that Harvard is the rightful owner of what are essentially the family photographs of this Black family, Crump said. Why should they continue to benefit from illegal, immoral activities?

Dane, the Harvard spokeswoman, said the university doesn't comment on pending legal action.

In court filings, its attorneys counter that Lanier has no right to the images however objectionable the circumstances of the photographs origins. The museum acquired them legally, and its use of the images is protected by the First Amendment, they argue.

Under the law, images belong to the photographer or the person who commissioned the work, not people in them. Harvard will need to provide evidence connecting ownership from Agassiz to the university, said Brent Sausser, a Charleston-based intellectual property attorney.

Did Agassiz donate them to Harvard? After his death in 1873, his son Alexander assumed his post there. Did Alexander acquire them through probate and donate them?

That is big, Sausser said. There needs to be a little more digging.

If Harvard cannot prove those links, perhaps the photographs belong to Agassiz's family. Recently, 43 of them wrote to Harvard to support Lanier. Giving the pictures to her family, they wrote, would begin to make amends for the white supremacist theory Agassiz espoused.

In October, a judge heard arguments over Harvards motion to dismiss the case but hasn't ruled yet.

The daguerreotypes are among the Peabodys most fragile objects. They are highly sensitive to light and stored in a cooled, monitored room, removed only twice a year for students and researchers to view.

They also are extremely valuable, Crump noted, and any museum would covet them. To him, Black descendants of the victims ought to decide which museum gets to hold them in its collection.

Lanier told The Post and Courier that if she prevails, she is committed to keeping the images safely preserved somewhere like the new International African American Museum being built in Charleston.

She also wants to keep them accessible.

To understand the pain and the impact of these images, you have to see them, she said. If Emmett Till had had a closed casket, we would never have known his name.

After Till's murder in Mississippi in 1955 for allegedly offending a White woman at a grocery story, his family made the decision to display his suffering in that casket.

Display of Renty and Delia's bodies, Lanier argued, likewise should be hers.

Then again, the historical genie already has escaped. Copyrights also have expired, and digital versions of the daguerreotypes circulate widely on the internet, for anyone to see.
(Newser)  We could be dealing with a "public mental health crisis" long after the coronavirus becomes a threat of the past, per Scientific American. Early studies indicate a third of COVID-19 patients develop a neurological symptom, such as stroke, psychosis, mania, a stutter, brain fog, and forgetfulness. "As horrible as the death rate is ... in the end there could be this legacy affecting up to one in 10 [Americans]," says Dr. William Banks of the University of Washington. Scientific American's piece opens with the story of a 40-year-old Texas teacher whose August COVID case robbed him of his voiceit returned a month later, but with a heavy stutter. Doctors have waved it off as stress-induced, which University of Michigan neuroscientist Soo-Eun Chang, who examines stutters, disputes (though she says stress can make a stutter worse).

story continues below

Speech is "one of the more complex movement behaviors" we have, she explains. "There are literally 100 muscles involved that have to coordinate on a millisecond time scale ... And it depends on a well-functioning brain." The million-dollar question is what is causing it and other neurological symptoms, and there are a wave of theories. As the Scientist reports, though "traces of the virus" have been found in the brain in some autopsies of COVID patients, it's definitely not found in all, leaving researchers looking for other ways the virus could be having an impact. That effort will require that far more brain autopsies be conducted, per the Scientist, which says we only have data from a few hundred thus far due to a lack of qualified labs and the necessary equipment. Scientific American looks at some possible pathways to the brain, including inflammatory signals called cytokines or viral proteins crossing the blood-brain barrier; read the full piece here. (Read more coronavirus stories.)
The e-elector photo identity card is a non-editable digital version of the elector photo identity card and it can be saved in facilities such as digital locker and can be printed in the PDF format, EC officials said

The Election Commission of India will launch today (Monday, 25 January) the e-EPIC (Electronic Electoral Photo Identity Card) programme during the National Voters' Day celebrations.

The e-elector photo identity card is a non-editable digital version of the elector photo identity card and it can be saved in facilities like digi locker and can be printed in the PDF format, Election Commission officials told news agency PTI.

"Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will launch the e-EPIC programme and distribute e-EPICs and Elector Photo Identity Cards to five new voters," PTI quoted from the commission statement.

The physical card takes time to print and reach the voter, and the idea is to provide faster delivery and easy accessibility to the document, the statement further stated.

According to a Hindustan Times report, new voters will also get hard copies of their voter ID cards.

After the launch of the programme, electors will be able to download an electronic version of the voter identity card on their mobile phones or personal computers.

Who will be able to download?

According to a News18 report, all general electors who have a valid EPIC number are eligible for e-EPIC. Between 25 and 31 January, all new electors who registered during November-December 2020 and who provided a unique mobile number while applying will be able to download the e-voter cards.

According to a LiveMint report, new voters will be able download the e-EPIC by simply authenticating their mobile number.

Other general voters will be able to download their e-voter cards from 1 February. All those who have given their mobile numbers (the ones linked) can also download their e-EPIC, the report further added.

As per the News18 report, those who don't have their EPIC number or have lost it can obtain the same by searching their names in the electoral roll on http://voterportal.eci.gov.in/ or http://electoralsearch.in/ and then download the e-voter card.

Alternatively, electors may also use their form-6 reference number to download e-EPIC.

How to download e-voter card?

According to reports, the digital version of the Elector Photo Identity Card can be accessed through the Voter Helpline App and the websites https://voterportal.eci.gov.in/ and https://www.nvsp.in/.

Steps to download:

Step 1: Register/Login on websites mentioned above

Step 2: Click on download E-EPIC option

Step 3: Enter the EPIC number or Form Reference Number

Step 4: Verify with OTP sent on registered mobile number and download e-EPIC

According to the Hindustan Times report, voters who do not have their phone numbers linked with the EC will have to reverify their details with the EC and get their mobile number linked to be able to download their e-EPIC.

Introduced in 1993, the elector photo identity cards are acceptable as proof of identity and address. The e version of the voter card is being launched to mark the anniversary of the Election Commission. The EC came into being on 25 January, 1950, a day before India became a republic. For the past few years, 25 January has been observed as National Voters' Day.

The Aadhaar card, Permanent Account Number (PAN) card and driving licence are already available in digital mode.

The launch also comes ahead of the Assembly elections in five states  West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry  which are likely to be held in April-May.

According to the LiveMint report, President Ram Nath Kovind will virtually attend the function as the chief guest. The theme for this year's National Voters' Day is 'Making Our Voters Empowered, Vigilant, Safe and Informed'.

It envisages active and participative voters during elections and focuses on the commission's commitment towards conducting elections safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, the report further said.

With inputs from PTI
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High near 75F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 50F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Hundreds of urgent operations have been axed since the beginning of the year

Cancer patients will be offered surgery at any hospital in Northern Ireland in a bid to save lives, it has emerged.

Hundreds of red-flag operations have been cancelled since the start of the year and an unknown number of people are still waiting for a first date for surgery.

However, health bosses are taking a regional approach to cancer surgery by allocating slots, when they become available, to those most at risk from their cancer.

While it may mean patients having to travel further for their operation, it is hoped it will reduce the wait for the sickest people.

But three leading local health officials have warned that vital cancer surgery will only increase once the coronavirus pandemic is finally brought under control.

Speaking at a meeting of the Stormont health committee during the week, the chief executives of the Belfast, Northern and Southern Trusts issued an appeal to the public to adhere to guidance to drive down Covid-19 infection rates.

Northern Trust boss Jennifer Welsh said: "We are looking at this across the region. Whenever we look at the postcodes, it may be that one area starts to emerge from this ahead of the others.

"But we have a commitment to work together as a region (so) that those patients who are most in need will be reprioritised for surgery first of all.

"So, you may not get surgery in your own trust area, but if you are in need, you will be one of the ones who gets the precious surgical slot. I do also want to mention that I think this is really difficult for our clinical teams. They are having to work hard to identify who is a priority when we know that all of these patients are actually a priority.

(They) work through all of those patient lists and agree, 'Well, actually, this is the priority or these are the very sickest patients for whom we are most worried."

Ms Welsh (above) was joined by Southern Trust boss Shane Devlin (left) and Belfast Trust chief executive Dr Cathy Jack, who called for the resumption of elective surgery.

Mr Devlin explained: "What we are doing as a collective (is) we're looking at how we can provide services for the most urgent cancer patients across Northern Ireland.

"(We are) using available resources and facilities as a collective to try to find appropriate places for those people to have their surgery.

"But the key for me is, I need to downturn the Covid heat so I can upturn services again.

"That is totally dependent on the amount of Covid that is in our community and is finding its way into our hospitals.

"I wish I could provide an assurance to my patients as to when they will get their surgery, but I need the Covid level to drop to enable me to re-engage my theatres with anaesthetics and nursing staff to allow me to do that."

Dervilia Kernaghan, from Cancer Focus NI, expressed concern over what patients and their families were being forced to go through.

"There will be an inevitable backlog and wave of later-stage diagnoses creating further pressure on our health system down the line," she said.

"Those diagnosed at a later stage often need more intensive and expensive treatment compared to those diagnosed at an early stage.

"We would strongly encourage anyone who has any health concerns, or is worried about cancer during the pandemic and beyond, to talk to their doctor as soon as possible.

"Delays in treatment place enormous stress on patients and on their families, who are waiting and worrying, and our hearts go out to them. For many cancer patients, time is not a luxury they can afford.

"The support services that Cancer Focus NI offers, such as counselling and family support, have never been more in demand."

The global diamond trade spent years in the doldrums, only to be crippled by the pandemic just as things started looking up. Now, at last, business is booming again.

Factories in the industrys engine room" -- the Indian city of Surat -- are so desperate to boost production that the most-skilled cutters and polishers are being headhunted with offers of 50% pay hikes and perks like free food and housing. Miner De Beers is poised for its biggest rough-diamond sale in three years, even after raising prices, and rival Alrosa PJSC said this week it expects the recovery will keep going for some time.

The boom is being driven by bumper holiday jewellery sales, particularly in the vital US and Chinese markets. For years, diamonds faced growing competition from travel as a form of luxury spending. Now, with vacations on hold due to lockdowns and other restrictions, consumers are putting their disposable income into online purchases.

People have not only learned to work remotely, but also buy online, including diamonds," Alrosa Chief of Sales Evgeny Agureev said in an interview. Money was previously spent on trips or on dinners at expensive restaurants, but now part of this demand has gone to diamonds. Online sales almost doubled last year to about 20% of the total."

The sales boost is feeding through to surging demand for polished diamonds, at a time when stocks held by factories and traders had shrunk dramatically following the initial Covid-19 lockdowns.

But for an industry long familiar with dramatic booms and busts, its unclear whether the rebound will take hold, or represents only a temporary respite. Some industry participants are also concerned that the market is running too hot, risking a slump later in the year.

Annual diamond jewellery demand had been stagnant at about $80 billion for the past five years and the sectors middlemen were struggling to turn a profit. As global vaccines roll out and other luxury purchases become viable again, theres a risk that the industry finds itself facing the same old challenges as before.

For now, money is pouring in. Signet Jewelers Ltd. reported a 7.8% jump in holiday sales in North America, by far the industrys biggest market. The jewellers online sales surged in the period. It was a similar story in China, the second-biggest market, where Chow Tai Fook reported an 18% rise in quarterly sales.

India, where about 90% of diamonds are cut or polished, imported almost $2 billion in rough diamonds last month as cutters and polishers raced to meet the increased demand and restock their inventories.

De Beers and Alrosa have both responded by raising prices, seeking to recover some of the ground they lost last year when demand collapsed.

But while De Beers implemented an increase of about 5% in its first sale of the year last week, customers are still buying. The sale hasnt yet been finalized, but the miner was on course for its biggest rough-diamond auction in three years -- at about $600 million -- according to people familiar with the situation.

Still, the first sales of the year are the traditionally the busiest, when the industrys middlemen rush to restock. If sales slow later in the year, prices could come under pressure again.

The risks of a short-lived revival are compounded by the billions of dollars of rough diamond stocks held by the two big miners. So far, theyve resisted the temptation to start offloading the inventories.

Theres a dilemma for the miners. If they choose not to sell, they lose out on monetizing stock, but if they sell too much they risk over-saturating the market," said Anish Aggarwal, a partner at specialist diamond advisory firm Gemdax. If they get this right, there will be support for prices."

At the moment, the middlemen who cut, polish and trade the worlds diamonds are making money. In the so-called secondary market -- where buyers sell to gem manufacturers who dont have direct access to De Beers or Alrosa -- boxes have been changing hands at premiums above 5%, and some in double digits, even after the price rise. That suggests manufacturers believe they can make a profit at current prices.

Rough diamond prices generally have recovered back to pre-pandemic levels, while polished prices are slightly higher. Thats good news for mostly small and private family-run businesses that cut, polish and trade the stones.

So long as midstream stocks dont get saturated, margins can be defended," said Aggarwal. All industry stakeholders -- miners, midstream and retailers -- will need to work in a measured way to enable this to continue."

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Up to 50 per cent of all lorries bringing goods into Britain from the EU are crossing the Channel back empty afterward as British businesses shun exporting because of Brexit red tape, it was revealed today.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) says that far fewer containers filled with goods are leaving for the continent from the UK since Boris Johnson agreed a trade deal with Brussels.

It came as UK businesses that export to the EU are reportedly being encouraged by trade officials to set up hubs across the Channel so they can avoid post-Brexit disruption.

Richard Burnett, chief executive of the RHA, said: 'Most of the trucks that bring goods into the UK are not British and we've seen a noticeable reduction in hauliers wanting to make the journey'.

He told The Times: 'There is not normal demand from exporters, which means around 40 per cent are returning to the Continent empty. They are also worried about being stuck in port if they don't have the right customs paperwork. The new Covid tests are also very unpopular and are having an effect on the number of hauliers who are prepared to make the trip.'

Some firms claim they have been advised to set up subsidiary companies in the EU so they can avoid extra paperwork when exporting products into the trade bloc.

Some firms claim they have been advised to set up subsidiary companies in the EU so they can avoid extra paperwork when exporting products into the trade bloc. Pictured: Lorries quieing-up at the Port of Dover on Friday

Co-founder of Macclesfield-based Cheshire Cheese Company, Simon Spurrell (pictured left), was one of those who claimed he had been told to set up shop in the EU. Ulla Vitting Richards (pictured right), told the BBC she had been advised to move her stock to a warehouse in Germany in order to keep exporting to the EU

One boss of a UK cheese producing company told the BBC he was advised to set-up in Europe to avoid disruption to his EU exports.

Another, the boss of a clothing firm, told the BBC that they had been encouraged to link up with a distribution centre Germany in order to keep exporting to the EU.

What are the extra charges and paperwork and why were they introduced? Shipping goods either way across the UK-EU border now takes longer and is more expensive since the UK left the EU's Customs Union and Single Market. Since January 1 a new customs regime has been in place that treats the UK as an external 'third country' for goods being imported and exported into and out of the EU. Although the terms of the free trade deal mean there are no tariffs or quotas, the small print of the deal imposes new red tape and charges for goods being moved across the border. Customs clearance charges must now be paid, while many couriers also add on postal or handling fees to account for the extra paperwork they now need to process. VAT is payable by businesses when they bring goods into the UK. Goods that are exported by UK businesses to the EU are zero-rated, meaning that UK VAT is not charged at the point of sale. Some goods may need a rules of origin document. And once they arrive at the ports, there are new checks by officials which also slow down the transport process. The extra time taken for goods to cross the border means some shipments have been delayed. That means that in addition to extra fees at the border goods are also taking longer to travel from retailer to customer - complicating the situation further. Advertisement

It comes after fashion industry experts warned High Street retailers and luxury brands may burn items returned by customers that are now stuck in European warehouses rather than bringing them back to the UK to avoid the cost and hassle of red tape.

The Department for International Trade told MailOnline it was 'not government policy' to advise businesses to set-up subsidiaries abroad.

However, co-founder of Macclesfield-based Cheshire Cheese Company, Simon Spurrell, was one of those who claimed he had been told to set up shop in the EU.

Mr Spurrell reportedly approached the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for advice over the need for a veterinary-approved health certificates for exports.

The firm was reportedly being asked to pay 180 for the certificates to export gift boxes costing up to 30 each.

He told the BBC he had been advised to set up a packaging firm across the Channel.

Mr Spurrell said: 'They told me setting up a fulfilment centre in the EU where we could pack the boxes was my only solution.'

He added that the business was now looking to 'test the water' with a business in France, but it had scrapped plans to build a new 1million warehouse in the UK - which he said could have created up to 30 jobs.

Another business owner, Ulla Vitting Richards, told the BBC she had been advised to move her stock to a warehouse in Germany in order to keep exporting to the EU.

Ms Richards, who runs UK-based sustainable fashion firm Vildnis, told the BBC: '(The official from the Department of Trade) told me we'd be best off moving stock to a warehouse in Germany and get them to handle it.'

She says she has stopped exporting to the EU since Brexit.

It comes as it was revealed earlier this week UK Fashion & Textile Association chief Adam Mansell said retailers may now find it cheaper to simply dispose of the items at the EU warehouses rather than pay to have them shipped back to Britain.

How delays at the border are hitting food deliveries There are more forms to fill in before lorries arrive at the Channel and other crossings following the UK's exit from the Customs Union and Single Market. And once they arrive at the ports, there are new checks by officials which also slow down the transport process. For UK retailers, it means there is a slowdown in receiving stock from the EU. It takes longer for European hauliers to get here, and UK-based lorries are slowed down on the way out and then slowed down on the return trip as well. This is leading to empty shelves and shortages of some goods for consumers. The most immediate problems are with perishable goods - food and drink. Alcoholic drinks and staples including broccoli, tomatoes and cheese have been in short supply because they are imported from manufacturers in Europe. The problems are similar for exporters, UK firms sending goods to be sold in Europe. The import problem is most acute for perishable foods. Fish and shellfish that are sold to European markets are decomposing in the back of lorries because of the time taken to get across. And now the problem is affecting other, more robust foods, like meat and vegetables, which are rotting on the dockside. Scottish seafood firms last week warned they are just 'days from collapse' unless emergency cash is paid out to compensate for the Brexit border chaos. Hauliers have also faced difficulties transporting stock to Ulster under the Northern Ireland Protocol in the Brexit deal. The protocol is designed to allow Northern Ireland to follow the EU's customs rules to prevent the establishment of a hard border on the island of Ireland. But this has caused delays at the ports on either side of the Irish Sea because of new declarations and checks. Advertisement

He said: 'It's part of the ongoing small print of the deal. If you're in Germany and buying goods from the UK, you as the German customer are the importer bringing goods into the EU.

'You then have a courier company knocking on the door giving you a customs clearance invoice that you need to pay to receive your goods.'

Mr Mansell said further customs paperwork facing UK retailers when goods are returned includes an 'export clearance charge, import charge arrival, import VAT charge and, depending on the goods, a rules of origin document as well. Lots of large businesses don't have a handle on it, never mind smaller ones.'

Following Britain's exit from the Customs Union and Single Market, EU consumers buying a coat, a pair of boots or any other product from a UK-based retailer now have to pay charges including import duties and courier or postal handling fees.

Some of the same costs and red tape also apply to British customers buying products that have been shipped from the EU - adding a third to the cost of online orders and slowing down deliveries due to extra checks at ports.

Customers in the EU are being asked to pay the extra costs by couriers when the goods reach their door, so many are rejecting them to avoid paying the bill. Figures from data firm Statista show that 30% of orders are now being returned.

Four major UK High Street fashion retailers are have begun stockpiling returns at warehouses in Belgium, Ireland and Germany, reported the BBC. One brand will incur charges of almost 20,000 to get the returns back.

Apart from the charges, businesses need to also complete Customs declaration forms detailing the contents, their origin and value to get goods through ports.

British shoppers have already complained about being hit with punishing 'Brexit fees' on purchases from Europe, which could add more than third to the cost of a new outfit.

Londoner, Ellie Huddleston, aged 26, found the charges added up to 82 for a 200 coat and another 58 for a selection of blouses that had a list price of 180.

Lisa Walpole, from Norfolk, was told to pay 121 in relation to a 236 clothes order she made from the Norwegian website Onepiece.com, which specialises in premium jumpsuits.

And Helen Kara, from Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, was hit with a bill for 93 after purchasing 292 worth of bed linen from Urbanara.co.uk, which is based in Berlin.

Ms Huddleston said she was surprised by the fees, which were notified by the two international courier firms who were handling the shipments.

'I didn't even know when the parcels would be coming - so I sent both back without paying the extra fees and won't be ordering anything from Europe again any time soon,' she told the BBC.

One of the biggest problems is that people shopping with an EU-based store online find it difficult, if not impossible, to understand how much the extra charges will add up to.

UK Fashion & Textile Association chief Adam Mansell said it was often cheaper for British retailers to dump goods being returned from Europe rather than deal with them

Clothes shopper Louisa Walters, 52, was asked for 77.23 in tax, duties and charges after splashing out more than 240 on two items of clothing from Paris-based Sandro

A man who paid 300 to buy two pairs of suede winter boots from a German firm online was told by UPS that he would have to come up with another 147 before they would deliver.

The unnamed man told the BBC: 'It was virtually impossible to find out what the charges would be beforehand, so I had to take a shot in the dark. I didn't imagine that it would be half as much again.'

Under the new rules, anyone in the UK receiving a gift from the EU worth more than 39 may now face a bill for import VAT - with many items charged at 20per cent.

For goods costing more than 135, customs duties may also apply, which can range from 0-25per cent of the purchase price.

The extra charges are usually collected by the courier on behalf of the government, with customers asked to pay before they can pick up their package. Because of the new red tape and costs involved, most courier firms add a handling fee, so pushing up the bill even more.

The Brexit trade deal has seen many European customers rejecting goods imported from the UK after being presented with unexpected customs paperwork and charges when signing for them

The costs and complexity of the new regime means that some EU businesses have decided to suspend selling items to UK consumers.

Courier industry expert, David Jinks, the Head of Consumer Research at ParcelHero, said: 'Now the UK has left the EU's single market I'm afraid shoppers buying from EU stores should expect the unexpected.

'Despite the fact Boris Johnson claimed he had secured a 'cakeist' free trade deal, meaning Britain can actually have its cake and eat it, there are, in fact, a bunch of new fees that may need to be paid on parcels arriving from the EU.

'Some EU-based stores have stopped selling to the UK entirely because of the mess.'

The Government said: 'We have encouraged companies new to dealing with customs declarations to appoint a specialist to deal with import and export declarations on their behalf - and we made more than 80m available to expand the capacity of the customs agents market.

'The Government will continue to work closely with businesses to ensure they are able to trade effectively under the new rules.'

Meanwhile, on claims UK businesses were being told to create subsidaries in the EU, a Department for International Trade spokesperson said: 'This is not government policy, the Cabinet Office have issued clear guidance, available at gov.uk/transition, and we encourage all businesses to follow that guidance.

'We are ensuring all officials are properly conveying this information.'

British customers are also liable to be hit with further duties if the goods originated, even partially, outside the EU.

The delivery companies are then whacking their own additional charges on top - 2.5 per cent of the VAT charge in the case of DHL - to cover their administrative fees.

It is believed that the issues can be ironed out over the next few months as more EU retailers register with HMRC.

These are four examples of products ordered by UK customers from EU firms that have now gone up in price due to Brexit charges and red tape

Lisa Walpole, from Norfolk, was told to pay 121 in relation to a 236 clothes order she made from the Norwegian website Onepiece.com, which specialises in premium jumpsuits

And Helen Kara, from Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, was hit with a bill for 93 after purchasing 292 worth of bed linen from Urbanara.co.uk, which is based in Berlin (pictured is the firm's website)

But some have pulled the plug on their UK operations altogether in the wake of Brexit.

Shoppers in the UK have reported shortages of some items in domestic supermarkets after Britain split from Brussels at the start of the year.

Items seemingly in short supply have included cauliflower packs, citrus fruit, courgettes, French wine and brie.

Meanwhile, M&S stores in France have faced supply issues and millions of pounds worth of meat exports from the UK have been left to rot in ports on the continent because of new border rules.

Northern Ireland has also experienced food shortages but ministers have previously been insistent problems were not Brexit-related.

Northern Ireland Minister Brandon Lewis said empty shelves had 'nothing to do with leaving the EU' as he blamed the coronavirus crisis.

But Ms Truss, the International Trade Secretary, has now said Brexit is partly to blame, putting her at odds with her Cabinet colleague.

She told ITV's Peston programme: 'Well, I think it is down to both of those issues. Of course we were always clear that we are leaving the single market, we are leaving the customs unions, there would be processes to be undertaken.

'We are now seeing a more rapid flow of goods into Northern Ireland and those supermarket shelves are being stocked.

'Of course there was always going to be a period of adjustment for businesses but at the same time the benefits of having the trade deal we now have with the EU is we are able to strike trade deals with the rest of the world.'

But while some sectors have shared their post-Brexit difficulties, others, such as the boss of car-making giant Nissan, says the UK's new trade deal with the US gives the country a 'competitive advantage'.

Ashwani Gupta, the carmaker's chief operating officer, said he believed the last minute deal would 'redefine' the UK's auto industry.

Ashwani Gupta (pictured), the carmaker's chief operating officer, said he believed the last minute deal would 'redefine' the UK's auto industry

The Brexit trade deal has given Nissan a competitive advantage, according to a senior official at the Japanese car giant. Pictured: The plant today

'Brexit has brought the business continuity in the short-term, protects 75,000 jobs across Europe and most importantly - all of our models which we manufacture in Sunderland,' he told a news briefing.

Speaking from Japan, he said Nissan would continue investing in the UK, stressing the company did not stop investing in the run-up to the UK leaving the EU.

The Brexit deal had secured the sustainability of Nissan and improved competitiveness of the giant Sunderland factory, he said.

'Sunderland is one of the top three plants in the world for competitiveness for Nissan,' he said. 'Brexit gives us the competitive advantage in the UK and outside.'

Mr Gupta also said Nissan would move production of the batteries used in its Leaf electric cars to the UK to take advantage of trade rules guaranteeing zero tariffs on EU exports if at least 55 per cent of the car's value is derived from the UK or the EU.

The batteries are currently imported from Japan, but Mr Gupta told the BBC: 'We've decided to localise the manufacture of the 62KW battery in Sunderland so that all our products qualify (for tariff-free export to the EU).'

By the end of 2023 all Nissan cars sold in Europe will have an electrified version, he said, adding it would then be up to customers to decide how quickly they switch from petrol and diesel motors.

Mr Gupta added Nissan's message had been 'consistent' over the past few years, while Brexit was causing so much uncertainty for business.

'As long as the current business conditions are kept, we are sustainable, not only in Sunderland, but across Europe.'

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: 'Nissan's decision represents a genuine belief in Britain and a huge vote of confidence in our economy thanks to the vital certainty that our trade deal with the EU has given the auto sector.

'For the dedicated and highly-skilled workforce in Sunderland, it means the city will be home to Nissan's latest models for years to come and positions the company to capitalise on the wealth of benefits that will flow from electric vehicle production as part of our green industrial revolution.'
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Staten Islander Jennifer Donnelly believes her son, who Long Island police arrested in November, is innocent  but no matter the outcome of his trial shes worried about coronavirus (COVID-19) in the states prison and jail systems.

Suffolk County Police arrested 19-year-old Robert Diaz on Nov. 2 for alleged gun possession and violation of a court order. Hes been held since then in the countys jail system on bail of either $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond.

Donnelly, of Elm Park, said Diaz tested positive for the virus in December, and has been subject to multiple transfers by the Suffolk County Sheriffs Office, which oversees the jails, making it difficult to stay in touch with him.

Additionally, her son -- who is an aspiring rapper -- has asthma, making him more susceptible to the effects of the virus, and as cases rise around the state and nation, Donnelly said her worries only grow.

I am very stressed out about my sons condition, she said. I cant get any information when I call the jail cell, they wont tell me anything about him.

She said shes heard from other families with relatives in the jail system that have similar concerns about the conditions.

COVID IN NYS JAILS AND PRISONS

The pandemic has impacted both inmates and staff across the states jail and prison systems.

Since the start of the pandemic, 3,952 staff members and 4,502 inmates had confirmed cases of the virus as of Wednesday, according to the state Department of Correction and Community Supervision (DOCCS).

The same data showed seven staff and 29 inmates died as a result of the virus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 6% of deaths related to the pandemic listed COVID-19 as the lone cause. Co-morbidities include cancer, obesity, and existing respiratory issues, according to the CDC.

Of the 4,502 inmates with confirmed cases, 3,379 have recovered leaving 1,123 of the 40,956 inmates housed in the systems 52 facilities infected with the virus.

MITIGATING THE SPREAD

Chief Deputy for the Suffolk County Sheriffs Office, Michael Sharkey, told the Advance/SILive.com that the jail system has been very aggressive in mitigating the virus spread, and said that up until Thanksgiving it had only had two inmate cases related to in-facility spread.

Everyone has been dealing with this pandemic since last March, and weve been very, very successful in our facilities in initiating safeguards to keep things at a minimum, he said. Theres been that second surge, if you will, since Thanksgiving and that has impacted us as well.

In addition to a mandatory mask policy and required temperature tests for staff entering the facility, Sharkey said theres round-the-clock medical staff at the their facilities and laid out some of the departments protocols for quarantine, including:

New inmates and inmates returning to facilities are automatically put on a 14-day quarantine away from the existing jail population and monitored to see if they develop COVID symptoms.

Quarantine protocol also goes into place for entire housing areas where an inmate tests positive.

Actual testing for the virus among inmates is a decision that is ultimately made by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

On Tuesday, Donnelly said she received a letter from the warden at her sons jail informing her about the protocols they have in place, but that it did not ease her worries because she says it contradicts what shes been hearing from her son.

I dont think Ill ever feel better about the situation. I dont think (the letter) really helped, she said.

CLEMENCY, VACCINATION FOR INMATES?

The Legal Aid Society of New York has advocated for release of multiple inmates, who are at higher risk from the virus, in the states jail and prison systems.

Lawyers for Legal Aid have filed more than 100 COVID-19 clemency applications since the start of the pandemic, but Gov. Andrew Cuomo has granted just one.

Their clients seeking clemency include a 59-year-old man with stage-two leukemia, hypertension and kidney disease, and a 62-year-old man with HIV and a heat murmur. Both men have strong disciplinary records, and are serving time for low-level drug offenses, according to the Legal Aid Society.

As New York has begun its vaccination process, Legal Aid has also called for the state to begin offering the vaccine to its incarcerated population.

While the governor has authorized vaccination for prison and jail staffs around the state, inmates have yet to be authorized despite CDC recommendations to vaccinate inmates and staff at the same time, because of their shared increased risk of disease.

Outbreaks in correctional and detention facilities are often difficult to control given the inability to physically distance, limited space for isolation or quarantine, and limited testing and personal protective equipment resources.

In a Thursday media release, Supervising Attorney with the Prisoners Rights Project at The Legal Aid Society, Stefen Short pointed out that inmate vaccinations had been approved in other states, including Iowa, Massachusetts, and Virginia.

While governors in other states take decisive action to stem the spread of COVID-19 in carceral settings, Governor Cuomo has ignored the appeals of health experts, who agree that prisons and jails are high risk settings that should be prioritized for vaccine access, Short said.

In view of these daily sizable increases in confirmed virus cases in DOCCS, its unconscionable that Governor Cuomo continues to deny our clients lifesaving relief. We demand action now, Short continued.

DOCCS spokesperson Thomas Mailey said the department is working with the state Department of Health to develop a plan to vaccinate the systems inmates.

Regarding Diazs incarceration, Deputy Chief Sharkey pointed out that, after the states recent bail reform, only people charged with the most serious crimes are held with bail while awaiting their trial. Diazs next appearance is scheduled for Feb. 4, according to online court records.

Donnelly said she understands that people need to be held accountable for their actions, but that more consideration needs to be given to inmates health during the pandemic.

I need to help my son and the other inmates, she said. They are trapped in a living nightmare, the conditions of these facilities are already disgusting, now they are fighting for their health.



Suppose a friend said to you, I know youre disinterested, so I want to ask you a question presently. Then he didnt say anything. Would you be momentarily nonplussed?

Quite likely, yes. The above paragraph contains four words whose primary definitions have changed or are currently changing. Disinterested traditionally meant impartial, and now is generally used to mean uninterested. Presently has gone from shortly to currently; momentarily from for a moment to in a moment; and nonplussed from perplexed to unimpressed, or fazed to unfazed. To lend support to my theory that the new meanings now dominate popular usage, I gave an ungraded and anonymous quiz to one of my college classesan advanced writing seminar. Here is the percentage who gave the wrong/new definition:

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Disinterested: 94

Momentarily: 88

Presently: 88

Nonplussed: 80

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We all know that words change their meanings all the time, sometimes glacially (the prescriptivists have long been fighting on behalf of the impartial sense of disinterested) sometimes relatively quickly (that nonplussed thing snuck up on me). * But this fact raises a question (it doesnt beg the questionthat means something else): How long should we hold on to a words old meaning?

This is a subset of the larger issuean ethical one, reallyof how we should deploy our language knowledge. Some peopleoften children of English teachers or Anglophilesproudly wear their knowledge on their sleeve, and adopt hypercorrect linguistic behavior. Take Ray Magliozzi, the less laughter-prone of NPRs Car Talk guys, who turns his sentences into pretzels so as to avoid ending them with prepositions: a rule that has been out of favor for roughly half a century. (Ray consequently favors the phrase with which.) I actually heard him use the word shall on last weeks show. A subclass of this group favors ur-renditions of common expressions. Adopting the diction of George Gissing or Walter Pater, they will choose stamping (instead of stomping) grounds, champing (instead of chomping) at the bit, pompons (instead of pompoms), or titbits (instead of tidbits). * Such archaism seems designed to attract attention, and nothing more.

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But using a meaning on its way to extinction can be nobler than such exhibitionism. Balancing the possibility that youll confuse your audience, and the prospect of appearing pretentious or dorky, is the chance that the old meaning could be a really good meaning, which no other word conveys precisely. There is no exact synonym for (the old-fashioned) disinterested, for example. In such cases, keeping a legacy sense in circulation is laudable activism in pursuit of semantic sustainabilityas if you found some members of a near-extinct species of mollusk and built a welcoming environment in which they could breed.

So, pedantry on one side, conservation on the other. Whats needed is an algorithm to help you decide where on the continuum a particular word or expression lies.

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Guess what: I have such an algorithm! Or, more precisely, I have a somewhat arbitrary metric. In the chart below, the number under the percent sign indicates the proportion of the first 20 hits on a Google News search reflecting a words oldmeaning. The utility rating is my view of how valuable that old meaning is. Lions share gets a 0 because it is a cliche and one can express the traditional meaning simply by saying all. Fortuitous gets a 2 because accidental or coincidental mean pretty much, though not exactly, the same thing. Disinterested gets a 3.

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To get the score, I took the percentage of Google hits that used the old meanings and added the utility ratings: 20 points for 1, 40 for 2, and 60 for 3. The final score correlates roughly with academic grades. That is, 65 or better means the old sense still passes, and you should feel free to use it. If it doesnt pass, you can either convert to the new sense or, if thats too painful, avoid the word entirely.

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If you are champing at the bit to decimate me, be ready, because I will be done presently.

Word Traditional Definition New Definition(s) % Utility Rating Score Beg the question Assume a claim is true without evidence other than the claim itself (circular logic) Prompt or raise a question 5% 3 65 Decimate Kill one-tenth of a population Kill or eliminate a large enough proportion of something so as to render it ineffective 0% 0 0 Disinterested Lacking a selfish reason to favor a particular side in a debate or contest, and therefore impartial Uninterested 15% 3 75 Eke out Make a small amount of something last, with sparing use Achieve narrowly and laboriously 0% 3 60 Fortuitous Accidental; unplanned Lucky 5% 2 45 Fulsome Offensively excessive Abundant; full 0% 2 40 Hoi polloi 1 The common people The fancy people 2 90% 3 1 110 Lions share All or nearly all The majority 0% 0 0 Momentarily For a moment In a moment; presently 80% 4 1 100 Nonplussed Perplexed Unfazed; nonchalant 45% 2 85 Presently Shortly Now; currently 0% 2 5 60 6 Toothsome Delectable; attractive Having big or prominent teeth; quality of a food that is dense or chewy 30% 2 70 Verbal In words Oral; spoken 0% 2 40 1 Pedants and classics majors will point out that it is incorrect to say the hoi polloi, because in Greek, hoi means the. 2 Probably because it sounds like hoity toity. 3 I did not include two articles that discussed the proper meaning of hoi polloi. 4 This is a misleadingly low number, I would say, since the new meaning of momentarily is most often used conversationally, and hence is not likely to show up in news reports. Most of the Google News new-meaning citations are real-time updates, for example, More details will be added to this story momentarily. 5 The new meaning of momentarily denotes the traditional meaning of presently. 6 I have made an executive decision to raise the score of presently by twenty points because context makes clear that the traditional meaning indicates a future action or occurrence, reducing confusion or ambiguity.

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Update, April 8, 2011: As a reader identifying himself or herself as Jamougha has correctly pointed out, the use of disinterested to mean uninterested is not new, and I was being imprecise to call it that. It goes back to the 17th centuryas does using the word to mean impartial or neutral, which I equally imprecisely described as traditional. Theres a similar history to presently. The Oxford English Dictionary cites uses to mean both in a little while (which I called traditional) and now (which I called new) back to the 15th century.

Here is a more precise account. Around the middle of the 20th centurynot coincidentally, the time when the lions share of present-day language prescriptivists were developing their prescriptivisma consensus developed about various rules and meanings, including disinterested and presently. A key text reflecting that consensus is the second edition of H.M. Fowlers A Dictionary of Modern English Usage, which was published in 1965 and was the work of Sir Ernest Gowers. Gowers defines disinterested as free from personal bias. He notes that OED called the uninterested sense obsolete until a 1933 edition, when it removed the designation, and says this revival has since gathered strength. Sir Ernest did not approve, concluding, A valuable differentiation is thus in need of rescue, if it is not too late.

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As for presently-to-mean-currently, the usage note in the current edition of the OED is a noncommittal model of its kind: Apparently avoided in literary use between the 17th and 20th centuries, but in regular use in most English dialects and by Scottish writers; revived in the 20th cent. in the U.S., subsequently in Britain and elsewhere. Regarded by some usage writers, esp. after the mid 20th cent., as erroneous or ambiguous. Sir Ernest, predictably, raised an eyebrow at this use, commenting, It is now enjoying a vigorous revival, though whether for any better reason than novelty hunting may be doubted, seeing that we have available for the same purpose not only now but also for those who dislike monosyllables at present and currently.

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The history of both words illustrates the truth that, when it comes to language, there is no right or wrong in a metaphysical sense, only a consensus that holds for a particular period of time. And hold your comments: by consensus I mean the new sense of general agreement, not the traditional sense of unanimous agreement!

Correction, April 8, 2011: This article originally stated that prescriptivists have been fighting on behalf of the original sense of disinterested (meaning impartial) for centuries. Actually the fights been going on since about the middle of the 20th, and its not quite accurate to call impartial the original sense of disinterested for reasons outlined in the update. ( Return to the corrected sentence.)

Correction, April 7, 2011: Because of an editing error, this article originally stated that pompon was an alteration of pompom, rather than vice versa. Pompon is the hypercorrect word. (Return to the corrected sentence.)
Authorities needed the help of bee keepers to help contain the swarm of bees that escaped from an 18-wheeler that rolled over just northwest of downtown San Antonio on Sunday.

The truck rolled over on the interchange connecting Interstate 10 and Interstate 35 southbound above West Elmira Street at 10:59 a.m. and unleashed thousands of bees it was carrying.
The man said that was good to know and that he might return with a bolt cutter if the bike was still there after more than a week.

There was some sentimentality behind his intentions. The bike was a model from the 1970s, when Ross still had a factory in Rockaway. He said that he had grown up there and that his aunt had worked at the factory.

As we chatted, another man approached. He said the bike was his, and he had the seat to prove it. He said he had seen us gathered around the bike from his window.

The man I had been speaking with looked disappointed.

Then the bikes owner asked if any of us wanted it. He said he had planned to fix it up but had never found the time.

With that, he attached the seat, unlocked the bike and handed it over to the young man from Rockaway.

 Daniel Bowman Simon

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White House Chief of Staff: Biden Administration Taking Responsibility for COVID-19 Vaccines

President Joe Biden is taking responsibility for distributing and administering COVID-19 vaccines in America, his chief of staff said Sunday, as he also defended statements different health advisers made.

The fundamental difference between the Biden approach and the Trump approach is that were going to take responsibility at the federal government. Were going to own this problem. Were going to work closely with the states. They are our key partners in getting this done. But were also going to do the work ourselves, Ron Klain said on NBCs Meet the Press, referencing how over 41 million vaccine doses have been sent to states, but only 20 million have been administered.

Were going to set up these federal vaccination centers to make sure that in states that dont have enough vaccination sites, we fill those gaps. Were going to work closely with the manufacturers to ramp up production. One of the first orders the president signed was using his legal authority under the Defense Production Act to mandate the production of more vials that can extract more doses out, more syringes that could extract more doses out of the existing vaccine vials. So were going to use all the powers we have in the White House, added Klain, who spoke as Bidens nominee for health secretary told another station that the United States is seeing uncontrolled spread of COVID-19.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Biden unveiled a national COVID-19 strategy during his first full day in office and campaigned on the issue, saying hed be at the head of a response that would do better than former President Donald Trumps administration did. Still, he said Friday that the trajectory of the pandemic in the next months couldnt be changed, triggering pushback from some.

Nurse Patti Ward inoculates EMT Jazmin Murillo with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at UMass Memorial Hospital in Marlborough, Mass., on Jan. 12, 2021. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden also pledged to oversee 100 million vaccinations in his first 100 days in office, a goal thats already within reach because of the acceleration of daily vaccinations that took place under Trump. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, said last week he wants the daily rate of nationwide vaccinations to shoot to 5 million, or even 10 million.

Klain said Bidens goal is still very bold and ambitious but hopes that even more Americans are vaccinated.

Two Biden administration officials presented an apparent contradiction, with Jeff Zients, coordinator of the presidents COVID-19 task force, suggesting during a call with reporters that Trumps team left them with little in the way of vaccine distribution. The claim was echoed in a CNN report that cited anonymous officials.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, though, told reporters during a briefing, We certainly are not starting from scratch.

I think those two statements actually reconcile more than you might think. I think what Dr. Faucis saying is, of course, a year of really amazing scientific breakthrough and discovery created this vaccine in record time. And we have seen the initial wave of vaccinations take place. So that is progress we are building on. Theres no question about it. But the process to distribute the vaccine, particularly outside of nursing homes and hospitals out into the community as a whole did not really exist when we came into the White House, Klain said Sunday.

As everyone in America has seen, the way in which people get vaccine is chaotic. Its very limited. Weve seen this factor all over the country where millions of doses have been distributed. About half of that has been given out. So the process of getting that vaccine into arms, thats the hard process, thats where were behind as a country and thats where were focused, in the Biden administration, on getting that ramped up.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2021) The US State Department says Washington plans to strengthen ties with Taiwan, which China considers to be part of its territory.

"We will stand with friends and allies to advance our shared prosperity, security, and values in the Indo-Pacific region  and that includes deepening our ties with democratic Taiwan. The United States will continue to support a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people on Taiwan. ... We will continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability," State Department Spokesperson Ned price said on Saturday.

According to Price, the US is concerned over what it considers China's continued pressure against Taiwan.

"The United States notes with concern the pattern of ongoing PRC attempts to intimidate its neighbors, including Taiwan.

We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan's democratically elected representatives," Price said.

Taiwanese envoy to the United States Hsiao Bi-khim was present during US President Joe Biden's Wednesday inauguration ceremony, marking Taiwan's first formal representation in Washington since the US severed diplomatic ties with Taipei over 40 years ago.

The US, along with many other countries, does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation and officially sticks to the "One China" policy. Nevertheless, Washington has kept informal relations with the island after severing diplomatic ties with it in 1979. China, which views Taiwan as its breakaway province, is uneasy over its cooperation with Washington, especially in defense.

Argentinas groundbreaking abortion law goes into force Sunday under the watchful eyes of women's groups and government officials, who hope to ensure its full implementation despite opposition from some conservative and church groups.

Argentina became the largest nation in Latin America to legalize elective abortion after its Senate on Dec. 30 passed a law guaranteeing the procedure up to the 14th week of pregnancy and beyond that in cases of rape or when a woman's health is at risk.

The vote was hailed as a triumph for the South American country's feminist movement that could pave the way for similar actions across the socially conservative, heavily Roman Catholic region.

But Pope Francis had issued a last-minute appeal before the vote and church leaders have criticized the decision. Supporters of the law say they expect lawsuits from anti-abortion groups in Argentinas conservative provinces and some private health clinics might refuse to carry out the procedure.

Another huge task lies ahead of us, said Argentinas minister of women, gender, and diversity, Elizabeth Gmez Alcorta, who has acknowledged there will be obstacles to the law's full implementation across the country.

Gmez Alcorta said a telephone line will be set up for those who cannot access abortion to communicate.

The Argentine Catholic Church has repudiated the law and conservative doctors' and lawyers' groups have urged resistance. Doctors and health professionals can claim conscientious objection to performing abortions, but cannot invoke the right if a pregnant woman's life or health is in danger.

A statement signed by the Consortium of Catholic Doctors, the Catholic Lawyers Corporation and other groups called on doctors and lawyers to resist with nobility, firmness, and courage the norm that legalizes the abominable crime of abortion."

The anti-abortion group Unidad Provida also urged doctors, nurses and technicians to fight for their freedom of conscience and promised to "accompany them in all the trials that are necessary.

Under the law, private health centers that do not have doctors willing to carry out abortions must refer women seeking abortions to clinics that will. Any public official or health authority who unjustifiably delays an abortion will be punished with imprisonment from three months to one year.

The National Campaign for the Right to Legal, Safe and Free Abortion, an umbrella group for organizations that for years fought for legal abortion, often wearing green scarves at protests, vowed to continue monitoring compliance with the law.

We trust the feminist networks that we have built over decades, said Laura Salom, one of the members of the movement.

A previous abortion bill was voted down by Argentine lawmakers in 2018 by a narrow margin. But in the December vote, it was backed by the center-left government, boosted by the so-called piba revolution, from the Argentine slang for girls, and opinion polls showing opposition had softened.

The law's supporters expect a backlash in Argentina's conservative provinces. In the northern province of Salta, a federal judge this week rejected a measure filed by a former legislator calling for the law to be suspended because the legislative branch had exceeded its powers. Opponents of abortion cite international treaties signed by Argentina pledging to protect life from conception.

Gmez Alcorta said criminal charges currently pending against more than 1,500 women and doctors who performed abortions should be lifted. She said the number of women and doctors detained was not that many, but didn't provide a number.

The Ministry of Women is going to carry out its leadership to end these cases, she said.

Tamara Grinberg, 32, who had a clandestine abortion in 2012, celebrated that from now on a girl can go to a hospital to say I want to have an abortion.'

She said when she had her abortion, very few people helped her. Today there are many more support networks  and the decision is respected. When I did it, no one respected my decision."

While abortion is already allowed in some other parts of Latin America such as in Uruguay, Cuba, and Mexico City its legalization in Argentina is expected to reverberate across the region, where dangerous clandestine procedures remain the norm a half-century after a woman's right to choose was guaranteed in the U.S.
Biden fires Trump-appointed heads of US government media (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The Biden administration has fired the heads of three US-funded international broadcasters that were appointed by Donald Trump.

The acting chief of the US Agency for Global Media dismissed the directors of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, reports say.

Mr Biden had also forced Mr Trumps pick to run the USAGM to resign with hours of stepping foot in the White House.

The latest changes come just a day after the director of Voice of America and his deputy were removed and the chief of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting stood down, according to NPR.

The now former head of the USAGM, Michael Pack, had been accused by Democrats of trying to turn the networks into pro-Trump propaganda outfits.

All of those fired by the acting CEO of USAGM, Kelu Chao, were only appointed by Mr Pack, who had claimed that its newsrooms were filled with anti-Trump journalists, in December.

It is unclear if the firings of Victoria Coates of MEBN, Stephen Yates of RFA and Ted Lipien of RFE, will be subject to legal challenges, reports NPR.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us: reaffirm the firewall, the highest standards of professionalism, and the sacred editorial independence and journalistic integrity; and ensure the safety and security of our journalists," Ms Chao wrote in a memo to staff before the firings.

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On January 24, 1857, the University of Calcutta or Calcutta University was founded. It was at that time one of Asia's first multidisciplinary and western-style institutions. Now 164 years later, it has a rich legacy that stands up to some of the best educational institutions in the world.

If one pays a visit to the main campus on College Street in central Kolkata, one can see the history embedded in the buildings. After all, it has been here for over a century a half so one can understand why it gives an aura of going back in time when one enters the classrooms and walks down the halls.



Its reach is pretty big. As of 2020, 151 colleges and 21 institutions constitute the University of Calcutta and that is quite a lot. Last year, it secured 7th place in the Indian University Ranking 2020 list which the National Institutional Ranking Framework of the Ministry of Human Resource Development of the Government of India released.



PTI

The alumni of this great institution is an esteemed one. Heads of state and government, social reformers, prominent artists, the only Indian Academy award winner and Dirac medal winner, many Fellows of the Royal Society and five Nobel laureatesthe highest number in South Asia, as of 2019. Now that is something to be proud of.



Ronald Ross, Rabindranath Tagore, C. V. Raman, Amartya Sen and Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee are the Nobel Prize winners who have a proud association with this university.

It also has the most number of students who have cleared the National Eligibility Test. No mean feat indeed.

PTI

Come 2021, Calcutta University is just a shadow of its old self. No longer the first choice for people studying in West Bengal, it is no longer on top of the charts as it once was. Basically it is an old king without a crown, but once it did reign supreme all over the country. The history is what it lives with as time goes on.


The logo of Amazon on the door of an Amazon Books retail store in New York City on Feb. 14, 2019. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)

Amazon Trying to Block Voting by Mail in Unionization Election

Amazon is seeking to block mail-in votes in an upcoming unionization vote.

Workers at a warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama, are scheduled to vote soon on whether to unionize, with ballots being sent out on Feb. 8. The National Labor Relations Board said earlier this month that the vote would take place entirely by mail because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A mail ballot election will enfranchise employees who cannot enter the voting location for health reasons or due to positive COVID tests, the board said in its ruling. In addition, a mail ballot election will protect the health and safety of voters, Agency personnel, the parties representatives, and the public during the current health crisis.

Amazon filed a motion on Jan. 21 that seeks to delay the election so it can take place in person, with no votes by mail.

Amazon said the boards decision doesnt specify what constitutes an outbreak. The company added that the boards acting regional director reached the remarkable conclusion that any level of infection or potential infection among employees counts as an outbreak.'

Approximately 2.9 percent of Amazons 7,575 employees and third-party workers tested positive for COVID-19 in the two weeks ending on Jan. 7, Amazon said. The company contests that that percentage doesnt constitute an outbreak.

If it does, then facilities will be in a constant state of outbreak unless and until the virus all but disappears, with no manual elections occurring until that unknown time, Amazon said in a filing, alleging that an election by mail could disenfranchise dozens or hundreds of voters.

We believe that the best approach to a valid, fair and successful election is one that is conducted manually, in-person, an Amazon spokesperson told news outlets. We will continue to insist on measures for a fair election, and we want everyone to vote, so our focus is ensuring thats possible.

Jeff Bezos speaks at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington on Oct. 22, 2019. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

The board declined to comment. There is no set timeline for ruling on Amazons request.

In a statement last year, the board said its policy strongly favors in-person elections but said that approximately 90 percent of votes since March 2020 have taken place by mail because of the pandemic.

If one of six unique circumstances are present in a facility, then a remote vote would be ordered, the board decided. Those circumstances include a current COVID-19 outbreak at a facility, an increase in the 14-day trend of new confirmed COVID-19 cases, and an inability to carry out an in-person election that abides by mandatory state or local health orders.

The vote at the Bessemer warehouse is slated to be the first unionization vote in an Amazon facility since 2014. A group of Amazon workers in Delaware voted that year not to join a union.

Amazons owner is Jeff Bezos, one of the richest men in the world. The second-largest employer in the United States has struggled with worker safety. The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health regularly lists Amazon among the most unsafe workplaces in the country.

Six worker deaths in seven months; 13 deaths since 2013. Reports of a high incidence of suicide attempts; workers urinating in bottles and workers left without resources or income after on-the-job injuries, the council said in 2019.

This years unionization vote is to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. The union declined to comment but its organizing campaign set up a website to make its case.

Organizers said having a union would give us the right to collectively bargain over our working conditions including items such as safety standards, training, breaks, pay, benefits, and other important issues that would make our workplace better.

Amazon sometimes addresses issues at work but its all temporary, they said. A union contract is in writing, negotiated upon, and Amazon would need to legally follow the guidelines and there are mechanisms to hold them legally accountable to us as workers. Theres no other way to have this type of relationship with Amazon outside of having a union.

Amazon in a competing website alleged that workers would have to pay hundreds of dollars in dues. Why pay almost $500 in dues? Weve got you covered with high wages, health care, vision, and dental benefits, as well as a safety committee and an appeals process. Theres so much MORE you can do for your career and your family without paying dues, the site states.
(Newser)  Since the attack on the US Capitol on Jan. 6, investigators have been working to identify and arrest the rioters. Now, prosecutors are considering what to do with them, the Washington Post reports. About 800 people breached the building, but among that group, some people committed acts of violence and caused destruction, while others appeared to be moving inside with the flow of the crowd. Some officials in the Justice Department and FBI don't want the latter group charged. "If an old man says all he did was walk in and no one tried to stop him, and he walked out and no one tried to stop him, and thats all we know about what he did, that's a case we may not win," an official said. Most of the people who have been arrested don't have criminal records, another said. Those suspected only of committing illegal entry might avoid charges.

story continues below

The other side of the argument is that all cases should be prosecuted to the maximum to deter future such attacks. "There is absolute resolve from the Department of Justice to hold all who intentionally engaged in criminal acts at the Capitol accountable," a spokesman said, per the Post. One concern is the effect the crush of cases could have on DC federal courts, which handled just 430 cases in 2019. Cases could change as defendants decide to cooperate and provide evidence against other rioters. And the strategy of defendants blaming former President Trump, which several lawyers have floated, could sway the courtespecially if Trump is sanctionedand lead to acquittals that prosecutors want to avoid. More than 135 people have been charged in the attack so far. The deaths of five people have been attributed to the riot, per the Hill. (One of the rioters has been charged with threatening Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made clear to President Joe Biden on Saturday that he's eager to forge a new U.S.-U.K. trade deal.

The push for a new deal came in a broad-ranging call between the two leaders that touched on the global response to the coronavirus pandemic as well as the Biden administration announcing this week that the U.S. would rejoin the Paris climate accord and the World Health Organization, according to a statement from Downing Street.

A new trade agreement between the allies is a higher priority for Johnson than it is for Biden. The U.K. regained control over its national trade policy at the start of the month following the end of a post-Brexit transition period.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday that the administration had no timeline for forging a new trade deal as Biden's attention is largely focused on getting the coronavirus pandemic under control and pressing Congress to pass the president's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan.

Janet Yellen, Biden's Treasury secretary nominee, also signaled during her confirmation hearing earlier this week that Biden wasn't eager to negotiate new trade deals.

President Biden has been clear that he will not sign any new free trade agreements before the U.S. makes major investments in American workers and our infrastructure," Yellen said.

Downing Street said Saturday that Biden and Johnson discussed the benefits of a potential free trade deal between our two countries," and Johnson reiterated his intention to resolve existing trade issues as soon as possible."

The White House in its own statement said that the two leaders spoke about combating climate change, containing COVID-19, and ensuring global health security as well as shared foreign policy priorities in China, Iran and Russia. But the statement notably made no mention of discussion on trade.

The call with Johnson was at least Biden's third call with a foreign counterpart since Friday. The president spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Friday evening.

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The e-elector photo identity card is a non-editable digital version of the elector photo identity card and it can be saved in facilities such as digital locker and can be printed in the PDF format, EC officials said

The Election Commission of India will launch today (Monday, 25 January) the e-EPIC (Electronic Electoral Photo Identity Card) programme during the National Voters' Day celebrations.

The e-elector photo identity card is a non-editable digital version of the elector photo identity card and it can be saved in facilities like digi locker and can be printed in the PDF format, Election Commission officials told news agency PTI.

"Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will launch the e-EPIC programme and distribute e-EPICs and Elector Photo Identity Cards to five new voters," PTI quoted from the commission statement.

The physical card takes time to print and reach the voter, and the idea is to provide faster delivery and easy accessibility to the document, the statement further stated.

According to a Hindustan Times report, new voters will also get hard copies of their voter ID cards.

After the launch of the programme, electors will be able to download an electronic version of the voter identity card on their mobile phones or personal computers.

Who will be able to download?

According to a News18 report, all general electors who have a valid EPIC number are eligible for e-EPIC. Between 25 and 31 January, all new electors who registered during November-December 2020 and who provided a unique mobile number while applying will be able to download the e-voter cards.

According to a LiveMint report, new voters will be able download the e-EPIC by simply authenticating their mobile number.

Other general voters will be able to download their e-voter cards from 1 February. All those who have given their mobile numbers (the ones linked) can also download their e-EPIC, the report further added.

As per the News18 report, those who don't have their EPIC number or have lost it can obtain the same by searching their names in the electoral roll on http://voterportal.eci.gov.in/ or http://electoralsearch.in/ and then download the e-voter card.

Alternatively, electors may also use their form-6 reference number to download e-EPIC.

How to download e-voter card?

According to reports, the digital version of the Elector Photo Identity Card can be accessed through the Voter Helpline App and the websites https://voterportal.eci.gov.in/ and https://www.nvsp.in/.

Steps to download:

Step 1: Register/Login on websites mentioned above

Step 2: Click on download E-EPIC option

Step 3: Enter the EPIC number or Form Reference Number

Step 4: Verify with OTP sent on registered mobile number and download e-EPIC

According to the Hindustan Times report, voters who do not have their phone numbers linked with the EC will have to reverify their details with the EC and get their mobile number linked to be able to download their e-EPIC.

Introduced in 1993, the elector photo identity cards are acceptable as proof of identity and address. The e version of the voter card is being launched to mark the anniversary of the Election Commission. The EC came into being on 25 January, 1950, a day before India became a republic. For the past few years, 25 January has been observed as National Voters' Day.

The Aadhaar card, Permanent Account Number (PAN) card and driving licence are already available in digital mode.

The launch also comes ahead of the Assembly elections in five states  West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry  which are likely to be held in April-May.

According to the LiveMint report, President Ram Nath Kovind will virtually attend the function as the chief guest. The theme for this year's National Voters' Day is 'Making Our Voters Empowered, Vigilant, Safe and Informed'.

It envisages active and participative voters during elections and focuses on the commission's commitment towards conducting elections safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, the report further said.

With inputs from PTI
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6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest

Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan

UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas

Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening

His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia

Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens

Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon

Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures

Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension

Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire

ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces

Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards

Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory

Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan

Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia

Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia

Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws

Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone

Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control

Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor

Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation

NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning

European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched



For obvious reasons, we often don't talk about how rough the Germans had it in the middle of the 20th century. Both people from the capitalist West and communist East were kept on a short leash under the watchful eyes of their "liberators." So when the Cold War finally ended, a fractured people were finally reunited, ready to pick up the pieces and start again. But some didn't want to forget. Older Germans. Older German women. So instead of rubble or broken glass, the pieces they picked up were thin slices of paper that read "STRENG GEHEIM."

Mariia Chalaya, Unsplash If only there was a kind of person whos an expert on both piecing together puzzles and obsessively shredding documents.

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Life in the German Democratic Republic must have been harrowing. Not only did you know the West was so close you could smell the sweet anti-socialist scent of McDonald's 2-for-1-deals, so did your Soviet oppressors. For 28 years, the job of crushing capitalist dreams of owning a Blockbuster's loyalty card was left to the Iron Curtain-laced fist of the Ministry for State Security, better and bitterly known as the Stasi. Considered one of the most terrifying intelligence agencies in the history of secret policing (a history book where every page is 95% censored), the Stasi were infamous for their vast networks of spies, mass disappearances, and, especially, their elaborate note-taking, with every East German fearing that they had a file on them thicker than their borscht rations.

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But when their Soviet patrons disappeared, the Stasi were smart enough to realize that, suddenly, all those files were evidence against their crimes, not the people's. So while Germans were celebrating on top of the Berlin Wall, the secret police began one of the biggest document shredding sessions outside of a Rupert Murdoch-owned mailroom, destroying every bit of proof linking them to their terrible (and sometimes terrorist) actions against the German population.
The Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has appealed to public-spirited Nigerians to assist indigent candidates to get tablets, as the university gets set for non-physical post-UTME tests.

Mr Ogundipe, a professor, made the appeal during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

He said in the face of the resurgence of COVID-19, all academic activities of the institution, including examinations, will be online.

We are to conduct our post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (post-UTME) test on February 15 to February 23; that is, it will run for about nine days.

This examination is going to be an e-examination such that wherever the candidates are, they do not need to come to campus. It is simple and convenient.

We looked at the issue of indigent candidates, we then decided to see how we can carry them along.

Right now, we have started talking to some friends of the university and alumni to see how we can get tablets that we can give them.

We have got the number of these indigent candidates registered for the post-UTME test, and they are above 200, he told NAN.

Mr Ogundipe said the candidates would need the tablets not just for the purpose of the post-UTME test but also to facilitate other e-learning processes.

We are talking to the alumni president and friends of the university to get these tablets in order to facilitate e-learning processes.

He said over 50,000 candidates applied for admission into the university in the 2020)2021 academic session, with about 22,000 scoring 200 marks and above.

According to him, 21,955 candidates have so far paid for the conduct of the post-UTME test.

It is the first time that we are conducting this type of examination, and it is such that these candidates must have their laptops with cameras.

If they do not have a camera attached to their laptops, they will not be allowed to participate in the examination.

We expect the results to come out within one week after the conduct of the examination, he said.

Mr Ogundipe said the university had collapsed the 2020/2021 academic session with the 2021/2022 academic session.

It is going to affect our admission number, because it means we have to admit two streams, except if JAMB is not conducting its examination this year.

If it is conducting, we are mandated to admit students, the vice-chancellor said.

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Mr Ogundipe reiterated that the institution would commence online lectures for returning students on Monday.

He said the university could not afford bringing back students to campus due to COVID-19 pandemic.
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LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Local State Representative Sheila Klinker got her first COVID vaccine at IU Health Arnett's clinic on Friday. At 82, she qualifies to get the vaccine.

After getting the shot, she says she only had some arm pain near the injection site, but other wise has had no major side effects. She was even feeling well enough to cheer on Lafayette Jeff in their win over Marion Friday night.

She said overall it was a smooth and easy process getting her vaccine at Arnett, and that she looks forward to being fully vaccinated.

"Being able to feel secure with being around people to feel secure with being around people, still keeping my mask and social distancing because we need to do that," she said.

Nurse Amanda Rardon gave Rep. Klinker her vaccine. Rardon also lost her uncle to COVID Thursday night. She said she is giving out vaccines in his honor.

Her goal now is to advocate for Indiana teachers to be put on a higher priority level for the vaccine. Teachers were originally in the first phase of the state's vaccine distribution plan. However, the state changed it's plan and moved other groups, like first responders, up while putting educators into a later phase.

"Teachers are one on one and you never know what the children are bringing in to the classroom and you don't find out for a while," she said. "So several of our teachers have been quarantined and can't continue their service for a while."

Rep. Klinker also said she is surprised there has been no directive from Governor Eric Holcomb mandating that all of Indiana's senators and representatives get the vaccine, and that she hopes that message comes as the vaccine becomes more readily available.

She is scheduled to get her second shot on February 19th.
Did you catch Andrew Yang on the Lower East Side last week, touring the Essex Street Market, checking in at The Pickle Guys or hanging out at Franks Bike Shop on Grand Street? The New Yorker dubbed it part of a social-media authenticity blitz after the newly announced mayoral candidate was stung by bodega-gate.

Yang did not grow up in the city, but has lived here for 25 years. Hes now fending off criticism for referring to a place called 7 Brothers Famous Deli in Hells Kitchen (his own neighborhood) as a bodega, failing to vote in most mayoral elections and relocating to his home in the Hudson Valley during the pandemic.

New York City politics is a rough game. But as Gothamist pointed out, theres also a question of fairness in the criticism of Yang as a real New Yorker:

some, including Yang, recognized that questions of authenticity are often fraught for Asian Americans, who, no matter their origins, have difficulty shedding a perception of foreignness. I do think that theres something a little bit uncomfortable about questioning the New York-ness of someone who has literally lived in the city for 25 years, whose kids go to school here, who graduated from school here, Yang said. I mean, Ive been here for decades. And so that is kind of strange, honestly I do think that there is something familiar to many Asian Americans to have our belongingness questioned, and that did occur to me.

Yang (with 1.9 million Twitter followers) and strong name recognition is an immediate front-runner. New Yorks rapidly growing Asian population (now 1.3 million strong) will give him a powerful base of support. But as Gothamist noted, he will have to prove himself to all voters, especially progressive Asian American activists who will be scrutinizing his policy positions.

Yang seems to understand the importance of reaching out to other NYC voting blocs. The other day, he authored an op-ed in The Forward that was titled, My vision for New Yorks Jewish community. Heres part of what he had to say:

I was on the Lower East Side on Sunday with my wife, Evelyn, for a small-business tour. In my 25 years in the city, Ive visited the neighborhood countless times for any number of reasons: to eat at Russ & Daughters or Congee Village with friends, visit the Tenement Museum or ride my bike before linking up with the Manhattan Bridge. But on Sunday, while meeting with business owners, workers and customers, I reflected more deeply on the Lower East Side as the locus of the rise of the Jewish community in New York. The neighborhood has changed dramatically since Jewish immigrants began moving there in large numbers in the 19th century. More recently, South Asians and Latinos have called the Lower East Side home, and the tenements have been retrofitted as gallery spaces and clubs or given way to high rises. But the working-class spirit brought to the Lower East Side by its early Jewish occupants, and the corresponding desire to live the American Dream, continues to animate the community.

You can read the full article here.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Cloudy with rain ending overnight. Low 42F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with rain ending overnight. Low 42F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
The Mongolian tribe based in Bayan-Olgii have used golden eagles to hunt prey during the bleak winter months for centuries, an extraordinary example of a relationship between humans and semi-wild animals.

There are an estimated 250 eagle hunters in the area, which is located in the Altai Mountains in western Mongolia and takes five years to finish training with eagles to become an eagle hunter or berkutchi.

With the younger generation moving away to cities and preferring the comforts of modern living, the modern Kazakh eagle hunters are a dying breed. Despite this, many eagle hunters still pass on their skills to their sons and daughters.

Zay Yar, a 36-year-old photographer, spent some time in western Mongolia documenting the life of these incredible people, capturing their traditions as the tribe hunt on horseback and care for their eagles.

Zay, from Mayanmar, says: I'm interested in the culture of eagle hunters. How they live, how they train and hunt with their golden eagles and how this tradition is going on. I was happy and amazed to meet these wonderful people and their ancient tradition.

The images represent the culture of eagle hunting and how the tradition is being passed to young eagle hunters.

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Police and workers arrange buses to remove all residents at a neighborhood in Huangpu district to quarantine centers, in Shanghai on Jan. 21, 2021. (AFP via Getty Images)

Conditions for Shanghai Residents Rapidly Worsen as Authorities Report COVID-19 Outbreak

Thousands of residents in downtown Shanghai are being relocated to hotels in emergency isolation measures after local authorities said hospital workers and patients in the city center had tested positive for the CCP virus.

Surrounding areas have also been locked down, with residents facing rapidly worsening conditions as the government attempts to halt the spread of the virus.

Authorities have also been conducting mass testing, with the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission reporting on Jan. 22 nine newly confirmed COVID-19 cases. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Six of the cases were determined to be from local transmission, while three were imported.

Due to Chinese authorities past record of underreporting infections and covering up information, it is difficult to assess the true scale of the current outbreak.

The cases of local transmission were all from Shanghais Huangpu districtthe same area where the COVID-19 positive hospital workers were living.

The Zhaotong residential community in the district was upgraded to a medium-risk area on Jan. 21 after the positive cases were confirmed to the public. The area was then put under lockdown, and groups of residents transferred to hotels on Jan. 21 and Jan. 22.

According to Chinese media reports, the Bund police station said that about 900 people were relocated within 5 hours on the afternoon on Jan. 21, and another 1,100 people were relocated on Jan. 22. Visitors in Huangpu districts hotels were included in the relocation efforts.

A hotel owner in the Zhaotong community told The Epoch Times that they closed their business on Jan. 21, and all staff and customers have since been sent to other hotels for isolation.

There is a resident here who tested positive in the cancer hospital. He lives in our Zhaotong community. (We) are all isolated in hotels, and there are 15,000 people here that have been tested. The whole community is empty.

This is the first time that Shanghai has adopted relocation as an isolation measure since the start of the epidemic. The Epoch Times obtained a video showing people being relocated.

The Shanghai Zhongfu Shifuhui Hotel, where one of the travelers who tested positive for COVID-19 was staying, was also upgraded to a medium-risk area and all the surrounding areas of the hotel locked down. On Jan. 21, two hotel employees and one guest tested positive for COVID-19.

A restaurant owner near the Zhongfu Shifuhui Hotel told The Epoch Times that many local roads have been blocked, and the hotel and its surrounding areas have been completely locked down.

They had to close the restaurant yesterday, the owner said.

Local authorities announced that they have formed a team of 3,100 people to help with contact tracing and case investigations.

Mass Testing

After Shanghais first cases in two local hospitals were publicly announced on Jan. 21, authorities required all personnel in the citys medical institutions to be tested for COVID-19.

Testing was soon expanded to all at-risk residents. City health officials announced on Jan. 22 that they had tested 15,918 people for the virus.

The Epoch Times obtained a video showing hospital workers and residents waiting in line to be tested, while streets in Shanghai were blocked off and residents told by health workers that they would be relocated and undergo isolation.

Shanghai resident Mr. Li expressed to The Epoch Times on Jan. 21 that he remains concerned that the Chinese communist regime is still not telling the truth about the epidemic.

It [the government] said that more than 10,000 people have been tested, and how many results have not come out? There may be positives among the unannounced, he said.

Panic Among Medical Students

Following confirmed cases at the hospitalsFudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Renji Hospital, which is affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicinepanic has spread among staff and students at the related medical schools. Many students were worried that their schools would be locked down and they would be forced to stay on campus. They began encouraging each other to leave campus overnight before the end of the semester.

One student posted on social media that he had left campus and got home at 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 22.

Students who were scheduled to do experiments on Jan. 30 all rescheduled for today, he said in the post. The campus is full of the sound of suitcases rubbing the ground. I feel that the epidemic is so close to me. I really hope that the epidemic in Shanghai will be effectively controlled as soon as possible.

Gu Xiaohua, Xiao Lushen, and Luo Ya contributed to this report.
SAN DIEGO (AP)  Elijah Pepper had a career-high 20 points as UC Davis defeated UC San Diego 78-71 on Saturday.

Caleb Fuller had 18 points for UC Davis (3-3, 1-1 Big West Conference). Kennedy Koehler added 13 points. Ezra Manjon had 11 points and six assists.

Damion Squire, who was second on the Aggies in scoring coming into the matchup with 14 points per game, failed to make a shot from the floor (0 of 5).

Mikey Howell had 18 points for the Tritons (3-4, 1-4). Bryce Pope added 16 points. Hugh Baxter had seven rebounds.

UC San Diego defeated UC Davis 89-69 on Friday for its first-ever Division I win.

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For more AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and http://twitter.com/AP_Top25

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This was generated by Automated Insights, http://www.automatedinsights.com/ap, using data from STATS LLC, https://www.stats.com
Malaysia has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization over European Union rules affecting the consumption of palm oil-based biofuels, according to a document published Tuesday.

In the complaint, dated January 15, Malaysia charges that the EU, and in particular its member states France and Lithuania, had imposed restrictive measures on the use of palm oil that violate international trade agreements.

Malaysia, the world's second largest producer of palm oil, balked at EU efforts to phase out the use of palm oil as a biofuel, and has requested consultations to help resolve the dispute.

The EU has embarked on an major plan committing member states to build a carbon neutral economy by 2050, including by promoting the use of biofuels.

But it has deemed that palm oil production is not sustainable, and palm oil-based biofuels cannot be counted towards EU renewable targets.

By doing so, the bloc and its member states "confer unfair benefits to EU domestic producers of certain biofuel feedstocks, such as rapeseed oil and soy, and the biofuels produced therefrom, at the expense of palm oil and oil palm crop-based biofuels from Malaysia," according to the complaint.

Palm oil is a key ingredient in a wide range of products from food to cosmetics but it has long been controversial.

Environmentalists say it drives deforestation, with huge swathes of rainforest logged in recent decades to make way for plantations.

Its use in food and cosmetics has already dropped in Europe, partly due to pressure from green groups on major corporations, but has been increasing in biofuels.

Malaysia is the second country to take the EU to task over palm oil use restrictions, after the world's largest producer of the oil filed a complaint in December 2019.

Malaysia's complaint marks the 600th trade dispute brought before the WTO since the organisation was created in 1995.

The request for consultations marks the first step in the WTO dispute system, and is aimed at giving the parties a chance to talk things through and resolve their differences without moving forward with litigation.

If the consultations fail to resolve the dispute within 60 days, the WTO can create a panel of experts to review the case.
Holyoke Mayor Alex B. Morse says the report of the University of Massachusetts investigation into allegations of misconduct by him with students is an exoneration.

The report found Morse, as a UMass lecturer, violated no laws in using dating apps as he socialized with members of the student-run UMass Democrats and other College Democrats organizations.

The report found Morse violated no university policy regarding faculty-student relationships or sexual harassment and discrimination.

The report found: The preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that, as early as 2015, members of UMass Democrats and other University students were contacted by and communicated with Alex Morse on social media and dating apps like Tinder and Instagram. As Morse himself admits, he entered into personal and dating relationships with students he met using these apps.

The report found: Alex Morses pursuit of dating or sexual relationships with university students made a number of students uncomfortable and led to the UMass Democrats decision to disinvite him from future events but did not unreasonably interfere with any students academic performance or ability to participate in university programs or activities under the universitys sexual harassment policy.

The report found: Having determined that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that Morses pursuit of dating or sexual relationships with students he met at student-organized events violated the letter of the aforementioned policies, the Investigators defer to University leaderships judgment the question of whether the conduct falls short of other more generalized policies governing employee conduct including the Universitys Principles of Employee Conduct which details the Universitys values, standards, and expectations for its employees.

The College Democrats claims the mayor made some of its members uncomfortable and the organizations move to disinvite Morse to campus events first became public as the subject of a story published by The Massachusetts Daily Collegian on Aug. 7. It included a response from the mayor in which he stated:

I also recognize that I have to be cognizant of my position of power. Navigating life as both a young gay man and an elected official can be difficult, but that doesnt excuse poor judgment. Thats why I want to sincerely apologize to anyone I have made feel uncomfortable. I am committed to meeting with any person or group, including the College Dems, to answer any questions and address any concerns.

Forty-eight hours later, shortly before 10 p.m. on a Sunday night, Aug. 9, and apparently after his campaigns guidance by a high-profile political consulting firm, Northwind Strategies, there emerged an almost defiant Alex Morse.

In that statement, Morse again apologized, saying, While I am confident that a full investigation into these matters will clear my name completely of any unethical conduct, I also recognize that some students felt uncomfortable with interactions they had with me. I am sorry for that. This is unacceptable behavior for anyone with institutional power.

Thereafter, the campaigns narrative twisted away from him taking responsibility for his actions to instead portraying him as the victim of a political dirty tricks campaign rooted in homophobia.

If the mayor believes the report is an exoneration, it demonstrates he is either politically naive or, worse, so self-centered that he now believes the spin his well-paid handlers concocted for him.

Northwind Strategies received more than $300,000 in payments from the Morse campaign during the month of August to help steer the revised messaging of his advertising. Morse claimed his opponent and the Springfield political machine were out to get him and he had fallen victim to homophobia.

Morses own words  unacceptable behavior for anyone with institutional power  are what we believe matter here. Neither his sexuality nor his dating tactics matter to us.

The public has a right to care about how elected officials conduct themselves and how they wield the power of the office they hold over others for self-gratification and, sometimes, worse. Whether Democrat or Republican, whether left-wing or right-wing, no one should be immune from being held accountable.

Exoneration?

Such a claim disrespects the young people who complained and who ultimately are the victims of what evolved into a self-serving political ploy. They were brave enough to share their concerns with investigators, the same investigators with whom the mayor would not meet.

Its time for Mayor Morse, whom we endorsed four times, to move on. We wish him well in his next chapter.

That will be fortunate for the citizens of Holyoke, as they can look forward to new leadership in the months ahead.

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ROCHESTER, Minn. - Saturday community organizations joined together in downtown Rochester to offer free COVID-19 testing in an effort to make testing more available to underserved communities.

Zepto Life Technology, a medical device developer based in St. Paul, provided the free nasal swab self test.

Hannah Zhang with Zepto Life says, When we do get the support from local community leaders, we are able to come out here with all of the amazing volunteers to spread the word and bring that testing closer to people.

This event was a local effort to get people to feel more comfortable and encourage the Asain community to come out.

The organization is working with Asian Media Access to help spread word and bring testing closer to people.

They are a non-profit agency supporting Asian-American and Pacific Islanders in Minnesota focusing on emergency COVID-19 relief.

They aim to assist communities where English isn't the first language and testing isn't available.

Ange Hwange with Asian Media Access says, "We really hope this is a good opportunity so that people feel this is a community together, Asians come to support our Asian fellows, and the language they feel comfortable with."

Those participating in today's drive-thru event were also given Asian-style food to take home.

Alka Mehra, General Secretary of Indian Cultural Association Minnesota, says, Giving them samples and food -- just to incentivize people and help them understand the importance of COVID and what we all can do together to contain this illness."The organizations prepared for the event via zoom meetings -- organizing parking, traffic, and registration process. There was a Vietnamese interpreter on site.

This is the first event held in Rochester in collaboration with the city's Diversity Council, Indian Cultural Association Minnesota, Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association, and Rochester Cambodia Association.

Zhang says they hope to secure more locations and more food giveaways in the future.
The roboticis team at Trinity College Dublin have developed a robot they call Violet to help tackle Covid-19 at Portlaoise hospital's sister facility in Tullamore.

TCD say Violet has been designed by a team led by Conor McGinn, assistant professor in Trinitys School of Engineering and co-founder of spinout company Akara Robotics.

The college says Violet is portable and compact device that operates in tight, crowded spaces that are otherwise hard to clean. These include such as bathrooms, waiting areas, and the nooks and crannies of public transit.

The university says that with support from the HSE, the Violet team has tested the robot at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, where they conducted tests in radiology treatment rooms presently being used to treat COVID-19 patients in need of diagnostic medical imagery.

The robot makes a big difference during a pandemic says TCD because infection control procedures mandate significant waiting periods after COVID patients undergo radiology scans, leading to significant reduction in hospital workflow.

Speaking to Techtalk on Newstalk radio Mr McGinn compared the impact Violet has on the virus and other bugs to what the damage the sun can do to skin in the shape of sunburn.

He praised the HSE for helping develop the device to a point where he believes it can be produced commercially. There is hope that it could be valuable to nursing homes and other care settings.

The device was initially deployed in Offaly 2020.

TCD says Violet doesnt only work on coronavirus. The UV-C irradiation it emits has also shown to be effective on superbugs including MRSA, and C. difficile, among others.

It also has a protective shield around the back of the light, and motion-detecting sensors so that people dont have to vacate the area while its at work.

Trinity say the project has involved close collaboration with Dr Michael Beckett, postdoctoral research fellow in Trinitys Department of Microbiology, who has been responsible for the clinical testing and validation of the technology.


Eight cabinet ministers of the government of Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly will appear before the House of Representatives this week to deliver statements on the current and future programmes of their portfolios.

On Sunday, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel-Ati and Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation El-Sayed El-Quseir will explain the policies of their ministries. They are also expected to answer questions from MPs on the latest developments of negotiations related to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and its impact on Egypt's quota of Nile water and agricultural exports.

On Monday, Minister of Manpower Mohamed Saafan and Minister of Emigration Nabila Makram will deliver statements on unemployment and problems facing Egyptian expatriates.

On Tuesday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry and Minister of Civil Aviation Mohamed Manar Enaba are scheduled to appear before parliament. Minister Shoukry is expected to answer questions on GERD negotiations and the future of Egyptian-American relations under the administration of new US president Joe Biden.

On Wednesday, Minister of Culture Ines Abdel-Dayem and Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad will appear in parliament to deliver statements on the policies and programmes of their ministries and answer questions.

House Speaker Hanafi El-Gebaly indicated last week that 31 cabinet ministers will appear before parliament to explain the latest development of the two-year old "Egypt Kicks Off" programme.

El-Gebaly said parliament noted that the "Egypt Kicks Off" programme, delivered by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly before parliament in June 2018, is short of the expected and full of shortcomings and negative points.

"I agreed with PM Madbouly that all 31 cabinet ministers should come to parliament and explain the role of their ministries in implementing the "Egypt Kicks Off" programme and answer questions from MPs," said El-Gebaly, indicating that "two cabinet ministers will come per day to deliver statements and answer questions."

PM Madbouly delivered a statement before parliament on 18 January, stressing that his government was able to achieve a higher economic growth rate despite the coronavirus pandemic. He also indicated that his government aims to boost growth rates in 2021, double exports, and increase social protection programmes.

Madbouly's statement was followed by eight cabinet ministers appearing before parliament from Monday (18 January) to Thursday (21 January) and answering questions on the roles of their ministries in implementing the "Egypt Kicks Off" programme.

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New Delhi:

After being named as UPAs candidate for Presidential poll, Meira Kumar on Thursday expressed her gratitude to all 17 opposition parties who selected her as their candidate.

Kumar said she is delighted by the decision. She further added, saying that this unity represents coming together of forces which have strong ideological base, and now she is going to contest election as their representative.

On Wednesday, Meira Kumar had met with Congress president Sonia Gandhi at latters residence and it was speculated that she had emerged as the frontrunner of the UPA.

Express gratitude to 17 opposition parties who selected me as #PresidentialElection candidate. Delighted by opposition's unity: Meira Kumar pic.twitter.com/IdTDUthBgI  ANI (@ANI_news) June 22, 2017

Meira Kumar has been member of Parliament five times and she was the first woman Speaker of Lok Sabha.

Also Read | Presidential poll 2017: Meira Kumar more capable and popular than Ram Nath Kovind, says Mayawati

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Kozhikode:

A 57-year-old farmer committed suicide outside a government office in Kozhikode. He alleged that the staff had harrassed him which triggered outrage. Following the incident two officials were suspended.



The body of Kaavilpurayidathil Joy was found hanging outside the village administrative office at Chembanod on Wednesday night.



Joy approached the office staff to remit his land tax several times in the last 18 months, but the officials always denied his request, citing some reason or the other.



He went to the VAO on Wednesday to remit the tax but was turned away again by the officials, who said the land owned by him was a disputed one.



Upset over it, he ended his life around 9.30 on Wednesday night, the police said.

He is survived by his wife and three children.



Earlier also, Joy and his relatives had protested in front of the office over the matter.

Local people did not allow the police to remove the body and relented only after the Koyilandi tehsildar visited the spot and pacified them.



With protests mounting over the death of the farmer, District Collector U V Jose suspended a village assistant and a village officer for "not accepting his land tax".



Reacting to the development, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the revenue secretary would take further action on the matter.



Revenue Minister E Chandrasekharan said stern action would be taken against officials who cause unnecessary inconvenience to people approaching government offices for various services.



He said the government was of the view that a situation where a common man has to visit offices for services more than two times was not acceptable.



Latching onto the matter, Opposition leader in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala attacked the government and said the death of the farmer was a shame on Kerala and it was due to rampant corruption in the revenue department.



He also demanded that the government book the officials responsible for the death of Joy on charges of homicide.

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Though nearly 70% of terrorist attacks and plots in the US last year were committed by white supremacists and far-right militia groups, the portion led by anarchist and anti-fascist groups rose to 20% from 8% in 2019. There is additional danger coming down the road where we have this extremism almost feeding on each other, almost inspiring one another, Jones said. Based on recent trends, we can expect violent far-left networks to conduct explosive, incendiary and firearm attacks against police, government and corporate targets. Portland has been a hotbed of both extreme-right and extreme-left activity, a trend that last weeks destruction suggests will continue. Demonstrators hold a sign saying We are the ungovernable during a protest march on Inauguration Day in Portland. Credit:The Oregonian via AP More than 100 protesters in black bloc  all-black attire meant to anonymise the wearer in a crowd of similarly dressed people  had gathered on Inauguration Day at Revolution Hall, a music venue in the south-east part of the city, before a handful of demonstrators broke off to bash in the windows of the vacant Democratic headquarters while others shielded them from view with large, black umbrellas.

Hours later, another group protested outside Portlands ICE headquarters  a demonstration that had been advertised on social media with the tagline, Whats outrageous? Kids in cages!  calling for the dissolution of the agency. Prosecutors allege protesters threw large rocks at federal officers, the demonstration ending in explosions and clouds of gas as federal agents unleashed a barrage of chemicals and sparking munitions that skidded across the pavement toward crowds of protesters. Fourteen people were arrested during several Inauguration Day protests in the city. Prosecutors are pursuing charges against four individuals, the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office said in an email on Friday  all in their 20s and alleged to have participated in a riot. Prosecutors cautioned that number may not be final, as an investigation is ongoing and police are expected to file additional reports. Mark Bray, author of Antifa: The Anti-Fascists Handbook, said the graffiti that the Portland protesters left behind and the flags some carried included anarchist symbols. There is a fair amount of overlap between the ideologies of anarchists and antifascists. Both tend to be anti-government, opposed to both the Democratic and Republican parties, and frequently protest on Inauguration Day and at the parties annual conventions. A member of the Proud Boys, right, stares down a counter-protester in Portland in September. Credit:AP Broadly speaking they want directly democratic, self-managed communities at the regional and macro-regional levels, said Bray, a historian and lecturer at Rutgers University who helped organise Occupy Wall Street. They want decision-making from the bottom up versus the top down. They reject capitalism.

Portlands protests undercut claims by Republicans that far-left groups have embraced Biden and have committed destructive acts in support of his policies, said Oren Segal, vice-president of the Centre on Extremism at the Anti-Defamation League. There have been so many efforts to link Biden to the radical elements of the left, including antifa, he said. This demonstrates a disconnect between that messaging from the Trump administration and elected officials, who tended to lump together the left more broadly with these radical elements. Many on the left have criticised how such groups have demonstrated their ideologies, fearing it weakens their unity and message. Gregory McKelvey, a political consultant and vice-chair of the Democratic Party of Oregons Black Caucus, noted that some activists who want to empathise with the extreme left finding it hard to do so right now. I dont think these tactics work. It alienates people, and growing the coalition is essential to creating change, McKelvey said. I also think Trump was abhorrent and Inauguration Day was a day of the country really getting to exhale and celebrate and to do so and feel as though someone is telling you there is no cause for celebration when clearly there is, its frustrating. But McKelvey, who has for years attended racial justice demonstrations in Portland, added that many in the citys activist community also continue to lash out against police and the government as a result of months of trauma  being on the receiving end of crowd-control munitions, including tear gas, as well as the ongoing pandemic and economic anxiety.

We can argue about if this is strategic or not, but I do think there is also an element of lashing out because the world is messed up right now and people are messed up right now, he said. Loading McKelvey worries that the conversation that has followed last weeks clashes has distracted from the key issues he and other community organisers hope that the Biden administration will address, including climate change and systemic racism. On the scale of everything thats going on in the world, for anybodys top priority to be there were four broken windows or graffiti on the DPO building, it doesnt compare to the fact that George Floyd was murdered and we still have a flawed criminal justice system in our country, he said. I might think broken windows is bad, but its not going to be my fight. Three of those arrested as a result of the destruction in Portland were accused of damaging the offices of the Democratic Party of Oregon. Austin Nuchraksa, 25, is accused of smashing a window at the party headquarters with a silver metal baton, according to court documents, after marching with a group that carried banners declaring WE DONT WANT BIDEN - WE WANT REVENGE and WE ARE UNGOVERNABLE.

After Nuchraksa was detained by police, officers said they smelled gas and found four green beer bottles, wrapped in socks, with cloth wicks protruding from each bottles mouth, according to court records. The homemade molotov cocktails were leaking gasoline all over the inside of the backpack, prosecutors wrote. Nuchraksa was charged with participating in a riot, first-degree criminal mischief and unlawful possession of a destructive device. Loading Kai-Ave Douvia, 22, is accused of using a pry-bar kind of tool to break windows at the DPO building, according to court documents. He was charged with first-degree criminal mischief and participating in a riot. Nicole Rose, 25, is accused of helping to break windows at the DPO by handing a metal baton to another demonstrator who then used the baton to break the glass, according to court documents. Rose later took the baton back and used it to break the rest of the window, prosecutors wrote. She was identified using live-streamed video of the event and charged with second-degree criminal mischief and participating in a riot. Those arrested have been released on their own recognisance, according to Multnomah County Sheriffs Office records. The Washington Posts efforts to reach them on Friday were unsuccessful.
The 125th anniversary celebrations of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Kolkata proved to be not just an event to remember the freedom fighter but also a referendum on the mood in the state which is gearing up for assembly polls later this year.

An outpouring of support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the streets of Kolkata not only caught the TMC by surprise but also bewildered the local police.

As part of his itinerary, PM Modi visited Netaji Bhavan but keeping aside protocol, he bought a ticket worth Rs 10 to enter the premises. The prime minister was accompanied by former Trinamool Congress MP Sugata Bose, which many perceived as yet another dig at the Mamata Banerjee-led party.

Bose had been a TMC MP and his mother Krishna Bose was among the earliest supporters of the party. His presence, thus, left the TMC and its supporters stunned. Bose also urged PM Modi to climb an extra floor and visit two more galleries.

This was followed by a gathering on the lawns of the Victoria Memorial after the official Parakram Divas programme. The event was well-attended by the whos who of Kolkata, including top businessmen, artists and film personalities. While such an event would go unnoticed in any other state, in Bengal, such gatherings would often see zero attendance, given the style of CPM and TMC. Commenting on the gathering, an official quipped that the event reminded them of the years 2010-2011, when it became acceptable for people to meet Mamata Banerjee and the TMC. Is this a sign of things to come in the assembly polls later this year?

The highlight of the celebrations, however, was Banerjees refusal to speak at the event after a section of audience raised Jai Shri Ram slogans at Victoria Memorial Hall, saying she felt "insulted". I am honoured to be invited here by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre. But this is not the way to welcome your guest and that too in a government event. This is not a political event and you must maintain the sanctity of Netajis birth anniversary event, said a visibly angry Banerjee. I am not going to deliver my speech except Jai Hind and Jai Bangla.

Banerjees outburst led many to assume that she would get a fitting reply from PM Modi. However, the prime minister disappointed many by focusing his speech on tributes to Pranab Mukherjee. He later shared tea with Banerjee and spoke to her for about 15 minutes. Clearly, there was no mixing politics and national heroes for PM Modi.

Among the other people PM Modi met very warmly was Firhad Hakim, Kolkata mayor, state minister and one of Banerjees closest aides. When Hakim received PM Modi at the Race Course Helipad, much to the surprise of all, Modi warmly greeted and spoke to him, once again underlining that he was not in Kolkata for politics but only for the larger agenda of Netaji Bose.

While this happened, on the other end of the spectrum were Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, none of whom extended wishes on Subhas Jayanti.



The Oregon Health Authority tallied an additional 582 COVID-19 cases Sunday, the lowest daily total since Nov. 3, along with three more deaths.

Infection counts are often lower on weekends, with data arriving more slowly. But infection totals have been in steep decline over the past 10 days. Before that, Oregon had been averaging well over 1,000 infections a day.

The decline could indicate that infections accompanying family visits over the holidays are easing. The number of Oregonians hospitalized has fallen by nearly half since the end of November and the average number of daily deaths is down by more than half.

Oregons cumulative death toll climbed to 1,880 with the new deaths reported Sunday.

Additionally, the Two Rivers Correctional Institution in Umatilla reported that an elderly inmate had died after testing positive for COVID-19. The Oregon Department of Corrections said the man was between 75 and 85 years old. He is the 39th person in the Oregon prison system to die after testing positive for the disease.

Where the new cases are by county: Benton (3), Clackamas (49), Coos (26), Crook (9), Curry (1), Deschutes (31), Douglas (14), Harney (1), Hood River (9), Jackson (47), Jefferson (4), Josephine (20), Klamath (26), Lake (5), Lane (49), Lincoln (6), Linn (18), Malheur (3), Marion (72), Morrow (3), Multnomah (78), Polk (18), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (16), Union (5), Wasco (2), Washington (59) and Yamhill (7).

New deaths: Of the three deaths reported Sunday, at least two had underlying health conditions. Authorities were still investigating the health status of one death.

The three who died are:

A 66-year-old man in Douglas County who tested positive on Jan. 21, the day after his death at home.

A 90-year-old woman in Jackson County who tested positive on Jan. 14 and died on Jan. 22 at her home.

A 58-year-old man in Marion County who tested positive Dec. 26 and died Jan. 22 at Salem Hospital.

The health authority did not include the prisoners death in Umatilla in Sundays official count.

The prevalence of infections: On Sunday, the state reported 710 positive lab reports out of 13,074 total reports, for a positive test rate of 5.4%.

Hospitalized patients: Across Oregon, 310 people are hospitalized for COVID-19  the same as on Saturday. There are 80 patients in intensive care unit beds, three fewer than Saturday.

Vaccines administered: Oregon reports giving 11,243 shots and 14,755 new vaccine doses received.

Since it began: Oregon reports 138,168 confirmed and presumed infections and 1,880 deaths.

Coronavirus in Oregon: Latest news | Live map tracker |Text alerts | Newsletter

-- Mike Rogoway
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.

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The 56-year-old Minister had undergone a Rapid Antigen Test on Friday which came in positive on Saturday, after which she was been taken to a treatment centre, Xinhua news agency quoted the officials as saying.

Colombo, Jan 24 (IANS) Sri Lankan Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, Health Ministry officials confirmed.

Wanniarachchi is the fifth parliamentarian and second cabinet minister to test positive for the virus in recent weeks.

Last week, Minister of Water Supply Vasudeva Nanayakkara tested positive after coming in contact with another state minister during Parliament sessions.

To date, two cabinet ministers, two state ministers and one opposition legislator have been infected with the the virus.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that PCR tests were conducted in the Parliament premises for two days and all legislators and Parliamentary staff were subject to tests.

Four parliament staff tested positive.

Sri Lanka has to date detected over 56,000 Covid-19 cases, with 278 deaths.

--IANS

ksk/
Following the modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice that became a classic 2001 romantic comedy ...

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... and the sequel that landed its heroine in a Southeast Asian prison ...

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It ... really strayed from the Jane Austen thing in a hurry

... Bridget Jones's Diary author Helen Fielding decided to take Bridget and Mark Darcy's relationship in a different direction in 2013's Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. Specifically, she killed half of them. It's not a quiet, dignified, British death, either: He gets blown up by a landmine in Sudan. It's like the fanfiction you write after one of your favorite characters disappoints you, except Austen's Mr. Darcy did nothing to deserve this. She literally blew up one of history's most beloved romantic heroes just because she could. Our contacts there are notoriously tight-lipped, but it's safe to assume Fielding is on some kind of MI6 watchlist.

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It doesn't get better from there. Most of the book is about Bridget clumsily navigating the PTA, the film industry, and social media, which is fine and fun and notably things she could have easily done while happily married. But she's pressured by friends -- who are also, it must be noted, well into their 50s and don't seem to have changed at all from the confused, binge-drinking, men-obsessed singles they were in their 30s -- to get Botox and plunge back into the dating scene, where she illustrates just how little she, too, has grown over the previous 20 years. It's basically Bridget Jones's Diary: Senior Edition.

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Naturally, the only man she can connect with (at least until the last pages, when she finally realizes her son's dreamboat teacher has been relentlessly pursuing her the whole time for some reason) hasn't even escaped his 20s. That's right: Bridget Jones became a cougar. Even worse, they meet on Twitter, where they exchange cringey tweets complete with roleplaying-style action out in the open where God and everybody can see.
Naomi Campbell has revealed swimming in the sea has helped her keep up New Year's resolution of quitting smoking.

The supermodel, 50, said that she quit on New Year's Eve, and swimming has helped 'clear her lungs' as she pushed to kick the habit.

According to The Mirror, she said: 'I stopped on New Year's Eve. Every afternoon I swim in the ocean for an hour or two and I just sit in the ocean.

Health kick: Naomi Campbell, 50, has revealed swimming in the sea has helped her keep up New Year's resolution of quitting smoking

'It helps clear my lungs because it takes 21 days to get the nicotine out of your system.'

Naomi has struggled to quit smoking, and has reportedly tried hypnotism and nicotine patches to help.

The star has been enjoying a sun-soaked trip to Africa, posting pictures from Kenya at the start of the year.

She showcased her sensational figure in a slew of snaps that she shared via Instagram, putting her toned abs on display

Kicking the habit: The supermodel said that she quit on New Year's Eve, and swimming has helped 'clear her lungs' as she pushed to kick the habit

Ever the fashionista, Naomi wrapped a blue sarong around her waist that had a stylish graphic print across the front.

The ensemble accentuated her slender legs as she pranced around on the beach for a stunning photoshoot in the picturesque location.

On Friday, the model shared her heartbreak at losing her godson Harry Brant, 24, after he passed away due to an accidental drug overdose.

She said the socialite had an 'innate magical joy' as she promised to continue loving him unconditionally, in the moving social media tribute.

Wow! The model showed off her toned abs and enviable figure in a zebra-print bikini and a blue sarong in sun-soaked Kenya snaps

Naomi said of Harry - who is the son of model Stephanie Seymour and business magnate Peter Brant: 'Its taken me a few days to get my head around this to digest the fact my BEAUTIFUL GODSON HARRY BRANT HAS GONE TO THE SPIRITUAL WORLD..

'SINCE YOU WERE A BABY YOU HAD THIS INNATE MAGICAL JOY, THAT YOU BOUGHT TO ALL WHO WAS AROUND YOU ,I WOULD TAKE YOU TO MY MEETINGS , AND THEY WOULD ASK ME , IF THEY COULD HIRE YOU , YOU WERE NOT EVEN 10 yrs Old , SMART AS A WHIP , CREATIVITY BURSTING FROM YOU ON EVERY LEVEL ..

Stunning: The ensemble accentuated her slender legs as she pranced around on the beach for a stunning photoshoot in the picturesque location

'HARRY YOUVE TAKEN PIECE OF MY HEART , WE NEVER JUDGED EACH OTHER , OUR SHIP WAS ALWAYS HONEST , TOO YOUNG TO GO , I WILL LOVE YOU UNCONDITIONALLY ALWAYS ,AND I KNOW PAPA AZZEDINE AND FRANCA WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE !' (sic)

A few days prior, Harry's family said he 'was just days away from re-entering rehab' prior to the model and influencer's accidental drug overdose.

More than 15,000 in fines has been handed out after police shut down an illegal rave attended by more than 300 people in east London.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police attended a venue under a railway arch on Nursery Road in Hackney in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Loud music was heard coming from inside the venue and a significant number of people were found packed inside the small space.

Met Police officers have issued more than 15,000 in fines after breaking up a rave in Hackney in the early hours of this morning as dozens of people breached coronavirus regulations

The rave was held under a railway arch in Hackney and bodycams captured the large crowd

Dozens of ravers attempted to flee following the arrival of the police, scaling fences at the rear of the arch while others forced open a gate to get away from officers.

The Met said multiple attempts were made to engage with the event's organisers, who were 'unco-operative', and at one point the doors were padlocked from the inside to stop police getting in.

Additional resources including police dogs and a helicopter were deployed.

A total of 78 people were stopped and issued with fixed penalty notices to the value of 200 for breaching Covid regulations by attending an illegal gathering - a total of 15,600.

Chief Superintendent Roy Smith, who attended the incident, said: 'This was a serious and blatant breach of the public health regulations and the law in relation to unlicensed music events.

The Met said multiple attempts were made to engage with the event's organisers who were described by the force as 'uncooperative' and at one point padlocked the doors of the event

'Officers were forced, yet again, to put their own health at risk to deal with a large group of incredibly selfish people who were tightly packed together in a confined space - providing an ideal opportunity for this deadly virus to spread.

'Our frontline officers continue to police this public health crisis with compassion and professionalism but it is completely unacceptable they have to face such needless risks to their own health and to their families too.

'Whilst we will always seek to engage and explain, the message to those who have a total disregard for the safety of others and breach the law so blatantly is clear, our officers will act swiftly and decisively.

'Not just organisers, but all those present at such illegal parties can expect to be issued a fine.'

Camera footage shows West Midlands police officers making their way through the premises and as they found more people hiding in the kitchen while breaking up a party in Birmingham

It comes as West Midlands police officers dished out more than 16,000 in fines in a single night as they were called to break up a birthday bash, an event inside a shop, a student rave and a poker match.

Officers in Birmingham attended 32 Covid breach incidents from Friday night to Saturday morning and a total of 16,600 were handed to those breaking the rules amid the third national lockdown.

The majority of the fines were handed out as police disrupted a large party at university accommodation in Birmingham city centre.

Around 50 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued as revellers, including some who travelled from London and Newcastle, gathered at the Canalside block.

Earlier in the night, a party was broken up on Soho Road where shop owners had set up a sound system and were eating and drinking.

A couple of fast food outlets were also found to still be serving customers beyond 11pm.

Pictured: Police were shocked at how many people were hiding inside the closet

Cops said they had issued five 1,000 fines overnight- penalties which are usually issued to the organisers of gatherings, or breaches at restaurants/fast food outlets.

Around 20 people were also found at a 30th birthday bash at a house in Kingstanding and 17 men were found to be enjoying a poker night in a tower block.

Police said they issued a total of 58 200 fines to those breaking the rules by attending such gatherings.

People gathered at Canalside student block, Birmingham after a 50-strong party in breach of Covid rules

Inspector Steve Barnes, who was in charge of the operation, warned that 'people are dying' as he urged people to follow the rules.

He also hit back at criticism that West Midlands Police is using resources to tackle Covid breaches instead of 'catching criminals'.

People travelled from as far as Newcastle, Nottingham and London to attend the risque event

'We understand that young people are frustrated at not being able to enjoy themselves and I do feel their pain, but we have to stick to the rules so that we can get back to some sort of normality sooner rather than later,' he said.

'People are dying and we have to prevent the spread of this virus.

'We hear the criticism that some are saying about our actions to police restrictions and, we more than anyone, want to concentrate on catching criminals, so my message is clear - stick to the rules and let us do our job of protecting communities and solving crime.'
Israel began administering coronavirus vaccines to teenagers Saturday to target a demographic suspected of accelerating the country's Covid-19 outbreak.

Israel has approved the Covid-19 vaccine for anyone over 16, as it pushed ahead with its inoculation drive, with a quarter of the population now vaccinated, health officials said. The country won't inoculate anyone under that age.

With the capacity to handle about 2 lakh people a day, Israel's health authorities are able to vaccinate the country's approximately 3 lakh 16- to 18-year-olds high-school students in short order, but the challenge will be to ensure everyone shows up for a shot.

Since the rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations one month ago, over 2.5 million of Israel's nine-million-strong population have been vaccinated already, the health ministry has said.

Expanding the campaign to include teens came days after Israel has extended till the end of the month its third national Covid-19 lockdown due to a surge in coronavirus infections.

Ministry of Health data show that Israel's younger population is far more likely to test positive for Covid-19, with 10- to 19-year-olds making up 21% of known infections.

The 20- to 29-year-old age group accounts for 19% of known infections.

The health ministry had earlier announced it was allowing the inoculation of high school students aged 16-18, subject to parental approval.

"They are the megaspreaders," The Wall Street Journal quoted Ido Hadari, director of government relations at Israel's Maccabi Healthcare Services, as saying. "If we vaccinate these guys they will stop being spreaders."

Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the swift vaccination campaign "will afford us the possibility of overcoming the coronavirus, of emerging from it, of opening the economy and getting life back to routine".

Israel's largest health fund, Clalit, was already giving teens shots as of Saturday morning, its website said, while the three smaller funds were due to kick off their campaign later.

The country is leading the world's fastest vaccination campaign, so far administering the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine to almost 30% of its population since starting in late December.

Israel has also received some shipments of the Moderna vaccine, but so far is mainly relying on Pfizer.

However, health officials still say that they are racing against time. The fast-spreading new UK variant of Covid-19 has made its way into the country, while Israelis are bristling under a third lockdown even as the government widens the vaccination campaign.

Daily recorded virus cases had reached about 10,000 a day earlier this week, but on Friday those levels eased to about 7,000 new cases.

The country will give what officials are calling a green passport to those who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 that will allow them to avoid quarantine after flying and eventually go to public places like cinemas, stadiums and restaurants.

With agency inputs

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London: The British Health Minister warned that coronavirus vaccines may be less effective against new variants of the disease, such as those found in South Africa and Brazil, and that stricter border controls are justified.

We dont know the degree of that, Matt Hancock said in an interview on Sky News on Sunday, commenting on the extent of any potential reduced efficacy of the vaccines. In the meantime, weve got to have a precautionary principle that says lets not bring these new variants back to the UK.

A nurse prepares a dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Health authorities remain concerned how it will work against new strains of the coronavirus. Credit:AP

Hancocks warning came as Britain reported it had vaccinated more than 5 million people, including three-quarters of those over 80. Hancock said the government is conducting a vaccine trial on the South African variant to study its response to the inoculation, and that hes concerned about new variants developing elsewhere.

The new variant I really worry about is the one thats out there but hasnt been spotted, he said, adding that the UK is offering its genome-sequencing capability to other countries to help them identify new strains. There are 77 known cases of the South African variant in Britain, and at least 9 cases of the Brazilian variant, Hancock said on the BBCs The Andrew Marr Show.
Accusations of swampy politics that pit a red state against a blue state. Calls for an investigation. The U.S. Air Forces involvement. Thousands of jobs on the line, and decades economic development that can transform a city and state.

For Huntsville and Mobile, the two Alabama cities share in a similar experience  about a decade apart  when it comes to high-profile military decisions.

Huntsville currently stands out as the winner in a high-stakes, multi-state competition for landing U.S. Space Command and its 1,400-person headquarters responsible for the nations military operations in outer space. The January 13 decision by the outgoing Trump administration places the coveted military base at Redstone Arsenal. It has also left Colorado politicians crying foul, prompting calls of the new Biden administration to consider a do-over.

Jet tanker

A decade ago Mobile was engulfed in its own high stakes battle - for the then-coveted Air Force jet tanker contract. At the time, it was viewed as the most lucrative contract in Air Force history, and it pitted aerospace giants Boeing and Airbus against each other. Mobile and its partners -- Northrop Grumman Corp. and the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co., the parent company of Airbus at the time -- were initially viewed as the winner of a $40 billion contract to build the sleek fighter jets in 2008. Two years later, the criteria from the Air Force changed, Northrop dropped out and Boeing was awarded the contract. The state of Washington, home to the Boeings manufacturing operations, celebrated while Mobile grumbled.

In Huntsvilles case, the Air Force claims Redstone is a superior site to that of its competitors based on key criteria analyzed by the military. In Mobile, back in 2011, the Air Force decided that Boeings criteria to build the KC-30 to replace its aging fleet, better suited their needs.

Alabama blamed the Obama administration for losing out on the tanker contract. Ten years later, Colorado public officials and Democrats elsewhere are calling on an investigation of the Trump administrations involvement in Alabamas victory in securing Space Command.

Politics is a funny business, said George Talbot, who was the political editor at the Mobile Press-Register during the tanker contract discussions and debates that began in the mid-2000s and ended in 2011. Sometimes the answer is just what it is  (Boeing) was the best proposal with the tanker. They still dont have an airplane. Thats a consequence, so there are real consequences all around for the communities.

He added, It says the important thing for the people who are charged with the decisions, they make the best decisions they can and not because who is in office or who isnt. Thats played into Space Command.

Americas defense

President Donald Trump arrives at arrives at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., Thursday, May 30, 2019, to attend the 2019 United States Air Force Academy Graduation Ceremony. The Colorado Springs base wound up on the short-end of the Space Command headquarter competition after the Trump administration announced Huntsville, Ala., as the future site for the military base on January 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)AP

With the Space Command decision, Colorado politicians have been left incensed, and Democratic lawmakers calling for investigations on Capitol Hill. A pair of House Democrats  U.S. Rep. John Garamendi of California and Jim Cooper of Tennessee  want Defense Department Inspector General Sean ODonnell to investigate how Trump might have influenced the Space Command decision.

In Colorado, its both Republican and Democratic lawmakers who are blasting the decision to relocate Space Command to Alabama. Though other states were bidding on the Space Command base, the stakes were especially high in Colorado. Space Command was reestablished in 2019 in Colorado Springs, which currently houses the 1,400-troop unit at Peterson Air Force Base. The base was effectively renamed Peterson Space Force last year.

Republican Colorado U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn called the decision horrendous and one that will materially damage our national security. Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis called the decision misguided and one that could cost taxpayers billions of dollars.

Colorado, once firmly a red state, flipped to blue during the 2008 presidential election. It backed Biden over Trump by 13.5 points during the November 3 election.

Alabama, by contrast, is among the reddest states in the country. Voters backed Trump by 25.4 points.

The criticism about the Space Command decision isnt just in Colorado, where Peterson was viewed as the early favorite in the selection process. In New Mexico, which backed Biden by 10.8 points and has an Air Force base that was also a finalist for the headquarters, officials are decrying presidential politics and questioning the integrity of the process.

In Republican states, the criticism directed at the former administration is somewhat muted. Republican leaders in Florida and Nebraska  two states with military bases that were also in the hunt for the Space Command headquarters  are not calling out the Trump administration. In Nebraska, which backed Trump by 19 points, Gov. Pete Ricketts said in a statement that the state will simply make its case to the Biden administration and did not blame the former president for engaging in political mischief.

Florida, home to Space Coast  the nations busiest space operations that includes Cape Canaverals iconic Space Force Station  was also in the running. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Trump ally, did not release a public statement regarding the decision.

Trump, himself, did not visit Huntsville on January 13, and has not publicly touted the Air Forces decision to bring a coveted initiative of his administration to Alabama. Trump revived Space Command from its 17-year hiatus tasked with administering national security operations in space. Its not to be confused with Space Force, which was the sixth military branch that Trump created in late 2019. But Space Force, and even Space Commands future, remains murky in a Biden administration.

For now, Alabama officials are touting Redstone Arsenals appeal for the future of Space Command.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said hes falling back on the Air Forces announcement earlier this month, which claims that Redstone Arsenal has a ready-made location for Space Command and highly qualified workforce. The low costs of living and housing availability off-base were also pointed out as advantages for the Huntsville site, according to published reports.

They said they did it on merit and after a two-year study of the areas that were the finalists, I think they dotted their Is and crossed their ts very well, said Battle. We hope that politics do not enter into this. This is about Americas defense.

Battle said hes not seen the Air Forces official reports that analyzed the criteria of each finalist, and there is clamoring for the military to disclose how they came to determine Redstone Arsenal as the preferred choice.

Related content: Air Force says facts, not politics favored Alabama in Space Command HQ decision

Incoming Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a Mobile native who was confirmed as the nations first black defense secretary, told Congress that he will examine how the Space Command decision was made.

An Air Force spokesperson, in an email to AL.com, said the agency is working on requests to gather the information that will disclose the details over its selection criteria. Redstone was chosen, according to the Air Force, based on factors related to its mission, infrastructure capacity, community support and the costs to the Department of Defense.

Its our understanding that Huntsville was, in fact, the recommendation of the Air Force and for good reason, said Blair Taylor, spokeswoman for Republican Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama. Huntsville  also known as Rocket City  provides the Air Force a long list of advantages: a qualified workforce, installation capacity, significant costs savings, close proximity to supporting space assets and a vast industrial expertise.

She added, We feel confident this decision was merit-based and in the interest of national security.

Always politics involved

In this Feb. 29, 2008 file photo, from left, Boeing union workers David Henry of Puyallup, Wash., Sandy Hastings of Everett, Wash., James William and Charlie Grieser of Mukilteo, Wash., protest the U.S. Air Force's decision to award a fuel tanker contract to Airbus-Northrop Grumman at the Aerospace Machinists Union in Everett, Wash. Boeing contested the decision and ultimately won the tanker contract in 2011. One year later, in 2012, Airbus announced intentions to build a manufacturing plant in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, file)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Battle calls the comparisons between the Air Forces Space Command decision in Huntsville and the 2011 tanker contract decision as apples and oranges.

Indeed, there are significant differences between the two: Space Command is a military basing decision, while the tanker contract includes requests for proposals in which those requests can be challenged after they are submitted.

In Mobile, the situation in Huntsville is bringing back memories of the setbacks in 2010 and 2011 that  unknown at that time -- would lead to a major economic development victory in 2012, when Airbus announced it was building its North American manufacturing hub in Mobile.

But from 2009-2011, the battle with Boeing and its Buy American pitch was fierce and proved too much for Mobile and its European partner to overcome.

Presidential politics, like Huntsville today, served as a backdrop. Then-Arizona Senator John McCain, the 2008 GOP presidential nominee and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, was a vocal Boeing critic in Congress. Boeing, which won the $40 million contract in February 2011, has its headquarters based in Chicago, which is also the hometown of President Barack Obama.

There was a belief that because Obama is from Chicago and Boeings headquarters are in Chicago, that Obama would put it there, said Talbot, who now works as director of governmental relations with Volkert, Inc. It was interesting during the McCain-Obama race, there were perceptions that one would align with Boeing and another would align with Airbus. But there was never evidence to suggest that either got involved (in the Air Forces decision).

State Rep. Sam Jones, D-Mobile, who was Mobiles mayor from 2005-2013, said there is no knowledge of politics influencing the switched-up criteria for the tanker contract between 2008 and 2010.

EADS and Northrop Grumman beat Boeing in 2008, to seemingly win the contract to build the KC-30 tankers inside a $600 million plant in Mobile. The decision was challenged, and the Air Force revised its selection criteria that seemingly favored Boeings planes. Northrop Grumman did not submit an altered bid in 2010, decrying the changes in the selection criteria and questioning the Pentagons fairness of the competition. One year later, the Air Force selected Boeing over EADS.

We dont know the politics of it, said Jones. It happened within the Air Force. They changed the specs and made it a lot more favorable to Boeing. That is why Northrop Grumman dropped out as a partner with EADS. And because of the way it was favored toward Boeing, they go the contract.

He added, I dont think it was politics between one (presidential) administration to the next. It was within the Defense Department. The Air Force changed the specs.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley along with local officials react to the Air Force's decision to award the aerial refueling tanker contract to Boeing during a press conference at the Mobile Convention Center Thursday Feb. 24, 2011 in Mobile, Ala. EADS, the losing bidder in the competition, would have assembled their tanker in Mobile had they won the contract. Ten years later, Mobile turned the corner with its partnership with Airbus to build commercial jets at the Brookley Aeroplex. (file photo)

Former Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, who first took office around the time the tanker contract was awarded to Boeing, said he believes politics did play a role in the decision.

Anything that has to do with the federal government, there is always politics involved, said Bentley, a Republican. Im sure there are politics involved (with the Space Command decision). That was true with the tanker project.

Despite the tanker contract loss, Mobile wound up a winner: Airbus built a $600 million plant to build the A320-series of commercial jets, opening in 2015. The company, with over 1,000 employees in Mobile, is currently producing 40 of the single-aisle A320-series of aircraft per month. The company also produces the A220-series in Mobile.

That absolutely worked out better for Mobile, said Talbot, who served on current Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpsons administration as executive director of communications and external affairs from 2013-2020. One door closes, and another opens. Youre now in the commercial market and youre not dependent on a defense budget and the political process. Youre just trying to build the best airplanes you can. Its a much better outcome for Mobile and we really had to earn our way to do it.

Said Jones, We maintained a relationship with EADS and  we maintained a relationship with (former Airbus CEO) Tom Enders. He always like Mobile. (Airbus) liked Mobile. Thats how we wound up with the project.

Boeing and Airbus remain in a fierce competition for worldwide market dominance in the aerospace industry, though Bentley rightly notes that Boeing has a large presence in Alabama: The firm has approximately 3,000 employees in Huntsville.

Everything has worked out well with both companies here, said Bentley. (Boeing) has always been a good partner.

Meanwhile, the tanker contract that slipped through Mobiles hands remains in a state of disarray for Boeing, dogged by productions delays and design problems. Boeing delivered its first KC-46 Pegasus tanker to the Air Force in 2019 and intends to produce 179 by 2027.

The contract has become an albatross to Boeing because of the production delays and the ongoing problems in delivering those planes, said Talbot. Some say there is a chance Mobile could still build tankers. You know never know where Mobile can go. Who knows? Maybe one day.
Sudan has recently held a series of meetings with foreign ambassadors in Khartoum, including those of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) countries, to discuss the standoff caused by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which has been of concern for Sudan since 2011.

The meetings came because "war is not a choice," read a news bulletin released by the Sudanese irrigation ministry on Sunday.

The statement added that Sudan wants to place responsibility on the international community to convince Ethiopia to retreat on its intention to embark on the second filling of the GERD in July without reaching an agreement with Khartoum.

The meetings, organised by the Sudanese irrigation ministry, were held over the past week with the ambassadors of US, Russia, France, and the UK  the permanent members of UNSC  in addition to Italy and the Netherlands.

Tension between Sudan and Ethiopia mounted earlier this month after Sudan withdrew from the latest round of African Union (AU)-sponsored talks in rejection of the methodology upon which the negotiations were held in addition to Ethiopias intention to start the second filling of the GERD next summer despite a lack of agreement with Sudan and Egypt, another downstream country engaged in the long-running impasse.

Negotiations over the GERD have been put on hold due to Khartoum's desire to grant a bigger role to the experts involved in the AU-mediated talks instead of holding direct discussions among the three nations. Ethiopia, in addition to Egypt, refuses the Sudanese demand.

Last weeks discussions also included a meeting between Sudan's Minister of Irrigation, Yasser Abbas, and the ambassador of Congo, the next chair of the AU, which is the current mediator in the GERD negotiations.

"We cannot continue in the vicious cycle of discussions endlessly," the statement quoted Abbas as saying during last week's meetings.

Abbas also voiced out his country's concerns about the direct threat the GERD would inflict on the reservoir of the Sudanese Roseires Dam if Ethiopia went on the second filling without reaching an agreement or daily exchange of information with Sudan.

The storage capacity of the Nile's Roseires Dam, which is located nearby the GERD, is less than 10 percent of that of the GERD, he added.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced last summer his country would start the second phase of filling the controversial dam during the rainy season of August 2021 with 18.4 billion cubic metres of water.

Addis Ababa declared last summer that it had achieved the first filing  estimated at around 4.9 billion cubic metres  during the rainy season flooding of the Blue Nile, a step that angered both downstream countries.

On 30 June 2020, the UNSC held an open session over the GERD dispute upon Egypt's request after negotiations between the three countries failed to produce an accord, in addition to Ethiopias announcement to start the filing of its dams reservoir even without the approval of the two downstream countries, a step that was carried out a month later.

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Khartoum and Addis Ababa traded placatory remarks in the last few days, following escalating tension over the border city of Fashqa. Backed by a mobilised public, each side maintained its version of a historical narrative including their interpretations of previous agreements on the border area. Sudan rejected negotiations over the land it had retrieved from its neighbour, while Ethiopia is continuously talking about compensation for Ethiopian farmers who were forced out of Fashqa.



South Sudan mediated talks between the two sides. Observers dont believe there will be a breakthrough in negotiations, however.



At press conference earlier this week in Khartoum, Mohamed Al-Feki, member of the ruling Sovereign Council, said a peaceful resolution is the only way forward. The Sudanese army now controls 90 per cent of Sudanese territories previously occupied by Ethiopian militias and forces, he asserted, but retrieving the land was a political, not a militarydecision.



Criticising the Ethiopian ambassador to Sudan, Al-Feki said, the only way to a resolution is the continuation of joint committees and for Ethiopians to stop making fiery statements, which he said were unsound and, considering the Sudanese publics discontent with officials remaining silent, will force us to retaliate. According to Fayez Al-Salik, a Sudanese journalist, there is much public discontent with Ethiopian mobilisation and hostility against Sudan.

The Ethiopian ambassador to Khartoun had accused Sudan of taking over nine Ethiopian sites. The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry this week said Sudanese forces are still advancing on the border area, describing the move as an unacceptable violation of international law leading to negative results. It added that the Sudanese army organised attacks using heavy armoury and that many civilians were killed or wounded.



On the other hand, Khartoum said an Ethiopian military jet violated Sudanese air space. But the general commander of the Ethiopian army has denied the accusation, stressing that his country has no interest in going to war with Sudan, and accusing other parties he refused to name of sowing tension between Ethiopia and Sudan. Al-Fekis statements were released after Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Sovereign Council and leader of the Armed Forces, visited troops stationed on the border.

Al-Burhan said Sudan has no desire to fight against Ethiopia but will defend its lands. Soon after, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry released a statement saying five women and children were killed in an attack perpetrated by Ethiopian gunmen in Fashqa. It added that the operation was executed by the Amhara militias known in the Sudanese media as Al-Shafta, who were probably fighting alongside the Ethiopian army in the northern Tigray region.



The Amhara political circle are backing Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who lost much of the support of the Oromo, from which he hails. The Amhara, who had ruled Ethiopia for centuries, agree with Ahmed on the necessity of abandoning the federal system that gives Ethiopias multiple ethnicities more space for self-rule. Ethiopia and Sudan are both on the edge.

Their domestic affairs may push them to war, but the same reasons may push Khartoum and Addis Ababa towards peace and calm. In Ethiopia, the war Ahmed waged on Tigray in the north led Eritrea and Sudan to reclaim the lands they were fighting over with Addis Ababa, driving many to say that Ahmeds government is not careful about national sovereignty, which the Tigray maintained throughout the 27 years in which they ruled.



On the other hand, Ahmed has the support of the Amhara, from which the Fashqa farmers hail. If Ahmed is to lose the backing of the Amhara, he will have lost the support of all the main Ethiopian ethnicities, which will speed up his descent from the helm or drag Ethiopia down into internal conflicts that may eventually lead to the disintegration of the second largest populated country in Africa.

Moreover, Ethiopia is suffering from acute economic challenges and fragile food security due to the locust attacks on the Horn of Africa, which threaten severe malnutrition and famine in the countrys poorest areas. Addis Ababa doesnt have the luxury to lose Khartoum now, especially as it is in the middle of a war in Tigray and suffering from tensions with other ethnicities in various regions.



In Sudan, the military is suffering from a weak political position amid popular calls for their withdrawal from Sudans political life. However, the militarys political position has drastically improved following the retrieval of Fashqa and the return of Sudanese farmers evicted by Ethiopia two decades ago to their lands.

Moreover, Ethiopias insistence on filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will directly damage Sudans ability to generate electricity from water and negatively affect its agricultural sector. Khartoum wants to receive foreign investments in the agricultural sector after it was lifted off the US list of states harbouring terrorism. Much like Ethiopia, Sudans economy is plummeting, and its security conditions may hinder its ability to go to war.



And yet no breakthrough is expected between Ethiopia and Sudan over Fashqa. Sudan will not be able to return the lands it recently regained or else the military institutions image will be severely damaged. On the other hand, Ahmeds popularity and the Amharas support of him will be terribly shaken if the Ethiopian farmers did not return to Fashqa or were not generously compensated.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 January, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Hiring a car abroad is fraught with potential pitfalls - from those costly 'must-have' insurance extras to the damage bills when you return the car. But for most people it is driving on the wrong side of the road that is the main source of dread, and even the most confident drivers quake at the thought of navigating the German Autobahn or Italian cities.

Given that most of our neighbours drive on the right, we are the outliers of Europe. In fact, with the departure of the UK from the EU, Malta and Cyprus are the only remaining countries in the EU that still drive on the left.

After the recently agreed Brexit deal, our penchant for driving on the left is likely to impact on our car market.

The trade deal will make used car imports much less attractive for Irish buyers and could also impact severely on the choice and supply of new cars in the future.

Potential tariffs are forcing European car makers to weigh up whether Britain can remain a viable export hub to the EU, and if not it could spell the end of some models being produced in right-hand drive.

Ireland is a tiny player in the car market so would have no influence in such decisions, and the likely outcome for us is simply less choice.

So why do we drive on a different side of the road than our European neighbours? Is it time to consider moving to the right side of the road?

It seems the reason why we drive on the left has much to do with the fact that most people are right-handed. Ancient Romans drove their chariots on the left, while knights and armed travellers favoured passing on the left so they could defend themselves against attackers with their good hand - the right one.

Cut to the 1700s and the arrival of large, horse-drawn freight wagons resulted in new rules to keep to the right to pass oncoming traffic.

Later the left-handed Napoleon spread the practice as he successfully conquered much of Europe.

The British remained unconvinced and in 1773 introduced the General Highways Act, which encouraged driving on the left. By 1835 it was made mandatory and they introduced the custom across the British Empire.

While the complete historical explanation is probably more complicated, the custom of driving on the left seems inextricably bound up with Britain and its colonies.

But swapping sides of the road would be impossible, surely? Not necessarily; it has been achieved in the past.

On September 3, 1967, known as 'Dagen H' day - Dagen means 'day' and the 'H' stands for 'Hogertrafik', the Swedish word for 'right-hand traffic' - Sweden changed from driving on the left-hand side of the road to the right.

At 4.50am all vehicles drove to the other side of the road and remained stationary for 10 minutes. At 5am driving resumed, the changeover completed.

But the smooth transition was an expensive and complex endeavour that took four years of preparation, an intensive national campaign and cost 64m, equivalent to 500m today.

Sweden was not the first country to do so: Canada, Poland and Spain switched in 1924; Portugal and Brazil in 1928; and Gambia in 1965. Burma, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Ghana and Sudan all swapped in the early 1970s. More recently Samoa made the historic decision to switch.

At 6am on September 8, 2009, they bucked the global trend and switched from right to left to end its dependence on expensive imports from America and instead acquire cheap, second-hand cars from their neighbouring countries, Australia and New Zealand, who follow the British custom of driving on the left.

So should Ireland, post-Brexit, follow Europe's lead and drive on the right?

There would be benefits apart from a more plentiful car market. The more compelling argument is that our entire road network would need to be reconfigured. Would this afford us an opportunity to re-engineer roundabouts, junctions and motorway intersections in a way that could allow for greater safety and priority to be given to pedestrians and cyclists?

There is little doubt the idea is at best problematic; switching would only be achieved at a very high cost, and it is not hard to imagine the chaos that could follow, plus the financial toll.

Car dealers would strongly oppose it as the move would devalue the used car market overnight and the Border with the North would be a significant issue.

Is it a completely impractical idea and in short totally bonkers, or a conversation worth having?

Then again, in the future era of self-driving cars, the side of the road that we drive on won't matter all that much anyway.
PHILIPSBURG:---On Saturday, January 23rd, The Miss Lalie Youth Care and Rehabilitation Center held a New Year Family Dinner. The ceremony started off with a warm welcome to all guests by Lucienne Papa, head of the pedagogical department and hostess of the event, whereafter the national anthem was beautifully sung by Mr. Davidson. Pastor Vernon Illidge was invited to the stage to provide a thanksgiving speech, followed by the Honorable Minister of Justice Anna E. Richardson who officially opened the ceremony with words of guidance and encouragement. The Minister commended the MLC staff for all their hard work and commitment to the organization thus far and is gratified knowing that the staff members have been able to create a healthy and safe space for the young residents to be able to work towards becoming the best versions of themselves.

One of the greater challenges experienced by the young residents during their stay is not being able to attend family events or merely enjoy the company of their family and friends. The main purpose of the New Year Family Dinner was thus to give the juveniles a moment to connect with their family and interact in a more normalized manner. The aim of the event was also to celebrate the positive behavioral growth and progress the young residents have made during their rehabilitation and reintegration trajectory over the previous months. During the juvenile award speech, each individual resident was highlighted and presented with a gift. A special award was given to one of the young residents for his outstanding performance and progress made in the rehabilitation program.

One of the main projects that were highlighted during the event was the transformation of the living-room and recreational area in the facility by mainly the young residents. They assisted in painting the walls in shades of light blue using tape painting techniques. The goal of this project was to lighten up the room and further transform it into a space that is more reflective of the needs and interests of its residents. The young residents were very eager to further assist with organizing the event and their contribution consisted of cleaning the courtyard where the event was held, cooking the 3-course dinner, assembling the tents, and setting up the tables.

The event was hailed as a great success and both the young residents, and the family members were ecstatic about bringing the Christmas and New Year tradition to the grounds of the MLC facility. Tears of joy and smiles reaching from ear to ear were seen on the young residents and the family members faces during the entire event. The staff members were thanked for all their dedication, love, respect, guidance, and other therapeutic services they have provided for the juveniles during their stay. While rules and regulations form the foundation from which the institution is structured, the manner in which the staff of the prison executes these principles in practice greatly shapes the environment of the institution. Consequently, a positive prison environment results from a combination of a solid structure and an empowered and motivated prison staff.

The Miss Lalie Youth Care and Rehabilitation Center have come a long way since its official inception in 2014. It has been MLCs goal to correct, educate, guide, and offer perspective to the young offenders. The MLC staff has quite some new projects and activities in store, and they look forward to advancing the organization as they move through 2021. The MLC staff would like to thank Ace Mega Store, Sherwin Williams, The United Brothers, Caribbean Liquors, Office World, and Cost U Less for their generous contribution and commitment to making this event successful.
Because of strong demand from the customers, the El Camino was, for a short moment in time, one of the coolest Detroit products. The 1968 and 1969 models were gorgeous-looking, thanks to the Chevelle connection. Plus, you could have Chevy's 396 (6.5L) V8. And for 1970, customers could even have a 454 (7.4L), a gigantic big-block V8 making 450 horsepower and 500 lb-ft (677 Nm) of torque.Ford's equivalent model, the Ranchero , isn't as famous. Perhaps it's because the Blue Oval didn't want to wage the horsepower war in this segment as well. But we'd like to imagine that the problem was the Ranchero's Falcon-like appearance. Wouldn't a sporty Mustang have been better as the pickup's underpinnings?The idea of a Ranchero with a Mustang front end is nothing new. But this latest rendering from wb.artist20 tries to connect everything to one of the most famous names in pony car history, the Bullitt. Here, we're talking about the modern version, the one that just got discontinued.The artist says that if this were a real car, the tailgate would be its coolest feature. Of course, we're more interested in the fact that it's got a V8 engine, RWD, and very little weight over the rear. So handling would be dependent on whether you have a load in the back or not.To its credit, Ford did have a production ute. It was called the Falcon and was locally made in Australia until 2016. Only 500 Ford Falcon GT-F models were built that year, fitted with a supercharged V8 making around the same horsepower as the Bullitt
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The man whose hotel in Cross River State was demolished by the state government has denied the allegation that the hotel was used as kidnappers hideout.

The Cross River State security outfit called Operation Akpakwu, Friday, demolished the Save Side Hotel located at 8th Miles, Calabar, following the arrest of a man they accused of being a kidnapper inside the hotel.

The government did not provide evidence to back up its claim against the hotel, but said, The police have done their investigation, (and) all legal procedures were taken before this building was demolished.

Its a lie. You know the government needs to cook their story the way they want it, Saviour Omin, the owner of the Save Side Hotel, told PREMIUM TIMES, Saturday.

Mr Omin said he is a youth leader in the community where the hotel was. He said the community would not have elected him a youth leader if he were not of good character.

Besides, Mr Omin said, a hotel is a public place where the owner does not have the ability to know or control who comes in.

He said apart from the government pulling down his hotel, he was detained for five days at the police headquarters and was regularly beaten up.

I dont know what is really happening, I was thinking it was a joke until I went and saw that my hotel had been demolished.

I dont know what I have done against the Cross River State Government, I am an indigene of this place and a citizen (of Nigeria), he said.

Mr Omin ruled out going to court to seek redress.

I dont have anything to do, but my knees are on the ground, I am praying to God Almighty. Who am I to fight the government? I dont have money, I dont have a father, and I dont have a mother.

Meanwhile, the Cross River government said it would continue to demolish other facilities suspected to harbour criminals in the state.

The demolition exercise is an ongoing process, it is part of the activities of Operation Akpakwu that was set up to fight criminality in the state, especially kidnapping.

The governor had warned landlords who are harbouring criminals to desist from doing so. Therefore, anybody found to be harbouring, abetting or aiding crime, must definitely be held responsible, Henry Okokon, a security adviser to Governor Ben Ayade, said on Saturday.

Cross River, like most other states in Nigeria, has witnessed an increase in crimes like robbery, kidnapping, cultism and cult-related killings.


LEFT: Qiesha Cier (1st L, front) poses for a photo with his family in front of their old residence in Abuluoha Village, Butuo County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 12, 2005. RIGHT: Qiesha Cier (2nd L), 46, poses for a group photo with his family at their new home in Abuluoha Village on Dec. 25, 2020. Abuluoha, a village encompassed by mountains and cliffs, is located in a river valley about 60 kilometers from Butuo County in southwest China's Sichuan Province. As its name in the native Yi language denotes, the village was once "a place off the beaten path," serving as an isolated treatment center for local leprosy patients in the 1960s. Years after the disease was eliminated in the area, Abuluoha became an administrative village in 2007. With a population of merely 253 people, most of whom are of the Yi ethnic group, Abuluoha had long suffered from poverty and poor transport infrastructure due to the rugged mountainous terrain. Driven by nationwide anti-poverty efforts, great changes have taken place in Abuluoha within years. Kids started to receive primary education when the village's very first school was established in 2005. The villagers gained access to safe drinking water and electricity supply in 2007 and 2010, respectively. By 2019, the village had been provided with full 4G network coverage. On June 29, 2020, villagers moved out of thatch houses into concrete ones at a poverty-relief relocation site. The next day, the operation of a 3.8-kilometer road along cliffs and ravines put an end to the village's history without paved roads. In this set of before-and-after images, the photographer has recorded individuals and families in Abuluoha, in an effort to capture changes happening to and around them over a 15-year time span. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)
As wildfires, heat waves, water scarcity and threats to wildlife intensify in the West, Californias effort to confront these environmental crises now has support in Washington, a stark change from the past four years.

Even as former President Donald Trump spent his final days in office on the sidelines, lamenting his election loss, his administration continued to roll back environmental conservation and gut climate regulations.

In recent weeks, Trump officials fast-tracked new drilling leases, clawed back protected habitat for the spotted owl, relaxed efficiency standards for showerheads, dropped penalties for accidentally killing birds and more. The moves cement a legacy of deference to industry, cheap energy and commerce.

Now, President Biden is working just as aggressively to reverse course. The president signed several executive orders last week, including a directive to rejoin the Paris climate accord, which begin to unwind his predecessors actions and realign the nation with Californias ambitious environmental and climate agenda.

Theres a lot to celebrate, said Jared Blumenfeld, Californias secretary for environmental protection, who helped lead the states fight against Trumps policies and looks forward to a cooperative relationship with the federal government. This is a great thing for California and the country and the planet.

While change is undoubtedly coming, Bidens early directives only go so far. Some of his demands can be enacted with his signature, like rejoining the nonbinding Paris deal to address global warming.

But overturning Trump on other issues will require months of administrative review or Congressional approval. Even in a Democratic-controlled Congress, big moves could founder because of the Republican votes needed to avoid a filibuster in the Senate.

In California, state-level regulations blunted many of Trumps environmental rollbacks. When state laws didnt provide protection, California often created new rules, including bans on pesticides and expanded wetland protections. Still, plenty of Trumps policies had a direct impact on the state.

The following are eight changes the new president has begun to initiate  or is expected to soon  that are likely to strengthen Californias environmental protections and climate programs.

Boost vehicle efficiency standards: One of Bidens first executive orders, on public health and the environment, calls for stricter fuel-economy standards for cars and pickup trucks, a move designed to reduce heat-trapping pollution.

The Trump administration had not only blocked an Obama-era plan to tighten the standards, but revoked Californias waiver under the Clean Air Act to set its own vehicle emission rules. California is asking for that authority back, a request that likely will be granted. The big question is whether California can get other states to embrace its aggressive emissions policy going forward, as it has in the past.

For the federal government to establish California-level emissions standards for the country, it has to go through a lengthy rulemaking process. However, several auto companies have already committed to making cleaner cars  with or without new regulation.

We need to make sure California has a waiver, said Blumenfeld, who intends to work with the federal government, first to restore the states regulatory authority and then to secure strict vehicle standards nationwide. Its in everybodys interest to have rules in harmony.

Reinstate science in decision-making: Bidens order on health and the environment includes reviewing a transparency rule that prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency from using scientific studies with data sources that arent public.

The Trump administration implemented the measure to prevent secret science from being used to inform decision-making. Opponents, though, argued that the rule would keep policymakers from evaluating information in important medical research, which often grants participants anonymity.

If you cant use science to make public health decisions, youre tying both hands behind your back and blindfolding yourself, said Blumenfeld, who ran the federal EPAs Pacific Southwest Office under President Obama before going to work for the state.

Getting rid of the transparency measure may be as easy as employing the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to rescind recent rules with a simple majority vote. However, some scholars say the rule isnt eligible and can only be eliminated once another rule is established.

Reduce pumping in the delta: Last week Biden directed federal agencies to review a list of policies that includes pumping operations in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, the hub of Californias water supply and an estuary thats struggling with too little water.

The Trump administration changed the terms for pumping last year, allowing more delta water to flow to cities and farms. Environmentalists and fishermen criticized the move because water exports invariably mean lower flows in the estuary, leaving rivers dried up and wildlife in harms way, including endangered salmon and smelt.

The scientific analysis was universally thought to be deeply flawed, said Chris Shutes, a director at the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance. The science that was deployed was deployed to get the outcome that was desired. Getting away from that is going to be helpful.

The Biden administrations forthcoming review of the pumping terms, called biological opinions, is likely to result in more restrictions on pumping. However, the process of changing the biological opinions could take years. In the meantime, water managers may simply choose to use their discretion to send less water out of the delta.

Halt new oil drilling: The Biden administration ordered a 60-day suspension of new oil and gas drilling on federal lands and waters last week, what many see as a first step to curtailing long-term fossil fuel development and reducing the industrys planet-warming pollution.

The Trump administration, to the contrary, had sought an unparalleled expansion of oil and gas projects, including allowing new drill rigs off the California coast. An offshore drilling plan rolled out by Trump officials three years ago, however, was held up in court, and none of the California ocean operations commenced. Biden is likely to scrap that plan.

Onshore, California saw nearly 2 million new acres of federal lands opened up to potential drilling under Trump, mostly in Kern and Monterey counties. The first lease sales took place last month.

At a minimum, the new administration can pause the process of issuing new leases, said Ted Lamm, senior research fellow at UC Berkeleys Center for Law, Energy and the Environment, who monitors federal environmental actions. Ultimately, though, Lamm said the administration could go much further in limiting fossil fuel development.

Restore protections in the California desert: The Trump administration announced plans earlier this month to open up millions of acres of the Mojave Desert to new energy projects, an unexpected move that many conservationists hope Biden will undo.

The action upends a hard-fought agreement that sought to balance habitat for tortoises, Joshua trees and other iconic desert flora and fauna with renewable energy projects on federal land. Opponents of the Trump proposal say the changes not only mean more alternative power but mining and other destructive activities.

Obviously we need lots of land available for solar and wind resources, but a lot of people who watched this thought it was done hastily, Lamm said. It threatens lots of desert habitat and threatened species that could be now at risk.

COVID Resources Coronavirus Map Tracking COVID-19 cases across the Bay Area and California.

Biden has the option of simply withdrawing the proposal.

Bump up endangered species protections: Bidens instructions to federal agencies include a reexamination of the Endangered Species Act, on which Trump had put significant checks. The conditions under which a plant or animal now qualifies for protection and what protections it gets are narrower.

While California has its own endangered species rules, some animals, like the gray wolf, move between states, limiting Californias ability to provide safeguards. In October, the Trump administration delisted the gray wolf.

The federal policy is what makes regulation consistent and allows species to (safely) cross boundaries, said Christina Hazard, associate director of wildlife and natural resources for the National Parks Conservation Association.

The Biden administration could choose to amend specific parts of the Endangered Species Act or do a more thorough rewrite of the law, which conservation groups are urging. Many want to see new protections added to help plants and animals weather the changing climate. Either route would require lengthy study and public review.

Tighten logging restrictions in burned forests: Bidens directive to federal agencies calls for reassessing rollbacks to the National Environmental Policy Act, a bedrock law that protects natural landscapes from development and other projects.

Some environmentalists want the administration to remove a rule added to NEPA last year that excludes small logging proposals in burned forests from environmental review.

The rule, which applies to plots up to 5,000 acres on Bureau of Land Management property, is meant to clear dead trees swiftly off charred hillsides while the trees still have commercial value. But many scientists have cited the importance of fallen trees to a forests recovery, particularly for returning birds and wildlife. They see Trumps change as a giveaway to the timber industry.

To say that a clear-cut five times as large as Golden Gate Park has no environmental impact is ludicrous, said Chad Hanson, an ecologist and co-founder of the environmental group John Muir Project.

Changing the rule would require completing a new rulemaking process.

Hire a more environmentally minded staff: Biden has named several environmental advocates and climate experts to key posts in Washington, marking a change from his predecessor, who often filled jobs with industry leaders.

Veteran regulator Michael Regan, secretary of North Carolinas Department of Environmental Quality, was nominated to head the EPA, replacing Andrew Wheeler, who worked as a lobbyist for the fossil fuel industry. Congresswoman Deb Haaland, D-N.M., a member of the Native American group Pueblo of Laguna, was picked to lead the Interior Department, replacing David Bernhardt, an agriculture lobbyist.

Meanwhile, Biden has put Gina McCarthy, administrator of the EPA under President Obama, in charge of a new White House office on climate policy. Former Secretary of State John Kerry was named to the new post of climate envoy.

Blumenfeld, Californias top environmental regulator, said having qualified and experienced staffers in Washington will help leadership move quickly to carry out Bidens agenda and signals to government employees working in these offices that the environment and climate are high priorities.

Just imagine living through the past four years. Really hardworking civil servants have been held hostage to a captor that really didnt care what they do, Blumenfeld said. I dont think we can underestimate the damage that was done. Its going to take years of undoing.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander
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Automakers in Japan, where almost 30% of the population is 65 or older, are taking the lead on adapting cars so the nation's legions of elderly drivers can feel more confident -- and be safer -- behind the wheel.

A run of accidents involving older drivers has raised the pressure from regulators to standardize advanced features. Automatic brakes will be required for all new vehicles sold domestically from this year, for example, and companies from Toyota Motor Corp. to Nissan Motor Co. are employing smart technology to make cars more user-friendly for older people.

It's also becoming more of a priority as public railways in rural areas disappear, worsening an isolation crisis made starker by the coronavirus pandemic. Without any means of getting around, elderly people in Japan are increasingly confined to their homes, their lives shrinking as transport options evaporate.

A recent high-profile fatal accident spotlighted the issue. In February last year, Japanese prosecutors indicted 89-year-old Kozo Iizuka on a charge of negligence resulting in death and injury after a crash in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district. The former senior bureaucrat was on his way to a restaurant with his wife in April 2019 when his Toyota Prius plowed through a crossing, killing a toddler and her mother and injuring several others.

The accident made headlines, not least because of Iizuka's high-ranking government position. Public sentiment swiftly turned against Iizuka, who was back in court last week after pleading not guilty in October.

The incident also sparked a national debate about the swelling ranks of elderly drivers on Japan's roads. After the event, the number of old people opting to park their wheels for good soared. According to the National Police Agency, 350,428 people 75 or older returned their driver's licenses in 2019, the highest number on record.

"Young people tell us seniors to return our driver's licenses, but they aren't around," says Hideaki Fukushima, 90, whose wife returned her own license around the time of the accident. The couple's children live in Nagoya, a two-hour drive away. In Takamori where they live, a small town in Japan's central mountainous area, trains operated by Central Japan Railway Co. come only about once an hour. "There's nothing you can do without a car," Fukushima says.

Last year, Toyota upgraded its Safety Sense offering. The technology is designed to prevent or mitigate frontal collisions as well as keep drivers within their lane. By using high-resolution cameras on the windscreen and bumper-mounted radars, it can detect oncoming cars or pedestrians -- or even bicycles in daylight hours -- and give audible and visual alerts. If drivers fail to respond, automatic braking may be deployed. The new software also has intersection functionality to help detect oncoming obstacles if a car is making a turn from a stationary position.

Other Toyota safety features include the correction of unintentional lane departures, automatic toggling between high and low beams at night depending on surrounding traffic, and the detection of slower-moving cars ahead on a highway and automatic maintenance of a pre-set distance. Road-sign assistance technology detects stop and speed signs as they're passed and displays a dashboard alert in case drivers have missed them.
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Brood X is here

Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield.

Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Rain likely. Low 43F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 43F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
In a devastating dispatch, one paramedic working in south-east England reveals the chilling reality of life on the Covid front line.

As hospitals see a dramatic rise in younger patients needing treatment, medics are still having to deal with other emergencies, including heart attacks, births and accidents

MONDAY: CANCER PATIENT IS SCARED TO GO TO HOSPITAL

I've wanted to be a paramedic since I was seven years old but nothing could have prepared me for this. Every day is like New Year's Eve on steroids.

Queues outside hospitals are now measured in hours instead of minutes. The word 'unprecedented' has almost become a cliche but we've really never seen scenes like this before.

My 12-hour shift starts at 6.30am. While the driver, an ex-police officer, checks the lights, I give our equipment the once over: defibrillator, oxygen canisters, airway kit, canulas, drugs, stretcher, PPE and a grab bag filled with essentials.

In a devastating dispatch, one paramedic working in south-east England reveals the chilling reality of life on the Covid front line. Pictured: Paramedics outside the Royal London Hospital on January 11

Immediately, we're sent to relieve another crew who are attending an elderly woman at risk of a heart attack because of her extremely high blood pressure.

It's easy to forget but coronavirus is not the only medical condition around.

People still suffer strokes, asthma attacks and accidents, but often leave it longer before seeking help because they are afraid of being exposed to the virus in hospital.

We wait in line outside the hospital for two hours, doing our best to keep her comfortable, before heading out on our next call.

A woman battling cancer has collapsed at home. She doesn't remember the fall but refuses our request to take her in. She is terrified she will catch the virus in hospital. I don't blame her.

'Baby has been born' flashes up on the monitor. When we arrive, the mother is cradling her healthy son on the bathroom floor.

I clamp the umbilical cord and allow the father to do the honours. A nice end to the day  even if we finish an hour late.

TUESDAY: I CAN'T EVEN GIVE MY LITTLE BOY A HUG

I'm exhausted yet wake at 4am and clock-watch until I need to get up at 6am. The first two patients are eerily similar: men in their late 40s and early 50s with no underlying health conditions who have rapidly deteriorated ten days after testing positive for coronavirus.

It's the same every time  shortness of breath, fever, cough and extreme lethargy around eight to ten days after a positive test. Their oxygen levels plummet.

Unlike the first wave, when it was mostly elderly people, we are now rushing a lot of younger patients to hospital.

The 45-year-old's young son is still asleep. The man tells his wife not to wake him to say goodbye, refusing to contemplate the very real risk he might never come home.

The 54-year-old's wife is panicked, explaining her husband has never missed a day's work in his life.

Pictured: A patient is seen waiting in an ambulance outside the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel on January 20

I try to reassure her he's in safe hands but it's hard when you are head-to-toe in PPE. We are denied even the humanity of a smile.

That afternoon we attend a young woman who is being sectioned by police under the Mental Health Act for threatening to kill herself.

There are nine ambulances waiting outside the hospital and we are told it will be a minimum of a four-hour wait.

It all has a knock-on effect: the longer we wait outside, the fewer people we can help. Thankfully, we are only there for three hours.

I finish just 45 minutes late. It's a blessing  two weeks ago I worked a run of 15-hour shifts.

As I walk through the door, my 20-month-old son toddles over for a hug. I feel guilty but I've got to avoid him until I've stripped off my uniform, washed it at 60C and had a shower. We spend a blissful 15 minutes together before his bedtime.

WEDNESDAY: NOT ENOUGH SPACE FOR ALL PATIENTS

It's my wife's turn to get up at the crack of dawn. She's a part-time A&E nurse so is often treating the very patients I drop off.

We both know there's not enough space for the sheer volume of patients  they just keep coming  and question how long it can continue like this.

I'm on a night shift so spend quality time with my son during the day. Usually my mum will help out but she's shielding as she has diabetes and lung disease.

I haven't seen my parents since last year and I'm terrified they'll catch it before having the vaccine.

My wife returns at 8.45pm, so we have just 15 minutes together before I leave for my shift.

I'm driving a rapid-response vehicle tonight which means I'll be sent out ahead of ambulances for category one cases  the most serious.

THURSDAY: NO AMBULANCE TO DO MY SHIFT IN

It's a quiet start but around 1am I'm dispatched to a cardiac arrest. My adrenaline surges as I fly down rain-slicked streets with my blue lights flashing and siren blaring.

I'm there in minutes but just as I'm donning an FFP3 surgical mask and hazmat suit, I'm stood down. It was a 'Do Not Resuscitate' order and an ambulance is dealing with it. The same thing happens three times that morning.

I seem to spend hours donning and doffing PPE and wiping down surfaces, before returning home to catch some sleep as the sun is rising.

Pictured: Paramedics wearing PPE wheel a patient from an ambulance outside the emergency department of the Royal London Hospital on January 19

I leave for another night shift at 6.30pm but no ambulance is available as the day crew are stuck in a queue outside a hospital.

When one does arrive, we are immediately dispatched to a 'flagged' address  meaning the caller has a history of abuse to paramedics.

We are on high alert in case things turn nasty but there's no cause to call the police. The patient is suffering abdominal pains but is still, I notice, able to drink four cans of extra-strong lager.

I've been to the next caller's house countless times. He has leg pain but we can't rule out a clot so take him in. Both calls take nearly six hours. It's going to be a long night.

FRIDAY: I THINK OF FOUR MATES KILLED BY THE VIRUS

At 2am we attend a man in his late 30s suffering from a post-Covid cough and chest pain. He says he doesn't want to come in and will call his GP on Monday morning if his symptoms worsen. What if it's too late by then?

Just before 4am, I'm playing midwife again. Another perfect little boy, this time born on the bedroom floor. But just 90 seconds before our shift is due to end we are diverted.

A man in his early 80s has died of a suspected heart attack in his sleep. His distraught wife attempts CPR but I have to tell her it's over. I fill out a Recognition of Life Extinct Form and wait for the police.

On the way back to the station my colleague is quiet. He tells me that he feels there is no end in sight.

I don't reply. There's only so long that you can run on adrenaline.

Most of my colleagues are burnt-out. Four of them have sadly died with the virus and there will probably be more.
Miss Delashmit deceived and manipulated individuals and families facing terminal illness and debilitating disorders, and nonprofit organizations and volunteers who serve those individuals, U.S. District Court Judge Staci M. Yandle said at the sentencing hearing earlier this month. She accepted donations and allowed volunteers to care for her when she did not need or deserve that care. She took resources from those who did.
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Democrats now have the majority in the U.S. Senate and are determined to move another round of coronavirus relief legislation, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey said.

Casey, who becomes chairman of Senate Special Committee on Aging, said he wants to seek bipartisan agreement. But the Democrat from Scranton said Republicans are not going to dictate to us how to run the Senate from a Republican vantage point.

Democrats regained the Senate majority on Wednesday with a 50-50 split because Vice President Kamala Harris has the tiebreaking vote.

First and foremost, I think its our obligation now that we have a majority to move the American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion proposal, to move that forward, Casey said during a 15-minute interview Friday. Thats the most important work we can do, other than getting Cabinet nominations processed.

President Joe Bidens coronavirus relief plan includes:

Direct payments of $1,400 to most Americans.

$350 billion in state and local government aid.

$170 billion for K-12 schools and institutions of higher education.

$50 billion toward Covid-19 testing.

$20 billion toward a national vaccine program.

Casey said there are initial indications of bipartisanship on moving Cabinet nominations forward but there is little indication that there is going to be bipartisanship on coronavirus relief.

Thats the lynchpin to get back to normal, Casey said, claiming the funding package will put the virus behind us and create and preserve jobs.

Bidens goal for 100 million vaccinations in 100 days is exactly what we need to do, and Congress needs to appropriate whatever it costs to achieve that goal, Casey said.

Its whatever the hell it is. We need to appropriate it to get those 100 million vaccinations done, he said. The faster we do that, the faster we get more kids in school, more businesses open, more jobs created, more people healthy, and allow our economy to boom, and get back to normal. The longer we listen to Republican lawmakers who dont want to appropriate more money, the longer were going to be in this dark abyss that weve been in for a year now.

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican from Lehigh County, said last week that Bidens proposal to spend another $2 trillion in borrowed or printed money  when the ink on Decembers $1 trillion aid bill is barely dry and much of the money is not yet spent  would be a colossal waste and economically harmful.

Republicans this week continued to run committees as the minority party because Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have been haggling over a power-sharing deal in the 50-50 Senate.

We have the votes, and were going to run the Senate, Casey said. And the sooner they understand that the better. When they were in the majority, they on many days didnt consult with us on anything.

Schumer opposes McConnells demand to protect the filibuster rule, which requires a supermajority of 60 votes to advance most legislation.

Mitch McConnell and Republicans are not going to dictate how the Senate runs, Casey said.

Toomey responded in an email Saturday, noting Republican senators preserved the legislative filibuster when they had the majority.

Now, the Democrats have marginal control of the elected government and they insist on preserving the option to destroy the filibuster, Toomey said. Republican senators are willing to support an organizing resolution that puts Democrats in control of the Senate. However, we expect the Democrats to respect the Senates tradition of honoring the filibuster as the mechanism for bipartisan consensus, just as Republicans did.

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-8, Moosic, said one big difference with Democrats running the Senate is Republicans will no longer be able to hide behind McConnells stonewalling and will have to vote on popular measures, such as like infrastructure improvement and lowering drug costs for seniors.

The Senate Democratic majority is as narrow as it can be, but the biggest difference is that Mitch McConnell is no longer the guy in charge of the floor, Cartwright said. He will still have some power to obstruct because of the way the Senate works, but there are literally hundreds of bills supported by Democrats and Republicans that we passed in the House last Congress that now at least have a fighting chance of passing the Senate.

Wilkes University political science professor Benjamin Toll said the Democratic hold on power is tenuous at best in the Senate.

They cannot sustain any defections on votes and still win, and the party has a much broader ideological spectrum than the Republican Party does at the moment, Toll said. Mitch McConnell has been excellent at keeping Republicans in line over the years, and I expect they will continue to obstruct just about anything they can in order to campaign on a lack of accomplishments headed into 2022.

Casey will be powerful in the majority because hes from a battleground state, has been a senator for 14 years and is in the middle of the Democratic Party ideologically, Toll said.

The nature of power is always circumspect in the Senate, but the current situation is designed to give Casey the opportunity to push for his policy agenda over the next few years, Toll said.

Casey on Friday reviewed some of his plans after becoming chairman of the aging committee.

Were going to continue the work to stand up for seniors to crack down on efforts some criminals undertake to scam people, he said. Were also going to focus on families that have a terrible burden with regard to the opioid crisis and the more recent economic and public health crises. I have a good sense that I think some of our aging committee work will be remarkably bipartisan. So thats good news.

Casey also discussed the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, noting its about holding Trump accountable for the deadly Capitol Jan. 6 riot. The Senate will start the trial during the week of Feb. 8, Schumer announced Friday.

Accountability means that these actions that the president took over the course of weeks and months, the words he spoke over weeks and months, not just on Jan. 6, and the actions he took and the words he spoke after Jan. 6, during the attack, the day after. All of that I believe is relevant evidence as to whether or not an impeachment should lead to a conviction in the Senate Casey said, adding he will listen to all of the evidence.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K S Alagiri on Sunday said his party's alliance with DMK was based on ideology and both the parties were united in fighting the BJP. As separate political parties, though the Congress and DMK had some minor 'differences,' both the parties came together on the basis of ideology of secularism and opposing the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said.

"This is not an opportunistic alliance," the TNCC chief said addressing a public meeting in which party top leader Rahul Gandhi took part. Also, the Congress party is committed to dislodge the AIADMK government, he said.

In his campaign, both on Saturday and today, Gandhi did not specifically mention the name of ally DMK or seek votes for Dravidian party chief M K Stalin to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He said his campaign was to help people elect a government that cannot be controlled or blackmailed by Modi.

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi paid floral tributes to the statues of reformist leader Periyar, Dravidian icon Anna, and late Chief Ministers, M Karunanidhi, M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa in Erode. Asked on Gandhi paying tributes to AIADMK icons, Congress office-bearers told .
It has been ten years since widespread protests erupted in Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Libya and Yemen, in addition to smaller-scale ones in a few other Arab countries, with the protests as a whole being collectively named the Arab Spring.

The immediate conclusion, which many made at the time, was that the protests had put an end to talk of Arab exceptionalism. That euphoria, however, did not last long. It took less than a couple of years for failed states and civil wars, rather than democracies, to dominate the regional scene, and ten years later, the debate about what really happened during those days in early 2011 is far from over.

There are those who believe that the Arab Spring was a missed opportunity, a view prevalent among Western scholars as well as the activists who took part in the events of the revolutionary days. Others believe that the Arab Spring was a risk averted, a view prevalent in Egypt and other Arab countries that were only minimally touched by the protests.

Tunisia is a unique and interesting case, as this is one country where the Arab Spring delivered a genuinely pluralist polity. But the question remains as to whether Tunisias democratic regime is delivering the socioeconomic goods needed to people like Mohamed Bouazizi, the Tunisian street-vendor who set the entire region alight when he set himself on fire in a protest against inequality and injustice.

TOO MANY ISLAMISTS, TOO FEW DEMOCRATS

The Arab Spring made it clear that in Arab politics there are too many Islamists and too few genuine democrats of a secular, leftist and liberal kind.

In Syria, militant Islamists marginalised the moderate Free Syrian Army (FSA) as well as the liberal intellectuals of the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) in the years after the Arab Spring protests began. The Islamic State (IS) group, with its capital in the city of Raqqa in northern Syria, provided a graphic illustration of the threats of militant Islamism in the Middle East.

In Yemen, the Sunni Islamist Islah Party led the protests against former president Ali Abdullah Saleh. In a later stage, the Shiite-based Houthi Movement occupied most of Northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, and since then Yemen has been embroiled in civil war.

In Libya the situation is complete chaos. Forces of tribalism, Islamism, regionalism, nationalism and ethnicity intermingled to produce the Libyan Civil War. Ironically, while the Islamists lost in the elections in Libya, they continue to exercise veto power over the political process in the country. In the Libyan House of Representatives elections in June 2014, the Islamists won only 30 seats out of the 200 contested. But they refused to recognise the results, challenging them in court and ultimately violently storming the House itself, forcing its relocation to the city of Tobruk 2,000 km east of the capital Tripoli.

In Egypt, the regime of former president Hosni Mubarak imposed heavy restrictions on political parties and civil society, but exerted only marginal control over mosques, which were turned into platforms for Islamist funding, organisation and mobilisation.

When young people led the 25 January Revolution and successfully breached the wall of silence in 2011, the Islamists took advantage of this opening, stormed the broken walls, and then marginalised any non-Islamists. The Muslim Brotherhood subsequently won the parliamentary and presidential elections, but failed to establish a broad-based government.

For the Egyptian people, the country seemed to be heading towards another Ayatollah-led regime, where, as had happened in Iran after 1979, following a revolution various means would be used to establish a theocratic regime. The situation seemed to secularist observers that they had had to incur the cost of the Mubarak regime twice  first when they were denied the right to organise during his rule and second when he was removed from power, giving an opportunity to the Islamists, who were determined to establish their own exclusive regime.

Tunisia is the only country where a pluralistic political system emerged following the protests. Although the Islamist Ennahda Party is a power to be reckoned with, non-Islamists effectively balance the influence of the Islamists in Tunisia, not allowing them to dominate the countrys politics.

Such structural, rather than legal, checks and balances help to maintain the democratic nature of Tunisian politics, with these being lacking in the experience of other Arab countries.

A DANGEROUS NEIGHBOURHOOD

Genuine democrats are not only lacking within countries that have been touched by the Arab Spring, but they are also lacking in the surrounding region.

In the states of the Middle East there are champions of Arabism, Islamism, Sunni or Shiite Islam, Palestinian rights, anti-Israel politics and anti-Americanism. But there is no single state that can credibly claim to be championing democracy and individual rights.

In the early days of the Arab Spring, Turkey enjoyed significant democratic credentials. However, just a few years later, Turkey lost most of these, and instead of championing democracy and individual rights it now champions a dangerous mix of Islamism, Ottomanism and pan-Turkism. It could be argued that the black hole known as the Arab Spring has swallowed up the nascent Turkish democracy.

Politics in the Middle East is dominated by identity politics. There are plenty of rival tribes, sects and ethnic groups, while class conflict is muted. Identity-based ideologies dominate the ideological landscape of the Middle East. While it is true that such ideologies reflect class conflict, among other things, the mere fact that social groups choose to express their concerns and future visions in terms of their identity tells us a lot about political cultures and possibilities in the region.

The Arab Spring took place in a dangerous neighbourhood, where strategic rivalries are the name of the regional game. As a result, the Middle East lacks a regional order, and major actors compete to change the status quo to their advantage. This applies to Iran and Turkey in particular, with these countries finding in the Arab Spring an opportunity to expand in states that were torn apart as a result of various stresses. Iran and Turkey are key players in the Syrian Civil War today, and Turkey is explicitly interfering in the Libyan Civil War, while Iran is supporting the Shiite Houthis in Yemen.

Following the exhaustion caused by its long wars of choice in Afghanistan and Iraq, the US is also scaling down its presence in the Middle East, and contending regional actors are competing to fill the vacuum that the US is leaving behind. The Arab Spring was, at least in part, an outcome of the US policy of democracy promotion. Ironically, while it further accelerated the US reluctance to be involved in the Middle East, it created an opportunity for a Russian come-back, particularly through the strife in Syria and Libya.

In Syria, Russia is playing the role of a juggler, maintaining the balance between the competing Iranian and Turkish parties. In Libya, it is playing a similar, but subtler, role in regulating the rivalry between Turkey and Egypt. Russia, not really a democratic power, has thus inherited a significant portion of the decaying American influence in the Middle East and became the holder of the balance of power in large parts of the region.

POLITICS AND ECONOMICS

Egypt and Tunisia are two countries that survived the Arab Spring without slipping into civil war. They follow different models of development, with democracy and individual rights being prioritised in Tunisia and development being prioritised in Egypt.

Tunisia has achieved a great leap forward when it comes to liberties. According to the US think tank Freedom Houses rating of individual liberties around the world, Tunisia has made it from not free in 2010 to free in the following years. Members of the countrys opposition enjoy levels of freedom not matched in any other Arab or Middle Eastern country. However, the deep ideological and political divides in Tunisia have caused serious paralysis that has limited the governments capacity to deliver.

The following indicators can illustrate this. Between 2010 and 2019, Tunisian GDP declined by 12 per cent from $44.05 to $38.8 billion. Per capita income declined by 18 per cent from $4,130 to $3,370. With a lower political-liberties ranking and twice Tunisias rate of population growth, Egypts GDP increased by 34 per cent in the same period from $218.98 to $303.09 billion. Per capita income in Egypt increased by over 13 per cent from $2,370 to $2,690.

Developing nations, it seems, have to choose between economic and political development. Addressing multiple needs simultaneously is a tremendous challenge, which few if any of them can afford. The years to come will reveal whether the Tunisian elites can come to terms with each other such that they can begin to deliver more to people like Mohamed Bouazizi who sparked off the Arab Spring. They will also tell us whether Egypt will follow the South Korean model, in which economic growth allows for a political transition at a later date, or whether it will follow the Chinese model in which economic growth further sustains a statist developmentalist regime.

Restoring order at the national and regional levels is the immediate challenge facing the Middle East. At the regional level, contending actors need to come to terms with the existing reality, rather than to continue to disrupt it. Confidence needs to be built between states, and regional institutions are badly needed in the desert of institutions called the Middle East.

Functioning states need to be rebuilt in conflict-torn countries. Policies, initiatives and actions should be judged by the contributions they make to the restoration of order and stability, and resources should be made available towards this end.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 January, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Another chartered accountant, along with his four business accomplices, was arrested in Jaipur on Saturday in relation to GST invoice frauds. The arrested were allegedly operating 25 fake firms to fraudulently avail and pass on input tax credit (ITC) through bogus invoices without actual supplies of goods or services.

With this arrest, eight chartered accountants have been arrested so far in fake GST invoice frauds since mid-November 2020, informed sources at Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI). Till now, 258 persons have been arrested in the nationwide drive to curb such frauds.

Chartered accountants' regulatory body, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), has been informed about these arrests and have been asked to take appropriate actions as per their own rules.

ALSO READ: 3 reasons why GST collections hit record high of Rs 1.15 lakh crore

DGGI sources said that 2,500 cases have been booked against 8,000 fake GSTIN entities so far, with Rs 820 crore being recovered from them. Out of the 258 arrested so far, at least two persons have been booked under Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA), they added.

Chartered accountants arrested in multi-layered fake GST invoice frauds via multiple bogus firms include CA BS Gupta (Jaipur), CA Daulat S Mehta and CA Chandra Prakash Pandey (Mumbai), CA Lalit Prajapati (Ahmedabad), CA S Krishnakumar (Chennai), CA Nitin Jain (Delhi), CA B Srinivasa Rao (Hyderabad) and CA Ankur Garg (Ludhiana). They have been arrested on allegations of "operating multiple non-existent firms and fake entities to dupe the exchequer with fraudulent ITC utilisation in connivance with fraudsters and fly-by-night operators," sources said.

ALSO READ: GST clean-up: 1.63 lakh registrations cancelled for non-filing of returns

Department of Revenue sources stated that with complete data sharing among GST, customs and income tax departments, and use of data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, the GST intelligence authorities have been able to identify miscreants indulged in tax evasion through various means including fake bills, as well as those availing these bills through layers of intermediaries. These measures have helped DGGI identify fake firms, and nab final beneficiaries of ITC frauds. The GST intelligence authorities have unearthed ITC scam in manpower services allegedly by big companies like Swiggy and Instakart, a subsidiary of e-com giant Flipkart.

The efforts to check GST invoice fraud has led to better compliance and has been attributed for GST collections reaching the record high of Rs 1.15 lakh crore for December 2020.

ALSO READ: Rs 700 crore recovered, 215 arrested in crackdown on fake GST bills scam
Education Minister Alan Tudge says digital vaccine certificates could provide a pathway for bringing large numbers of international students into Australian universities without a need for quarantine.

The proposal relies on finding a way to link verified COVID-19 vaccine certificates to a new digitised system for incoming passenger cards that the federal government aims to implement later this year.

Education Minister Alan Tudge first raised the proposal in December. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Tudge stressed a number of preconditions would need to be satisfied before any such scheme could be considered, including availability of an effective vaccine.

The federal government has been looking very carefully at the concept of a vaccination passport, given some countries were already rolling out COVID-19 vaccines.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Is it a much-needed stimulus payment or a scam?

The federal government has been distributing the second round of coronavirus relief payments through direct deposit, checks and debit cards.

Those who live in New Mexico and other Western states are more likely to receive a debit card than a check, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

Its a good thing to be suspicious when an unsolicited check or debit card arrives in your mail. Same goes for providing a Social Security number to someone over the phone.

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At the same time, you definitely dont want to miss out on collecting the governments second round of aid, so here are some things to know.

The so-called Economic Impact Payment debit card will come in an envelope with a return address of Money Network Cardholder Services. This round, the envelope also will bear the U.S. Treasury Department seal in an effort to keep people from thinking its junk mail.

Each mailing will include instructions on how to securely activate and use the card.

The front will show the Visa name, while the back carries the name MetaBank, N.A.

The correct number to activate the card is 800-240-8100. You will be asked to provide your name, address and, yes, your Social Security number to create a four-digit PIN, according to the IRS. The PIN is required to get cash or to use the card anywhere that accepts VISA debit cards.

You can also get cash from domestic in-network ATMs, transfer funds to a personal bank account and obtain a replacement card if needed without incurring any fees.

You can track your payment by going to www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment.

Here are some general ways to protect yourself while accessing these payments, according to the IRS and AARP:

Make sure to use only the 800 phone number provided to activate your card. Do not search for one online. Scammers sometimes set up fake customer service numbers to deceive people and take their personal information, AARP says.

For security reasons, dont use personal information as your PIN.

Dont provide your PIN, debit card number or Social Security number to anyone who calls or texts you. The IRS will not contact you regarding your stimulus payment.

Beware of websites and social media attempts that request money or personal information as part of a scheme connected to the payments.

If you do throw out your payment or lose the card, you can recover the money by calling the 800 activation number. The card will be deactivated, and a new one will be issued at no cost.

***

If you get a text message about a free years worth of Netflix, do not click on the offered link.

Its a scam, according to the Better Business Bureau.

The link will take you to a website where you will be asked to provide some personal information and a payment method.

The BBB says one victim who fell for it had his credit card charged repeatedly, even after he demanded a refund. He ended up spending money on something that wasnt free and wasnt Netflix.

Contact Ellen Marks at emarks@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3842 if you are aware of what sounds like a scam. To report a scam to law enforcement, contact the New Mexico Consumer Protection Division toll-free at 1-844-255-9210.



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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said that nine people died in an accident involving a Dangote truck at the Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba (AAUA) gate on Saturday evening.

The spokesperson of the FRSC, Bisi Kazeem, in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday said total of nine persons were killed while nine others sustained various injuries.

Witnesses at the scene earlier told PREMIUM TIMES that 12 bodies had been recovered as of Sunday morning but Mr Kazeem insisted there were nine fatalities.

Mr Kazeem said the Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, had deployed safety engineers to Akungba to ascertain the causes and recommend solutions to incessant trailer crashes in the area.

The deployment of the personnel came as part of strategic proactive step by the Corps Marshal to mitigate incidences of crashes on the highways, following the fatal multiple crash that killed several passengers with others sustaining various degrees of injuries on Saturday.

Mr Kazeem said the accident caused by brake failure resulted in loss of control of a Dangote truck and it ran into a Suzuki mini bus (XB973KAA) and a Lexus saloon car (KWL 522 AY) conveying a total of 18 passengers comprising of 11 female adults and 7 male adults.

Out of the aforementioned number of persons on board the 3 vehicles, a total of 09 persons comprising of 5 female adults and 4 male adults were killed while a total of 09 persons comprising of 5 female adults and 4 male adults, sustained various injuries.

The FRSC rescue team deposited the remains of 6 of the passengers who got killed at Ikare Specialist Hospital Morgue and took 6 injured for urgent medical attention at the emergency ward of the same hospital. While the rescue team of the Nigeria Police Force deposited 3 dead and 4 injured at Iwaro General Hospital.

He expressed satisfaction in synergy among security operatives in assisting with the evacuation of the victims and ensuring adequate deployment of men to control traffic around the crash scene.

With the deployment of these professional and certified safety engineers, I am optimistic that the general factors responsible for road crashes on that route will surely be ascertained, and when that is done, necessary actions will be taken by appropriate agencies, he said.

The latest incident adds to the litany of fatal accidents that have happened in the university community in recent times.
Seguin, Texas (78155)

Today

Thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. High 87F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. Low near 70F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Coronavirus pandemic underlined need for higher budget allocation for healthcare sector

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Jan 24: The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasised the key role of healthcare in the lives of people, underlining the importance of higher budget allocation for improving the healthcare infrastructure in the country, sectoral players said.

The pharma sector which has played a leading role as the ''pharmacy of the world'' said it expects support and incentives especially for research & development and innovation in the coming budget. The pandemic has completely changed the dynamics of the Indian healthcare ecosystem, NATHEALTH President and Apollo Hospitals Executive Vice-Chairperson Preetha Reddy told PTI.

"It has reiterated the need for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, national level programmes for skill development and training of healthcare staff, increase in number of medical colleges, effective PPP models and further boost for local manufacturing," she added. These should be the key priorities for the government this time, Reddy said.

"Private healthcare providers are hopeful that there will be additional incentives to aid the sector in business recovery and also enable expansion across tier 2-3 cities - through provision of land at subsidised rates to set up hospitals, tax relief for new infrastructure creation, import duty relief for life saving equipment and ease of GST regulations for healthcare services," she added. Reddy said that public spending in healthcare should increase to deal with future pandemics and for sustained preventive care.

Digital Health services found their rightful space during the pandemic and there is a need to expand and support the essential backup services to enable digital healthcare to function efficiently in all primary and secondary healthcare centres, she added.

In a similar vein, Fortis Healthcare MD and CEO Ashutosh Raghuvanshi said the COVID pandemic has underlined the importance of higher budget allocation for healthcare. "The current situation demands increased budgetary impetus for improving healthcare infrastructure at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, and also to enable the healthcare sector''s speedy recovery," he added. It is important to note that the healthcare sector is not only a potential foreign exchange earner but also a significant employment generator, Raghuvanshi said. "Our overall strategy must integrate preventive and curative services and make healthcare more affordable and accessible for the people of India", he added.

Highlighting the need for increasing the budget allocation for healthcare, Aster DM Healthcare Founder Chairman and MD Azad Moopen said the COVID-19 pandemic hit home the fact that a strong healthcare infrastructure is absolutely essential to ensure a sustainable economy. "It is important to at least double the healthcare budget from last year''s meager allocation. This would help improve access to affordable care for the masses," he added.

Budget 2021: Hassle free mobile app launched

Emphasising expectations from the budget for the pharma sector, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) Secretary General Sudarshan Jain said: "The overall policy ecosystem should help increase thrust on healthcare and build healthcare infrastructure to cater to the societal needs as healthcare is fundamental".

The pharma industry is looking for support and incentives in research & development, and innovation, he added. Specifically, the industry is asking for measures such as incentivising investment by pharmaceutical companies in R&D and Innovation by reintroduction of 200 per cent tax deductions on R&D related expenses, providing direct funding support to academia and industry and easing access to external sources of funding, Jain said.

"Pharma industry is a knowledge-driven industry and India needs to move forward to Make and Discover in India from Make in India," he added. Batting for the incentives for the pharma sector, Indian Drug Manufacturers'' Association (IDMA) Executive Director Ashok Kumar Madan said, "For the ensuing budget, we have proposed for the restoration of the 200 per cent weighted tax deduction under section 35(2AB) of the Income Tax Act for the pharma sector".

To promote innovation we need to provide impetus to R&D as pharma is knowledge intensive, he added. "We have suggested the withdrawal of customs duty exemption on the APIs which are being and can be manufactured in the country to provide a level playing field to Indian pharma industry," Madan said.

On the other hand, Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI) urged the government to reduce customs duties and rollback health cess in Union Budget 2021-22 to help the medical device sector overcome the severe financial crisis created by COVID-19 pandemic.

MTaI Chairman and Director General Pavan Choudary said respecting the PM''s appeal to save livelihood, the MedTech industry strived to protect jobs even in this inclement weather. "The industry seeks immediate government assistance by removal of health cess and reduction in customs duties in the upcoming budget," MTaI Director Sanjay Bhutani said.

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Story first published: Sunday, January 24, 2021, 12:51 [IST]
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Srinagar: Amid a raging debate over privacy offered by messaging platforms like WhatsApp, terrorist groups and their handlers from Pakistan are switching to new applications which include one developed by a Turkish company, officials here said.

The three new applications came to light after evidence was collected following encounters with terrorists or those who surrendered before the Army gave details about their mode of radicalisation by Pakistan-based terrorist groups, they said.

The names of the messaging apps have been withheld for security reasons.

While one of the applications is owned by a company based in the United States, the second is from Europe. The latest is an application developed by a Turkish company that has been frequently used by terrorist group handlers and their prospective recruits in the Kashmir valley.

The new applications have the ability to work with the slowest internet connections where Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE), used in the late 2000s, or 2G is in operation.

The government had suspended internet across Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of the special status of the erstwhile state in August 2019. Early last year, 2G internet services were restored.

Terror groups had virtually stopped using WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Later, it was found that they have switched over to new applications available free of cost on the world wide web, a security official said.

All encryption and decryption happen directly on the devices, therefore, reducing third party intervention at any point and these apps use encryption algorithm RSA-2048 which was adopted as the most secure encrypted platform.

RSA is an American Network Security and Authentication company that was founded in 1982 by US-born Ron Rivest, Israeli-born Adi Shamir and US-born Leonard Adleman. The acronym RSA is used worldwide as the foundation key in the cryptosystem.

One of the new messaging apps used by terrorists to radicalise the youth in the Valley does not even ask for phone numbers or emails for enabling complete user anonymity, the officials said.

Efforts are on to block such applications in Jammu and Kashmir, they said.

This comes at a time when the security agencies in the Valley are fighting the menace of virtual SIM cards. Terror groups have been increasingly using these to connect with their handlers in Pakistan.

The penetration of this technology came to light in 2019 when a request was sent to the United States to seek details from a service provider of virtual SIMs used by a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber in the attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama that left 40 personnel dead.

However, a detailed investigation done by the National Investigation Agency and other security agencies indicated that over 40 virtual SIM cards were used in the Pulwama attack alone, and there are probably more of them floating in the Valley's cyberspace, the officials said.

It is a fairly new modus operandi wherein terrorists from across the border are using virtual SIM cards generated by a service provider based in a foreign country. In this technology, the computer generates a telephone number and the user needs to download an application of the service provider on his or her smartphone to use it.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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After her 15-year marriage dramatically fell apart, Carolyn Hobdey remembers the ensuing terrible weeks of soul-searching and hunting for clues that will be familiar to many ex-wives.

Was there something she'd missed? Did everyone know about their problems but her? Her grief, anger and pain were all-consuming. 'I felt as if I was dying from the inside out,' she recalls. 'It was the loss of everything. Had David ever loved me? Had it all been a facade?

'Our wedding. Each anniversary. The heartfelt cards, the letters  I pored over them and looked for clues  were there signs I should have seen? It all rattled around in my head, robbing me of sleep and stealing my sanity. It made the whole of our marriage feel like a lie. I felt like an idiot, I was embarrassed.'

Such sentiments are entirely understandable for any woman uncovering a long-buried deceit. But it wasn't an affair David had been concealing: ironically, it was Carolyn who'd strayed, succumbing to a brief, desperate affair with a work colleague after her marriage had slumped into a sexless 'arrangement' that had sapped her self esteem.

David's big confession was that he was gay, and he'd been suppressing it his entire life.

Carolyn Hobdey, from Somerset, split from her husband David when he told her he was gay (pictured together on holiday in Italy in 2006)

The Hobdeys' story echoes that of TV presenter Phillip Schofield, 58, who came out as gay last year, having been married to wife Stephanie  with whom he has two daughters  since 1993.

Schofield also revealed he knew he was gay when he married, but gave one absolute assurance: 'We will always be a family. That is the one definite, constant, absolute positive thing.'

Stephanie, too, went on to confirm that she loved Phillip 'as much as ever' and would 'still be there, holding his hand in future', a feeling which resonates with Carolyn, 47, and David today.

In fact, four years after their divorce, Carolyn is contemplating the improbable. 'Do you know what?' she says, only half joking. 'Perhaps we need to just get married again. I wouldn't be at all surprised if we ended up spending our old age together,'

As she voices the impromptu thought, David laughs in agreement. 'I feel very much the same,' he says, revealing that his partner Andy, 54  with whom he's been in a relationship for seven years  is 'quite envious' of the warm friendship he sustains with his former wife.

So how has it come to this? How have the Hobdeys attained such a happy equilibrium that they now regard each other as the best of friends, and she has even kept his name?

'The fact is,' says David, 58, chief executive of a charity that cares for vulnerable adults, 'my life is richer for having been married to Carolyn.

'There were turbulent moments in our relationship but they passed. I'll never regret having married her and although I've started a new phase of my life, I still love Carolyn and I always will.'

Carolyn and David Hobdey are pictured here on their wedding day in 2000. David revealed to her after 15 years of marriage that he was gay

Of course it hasn't always been like this. After David's revelation about his sexuality, Carolyn felt a series of conflicting emotions: first sympathy for him, then hurt and rage.

'I felt sad for him not feeling able to be honest about who he was,' she says. 'I empathised with the burden he must have carried and how wearing it must have been to keep it contained for so long. But then came the pain, which crashed over me in a wave, and anger.

'David had watched me unravel from the guilt I'd felt about my affair. He'd watched me crucify myself with the blame. He could have said, 'Look, I'm gay, and it could be the main reason our marriage isn't working.' But he didn't.

'I felt denied a life I could have otherwise had. I might have tried earlier to have a child with someone who wanted to have a sex life with me. I felt such a sense of injustice.'

Flash back to their first meeting in 1998 at a business course: Carolyn, then just 24, was vivacious, bright and physically striking, tall and slender with a river of auburn brown hair. David, then 35 was 'gentle, kind, considerate and impeccably well-mannered', his outward seriousness leavened by a mischievous sense of humour.

Carolyn had had a short affair during the marriage with another man from her work. The couple are pictured together

David insists the attraction, for him, was physical 'but there were so many other factors: she was full of energy, so articulate and intelligent.'

David, then MD of a medical services business, a high-flyer on a six-figure salary, invited Carolyn, then an HR executive, to lunch.

I felt denied a life I could otherwise have had. I might have tried earlier for a child with someone who wanted sex  Carolyn

Their friendship flourished and a few months on they were sleeping together. 'The sex was good, and plentiful,' recalls Carolyn. 'I thought David was the sun, moon and stars. We were smitten and nine months on we were engaged.'

On their wedding day in June 2000, at Hazlewood Castle, a stunning venue in Yorkshire, Carolyn looked radiant in pale gold, beaming with happiness, her handsome bridegroom in traditional morning suit smiling at her side.

When asked if he felt the whole event was a charade, that he knew, as a secretly gay man the marriage was doomed, David is aghast.

'Oh no!' he says, 'I had no misgivings whatsoever. Falling in love with Carolyn wasn't a lie.

'But I was concealing part of myself from her  the part that had feelings for men, and pushing those thoughts away from myself as well.'

The couple first met in 1998 at a business course. Carolyn was just 24 and David was 35 (pictured together)

'Those thoughts', he says, had been haunting him from his early teens, when, aged 14, he remembers first being attracted to boys. 'But I can't say I wasn't attracted to girls, too. There were so many complicating factors. I grew up in the 1960s  homosexuality was only decriminalised in England in 1967  and I was brought up to believe same-sex relationships were wrong.'

Raised on a council estate in Hemel Hempstead, Herts, David was bullied mercilessly, between the ages of eight and 15, by his homophobic stepfather: 'He called me a nancy boy and a sissy because I was reserved, quiet and studious.'

The reason I never told her (about my sexuality) was that I was terrified Id lose her, my soulmate  David

'I wasn't flamboyant or effeminate in any way and I can't remember repressing feelings of homosexuality,' David continues, 'But it was something I was aware of; an attraction to men.

'If I'd told my mum I felt attracted to boys as a child I think she'd have been horrified. She was loving and caring, but also very old-school in many ways.'

To begin with, Carolyn and David's marriage was blissfully contented. 'We were a perfect match intellectually,' says Carolyn. 'David was affectionate and loving and my family adored him. Our sex life was good. There was nothing odd about it at all. But then, after about 18 months, it started to fizzle out and finally, a few years on, dwindled to nothing.'

Carolyn and David Hobdey who were married for 15 years are pictured here on holiday in Cornwall in 2005

Carolyn does not believe there was a straightforward correlation between David's unspoken homosexuality and the end of their physical relationship.

Their marriage was besieged by pressures that would have tested the firmest of relationships. Both had high-powered jobs earning six-figure salaries, they had taken on taxing home-improvement projects and commuted long distances to work.

Carolyn was also suffering from gynaecological problems, which David found difficult to discuss, and left Carolyn feeling less than desirable.

'Reigniting our sex life became awkward,' she recalls. 'It soon became easier to accept things as they were because, in every other respect, we were really happy together.'

But then, when Carolyn was 32, she started to yearn for a baby. When she stopped taking the Pill her periods also stopped abruptly. An appointment with a specialist then revealed she was going through a premature menopause: she and David would not be able to have children of their own.

'I felt so many different emotions,' she recalls, 'Shock and distress which gave way to shame and humiliation. I felt my femininity, my desirability, the person I was, had gone.'

In response, David was, 'kind and caring, but he was like a brother, not a lover,' she recalls.

David (right) met Andy (not his real name), a carer (also previously in a heterosexual marriage) via a dating app and they now live together near Bath

Within a year they moved to Somerset where Carolyn began a new job as an HR director and it was here that she fell under the spell of Brad (not his real name) a 'charismatic alpha male who swept me off my feet'.

They soon began a clandestine affair. 'He made me feel sexy and attractive in a way David never did. And I needed that after the devastation of learning I'd been through a premature menopause and could never have children.

'I take full responsibility for my affair. It was wrong. But we're all human. I hadn't had sex for several years.'

'Was it really that long?' David says now. 'I know it was a long time and it felt wrong. I remember feeling worried that we'd lost something from the relationship, that we needed to do something about it, but we were going through such a stressful time . . .'

'And our marriage wasn't unhappy,' Carolyn points out. 'No one was more surprised than me when Brad walked into my life and I realised what was missing.'

It wasn't long before David found out. 'I'd seen some texts on Carolyn's phone that made it quite obvious she was having an affair,' says David. 'I felt as if my world had fallen apart. and I confronted her immediately.'

'And I felt awful; full of self-loathing,' Carolyn confesses. 'We didn't talk about it or sort it out as I didn't think I was worth his love. We moved into separate rooms.'

They rubbed along, leading separate lives under the same roof. Then in 2013, shortly before Carolyn was due to celebrate her 40th birthday with a big party, she noticed a change in David's behaviour.

'He seemed agitated, distracted. When texts came through on his phone he leapt for it. I thought, 'There's another woman.'

But then she noticed the name flashing up on his mobile was male. Gary. A week later she mustered the courage to broach the subject that had been niggling at her. 'I asked, 'Who's Gary?' David replied, 'Ummm. He's a friend. I met him through work.'

Carolyn then found herself asking her husband if he was having a relationship with Gary (not his real name). Minutes later, as David confessed that yes, he was, the pieces of the jigsaw finally fell into place, 'our lack of sex life, his inability to talk about sex or intimacy: suddenly it all made perfect sense.'

Carolyn (left) is now single. She heads her own business, MayDey, helping people to navigate change in their lives, and has written a memoir about her personal relationships

David explains what propelled him, after 51 years of sublimating his true sexual feelings, to act on them.

'By that stage I felt that our marriage was not going to survive,' he admits. 'It had been in the back of my mind, on and off, I knew that there was a side of my sexuality I'd never explored. I needed to do it and it felt like the right time.' David moved out of the family home, and they divorced. But their friendship was far from over. If anything, it strengthened.

'The reason I never told her (about my sexuality) was that I was terrified I'd lose her, my soulmate,' says David.

He concludes now that there are 'degrees' of being gay; that although he is homosexual, 'sex might not be as important' to him as to others.

David's relationship with Gary didn't work out: it was David's first gay encounter and Gary's first-ever relationship.

Then David met Andy (not his real name), a carer (also previously in a heterosexual marriage) via a dating app and they now live together near Bath.

David  whose stepfather disappeared from his life many years ago  was able to introduce Andy to both his parents, 'and they were fantastic.'

'My mum was wheelchair-bound with MS when she met Andy and he, being a carer, was so lovely and very natural with her.

'Towards the end of our day together, I said to mum, 'Have you worked out what our relationship is?' and she said, 'Yes.' I said, 'Do you mind?' and she replied, 'All that matters is that you're happy.'

Carolyn, meanwhile, is single. She now heads her own business, MayDey, helping people to navigate change in their lives, and has written a memoir about her personal relationships.

She explains how her anger was corrosive and destructive. 'When I realised I needed to stop trying not to love David, it was a lightbulb moment,' she says. 'He's still my biggest cheerleader, someone I want to share the good and bad in my life with. I feel I can talk to him about absolutely anything without judgment.

David, meanwhile, is quieter, less effusive, but he clearly adores Carolyn. 'When we are old, and the sexual side of our lives is not important any more, I can't think of many people I'd rather live with than David,' says Carolyn.

David smiles and nods. 'My life is infinitely richer for knowing her.'
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Deaths are mounting in Britain amid evidence that the mutation of COVID-19 first detected last September may be more deadly than the original strain.

This weekend saw just short of 2,000 deaths (1,958) and over 63,000 new infections. There are over 4,000 COVID patients in hospital on ventilators, more than in the first wave of the pandemic which saw a high of 3,301 on April 12.

Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a Downing Street briefing Saturday, In addition to spreading more quickly, it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variantthe variant that was first identified in London and the south eastmay be associated with a higher degree of mortality.

A security guard holds a sign at Blackburn Cathedral, which is being used as a mass vaccination center during the coronavirus outbreak in Blackburn, England, Monday Jan. 18, 2021. (AP Photo Jon Super)

Johnson spoke after the governments New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) announced that the B.1.1.7 variant may increase the death rate by 30 to 40 percent. Nervtag evaluated surveys by three university teams and Public Health England.

The increase in mortality could be much larger than suggested by Nervtag. The Financial Times reported, Most scientists who have commented on Nervtags assessment believe that the evidence justifies the overall conclusion of higher mortality, though the size of the effect needs to be pinned down. Estimates of the additional risk from B.1.1.7 in the studies considered by Nervtag ranged from 7 per cent to 271 percent.

Rowland Kao, professor of epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh, observed, The increase in deaths is a result of more individuals becoming severely infected and hospitalised, rather than more hospitalisations resulting in death.

As such, it would appear that the new variant is also responsible for the increased, unexpectedly high burdens in hospitals seen especially around London.

The UK mutation has been detected in 60 countries worldwide and it is just one of several spreading globally. On Sunday, it was confirmed that the South African mutation of the virus, which has so far been detected in 20 countries, has been identified in 77 cases in Britain.

Scientists remain cautious about how infectious and deadly the new strains are, but there is also uncertainty as to the effectiveness of the new vaccines on the transmission of the disease. Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, wrote in the Sunday Telegraph that scientists do not yet know the impact of the vaccine on transmission.

Johnson is making warnings about the B.1.1.7 mutation now because he knows the death toll is going to climb and wants to identify the new variant as the sole cause. His aim is to excuse the governments inaction over the last year, as he and his cabinet focused on reopening the economy and maintaining profits at the expense of lives.

In an article published Saturday, the BBCs Health and Science correspondent James Gallagher substantiated a basic point made by the World Socialist Web Site that the more contagious a virus is the more people it can kill: While people debate the uncertainties though, we already know this variant has the ability to kill more people than the old ones. A virus that spreads faster (this one is 30-70% faster) will infect more people, more quickly, putting a greater strain on hospitals and leading to a sharper spike in deaths. It is why viruses becoming more transmissible can be a bigger problem than ones becoming more deadly.

To underscore the dangers of the governments refusal to implement a full lockdown and any serious measures to prevent the spread of the virus, research by the University of Leicester found that 30 percent of coronavirus patients discharged from hospitals in England were readmitted within five months. Of these, almost one in eight die.

This could be confirmation of the severity of what is termed Long Covid, or that the same vulnerable people are being re-infectedrefuting all the tenets of the herd immunity policy of the Johnson government.

Shocking accounts of in-work transmission of the disease have surfaced in recent days, including the infection of 172 ScotRail staff. The most devastating is at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) headquarters/call centre in Swansea, Wales, where at least 535 workers have been infected. Many workplaces have been hit by outbreaks, particularly in the meat and food processing industry. But the outbreak at the DVLA is the largest involving a single employer in a localised area.

The DVLA is by far the largest employer in the area. Evidence is emerging that DVLA management implemented policies that have led to uncontrollable spread of the disease among a 6,000 strong workforce.

The Guardian reported, A complaint received by Public Health Waless outbreak control team claims DVLA workers were asked to turn off their test-and-trace apps so that their phones do not ping. It also says absences relating to Covid have been counted against workers sick leave, with anything over 10 days triggering a warning.

BBC Wales News were told by a worker, speaking anonymously, that close contacts of people testing positive are not always sent home to self-isolate, social-distancing is not being followed and homeworking is not possible because of archaic systems.

Transmission of the virus within the DVLA has significantly contributed to a surge in cases in the Swansea Bay area. The newspaper noted, The scale of the outbreak has made people wary of DVLA staff, who sometimes have to catch three or four buses to get into work from across south Wales.

During the pandemic, more than 26,000 COVID cases and 828 deaths have been recorded in the Swansea Bay area.

The reckless endangering of workers lives, with business, schools, colleges and universities kept open since the end of the spring lockdown, has led to the UK recording the highest COVID-19 death rate in the world in recent weeks.

According to official government figures, which downplay the death toll in every country, the UK has recorded 97,939 deaths. The next highest death toll in continental Europe is Italy with 85,461 deaths. France, whose 65 million population is almost the same as Britains, has 73,049 deaths and Spain has 55,441. Germany, whose population is around 17 million larger than the UKs, has 52,628 deaths.

The death toll in Britain, when including fatalities with COVID-19 noted on the death certificate, stands at more than 114,000. In the last seven days 8,678 have died from COVID, an increase of nearly 11 percent on the previous week.

The Johnson government has been able to oversee such death and destruction only because they are governing in a de facto coalition with the Labour Party and the trade unions. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer immediately offered the government his backing on taking over the leadership from Jeremy Corbyn in April last year. He declared as the crisis worsened last September, supporting Johnsons opening of schools, colleges and universities, that he would endorse whatever measure the government takes on the pandemic.

What remains of the Labour left has collapsed into an irrelevance. This weekend, Corbyn and his allies John McDonnell and Richard Burgon, of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs that counts just 34 members, signed a letter to Conservative Chancellor Rishi Sunak asking him to take bold measures needed to tackle the tougher strain of the virus. That should mean that all non-essential workers who cant work from home should be furloughed on full pay. Burgon declared that what is required is a proper lockdown with proper financial support.

This plea is directed to a government responsible for the deaths of more than 114,000 people which their own party does nothing to oppose. The Corbynites have not lifted a finger to challenge the Labour right, with Corbyn not even a Labour MP anymore, having had the whip removed by Starmer months ago as part of the anti-Semitism witch-hunt.

As long as the response to the pandemic is dictated by the Downing Street Malthusians and herd immunity advocates, many thousands more lives will be lost. To halt the spread of the virus, the working class must intervene, independently of the Labour Party and trade unions, to enforce emergency action. This includes the immediate shutdown of all nonessential production, along with schools and universities, with full income to all workers. This is the programme advanced only by the Socialist Equality Party.
Even after the makers have issued and apology and removed the objectionable scenes, the controversy surrounding Tandav is refusing to die down.

Now, Maharashtra Karni Sena chief Ajay Sengar has offered to Rs 1 crore to anyone who slits throats of those artists who insulted Hindu Gods.

BJP supporters pour ink and beat the poster of Tandav with chappals/AFP

"We will give Rs 1 crore reward to anyone who slits tongues of those artists who insulted Hindu gods and goddesses in the web-series," he was quoted as saying.

Twitter

A police team had visited director Ali Abbas Zafar's home in Mumbai recently to handover the notice to him after several FIRs were registered against him and the makers of the show.

This comes after three FIRs were registered against the show in UP -- Shahjahanpur, Lucknow and Greater Noida.



Mumbai: A team of Uttar Pradesh Police arrives at the residence of the director of web series #Tandav, Ali Abbas Zafar to serve him notice. pic.twitter.com/xT9mAhP95M  ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2021

Here's how fans reacted to this.

Karni Sena..

"Tandav" Row: Rs 1 Cr Reward Who Slits Tongue of Those Insult Deilties..

Bengaluru Police Too Booked FIR on Tandav" Team on complaint.. pic.twitter.com/OoaCLoTmL5  prasad_perla (@prasad_perla) January 24, 2021

Proper study might reveal Karni Sena having some monetary help from someone to bring bad name to RW.



they did during Padmavat and this. I'm sure Tandav team also might have paid them for this.  Avi (@avithelibran1) January 23, 2021

The other day when I said, we should not force your youth into uncivilised activities, this is what I exactly fear 



If you want to hurt them, hurt them financially & legally.



Such activities & statements should be condemned. https://t.co/QSUjkKZeX8  AParajit Bharat  (@AparBharat) January 23, 2021

Finally, Karni Sena got some work after a long period of unemployment.#KarniSena #Tandav  Subhash Singh  (@subh0037) January 24, 2021

Actors and directors have been issued violent threats in the past as well. Karni Sena had previously announced prize on chopping Deepika's nose during the Padmavat row.



Nawab Satpal Tanwar, who is reportedly the Founder & National President of Akhil Bhartiya Bhim Sena from Gurugram, had also issued a threat against Richa Chadha, whose forthcoming film Madam Chief Minister has encompassed a controversy.



Facebook/BhimSenaChief

"Jo bhai ya behen Richa Chadha ki zubaan kaat kar ke le ke aayega. Usse hum Baba Ambedkar sahab hi Rs 2 crore ki shield se sammanit karenge. Jo Subhash Kapoor (director) ko leke aayega humare saamne... hum Subhash Kapoor ko nanga karke sadak ke upar parade karwayenge. Agar goli bhi maarni padi na Bahujan Samaj ki raksha ke liye ... behen Mayawati ke samman ke liye.... hum peeche nahi hatange. Richa Chadha, aapko goli se uda diya jayega dhyaan rakhna" , he said in a video released on his Facebook.

Reacting to that Richa Chadha said, "Hum nahi darte". Read more here.






Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 17:11:38|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

A nurse prepares a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the health service center of the Xiameilin community in Futian District, Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 24, 2021. The Shenzhen Bus Group Co., Ltd. encourages its employees to receive COVID-19 vaccines. By Friday, there are 11,004 employees having received the first shot. The inoculation of the second shot kicked off on Sunday and some 1,400 people are expected to take the shots by the end of the day. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

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Antifa extremists are seen in Berkeley, Calif., on Aug. 27, 2017. (Amy Osborne/AFP via Getty Images)

Seattle Interim Police Chief Announces Tougher Policy on Protest Vandalism

Seattle Police will get tougher on people who vandalize and destroy property during protests, the departments interim police chief announced on Jan. 23, ahead of a scheduled demonstration.

Seattle Interim Police Chief Adrian Diazs announcement comes follows a protest during which buildings were damaged and vandalized in the downtown area of the city, including a federal courthouse, on the day of President Joe Bidens inauguration.

On Jan. 20, people dressed in black were seen marching into the iconic Pike Place Market, with video from the aftermath showing broken windows at a Starbucks. A group of black-clad activists marched along the street carrying a tattered American flag upside down, with the anarchy sign spray-painted on it and kicking over garbage containers.

Seattle police posted photos of the aftermath of the riots that shows multiple vandalized shops and buildings. The department said at the time that police had arrested one person for property damage, a woman for assault, and a man for burglary and property damage.

Multiple windows were shattered at the William Kenzo Nakamura Courthouse in Seattle on Jan. 20, 2021. (Seattle Police Department)

The activists are alleged to be members of the anarcho-communist group Antifa and other far-left groups, who have taken advantage of a number of peaceful protests calling for police reform by creating a scene of civil unrest and engaging in violence, lighting fires, looting, and damaging property during the summer last year. Many law enforcement officers were injured during operations to quell the violence and protect public safety.

Diaz told reporters during a conference that he wasnt sure what cause the rioters were fighting for, adding that he didnt believe violent protesters and vandals are promoting a cause.

The events of breaking windows at a variety of different locations with no meaning, Diaz told reporters. There was no discussion about what they were fighting for, what type of social justice message. That cannot happen. That level of direct action cannot occur. And we are going to immediately address those issues.

The Seattle Police Department didnt respond to a request for more details on the new policy and enforcement by press time.

The violence and property destruction in Seattle occurred alongside similar protests and rioting in Portland, Oregon.

In Portland, black-clad activists with their faces covered broke windows and the glass door at the state Democratic Partys business office, spray-painting an anarchist symbol over the party sign, video posted on social media shows. Some of them tipped over garbage containers and lit the contents on fire, according to reports.

We dont want Biden. We want revenge for police murders, imperialist wars, and fascist massacres, read a banner they marched under, while others carried a banner reading We are not governable, which was dotted with anarchy symbols.

Eight people were arrested in Portland on charges that include rioting and reckless burning.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has urged President Joe Biden to condemn the recent actions of the rioters. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Jan. 23 that she hadnt spoken to Biden about the recent unrest.

Independent reporter Andy Ngo, who has been closely monitoring and reporting on Antifa in Portland, said some of the rioters who were arrested at the most recent Portland riots were arrested at previous Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 and released.

In a recent interview with The Epoch Times American Thought Leaders program, Ngo raised concerns over Twitters lack of enforcement of its policies when it failed to stop Antifa planning and promoting riots on the social media platform prior to the riots.

In Seattle and Portland, there were simultaneous riots that were pre-planned and organized, and also advertised weeks ahead of time on Twitter, Ngo said.

Twitter did nothing to take down some of these accounts that were promoting these riots.

Some of these accounts were ultimately suspended following the inauguration day riots, Ngo said on Jan. 22.

Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.
Vaccine wars are bringing out new dimensions in policies. Florida will require proof of residence for those getting a covid shot in a push to thwart so-called vaccine tourism", a move experts say could also leave thousands of undocumented immigrants, homeless and low-income people in the lurch. According to AFP, the decision came after residents of other states and even people from abroad were reportedly arriving in Floridawhich currently vaccinates anyone over the age of 65with an aim of gaining easier access to immunization. For more updates, heres Mint Lite.

US, Mexico bar migrant caravans

View Full Image The US, Mexico and Guatemala agreed Friday to bar migrant caravans from passing through their territories due to the covid pandemic

The US, Mexico and Guatemala agreed Friday to bar migrant caravans from passing through their territories due to the covid pandemic, days after one from Honduras was violently broken up in Guatemala. US ambassador to Guatemala William Popp stressed that any migrants who cross the US border in an irregular manner will be returned home immediately, citing national health security. His comments came after a meeting with Guatemalan foreign minister Pedro Brolo and Mexican ambassador to Guatemala Romeo Ruiz. The deal came after Guatemalan authorities on Monday broke up the latest caravan of Honduran migrants, who set out hoping for a more welcoming US policy on immigration following President Joe Bidens arrival in office. Some 4,000 migrants had massed in the Guatemalan town of Vada Hondo on the first leg of their journey through Central America on foot.

UN shines light on Ethiopias plight

View Full Image Ethiopias northern Tigray remains unstable as fighting continues in several areas, including the outskirts of the regional capital, Mekelle

Ethiopias northern Tigray remains unstable as fighting continues in several areas, including the outskirts of the regional capital, Mekelle, according to the United Nations. More than 4.5 million people in the war-torn region need emergency food assistance, the UNs Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a report compiled after two missions to the province last month. A total of 2.2 million people have been displaced since the conflict erupted in early November, more than twice the number prior to the violence, reports Bloomberg. Meanwhile, the UN special representative on sexual violence in conflict says serious allegations of sexual violence" have emerged in Ethiopias embattled Tigray region, while women and girls face shortages of rape kits and HIV drugs amid restrictions on humanitarian access, reports AP.

FPIs remain net buyers in Jan

View Full Image FPIs remained net buyers to the tune of  18,456 crore so far in January as global liquidity led to continued investment in emerging markets

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) remained net buyers to the tune of 18,456 crore so far in January as global liquidity led to continued investment in emerging markets. According to depositories data, overseas investors pumped in 24,469 crore into equities but pulled out 6,013 crore from the bonds market between 1 and 22 January. The total net investment stood at 18,456 crore. Global liquidity has been one of the main causes for inflows into emerging markets such as India, Harsh Jain, co-founder and COO at Groww, told PTI. Besides, he said there are indications which suggest that the economic recovery post lockdowns have been better than expected. This will continue to make India an attractive destination for investors.

Drug lord arrested in Amsterdam

View Full Image Police in the Netherlands have arrested the alleged head of one of the worlds biggest drugs gangs, on a warrant issued by Australia.

Police in the Netherlands have arrested the alleged head of one of the worlds biggest drugs gangs, on a warrant issued by Australia. Tse Chi Lopa Chinese-born Canadian nationalis said to be the head of The Company, which dominates a $70 billion illegal drugs market across Asia. Listed as one of the worlds most wanted fugitives, Tse was detained at Amsterdams Schiphol airport. Australia will now seek his extradition to face trial there. The Australian Federal Police believe The Company, also known as the Sam Gor Syndicate, is responsible for up to 70% of all illegal drugs entering the country. The 56-year-old has been compared to the Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman because of the scale of his alleged enterprise. Australian police had reportedly been tracking Tse for more than a decade before he was arrested on Friday as he was about to board a flight to Canada.

A big step closer to space tourism

View Full Image Jeff Bezoss space travel company, Blue Origin, says it is getting really close to flying humans after the successful completion of its 14th mission to space on 14 January

Jeff Bezoss space travel company, Blue Origin, says it is getting really close" to flying humans after the successful completion of its 14th mission to space on 14 January, reports The Guardian. The New Shepard rocket blasted off from the companys private launch site in west Texas, carrying an upgraded crew capsule containing a test dummy dubbed Mannequin Skywalker". Following its separation from the booster, the crew capsule reached an altitude of 66 miles above mean sea level. The New Shepard programme is designed to take six space tourists on a sub-orbital flight where they can experience about three minutes of weightlessness. The total flight time for this particular test was 10 minutes and 10 seconds. During that time, the capsule was made to rotate at 2 to 3 degrees a second, so that future passengers can experience a 360-degree view during their flight.

Curated by Sohini Sen. Have something to share with us? Write to us at feedback@livemint or tweet to @shohinisen

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Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below.

Ms B.C. writes: In 2019, I booked and paid for a specialist archaeological holiday with Andante Travels to Pompeii.

It was due to depart last April but was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Andante agreed to a full refund of 2,186, but six weeks later it withdrew the offer and would only give me a voucher for future travel, with the possibility of a cash refund by the end of February this year.

Blow: The archaeological trip to Pompeii with specialist holiday firm Andante was axed

Tony Hetherington replies: I have received many hundreds of complaints from readers who have been fighting to get refunds from travel companies and airlines, but what made your battle stand out was the threat you received from Andante Travels when you rejected the offer of an IOU and said you would complain to the Competition and Markets Authority, which had issued guidance on customers' rights.

Although you had not mentioned court action, Andante's boss Jackie Willis told you: 'If you were to obtain a court judgment, we would find ourselves unable to make the payment.'

It appears that Andante would resist any attempt to enforce a court judgment  and Willis added: 'We will seek expenses from you on a full indemnity basis in any action taken by you.'

In a nutshell then, Andante admitted owing you money, told you it could not pay it, but threatened to land you with a bill for its own legal costs if you sued to get your money back.

And this was after you had actually been quite sympathetic, telling Andante you really did understand the problems of the travel industry during the pandemic, but explaining that for just the same reasons, you were unable to work and were in financial difficulties.

An IOU promising payment months into the future is not something you can use to pay your mortgage, or your rent, or to put food on the table.

Most holidays had to be cancelled over the last year, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic

Faced with Andante's threats, you asked your bank, Santander, to use the chargeback system to snatch back your 2,186.

This worked, and the money appeared in your account, but at the beginning of December it disappeared after Andante appealed.

By then, you had just 350 in your account, so when 2,186 vanished you were pushed into overdraft.

Your routine direct debits were not paid, you could not draw cash and you were hit with bank charges. All because Andante had your money instead of you.

I asked Santander to see what it could do to help, and remarkably it quickly went even further than I had hoped, offering to scrap all the charges and put more than 2,000 of the bank's money into your account to tide you over until Andante finally repaid you.

And this is what has happened, putting your account back into credit at Santander's expense.

But what about Andante Travels? It told me it regarded the chargeback situation and your overdraft as 'a private matter between the bank and the customer', neatly ignoring the fact that Andante caused the problem in the first place.

And it admitted that it was struggling. Although it is taking bookings for future holidays, Andante told me it was currently unable to operate those holidays. It added: 'This has potentially serious consequences for the financial position of the company.'

Its IOUs were guaranteed under the Air Transport Operators Licence scheme, so were sure to pay out eventually, but repaying all its customers right away 'would risk the insolvency of an otherwise viable business'.

In normal times, this might well mean that Andante and its bosses were guilty of the offence of wrongful trading by continuing in business while unable to pay its debts. But this bit of law has been suspended by the Government for the moment.

However, last Wednesday, Andante suddenly told me: 'Ms C's refund cheque will be sent on Monday, January 25, in line with all of our previous communications with this guest.'

This, of course, is false. What it had told you and other customers was that you could use the IOU to book a new trip, failing which it would offer cash by the end of February, not January.

Panic at Andante? Who knows, but do tell me if the cheque fails to arrive.

Failure: B.N. has tried unsuccessfully to get a refund from Morrisons

Morrisons fails to deliver on its lockdown promises

B.N. writes: My wife and I are in the Covid-vulnerable age group, so I paid 40 for a pass from Morrisons to receive food deliveries during the first lockdown.

However, when we tried to place our first order, we received an email saying no delivery slots would be made available for our address.

Since we received nothing at all for our 40, I have written twice to the branch and twice to Morrisons head office, asking for a refund, but I have received no reply.

Tony Hetherington replies: You have been chasing Morrisons for months over this, and I sympathise after trying to contact this supermarket giant by phone, only to be sent round in circles by taped messages telling me the answer to life, the universe and everything could be found on its website, when the only answers provided fail to deal with the question you would have asked if only Morrisons had human beings to answer the phone.

After finding someone to contact by email, I was told by Morrisons: 'We have apologised to Mr N. We always strive to get things right for customers, but on this occasion got it wrong.

'We have been in contact to refund the money and to inform him of another way of ordering his shopping called our Doorstep Delivery Service, where customers who are vulnerable or self-isolating can place an order over the phone and have it delivered the following day.'

Morrisons says it does, in fact, deliver to your address, but during the first lockdown it was sometimes very difficult to book a slot.

If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TS or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full 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.
Two Mayfield Women Jailed on Drug Charges

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MAYFIELD - Graves County Deputies arrested two women Sunday morning after a traffic stop in Mayfield.The Graves County Sheriff's Office said a deputy stopped a vehicle at around 1 a.m. after learning the driver, 27-year-old Elizabeth Wright of Clinton had an active warrant for her arrest.Deputies made arrangements to turn over the vehicle to 26-year-old Shelbianne Ballantine of Clinton.During the investigation, deputies said both women attempted to tamper with physical evidence. They were both arrested and charged with possession of meth and drug paraphernalia, as well as tampering with evidence.Wright was also served with an indictment warrant out of Graves County.

Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II

EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation

ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason

Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia

Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest

"Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan

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Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow

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We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan

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Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan

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Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS)

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS)

Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time

Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation

Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country

Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor"

Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building"

Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials

MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan

Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas

France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party

Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms

Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh

NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country

104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion

Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation

Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination

Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity

Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well

Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions

Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never!

Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial

Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?"

France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity

Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election

Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia

US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China

Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war

Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet

Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases

Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan

US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces

Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can

UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians

Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India

Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately

France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint

Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow

Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen

Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops

Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia acting FM resigns

Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity

China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order

Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM

Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage

EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting

Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post

6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest

Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan

UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas

Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening

His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia

Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens

Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon

Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures

Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension

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ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces

Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards

Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory

Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan

Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia

Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia

Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws

Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone

Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control

Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor

Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation

NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning

European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched


Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.


Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II

EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation

ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason

Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia

Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest

"Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan

Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator'

Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow

Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast

We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan

Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory

Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances

Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections

Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day

Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan

Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake

Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS)

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS)

Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time

Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation

Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country

Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor"

Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building"

Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials

MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan

Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas

France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party

Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms

Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh

NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country

104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion

Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation

Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination

Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity

Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well

Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions

Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never!

Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial

Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?"

France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity

Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election

Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia

US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China

Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war

Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet

Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases

Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan

US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces

Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can

UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians

Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India

Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately

France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint

Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow

Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen

Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops

Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia acting FM resigns

Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity

China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order

Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM

Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage

EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting

Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post

6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest

Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan

UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas

Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening

His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia

Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens

Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon

Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures

Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension

Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire

ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces

Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards

Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory

Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan

Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia

Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia

Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws

Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone

Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control

Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor

Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation

NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning

European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched
Lisbon, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jan, 2021 ) :Portugal voted Sunday despite the country's pandemic lockdown in a presidential election widely expected to see centre-right incumbent Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa win another term.

Polls point to a first-round victory for Rebelo de Sousa, a former political commentator turned approachable head of state known for candid moments like queueing at the supermarket in shorts, plunging into the sea to help girls whose canoe had capsized or sharing a meal with homeless people.

But observers have their eye on how a far-right challenger will perform, as well as whether a lockdown-induced plunge in turnout could produce an upset.

Turnout reached 35.4 percent by 1600 GMT, only slightly lower than at the same time five years ago and soothing fears that abstentions might top 70 percent.

Voters queued outside polling stations in the capital Lisbon, being let in one by one under social distancing rules.

"To those who can and who want to vote, overcome your fears", Rebelo de Sousa said after casting his ballot in Celorico de Basto, his stronghold in the northern region of Minho.

Arriving at a Lisbon school to cast his vote, Luis Araujo told AFP that "even if it's important to come and vote, there's not much sense coming out and gathering with thousands of people while we're locked down".
New Delhi: Farmers union leaders and the Delhi police have reached an amicable solution on the former's request to take out a tractor rally on January 26, Republic Day.

After a meeting between farmers from Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh and higher officials on January 23, it was decided that the tractor rally on January 26 will be allowed on three borders namely Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur.

On Singhu border, the tractor parade will be run through Haryana Sanjay Gandhi Transport, Kanjhawla, Bawana, Auchindi Border.

On Tikri border, the rally from Tikri Border will go to KMP via Nagloi, Najafgarh, Dhansa, Badli.

On Ghazipur border, the parade will pass from Apsara border through Duhai UP via Ghaziabad.

While for the rally at Shahjahanpur and Palwal, the farmers will share information later.

After the meeting, the farmer leaders told reporters that the farmers parade will be held on January 26 in Delhi and that there has been an agreement between the Delhi Police on the same.

The farmers' leaders in the statement said: "The tractor rally will be held along 100km stretch in Delhi. There is no single route, all entry points will be open. The farmers will enter Delhi on Republic Day, January 26, barricades will be removed, certain routes have been fixed, an agreement has been reached."

The meeting was attended by Dr. Darshan Pal, Gurnam Singh Chadhuni, Yogendra Yadav, Yudhveer, Ramendra, Randeep Singh Raju Rajasthan, Jaswinder, Abhimanyu Kohad, Comrade Krishna Prasad, Tajendra Singh Virk Uttarakhand, Rajendra Deep, etc.

BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said, "The tractor rally of farmers will take place on January 26, the committee will submit a written permission. The rally will be held only on the route suggested by the police."

On the continued talks with Centre on the issue of revocation of the three farm laws, he said that they will see to it later.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police said that they will approve the Kisan Tractor rally only after they receive a request letter in written mode from farmers union.

Live TV
By Ben Nadler, Associated Press

ATLANTA  Six months after his death, the late civil rights leader and longtime Georgia congressman John Lewis will retain a palpable influence in Congress: The states two new Democratic U.S. senators  both personal friends and admirers  promise to carry on his legacy.

Sen. Raphael Warnock was Lewis pastor and stood at his bedside before Lewis died. Sen. Jon Ossoff, the Senates youngest current member, served as an intern in Lewis Washington office years ago. Both were sworn into office Wednesday.

Their victories have already brought about significant change. Warnock is Georgias first Black senator, and Ossoff is the first Jewish senator from the state. Together, their election victories swung control of the Senate to Democrats.

Stacey Abrams, a Democrat who narrowly lost the nationally watched race for Georgia governor in 2018, said in a statement to The Associated Press that Warnock and Ossoff represent Lewis legacy in the Senate as champions of civil rights, human rights and voting rights.

Congressman Lewis is irreplaceable, Abrams wrote. However, Georgians gave America the opportunity to pass sweeping reforms that will strengthen our democracy and commemorate his fight for all.

Both of the newly minted senators have pledged to pursue legislation to expand and protect voting rights, a cause that Lewis championed for most of his life. Democrats and their supporters are hopeful that their newfound control of the White House and Congress could mean voting protections previously stalled by a GOP-led Senate could receive quick passage.

Chief among those is a bill passed by the House in 2019 that has since been renamed after Lewis. It seeks to restore portions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013.

The ruling in Shelby County (Alabama) v. Holder ended a requirement that jurisdictions with a history of discriminatory voting practices receive preclearance from the federal government for any changes to voting procedures. Democrats and voting rights groups argue that the ruling has led to a cascade of changes in many states that have disenfranchised voters, including polling place closures.

In a news conference Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi identified the legislation as a top priority and said she was optimistic about its prospects.

That said, the Senate could have its hands full with the impending impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, as well as consideration of appointments by President Joe Biden and his early legislative proposals, including a $1.9 trillion coronavirus plan.

Lewis died in July at the age of 80 after battling pancreatic cancer. He served in the House for 33 years representing Georgias 5th Congressional District, which includes most of Atlanta.

Lewis, an Alabama native, became a key player in the civil rights movement as a young man in the 1960s. He helped found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, was among the original Freedom Riders who challenged segregated bus terminals in the South, and was the youngest person to speak at the March on Washington in 1963.

Most associated with the pursuit to secure and protect voting rights, Lewis led protesters in the 1965 Bloody Sunday march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where he had his skull fractured by police, and was a driving force behind voting rights laws in the U.S. for decades.

Lewis was a parishioner of Warnocks for years at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. preached and Warnock remains pastor. Warnock was called to Lewis bedside days before his death and presided over his funeral service.

Today the world lost a giant. I lost a mentor, a church member and a friend, Warnock said in a tweet shortly after Lewis death. In his youth, John Lewis wrestled with a call to ministry. But instead of preaching sermons, he became a sermon for all the world to see.

Ossoff first met Lewis when, as a teenager, he was inspired by Lewis book Walking With the Wind and wrote him a letter. I was so inspired by how a person so young had taken a leadership role in the pursuit of justice and confronting the abuse of power, and was just in awe of his life, Ossoff said in an interview with The Associated Press in December. Lewis wrote back and invited Ossoff to come work in his office for a few months, spawning a yearslong relationship between the two.

Lewis early endorsement of Ossoff helped him defeat a challenger with far more experience in elected office to clinch the Democratic nomination for Senate.

Warnock and Ossoff defeated Republican incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, who both ran on fealty to Trump, in a runoff election on Jan. 5. They are the first Democrats to win a U.S. Senate election in Georgia since 2000.

On the night of the election, as the Democrats leads became clear, members of Congress who worked alongside Lewis paid tribute to the late congressman, saying he laid the groundwork for the victories.

My friend John Lewis planted the foundation of this Georgia over his career, Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey said in a tweet. I wish he were here tonight to watch this.
Source: AP

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accused British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday of fearing democracy when it comes to letting the Scottish people express their will on independence from the United Kingdom.

Scotland voted against independence by 55 percent to 45 percent in a 2014 referendum. But a majority of Scots also backed staying in the European Union in the subsequent 2016 Brexit vote, stoking demands by Scottish nationalists for a new independence vote after the UK as a whole voted to leave.

Sturgeon's Scottish National Party (SNP), which runs the semi-autonomous Edinburgh executive, laid out plans on Saturday for a new referendum if, as expected, it wins Scottish elections in May.

Johnson said earlier this month he thought there should be a gap of about 40 years before any new referendum.

"He's frightened of democracy," Sturgeon said during a BBC television interview on Sunday.

"If the SNP win the Scottish election in a few months' time on a proposition of giving the people that choice, what democrat could rightly stand in the way of that?" she said.

Johnson says the SNP presented the 2014 referendum as a "once in a generation" event and cannot now insist on another.

The SNP counters that the situation has changed because of the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union. Scots' votes against Brexit in 2016 were outweighed by a majority voting in favour in more populous England.

Sturgeon's party says EU membership was presented in 2014 as a key argument for Scotland to remain in the United Kingdom, only for Scots to be dragged out of the bloc against their will.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Brexit has led to similar discussions in Northern Ireland, which also voted to stay in the EU. Republicans there want a so-called "border poll" on unification with the Republic of Ireland, an EU member, while Unionists want to remain part of the United Kingdom.

"There is an unstoppable conversation underway on our constitutional future," Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill of Sinn Fein, a Republican party, said on Twitter on Sunday.

"It is time for the Irish government to step up preparations. We can overcome the barriers of partition and build a new Ireland."

First Minister Arlene Foster of the Democratic Unionist Party criticised O'Neill for raising constitutional issues in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We all know how divisive a border poll would be, and for us in Northern Ireland what we have to do at the moment is all come together to fight against COVID," she said on Sky News.



(@FahadShabbir)

BANGKOK, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 24th Jan, 2021) Thailand on Sunday reported 198 new coronavirus cases, taking its total number of confirmed infections to 13,500.

Seven of the new infections were imported, a COVID-19 taskforce told a briefing. One additional coronavirus-related death was recorded, bringing total fatalities to 73 since the outbreak began last year.
Arizona Republicans sent a clear message over the weekend that the GOPs bitter divisions over former President Donald Trump arent going away just because he has moved out of the White House. The Arizona Republican Party censured Cindy McCain, the widow of former Senator John McCain, essentially for failing to support Trump. Republicans also voted to censure GOP Gov. Doug Ducey and former Senator Jeff Flake. The move is mostly symbolic, but along with the reelection of Kelli Ward, a staunch Trump supporter, to lead the Arizona Republican Party it demonstrated that the former president continues to have a strong following among members of the GOP base.

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McCain, who endorsed President Joe Biden, was censured because she has supported globalist policies and candidates and condemned President Trump for his criticism of her husband and erroneously placed behaviors over actual presidential results. McCain quickly took to Twitter to say that the censure was a badge of honor. Her husband had been censured by the Arizona GOP in 2015 over his voting record that was criticized for not being conservative enough.

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It is a high honor to be included in a group of Arizonans who have served our state and our nation so well...and who, like my late husband John, have been censured by the AZGOP. Ill wear this as a badge of honor.  Cindy McCain (@cindymccain) January 24, 2021

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The censure of Flake had much of the same reasoning. Flake, who also endorsed Biden, condemned the Republican Party, rejected populism, and rejected the interests of the American people over globalist interests.* Flake also said he wasnt bothered by the action. If condoning President Trumps behavior is required to stay in the AZGOPs good graces, Im just fine being on the outs, he tweeted. The reasoning to censure Ducey was slightly different. The states Republican Party censured Ducey for the rules he imposed to try to stem the spread of COVID-19 that restrict personal liberties and force compliance to unconstitutional edicts. Duceys allies were booed at the meeting but later dismissed the importance of the censure. These resolutions are of no consequence whatsoever, and the people behind them have lost whatever little moral authority they may have once had, Sara Mueller, Duceys political director, said in a statement.

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Biden became the first Democrat to win Arizona since 1996, when Bill Clinton won the state.

Correction at 10:50 a.m.: This piece initially misquoted the censure of former Sen. Jeff Flake.
Harrisburg University Presents will host a live virtual cooking show featuring four renowned Pennsylvania chefs and celebrity chef Roy Choi to benefit hospitality employees across the state adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Just a Taste, The Great Pennsylvania Cooking Show, presented in partnership with Dauphin County, will be broadcast live online at Harrisburg University presents website, www.HUConcertSeries.com, and at HU Presents Facebook page @HUPresents, according to a release.

Viewers can tune into the show for free and donate to the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Associations Hospitality Assistance Response of PA (HARP) fund during the event.

The hospitality industry is hurting desperately and financial support from the government is lacking, leaving hundreds of businesses and thousands of employees without a safety net, John Longstreet, president and CEO of the PRLA, said in the release. We are grateful to the organizers of Just a Taste for contributing event proceeds to HARP so we can continue providing relief to frontline hospitality workers who have been impacted by COVID-19, through no fault of their own.

Roy Choi, co-host of the popular Netflix series, The Chef, will share his talent from California and will participate in a question-and-answer session during the show, the release said.

Other participating chefs include:

To donate, text HARP to 717.220.5661.
Whats next for Bitcoin Price  $56k or $16k?

Bitcoin traders and enthusiasts are riding the wave after the incredible rally from $9,000 to $42,000 throughout Q4:2020. It certainly was an incredible run  more than quadrupling in value in less than three months. Now we find ourselves in an early 2021 corrective phase which will end in either another Breakout/Rally attempt or an Excess Phase (Blow-off) Top. This article highlights both potential outcomes because at this stage it is difficult to determine a single high-probability outcome.

Before I continue, I urge readers to review our How To Spot The End Of An Excess Phase article from November 27, 2020. You can re-read it at www.thetechnicaltraders.com/how-to-spot-the-end-of-an-excess-phase-part-ii/. This is an excellent primer for the content of this current research article.

What A Bitcoin Breakout Would Look Like

Lets take a look at what a Breakout/Rally technical setup in Bitcoin would look like in the near future. Looking at the chart below, price must hold above critical support near $27,800 as any new lower low would constitute a continuation of the Bearish downtrend. Therefore, any renewed rally attempt would likely initiate from levels near $28k (or just below this level).

Using a Fibonacci Price Extension, we can see the $46,280 (0.618) and the $56,190 (1.0) Fibonacci Extension levels are key potential upside price targets if a breakout/rally resumes. We are measuring the most recent bottom, in late November, to the current high price level, then aligning the Fibonacci price extension bottom to the current price lows (near $30,260). This allows us to see future potential price target levels if this rally/uptrend continues.

Again, it is critical that the support level near $27,800 holds and price lows do not breach this level. Any breach of this support level would constitute a new lower low in Fibonacci Price Theory  which suggests a downtrend is continuing.

What A Bitcoin Breakdown Would Look Like

The opposite aspect of this recent peak is that it may be setting up as an Excess Phase (blow-off) Top, as we can see the #1 (extreme rally) and #2 (sideways flag) setup in price recently. The completed Excess Phase pattern consists of five total processes:

The extreme upside price rally The TOP, followed by a moderate downside price trend that sets up the FLAG The breakdown of the FLAG trend, which then targets a broader support level The breakdown of that support level, which then targets the ultimate bottom/momentum base level Once the ultimate bottom/base is established, then a new momentum/bottom begins and trend usually attempts another rally attempt.

Be sure to sign up for my FREE webinar that will teach you how to find and trade my BEST ASSET NOW strategy on your own!

Obviously, when you look at the Bitcoin to USD chart (below), it is fairly easy to identify the #1 and #2 setup of the Excess Phase Top. The next question is will price breakdown and attempt to move below the $27,800 recent low support level or will it hold above this level, prompting another rally attempt. If price breaks below the $27,800 support level (near recent lows on January 11, 2021), then we need to be very cautious of the broader Excess Phase Top process continuing and a continued breakdown resulting in lower price trends. If the $27,800 support level holds, as we suggested in the Breakout/Rally example above, then there is a strong chance that $42k to $56k could be the next upside targets.

I understand that readers and traders want to have more clarity on the direction Bitcoin will go, but ultimately, we need price to complete the next phase of this process. It all hinges on the current $27,800 support level right now. As long as that support level holds, then there is a very strong possibility that another upside price rally will begin at some point in the future. If it is broken and the Flag Breakdown continues, then it would appear the Excess Phase Top has moved into Phase #3 and will likely continue to unfold.

Why wait for Bitcoin to begin a new trend  Stock sectors are moving

Even though we will wait and see on Bitcoin, we see a wide variety of other sectors to play instead of holding out for the right Bitcoin trade. We have seen some explosive trading opportunities in sectoral ETFs despite the pullback in Bitcoin and other assets. One of our Best Asset Now Hotlist ETFs has grown by 23.55% since we identified its trigger a short 9 days. Some of our subscribers that traded options on that BAN Hotlist trigger did really, really well!

If you love Cryptos or not, dont miss out on the opportunities that are setting up in the broader, global market and stock sector ETFs with our BAN strategy. If you want to improve your own trading strategy and win-rate, then you need to subscribe to BAN Trader Pro to get my daily BAN Hotlist, my pre-market video walkthrough of the charts every morning, and my BAN strategy trade alerts.

Stay safe!

Chris Vermeulen

www.TheTechnicalTraders.com

Chris Vermeulen has been involved in the markets since 1997 and is the founder of Technical Traders Ltd. He is an internationally recognized technical analyst, trader, and is the author of the book: 7 Steps to Win With Logic



Through years of research, trading and helping individual traders around the world. He learned that many traders have great trading ideas, but they lack one thing, they struggle to execute trades in a systematic way for consistent results. Chris helps educate traders with a three-hour video course that can change your trading results for the better.



His mission is to help his clients boost their trading performance while reducing market exposure and portfolio volatility.



He is a regular speaker on HoweStreet.com, and the FinancialSurvivorNetwork radio shows. Chris was also featured on the cover of AmalgaTrader Magazine, and contributes articles to several leading financial hubs like MarketOracle.co.uk

Disclaimer: Nothing in this report should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any securities mentioned. Technical Traders Ltd., its owners and the author of this report are not registered broker-dealers or financial advisors. Before investing in any securities, you should consult with your financial advisor and a registered broker-dealer. Never make an investment based solely on what you read in an online or printed report, including this report, especially if the investment involves a small, thinly-traded company that isnt well known. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report has been paid by Cardiff Energy Corp. In addition, the author owns shares of Cardiff Energy Corp. and would also benefit from volume and price appreciation of its stock. The information provided here within should not be construed as a financial analysis but rather as an advertisement. The authors views and opinions regarding the companies featured in reports are his own views and are based on information that he has researched independently and has received, which the author assumes to be reliable. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content of this report, nor its fitness for any particular purpose. Lastly, the author does not guarantee that any of the companies mentioned in the reports will perform as expected, and any comparisons made to other companies may not be valid or come into effect.

Chris Vermeulen Archive

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.





Brood X is here

Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield.
Recent surges of COVID-19 in India, S America left people gasping for breath before our eyes: UN chief

Fake: No new clash took place in Galwan Valley in early May

Ldakh standoff: 9th round of military talks today, focus on complete disengagement of troops

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Jan 23: India and China are set to hold their ninth round of Corps Commander-level talks on Sunday with a focus on ways to move forward on the long-negotiated disengagement process in eastern Ladakh, according to official sources.

The military talks are slated to be held at the Moldo border point on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, the sources said on Saturday.

The eighth and last round of military talks took place on November 6 during which both sides 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.

"The focus of the talks is going to be on the disengagement process," said a source.

On January 12, Army chief Gen MM Naravane had said that Indian troops will hold their ground as long as it takes to achieve the "national goals and objectives" even as he hoped for an amicable resolution of the prolonged standoff through talks. The standoff erupted on May 5 last.

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.

COVID-19 vaccine: 20 ITBP personnel get vaccinated in Ladakh

Last month, India and China held another round of diplomatic talks under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs. However, no concrete outcome emerged from the talks.

Following the sixth round of military talks on September 21, the two sides had announced a slew of decisions including not to send more troops to the frontline, refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground and avoid taking any actions that may further complicate matters.

This round 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.
Apparently having passed the necessary vetting, a long-time reader writes from his unit guarding the Capitol:

My guard unit was called up last [week] to help secure the Capitol and has been providing security since [January 16]. In 48 hours of on-duty security I have not seen a single protester  only one drunk guy who cussed my 2nd platoon (which raised morale for a good two hours  soldiers like and respect fluent profanity).

Last night I saw probably 2000 riot-prepared soldiers unload from buses and enter the perimeter. This level of military involvement surpasses overreaction, skips past overkill, and pegs insane. Whoever ordered this response is completely out of touch with reality.

Twenty thousand is a difficult number to explain. Its especially strange how its a much larger number, relatively, than in 7 A.D. when Varian lost about that many in the Teutoburg forest. But 20,000 troops is three times as many as I deployed to Kuwait with in 2019 for a rotation there, and that seemed huge.

The cost of having these troops in the District of Columbia for one week, including all the movement, food, hotel rooms, and medical probably runs over $100 million. It is just another data point that indicates the people running the country are not living in the same reality as the rest of us.

And now (I wrote my first draft several days ago) there is word that some National Guard units will remain in DC through MARCH to guard the senate. To guard the Senate? For THREE MONTHS?

May I just say, if you had any respect for the FBI or any belief that it was not a fully partisan organization, you were completely wrong. If there was any credible intelligence that there was enough of a threat to require 20,000 national guard troops at the Capitol this past week, then the FBI is completely failing. The fact that the alleged credible evidence was clearly inaccurate tells me that I should not ever trust the FBI with anything I would give a 19-year-old soldier

Boris Johnson plans to promote a raft of female ministers in a reshuffle aimed at addressing his woman problem.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss is set to be handed a more senior Cabinet post after impressing the Prime Minister.

Junior ministers Kemi Badenoch, Lucy Frazer, Gillian Keegan and Victoria Atkins are also seen by No 10 as rising stars.

Mr Johnsons fiancee Carrie Symonds and press secretary Allegra Stratton are understood to be among those encouraging him to refresh his top team.

An ally said: Boris has a woman problem. The only way you solve that is to put more women in the top jobs.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss (pictured) is set to be handed a more senior Cabinet post

Downing Street has pencilled in June for the Cabinet shake-up, following the local elections that are due to take place in May.

The Prime Minister is believed to want to get a team in place that will take the Tories into the next general election.

Other Tory MPs tipped for promotion include Neil OBrien, who has been an enthusiastic defender of the Governments coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

Mr Johnson may attempt to unite the party by also handing roles to vocal critics of the measures, such as Steve Baker and chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs Sir Graham Brady.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick and policing minister Kit Malthouse are also said to be favoured.

No 10 aides have discussed the possibility of moving Priti Patel from the Home Office to become party chairman, although her supporters have warned she would resist such a move.

Former chancellor Sajid Javid is thought to be eyeing a return to Cabinet as foreign secretary.

Miss Truss had been seen as vulnerable to the sack, but has won over the Prime Minister in recent months and is now seen as a candidate for one of the great offices of state.

Junior ministers Kemi Badenoch (top left), Lucy Frazer (bottom right), Gillian Keegan (top right) and Victoria Atkins (bottom left) are also seen by No 10 as rising stars

The International Trade Secretarys popularity with the party faithful has rocketed after finalising some 64 trade deals to keep goods flowing post-Brexit.

Mr Johnson may further shake up his Downing Street team and is believed to want to bring new thinkers into the No 10 policy unit.

The Prime Minister yesterday faced criticism for failing to give women a more prominent role in his Government.

An analysis by the Sunday Times found Downing Street has put up only one female Cabinet minister to answer questions on either the BBCs Andrew Marr Show or Skys Sophy Ridge on Sunday since the start of the first lockdown on March 23.

The Prime Minister is believed to want to get a team in place that will take the Tories into the next general election

Male Cabinet ministers have appeared on the programmes 65 times during that time, while Home Secretary Miss Patel made just two appearances, both on June 28 last year. Miss Truss and Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey were notably absent despite both holding high-ranking roles.

Caroline Nokes, Tory chairman of the Commons women and equalities committee, told the newspaper: By not putting up female ministers to speak on the main political Sunday morning programmes, the party is failing to engage with half of the electorate.

It also smacks of a Government led by men for men.

The influential Conservative Home website said it was inexplicable that Downing Street was not using Miss Coffey more on television.
McCracken Educators Get COVID Vaccine

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - As part of the effort to immunize local educators against the novel coronavirus, employees of McCracken County Schools received vaccines on Friday.The school district said 650 employees got their first dose of the vaccine, which was not mandatory. This means over 60 percent of district staff have been vaccinated. They include teachers, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, volunteers, administrators, and school board members.Employees from Baptist Health Paducah assisted school nurses at clinics set up inside McCracken County High School and Reidland Middle School.Everyone who gets the first dose will have to return in 28 days for the second round of shots.Many teachers and employees took to social media to show their #StickItToCOVID t-shirts or their vaccination record.One nurse at the clinic, APRN Felicia Cooper, was able to vaccinate her husband, Heath Elementary School Principal Laine Cooper.Earlier this month, Purchase District Health Department Director Kent Koster said staff at McCracken, Ballard, Carlisle, Hickman and Fulton County schools would be vaccinated by Friday. Employees at Paducah Independent Schools, Community Christian Academy and St. Mary will be vaccinated in the coming week.

Fearless. Strong. Determined. Intelligent.

Those are just a few ways to describe the honorees of the sixth annual Women Who Shape the State, presented by This is Alabama.

The 2020 honorees represent a broad spectrum  CEOs, artists, scientists, volunteers and more  but they have one thing in common: a fierce desire to give back to their communities.

Theyre proving that now, more than ever, Alabama women are stepping up to make a difference.

When we put out a call for nominations, you answered in a big way. After careful consideration, the selection committee chose 25 of the best and brightest from your suggestions. The 2020 class includes the following women, who have kindly shared their advice, accomplishments, mentors, and more in their own words:

Brit Blalock

Brit Blalock

Director of Marketing, Innovation Depot, Birmingham

The journey to becoming a woman in leadership and actually being a woman in leadership both come with their fair share of barriers. Because men have had such a heavy hand in crafting the structure of our society, government, and economy, our ideas as women often push the hardest against the grain of what currently exists. In the past, men have told me that I cant bring my emotions into leadership if I want to be successful, but I know that empathy, compassion, and a willingness to mourn alongside others is a boon to any leader.

Perhaps the biggest barrier Ive faced in many different situations is other peoples doubt about what I am capable of achieving. And in those instances, I have found no greater pleasure than proving those folks wrong.

Stephanie Bryan

Stephanie A. Bryan

Tribal Chair & CEO, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Atmore

Like a lot of people, women especially, there were low expectations for my future based on where I grew up and how little financial resources we had. But I was lucky to have a Mom who dreamed big and encouraged me to do the same. It was because of her and the other strong women in my family that I was able to bring back matrilineal leadership to our Tribe. It always seemed contradictory to me that our Indian culture and history respected and encouraged women leaders, but somehow over the years, folks had adopted this mentality that a woman couldnt, and shouldnt, lead our Tribe. Mom helped me jump over that barrier, and I am blessed she lived to see me elected as the Tribal Chair and CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. When I began my journey this journey, I was the only female who served in a leadership position. Today, five out of our nine Tribal Council members are women. That makes me feel like we are not only progressive as a community, but we are also being true to our culture and respecting our history.

Sonya R. Clemons

Sonya R. Clemons

Popularly known across Alabama as the ArtladyAlabama Artist, School Muralist and Resident Artist, Jackson County Drug Court and Family Wellness Court, Scottsboro

Work hard and try. Always.

Pamela Cook

Pamela Cook

Director, Multicultural Marketing and Community Affairs, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Birmingham

Most women in leadership have challenges with being heard. It can be a barrier especially when working in a predominately male environment. I believe as I/we offer value to our organizations it breaks down those barriers.

Cecilia A. Crenshaw

Cecilia A. Crenshaw

Financial Planning and Analysis Analyst, Regions Bank, Birmingham

My mom was my biggest mentor. As an African-American female growing up in the South during the 50s and 60s, she faced a lot of challenges. Through it all, she never let those obstacles affect her determination or her joy. My mom refused to allow her circumstances to dictate how she lived. Her resilience during those horrendous times only served to motivate her more. She made sure to instill that drive and determination in my sister and me. We were taught to never let anyone or anything deter our dreams. I know that I will never face the kind of adversity that she did during her early years. However, I resolved that if she could thrive under those circumstances, I have no excuse not to be the best ME I can be.

Sheila Cummings

Sheila Cummings

President and CEO, Cummings Aerospace, Huntsville

My biggest mentor was my brother, Raymond Cummings, who recently passed away after a battle with leukemia. From an early age my brother Raymond taught me life-long lessons about how to treat others with kindness and respect. He instilled in me a strong work ethic and the importance of humility. As a mentor, he provided an incredible example of servant leadership. His teachings will forever be engrained in my memory.

Valerie Cunningham

Valerie Cunningham

Vice President of Advancement, Make-A-Wish Alabama, Hoover

I was often referred to as a bossy young girl, but fortunately, I was never insulted or deterred by the label. I didnt accept (or perhaps even recognize) any negative connotations associated with the term. I only heard boss and knew that meant I was in charge, and I was quite comfortable with that designation.

But that doesnt mean that everyone is as approving or accepting of confident and direct females in leadership, and I think that is something men and women have to actively work to overcome. By challenging ourselves to examine gender bias, even within ourselves, we can all move toward a workplace and a world that celebrates women in leadership positions, even the bossy ones.

Allison L. Dearing

Allison L. Dearing

Executive Director, One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center, Birmingham

Im incredibly proud to be a part of a team that created One Place Family Justice Center in Birmingham. Our unique collaboration is a public-private partnership established to serve victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The participating agencies represent systems that have traditionally operated in separate spheres, but through One Place they are building relationships across disciplines and learning to trust each other  all in a collective effort to help survivors find hope and healing.

Cathy Dickens

Cathy Dickens

Senior Vice President, Business Management, COLSA Corporation, Meridianville

Find a career that you are passionate about. One that allows you to truly make a difference. Do not settle or give up! Its never about the largest salary or the next promotion, but rather those accomplishments that make a difference.

Casi Ferguson

Casi Ferguson

Area Director, UNCF, Hoover

Your yesterday does not determine your today. Use your voice!

Dr. Sherilyn Garner, MPH

Dr. Sherilyn Garner, MPH

Founder and Executive Director, A Friend of Mind, Birmingham

My grandmother (was my biggest mentor). She was a virtuous being. She raised my brother and I as her own children. She gave me hope when I needed it and always provided me with peace during my darkest times. She loved me unconditionally and always pushed me to be better. She taught me how to love and be respectful. If she was here today, I know she would be so proud of me and say, I knew you could do it, knucklehead.

Vera Wesley Hendrix

Vera Wesley Hendrix

Vice President, Instructional Programs, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, Talladega

Know your purpose ... your purpose will drive your destiny. And to remember to take care of yourself ... a healthy body creates a healthy mind. Trust God and His guidance.

Rosa Hooper

Rosa Handley Hooper

Vice President and Managing Director, Asset Management and Underwriting, Medical Properties Trust, Birmingham

I believe a strong work ethic is essential. Be indispensable. Roll up your sleeves. Ask what you can do to help colleagues. You are not above any task that needs to be done, no matter your level in an organization.

Carol Strong Hunter

Carol Strong Hunter

Communications Director, Downtown Mobile Alliance, Mobile

Never let anyone tell you that your contribution to this complex modern society is any less valuable than anyone elses.

Sharon Ray King

Sharon Ray King

Executive Director, Raleighs Place, Clanton

I have faced many barriers and like most women in business the greatest barrier, unfortunately, is just being a woman. None have ever prevented me from completing what I started out to do if it was the thing I needed to be doing.

Susan Kirkpatrick

Susan Kirkpatrick

Executive Vice President, CFO, Owner, Buddy Moore Trucking, Inc., Birmingham

The trucking industry is a male-dominated industry so Im often the only woman in the room. I dont consider it a barrier so much as an awareness that Im still very much in the minority. I grew up with boys so Im quite familiar with being in a mans world.

Jay Lamar

Jay Lamar

Executive Director, Alabama Bicentennial Commission, Auburn

Trust in yourself and always be open to learning.

Josephine Rose Lowery

Josephine Rose Lowery

Executive Director, College Choice Foundation, Homewood

Young women of Alabama, I encourage you to persist in pursuing goals and dreams about which you feel passionate. Persevere through obstacles, resolve to succeed and you will. I grew up in poverty, relied on food stamps and free-lunch, and was raised by an alcoholic single-mother. Yet, I dreamed of becoming a lawyer, so I turned my focus to academics, and, despite the unlikely odds, received a full scholarship to an elite college, Sewanee, The University of the South. During sophomore year, I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease and endured multiple life-threatening surgeries over several months. Distraught at losing ground, I returned to school with an even greater resolve to find success and to graduate on time. I did so, receiving the highest honor, Phi Beta Kappa. I passed the Bar exam and achieved my first goal: becoming a lawyer. My practical advice is simple  do not squander time, set tangible goals each day, keep a calendar, and never ever be afraid to ask for help. My more intangible advice is this: develop social intelligence, be humble, honest, and kind, show gratitude, exhibit integrity, and trust in God. Finally, determine what truly fulfills you, turn this into a passion, and persevere and persist through until you accomplish your goals.

Holly McCorkle

Holly McCorkle

Executive Director, Alabama Council for Behavioral Healthcare, Montgomery

Be courageous! Brene Brown, one of my favorite authors/podcasters, articulates advice far better than I can: Leadership is not about titles or the corner office. Its about the willingness to step up, put yourself out there, and lean into courage. The world is desperate for braver leaders. Its time for all of us to step up. Alabama will be a better place if our young women will put themselves out there and exude courage.

Erica LaStar Robbins

Erica LaStar Robbins

Founder and Executive Director, Be A Blessing Birmingham, Birmingham

For me, there are not just barriers as a woman, but barriers I face for being a Black woman in a leadership position. I have found that there are societal misconceptions of who I am, based on how I look. In turn, that affects how I am supported. I keep fighting because my purpose is much bigger than any barrier at the end of the day.

Vergenia Shelton

Vergenia Shelton

President, Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation, Huntsville

Women have a very unique and valuable perspective that is essential to the success of any business. Organizations need people of diverse backgrounds to encourage free-thinking and to create an atmosphere of creativity and innovation. I am grateful to work for a company that supports women in their careers.

Tequila Smith

Tequila Smith

Vice President of Charitable Giving, President of the Alabama Power Foundation, Alabama Power, Birmingham

I have several mentors but, in recent years, my leaders within Alabama Power have taken the time to share their experiences with me. We have built trusting relationships that allow for real time candor. As women, we should surround ourselves with leaders who will be honest with us  particularly in the areas that may need development. More importantly, we should be open to receiving constructive feedback. We can all perform at a higher level.

Felicia Ayers Storey

Felicia Ayers Storey

Vice President, Program Operations and Services, Presbyterian Home for Children, Sylacauga

Dream without limits. Strive to have a career doing something that you love that is also your purpose in life. Have faith in God and step out on it.

Lisa Thomas-McMillan

Lisa Thomas-McMillan

Co-owner, Manager, Drexell and Honeybees Donations Only Restaurant, Brewton

I believe my best de-stress in life is when I am behind the food counter at Drexell and Honeybees serving people a good, hot meal and looking out seeing them enjoying the meal and the fellowship with others. Seeing people engage with each other from all walks of life is a great pleasure to behold.

Mary Lynne Baker Wright

Mary Lynne Baker Wright

President, Madison Hospital, Huntsville Hospital Health System, Madison

During the interview process for the position of president, I was asked what was the most important skill God gave me. My answer was my ability to listen. You learn far more by listening than you do by talking. I believe its one of the reasons this incredible opportunity came my way.
According to WMTV, prosecutors wrote in their request that Rittenhouse also posed for a photo outside Pudgys Pub with two men as they made the OK sign with their hands, a symbol used by white supremacists. Prosecutors also alleged five men at the tavern serenaded Rittenhouse with a song that has become the anthem of the Proud Boys, a neo-fascist group.
ComebackTown is published by David Sher for a more prosperous greater Birmingham & Alabama

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Todays guest columnist is Jennifer L. Greer.

Dynamite Hill, I told my husband when he asked me where I was going on a recent Saturday morning as I readied for a walking tour in Birmingham, AL.

He raised an eyebrow. Near Legion Field? he asked. I nodded.

He grew up in Midfield, a White working-class suburb in the 1950s and 1960s, during the height of desegregation and White Ku Klux Klan (KKK) bombings against Black homes, businesses, and churches in Birmingham. He had heard of Dynamite Hill.

It was an open secret, he said, shaking his head in embarrassment. Enjoy your walk.

I am not a native of Birmingham, but I know there are important truths in secrets. So, when a friend invited me on an educational walking tour of Smithfield/Dynamite Hill guided by local people and the citys Vulcan Park and Museum, I grabbed a COVID-19 mask, a water bottle and headed downtown.

Growing up on Dynamite Hill

Our four guides were among the hundreds of Black children who grew up in Smithfield on Dynamite Hill/North Center Street in the 1950s and 1960s, when American childhood was idealized on televisions Leave It to Beaver as White, safe and secure.

Today, these four are Birmingham success stories in their own right:

 Dr. Madelyn Coar, endodontist and retired faculty at the School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB);

 Houston Brown, a graduate of Talladega College and Samford Universitys Cumberland School of Law and a retired Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge;

 Jeff Drew, son of leading activists, Addine Deenie and John Drew, who was among the first Black students to integrate Ensley High School and followed his father into the business at the Alexander Insurance Agency;

 and Barbara Shores, a daughter of nationally known Civil Rights attorney Arthur D. Shores, who earned a masters degree in social work, led the countys senior citizens office before retiring, and co-authored a book about her father, The Gentle Giant of Dynamite Hill.

From the beginning, they say, the parents tried to give them a normal childhood. The kids rode their bicycles, participated in school band, went to the movies, attended summer camp, and joined Scout troops  all segregated, of course.

We were aware of what was going on, but my parents didnt bring a lot of attention to the worst parts of racism, says Coar, whose family lived on North Center Street where her father quietly left the house at night, armed, to patrol the streets with neighbors on watch for Klan activities. Never mind that he was tired from already working two jobs.

And yet, whether they were inside playing cards or outside playing tag, they were never very far from the sound of explosions, says Brown. When I was 4 or 5, I heard my first bomb, and I got under the bed. I was too young to understand the specifics of what was going on, but I was scared as hell as a little boy.

Walking Center Street today

More than a century old, Center Street lies in the heart of Birminghams Smithfield & Dynamite Hill neighborhoods, west of downtown and near Legion Field. A relatively new section of Birminghams Civil Rights Trail, the Dynamite Hill walk begins at Center Street North and Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard.

As we walk, Drew explained that North Center Street has been home to leading Black public figures, such as Justice Oscar W. Adams, the first Black justice to serve on the Alabama Supreme Court. The street is lined with tall trees, cracked sidewalks and classic period homes, like the rambling Queen Anne-style house that was once home to Black activist/academic Angela Davis. There are also frame bungalows, brick ranch houses, a few striking mid-century modern homes, a library, and several churches. But this was not an architecture tour.

We are reminded of this while passing the Drew residence on the west side of North Center Street. The sleek modern house is not visible from the street because a tall, stately stone wall  built to deflect bullets, bombs, and Molotov cocktails  runs the length of the sidewalk in front.

Drew, who still lives in the house, says his parents were friends of the Martin Luther King, Jr., whom he called Uncle Mike. King used to spend nights at their Dynamite Hill house strategizing with local Black leaders, especially during 1963. That year, Drew lost three school classmates  Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley  who died in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, along with the younger Denise McNair.

Cynthia lived only a few doors away from me. I used to walk to school with her. She was a wonderful young lady, he says, his voice trailing off.

Crossing lines of hate

Center Street was once the dividing line between two of Birminghams Jim Crow, or segregated, racial districts in a practice known as redlining. White families (including faculty at Birmingham Southern College) were forced to live on the west side of the street, which became known as College Hills. Black families were forced to live on the east side of the street in Smithfield, which included houses owned by Black professionals to the north and the Smithfield Court housing project to the south.

You begin to see how absolutely ridiculous racism is, recalls Coar, as we pause to consider an invisible line in the street. As kids, we used to run over to the other side of the street, when we thought no none was looking, put our toes on the grass, and run back, she says, laughing.

But the line in the street was potentially deadly.

From the late 1940s to the mid 1960s, almost a dozen Ku Klux Klan bombings occurred on North Center Street. The first reign of terror  from 1947 to 1951  came when Black families tried to buy lots and build houses on vacant land zoned for Whites after the citys Jim Crow laws were thrown out in state courts. The second wave of terrorism occurred from 1963 to 1965, when Birmingham was trying to integrate its schools (almost a decade after the Supreme Court declared segregated schools unconstitutional.)

The chief target during the 1960s was the Shores house. In the first bombing, Shores says her father was home alone, but uninjured by the bomb, which collapsed the garage and killed her beloved dog. A second bombing sent her mother, Theodora, to the hospital with a concussion. And in 1965, yet another bomb was discovered at the Shores house, but was dismantled by munitions experts. They found 300 of sticks of dynamite in the bomb, Shores, tells our group. It was enough to level our house and the houses for blocks around.

Perhaps because no one died in the Dynamite Hill terrorism, or because the burned-out and bombed houses were Black-owned, or because White authorities were in bed with the Klan, the serial bombers were never caught, according to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist/author Diane McWhorter.

And more innocents would pay the price. One of the Dynamite Hill bombers, Robert Chambliss, went on to make the bomb that murdered four Black girls  and seriously wounded a fifth  in the 1963 bombing of Birminghams 16th Street Baptist Church .

Where to go from here

Those were awful times, recalls Coar, talking privately after the walk and admitting that she never intended to stay in Birmingham. When I went to college in California, and people found out I was from Birmingham, they couldnt believe that our houses were being bombed. They asked me: How could you grow up in such a neighborhood?

Coar eventually returned to Birmingham to work and care for her aging mother; she now lives on North Center Street in her childhood home. Much has changed over the years, but more has not. Racism is still so much a part of the fabric of our lives, on so many levels, that we (Americans) dont see it, she says.

While Brown has moved out of the neighborhood, he returns weekly to attend church there, and he tells the story of Dynamite Hill because he is hopeful that, on a personal level, people will change. Someone needs to tell them the truth, the facts about what happened here. There is hope in that, he says. As for systemic change, with equal justice and equal opportunity for Black Americans, Brown is less optimistic. What changes depends on who changes. You know what I mean?

Drew, who published a letter about his feelings during social justice protests this summer, says he is optimistic about change, but admits he may not see it in his lifetime. Im proud of how far weve come on civil rights. But the fact is many Black Americans still have no faith that the law will protect them. If I am a Black man in America today, I cant call the police to come to my apartment for something because I can get killed.

There has never been a public accounting of, or apology for, the Dynamite Hill bombings from the city. So, how does the healing begin for the children who grew up there, I ask Shores. By talking and listening, she answers.

It was a long time before I could talk about Dynamite Hill, but thats when the healing started for me, talking about it to friends first and then to groups of people. Many people dont realize what happened here. When they hear about the bombings, they say they are sorry for what our families have gone through. I hope this feeling extends to other Black families who have been discriminated against in other circumstances, and that it starts to change our society, one person at a time.

Editors Note: The Birmingham Walking Tour Series at Vulcan Park and Museum was sponsored by The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Protective Life Corporation, and Spire. The Museum plans to expand the series next year; tickets can go quickly, so sign up to receive notices.

Jennifer L. Greer is a freelance journalist and retired university instructor who lives in the Birmingham, AL. area.

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David Sher is the founder and publisher of ComebackTown. Hes past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), and the City Action Partnership (CAP).
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Cloudy. Periods of rain early. Thunder possible. Low near 40F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Cloudy. Periods of rain early. Thunder possible. Low near 40F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
We dont talk much about land reform these days, but after reading Simon Winchesters Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World, I am wondering whether we should. In the United States, he points out, the top 100 landowners, taken together, own as much land as the entire state of Florida. Nor is this exclusively the result of the dead hand of the past. As Mr Winchester explains, Since 2007 the amount of American land owned by these wealthy 100 has increased by 50 percent, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Mr ...
Its been more than six months since the city pledged to clean up the homeless camps and open drug dealing that were holding residents of San Franciscos Tenderloin hostage. And while tremendous progress was made initially, the tents are creeping back in and the drug dealing remains in full swing.

On Friday, there were 38 tents and 26 makeshift structures on the sidewalks.

Thats way down from the 448 we had in May, but it is also a big increase from the daily count of 20 or so tents that we had in the fall, said Rhiannon Bailard, chief operating officer for UC Hastings College of the Law, which is located in the Tenderloin.

The Tenderloin tent counts are done by Urban Alchemy, a nonprofit that works with the city helping the homeless.

In an unprecedented move that embarrassed City Hall, UC Hastings joined with neighborhood residents and business owners to file suit in federal court in May, seeking to force the city to get the tents off the sidewalks, find housing for the homeless and stop the brazen, open-air drug dealing.

The two sides reached an out-of-court settlement, and in no time the city moved aggressively to get homeless people into hotels or designated sleeping sites that have been set up in the neighborhood and include toilets and other services. Public Works also stepped up its street and sidewalk cleaning.

In recent weeks, however, the number of people sleeping rough has begun rising again, and so have the tents, Bailard said.

Rene Colorado, executive director of the Tenderloin Merchants and Property Owners Association, agreed.

There have been improvements. Larkin Street and Golden Gate Avenue were riddled with tents and drug dealers, he said. Right now, they look like streets from any other American city. But then you turn the corner and you cant walk down the sidewalk because five, six or more drug dealers are blocking the way.

Its not for lack of policing.

According to the Tenderloin Police Stations Twitter feed, on Jan. 17, Operations by Officers from TL, Southern, Northern, & Narcotics have resulted in 5 dealers in custody over last 2 days. 4 of 5 booked are known/repeat dealers. One has been booked 5x in 7 months. 4 of 5 are violating SA (stay away orders), (are) fugitives, (or) have open cases and/or on probation.

And on Jan 19: 44 felony bookings in the Tenderloin in the last week including 18 drug dealers.

Yet even after Tenderloin police officers made a record 600 drug arrests in 2020 and took 18.1 kilos of meth, heroin, cocaine and fentanyl off the streets, dealers routinely return to their corners while awaiting trial, or after having been convicted and put on probation.

And fatal drug overdoses continue to outpace COVID-19 deaths in the city.

Drug dealing, drug use and the associated large groups gathering is as bad or worse, which continues to be awful, dangerous and entirely unacceptable, said Supervisor Matt Haney, who represents the neighborhood.

In his search for solutions, Haney set up the Street Level Drug Dealing Task Force. In December, the task force released a preliminary list of recommendations, which included conventional ideas such as making drug treatment on demand more readily available and targeting upper-level suppliers.

Other, less conventional ideas likely to inspire debate included trying to get people who come to the Tenderloin to buy drugs to make purchases elsewhere or via delivery  in other words, DoorDash for fentanyl. Another idea is to create a special court and jobs programs for undocumented dealers who have been trafficked to San Francisco to sell drugs.

Task force member Tom Wolf, himself a recovering addict, said the recommendations are still under discussion but underscore the fundamental philosophical rift both within the task force and throughout the city.

People on the task force come from all kinds of different places, he said. You have those who favor no incarcerations and the total decriminalization of all drugs and people like Tenderloin Capt. Carl Fabbri who have a different take, and they clash.

Jeff Cretan, spokesman for Mayor London Breed, said the city is absolutely still focused on the Tenderloin, including getting there this week to address re-encampments on Willow Street and Ellis Street. But city workers have also been all over the city, resolving 126 large encampments between June and December that resulted in over 1,400 people from those encampments moving to shelter.

The mayor has been clear: Do the work to get people into shelter or housing and into treatment if necessary, and arrest the dealers who are tormenting the community, Cretan said.

Meanwhile, Colorados patience is wearing thin.

The tents are coming back, and the dealers just get shuffled from corner to corner, he said. The city needs to re-address the situation.

Quote of the week: Sometimes when youve made everybody mad it means youve found the sweet spot of compromise, sometimes it means youve got a mess on your hands, and I think our situation is more the latter, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency director Steve Heminger, on Tuesdays vote to cut by half the proposed five-year, $600 million Market Street makeover between the Embarcadero and Octavia Boulevard.

The vote to scale back the 2.2-mile project comes as the agency faces a $140 million deficit next fiscal year.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Phil Matier appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KGO-TV morning and evening news and can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call 415-777-8815, or email pmatier@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @philmatier
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The Justice Department has charged a Texas man who allegedly participated in the 6 January mob at the US Capitol with threatening to assassinate congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Garret Miller of Texas is charged with five offenses including trespassing and making death threats towards the New York representative and a US Capitol Police officer.

According to court documents, Mr Miller tweeted assassinate AOC, and that a Capitol officer who fatally shot a Trump supporter during the attack "deserves to die" and won't "survive long" because it's huntin[g] season.

The man posted extensively before and during the Capitol attack, according to prosecutors, writing on his now-banned social media accounts that a civil war could start and next time we bring the guns.

Mr Miller, from Dallas, was arrested on 20 January, after the FBI got a tip that the @garretamiller Twitter posted a video from inside the Capitol.

In response to someone asking him, were you in the building? on Facebook, the Texas man also posted, Yahwe chargedDecided before the trump speechI charged the back gates myself with an anti masker.

He also posted on Facebook that he was driving across across the country for this Trump sh**," as well as photos from inside the Capitol Rotunda.

After the attack, which left five people dead in an attempt to overturn Congresss certification of the presidential election, Mr Miller argued on social media it was not a coup and people were unarmed.

Other photos from Mr Millers social media filed in court reveal him on 6 January standing on a grassy area wearing a Trump beanie, posing with other Trump supporters in MAGA hats inside the Capitol building, and holding twinned American and Trump flags.

Amid the ongoing protest in Russia against the arrest of activist Alexey Navalny, the US has condemned the use of "harsh tactics" against protesters and called for the release of those detained for demonstration.

US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price in a statement said that efforts to suppress freedom of expression, the arrest of opposition figure Navalny, and the crackdown on protests that followed are troubling indications of restrictions on civil society.

"The United States strongly condemns the use of harsh tactics against protesters and journalists this weekend in cities throughout Russia. Prior to today's events, the Russian government sought to suppress the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression by harassing protest organisers, threatening social media platforms, and pre-emptively arresting potential participants," Ned Price said.

"Continued efforts to suppress Russians' rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, the arrest of opposition figure Aleksey Navalny, and the crackdown on protests that followed are troubling indications of further restrictions on civil society and fundamental freedoms," he added.

Further slamming the detention of Navalny, United States called on "Russian authorities to release all those detained for exercising their universal rights and for the immediate."

This comes after tens of thousands took to the streets in Russia on Saturday to protest against the arrest of Navalny. Rallies were organised in several cities of Russia. However, violence was also reported in several parts including in Moscow and St Petersburg as protestors clashed with police.

Russian police arrested more than 2,000 people and used force to break up rallies around the country, Al Jazeera reported.

Scuffles broke out when riot police began to get targeted by projectile water bottles and eggs, leading to several detentions. A police source told Sputnik that 39 officers had been injured in Moscow protests.

The protests broke out after Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critic, was jailed this week upon returning from Germany where he was recovering after being poisoned by a nerve agent.

With the court's order on Monday, Navalny will have to remain in prison till February 15 and a different court has been set to decide whether to convert his suspended three and a half year sentence into real jail time, Al Jazeera reported.

Navalny had arrived in Germany five months ago in a coma after being poisoned by Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent developed by Russia during the Soviet years. Several Western officials along with Navalny himself have openly blamed Russia for the poisoning, while the Kremlin has denied the allegations.

Navalny was placed on the country's federal wanted list during his time in Germany at the request of the Federal Penitentiary Service FSIN's, which had accused him in December 2020 of violating probation terms in a fraud case that was dismissed by Navalny as "politically motivated".Now the FSIN alleges that Navalny has been in violation of the terms of his suspended sentence by failing to show up for scheduled inspections.

(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.)
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By XinQi Dong

An elderly Korean couple was strolling with their 1-year-old granddaughter in Cliffside Park, when a group of young men began following them, yelling that the couple had coronavirus. They kept walking, afraid to engage, especially while the child was present. Thankfully, the men went away.

The couples family later reported the incident to Stop AAPI Hate, an initiative to document anti-Asian discrimination across the country. Its only one story out of more than 2,800  including violent threats and physical assaults  that have been reported since March 2020 all around the country, including in Georgia, where Asian Americans played a major role in the outcome of recent elections.

The data show a spike in xenophobia and racism against Asians during the COVID-19 pandemic and reports indicate such incidents have increased more than 800% over the previous three years combined. But this is not a new trend.

From the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, to the murder of Vincent Chin in 1982, to elected leaders use of racist terms when talking about COVID-19 in recent months, our country has a long history of portraying Asians and other minority populations as a threat to American identity.

Asians Americans are seen as foreign, regardless of nationality. Were seen as a monolithic racial group, regardless of ethnicity. This is also the case for brown Asians, many of whom have been seen as a threat to American security since 9/11. In this view, it doesnt matter where our ancestors were born, or where we, as individuals, were born  were all from somewhere else.

These narratives were part of discussions during a recent annual retreat for the Rutgers Asian Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR), a National Institutes of Health-funded research center housed at the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research.

The center, which I direct, was honored to have many special guests join us virtually, including documentary filmmakers Renee Tajima-Pena and S. Leo Chiang, whose work includes the PBS docuseries, Asian Americans. They spoke about how important it is to share Asian American stories to counteract these narratives.

This work is not limited to filmmakers. Even scientists like myself have stories to share through research that can help us understand and address health gaps and other challenges affecting Asian populations.

Asians are the fastest-growing minority group in the United States, but also the most understudied. Over the last decade, less than 1% of National Institutes of Health funding has been awarded to research projects focused on Asian populations. Additionally, the number of Asian scientists who receive research funding is dismal compared to the number of white scientists.

Despite the model minority myth that Asians are more prosperous and well-educated  a narrative that has been used as a weapon against Blacks, and a wedge between minority groups  many Asians experience poverty, disproportionate health disparities, and are less likely to participate in research. Weve seen recent examples of the impacts of this during COVID-19, including in low enrollments in vaccine clinical trials.

When Asians are included in research, data are often aggregated, although findings suggest subgroups are very different with respect to how culture, religion, language, trauma exposure and numerous other factors impact their health and well-being.

We need a better understanding to improve our health infrastructure to respond appropriately, and the need is even more pressing as populations continue to grow.

This requires action at the federal level and by institutions and people in positions of power to address the structural foundations of these problems. It requires investment and support for more research, both focused on Asian populations and conducted by Asian investigators.

We must nurture new generations of scientists to advance health equity and social justice through their work. We must raise awareness about the importance of research and build community trust in participation. We must collect data on discrimination and racism against Asian Americans and other minority groups.

We can all contribute. We can share our stories, whether were researchers, filmmakers, community leaders, or grandparents. We can make our voices heard and change the narrative.

XinQi Dong, MD, MPH, is director of the Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. He is a population health epidemiologist and geriatrician and has published extensively on violence prevention, elder justice and healthy aging.

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A U.S. aircraft carrier group led by the USS Theodore Roosevelt has entered the South China Sea to promote freedom of the seas, the U.S. military said on Sunday, at a time when tensions between China and Taiwan have raised concern in Washington.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement the strike group entered the South China Sea on Saturday, the same day Taiwan reported a large incursion of Chinese bombers and fighter jets into its air defence identification zone in the vicinity of the Pratas Islands.

The U.S. military said the carrier strike group was in the South China Sea, a large part of which is claimed by China, to conduct routine operations to ensure freedom of the seas, build partnerships that foster maritime security.

After sailing through these waters throughout my 30-year career, its great to be in the South China Sea again, conducting routine operations, promoting freedom of the seas, and reassuring allies and partners, Rear Adm. Doug Verissimo, commander of the strike group, was quoted as saying.

With two-thirds of the worlds trade travelling through this very important region, it is vital that we maintain our presence and continue to promote the rules-based order which has allowed us all to prosper, Verissimo said in the statement.

The announcement comes just days after Joe Biden was sworn in as U.S. president.

Bidens nominee for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, told his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday there was no doubt China posed the most significant challenge to the United States of any nation.

China has repeatedly complained about U.S. Navy ships getting close to Chinese-occupied islands in the South China Sea, where Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan all have competing claims.

The Theodore Roosevelt is being accompanied by the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Russell and USS John Finn, the U.S. statement said.

SOURCE: REUTERS

US says support for Taiwan rock-solid as Chinese jets buzz island

The United States commitment to Taiwan is rock-solid, the State Department said late Saturday, as it warned that Chinas attempts to intimidate the island are a threat to regional peace.

The comments are the first from Washington on relations with Taiwan since President Joe Bidens inauguration last week, and came on the same day Taipei reported multiple Chinese jets and bombers had flown into its air defense zone.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said it notes with concern the pattern of ongoing PRC attempts to intimidate its neighbors, including Taiwan and urges Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan.

The statement added that Washington would continue to work on deepening ties with democratic Taiwan.

Taiwan split from China at the end of a civil war in 1949. Its 23 million people live under the constant threat of invasion by the mainland, whose leaders view the island as their territory and have vowed to one day take it.

Washington diplomatically recognizes Beijing over Taipei, but remains the latters most important unofficial ally and military backer.

Beijing baulks at any official contacts with Taiwan and tries to keep the island diplomatically isolated.

President Donald Trump embraced warmer ties with the island as he feuded with China on issues like trade and national security.

Beijing has called for a reset in US-China ties under Biden and on Thursday warned the US to cautiously and appropriately handle Taiwan issues to prevent harm to US-China relations.

But the new US president is expected to remain tough on the superpower rival despite a softening of diplomatic tone.

Protecting Taiwan has become a rare bipartisan issue, especially as Chinese President Xi Jinping has ramped up threats towards the island.

Last year, Chinese airplanes made a record 380 incursions into Taiwans air defense identification zone and there is little sign of a shift since Biden came to power.

Taiwans Ministry of National Defense said 13 Peoples Liberation Army aircraft, including eight bombers and four jets, entered its defense zone on Saturday.

The New York Times said China also sent 15 planes  including 12 fighters  into the zone on Sunday.

In a tweet on Sunday, Taipeis Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked the US for its statement of support in the face of Beijings ongoing coercion.

There was no immediate response from Beijing on Sunday.

In a subtle but symbolic gesture, Taiwans de facto ambassador to the US was formally invited to Bidens inauguration in what Taipei said was a precedent-setting first since Washington switched recognition to Beijing in 1979.

The US statement on Saturday noted that Washington would continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability.

SOURCE: AFP
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union

By proposing a state-of-the-art facility for assembling wind towers in a brownfield (Cuomo touts port for wind towers, Jan. 14), Gov. Andrew Cuomo is showing how agile leaders can work on solving more than one problem at a time. He is addressing the need for good jobs in a depressed area by taking advantage of the rising need for wind turbines and the Port of Albanys strategic location.

This initiative shows that New York is going full speed ahead to become a leader in the sustainable energy economy. New Yorkers who object to large-scale renewables like wind and solar farms need to ask themselves: What should be proposed instead? Are these OK but just not in their backyards? Should we overlook the risks of nuclear energy and opt for more of that? Or should we simply ignore our own experience of weird weather events, deny climate science and continue to burn fossil fuels?
Bir Lahlou (Liberated Territories), 24 January 2021 (SPS) - Sources from the Sahrawi ministry of National Defense affirmed the Sahrawi Liberation Army (SPLA) has carried out new military operations in El Guergarrat region.



The same sources specified that units of the Sahrawi army "launched four missiles targeting the illegal breach in El Guergarrat and its surroundings, two of which targeting the Laouina region, while another missile strike reached the north of the illegal breach ".



The Sahrawi army conducted military operations in "Orakziz, targeting Baaj, Taref Buhanda and Lemmir in the Twizky sector, as part of the expansion of the war cycle that will include all sectors and enemy defences," the sources added.



The Secretary-General of the Sahrawi Ministry of Security and Documentation, Mr. Sidi Oukal, indicated that "the Sahrawi army will continue the war against all enemy positions along the wall of humiliation and shame".



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LONDON: The British government has quietly extended lockdown laws to give councils the power to close pubs, restaurants, shops and public spaces until July 17, the Telegraph reported on Sunday (January 24).

The changes to the regulation governing coronavirus restrictions were made as part of a review of the third lockdown earlier this month by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, the Telegraph said. It further added that the regulation, which applies to England only, was due to expire last week but has now been extended until July 17, around the date when school summer holidays begin.

On Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government could not consider easing lockdown restrictions with infection rates at their current high levels, and until it is confident the vaccination programme is working.

Boris also warned people that the coronavirus variant first identified in Britain may be more deadly than the older virus strain. According to the British government`s Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance, early evidence suggests the difference is between 10 deaths in 1,000 infected with the older variant to 13 or 14 in 1,000 infected with the new variant.

However, Johnson said that the current vaccines are still effective against the new variant.

The prime minister noted that there are more than 38,000 people in hospital, 78 per cent higher than there were at peak of the first wave, and more than 4,600 people have been hospitalized in the last 24 hours.

Another 40,261 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 35,83,907, according to official figures released on Friday. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain rose by 1,401 in one day to 95,981.

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PSD (Social Democratic Party) leader Marcel Ciolacu says he is convinced that Romanians will succeed this year, through unity and solidarity, in overcoming the obstacles caused by the coronavirus pandemic, a statement made on Sunday in a message on the Day of the Union of Principalities.

"162 years ago the foundations of the modern Romanian state were laid by uniting Moldavia with Tara Romaneasca, a historical moment that we have the duty to proudly honour every year. As now, over time we have gone through difficult times, but we have always shown that #united we can overcome any obstacles and create a better future together.Through unity and solidarity we are all stronger, that is why I am convinced that this year we will succeed in overcoming the pandemic and overcoming all the challenges occasioned by it! Happy birthday, Romanians!"
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Australia has gone a week without a single community transmission of Covid-19, as other nations across the world continue to buckle under the strain of the virus and its ever changing and increasingly dangerous mutations.

While a day without any local cases may seem impossible for other countries battling the virus, for Australia it is slowly becoming the new normal.

But experts are now fearing the Australian government has backed the wrong horse when it comes to vaccines, after not putting in a single order for the highly-effective Moderna jab - which is 94.1 per cent effective.

Instead, the government has bought 53.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and only enough of the equally effective Pfizer jab to protect five million Australians.

NSW recorded three Covid-19 cases on Sunday all of which are in hotel quarantine, meaning the infected are returning citizens, after the state contained recent outbreaks in the Northern Beaches and Berala in Sydney's west.

In Victoria, the state has gone an incredible 18 days without a single community transmission case following fears the Northern Beaches cluster would completely ruin their long standing streak after it spread across the border.

A group of bikini-clad women are seen enjoying the warm temperature on Sunday at St Kilda beach in Melbourne (pictured) as Australia recorded an entire week without a single new coronavirus case

St Kilda Beach in Melbourne was packed on Sunday as the state records no community transmission of Covid-19 for the 18th day in a row

After enduring a hard three-day lockdown in Brisbane, Queensland also recorded zero new cases of Covid-19.

The rest of the country have continued to record no community transmission as the virus is once again under control.

There is now a total of just 129 active cases of Covid-19 nationally with the rest in hotel quarantine as Australians enjoys some normalcy ahead of a vaccine rollout in February.

Most Australians will have the AstraZeneca vaccine and others will have access to Novavax, with just five million citizen getting Pfizer.

Moderna, of which Australia has zero orders for, and Pfizer have proved to be the most effective in clinical trials.

The reason for the government's failure to secure a Moderna order has been shrouded in mystery, with the nation's top doctor Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly only hinting that the company had been unwilling.

Victorians dressed up on a scorching hot day on Sunday in St Kilda, Melbourne, with restrictions eased to allow people to dine, drink and party - in stark contrast to huge swathes of the world

A group of friends cool down in the water at St Kilda beach after the state records zero cases of Covid-19 for the 18th day in a row

A health care worker tests people at a COVID-19 drive through testing clinic at Murarrie in Brisbane, Queensland (pictured) after the state brought its quarantine outbreak under control

In the meantime, beaches around the country were packed over the weekend with restrictions eased many weeks ago, in stark comparison to the strict lockdowns experienced across Europe.

Many of Australia's close partners, including the UK and the US, are recording huge numbers of Covid-19 cases and deaths.

In the past 24 hours, the United Kingdom recorded a massive 33,652 new Covid-19 cases and has suffered a total 97,518 deaths.

The situation is even more dire in the United States, where its Centre for Disease Control predicts there will be 465,000 to 508,000 total COVID-19 deaths by February 13.

So far, 417,000 deaths have been attributed to the deadly respiratory virus.

Brazil recorded almost double that of the UK total with 62,334 cases in the past 24 hours and a total of 216,445 deaths since the pandemic began.

Emergency staff carry a patient outside Royal London Hospital on January 22 (pictured) as the country suffers a brutal lockdown and a spike in deaths

A medical worker stands outside of a mobile COVID-19 testing lab in Brooklyn as the city begins to run low on the vaccine doses on January 22 (pictured). New York City was one of the places worst hit when the pandemic began

Theater for the New City, aka TNC, in Manhattan's East Village remains closed following restrictions imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus on January 22 (pictured). In Australia, life is continuing relatively normally

AUSTRALIA'S CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE Shortly after the World Health Organisation officially declared a pandemic on March 12, Australia initiated a number of strict lockdown measures to prevent the spread of the disease. The borders were closed to all non-residents on March 20 and social distancing rules were introduced. Anyone arriving from overseas were made to quarantine for two weeks in a hotel funded by the government. This later changed to guests having to pay for their own stay. Hospitality venues, such as pubs, cafes, restaurants and clubs were forced to close, offering a take away service only. The rules saw the number of cases drop significantly by April, with fewer than 20 cases reported each day by the end of the month across the whole country, allowing the tougher restrictions to be eased. A second wave in Victoria in May was brought under control by a strict 112-day lockdown. Masks are also mandatory on planes across the country, as well as airports. Advertisement

But there are growing fears that the tables could be turned if Australia is unable to secure different vaccines, which are already being rolled out across the world and due to start Down Under in February.

Epidemiologist Zoe Hyde from the University of Western Australia told The Australian the country 'urgently' needed to diversify its vaccine purchases.

'We should start by acquiring the Moderna vaccine,' Dr Hyde said.

'Its absence from Australias strategy is puzzling. We should seriously consider using the Moderna vaccine in preference to the Oxford/AstraZeneca one.

'Not only does it have superior efficacy, its a more reliable long-term option.'

She said not only will the vaccine prevent disease, but it has a better change of delivering herd immunity.

AstraZeneca has been shown to be between 67 to 90 per cent effective, depending on a range of factors, including time between each of the two injections.

Cars line up at a drive-through COVID-19 vaccination site at Jones Beach State Park on January 14 in Wantagh, New York (pictured) as the nation battles a deadly new wave of the virus

Meanwhile in Australia, a couple enjoying the warm weather at St Kilda beach on Sunday are seen taking a selfie on Sunday (pictured) as locals enjoy eased restrictions and a relatively normal life

There are concerns Australia hasn't secured enough vaccines from different supplies (pictured, the AstraZeneca vaccine, of which Australia has ordered 53.8 million doses)

The government has vowed to start its vaccine roll-out in February, beginning with vulnerable people in aged care facilities as well as healthcare workers.

It is understood that health chiefs haven't been willing to rush through vaccine approval, as has been done elsewhere, as Australia isn't suffering large outbreaks of the virus.

Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese congratulated Australia's efforts following a week of no community transmission.

'Well done, Australia. A week without community transmission  all because of your hard work and your determination,' he wrote.

'Dont forget  wearing masks and washing your hands are the real life savers. Now lets keep going.'

Despite the nation recording a full week without new locally-acquired Covid-19 cases, three infections of the UK mutant strain have been detected in Australian Open hotel quarantine.

The strains were found after genomic testing, and extra precautions will be taken.

Health officials are still urging Australians to come forward for testing saying the numbers are too low.

Sewage testing also detected coronavirus fragments at Warriewood on the northern beaches and North Head, which takes in Manly. Recent sewage testing has also uncovered coronavirus fragments at Liverpool.

A

Victorians flocked to St Kilda beach on Sunday to cool down from scorching temperatures ahead of Australia Day on Tuesday (pictured) with parties planned across the country - a far cry from our overseas neighbours

A group of boys make the most of the hot temperature and cool down in the water while throwing around a ball (pictured in Melbourne on Sunday) as Australian life slowly returns to normal

Editor's note: Hannan Hussain is a foreign affairs commentator and author. He is a Fulbright recipient at the University of Maryland, the U.S., and a former assistant researcher at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump's relevance to contemporary U.S. politics, by authority, is history. But his ironclad grip on white nationalism is enough to incentivize an unprecedented second impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate, scheduled for February 9.

The process leading up to this date has important lessons for Democrats, and the challenges they may face in pushing Republican support behind impeaching Trump. Top Republican Senator Mitch McConnell is arguably the most satisfied with this weeks-long delay. He made it a central theme of his standoff with the Democrats in the senate to cede space to a tactical interval, under the garb of a free and fair trial. The end result: he succeeded.

Second, all of this noise about Trump's legal team getting sufficient time to prepare for the trial is a bluster. The former president predetermined the type of legal representation he took to be best suited to the upper chamber. He chose his attorney from Lindsey Graham's recommendation handbook. Graham, a longtime Trump loyalist and one of the jurors to serve on the trial, gave Trump's attorney a nod as his personal recommendation.

Meanwhile, Republicans appear to have given Senate Democrats the impression that the delayed date "is a win" as it encourages senate confirmation of President Joe Biden's cabinet, and may limit opposition to his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package.

If that is to be taken at face value, there is little to explain why Biden has been compelled to sign two executive orders to boost economic relief for Americans during COVID-19, when early republican opposition to the $1.9-trillion package remains well in-tact. Moreover, Biden's underlying rationale on the executive actions  that "we cannot, will not let people go hungry"  is still read by the republicans as lavish spending. How exactly is a delayed impeachment trial challenging this dynamic at present? No reasonable indication.

In a similar spirit, pushing Trump's impeachment trial to early February  instead of next week  extends marginal, not significant support, to Biden's cabinet confirmation progress. This is because senate republicans, who chair key committees, have scheduled cabinet hearings without guaranteeing headway on Trump's impeachment date. The end result is a toss-up between choosing one over the other  classic republican doublespeak that may prove difficult to transform by February 9.

In a welcome move, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi prepared the ground for the article of impeachment against Trump to be sent to the Senate on January 25, on "incitement of insurrection" grounds. "Exactly one week after the attack on the Capitol to undermine the integrity of our democracy, a bipartisan vote of the House of Representatives passed the article of impeachment, which is our solemn duty to deliver to the Senate," said Pelosi in a statement on January 22.

Should the article have reached the upper chamber on January 25 without the February 9 deal with McConnell, it would have automatically necessitated Trump's senate trial. But even before democratic initiative on impeachment gathered steam, republican actions continued to indicate a conscious disengagement from the immediacy of the hearing.

Look no further than top senate leaders choosing to confine Trump's conviction to behind-the-scenes discussions, harboring ambitions "to acquit" a president that has brought his own party on the verge of significant public skepticism.

Most tellingly of all is a "move-on attitude" among scores of republicans, vis-a-vis Trump's incitement of the Capitol riot. It is a known fact that endorsing the January 6 violence, weeks away from a set impeachment trial, has proven a risky gamble for several republicans. But judging by recent memory, all it took were ten representatives from within GOP ranks to stand with democrats, and impeach Trump by a 232-197 vote margin in the House recently. It was ruled as the most "bipartisan impeachment vote in history."

What democrats would be vying to achieve next month is an additional seven republicans to that "historic" 10-member bipartisan tally  a far cry considering that dozens of GOP members are refusing to acknowledge democratic activism on the process of accountability.

Together, the Republican Party applies a two-track approach to impeaching Trump, even when their top senate member has successfully earned a buffer-period for the trial next month.

This two-track approach comprises of a supportive GOP fringe on the one hand (easier to win-over, but less effective in the final impeachment tally for democrats). The second element is the Republican Party's internal neutrality on impeachment, driven by a more significant consensus: to head into the impeachment trial, but avoid broad-based advocacy if it means confirming democratic optimism at the peak of the Democrats' era.
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said that 77 cases of the South African variant of coronavirus had been found in the United Kingdom, all of them connected to travel from South Africa and under close observation.

The UK minister has also said that there was a very low number of cases of the Brazilian variant, nine at the latest count, and those were also being closely monitored.

"There are 77 known cases of the South African variant here in the UK," Hancock was quoted by Reuters as saying.

"They are under very close observation, and we have enhanced contact tracing to do everything we possibly can to stop them from spreading," the minister said, adding that all the known cases were people who had travelled from South Africa or had contact with someone else who had done so.

Meanwhile, the British government has extended lockdown laws to give councils the power to close pubs, restaurants, shops and public spaces until 17 July.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the government couldn't consider easing lockdown restrictions with infection rates at their current high levels and until it is confident that the vaccination drive is working.

UK has also banned travellers from some African countries in an attempt to stop the spread of that strain in the United Kingdom and is weighing further restrictions.

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Body Recovered After ATV Drives Into Ohio River

By West Kentucky Star Staff

CAVE-IN-ROCK, IL - The body of a man was recovered in Illinois Saturday night after an ATV drove into the Ohio River at the Cave-In-Rock ferry ramp.The ferry was loading vehicles on the Kentucky side of the river about 9 p.m. when witnesses saw a side-by-side ATV drive into the water on the Illinois side at a high rate of speed.The ATV was recovered first, then about two hours later rescue divers found the body near the ferry dock. According to WSIL-TV, the identity of the man has not yet been released.Witnesses first believed there may have been two people in the ATV, but it was later confirmed that only one person was in it.The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reported that the ferry shut down during the search, but resumed service on Sunday morning.On their Facebook page, the Hardin County Emergency Management Agency thanked several other agencies from Illinois and Kentucky for their assistance during the search and recovery.
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Hong Kong: 200 jobs, internships to be created

The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau today said it will launch two internship programmes to create some 200 full-time entry-level job opportunities for young people in the creative industries and telecommunications sectors.

The Future International Talent (FIT) programme and the Telecommunications Opportunities Programme (TOP) will work in collaboration with six international chambers of commerce in Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG).

Under FIT, the six participating chambers will help recruit their member companies to offer over 100 internship or job opportunities to young people.

The TOP will provide about 100 internship placements offered by various telecommunications-related companies to young people through the HKFYGs strong networks. Vacancies include positions for software programmers, assistant engineers and sales and marketing trainees.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau thanked the six international chambers and the HKFYG for their partnership and commitment towards the nurturing of talents in Hong Kong.

He said: I am confident that with their respective comprehensive networks and knowledge of the trade and young people, the two programmes will be launched successfully.

The two programmes will also provide much-needed job opportunities for our young people at this difficult time.

For the two internship programmes, the Government will provide monthly salary subsidies under the Job Creation Scheme funded by the Anti-epidemic Fund.

The subsidy level is set at $5,610 per fresh graduate or graduate to be with no work experience, and $10,000 for one with no more than five years of work experience, for a maximum of 12 months.

The intern recruitment exercises will commence within the first quarter of this year. Details will be announced in due course.

This story has been published on: 2021-01-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
There could not have been a better setting to commemorate Subhas Chandra Boses 125th birth anniversary celebrations than Victoria Memorial in Kolkata. However, the otherwise perfect programme was marred by Mamata Banerjees anger towards a handful of people who chanted Jai Shri Ram. She refused to speak at the programme and ended her remarks in less than two minutes.

This was vintage Mamata  making many points in her own way. But, not so long ago, in October 2013, then chief minister Narendra Modi found himself in a similar situation in Ahmedabad. How Modi dealt with the situation then and what Mamata did on Saturday are studies in contrasts.

On October 29, then prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh was to be in Ahmedabad to inaugurate the Sardar Patel Museum in the city. This programme was being organised by Gujarat Congress stalwart and former Minister Dinsha Patel. It was a programme to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. The timing of the programme was also impeccable - India was less than a year away from elections and the NDAs prime ministerial candidate was Modi. That the Congress and its eco-system had no love lost for Modi was well known.

Also read: PM in Attendance, Mamata Refuses to Speak at Netaji's Birth Anniversary Event After Slogans Raised Against Her

Yet, when Singh landed in Ahmedabad, he was received by Modi at the airport. In contrast, Banerjee preferred to send one of her ministers to receive PM Modi. Special occasions do merit special gestures, which indicate that while leaders may have different political parties, they are one on vital national issues.

The programme at the museum was largely packed with Congress leaders on the dias and Congress supporters in the audience. From Bharat Solanki to Shankersinh Vaghela, all top Gujarat leaders were present. The crowd was not very hospitable to CM Modi (a handful of Jai Shri Ram slogans pale in contrast). But, when CM Modi took the mike, there was not a sign of anger or discomfort. In his remarks, he went on to laud Sardar Patel for his work on women reservation, urban planning and cleanliness during his tenure in the Ahmedabad Municipality. He also highlighted the various awards Gujarat had received from the UPA Government. CM Modi also gave a message that Maoism and terrorism would not succeed in India. He did make a political point- lamenting why Sardar Patel was not Indias first Prime Minister but it was done without bringing anybody else down.

Dr Manmohan Singh, on his part also played to the Congress script, highlighting Sardar Patels secular credentials, among other things. The target of his remarks was clear and could be debated but one could not fault him for saying it improperly.

Mamata Banerjees conduct at Victoria Memorial was a study in contrast. Unlike Dr Manmohan Singh in Ahmedabad, PM Modi stayed totally clear from politics in his long speech. The focus of his speech was Netaji Bose, his vision in action today and the greatness of West Bengal.

Also read: Bengal CM Only Keen on Appeasing 30 Percent of State's Population: Kailash Vijayvargiya

Crossfire between political leaders and cadres is common, as well as healthy, in democracy, provided it is done with decency and respect. The incidents in Ahmedabad in 2013 and Kolkata in 2021 had many similarities- birth anniversary programmes of leading figures of the Indian freedom struggle, the PM and CM of the day belonging to different parties. But to CM Modis credit then and PM Modis credit now, there was no politics. It did not matter whether the crowd was moderately hostile in Ahmedabad or whether a handful of TMC activists tried to show him black flags while he was enroute to Netaji Bhawan in Kolkata (a handful of people chanting Jai Shri Ram does not even compare to this). Certain occasions require dignified conduct.

This is where Mamata Banerjee erred. As the democratically elected chief minister with a big majority, she could have enhanced the prestige of the programme by highlighting her vision but she preferred to take the easier route of saying nothing yet saying everything. Narendra Modi preferred to do it differently and this is surely a more emulate-worthy approach.

The author is a senior journalist and political commentator based in Gujarat.
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Indias largest budget carrier IndiGo has announced the extension of its special sale on domestic travel with fares starting as low as Rs 877. The sale opened on Wednesday, January 13, and will now continue till Sunday, January 24. The offer will be valid for passengers who book flights for travel between April 1, 2021, and September 30, 2021. The company had made the announcement about The big fat IndiGo sale on its official Twitter handle on Wednesday. Check out the post here:

Grab our most-awaited sale and take-off into the skies, the company tweeted. Any cancellation to the travel itinerary shall be chargeable at Rs. 500 per passenger per segment, the company had said.

Now, however, Indigo took to twitter to announce the sale extension as well.

 Sale extended! The big fat IndiGo sale has been extended for a few more days. Here is your chance to make max. savings and plan the best holidays with your folks this year.  Book now. #LetsIndiGo #Sale IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) January 22, 2021

The offer is applicable on one-way and round-trip non-stop flights in certain select sectors in the domestic circuit. The discounted inventories are limited and thus the offer will be provided subject to the availability of inventory. The offer will not be applicable on IndiGos group bookings. It will also not be applicable on airport charges and taxes levied by the government.

On top of the discounted prices, the company is also offering cashback if the purchase is made using HSBC and IndusInd Credit Cards.

In the HSBC offer, buyers can get a cashback of 5 per cent up to Rs 750 using the banks credit card. The minimum transaction to avail the offer is Rs 3000. The cashback will be processed within 60 days from the completion of the promotion period. It will be credited back to the customers credit card account.

The IndusInd Bank is offering a cashback of 12 per cent up to Rs 5000 on use of its credit card to buy the tickets. The minimum transaction amount to avail the offer is Rs 3000. The cashback will be processed within 90 days from the completion of the promotion period.

Also Watch:

Apart from the cashback schemes of the two banks, the offer cannot be clubbed with any other promotional scheme.
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden said on Sunday it would temporarily stop all foreigners coming in from Norway from midnight, in a bid to halt the spread of the new coronavirus variant first spotted in Britain.

Interior minister Mikael Damberg told a news conference the entry ban, with exemptions for commuters and some other groups, would last until Feb. 14.

The decision came a day after Norway imposed some of its toughest lockdown measures yet in several municipalities after an outbreak of the new coronavirus variant.

Damberg said the Swedish measures would stop Norwegian shoppers heading over the long shared border to escape those toughter restrictions.

Sweden was also extending an existing ban on entries from Britain and Denmark, he said.

Sweden's foreign ministry posted a message on its website on on Sunday advising against unnecessary travel to Norway.

(Reporting by Anna Ringstrom; Editing by Christina Fincher and Andrew Heavens)
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Law enforcement agencies in Alabamas Wiregrass region are mourning a man who distinguished himself during one of the countrys worst mass shootings.

Mike Gillis, 59, who served as a police officer, fireman and rescue squad member in Geneva County, died Saturday of COVID-19.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church of Samson. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Shannon Gillis.

Gillis worked with the State Bureau of Investigations for 30 years and was serving as a special agent at his retirement. A member of the Alabama Army National Guard, he was deployed twice. He also served 38 years with Samson Volunteer Fire Department.

The Geneva County Emergency Management Agency, in a statement posted to social media, called him a true American hero and said, If ever there was anyone in this county who epitomized the title public servant it was Mike! The Geneva County Sheriffs Office called him a great servant.

Gillis gained attention on March 10, 2009, when Michael McClendon killed 10 people, including a baby, in a mass shooting event in rural Geneva County near the Florida border. McClendon, for reasons unknown, killed his mother, four other relatives and the wife and child of a local sheriffs deputy. He then shot and killed several others, seemingly at random.

Gillis, a trooper, pursued McLendon out of Samson, drove up and put his cruiser between the gunman and people in the area when McLendon crashed into a truck and killed the driver.

McLendon popped off about 15 rounds at Gillis and sped away. Gillis had only minor injuries from flying glass and continued the chase to Geneva, where McLendon took his own life. A witness to the shooting said at the time it was a miracle that Gillis survived, given how many shots were fired in his direction.

Gillis later won an award for his actions that day.
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms possible. A few storms may be severe. High 84F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms. Low 66F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Where to go when overseas travel resumes: The storybook English village

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In a country full of charming destinations this hotel in a remarkably well-preserved village is the perfect place to visit once international travel becomes easier.

The Swans timber-framed building from the 15th century  complete with creaky floors and exposed wood beams  is exactly what many Americans envision when they think of merrie olde England. Then there are the four-star hotels amenities, which separate it from the bland, transactional experience of the established chains. Here, the little things eliminated by corporate bean counters  slippers, bathrobes, morning newspapers  come standard.

More charm awaits along the streets of Lavenham, a small village (population 1,750) in Suffolk, a county in eastern England. Think timber-framed buildings painted in shades of pink, yellow, orange and red. Pretty much everything feels unchanged in 500 years.

Facing the old market square is the Guildhall or, more formally, the Guildhall of Corpus Christi with its jettying and gabled front porch. Built in the early 16th century, it has been called one of Englands most spectacular buildings. Around the corner stands Little Hall, the local museum.

Another landmark is St. Peter and St. Pauls Church, a notable example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture and one of the last great pre-English Reformation parish churches. It was built between 1486 and 1525, when the medieval wool trade prospered here.

If you go

Many Americans are drawn here by connections to family stationed nearby during the Second World War. This history is recognized in the hotel bar, which was frequented by American and British servicemen and is quite fittingly named Airmens Bar.

Unfortunately, the hotel is temporarily closed, a victim to Englands ongoing coronavirus restrictions and lockdowns. As of this writing, it is scheduled to reopen in mid-February.

Most visitors come for the weekend, but Lavenhams location makes it a perfect base for day trips to nearby villages and towns with quintessential names like Woolpit, Saffron Walden and Steeple Bumpstead. Cambridge of university fame and Ely with its somewhat underappreciated cathedral  both destinations in their own right  are about an hour away by car.

The drive from Londons Heathrow Airport, the closest major airport, is an easy two hours. It should go without saying, but a rental car with GPS navigation is a must.

Spires and Crosses is a weekly travel column. Follow @dennislennox on Twitter and Instagram.
The Oregon Humane Society and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals flew 60 cats and dogs Saturday from Texas to the Portland area, where organizers hope theyll find adoptive homes.

The pets are part of the Oregon Humane Societys Second Chance program, which transports animals from regions with low demand for adoptions to the Portland area and Southwest Washington, with the goal of adopting them out.

We are fortunate to live in a community where adopters are ready to open their hearts and homes to pets in need, says Sharon Harmon, Oregon Humane Society president and CEO, in a news release. This effort demonstrates how animal welfare organizations work together every day to save lives.

The public can start the adoption process for this batch of 60 starting Sunday between 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Oregon Humane Society is closed to the public, except for by appointments. To view pets available for adoption or learn about how to make an appointment, visit www.oregonhumane.org/adopt.

-- Aimee Green; agreen@oregonian.com; @o_aimee
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The talks come as Glastonbury was cancelled for the second year in a row due to Covid-19

The Treasury could step in to support some of this year's biggest summer music festivals after organisers struggled to get cancellation insurance.

It is understood a plan has been discussed that would see the Treasury work closely with insurers to design an indemnity scheme backed by taxpayers to protect against losses.

Minister of State for Digital and Culture Caroline Dinenage said: 'We understand [insurance] is a barrier to many live music events being able to take place later on in the year, and we're in discussion with our colleagues in the Treasury about that.'

The intervention could provide a much-needed boost to the hospitality industry. The talks come as Glastonbury  due to have been held in June  was cancelled for the second year in a row because of the pandemic.

The House of Commons culture committee has written to the Chancellor calling for a Government-backed Covid insurance scheme.

Julian Knight, chair of the committee, warned that Britain risks becoming a 'cultural wasteland' if action is not taken soon to support musical events.

'We are world leaders when it comes to festivals, but we're not going to have any events if the Government doesn't back the insurers,' he said.

The Treasury said: 'We are helping festivals with the 1.5billion culture recovery fund and we will continue to work with organisers to address the barriers they face to restarting  including challenges getting insurance.'
Sanaa, Jan 24 : Yemen's Houthi militia announced the arrival of its delegation in Jordan's capital Amman for UN-sponsored talks with the Yemeni government on exchange of prisoners.

Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported on Saturday that the new round of talks is due to begin within days.

The office of UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths has made no comment yet on the development, Xinhua news agency reported.

There was also no comment yet from the Yemeni government.

In October 2020, the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels released a total of 1,056 prisoners from both sides, the largest UN-sponsored exchange deal between them since the outbreak of a civil war in the impoverished Arab country.

Yemen has been mired in the civil war since late 2014, when the Iran-backed Houthi militia seized control of several northern provinces and forced the internationally-recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa.



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January 24, 2021

The MoA Week In Review - OT 2021-007

Last week's posts at Moon of Alabama:

January 18 - New Leaks Show How British Spies Infiltrate And Undermine Lebanon's Security Services

(More to come on this.)

---

Other issues:

Covid-19:

This Biden claim is 100% false. Many things could be done. How about a fully paid six week lockdown? That would at least half the now expected deaths. Biden is just not willing to spend political capital on that.

Biden says nothing can change the trajectory of the Covid pandemic over the next several months - CNBC

Biden says nothing can change the trajectory of the Covid pandemic over the next several months - CNBC Trump's rule had made these drugs less expensive:

Bidens HHS Freezes Trump Insulin, Epinephrine Rule Until March - </>Bloomberg

Bitcoin:

India:

The history of Brexit:

The Breakaway - Perry Anderson / LRB

Use as open thread ...

Posted by b on January 24, 2021 at 13:29 UTC | Permalink

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The Kern County Public Health Services Department has set the stage for its first COVID-19 mass vaccination clinic, but the rate of vaccines w
I never went to school. I needed to help my mother with the housework. I looked after my siblings, and now my babies.

Esin is a 20-year-old mother of two who was forced by conflict to flee her home in Mosul, northern Iraq, and seek refuge in a camp for internally displaced persons. Unable to read or write, her plight resembles that of countless girls and young women in Iraq, whose access to education has been hindered by a multitude of factors.

Miriam, another camp resident, was forced into an early marriage at the age of 15. I cannot go to school because I am married now. I married a man from outside the camp. I do not think that he is a good man. He is old. He comes to the camp to collect me when he wants to see me. I want to divorce him and stay here all the time.

But Miriam has no choice  her family needs the money. Many families in Iraq facing similar levels of poverty are incentivised into marrying off girls early through the traditional system of receiving a dowry from the grooms family.

Once married, girls are highly unlikely to access education.

Stories like Esins and Miriams are being highlighted in a report issued on International Education Day, examining how traditional gender roles and norms, family levels of education, poverty, perceived protection concerns, and trauma continue to limit girls access to education in Iraq, particularly in areas formerly under control of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The second in a series of reports focusing on access to education as a crucial stabilising factor in Iraqs post-conflict transition to a stable security environment and long-term peace, it was jointly authored by UN Human Rights and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Gender divisions driving a lack of education for girls

In Iraq, some 1.2 million children remain in need of education. Girls and women are affected disproportionately due to socially constructed gender norms, and those who have been internally displaced have reported increased sexual and gender-based violence, child, early and forced marriage, as well as economic and financial abuse.

In some rural areas, girls are prevented by their families to attend school, and the role of mother and caregiver is encouraged over participating in the formal workforce.

According to the report, these gender divisions have been further reinforced by ISIL. In territories under its control, girls and women have been subjected to heinous crimes and abuses. The report details a range of minority groups who have experienced rape, sexual slavery, forced pregnancy, trafficking and torture.

Poverty and family education levels

The report further outlines that girls access to education is directly impacted by their parents own learning levels. In many rural villages, which have suffered long-term inadequate schooling, with fewer girls schooled, fewer women are therefore able to become teachers.

Prevailing trauma and insecurity fears

Psychological scars left by the legacy of the years under the brutal rule of ISIL and violence have also had a scathing effect. Girls interviewed for the report who had returned to school said they suffered many challenges, including lack of concentration and feelings of helplessness and vulnerability.

Many of the girls in my class were forbidden from leaving their houses for two years during the occupation, says Hanna, a teacher from Mosul. They can no longer study and they get very anxious. Without psychological support these girls will not stay in school.

The level of perception of insecurity is also another significant hindrance to education, according to the report, with many families keeping their girls at home due to fear for their safety.

Education for girls: the way forward

While the report recognises the Government of Iraqs efforts to guarantee equal opportunity education to every girl protected by the Constitution and national laws, it recommends a number of practical actions to address specific institutional and societal barriers girls face to access education.

All education policies should promote girls learning, the report advises, and gender-sensitive learning environments must be created. Among a number of other recommendations, the report also calls for strengthened incentives for school enrolment, for further support for girls who have suffered trauma, and for the reinforcement of programmes for older girls and young women who have not completed their basic education.

The recommendations reaffirm concrete commitments made as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to protect, promote and respect inclusive and equitable quality education for girls by the Government of Iraq. Similarly, these commitments were also strongly endorsed by the Universal Periodic Review process and the Government of Iraqs acceptance of more than thirty recommendations on SDG 4, Quality Education.

Measures to ensure equality of access to education engender broader human rights dividends for society as a whole, including long-term peace and stability, concludes Danielle Bell, UN Human Rights Representative in Iraq and Chief of UNAMIs Human Rights Office. The report provides practical recommendations to address specific institutional and societal barriers girls face to access education, and aims to promote inclusive and equitable education for all children in Iraq.

24 January 2021
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A man walks at the seafront of Beirut during a total lockdown in Lebanon on Jan. 23, 2021. The Lebanese Health Ministry registered on Saturday 4,176 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number in the country to 276,587. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya)

BEIRUT, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese Health Ministry registered on Saturday 4,176 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number in the country to 276,587.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the virus increased by 52 to 2,270.

Firas Abiad, director general of Rafic Hariri University Hospital, said the spread of the COVID-19 variants in Lebanon was expected and may have contributed to the recent sharp rise in the number of cases.

Abiad expressed his concerns about studies suggesting that certain coronavirus mutations may be associated with increased mortality.

He noted that Lebanon's immediate goal should be to regain some level of control over the virus.

Lebanon has been fighting against COVID-19 since Feb. 21, 2020.

China has offered help to Lebanon's anti-coronavirus fight, including the donation of medical equipment to Beirut's airport, and Lebanon's Health Ministry.

On April 16, 2020, China donated 3,000 testing kits and 200 manual thermometers to Lebanon.
One Columbia couple traveled to Fayette to get the vaccine because they had not found any available opportunities to get it quickly in their home town.

Hawaii looms large in the imagination of the U.S. mainland as a tourist paradise: beautiful beaches and volcanoes, delicious food, and the spirit of aloha, a spirit of welcoming. But aloha is a complicated concept, and for some, the tourist industry sells the idea of Hawaii as uncomplicated and without any problems.

Hawaiis natural beauty conceals some ugly realities. The islands economy is dominated by tourism and the military  there are 143 bases or facilities and 41,000 active-duty personnel. The military controls 21% of the island of Oahu, and there are 115 different sites on the islands identified as having been poisoned by decades of ordnance testing and military activity. Meanwhile, Indigenous Hawaiians suffer disproportionately from homelessness and poverty.

DeTours, an educational group run by Kyle Kajihiro and Terry Kekoolani, tries to pull back the blinders people have on when they visit Hawaii. Its sort of an anti-tourist experience, Kajihiro explained, laughing. DeTours highlights the ways that Hawaii is dominated by the military and the tourist industry by taking visitors to parts of Oahu where they can be exposed to a different part of Hawaiis history. Typical trips last around half a day and include visits to sites like Pearl Harbor, areas that are being reclaimed environmentally and parts of Honolulu tourists are unlikely to visit.



DeTours grew out of work Kajihiro and others did with the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker activist group that works on a wide variety of peace and justice issues. The group had worked on anti-militarism campaigns since the 1970s, both to highlight the loss of land from Indigenous Hawaiians and to protest the connections between Hawaii and U.S. military power as it was used in Vietnam. Kahoolawe Island, a sacred place for Hawaiians, was used by the military solely to test explosives: One such test in 1965 involved detonating 500 tons of TNT at a time to replicate the effect of small nuclear blasts. These kinds of tests led to the occupation of the island by Hawaiians beginning in 1976; by 1993, the military ceded the island back to the state.



To promote understanding and learning, the American Friends Service Committee frequently organizes trips for people to visit and learn about other countries. But in Hawaii, Kajihiro and others noticed that they often had very progressive friends who, when visiting Hawaii, nevertheless treated the islands like a playground. It was always striking that when people would think about Hawaii, their critical thinking would sort of turn off, Kajihiro reflected.

Sean Marrs/Special to SFGATE

For Kajihiro, the tourism industry has sold this idea of Hawaii as a multicultural paradise without any problems, and that idea made no sense to him. Part of the interaction between tourism and militarism is that one masked the violence of the other, and the other provided the force which maintains this unjust presence.



Kaijihiro and Kekoolani wanted to break people out of this habit. At first, they worked mostly by word-of-mouth. We kept getting asked to do it, Kajihiro explains. We never advertise, its not something we actually set up but it just became a thing. Many of their clients are students, with many groups coming from the University of Hawaii, but they get visitors coming from the mainland too.



The tours that Kajihiro and others lead are meant to shed light on the history of the Hawaiian islands that are covered up by militarism and U.S. imperialism. Few people know what Puuloa refers to, but theyre much more likely to know it by another name: Pearl Harbor. For Indigenous Hawaiians, the harbor was a vital source of food, as its structure made it ideal for aquaculture. That is lost today, and Puuloa and what it represented was destroyed when it was transformed into a military base. Its now a Superfund site.



A typical tour starts at Iolani Palace, which was the royal residence for the Hawaiian monarchy until the coup ended native Hawaiian rule in 1893. Visitors then head to Camp H.M. Smith, headquarters of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, a drive through the Pearl Harbor base, a stop at the Pearl Harbor memorial, and a stop at the Hanakehau Learning Farm. Hanakehau is one of the many entities and organizations that exist to try and reclaim Hawaiian land. Drives through Honolulu also visit places like the Kalihi neighborhood that are working-class and immigrant neighborhoods dealing with their own issues, such as racism and discrimination.

Sean Marrs/Special to SFGATE

We use that drive to acclimate people to some of the contradictions ... these are not places where tour buses would go, Kajihiro explained. For Kajihiro, the goal behind DeTours is to raise awareness of these issues, but more importantly, to get them to imagine what Hawaii might look like without militarism.



Lunch at Hanakehau becomes a discussion about alternative paths for the islands, and how visitors can play a part in that. We want folks to see Hawaii as a place where they have relationships and responsibilities, with many discussions centering around the idea of kuleana, a Hawaiian word loosely translating to responsibility in English. For visitors, this means educating others when they go back home and challenging the U.S. governments policies.



Kajihiro also explained that he sees the groups mission as reflecting their own kuleana. The militarys role in Hawaii isnt solely to serve as a base of operations, but as a place to project power all across the globe. During the 1960s, military activities in Hawaii could be felt in Vietnam; today, they are felt in Afghanistan. The wars that emanate from Hawaii, that are commanded from here, the techniques and technologies that are tested and perfected here, how is that harming folks in other parts of the world? Thats an aspect of the responsibility that we bear.



When asked about what COVID-19 has done to the island economy, Kajihiros take was twofold. On the one hand, the COVID pandemic has deeply harmed the Hawaiian economy. We have one of the highest unemployment rates because weve been addicted to the tourism economy. However, from Kajihiros perspective, its forced us to reckon with the environmental and social costs of tourism as a mainstay of the economy. Whats the point of having all of this if its making life harder and more expensive? One more positive aspect: Kajihiro has also seen more community solidarity through food drives or organizing to connect farmers with consumers.



DeTours and other groups like it are a vision for a different kind of tourism. For most people and most tourist-centered organizations, you go somewhere for a little while and then you leave. What Kajihiro and Kekoolani want people to do is take some part of that with them and to use travel to sharpen their own sense of responsibility toward the rest of the world.



Zeb Larson is a writer, historian and software developer. Find more of his work at zeblarson.com.
The UKs health minister warned that coronavirus vaccines may be less effective against new variants of the disease, such as those found in South Africa and Brazil, which justifies stricter border controls.

We dont know the degree of that," Matt Hancock said in an interview on Sky News on Sunday, commenting on the extent of any potential reduced efficacy of the vaccines. In the meantime, weve got to have a precautionary principle that says lets not bring these new variants back to the UK"

Hancocks warning came as the UK reported it had vaccinated more than 5 million people, including three-quarters of over 80s. Hancock said the government is conducting a vaccine trial on the South African variant to study its response to the inoculation. Hancock also said hes worried about new variants developing elsewhere in the world.

The new variant I really worry about is the one thats out there but hasnt been spotted," he said, adding that the UK is offering its genome-sequencing capability to other countries to help them identify new strains.

In the UKs vaccination effort, the supply of vaccines is the rate-limiting factor and not distribution by the National Health Service, Hancock said. He also couldnt confirm that schools would be open again by Easter, saying that the government would have to look at the data around the pandemic at the time.









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Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High near 75F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 50F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.

Deep in the bowels of the ICU at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) are 10 glass rooms housing some of Ireland's sickest patients. Nine of them have Covid-19 and can't breathe alone. As well as their essential ventilators, they are entirely dependent on doctors, nurses and healthcare workers to survive. Some are only just surviving.

Outside one of the glasshouse structures is a team of eight healthcare workers clad from head to toe in PPE, discussing a procedure they are about to go through.

The doors slide open. Quietly and quickly they enter to prone the patient, carefully moving them off their back to lay them on their front, allowing for greater expansion of the lungs.

Inside the room it is incredibly hot. The layers of PPE and physical exertion of moving the horizontal patient make it even more unbearable. Everyone comes out of the room with a reddened brow, visibly flushed and a little dehydrated, but their task successfully done.

In recent weeks, essential medical workers who carry out such vital work have been in short supply as Covid-19 ripped through communities.

Tears have been shed here in the ICU as a consequence, anxiety sometimes spreading as quickly as the deadly virus and leaving senior nurses wondering how to cope with a depleting workforce.

Expand Close Chief operations officer and deputy CEO Noreen Spillane. Photo: Gerry Mooney / Facebook

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Whatsapp Chief operations officer and deputy CEO Noreen Spillane. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Difficult task

Over the course of an hour in the ICU with UHL interim clinical nurse manager (CNM) of critical care Erika Shanley, she regularly wonders how they manage to go on. Each time she comes to the same conclusion: dedication.

"We have been at this for a year. Psychologically, physically, emotionally and mentally we are burnt out. There are days that are great, you are exhausted but they are great. There are other days where you find yourself inside sitting on a toilet crying your eyes out.

"We are not pretending we are superheroes, none of us are superheroes. We are all human. It is very important the staff can voice those emotions, fears, stresses and frustrations.

"Often you are a mum at work as well as at home, and you have to listen to those problems. You might be totally swamped but equally they will listen to me when I need it."

Expand Close Intensive care consultant Dr Catherine Motherway prepares for work. Photo: Gerry Mooney / Facebook

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Whatsapp Intensive care consultant Dr Catherine Motherway prepares for work. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Erika points to her colleague, intensive care consultant Dr Catherine Motherway.

"Poor aul Catherine got it the other evening. I'd say she was sorry she rang," she says.

The pair have a laugh now reflecting on last Tuesday when the doctor called Erika with a query before there was, as Dr Motherway called it, "a sharing of views".

Erika was short of staff and under pressure to meet demand for extra critical care beds. "I vented to my on-call psychologist [Dr Motherway]," she laughs.

Expand Close Clinical nurse manager Carole Molyneaux with patient Maria Liston. Photo: Gerry Mooney / Facebook

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Whatsapp Clinical nurse manager Carole Molyneaux with patient Maria Liston. Photo: Gerry Mooney

"We are an endangered species as critical care nurses. There are so few of us, but we always seem to work it out."

Ward 8D

Covid-19 patient journeys don't start at the ICU.

The corridors around UHL are strangely quiet now apart from infection control teams wiping surfaces and doctors or nurses passing through. There are no wandering visitors, no gowned patients trying to sneak fresh air or the drag of a cigarette at the doorways.

Off the maze of hallways is a new block of wards. It opened last November but has already become a Covid-19 unit. While some of the hospital's 147 Covid-19 patients are kept together on traditional 14-bed nightingale wards, 60 are in this new building.

There are 20 on each floor in isolated rooms with separate bathrooms. The sickest patients are on the third level in Ward 8D.

Expand Close Medical scientist Michelle Walsh and chief medical scientist Colm McDonnell test samples for Covid-19. Photo: Gerry Mooney / Facebook

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Whatsapp Medical scientist Michelle Walsh and chief medical scientist Colm McDonnell test samples for Covid-19. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Before entering, CNM Carole Molyneaux takes our temperature. "People are much sicker coming in here now," Carole warns.

"Higher oxygen supports are needed now. It opens up the airways to increase the capacity around the lungs. We didn't need that in the first and second wave, but now we are overrun with that. The whole situation is a lot more difficult."

Some of the patients wear a plastic mask which is hooked to an apparatus to help them breath. The mask covers the bottom of the chin, mouth and nose, narrows to pass between a patient's eyes and is secured by a strap that goes over and around their forehead.

Foynes woman Maria Liston (78) showed us her mask last Thursday while she was being treated for Covid-19 symptoms. The constant din from the machine pumping air through the apparatus seems as unbearable as the plastic resting on a patient's face.

Nurse Michael Caballero was staying in another room after he was struck down by the virus.

"It is harder on staff this time around," Carole says of the third wave. She noticed Christmas had an impact because when nurses call a critical patient's family inviting them to visit their loved one, many have to decline because they also have Covid-19.

"For many, they don't realise how hard this is until it comes to their door," she says.

"I remember we received a card. It said, 'Thank you to John, Mary and Carole for looking after my dad and I am so sorry I didn't get the name of the nurse who held the phone over him as he was dying.'

"We are all aware we are in a crisis. It is like war, a war zone. It is when we look back and see what we all did - that will be the hardest."

Supports have been put in place for staff, including occupational therapy and counselling, to help them cope.

The Lab

All patients at the hospital are swabbed and checked for Covid-19. The swabs are analysed on site by chief medical scientist Colm McDonnell and his team at their laboratory.

The lab is also responsible for testing done at other hospitals in the University of Limerick Hospitals Group (ULHG) and regular swabs are done on staff to make sure they are Covid-free.

They also manage other routine non-Covid work from the hospital and local GPs. On average, about 3,500 swabs are checked here every week.

Colm says the past few weeks have been difficult. He was on the first shift after Christmas and saw all the positive results coming in.

"I was even wondering is all well with the systems, but it was absolutely genuine. On New Year's Day we had more positives than June and July combined," he says.

This irks many of the staff. Erika says she and many colleagues are frustrated that the easing of lockdown restrictions over Christmas led to a spike in cases.

"People need to see what's going on here and see the impact this has had," she adds.

Hygiene attendant Mike Keogh is one of those staff members who had a swab go through the lab in recent weeks. He is one of 585 staff in the ULHG off work due to Covid-19.

Many have tested positive either through community or workplace transmission or are showing symptoms and are staying off work in line with the public health guidance. Mike tested negative but was identified as a close contact in work.

He must be swabbed twice, five days apart, while restricting his movements. If the second test comes back negative in the coming days, he will hopefully be back at work later in the week.

"Basically, our job is to stop outbreaks happening," he says from his home in Newcastle West. "I feel guilty now. I want to be in work. Our jobs have become so important in the past 12 months and I feel I should be in there helping."

ULHG chief operations officer and deputy chief executive Noreen Spillane says such dedication has been vital to the hospital group's ability to successfully treat patients across the pandemic.

She appreciates their efforts and realises that even as community spread has decreased in recent days, there is still a huge amount of work to do. She would welcome the extension of restrictions.

"There are patients out there who are very sick with non-Covid illnesses and we have to think about those as well," she says. "We need the numbers to come right down in the community and even after that we would still have to manage in the hospital."

Fear

Staff are worried about inadvertently bringing Covid-19 home with them. Many shower in work before leaving the hospital and shower again immediately after arriving home before seeing loved ones.

Erika admits she is "paranoid" about bringing Covid-19 into her home. Two of her four children fall into the high-risk category. One is asthmatic and another has special needs. Her mother also gets "around-the-clock care" that Erika helps with. "The last thing I want to do is bring Covid home," she says.

Visit our Covid-19 vaccine dashboard for updates on the roll out of the vaccination program and the rate of Coronavirus cases Ireland

Eilish Foley is a nurse at Ennis Hospital. She works in endoscopy. Last Sunday she got a call from Erika seeking help at UHL. She knew the call was coming after seeing the case numbers increase.

She had originally lent support between last March and June but knew she would be called back eventually. In those two months last year, she saw a dread among patients that has stayed with her.

"The worst bit for me was the room we had here for patients coming up to get intubated [the insertion of a tube through the mouth before being placed on a ventilator]," she says.

"Seeing the fear on their faces as they went into that room is the one thing I took away with me - you could tell some of them knew they may not make it out of here and some of them didn't. It was a step into the unknown."

After six months away, she compares the first and third waves. This time the patients are different. They are much younger and even more seriously ill, she says.

"It is people your own age that are here. When it is your own age group it hits you a little bit harder. We had sick patients the last time but they are much sicker now.

"We have been vaccinated, so you feel the end is in sight, but when you see patients and their families it really hits home. You can come to terms with someone in their 80s [falling very ill], but when it is someone in their 40s, trying to process that is difficult."

Intensive care

Only the sickest patients go to ICU. Like the virus, arranging Covid-19 care is invasive. Aggressive spread of the virus means other care cannot happen as Covid-19 wards take up redundancy in a system already under pressure.

Non-essential surgery has been cancelled but patients in critical need of support must not be left wanting, Dr Motherway says.

The ULHG has a five-point plan to manage capacity and surges, prioritising essential care. Each is labelled A to E, with E representing the highest point on the scale. ULHG is currently at D.

The ICU has its own separate scale and is currently at Level 2 Surge capacity. This is part of a plan that has been redesigned during the pandemic. Under the old pre-pandemic plan, the hospital would be at Level 3. Each time the ICU surge plan increases, the unit expands through another floor in the building.

Noreen Spillane says: "We are very close to going to Level 3", something Dr Motherway and others in ICU are reluctant to think about.

"That would involve us invading the third floor of the block here, the critical care block. It is our coronary care ward. God forbid. I don't really want to think about that," Dr Motherway adds.

Even without another spike in cases, staff realise a bad car accident or other local tragedy would create significant pressure on health systems. Dr Motherway's ultimate fear is a scenario arising replicating what is happening in the UK.

She says Erika is already "doing loaves and fishes with the staff", and while infrastructure would eventually be found to scale up to 64 ICU beds if necessary, skilled ICU nurses are in short supply and not all these beds could be manned.

"If you are on a ventilator here at the moment you have one nurse to one patient. In London at the moment, you have one person to one patient. That person is a healthcare worker. It is not necessarily a doctor, or a nurse, it could be a speech therapist, a radiographer - it could be anybody.

"That London hospital has 40 ventilated beds. At this moment, I understand they have about 170 ventilated patients.

"We have been talking to them about how they have been managing. If things got worse here, we would have to go to things we have never thought about doing, like asking me to take care of a patient as a nurse - which would be very different to what I normally do.

"I don't sit by the patient and deliver the care that intensive care nursing is, which is a really particular skill set.

"They are a rare breed and we are lucky here we have been able to recruit, but you can't just grow an intensive care bed in five minutes. It takes six months to properly open an ICU bed if you are starting from scratch."
After a disappointing start to the week amid resurgence of new coronavirus strain infections in China, the market rebounded in a good spirit to touch fresh record highs with the BSE Sensex climbing Mount 50,000 mark for the first time amid good earnings and positive global cues (with transfer of power to Joe Biden who sworn in as US President). But profit booking pressured the market in final sessions of the week ended January 22 as traders turned cautious ahead of Union Budget 2021-22.

The BSE Sensex fell 156.13 points to 48,878.54 and the Nifty50 lost 61.80 points at 14,371.90, while the broader markets underperformed frontliners for the second consecutive week.

Experts feel the volatility will continue in the coming truncated week as we are moving closer to Budget and expiry of January derivative contracts, while the sector rotation may continue amid December quarter earnings season. The market will first react to Reliance Industries earnings announced last Friday.

"Going ahead, the key trigger would certainly revolve around high hopes from the Union Budget which may set the mood for markets. Quarterly results would propel the volatility in bourses and participants may witness some sector reshuffling," Nirali Shah, Senior Research Analyst at Samco Securities told Moneycontrol.

Furthermore, "one should keep a vigilant eye on the events encompassing Beijing (China) as the authorities have ordered mass testing and enforced a strict lockdown after resurgence in cases of the new coronavirus strain. China being a major member in global trade, any serious impact from the new strain may lead to uncertainty. And uncertainties do not bode well with the markets," she said.

It's prudent to book profit on the rise and focus more on risk management, Ajit Mishra, VP - Research at Religare Broking advised.

The market will remain shut for trading on January 26 for Republic Day.

Here are 10 key factors that will keep traders busy in the truncated coming week:

Earnings

We have a list of around 375 companies which are going to announce their quarterly results next week. The prominent names amongst them would be Kotak Mahindra Bank, Larsen & Toubro, Axis Bank, Hindustan Unilever, Lupin, Maruti Suzuki, Cipla, Dr Reddy's Labs, IndusInd Bank, IOC, Sun Pharma, Tata Motors, Tech Mahindra, Vedanta and ICICI Bank.

Among others, Can Fin Homes, ICICI Securities, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Emami, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company, India Cements, Marico, Nippon Life India Asset Management, PNB Housing Finance, Tata Coffee, United Spirits, AU Small Finance Bank, Bharat Electronics, Coforge, Colgate-Palmolive, Cummins India, Engineers India, Equitas Small Finance Bank, IDBI Bank, InterGlobe Aviation, Indus Towers, IRCTC, M&M Financial Services, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, Pidilite Industries, RBL Bank, Route Mobile, Tata Chemicals, TVS Motor, Blue Star, Dabur India, DLF, JK Lakshmi Cement, Dr Lal PathLabs, LIC Housing Finance, Manappuram Finance, Union Bank of India, UPL, UTI Asset Management Company, Wockhardt, Amber Enterprises, IDFC First Bank, Shree Cement and Thyrocare Technologies will also release their numbers.

FOMC Meet

The Federal Open Market Committee will meet for the first time after the formation of new government under the Democratic party's Joe Biden who sworn in as the 46th US President last week.

Consensus indicated that the Federal Reserve is unlikely to take any action or change its monetary policy in its two-day meeting that will conclude on Wednesday night, but the commentary about economic outlook amid the coronavirus, vaccine and weak jobs data would be key to watch out for.

Budget Expectations

The market will keep reacting to the wide expectations about the upcoming Union Budget 2021-22 scheduled to be presented by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. Hence the sector rotation and the volatility may continue in the coming week as well.

The Street has given much importance to the Budget this time, hoping for major announcements to revive the economy with focus largely on demand side, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, though the slew of measures already announced by the government as well as the Reserve Bank of India since March last year.

Experts largely feel the budget could be one more strong step or agenda from the government (in addition to previous several measures) to bring the economy on growth path and keep it strong in coming years, especially after the controlled COVID-19 infections and amid vaccination drive.

Hike in personal tax threshold, measures to boost realty sector, one-time relief for corporate rejig, measures for agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, healthcare, auto etc could be among key expectations from the Budget.

FII Flow

The foreign investors remained net buyers in the week ended January 22, but the net selling on Friday raised many questions about sustainability of the flow in the near term though in the longer term, India is expected to attract large foreign money could be more than previous year. Hence, the flow would be key things to watch out for in coming week.

FIIs have net sold Rs 636 crore worth of shares on last Friday, for the first times after January 6. They were net buyers to the tune of Rs 4,176 crore worth shares in the week gone by, taking the total buying more than Rs 21,000 crore in the month of January so far.

On the other side, domestic institutional investors continued to use the every rise to book profits given the highly valued market, as they net sold over Rs 15,700 crore worth of shares in January.

Coronavirus and Vaccination

The vaccination drive has been going on smoothly since the launch on January 16, as more than 15 lakh healthcare workers have been received the vaccination under the countrywide COVID-19 vaccination exercise till Saturday, the government said.

On the other side, the COVID-19 recovery rate increased further to 96.81 percent of total infections with stable mortality rate at 1.44 percent for the 14th day. The country's active caseload now reduced to 1.74 percent of total positive cases and the active cases were at around 1.85 lakh.

The total confirmed COVID infections were over 1.06 crore, while the recoveries were at 1.03 crore with deaths at more than 1.53 lakh.

Globally more than 9.62 crore people infected by the virus with over 20.58 lakh deaths, with United States remaining at the top with over 2.48 crore confirmed infections with over 4.14 lakh deaths. Several European countries also continued to struggle with COVID-19 crisis including United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Germany etc showing higher cases count. China also started reporting new strain of COVID-19 cases and as a result the country imposed partial lockdown in Beijing last week. Hence, investors still worried about the global growth and as a result, the crude price continued to be in the range around $55 a barrel, experts feel.

IPO

The IPO market will remain active in the last week of January too, as kitchen appliances maker Stove Kraft will open its Rs 413-crore maiden public issue for subscription on January 25 and the same will close on January 28. The price band for the offer has been fixed at Rs 384-385 per share.

The Rs 1,154-crore initial public offer of Home First Finance Company India, an affordable housing finance company, will remain open for one more day till January 25. The issue was opened on January 21, with a price band of Rs 517-518 per share.

Technical View

The Nifty50 fell 1.5 percent on Friday and formed bearish candle on the daily charts, while for the week, the index was down 0.4 percent and formed small bearish candle which resembles Shooting Star kind of pattern on the weekly scale.

Experts feel the further volatility along with correction can be possible in the near term with 14,220 likely to be key for further correction.

"A small negative candle with upper and lower shadow was formed on the weekly chart. Technically this pattern could be considered as a high wave type formation at the highs and this indicate a high volatility/confused state of mid among participants ahead of key economic event of Union Budget 2021," Nagaraj Shetti of HDFC Securities said.

"The formation of weekly pattern signal high volatility and sell on rise possibility in the next week. The Union Budget of 2021 is expected to be an event for the market to form a reversal. Hence, long positions needs to be protected with appropriate stoploss," he added.

A decisive move below 14,220 could open a larger downward correction in the market and any rise from here is likely to attract selling pressure around 14,460-14,520 levels by next week, according to him.

F&O Cues

On the options front, the maximum Call open interest of 51.71 lakh contracts was seen at 15,000 strike, followed by 14,700 and 14,600 strikes, while maximum Put open interest of 33.99 lakh contracts was seen at 14,000 strike, followed by 13,500 and 13,800 strikes.

Call writing was seen at 14,500, 14,600 and 14,700 strikes, while Put writing was seen at 13,800, 13,700 and 14,000 strikes. All these indicated that the Nifty could remain in an immediate trading range of 14,200-14,600 levels for coming sessions.

"Just like last week 14,600 and 14,700 Call strikes hold the highest Call base while the Put base is placed at 14.000 strike. Immediate support for the index lies near its last week lows of 14,200 and below which current declines might extend towards 14,000 levels. On higher side, resumption of the trend can be expected only if Nifty moves above 14,500 again," ICICI Direct said.

The volatility index fell from the highs of 25.41 seen in the beginning of last week, to 22.42 at close on Friday. "Despite sharp decline seen in the last two sessions, volatility index has not seen sharp surge suggesting expectations of limited downsides. Move towards 25 levels once again can be considered as a sign of caution," the brokerage said.

Corporation Action and Macro Data Points

Here are key corporate actions taking place in the coming week:

Among other data points, bank credit and deposit growth for the fortnight ended January 15, and foreign exchange reserves for week ended January 22 will be released on Friday.

Infrastructure output and fiscal deficit data for December will also be released on the same day.

Global Cues

Apart from Fed meet, here are other key global data points to watch out for next week:
Washington: The Justice Department revealed charges this week against a Texas man who allegedly stormed the US Capitol on January 6 and threatened on social media to kill US Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Prosecutors asked a judge on Friday to keep the man, Garret Miller, in jail ahead of a court appearance, according to court records. They revealed five criminal charges in the US District Court of the District of Columbia against Miller on Wednesday, including for making death threats and trespassing offences.

Progressive Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Credit:AP

Images of social media posts allegedly authored by Miller, which appear to announce his trip to the Capitol and threaten the life of Ocasio-Cortez as well as a Capitol Police officer, are cited in the court filing.

Prosecutors said Miller made numerous threatening remarks online, including one instance in which he commented next time we bring the guns on a Twitter video showing rioters exiting a Capitol building.
Vietnams foreign policy of multilateralisation and diversification of external relations has contributed to enhancing the countrys position in the region and the world, foreign experts said.

Dr. Takashi Hosoda (Photo: VNA)

In an interview recently granted to Vietnam News Agency correspondents based in Prague ahead of the upcoming 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Dr. Takashi Hosoda, an expert on the Asia-Pacific from Charles University in the Czech Republic, noted that over the past years, Vietnam has achieved important successes in external affairs, especially establishing bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms to connect with the world, contributing to creating an environment of peace for national construction and defence.

Amid the complicated developments in the world, especially the COVID-19 pandemic that deeply affected international relations, Vietnam was honoured for successfully performing the role of ASEAN Chair 2020, which improved the stature of ASEAN and Vietnam in particular in their relationship with partners as well as contributed to international communitys common efforts to seek multilateral solutions to issues related to peace, security and development in the Indo-Pacific and Southeast Asia in particular, including the East Sea issue.

The scholar also commented that Vietnam has made continuous efforts to actively and proactively integrate into the world economy via signing a number of important multilateral trade deals such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the European Union  Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the UK. Those deals have helped create a driving force for Vietnams economic growth.

Apart from bolstering multilateral collaboration, Vietnam also paid attention to consolidating bilateral ties with neighbouring countries and important partners such as the US, India, Japan, France, Italy and the UK to create a peaceful environment favourable for protecting national interests and harnessing its strength.

He noted Vietnams efforts to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, prevent plastic waste pollution and maintain sustainable fishing, which he said demonstrated that Vietnam is a responsible country for promoting environmental protection and maintaining sustainable development, which are two major factors for global politics in the 21st century.

Hosoda suggested that Vietnam should continue focusing on trust building measures, deepening ties with partners in a substantive and effective manner while joining more multilateral cooperation frameworks.

Dr. Jan Hornat (Photo: CEU)

Sharing the same view, Dr. Jan Hornat, an expert on the Indo-Pacific also from the Charles University, lauded Vietnams role and position in international relations.

He said Vietnam is succeeding in global and regional economic integration, including pushing the signing of the RCEP in its role as ASEAN Chair 2020.

In his opinion, Vietnam should reinforce partnerships with regional powers sharing the same interest for the sake of an open and free Indo-Pacific.

He expressed his belief that with experience and achievements in external affairs over the past years, Vietnam will actively contribute to maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific./. VNA
Seth Rogen apparently really wanted to let Sen. Ted Cruz he thinks hes a fascist, so he fired off a tweet. But rather than simply ignore it, the Texas senator answered back, and the two have been trading insults on Twitter for days now.

It began when Cruz sent out a tweet criticizing President Joe Bidens decision to rejoin the Paris Agreement to tackle climate change. That tweet got plenty of ridicule for the senators wording, considering he wrote that Bidens move demonstrates the new president is more interested in the views of the citizens of Paris than in the jobs of the citizens of Pittsburgh. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for example, quipped: Quick question: do you also believe the Geneva Convention was about the views of the citizens of Geneva? Rogen, however, didnt get into the nuances of Cruzs wording and had a simpler message: Fuck off you fascist.

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Fuck off you fascist.  Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 21, 2021

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Cruz seemed all too eager for a public spat with a Hollywood celebrity. The senator took a screenshot of Rogens reply and wrote: Charming, civil, educated response. @Sethrogen. He went on to say that the response illustrated how the Democratic Party is for Hollywood celebrities, while Republicans represent workers. Rogen responded:

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Haha get fucked fascist. Go encourage a white supremacist insurrection again you fucking clown.  Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 21, 2021

And he didnt stop there. The actor kept going, even making a reference to an insult that Donald Trump lobbed at Cruz while they were both running for president and pointing out that as someone who works in movies, hes in a lot of unions:

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If youre a white supremacist fascist who doesnt find it offensive when someone calls your wife ugly, Ted Cruz is the exact motherfucker for you. https://t.co/w4zdynI2V9  Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 21, 2021

Also Im in four unions.  Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 21, 2021

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Rogen then retweeted a video of a Pittsburgh official criticizing Cruz, once again insulted the senator, and said he was having fun bashing the lawmaker now that I know hes for sure seeing my tweets:

Hey @tedcruz. Watch this and then go fuuuuuuuck yourself you clown. (This is way more fun now that I know hes for sure seeing my tweets) https://t.co/9hsLehI5Bp  Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 22, 2021

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Rogen then grabbed on to a tweet in which Cruz said Fantasia was the first movie he saw in theaters, to bash the senator again:

Everyone who made that film would hate you.  Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 22, 2021

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Cruz picked up the bait and said Rogen behaves online like a Marxist with Tourettes:

Theyre all dead. So I think were good. And Walt Disney was a Republican.



Even though you behave online like a Marxist with Tourettes (screaming F U! F U! is really, really clever), your movies are typically pretty funny.



Im sure you hate that I enjoy them. https://t.co/ImVm26QWb8  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 23, 2021

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Rogen criticized Cruz for using a medical condition as an insult and took it as an opportunity to educate the senator on Tourettes before calling him a fucking fascist again:

Also youre a fucking fascist. Shut up and go away.  Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 24, 2021

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In case the message wasnt clear, Rogen later called Cruz a fascist once again:

All jokes aside, @tedcruz is a fascist piece of shit.  Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 24, 2021

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Cruz obviously wasnt going to leave it there and called Rogen a moron:

All jokes aside, @Sethrogen is a moron.



Its your party that believes in govt power: to shut your business, to oppress your faith & to censor your speech.



Anyone who disagrees, they try to cancel.



BTW, a lot of folks in Hollywood are conservative& muzzled by the fascist Left. https://t.co/i9o80vFtS0  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 24, 2021

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Rogen then said Cruz literally inspired a deadly insurrection:

You literally inspired a deadly insurrection you stupid fuck. https://t.co/eoy1uUDK73  Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 24, 2021

As news of the tweets started spreading, Rogen took issue with the way many were characterizing it as a feud:

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This isnt a Twitter feud. @tedcruz tried to overthrow our government. He inspired a deadly mob to storm the Capitol. And I think that deserves ridicule. So fuck him.  Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 24, 2021

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He went on to say that Cruz has blood on his hands:

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Your lies got people killed. You have blood on your hands. https://t.co/eoy1uUDK73  Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 24, 2021

Rogen also retweeted several supporters, including one who said Cruz was quicker to reply to the Hollywood celebrity than his own constituents. Another said Cruz was eager to keep the spat going so people would talk about that rather than his role in sparking the Capitol riot.

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Hi, @tedcruz is desperate to pick a fight with @Sethrogen so everyone talks about that and not the fact that he made a bad-faith attempt to overthrow a fair election in order to cynically grab Trump's base and run for President in 2024. Let's focus on the latter.  Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) January 24, 2021

Other Hollywood celebrities got involved too. Rogens friend Joseph Gordon-Levitt also jumped in and said the senators actions were reminiscent of supporters of Hitler, Mussolini, and others.

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Bhubaneswar, Jan 24 : AirAsia India commenced Bhubaneswar to Pune direct flight operation from Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here on Sunday.

Commerce and Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera flagged off the flight operation.

The minister said it would boost the tourism sector and help in growing economy in the state.

The flight will operate every day except Saturday. Air Asia flight will depart from Bhubaneswar at 1.50 p.m. and arrive in Pune at 3.55 p.m. The return flight will commence from Pune at 4.35 p.m. and reach Bhubaneswar at 6.40 p.m., said sources.

Notably, the state government has agreed to provide financial support for AirAsia's direct flight operation between Bhubaneswar and Pune for three months.

"We are honoured to have Padmanabha Behera with us to flag off this new route. Bhubaneswar is a very special city for us as it was a part of our 'Umeed Ki Udaan' initiative for which we had collaborated with the State Government and other individuals to help our migrant guests reach home safely. We now connect Bhubaneswar with all our four hubs New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Kolkata and are looking forward to strengthening the connectivity in the coming months," said Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer of AirAsia India in a statement.
Wuhan: For people living in Wuhan this January, a year after the worlds first coronavirus lockdown came into place, deja vu hangs in the foggy, winter air.

China is battling its most severe outbreak of the coronavirus in 11 months  more than 2000 cases over the past five weeks, with at least three from the new British variant, not including asymptomatic positives. Infections are primarily clustered around cities in north-east China, more than 1000 kilometres away from Wuhan.

Residents attend an exhibition on the citys fight against the coronavirus in Wuhan on January 23, a year after it was locked down to contain the spread of coronavirus. Credit:AP

But the city where coronavirus first erupted in late 2019 is taking zero chances. Authorities have reintroduced restrictions, limiting bars and restaurants to 75 per cent capacity and banning large group gatherings.

Posters with pandemic tips that had been torn down are going back up, reminding passers-by to wash their hands regularly and stand at least one metre apart. Bins for face mask disposal are again perched on street corners.
WASHINGTON  When Rep. Scott Perry joined his colleagues in a monthslong campaign to undermine the results of the presidential election, promoting Stop the Steal events and supporting an attempt to overturn millions of legally cast votes, he often took a back seat to higher-profile loyalists in President Donald Trumps orbit.

But Perry, R-Pa., played a significant role in the crisis that played out at the top of the Justice Department this month, when Trump considered firing the acting attorney general and backed down only after top department officials threatened to resign en masse.

It was Perry, an outspoken member of the hard-line Freedom Caucus, who first made Trump aware that a relatively obscure Justice Department official, Jeffrey Clark, acting chief of the civil division, was sympathetic to Trumps view that the election had been stolen, according to former administration officials who spoke with Clark and Trump.

Perry introduced the president to Clark, whose openness to conspiracy theories about election fraud presented Trump with a welcome change from the acting attorney general, Jeffrey Rosen, who stood by the results of the election and had repeatedly resisted the presidents efforts to undo them.

Perrys previously unreported role, and the quiet discussions between Trump and Clark that followed, underlined how much the former president was willing to use the government to subvert the election, turning to more junior and relatively unknown figures for help as ranking Republicans and Cabinet members rebuffed him.

Perrys involvement is also likely to heighten scrutiny of House Republicans who continue to advance Trumps false and thoroughly debunked claims of election fraud, even after President Joe Bidens inauguration this past week and as Congress prepares for an impeachment trial that will examine whether such talk incited the Capitol riot.

It is unclear when Perry, who represents the Harrisburg area, met Clark, a Philadelphia native, or how well they knew each another before the introduction to Trump. Former Trump administration officials said it was only in late December that Clark told Rosen about the introduction brokered by Perry, who was among the scores of people feeding Trump false hope that he had won the election.

But it is highly unlikely that Trump would have known Clark otherwise. Department officials were startled to learn that the president had called Clark directly on multiple occasions and that the two had met in person without alerting Rosen, those officials said. Justice Department policy stipulates that the president initially communicates with the attorney general or the deputy attorney general on all matters, and then a lower-level official if authorized.

As the date for Congress to affirm Bidens victory neared, Perry and Clark discussed a plan to have the Justice Department send a letter to Georgia state lawmakers informing them of an investigation into voter fraud that could invalidate the states Electoral College results. Former officials who were briefed on the plan said that the departments dozens of voter fraud investigations nationwide had not turned up enough instances of fraud to alter the outcome of the election.

Perry and Clark also discussed the plan with Trump, setting off a chain of events that nearly led to the ouster of Rosen, who had refused to send the letter.

After The New York Times disclosed the details of the scheme Friday, the political fallout was swift. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., incoming chairman of the Judiciary Committee, intends to tell the Justice Department that he will investigate efforts by Trump and Clark to use the agency to further Trumps efforts to overthrow the election results.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the majority leader, said that it was unconscionable that a Trump Justice Department leader would conspire to subvert the peoples will. He called on the departments inspector general, Michael Horowitz, to investigate this attempted sedition.

Horowitz has already opened an investigation into whether Trump administration officials improperly pressured Byung J. Pak, who abruptly resigned this month as the U.S. attorney in Atlanta after being pressed to take actions related to the election, according to a person briefed on the inquiry. Durbin is investigating that matter as well.

Trump also tried to force Justice Department officials, including Rosen and the acting solicitor general, Jeffrey Wall, to file a lawsuit before the Supreme Court that would challenge Bidens victory, according to a person briefed on the request.

One of Trumps outside lawyers even drafted a brief for the department to file to the court. Department officials and the White House counsel, Pat Cipollone, told Trump that the plan would fail for several reasons, including the fact that the department did not have the grounds to challenge the outcome, the person said.

The fight between Trump and Justice Department officials over the Supreme Court filing was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

The episode with Clark and Perry is yet another example at impeachment managers disposal as they put together their case that Trump should be disqualified from holding office again.

Clark declined to comment on his relationship with Perry, and he categorically denied devising any plan to oust Rosen. He said there had been a candid discussion of options and pros and cons with the president that had been inaccurately described by The Times, but he declined to provide details. He declined to say anything more about his conversations with Trump or Justice Department lawyers because of the strictures of legal privilege.

Asked whether his conversations with the president had violated the department policy governing contact with the president, he said that senior lawyers at the agency provided legal advice to the White House as part of their duties. All my official communications were consistent with law, he said.

Clark, a member of the conservative Federalist Society, had been appointed acting head of the civil division in September. He also oversaw the departments environmental and natural resources division, where he had worked under President George W. Bush.

Neither Perry nor his top aides responded to repeated requests for comment.

Some Senate Republicans, including Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the minority leader, have grown increasingly worried that if they do not intervene and distance themselves from Trump, the havoc wreaked by the former president could hurt Republicans political fortunes for years to come. The episode amounts to an unwelcome reminder that damaging information around his presidency could continue to emerge even though Trump is no longer in office.

And Perrys role in the discussions could further escalate tensions in the House, where Democratic lawmakers were already livid at Republicans for fanning the flames before the Capitol riot, with some rank-and-file members calling for the expulsion of lawmakers who led efforts to overturn the election.

The pressure that Trump placed on the Justice Department, including any plan that he may have considered to remove Rosen, also raises legal questions for him. Trumps duty as president was to ensure that laws be faithfully executed for the benefit of the country, and efforts to interfere in the election could be considered a violation of his constitutional duty, said Neil Eggleston, a partner at Kirkland & Ellis and a White House counsel under President Barack Obama.

There is little chance that a Justice Department letter sent to Georgia lawmakers would have prompted the state to invalidate its Electoral College votes. But the plan was consistent with the posture Perry had taken since November, when he began to falsely claim that there had been rampant fraud in the election, and throughout it all, Perry has remained defiant. Facing calls to resign over his role in the efforts to overturn the election, Perry issued a one-word response: No.

Perry, a retired brigadier general in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and an Iraq War veteran, has been scrutinized for his openness to the conspiratorial. He baselessly suggested that the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas by a lone gunman could have been influenced by terrorist infiltration through the southern border and refused to support a resolution that condemned QAnon, a pro-Trump conspiracy movement. ( Perry said he believed that the resolution infringed on individuals right to free speech and that he did not personally subscribe to the movement.)

An early supporter of the Stop the Steal movement, Perry was one of 126 House Republicans who joined a legal brief in December supporting an extraordinary lawsuit seeking to overturn Bidens victory. And he joined over two dozen of his colleagues who urged Trump to direct William Barr, the attorney general, to investigate irregularities in the 2020 election.

He objected on behalf of 79 other House Republicans to certifying Pennsylvanias electoral results, even though he later acknowledged Biden as president-elect.

The plan that Perry devised with Clark set off a crisis at the Justice Department. When Clark approached Rosen with the Georgia letter at the end of December, Rosen refused to send it, according to four former administration officials. On Jan. 3, Clark notified Rosen that he would be taking his job at Trumps behest.

As Rosen prepared to meet Trump later that day and fight for his job, his top deputies, including the acting deputy attorney general, Richard Donoghue, and his outgoing chief of staff, Patrick Hovakimian, convened the departments senior leaders on a conference call, according to five former officials with knowledge of the call.

They told the department leaders that Rosens job was in jeopardy because of Clarks machinations and said they would resign if Rosen was removed. They ended the call by asking their colleagues to privately consider what they would do if that happened. Over the next 15 minutes, all of them emailed or texted Hovakimian, saying that they would quit.

While Rosen, Donoghue and other top department and White House lawyers spent nearly three hours with Trump and Clark, debating the merits of sending the letter to Georgia lawmakers, Hovakimian drafted an email to the departments senior leaders, including those who were not aware of what was transpiring at the White House, in anticipation of Rosens removal, according to two people briefed on the letter.

In it, he explained that Rosen had resisted Trumps repeated calls to use the departments law enforcement powers for improper ends and that the president had removed him, according to a person who reviewed the email. He wrote that he and Donoghue were resigning immediately and encouraged his colleagues to think hard about what they would do and to always act in the interests of the United States.

When Hovakimian received word that Rosen had been allowed to stay, he drafted a new email that he sent to the anxiously awaiting officials: Rosen and the cause of justice had won.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Google is threatening to block its search engine in Australia if the government proceeds with a new code, which would force Google and Facebook to pay domestic media companies for the right to use their content.

Mel Silva, the managing director of Google Australia and New Zealand says: If this version of the code were to become law, it would give us no real choice but to stop making Google search available in Australia.

Australias Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, was quick to respond.

Australia makes our rules for things you can do in Australia. Thats done in our parliament. Its done by our government. And thats how things work here in Australia. And people who want to work with that, in Australia, youre very welcome. But we dont respond to threats.

Googles threat escalates a battle with publishers including News Corp thats being closely watched around the world.

The search giant says 19 million Australian users would have worse YouTube and search experiences if the new code is enforced.

Google doesnt disclose sales from Australia, but search ads make up most of its revenue and profit globally.

This week, the United States asked Australia to scrap the proposed lawswhich have broad political supportand suggested Australia should pursue a voluntary code instead.

Australia says Google and Facebook hold too much market power in the media industry, and that its a potential threat to democracy.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 21:20:50|Editor: huaxia

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A staff member disinfects a classroom at a school in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 24, 2021. Sri Lankan Education Department officially declared Grade 11 of all schools in Western Province will resume class from Jan. 25 except the schools in the isolated areas, as the GCE Ordinary Level Examination (O/L) is due to be conducted in March. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)
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A former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, said on Sunday that he was still a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) despite speculations that he had left the ruling party.

Mr Okorocha, senator representing Imo West, however, alleged that the party in the state has been hijacked by non-founding members and that President Muhammadu Buhari was not aware of the development.

He stated this in an address to the APC State Working Committee (SWC) members in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Mr Okorocha denied speculations of planning to dump Nigerias ruling party following his plan to float a political movement.

The former governor had recently announced plans to form a new political movement ahead of the 2023 general elections.

He had earlier hinted, during his visit to Rivers State in December, that the plan was in response to agitations and complaints Nigerians were making on the state of the country.

Mr Okorocha said he was among the few that founded the party and would not be forced out by anyone within the state or at the national level.

Our party is APC. Dont be confused when I said that there were bad people and good people in both APC and PDP. And that the good people in the two parties should come together for the good of the nation. I was talking about a movement and not a party.

I have not left APC. I am still in APC. Nobody has a stake in APC more than me. The worst insults I had in Imo and in the South-East in 2015, was because of APC and President Muhammadu Buhari. APC was formed by President Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, myself and a few other people. But those on congratulation trip, have taken over the party, he said.

He demanded Mr Buharis intervention in the ongoing injustice allegedly meted out at elected APC Executives by another backed by the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma.

Mr Okorocha accused Mr Uzodinma of using state security to harass people and destroying state properties because they were built by him.

Whatever they do here without the duly elected party officials in the State, including the planned registration exercise, expected to begin on Monday, would be null and void. We do not recognise Governor Uzodinmas APC in Imo. Thats not APC in Imo State. Thats PDP People. How many APC members are among his more than one hundred and twenty appointees? None, of Course.

We had a formidable APC until those who came through Ben Johnson way with the help of their likes, came to hijack the party. Now, they cannot fly because nature does not support injustice. President Muhammadu Buhari, as a man of justice, does not support injustice, he alleged.

Why is prayer important for Christians? Have you ever wondered why prayer is important, especially if we dont receive the answer we are hoping for from God? Scripture shares that God calls us to pray (Colossians 4:2). Being obedient to God means we will pray. We give thanks along with sharing our concerns. In every prayer, we know God hears our prayers. There is never a time when He doesnt hear. Whether the answer is yes, no, or not now, we are called to pray and we can be assured God will answer.

We dont pray only when in need. Christians pray at all times (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

A life filled with Christ means we will go to Him in joyful moments and in times of sorrow. We will pray for others. Family, friends, strangers, and enemies. Praying is an act of obedience.

Scripture shares how Jesus prayed (Matthew 14:23). Jesus spoke to His Father in prayer.

When we pray, we are opening a line of communication with God.

Find comfort knowing when you pray, God is there with you and He is listening.

Why Is Prayer so Powerful?

Maybe you have heard people say, There is power in prayer. Yes, there is power in praying in the name of Jesus. When we tell someone we will pray for them, we are offering to open the conversation with God. Comfort can be found and burdens lessened when we pray and give our concerns to God.

As humans, we cant handle things on our own. Too often, we try to handle situations before going to God. That is not how God wants us to live. God invites us into a relationship with Him. Go to God first in prayer. Day or night, He is available.

What Does the Bible Say about Prayer?

The Bible is the Word of God. His Word tells us that we can be confident when we go to God in prayer (1John 5:14). We dont have to hide our flaws or insecurities. God already knows our every thought and action. Scripture (Jeremiah 29:12) shares that if we go to God in prayer, He will listen.

Scripture shares how we are to pray for everyone, not just people we like. We are called to pray for family, friends, strangers, and enemies. Yes, pray for everyone. Do not judge. Do not try to decide how God should answer a prayer. He has a plan, and His plan is always best.

When we pray, we must have faith and trust in the Lord. We must lay our burdens at His feet and trust Him. Pray to God and let Him handle the situation according to His will.

Some Ways on How to Pray

Have you ever considered the many different ways of praying? In the Bible, we read about Jesus praying alone. We also read how people prayed together (Matthew 18:19-20). Think of the ways you have prayed. Have you prayed alone? Prayed in a group? Perhaps you have prayed with family and friends? A prayer before a meal? A prayer before bedtime?

Consider these ways of praying. Each one of these ways can strengthen your relationship with God and draw you closer to Him.

Praying alone: When you are alone, ask God to open your heart and mind for Him to come in and fill you with the Holy Spirit. Feel His presence as you relax and concentrate fully on the Lord.

Reading Scripture: The Bible is filled with prayers to read and learn more about God. Try reading the Word of God aloud. Read with your family. Take turns reading Scripture and pause to discuss questions. Choose a special time with no distractions to read Scripture.

ACTS- Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication: Some people prefer a method to prayer, while others choose to speak from the heart. Either way, rest assured God hears our prayers.

With the ACTS method, the prayer begins with adoration and praise. Thank God for His love and mercy. Thank God for His forgiveness (Matthew 6:9-13).

Confessing our sins and iniquities reminds us that we are flawed people. Salvation is found only through Jesus Christ. During this part of the prayer, ask God to forgive you for sinning, and thank Him for His forgiveness.

Thanksgiving is next in the ACTS prayer. Thank God for His love, mercy, glory, and blessings. Thank God for His forgiveness. Thank God for always being with you, in every moment. Thank You, God.

Supplication brings time to make your requests known to God. Yes, He knows your thoughts. Now, is the time during prayer to acknowledge your needs. God will answer in His way and in His timing. Be patient. Whatever His answer may be, know that answer is part of His plan for your life or the person you are praying for.

Using the ACTS method may take practice. Be patient. Try this method and feel the presence of God.

Reading prayers at the end of articles: With online and in print articles and devotions readily available, there is an opportunity to read prayers at the end of these writings. Some blog posts share prayers at the end of the message. The prayer may be used as a conclusion to the message and an invitation to walk closer in a relationship with God.

Starting a prayer journal: Having a place to note your prayers helps with remembering who you are praying for and allows us to rejoice when a prayer is answered. Note a date for each prayer. When the answer comes, record that in your journal. From time to time, look back at the prayers and rejoice in Gods answers.

10 Reasons Prayer is Important for Christians

Prayer is important for Christians because prayer opens communication with God.

Prayer strengthens our faith and trust in God.

Prayer has the ability to help bring other people closer to God.

Prayer is an act of obedience. God calls us to pray.

Prayer allows us to intercede on behalf of another person.

Prayer can show others the way to Christ.

Prayer brings comfort and peace.

Prayer gives us the opportunity to turn our concerns over to God.

Prayer provides a way to show others they are cared for and loved.

Prayer reminds us that we dont need to worry. God is in control.

Whether you pray alone or in a group setting, those prayers are heard by God. If you are taking a walk and enjoying the beauty of Gods creations, pray. When you learn of someone in need of prayer, pause right then, and pray. As Christians, the world will know Gods love through our words and actions. May peace and comfort fill you as you go to Him in prayer.

Below, Ive included an example of a prayer.

Father, Thank You for the many blessings You provide. Thank You for the ability to lift others up in prayer. Please forgive me for times I neglect to go to You in prayer. I am grateful for the love and forgiveness You give. Thank You for hearing the prayers of Your people. Help us to remember to love each other. Please allow me to show Your love to others through my words and actions. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Photo credit: GettyImages/Fizkes

Award-winning author Melissa Henderson writes inspirational messages sometimes laced with a bit of humor. With stories in books, magazines, devotionals, and more, Melissa hopes to encourage readers. Melissa is the author of Licky the Lizard and Grumpy the Gator. Her passions are helping in the community and church. Melissa is an Elder, Deacon, and Stephen Minister. Follow Melissa on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and at http://www.melissaghenderson. com





This article is part of our Prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.

Serenity Prayer

The Lords Prayer

Prayer for Peace

Morning Prayers

Good Night Prayers

Prayer for Healing

Prayer for Protection

Prayer for Gods Help

Prayer for Anxiety

Prayer for Strength
The US has reaffirmed its support for Taiwan following Chinas dispatch of warplanes near the island in an apparent attempt to intimidate its democratic government and test the resolve of the new American presidential administration.

The US State Department on Saturday said it was concerned by China's "pattern of ongoing attempts to intimidate its neighbors, including Taiwan.

We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwans democratically elected representatives," Ned Price, a spokesman for the department, said in the statement.

Taiwans Defense Ministry said China on Saturday sent eight bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons and four fighter jets into its air defense identification zone just southwest of the island. The ministry said China on Sunday sent another 16 military aircraft of various types into the same area.

The ministry said Taiwan responded by scrambling fighters, broadcasting warnings by radio and deploying air defense missile systems to monitor the activity.

There was no immediate Chinese comment on Sunday.

The overflights were part of a long-standing pattern of incursions aimed at pressuring the government of President Tsai Ing-wen into caving to Beijings demand that she recognize Taiwan as a part of Chinese territory.

They come on the heels of President Joe Bidens inauguration, emphasizing the island's enduring position in the panoply of divisive issues between the sides that also include human rights, trade disputes and, most recently, questions about China's initial response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Biden's administration has shown little sign of reducing pressure on China over such issues, although it is seen as favoring a return to more civil dialogue.

The State Department statement on Saturday said Washington will continue to deepen ties with Taiwan and ensure its defense from Chinese threats, while supporting a peaceful resolution of issues between the sides.

In another sign of support for Taiwan, the island's de-facto ambassador to Washington, Hsiao Bi-khim, was an invited guest at Biden's inauguration.

And in a final swipe at China, the Trump administrations outgoing U.N. ambassador tweeted that its time for the world to oppose Chinas efforts to exclude and isolate Taiwan, drawing sharp criticism from Beijing.

Ambassador Kelly Craft accompanied the tweet with a photo of herself in the U.N. General Assembly Hall where the island is banned. She carried a handbag with a stuffed Taiwan bear sticking out of the top, a gift from Taiwans representative in New York, Ambassador James Lee.

Taiwan and China separated amid civil war in 1949 and China says it is determined to bring the island under its control by force if necessary. The US switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but is legally required to ensure Taiwan can defend itself and the self-governing democratic island enjoys strong bipartisan support in Washington.

Tsai has sought to bolster the islands defenses with the purchase of billions of dollars in US weapons, including upgraded F-16 fighter jets, armed drones, rocket systems and Harpoon missiles capable of hitting both ships and land targets. She has also boosted support for Taiwan's indigenous arms industry, including launching a program to build new submarines to counter Chinas ever-growing naval capabilities.

Chinas increased threats come as economic and political enticements bear little fruit, leading it to stage war games and dispatch fighter jets and reconnaissance planes on an almost daily basis toward the island of 24 million people, which lies 160 kilometers (100 miles) off Chinas southeast coast across the Taiwan Strait.
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Cette annonce nest plus disponible et aucune proposition ne peut etre transmise.

Chief Accountant Officer a Djibouti

OPEN TO: All Interested Candidates/

POSITION: Chief Accountant

OPENING DATE: February 1, 2021

CLOSING DATE: March 1, 2021

WORK HOURS: Full-time, 48 hours/week

EMAIL: aamahado@gmail.com



JOB BRIEFS



A privately held company, is recruiting for a Chief Accountant Officer.



We are a fully integrated real estate, construction and property development firm and with a strong track record of identifying unique investment opportunities and initiating disciplined, value-added strategies and are positioned for growth. Our employees are the power behind our success; every team member contributes toward building a better company, every day.



The chief Accountant is in-charge of all financial and managerial accounting activities. He is responsible for preparing financial statements and performance reports, assisting departments/firm with annual budget and review internal control and tax study.



BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION



Incumbent of this position will be under the general supervision of the Administration and Finance Director.



He/she will be responsible of all financial and managerial accounting activities.

The incumbent will ensure and control accounting and finance documentation process and record keeping, participate in forecasting and budgeting process, perform project cost forecasts, cost tracking, monitoring and controls, issue project cost reports for review and approval, maintain internal control to ensure that accounting system comply with the financial and accounting policies and procedures manual, conduct all necessary training to keep the teams skills and knowledge up to date, monitor and mentor/train junior accountant, clerks, bookkeepers and sales staff, work collaboratively with other teams to achieve shared goals.



REQUIREMENTS



BSc or Masters degree in Accounting, Finance or relevant field degree.

Additional academic certification related Field is a plus.

Multinational preferably in an industrial or construction industry.

Experienced in accounting software, strong accounting and strong command over English.

Knowledge of Arabic and Somali is an asset.



NOTE:

-Due to the high volume of applications received, we will only contact applicants who are qualified and will be invited for further testing and/or interview. Thank you for your understanding.

Emplois & Services, Emplois

24 janvier, 2021

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Elite members of the SAS and SBS will now be allowed to keep the beards they grew during operations when they return home under new military rules.

Traditionally, members of the special forces and their supporting regiments have been allowed to grow facial hair when on operations away from their barracks.

However, when they return they and take part in special occasions, wearing parade uniform, they have been required to be clean shaven again.

The decision to allow the SAS and SBS to keep their beards was made by the Director of the Special Forces, a major general who served with the SBS, The Express reports.

Elite members of the SAS and SBS will now be allowed to keep the beards they grew during operations when they return home under new military rules (stock image)

Previously, Prince Harry was seen wearing military uniform to ceremonial events while sporting a beard.

When he married Meghan Markle in 2018, concerns were raised over whether he would keep his beard while wearing his military uniform.

However, a statement issued by Kensington Palace confirmed that the Queen had granted Harry special permission to marry in his uniform and keep his beard.

The statement said: 'Her Majesty The Queen gave her permission for Prince Harry to get married in his uniform.'

Historian Hugo Vickers said the permission may also have been granted because Harry has retired from active service.

When he married Meghan Markle in 2018, concerns were raised over whether he would keep his beard while wearing his military uniform. However, a statement issued by Kensington Palace confirmed that the Queen had granted Harry special permission to marry in his uniform and keep his beard

In 2017 Harry also appeared in uniform with a beard at the Cenotaph for the Remembrance Sunday service.

Prince Harry left active service in the military in 2015 after having completed two operational tours of Afghanistan.

After announcing plans to step away from Royal Duties last year, Prince Harry agreed to give up his military appointments.

Under military rules, this means when he makes public appearances at official engagements he is no longer permitted to wear his uniform and can only wear his medals.

A senior Special Forces source told The Express: 'I think Prince Harry's example has made it more difficult to resist this change, but, really, it's a common sense decision.'

After announcing plans to step away from Royal Duties last year, Prince Harry agreed to give up his military appointments. Under military rules, this means when he makes public appearances at official engagements he is no longer permitted to wear his uniform and can only wear his medals. Pictured: Prince Harry attending the Armistice Day Service on November 11, 2016

Before the Special Forces Director's ruling, only a handful of exemptions to the beard rule existed, such as soldiers with skin irritations or those whose religions require facial hair be worn.

Additionally, only traditional roles within the Army, such as Pioneer Sergeant, Drum Majors, Pipe Majors and Bugle Majors were allowed a beard.

In 2019, the RAF changed its own guidelines to mirror those in the Navy to allow pilots the right to wear beards at all times.

MailOnline has approached representatives of the Duke of Sussex for comment.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset welcomed eight professionals as its newest members on January 11th, 2021. Joining Rotary Sunset are Suenah Laville Martis, Lucrecia Lake, Fabiana Richardson, Sydonna Watts, Sabrina Vrutaal, Shanyca Colastica, Tivona Trotman, and Gabriel Flanders Hyman Jr who were sworn in by President of Rotary Sunset Elisia Lake during the clubs general meeting.

- Suenah Laville Martis is a Secretary-General employed by the Government of Sint Maarten in the Committee of Civil Servants Unions.

- Lucrecia Lake is an Administrator employed by the Government of Sint Maarten in the Department of Compatibility/Financial Administration/Accounting Department.

- Gabriel Flanders Hyman Jr is an Administrator employed by the Government of Sint Maarten in the Department of Labour Affairs and Social Services.

- Fabiana Richardson is a Case Worker employed by the Government of Sint Maarten in the Department of Labour Affairs and Social Services.

- Sydonna Watts is a Financial Controller employed by Prime Distributors N.V.

- Sabrina Vrutaal is an Occupational Nurse employed by Social & Health Insurances SZV.

- Shanyca Colastica, is a Customer Service Agent employed by the Princess Juliana International Airport.

- Tivona Trotman is a General Manager employed by Kaiteur Guyana Shipping.

After completing the process of a robust membership plan recently installed by the club, all eight professionals have been identified as assets to the club and embody the motto of Rotary International, Service Above Self. From the onset, they have made themselves readily available to assist in all projects, attend workshops, events, and fellowships and the members of Rotary Sunset look forward to serving humanity with them onboard.

Each new member was pinned by their sponsor Shemaiah Fleming, Elisia Lake Micheline Warner, Leonel Lawrence, Michelette Boasman and Sherbert Arrindell, respectively, at Carl N Sons Conference Room while members and guests joined in on the celebration via Zoom. President Lake also delivered an impactful speech highlighting the importance of increasing their Rotary knowledge and being engaged to become a well-rounded Rotarian.

The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset meets on the second and fourth Monday of the month at Carl N Sons Unique Inn and Conference Facilities in Cole Bay at 7:30 pm. Due to COVID-19, the club currently meets via Zoom. The club can be contacted via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via the official Facebook page at facebook.com/rotarysxmsunset.
Former President Donald Trump considered replacing the acting attorney general with an official willing to pursue unsubstantiated claims of election fraud, and he pushed the Justice Department to ask the Supreme Court to invalidate President Joe Bidens victory, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.

Citing people familiar with the matter, the Journal said the efforts in the last weeks of Trump's presidency failed because of resistance from his Justice appointees who refused to file what they viewed as a legally baseless lawsuit in the Supreme Court.

Other senior department officials later threatened to resign if Trump fired then-acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, several people familiar with the discussions told the Journal.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters on Saturday.

Senior officials including Rosen, former Attorney General William Barr and former acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall refused to file the Supreme Court case, concluding there was no basis to challenge the election outcome and the federal government had no legal interest in whether Trump or Biden won the presidency, some of these people told the Journal.

Then-White House counsel Pat Cipollone and his deputy, Patrick Philbin, also opposed Trumps idea, which was promoted by his outside attorneys, these people said.

After his Supreme Court plan got nowhere, Trump explored replacing Rosen with Jeffrey Clark, a Trump ally who had expressed a willingness to use the departments power to help Trump continue his unsuccessful legal battles contesting the election results, the people told the Journal.

Trump backed off that plan after the threats from senior Justice Department leadership to resign if Rosen were removed, people familiar with the discussions said.

The plan to oust Rosen was first reported by the New York Times.

A Trump adviser, asked to respond to the U.S. media reports, said the former president "has consistently argued that our justice system should be investigating the broader, rampant election fraud that has plagued our system for years. Any assertion to the contrary is false and being driven by those who wish to keep the system broken."

Democrats reacted with fury on Saturday to the New York Times' report, with Senator Richard Durbin, incoming chairman of the Judiciary Committee, saying he would investigate efforts to use the Justice Department to further Trump's efforts to overthrow the election results. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calling on the department's inspector general, Michael E. Horowitz, to investigate this attempted sedition.

Trump's relentless and baseless claims of election fraud - and his refusal to acknowledge Biden's victory - culminated on Jan. 6 when Trump urged a rally of his supporters to march to the Capitol to protest the certification of the results. The resulting rampage led to five deaths, including a Capitol police officer.

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives impeached Trump for a second time a week later for inciting the insurrection at the Capitol, and a Senate trial on the charge will begin the week of Feb. 8. Biden took office on Wednesday.
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Youths torched a Dutch Covid testing centre and an effigy of the Danish Prime Minister was set alight in fiery anti-lockdown protests sweeping across Europe.

The testing facility in the village of Urk in the Netherlands went up in flames on Saturday night with its burnt-out shell remaining cordoned off on Sunday.

Meanwhile, in Copenhagen, Denmark, an effigy of Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was set on fire in as anti-lockdown sentiment erupts across the continent.

The Netherlands appeared to be bearing the brunt of the unrest on Sunday as authorities use water cannons and dogs to quell demonstrations in Amsterdam. Hundreds of protesters gathered to demonstrate against a curfew that began on Saturday.

In Eindhoven in the country's south, police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd of several hundred protesters while a number of vehicles were burned and businesses at the city's central train station looted, local media reports.

Police said there were at least 30 arrests.

Youths torched a Dutch Covid testing centre (pictured) and an effigy of the Danish PM was set alight in fiery anti-lockdown protests sweeping across Europe

The testing facility in the village of Urk in the Netherlands went up in flames on Saturday night (pictured) with its burnt-out shell remaining cordoned off on Sunday

Meanwhile, in Copenhagen, Denmark, an effigy of Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (pictured) was set on fire in as anti-lockdown sentiment erupts across the continent

A powerful water cannon is used to break up crowds of demonstrators in Amsterdam in the Netherlands today

Police with batons, helmets and dogs are seen walking along the street in Amsterdam to break up demonstrations against lockdown measures

Police officers on horses were seen on the streets of Amsterdam today as anti-lockdown protests erupted in the city

Police were seen patting down a protester on the streets of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, as anti-lockdown protests erupted

A demonstrator is attacked by a dog on the Museumplein, where the police broke up a demonstration against the current Covid-19 measures

Police use a water canon during a protest against restrictions put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus in Amsterdam

A police officer is seen clashing with a protester during a demonstration in Amsterdam today. Officers clutched riot shields

A woman is seen on the ground in Amsterdam during a protest against the restrictions put in place to curb the spread of Covid-19

A woman is arrested by police in Amsterdam. Rutte and his cabinet resigned on January 22 over a scandal involving child tax benefits, but they will continue to govern until elections in mid-March

Locals in Urk turned against the police en masse after curfew on Saturday night. Pictured: Police standing off against demonstrators

In Eindhoven in the country's south, police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd of several hundred protesters. Pictured: A car was set on fire in the city

A number of vehicles were burned (one pictured) and businesses at Eindhoven's central train station looted, local media reports

A supermarket in Eindhoven's central train station was looted (the aftermath, pictured) after protests erupted in the city on Sunday

Authorities also confirmed there was a fire at a Covid-19 testing centre in the village of Urk in the north of the country on Saturday evening.

'The fire in a screening centre in Urk goes beyond all limits,' Health Minister Hugo de Jonge said on Sunday.

The 9pm to 4.30am curfew is the country's first since World War II, with Prime Minister Mark Rutte saying it is needed to bring down virus case numbers.

People who break the curfew face a 95 Euro (84.54) fine.

Exemptions are possible, in particular for people returning from funerals or those having to work, but they present a certificate.

A store was damaged near to Eindhoven's train station (pictured) on January 24 during a rally attended by several hundred people

Protesters clashed with Dutch anti-riot police during an anti-lockdown demonstration in Eindhoven on January 24, 2021

Protesters clashed with the police during an anti-lockdown protest in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, on Sunday

Demonstrators march with a banner reading 'black-clad resistance' during a protest march organised by radical anti-lockdown group 'Men in Black Denmark' on Saturday night

Authorities also confirmed there was a fire at a Covid-19 testing centre in the village of Urk in the north of the country on Saturday evening. Pictured: The burnt-out remnants on Sunday

'The fire in a screening centre in Urk (pictured) goes beyond all limits,' Health Minister Hugo de Jonge said on Sunday

Rutte also announced on Wednesday a ban on flights from Britain, South Africa and South America, and a cut in the number of guests allowed in people's homes to one, from the previous limit of two.

New variants of the virus have led to deep concern in Europe, particularly a more infectious strain that first emerged in Britain.

The Netherlands was already under its toughest measures since the start of the pandemic, with bars and restaurants having closed in October, and schools and non-essential shops shut since December.

Dutch lawmakers on Thursday approved Rutte's curfew plan, though on condition that it begin half an hour later than the original 8.30pm start time.

The Netherlands appeared to be bearing the brunt of the unrest on Sunday. Pictured: Locals stand off against the police in Urk on Saturday night

Meanwhile in Denmark, an effigy representing Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (pictured) with a sign around its neck reading 'she must be put down' was set alight in Copenhagen during demonstrations there

A march in Copenhagen (the effigy, pictured) was organised by a radical group called 'Men in Black Denmark' who are protesting restrictions introduced by the Danish Government during the pandemic

Hundreds of protesters gathered to demonstrate against a curfew that began on Saturday in Amsterdam. In Urk in the Netherlands, demonstrators set a testing centre on fire

The 9pm to 4.30am curfew is the country's first since World War II, with Prime Minister Mark Rutte saying it is needed to bring down virus case numbers. Pictured: The burnt-out remnants of Saturday night's fire

The move had faced criticism led by far-right politician Geert Wilders, who called it 'careless' and 'disproportionate'.

'I stand here for freedom. I lost it myself,' said Wilders, who has for years been under round-the-clock security after receiving death threats.

'I do not accept that we unnecessarily... introduce curfews while there are alternatives.'

Rutte and his cabinet resigned on January 22 over a scandal involving child tax benefits, but they will continue to govern until elections in mid-March.

Hundreds of protesters gathered to demonstrate against a curfew that began on Saturday in Amsterdam. Demonstrators clutched a sign calling for the lockdown to end

The Netherlands appeared to be bearing the brunt of the unrest on Sunday with huge crowds gathered in Amsterdam

Authorities use water cannons and dogs to quell demonstrations in Amsterdam. Pictured: Demonstrators being sprayed with water cannons

Authorities used a truck with water cannons fixed to the top to disperse anti-lockdown protesters gathered in Amsterdam

A demonstrator throws a sign during a protest against restrictions put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus

Police officers walk along the street clutching riot shields and batons as they attempt to disperse anti-lockdown protesters in Amsterdam

Demonstrators gather on the Museumpleim in Amsterdam. One man is dressed as a silver grim reaper during the protest

Meanwhile in Denmark, an effigy representing Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen with a sign around its neck reading 'she must be put down' was set alight in Copenhagen during demonstrations there.

A march was organised by a radical group called 'Men in Black Denmark' who are protesting restrictions introduced by the Danish Government during the pandemic.

Local authorities confirmed there were five arrests.

Demonstrations are also understood to have erupted in Spain over the weekend.
There are a lot of people who love candy and honestly most of us do, but, imagine getting paid for eating what you like the most. Yes, you read that right!



A Canadian company is looking for people who can be full-time and part-time candyologists. Candy Funhouse is looking for people to taste-test its candies. If thats your dream job  heres everything about the position.

 Unsplash

Candy Funhouse also advertised these roles on its official website. Also, the chosen candidate would be awarded C$30 (Canadian dollars) an hour to sample and review the companys 3000 candies and chocolate treats.



The text posted about the job posting reads, "Candidates should have enthusiasm and eagerness to try confectionery products. We are looking for honest and objective opinions on the products that will be taste-tested. Candidates will be responsible for tasting and reviewing from the 3000 products we currently carry.

 Unsplash

It further reads, The candidates will also play an integral role in selecting the candies that will be a part of the first-ever Candy Funhouse branded candy line. 10 new and original candy creations will be selected and narrowed down from 100s of possible options. Here at Candy Funhouse, confectionary is a science".



Also, the company is accepting job openings till February 15. Now, while we are working so hard to earn money, this job position is helping us earn money easily. Imagine your job targets at this position will be to eat candies. If you eat less-candies, one might get a scolding from his or her boss.

 Unsplash

While shifting or quitting a job is not always easy for anyone, this is one job we'll happily take up! What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below!


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A Trump supporter who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 threatened on social media to assassinate Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that day and also threatened the Capitol Police officer who fatally shot a woman as she tried to enter the Speakers Lobby, federal prosecutors said.

The man, Garret Miller, 34, of Richardson, Texas, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with, among other things, threats, knowingly entering a restricted building and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, according to a criminal complaint.

Surveillance video from inside the Capitol, a selfie and a video posted by Mr. Miller and comments he made on social media showed that he had been part of a crowd that had pushed past the police to enter the Capitol, disrupting Congress as it was certifying President Donald J. Trumps loss to Joseph R. Biden Jr., the complaint states.

Image The criminal complaint against Mr. Miller includes a photo from Jan. 6 that was posted to his Facebook account. Credit... United States District Court for the Disctrict of Columbia

In one instance, Mr. Miller posted a photo of himself inside the Capitol, the complaint states, prompting someone on Facebook to comment: bro you got in?! Nice! Mr. Miller replied, just wanted to incriminate myself a little lol.
California scientists have discovered a homegrown coronavirus strain that appears to be propagating faster than any other variant on the loose in the Golden State.

Two independent research groups said they stumbled upon the new strain while looking for signs that a highly transmissible variant from the United Kingdom had established itself here. Instead, they found a new branch of the virus family tree  one whose sudden rise and distinctive mutations have made it a prime suspect in Californias vicious holiday surge.

As they pored over genetic sequencing data in late December and early January, the two teams saw evidence of the new strains prolific spread leap off their spreadsheets. Although focused on different regions of the state, they uncovered trends that were both remarkably similar and deeply worrying.

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles found that although the strain had been barely detectable in early October, it accounted for 24% of roughly 4,500 viral samples gathered throughout California in the last weeks of 2020.

In a separate analysis of 332 virus samples culled mostly from Northern California during late November and December, 25% were of the same type.

There was a homegrown variant under our noses, said Dr. Charles Chiu, a laboratory medicine specialist at University of California, San Francisco who examined the samples from the northern part of the state with collaborators from the California Department of Public Health. Were they not on the hunt for the U.K. strain and other viral variants, he said, we could have missed this at every level.

The new strain, which scientists have dubbed B.1.426, bears five mutations in its genetic code. One of them, known as L452R, alters the virus spike protein, the tool it uses to infiltrate human cells and turn them into virus-making factories.

Over multiple generations, even a small improvement in this ability will help a virus propagate more easily through a population, driving up infections, hospitalizations and deaths.

Spotty surveillance efforts that use genetic sequencing to track changes in the virus had detected a single instance of B.1.426 in California way back in July. As far as scientists can tell, it lay low for the next three months.

Then it got busy.

The team at Cedars-Sinai collected 192 viral samples from patients at the medical center between Nov. 22 and Dec. 28. At 11 p.m. on New Years Eve, they uploaded those samples to their genetic sequencer, which began to spit out the data over the first weekend of the new year. The strains sudden prominence elicited wonder and sorrow.

We said, Wow! Theres something different, something we didnt expect to find, said Dr. Eric Vail, a pathologist who usually sequences genes in search of cancer drivers. All of a sudden, your brain starts going a mile a minute.

All thoughts quickly turned to the states calamitous COVID-19 surge  a run-up in illness and death that stressed hospitals to their limit, killed more than 18,000 Californians and doubled the states total death toll in the space of less than three months.

Had they found the culprit?

The preliminary evidence seemed damning. It was certainly found at the scene of the crime. Flummoxed health officials working to contain the outbreak had hypothesized that they were up against a new coronavirus strain with enhanced transmission capabilities.

But there were several other suspects to consider as well, including chilly weather, restaurant dining, holiday gatherings and a growing disregard for public health measures.

To clarify B.1.426s role in the surge, investigators will need to determine just how much devastation it is capable of producing. That inquiry will focus on its transmissibility as well as its ability to circumvent the tools  including masks, drugs and vaccines  that can be used to bring the pandemic under control.

For now, both sets of researchers doubt they have found a lone actor. But they may have caught an accomplice.

Chiu said his skepticism stems in part from the fact that the surge in cases across the state seems to have begun before the new strain saw its steepest growth. It may have contributed to this surge, or simply gone along for the ride, he said.

In addition, the strains sudden prominence among viral samples in Northern California could be due in part to its role in an unusually large outbreak at Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center that infected at least 77 staffers and 15 patients, and resulted in one employee death. Officials are investigating whether an infected but asymptomatic employee was able to spread the virus widely with the help of a battery-powered fan that was part of an inflatable Christmas tree costume.

It seemed to spread quite fast, said Dr. Sara Cody, the health officer for Santa Clara County, where the hospital is located. We are trying to understand whether the features of that outbreak are because of this variant  does this variant of the virus behave in some different way  or does it have to do with other factors that were present at the hospital?

In Southern California, where the timelines of the surge and B.1.426s emergence seem better aligned, researchers are more inclined to blame the virus.

It probably helped to accelerate the number of cases around the holiday season, Vail said. But human behavior is the predominant factor in the spread of a virus, and the fact that it happened when the weather became colder and in the midst of the holidays when people gather is not an accident.

Scientists in Chius lab have already begun cultivating armies of the new strain, derived from four patients recently infected with it. Creating large batches under controlled conditions is a first step in testing whether the any of its mutations enhance its ability to latch onto, invade and hijack human cells.

Those early efforts have raised cause for concern.

It grows pretty robustly, Chiu said.

Adding to his concern are the findings of other researchers at Howard University who engineered and tested a version of the coronavirus with the L452R mutation, which rose to prominence in a strain that surfaced in Denmark in March. The Howard team found that the mutation helps the virus attach more firmly to human cells, potentially enhancing its transmission.

In Chius lab, as well as at Cedars-Sinai, scientists will put the new strain through its paces to look for signs that B.1.426s mutations have enhanced its performance.

Other experiments will explore whether the antibodies generated by the immune systems of people who have been infected by or vaccinated against the coronavirus will recognize this new strain.

Some damning evidence has already come to light. State health officials reported this week that a patient in Monterey County who had tested positive for an infection in April and recovered has now been infected with B.1.426.

That suggests that the new strain may be able to hide its presence from antibodies created after exposure to other versions of the virus  a phenomenon known as immune escape. If thats the case, it might undermine the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and antibody-based treatments.

The takeaway is that this is a variant thats becoming more prevalent and we need to lean in and understand more about it, Cody said.
LONG ISLAND, NY  Long after nursing school ended Rachel H. continued studying, always staying on top of the latest studies and clinical trials in the medical field. It didn't matter if the material concerned a controversial state-of-the-art medical treatment or a new medication. She has been following the progress of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, and she is not willing to roll up her sleeve so soon due to concerns over long-term effects, despite the fear of contracting COVID-19.

"There's no data on it. You are going to be the data  that's the only thing," said Rachel, a Suffolk County resident who works in an out-patient facility for mental health. She has declined to be identified for privacy reasons. "It's a fear everyone has. You get [COVID-19] and you get sick."

The lack of data for the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccine concerns Rachel, so she plans to give the vaccine development some more time and she will possibly consider Johnson & Johnson's forthcoming version of the vaccine because she has a friend who is involved with the clinical trial.

"I would be more open to that because it is more traditional," she said, noting that Johnson & Johnson's vaccine is similar to that of the influenza vaccine, which is adjusted yearly to fight a different strain of the flu.

Pfizer's phase 3 vaccine trial, which had 43,448 participants, was "well-tolerated and demonstrated vaccine efficacy of 95% against COVID-19," the company said in a news release last month.

Another concern for Rachel is that the current vaccines available in the United States use mRNA technology, which does not contain a live or weakened virus, but instead stimulates the body to create a protein to increase immunity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She still considers the vaccines experimental because they were rolled out so quickly under emergency approvals by the Federal Drug Administration, but she says that does not mean they are not safe.

Story continues

"This is something that really no one has gotten before, so we don't know about the long-term effects," she said.

Health experts are raising alarms bells over the number of healthcare workers refusing to be vaccinated.



"To me, it really makes it exceedingly important that we get the correct information to health care workers, and that we quickly dispense with myths and misinformation," Nancy Messonnier, the director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told The Hill.

In a Los Angeles Times report, fewer than half of hospital workers eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at St. Elizabeth's Community Hospital in Tehema County, CA were willing to take it once offered. At Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, CA one in five staff members declined the vaccine.

April Wu, a 31-year-old nurse working at Providence Holy Cross, told The Times that she refused the vaccine because she is six months pregnant and is not sure how safe the vaccine is because there have not been any clinical trials on pregnant women.

"I'm choosing the risk  the risk of having COVID, or the risks of the unknown of having the vaccine," Wu told The Times. "I think I am choosing COVID. I can control that, and prevent it by wearing masks, although I am not 100 % sure."



Dr. Stephen Noble, a 43-year-old cardiothoractic surgeon in Portland, OR told the Associated Press that he was also postponing the vaccine.

"I don't think anyone wants to be a guinea pig," he said. "At the end of the day, as a man of science, I just want to see what the data shows. And show me the full data."

In New York, more than half of EMS workers have shown skepticism about taking the vaccine, according to a New York Post report citing alarming vaccination declination rates by hospital workers throughout the U.S.



Government And Hospital Response To Dilemma

In his daily news briefing updating members of the media on the pandemic last Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced vaccination rates among hospital workers varies by region throughout the state, with higher numbers tending to be present in New York City. Vaccination declination rates also vary, but are higher outside the metro area with the highest declination rate in the Mid-Hudson region, which came in at 28 percent, according to Cuomo.



On Long Island, 60 percent of hospital staff have been vaccinated, while only about 13 percent declined to be vaccinated. One of the lowest vaccination rates of hospital workers was found at St. Catherine of Siena in Smithtown, where only 34 percent of its staff was vaccinated. Of the 130,000 people working in "skilled nursing" facilities in the state, 32 percent have declined to be vaccinated when given the opportunity, Cuomo said Monday, according to the New York Times.

A request for a break down of declinations by hospital was not immediately available from the state Department of Health or Cuomo's office.



Cuomo compared nurses serving on the frontlines who are opting out of the vaccine and continuing to care for the public to "super-spreaders," or people who infect many others with the coronavirus through close contact.

"No one wants to go to a hospital and be treated by a nurse with COVID. You don't help people that way," he said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends healthcare workers are vaccinated and prioritizing those on the front-line, like emergency room and critical care nurses, but taking the vaccine is not mandatory for those workers. Questions seeking requests for comment and clarification from local hospital press offices went largely unanswered as to the number of hospital employees opting out of the vaccination process.



Rosemary Gomez, a spokeswoman for St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, which is part of Long Island Catholic Health Systems and one of the hardest hit hospitals last Spring, declined to comment on this story.

Northwell Health spokesman Jason Molinet did offer some insight in that the declination rate has been monitored by the state and that so far, Northwell, which is the island's largest health system, has vaccinated more than 30,000 employees.

Lisa Greiner, a spokeswoman for NYU Winthrop in Mineola, said the health system is using "ongoing education to strongly encourage employees to get vaccinated."

Cynthia Ruf, vice president of branding and stakeholder relationships for Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue, also offered no specific comment regarding the employees opting out of the vaccination process, though she did say that the hospital has had "great success" administering the first round of doses to employees.

"We have not wasted any single vaccine and already have employees signed up for when we get our next distribution," she stated in an email.



Hospital officials from Stony Brook Medicine, which includes its flagship teaching hospital as well as Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport, are encouraging all eligible employees to get the vaccine a spokesman said.

Like NYU Winthrop, the system is providing education to employees about the vaccine and it has "physicians on-hand to answer questions employees may have about the vaccine," according to a statement from Stony Brook Medicine. The statement went on to taut employee adherence to the CDC's guidelines, such as the "proper and consistent use" of personal protection equipment and hand hygiene to "minimize the chance of contagion and spread.

Requests for comment from 1199 SEIU Healthcare Workers East, the largest collective bargaining unit representing most of Long Island's hospitals, were not answered. Just prior to the vaccination of the person in the U.S.  a nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park  the union on Dec. 12, urged workers to take the vaccine calling it a "critical step forward to help protect members' health and put an end to the devastating pandemic that has ravaged our nation."



A request for comment to the union representing Stony Brook University Hospital Medical Center workers was also not answered.

Vaccine Declination Taking A Chance For Some, Others A Personal Choice



Wu told The Los Angeles Times that she would take her chances and rely on her PPE and relayed that colleagues were also taking their chances by opting out of the vaccination process. "I feel people think, 'I can still make it until this ends without getting the vaccine,'" she said to a Times reporter.

Rachel H. said she has worked through the pandemic, working from at home and then as restrictions loosened returning to the office without contracting COVID-19. When prompted if she is scared of contracting the virus, she admitted that she was.

"Of course, however, I have thought of that and I am not so sure that the vaccine will protect me," he said.

Rachel said that she has heard people in the community criticizing frontline healthcare workers who are not taking the vaccine and it frustrates her because she realizes that the workers are professionals with more knowledge of medicine and the vaccine rollout.

"I say, 'they have their reasons,'" she said.



She disagrees with any notion that healthcare workers are super-spreading if they don't take the vaccine because she does not believe they would show up to work with symptoms and endanger their patients. However, she understands the need to get as many people vaccinated as possible, but pointed out it's their personal preference.

"They still have a say as to what goes into their bodies," she said.

Though she did note that if she was a frontline worker she might think differently about taking the vaccine. But for now, it's a personal choice up to each employee and everyone is going to have a differing opinion on it, she said.

"I do think once more vaccines come out, more people in healthcare will be open to taking them," she said.







This article originally appeared on the New Hyde Park Patch
Almost a quarter of CEOs of family businesses have reported that the loss of control of their companies is a key concern over the next six months. Stock image

Almost a quarter of CEOs of family businesses have reported that the loss of control of their companies is a key concern over the next six months.

In 'Surviving a Crisis as a Family Business: An All-Ireland Study', which will be published by DCU's National Centre for Family Business on Monday, researchers spoke to family business leaders and employees to understand the impact of Covid-19 and how family businesses respond to crises.

Findings from the survey aspect of the research revealed that 83pc of CEOs felt the pandemic would negatively impact their business. It also found nine-in-ten of the CEOs surveyed believed the family business would run out of cash within the next six months if the crisis did not abate.
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New Delhi, Jan 23: The Union Health Ministry said on Saturday that the number of people who have tested positive for the UK variant of COVID-19 in India has risen to 150.

All of them have been kept in single room isolation in designated health care facilities by the respective state governments.

Their close contacts have also been put under quarantine.
Mexican President: Biden Will Pledge $4 Billion to Central American Countries

President Joe Biden spoke with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, with the Mexican leader saying the White House would send $4 billion to Central American countries.

Lopez Obrador on Jan. 23 said that Biden pledged the billions to help development in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador to stem migration from Central America to Mexico.

According to a summary of the call from the White House, the two spoke about a review of bilateral cooperation on a range of bilateral and regional issues, particularly regional migration. Biden also outlined his plan to reduce migration by addressing its root causes, increasing resettlement capacity and lawful alternative immigration pathways, improving processing at the border to adjudicate requests for asylum, and reversing some of the Trump administrations draconian policies.

The two leaders agreed to work closely to stem the flow of irregular migration to Mexico and the United States, as well as to promote development in the Northern Triangle of Central America, the readout said. They also recognized the importance of coordination to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

In June 2019, the Mexican president signed a deal with former President Donald Trump under which Mexico agreed to take steps to curb illegal immigration. Trump, in return, withdrew a threat to place tariffs on Mexican products.

Over the past several months, Lopez Obrador had refused to acknowledge Biden as the president-elect and also defended Trump after he was banned from Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

I dont like anybody being censored or taking away from  the right to post a message on Twitter or Face[book]. I dont agree with that, I dont accept that, said Lopez Obrador, The Associated Press reported earlier this month after Trumps accounts were suspended.

How can you censor someone: Lets see, I, as the judge of the Holy Inquisition, will punish you because I think what youre saying is harmful.

Where is the law, where is the regulation, what are the norms? This is an issue of government, this is not an issue for private companies.

Biden, meanwhile, spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week, coming after Trudeau expressed disappointment that Biden issued an executive order halting the Keystone XL Pipeline. The long-disputed project was slated to carry about 800,000 barrels of oil per day from Albertas oil sands to the Gulf Coast.

The White House, citing the call between the two leaders, said Biden acknowledged Trudeaus disappointment with the decision.

Its not always going to be perfect alignment with the United States, Trudeau said, according to AP. Thats the case with any given president, but were in a situation where we are much more aligned on values and focus. I am very much looking forward to working with President Biden.
ALBANY  Republican lawmakers in the state Legislature on Friday blasted their Democratic counterparts or what they described as a move to eliminate minority voices in the redistricting process following a vote to amend the state Constitution earlier this week.

The legislation approved by both chambers earlier in the week was the second time legislators have voted on the constitutional amendment, which seeks to speed up the redistricting process after the coronavirus pandemic delayed the U.S. Census count last year and neutralized the often highly politicized process.

One of those adjustments included eliminating the two-pronged approach for how the maps are approved with one set of guidelines for when both houses are controlled by one party and another for when the houses are bipartisan.

Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, who sponsored the amendment, said the language made it so that if the Senate is in Republican hands, redistricting maps only needed a simple majority vote, but if it was democratically controlled, the approval would need a supermajority.

The language in the Constitution is being left largely intact. What were doing is fixing the gross inequities that (Republicans) tried to bake into the Constitution decades ago, Gianaris said. Theyre upset that we are taking away the partisan advantage they put in.

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay called on good-government groups to push back on the amendment in a letter Thursday.

While some of your organizations have expressed well-founded opposition to the legislation, I hope all good-government groups will do their part in educating the public about the flawed process and priorities that resulted in the upcoming referendum, Barclay wrote.

Barclay argued that the redistricting process for 2022 was approved overwhelmingly by the Legislature in 2012 and again in 2013, and New Yorkers approved it in 2014. New Yorkers will be asked to weigh in on the latest constitutional amendment in November in a ballot referendum.

Gianaris pointed out that the amendment makes some other significant changes, including designating 63 Senate districts and preventing district lines from being split in cities.

When Republicans were in the majority, Gianaris said, they added Senate seats to maintain a majority and drew lines dividing city districts among multiple legislators to dilute Democratic voices.

So what they are upset about is that they will not get to continue New Yorks status as the worst gerrymandered state in the country, he said.
More than 25 million Covid-19 cases have been recorded in the United States since the pandemic began, Johns Hopkins University said Sunday, just days after President Joe Biden's inauguration.

The milestone was reached only five days after the US, the world's wealthiest and hardest-hit nation, recorded 400,000 deaths from the disease.

Biden has made fighting the coronavirus a priority and is pushing for Congress to approve a $1.9-trillion relief package that would include billions of dollars to boost vaccination rates.

Biden has said he wants 100 million people vaccinated within his first 100 days in office, and he has called for Americans to wear masks for 100 days.

Countries around the world are in a race against time to get their populations inoculated before the coronavirus mutates into a strain that could resist newly approved vaccinations.

Vivek Murthy, Biden's nominee for surgeon-general, told ABC News on Sunday that 100 million doses in 100 days was "a floor, not a ceiling" and cautioned about new strains.

"The variants are very concerning," Murthy told the network.

"It's up to us to adapt and stay ahead," he added.

White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain said Biden's administration would "take responsibility" for the trajectory. Former president Donald Trump came under frequent criticism for perceived federal inaction in combating the virus.

"We're going to set up these federal vaccination centers to make sure that in states that don't have enough ... we fill those gaps," Klain told the NBC News show "Meet the Press."

"We need more vaccine, we need more vaccinators and we need more vaccine sites."

The US caseload remains by far the world's highest in absolute terms.

India, where the population is about four times larger than in the US, has the second-highest caseload with about 10.6 million cases, according to Johns Hopkins.

After the first Covid-19 case was reported in the US in January 2020 it took until late April for the figure to pass one million. The overall number of cases has followed an almost exponential curve upwards since then.

Xavier Becerra, Biden's secretary of health and human services nominee, likened the Covid-19 trajectory under Trump to a plane about to crash.

"We've got to pull it up and you aren't going to do that overnight, but we'll pull it up -- we have to pull it up," he told CNN.

"Failure is not an option here."

Last week, Johns Hopkins announced more than 400,000 people in the US had died from Covid-19, a grim marker that came one day before Biden's inauguration.

The US has now recorded 25,003,695 million cases, according to the Baltimore-based university's coronavirus tracking website -- though with testing shaky at the start of the pandemic, the real toll is believed to be much higher.

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A man has been run over by a police cruiser that plowed through a crowd of people as they watched street racers do burnouts in Washington state.

Disturbing video footage shows the cruiser backing up about three feet before accelerating forward and mowing down the group of pedestrians in Tacoma around 6.20pm on Saturday night.

One person can be seen lying on the pavement as the police car's wheels rolled over him. He was taken to a local hospital and his condition is unclear.

Tacoma police said the crowd of about 100 people were blocking the intersection when police arrived on scene. They then 'began clearing the intersection and people for the safety of those gathered and people trying to use the street'.

At that point, police said the cruiser was surrounded by the crowd who hit the car and tried to smash through the windows.

'The officer, fearing for his safety, tried to back up, but was unable to do so because of the crowd. While trying to extricate himself from an unsafe position, the officer drove forward striking one individual and may have impacted others.'

The video shows several other people being hit by the cruiser. It's unclear how badly they were injured.

The officer behind the wheel then 'stopped at a point of safety' and called for help, according to Tacoma Police.

Shocking video footage shows a police car in Tacoma, Washington, run over a pedestrian on Saturday night

The pedestrian is seen above after he was caught underneath the tires of the police vehicle

Eyewitness accounts posted to social media indicate that the man did not suffer life-threatening injuries

Eyewitness accounts posted to social media indicate that the person who was completely underneath the SUV's wheels is not believed to have suffered any life-threatening injuries.

Moments before the incident, the crowd of about 100 people had gathered to watch several drivers perform circular 'burnouts' in which they revved their engines while their cars spun inside the intersection.

A witness told The News Tribune that a fire truck drove through the intersection and briefly interrupted the burnout session.

But the group of vehicles quickly reformed and the crowds once again observed the drivers as they were doing their maneuvers.

Moments before the incident, some three dozen people had gathered to watch several drivers perform circular 'burnouts' in which they revved their engines while their cars spun inside the intersection

Police said they received reports that up to 100 people had blocked the intersection to watch street racers (above) do burnouts

Soon afterward, a Tacoma police vehicle appeared on the scene.

According to the witness, that's when several people started to gather near the police vehicle.

'A lot of people swarmed in that direction (of the police car),' the witness, Mark, said.

'They were intending to block him.'

Matthew Harrington claims that he was one of the pedestrians mowed down by the police car, though his injuries do not appear serious. He is seen right showing an injury he sustained to his head

Harrington says he was among the group of pedestrians standing in front of the police car before it plowed into them

The image above taken by Harrington's cell phone shows the police car mow down a group of at least four pedestrians

In the cell phone video, the cop car's headlights approach and ram into the crowd. Harrington, who is not seen in the clip, appears to be sent flying to the pavement. All the while, he continues recording on his cell phone

Matthew Harrington claims that he was one of the pedestrians mowed down by the police car, though his injuries do not appear serious.

Harrington posted video and images on Facebook indicating that he was among the group of people standing in front of the cop car just moments before it plowed through the crowd.

In the cellphone video, the cop car's headlights approach and ram into the crowd.

Harrington, who is not seen in the clip, appears to be sent flying to the pavement. All the while, he continues recording on his cell phone.

He wrote on his Facebook page: 'I was ran over by the Tacoma Police at 6:30pm 1/23/21 on pacific and 9th Street down town Tacoma Wa.'

A crowd of protesters started gathering at the scene on Saturday night.

Tacoma Police Chief Mike Ake said that the incident will be investigated as 'deadly force'.

'I am concerned that our department is experiencing another use of deadly force incident,' he said.

'I send my thoughts to anyone who was injured in tonight's event, and am committed to our Department's full cooperation in the independent investigation and to assess the actions of the department's response during the incident.'

City Manager Elizabeth Pauli told the News-Tribune that the officer involved will be placed on leave.

Pauli said the Pierce County Force Investigation Team will handle the investigation.
EDWARDSVILLE  A Belleville man was charged with multiple felonies, including attempted murder, for a New Years Eve shooting in Granite City.

Jayleen K. Hutson, 19, of Belleville, was charged Jan. 22 with attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm, both Class X felonies; four counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, all Class 1 felonies; and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, a Class 3 felony.

The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department.

According to court records, on Dec. 31 Hutson took a substantial step toward the commission of attempted murder by shooting the victim in the leg. It was also noted that Hutson had a previous felony conviction, making it illegal for him to possess firearms.

Bail was set at $500,000.

Other felony criminal charges recently filed by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include:

 Colin A. Banigan, 32, of Alton, was charged Jan. 22 with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. According to court documents, on Jan. 21 Banigan was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Britney M. Prier, 30, of Collinsville, was charged Jan. 22 with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. According to court documents, on Feb. 19, 2020, Prier was found to be in possession of less than 15 grams of fentanyl. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Carla S. Willis, 30, of East St. Louis, was charged Jan. 22 with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Edwardsville Police Department. According to court documents, on Oct. 28 Willis was found to be carrying a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun on West Street without a concealed carry license. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Lavalle D. Dixson, 23, of St. Louis, was charged Jan. 22 with burglary, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Edwardsville Police Department. According to court documents, on Nov. 18 Dixson entered a 2004 Toyota Camry in the 3900 block of Lakeview Corporate Drive with the intent to commit theft. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Nickolas M. Ragnetti, 24, of Granite City, and Michael E. Chancellor, 23, of Granite City, were each charged Jan. 22 with criminal damage to property $500-$10,000, both Class 4 felonies. The case was presented by the Edwardsville Police Department. According to court documents,on Jan. 10 the two damaged a white Chevrolet Silverado by breaking windows and damaging tires. Bail was set at $15,000 each.

 Joshua E. Leisner, 36, of Cottage Hills, was charged Jan. 22 with theft of labor or services or use of property, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Troy Police Department. According to court documents, on Dec. 6, 2019, rented a jackhammer and extension cord from Ace Hardware in Troy, and failed to return it after a written demand was made. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Christopher D. Moorehead, 28, of St. Louis, was charged Jan. 22 with unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, both Class 4 felonies. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. According to court documents, on Jan. 22 Moorehead was found to be in possession of more than 10 grams of cannabis with the intent to deliver, and was carrying a Smith & Wesson 9 mm pistol in a vehicle without a Firearm Owners Identification Card. Bail was set at $20,000.

 Billy J. Merchant, 48, of Granite City, was charged Jan. 22 with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. According to court documents, on Feb. 7, 2020, Merchant was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Don E. Turner, 42, of Granite City, was charged Jan. 22 with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. According to court documents, on Jan. 21, 2020, Turner was found to be in possession of less than 15 grams of codeine phosphate. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Jamie M. Jackson, 32, of Highland, was charged Jan. 22 with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. According to court documents, on Jan. 21 Jackson was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $30,000.

 Travis D. Ervin, 38, of Florissant, was charged Jan. 22 with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Illinois State Police. According to court documents, on Jan. 21 Ervin was found to be in possession of a Smith & Wesson .357 magnum revolver in his vehicle. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Uy Tran, 40, of San Leandro, California, was charged Jan. 22 with unlawful cannabis trafficking, and unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, both Class X felonies. The case was presented by the Metropolitan Enforcement Group Southwestern Illinois. According to court documents, on Jan. 20 Tran was found to be in possession of more than 5,000 grams of marijuana originating in Colorado. Bail was set at $250,000.

 Nathan M. Baugus, 26, of Granite City, was charged Jan. 22 with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Metropolitan Enforcement Group Southwestern Illinois. According to court documents, on Nov. 28, 2018, Baugus was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Frank L. Hollenback IV, 30, of Granite City, was charged Jan. 22 with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony; and unlawful possession of controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Metropolitan Enforcement Group Southwestern Illinois. According to court documents, on June 5, 2019, Hollenback was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine, and less than five grams of fentanyl. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Kayla L. Vorce, 31, of Ashley, Illinois, was charged Jan. 22 with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Metropolitan Enforcement Group Southwestern Illinois. According to court documents, on June 5, 2019, she was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000.
After the United States expressed plans to strengthen ties with Taiwan under the Biden administration, Taipei on Sunday expressed gratitude to the US for its commitment of "rock-solid support" against China's coercion.

"We sincerely thank US State Department for its rock-solid support of democratic of Taiwan in the face of Beijing's ongoing coercion. Based on shared values and interests, we are committed to our partnership with the United States in furthering peace and stability in the Indo Pacific," Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan said in a tweet amid Beijing's growing belligerence.

Hours after several Chinese warplanes intruded into Taiwan's air defence identification zone, the US noted with concern the pattern of ongoing Chinese attempts to intimidate its neighbours and urged Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure against Taipei.

The US State Department on Saturday said that Washington will stand with friends and allies to advance our shared prosperity, security, and values in the Indo-Pacific region.

The flight by the Chinese bombers and fighters on Saturday came just days after Joe Biden assumed the US presidency. Taiwan Defense Ministry said that Taiwan's Air Force scrambled fighter jets as 13 Chinese warplanes intruded into Taiwan's southwest air defence identification zone (ADIZ), Focus Taiwan reported.

The planes involved were a Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft, eight Xian H-6K bombers and four Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, the MND said.

"The United States notes with concern the pattern of ongoing PRC attempts to intimidate its neighbours, including Taiwan. We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan's democratically elected representatives," the State Department statement read.

The US' commitment to Taiwan is rock-solid and contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and within the region, the statement said.

"We will stand with friends and allies to advance our shared prosperity, security, and values in the Indo-Pacific region -- and that includes deepening our ties with democratic Taiwan. The United States will continue to support a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people of Taiwan. The United States maintains its longstanding commitments as outlined in the Three Communiques, the Taiwan Relations Act, and the Six Assurances. We will continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defence capability," it added.

Last year during visits by senior US officials to Taipei Chinese aircraft briefly crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which normally serves as an unofficial buffer.

Beijing claims full sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy of almost 24 million people located off the southeastern coast of mainland China, despite the fact that the two sides have been governed separately for more than seven decades. Taipei, on the other hand, has countered the Chinese aggression by increasing strategic ties with democracies including the US, which has been repeatedly opposed by Beijing.

(ANI)

Also Read: US urges China to cease its 'military, diplomatic, and economic pressure' against Taiwan

Patiala: Shooting of actor Janhvi Kapoors upcoming film Good Luck Jerry was disrupted after a group of farmers held a protest here. The incident took place near Civil Lines area on Saturday when protesting farmers opposed the filming of the movie.

Shouting slogans against Bollywood, protesters lamented that no actor extended support to farmers agitation against the Centres three farm laws. We are telling the film industry which is holding its shooting in Punjab to at least speak in favour of farmers who are agitating against the legislations, said a protester Rajwant Singh Sandhu.

Another protester said, We are opposing Bollywood actors for not extending support to farmers. They also slammed the Centre for imposing black laws on the farming community.

Some farmers held protest outside the hotel where the films crew is staying. A police official on Sunday said the protests were peaceful.

Earlier this month, shooting of Good Lucky Jerry had briefly come to a halt at Bassi Pathana in Fatehgarh Sahib after a group of farmers had insisted that Janhvi make a comment on the ongoing farmers protest. Following the incident, the Dhadak actor shared an Instagram Story in support of the farmers. Unlike other posts, Instagram Stories disappear after 24 hours from the time they are published.

Farmers are at the heart of our country. I recognise and value the role that they play in feeding our nation. I hope a resolution is reached soon that benefits the farmers, Kapoor had written. Farmers from Punjab and Haryana have been camping at Delhis borders for several weeks, demanding the repeal of the farm laws and a legal guarantee on the minimum support price for crops.

They claim that the new laws will weaken the MSP system. But the Centre says the MSP system will remain and the new laws only provide more options for farmers to sell their produce.
This is a record high number in the history of protests in modern Russian history.

Russian law enforcement agencies detained 3,296 protesters during mass rallies in Russia on January 23.

Such data as of the morning of January 24 was posted by the OVD-Info website, which monitors political persecution cases.

Most of the detainees were in Moscow (1,294), St. Petersburg (489) and Novosibirsk (96).

Mass detentions took place in many large cities of Russia.

According to the online portal Meduza, the total number of the detainees is a record one in the entire history of protests in modern Russian history. Prior to this, a record number of people (1,769) in total throughout the country was detained on June 12, 2017.

Most of the detainees have been charged with administrative offences for the violation of the rules of participation in rallies and for "interfering with the city's infrastructure."

Read alsoNavalny arrested for 30 days, urges Russians to take to streets (Video)

Protests in Russia

On Saturday, January 23, rallies were held in Russia in support of the Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, who was arrested a few days earlier, upon return to Russia from Germany.

Russian law enforcement agencies violently handled detentions during the mass protests.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine condemned the violence against participants in the rallies in support of Navalny in Russia.

Reporting by UNIAN
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the economy in the State Dining Room of the White House on Jan. 22, 2021. (Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

New Mexico Officials Express Alarm Over White Houses 60-Day Pause on Oil Leases

Officials in New Mexico have expressed alarm over President Joe Bidens 60-day pause on new oil and natural gas leases and permits to drill, saying the industry is tied to spending on education and other programs in the state.

During his inauguration, President Biden spoke about bringing our nation together. Eliminating drilling on public lands will cost thousands of New Mexicans their jobs and destroy whats left of our states economy, Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway told The Associated Press on Jan. 22. How does that bring us together? Environmental efforts should be fair and well-researched, not knee-jerk mandates that just hurt an already impoverished state.

In an op-ed, Janway wrote that the Department of Interior did not limit existing oil and gas operations under valid leases, and many companies have stockpiled drilling permits, so much of the work going on in our oilfields will hopefully continue for some time.

We call upon all of New Mexicos elected officials to oppose all proposals that go in the direction of eliminating drilling on public lands. Such an outcome would only punish poorer states such as New Mexico by moving more operations over to states with more privately-owned land, such as Texas. Environmental efforts must always be balanced with consideration of economics and fairness, he wrote.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams office told the news outlet that the administration is reviewing the federal action.

Certainly we all understand the critical importance of this industry to New Mexicos bottom line and of the imperative to diversify our state economy and energy portfolio, Lujan Grisham spokeswoman Nora Meyers Sackett said in an email, without elaborating.

The AP noted that New Mexicos oil production happens on federal land and amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars in funding each year, which is doled out to state education initiatives and other programs.

It really has the opposite intent, said Robert McEntyre, spokesman for the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, according to the AP. It means some natural gas is not going to be captured, and thats not what operators want to do. They want to capture it and send it to market.

Environmental groups praised Bidens executive action.

Any step toward fixing the broken federal oil and gas leasing program is a step in the right direction, said Mark Allison, director of the group New Mexico Wild, AP reported.

According to Bidens transition office, the move is part of a plan designed to halt attack[s] on federal lands and waters, establishing national parks and monuments that reflect Americas natural heritage, banning new oil and gas permitting on public lands and waters, modifying royalties to account for climate costs, and establishing targeted programs to enhance reforestation and develop renewables on federal lands and waters with the goal of doubling offshore wind by 2030.

Some Republicans on social media, responding to the APs report, noted that New Mexico voted in favor of Biden over President Donald Trump.

The Epoch Times reached out to the White House for comment.
[January 24, 2021] StashAway announces Assets under Management of US$1billion

SINGAPORE, Jan. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- StashAway, Southeast Asia's largest and fastest-growing digital wealth manager for both retail and accredited investors, has announced that they're managing more than US$1billion (SG$ 1.35billion). Since StashAway first launched its services in 2017, numerous wealth managers in Southeast Asia and MENA have emerged. StashAway is the first digital wealth manager in any of those regions to announce that it manages more than $1 billion USD. Michele Ferrario, Co-founder and CEO of StashAway says, "When the company was founded, our objective was to significantly improve the way people build their wealth. For those who do invest their savings, traditional investment options just weren't acceptable. But we knew that cash in the bank is actually our biggest competitor: in Asia, 46% of financial wealth is held in bank deposits, compared to 14% in North America. That's why we've always focused not only on sophisticated investment principles and a great customer experience, but also financial education to help more people understand how to better manage and grow their wealth. This relationship with our clients and the public has been a key to our fast growth." One of the keys to attracting so much in assets has been StashAway's ability to generate such strong returns even through the last few years' volatility: through 2 market corrections in 2018 and a market crash in 2020, StashAway portfolios generated annualised returns* ranging from 16.5% (for its highest risk portfolio) to 4.3% (for its lowest-risk portfolio) since it launched in July 2017. In 2020 alone, the portfolio returns ranged from 21.9% to 3.4% for those same portfolios, and consistently outperform their same-risk benchmarks. The World Economic Forum recognised StashAway in 2020 as a Technology Pioneer for developing cutting edge technology and "contributing greatly to improving the state of the world." Amanda Ong, Country Manager of StashAway in Singapore adds that "Reaching this $1 billion USD milestone in less than 4 years is only one of the many signs we see that Asia truly wants a better way to create wealth: We see high conversion rates, large consistent deposits, and engagement with our educational content, for example. We're still only scratching the surface for what's possible when it comes to transforming wealth creation in Singapore, Malaysia, and MENA."







*As of the End of December 2020, returns in SGD. Past performance is not a guarantee for future returns. Before investing, investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses, and if need be, seek independent professional advice.

About StashAway StashAway is a digital wealth management platform that offers investment and cash management portfolios for both retail and accredited investors. Its technology delivers automated, personalised portfolio management for each client's individual portfolios. It offers global growth-oriented investment portfolios targeting different levels of risk, a yield-focused Income Portfolio, and StashAway SimpleTM, a straightforward cash management solution. StashAway has attracted financial backers from around the world. Backers include: Eight Roads Ventures, the global investment firm backed by Fidelity and early investor in Alibaba; Square Peg, the largest venture capital fund in Australia; Asia Capital & Advisors, the private equity firm led by Francis Rozario and Aaron Razario; as well as Burda Principal Investments, the growth capital arm of German media and tech company Hubert Burda Media. StashAway has a total paid-up capital of US$36.6million (SG$ 50.7million). These funds have gone towards launching an income portfolio, a cash management portfolio, as well as new market entries in Malaysia and the MENA region. Since raising its Series C in July 2020, the Company has launched StashAway Workplace, a corporate financial benefits solution, and launched its services in the MENA region, out of its Dubai office.

Headquartered in Singapore, StashAway operates in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. StashAway holds fund management licenses from Singapore's MAS and Malaysia's SC, and an asset management license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority. www.stashaway.com SOURCE StashAway

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Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is cautiously optimistic of a multibillion-dollar boost to the Australian economy from a faster vaccine rollout, but has warned that the domestic and global economic situations remain uncertain as countries around the world battle the coronavirus pandemic.

While Octobers budget forecast a $34 billion, one-year boost to the economy if the vaccine rollout got under way from July 2021, Mr Frydenberg is now warier  reflecting the December budget update, and the accelerating spread of the virus in the United States, Britain and Europe  about what the exact economic dividend from mass vaccinations will be.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and his wife Amie, daughter Gemma, son Blake and their dog Fonzie. Credit:Joe Armao

In last years budget we made it clear that an earlier rollout of the vaccine could deliver a multibillion-dollar upside to the Australian economy. But prudence is a virtue and none of the gains can or should be locked in until such a situation eventuates, he said.

There is still much uncertainty about the virus and its global and domestic economic impact.
The Covid-19 death toll now stands at 440, with the deaths of 15 more people yesterday.

The Ministry of Health reported the deaths in its daily update yesterday evening.

One of the new deaths occurred in Tobago. The Tobago Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development disclosed that the patient was a 38-year-old male with co-morbidities.


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Gilmore Girls remains a beloved television show that garners more and more fans each year. The show, which told Lorelai Gilmores story as she navigated life raising her teenage daughter, Rory Gilmore, was detail-oriented and largely praised for its fast dialogue and pop culture references. That doesnt mean everything was buttoned up, though. Fans are still annoyed that the writers didnt explain some details, even if they were insignificant to the overall storyline.

Why was Chilton accepting students in the middle of the semester?

When Gilmore Girls began, Rory had just been accepted into a prestigious prep school. When Lorelai finally figured out how to pay the tuition, Rory started school, but on the first day, it was made known that Rory was beginning mid-semester. While it didnt register with most fans initially, that is pretty strange when you think about it.

Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham in Gilmore Girls | Warner Bros./Delivered by Online USA

RELATED: Gilmore Girls: Did Caesar Go to Chilton?

Prep schools like Chilton wouldnt traditionally accept a student in the middle of a semester. If they did, there would, generally, be an extenuating circumstance. That wasnt the case for Rory. Presumably, Rory had submitted her application over the summer, which means she would have been accepted before the year started, not once school had already been in session for several weeks.

Did Christopher Hayden ever go to college?

When Lorelai ducked out of Hartford, Connecticut, to raise Rory on her own in Stars Hollow, she did so alone. When fans connect with Lorelai and Rory for the first time, her father, Christopher Hayden, wasnt in the picture, although he showed up later. During the shows seven-season run, it was mentioned repeatedly that Rorys early arrival upended the two families long-standing plans for their kids. Those plans involved college.

Christopher Hayden and Rory Gilmore in Gilmore Girls; A Year in the Life | Netflix

Since Chris wasnt involved with Rory during her early years, did he ever go to college? If he didnt, why did everyone blame Lorelai for that decision? It appeared that he was off the hook and could have done whatever he wanted. Fans desperately wanted to see Amy Sherman-Palladino address the issue, although, in the end, it didnt matter much.

Why was Jason Stiles called Digger?

During the fourth season of Gilmore Girls, fans were introduced to Jason Stiles. First, he was Richard Gilmores business partner, and then he was Lorelais boyfriend. During his introduction, it was explained that Jason, as a child, went by the nickname Digger. He, admittedly, hated the moniker as an adult. Both Emily and Lorelai used it disparagingly during his time on the show.

RELATED: Gilmore Girls: Jason Stiles Was Actually Perfect For Lorelai Gilmore

The childhood nickname was not a problem in and of itself, but how he got the nickname was. Jason and Lorelai never mentioned the origin of the name. Fans probably could have let the detail go if only Sherman-Palladino hadnt chosen to make the name such a key point of reference. Sadly, fans are unlikely ever to find out why Jason was called Digger. He left the series in season 4 and only returned for a brief cameo in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.
President Joseph R. Biden Jr. was inaugurated Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, under unprecedented security and coronavirus precautions. The ceremony came two weeks to the day a mob of Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol. Editorial cartoonists marked the transfer of power with a champagne toast, a turning of the page, tears of joy and expressions of relief by the Founders, the Statue of Liberty and Uncle Sam.

Meanwhile, the 70 million people who voted for former President Donald Trump were shown on the outside looking in to the party inside Lunch Pail Joes Unity Cafe. A.F. Branco drew Trump leaving the swamp, vowing we shall return in a visual echo of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

Several cartoonists commented on the stack of executive orders Biden signed on his first day, reversing many of Trumps policies, just as Trump had erased President Barack Obamas policies four years before.

Bidens promise to manage the hell out of the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic manifests in several cartoons about the primacy of science and a return to so-called normal government.

Mike Luckovich drew a line of young Black girls waiting to climb the ladder through the glass ceiling put there by Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris became the first woman, and also the first person of Black and South Asian descent, to be elected vice president.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, wearing the winter coat and mittens that launched a thousand memes, also make an appearance in this weeks cartoons.

Cartoons were drawn by Nick Anderson, Bill Bramhall, Dan Wasserman, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Scott Stantis, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Phil Hands, Joel Pett and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and A.F. Branco, Mike Luckovich and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate.

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Daphne Crocker, 73, watched the line of cars in front of her pulling away from the Daphne Civic Center. A police officer came to her window to ask if she and her 78-year-old husband had a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. She did not, because she had called and was told to just show up for a shot.

How can I obey what Im supposed to do as an American citizen without proper prior planning? she said. They need to get their act together. Theyre not doing an adequate job right now.

The Crockers went home frustrated. The officer told them to call at 6:45 in the morning on a Tuesday or Thursday to get a same-day appointment.

I will never get through, said Crocker. Everybody will never get through.

As a highly contagious new variant of COVID-19 spreads throughout the country and the death toll surpasses 400,000, states are under extreme pressure to get shots into arms to protect overwhelmed hospitals and save lives.

Yet this month, Alabamas vaccine rollout was ranked last nationwide by the CDC. The state still has no centralized online portal for people to sign up for vaccination. Hospitals statewide lack vaccine supply. The rollout is highly disorganized in some cases, like in Shelby County, where the public arrived to get vaccinated only to find an empty building.

The state itself doesnt know how many vaccines it has given out. The Alabama Department of Public Health, the agency in charge of the rollout, says it lacks data on shots on the ground due to a technological glitch.

We want to do a better job, State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris told AL.com earlier this month. Theres a lot of pent-up demand out there, and we understand why people are frustrated.

Slow start

Alabama began its vaccine rollout in December, with a painstakingly mapped-out plan from a panel of top scientists at the CDC. First in line for the vaccine would be those among the most vulnerable: frontline healthcare workers and nursing home residents.

On December 15, the first shots were given to a pair of doctors in Dothan.

Im hopeful that more people are able to take the vaccine so we can begin to see a decline in the number of critically-ill patients and families impacted by this disease, said critical care nurse Donna Snow, the first to get the shot in Cullman.

Alabama immediately began administering its first 41,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to frontline workers in 13 hospitals across the state. Each was equipped with the ultracold freezers required for the vaccine.

But already there was trouble.

The states initial shipment was one tenth of what Alabama had hoped to get from the Trump administration to cover about 300,000 healthcare workers. Alabamas second Pfizer shipment was reduced at the last minute, leaving public health officials scrambling to reschedule vaccine appointments with healthcare workers on the cusp of the holiday.

Darin Smith, 55, is an ICU nurse at UAB who received his first round of the vaccine December 18, easing some of his worries for his own health and for his mother who is in her 80s.

I (was) scared of getting a bad case of COVID-19, he said. He imagined going on a ventilator and not coming off, like some of his patients. I worried about when would be the last time I would be able to understand whats going on.

In Alabama, health experts welcomed the vaccine as an extraordinary advance.

What thats going to mean for us is an end to the pandemic, said UAB infectious disease expert Dr. Michael Saag last month. But weve got to make it until then.

Vaccine reluctance

But even with much of the year to prepare for this moment, the logistics were daunting.

While larger urban hospitals like UAB were able to administer thousands of vaccine doses shortly after ADPH delivered them, others in rural parts of the state lacked the nursing staff to manage a large-scale vaccination campaign while struggling to keep up with the demands of expanded ICU clinics filled with COVID-19 patients.

At Lake Martin Community Hospital in Dadeville, nursing staff are able to administer about one vaccine every 15 minutes, about 30 to 40 people a day. Its very time consuming, said hospital spokesperson Heidi Smith. Nurses are in shortage, so we just have to give as many (vaccines) as we can schedule.

And then Alabama ran into a more surprising problem. Even among medical workers, not everyone was convinced they should get the jab.

I will probably observe for a while before I jump on board, Rebecca Willis, a nursing professor at Jefferson State Community College, told Al.com in December.

Willis was not alone. In November, the CDC reported only 63 percent of healthcare workers said they will take a vaccine. In Alabama, an early poll of hospital staff showed half would take a vaccine at USA Health in Mobile and East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika.

At Athens-Limestone Hospital in Athens, administrators told AL.com that just 45 percent of hospital workers have opted to get a vaccine so far.

Alabama stumbles and then expands eligibility

By the new year, distribution was lagging. Alabama began appearing on national lists of the states vaccinating the fewest people.

Alabama decided to more than double the pool of people eligible for vaccination to include those 75 and older and emergency first responders. This meant stepping away from the original vision laid out by the CDC to carefully vaccinate the most vulnerable groups, one tier at a time.

Many states are heading in the same direction, speeding up and setting aside the original designs of tiers. Even the CDC is now recommending states skip ahead and vaccinate people 65 and above, a group that was in the third tier.

But Dr. Harris said adding people can create more problems, especially if the state doesnt have enough doses for all of them.

When you add extra groups that suddenly become eligible, it creates an expectation on the part of those people that not only are they eligible, but theres also vaccine for them, right now for them to go get today and unfortunately thats not the case, he said.

Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris gave an update today on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Alabama.

No online portal

Alabama was caught unprepared for the expanded rollout.

As it announced the inclusion of more groups, the department launched a call center for vaccinations and said a sign-up website would come soon. Within two days, the states hotline was flooded with millions of calls. Hospitals statewide faced a barrage of communication from elderly residents desperately seeking the vaccine.

Harris said this week that the state hotline is run by a vendor with 165 phone lines, but still at times cant handle the volume of calls.

We are working to improve our registration capabilities by creating an online portal in addition to the hotline, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said in a Tweet January 11. Well provide more info when thats available.

Five days after the state opened vaccines to 75 and up, that portal still has not yet launched. On Friday, Harris told reporters the portal should be up in the next few days.

As thousands of Alabamians started searching for a shot, appointments were hard to find. Local health departments soon ran out of doses, and Alabama did not know when it would get more.

And then the finger pointing started.

Data confusion

In its final days, the outgoing Trump Administration announced that, going forward, states would be allocated vaccine supply based on performance. Those who gave out vaccines faster would be rewarded with more doses.

In Alabama, four Republican state senators, some who had COVID themselves, including one who survived on a ventilator, published a letter blaming the state health department. They argued the department was not reporting clearly on vaccine use, making Alabama look worse than it was and costing the state future doses.

The distribution of vaccines to Alabama will continue to be interrupted until Alabama plays by the rules, the letter argued. The rule is simple: The CDC will not authorize shipments to Alabama until they know we are using what we have on hand. Our citizens are paying a deadly price.

According to the state health department, doses are still being given to states based on population, not usage. Harris on Friday said the health department has never received any official word from CDC indicating allocations would be based on performance.

And the department countered that data placing Alabama at the bottom of states for vaccine distribution is wrong.

We know that were giving a lot more shots than were being given credit for. Thats a problem for us and for CDC, Harris said on Friday. We recognize that, and our staff talks to them all day long every day.

The department has said the data issue lies with the states overwhelmed providers who have not consistently updated Alabamas vaccine database, called ImmPRINT.

Some providers were not providing complete information, ADPH Assistant General Counsel Dana Billingsley told AL.com on Wednesday.

This problem is being addressed and corrected in order to ensure that all doses of vaccine are counted in CDC data.

Alabama took a heavy-handed approach toward facilities that provide the vaccine saying in a press release that it would take back vaccine doses from clinics or pharmacies that are too slow to administer it.

ADPH will begin removing vaccine supplies from providers who are not administering vaccine in a timely way.

But the Alabama Hospital Association told AL.com on Wednesday that the problem lies with the health departments own software, and that providers across the state are updating their vaccination data in a timely way.

All of our hospitals said they were reporting into ImmPRINT. From a hospital perspective, it was not an issue of entering data, said Williamson. The real problem the hospitals are seeing is a lack of vaccine.

Lack of supply

Alabama continues to appear at the bottom of the CDC statistics on vaccination rates. However, Alabama edged past two other states late Friday. According to the CDC, 3.6 percent of Alabamas population had received at least one dose. Nevada was at 3.4 percent, and Missouri was also at 3.6 percent.

Alabama remains dead last in total doses administered per capita, according to the CDC, with just 4,069 doses given per 100,000 residents. Thats because both Missouri and Nevada have given out more second doses per capita. However, the Alabama Department of Public Health also released new figures on Friday showing the state gathering speed in its efforts, reporting its best week yet, with nearly 75,000 vaccinations.

Stacy Vasquez, CEO of the Birmingham VA receives the COVID-19 vaccine from VA nurse veronica Barber. The first COVID-19 vaccines given in central Alabama were administered at the Birmingham VA Medical Center just after 3 p.m. today. The three veterans were all POW's from World War II and the Korean War. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

So far Alabama has administered 249,000 doses, about half of what it received, and a small fraction of whats needed in a state of nearly 5 million people. But health officials late this week said that the biggest problem right now is lack of supply.

There are approximately 700,000 people in Alabama who are now eligible for the vaccine, Harris said on Friday.

There are currently more than 800 locations in Alabama that have signed up to give the vaccine, but the state doesnt have enough doses to give them. Alabama receives only 50,000-60,000 first doses per week, Harris said.

We dont know what were getting either until the day before we get it, or at least until the day before it starts being shipped to us, Harris said. Thats very frustrating for people that are trying to run clinics, you know, its hard to make an appointment when you dont know if youre going to get vaccine or not.

Rural Alabama

Vaccine hesitancy remains a concern. In polling earlier this year, roughly half of Americans said they would accept a vaccine. Those numbers have slowly increased to about 60 percent as of last month.

In Alabama, the fraught history of the Tuskegee study, where researchers knowingly failed to treat African Americans with syphilis in the 1950s, continues to fuel mistrust in minority communities.

In a set of UAB focus groups with Blacks and Latinos in Alabama, only 1 in 6 said they would take a vaccine.

Black Belt community organizer Perman Hardy has lost more than 10 family members to COVID-19. Still, her relatives in rural Lowndes County are on the fence about getting the shot.

Im not going to tell you theyre not scared, she told AL.com in December, pointing to a lot of uncertainty and disinformation. You got top authorities talking about this and that. A lot of people dont have access to a lot of information as is, and you done scared them to death.

Perman Hardy is an organizer in Lowndes County

Alabama Arise Policy Director Jim Carnes sees an opportunity for health officials to rebuild trust with Alabamians wary of the vaccine. He said he and other community groups are awaiting leadership from ADPH on creating the public education partnerships that were discussed in planning phases of the rollout. Its been slow, he said.

Time is a question of life and death here, said Carnes. We have hundreds of deaths occurring every day, and hundreds of hospitalizations, so the sooner we can deliver the vaccine effectively to the most vulnerable groups, the more quickly we can bend that curve on mortality and hospitalization.

Cautious optimism

To some, Alabama has been unfairly portrayed.

I give (ADPH) a tremendous amount of credit, said Ryan Kelly, head of the states Rural Health Association. Given the fast turnaround, the second-by-second changes that are having to take place. This is faster than Ive ever seen them work, and theyre doing really well at it.

And there are reasons to be optimistic about the next phases of the rollout.

The state plans to launch an online signup soon. More facilities are prepared to give out more vaccines in most parts of Alabama. A new vaccine, one requiring only one injection, is expected soon. And with a new administration, more vaccines may be on the way. President Biden promised 100 million more vaccines within his first 100 days.

But as Alabama moves away from the original CDC framework, the question remains, will the most vulnerable Alabamians now be left to fight for their space in line? Carnes at Alabama Arise said that is a worry as the process becomes more of a free for all.

We run the high risk of letting folks who have connections and inside information get ahead, he said, adding that he is worried about people with disabilities and those in rural areas without good transportation or means of communication.

In December, former Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, a practicing dermatologist, drew ire after getting a vaccine ahead of frontline healthcare workers.

And there have been more flagrant instances, as Mobile saw people who werent eligible manage to line up and get vaccinated at a cruise terminal. They were taking advantage of the situation, said Mark Bryant, spokesman with the Mobile County Health Department. It was supposed to be by invitation only the other day.

With local control, eligibility can still be confusing. Some counties started vaccinating the elderly earlier than the rest of the state. Two counties, Marion and Tallapoosa, went ahead and vaccinated teachers.

While the state looks ahead to building trust around vaccines, it is still struggling to communicate with an expectant public about vaccinating its population of 75 and older.

Crocker, who was turned away at the Daphne clinic, said she is disheartened by the contradictory instructions she received.

Its another screw-up by the government, she said. (President Trump) told (us) to get the shot. He wants to save our lives. (COVID) kills people. People are dying. To be turned away, because the proper information was not given out, is discouraging and frustrating.

AL.coms Dennis Pillion, Amy Yurkanin and John Sharp contributed to reporting for this story
In the 1974 Academy Award-nominated documentary Exploratorium, the camera zooms in on a hypnotic spiraling Depth Spinner, an exhibit designed to show how the eye and brain process motion (and make you a little dizzy in the process).

Look at the center, just keep looking at the center of it, commands a womans voice off-screen. A man responds: This is beautiful, Im just tripping out on this.

"Trippy" is an accurate word to describe the film. The first few minutes resemble the surreal time warp in the Stanley Kubrick classic 2001, with flashing swashes of color set to a dissonant drone soundtrack. Theres no narrative at all, just visual displays of sound waves, abstract optical illusions and short moments of visitors expressing delight or surprise. Before the first scene featuring kids posing in front of the flashing green light of the Colored Shadows exhibit, you could reasonably assume this to be experimental visuals for a psychedelic rock band instead of a film commissioned to promote a childrens museum.

Courtesy of the Exploratorium

With the museum currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, watching the film serves as a nostalgic reminder of one of San Francisco's most beloved and timeless institutions. Originally conceived by Manhattan Project physicist Frank Oppenheimer after his career shifted to education, the Exploratorium museum opened its doors in the Palace of Fine Arts in 1969 (and relocated to Pier 15 in 2013). At the time, an experiential museum with an atmosphere more akin to a funhouse full of upside-down mirrors, sound installations and a pitch-black tactile dome was revolutionary and hard to explain.

It was just starting out at that point, and they had no way to show it to anybody, says director Jon Boorstin, who was working with legendary designer and filmmaker Charles Eames. This was before videotape, and theres only so much you can do in writing. So [Oppenheimer] wanted to make a film that captured the spirit of the place, the philosophy, the ethos.

Esther Kutnick, Courtesy of the Exploratorium

Less a traditional look-at-the-art museum and more of a learning laboratory, the Exploratorium is all about hands-on discovery and learning through doing. The oversized curved mirror explains optical principles of focal points. An exhibit called Liquid Litmus uses pH-indicating dye to show how positive and negative hydroxide ions change as electricity flows through ionized water (and creates some beautiful eye candy in the process). Step onto the platform of the Blood-o-Meter to learn how many red and white blood cells are in your body. The exhibits became a perennial stop for school trips and family outings that were just as enlightening for kids as parents.

RELATED: The Exploratorium left in 2013. Here's what the building looks like now.

And from those exhibits came a movie. Shot over the course of 18 days on 35mm film, "Exploratorium" mixed brief staged shots of actors with sensory overload montages and hidden camera footage of visitors. Boorstins background as a traditional verite documentary filmmaker was combined with the style of Charles Eames, which Boorstin described as emphasizing beautiful little well-crafted images that juxtapose with each other and create a sense of wonder and discovery of the ineffable.

Jon Boorstin

Still, showing the spirit of the museum proved to be a logistical challenge. The film crew built elaborate lighting rigs to capture the laser and holograph installations, and getting truly candid footage of visitors took a spy-like level of subterfuge.

Courtesy of the Exploratorium

Weve always been a place thats been like a laboratory developing new ideas, new exhibits, new programs, new ways to talk about subjects, says Rob Semper, who joined the Exploratorium staff in 1977 and serves as chief science officer. So they had to invent a lot of ways to film these kinds of phenomenological experiences.

A 1975 article in American Cinematographer written by Exploratorium director of photography Eric Saarinen revealed more details about their creative approach. The crew built a seven-foot tall black box that they placed in the museum space with a sign on it that implied it was a new exhibit under construction. They hid inside, and a moving glass panel allowed them to shoot visitors unsuspected.

When the museum opened the box would become surrounded by spectators who never had the slightest suspicion They would be looking smack into the lens. Filming from inside was like being the invisible man. The box was painted black inside and we wore black clothing, wrote Saarinen.

Jon Boorstin

Plus, there was an additional level of secrecy off-screen.

Theres a woman who plays a flute to the tree [in the film], and the tree lights up. And the same person teaches playing the marimba, says direcot Jon Boorstin. She has big blue eyes. Well, I fell desperately in love with her and had a passionate affair. And we just celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary. (But according to Boorstin, they never snuck into the Tactile Dome.)

Although it lost out on the Oscar to Dont, a film about the Monarch butterfly life cycle, Exploratorium has aged far better. Its an experimental film at its core, but one that transcends the pretentious trappings that come with that label. The visuals are a real treat, abstract enough to create the same sense of child-like curiosity and wonder that one experiences from visiting a great museum. Boorstin went on to teach film at USC, publish the award-winning novel "The Newsboys' Lodging-House" and write a film theory guidebook entitled "The Hollywood Eye."

The final product served as the perfect promotional tool, not just to introduce the museum to people in San Francisco, but throughout the country. It proved to be a very successful payoff for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Science Foundation, who funded the film.

Courtesy of the Exploratorium

It worked incredibly well because it was so experiential, it really lets you feel what its like to be at the Exploratorium. Its not a documentary of what the place looks like, as much as it is the way it felt to come and visit, says Semper. One of my first jobs was to help people start science museums, and that film was a way to stimulate interest.

Boorstins film still played on loop in the new Exploratorium location before it shut down in March due to the coronavirus. Given the hands-on nature of the museum, they werent able to reopen in the fall like many other San Francisco museums, but theyve doubled down on their online programming and seen a huge increase in teachers and families using materials at home, including a learning toolbox about the virus.

They hope to reopen as soon as possible, but just because the government gives them permission doesnt mean its the best course of action.

Were a science organization, so we want to follow the science very carefully, says Semper.
Smoke over BOC loan to stockpile cigarettes; and heat over Ramanayakes seat in Parliament By Sandun Jayawardana View(s): View(s):

Over the past year, the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government has faced criticism that certain businessmen close to Government higher-ups are profiting off those connections in dubious ways. The accusations have been made most recently regarding the controversial Ukrainian tourism project spearheaded by Udayanga Weeratunga and about hotels being used to house Sri Lankans returning from abroad under paid quarantine.

A fresh allegation of the same nature came up in Parliament on Tuesday (19) when National Peoples Power (NPP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the Bank of Ceylon (BoC) had approved a loan amounting to a staggering Rs 3.15 billion to a private company with connections with the Government. The company had sought the loan last year to stockpile cigarettes in the belief that the price of cigarettes would be increased in the 2021 Budget.

Mr Dissanayake revealed in Parliament that the firm in question, D.S. Gunasekara (Pvt) Ltd., had applied for the loan from the BoCs Katuwana branch on September 1, 2020.

Muditha Gunasekara, who is the son of the owner, is at present the Chairman of the Pulmudai Mineral Sands Company. Some ministers stayed over at his house in Colombo recently while some Government higher ups went to his house when they visited Anuradhapura. He is a close associate of this Government. The loan the company requested from the Katuwana bank branch could not be paid even if they put the branch building up for sale. They have applied for a pledge loan, putting the goods that they are seeking to purchase as collateral, Mr Dissanayake told Parliament.

Mr Dissanayake queried whether it was Government policy to allow state banks to approve loans to stockpile liquor and cigarettes in the belief that their prices would increase in future.

The Budget was presented in November while the company applied for the loan in the first week of September. It had been approved by senior area officials of the bank. The request had then made its way to the BoCs Board of Directors, where one member of the board had raised concerns, questioning whether this was the right sector that a state owned bank, should promote. He had also pointed out that the Governments policy was to discourage tobacco consumption, the MP noted.

The director had further pointed out that approving this loan would mean that tax revenue destined for the Treasury would be diverted into the hands of a private businessman. Yet, despite the directors objections, the board ultimately approved the loan. For some reason however, the prices of cigarettes were not increased by the Budget. If it had been, the money due to the Treasury would have been lost. The Finance Minister must explain to the House as to how this loan was approved.

The question of whether Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Gampaha District MP Ranjan Ramanayake, sentenced to four years Rigorous Imprisonment by the Supreme Court for contempt of court, could attend Parliament, was also a topic of heated debate during this weeks Parliamentary sittings.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa questioned Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Tuesday as to why Mr Ramanayake was not in Parliament. Mr Premadasa noted that the Chairman of the Election Commission had stated publicly that Mr Ramanayakes seat would only become vacant after a period of six months from the date of conviction. That statement implies that Mr Ramanayakes seat will not fail vacant for six months. We have consulted legal experts on the matter and we are of the view that Mr Ramanayakes Parliamentary seat will not fail vacant at all under the Constitution, the Opposition leader claimed.

The fours years Rigorous Imprisonment sentenced handed down to Mr Ramanayake is unprecedented and exceptionally severe, said Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Jaffna District MP M.A. Sumanthiran. Mr Sumanthiran, who appeared for Mr Ramanayake as his counsel during the contempt of court trial, said Parliament had a responsibility on the matter as it was yet to enact a law for contempt of court. This means that the court has wide discretion to give any sentence it wishes for the offence, which is not a good thing, he added.

We are not happy that Ranjan Ramanayake was sentenced to prison. We regret the outcome, Justice Minister Ali Sabry told Parliament. Mr Sabry however, insisted that Mr Ramanayake was disqualified from being an MP or even an elector under Article 89 (d) of the Constitution.

Some SJB MPs had pointed out that the Speaker had allowed Ratnapura District Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Premalal Jayasekara to take oaths and attend Parliament sittings despite him being sentenced to death after being convicted of murder. Justice Minister Sabry though, noted that Mr Jayasekara was sentenced by a High Court and so has appealed his sentence to a higher court. Mr Ramanayake on the other hand, had been convicted by the Supreme Court. Unlike Mr Jayasekara, Mr Ramanayake has no further grounds to appeal, the Justice Minister asserted.

The Speaker meanwhile, said he would need time to study the matter in detail and consult legal experts before making a decision on whether to allow Mr Ramanayake to attend sessions or to rule that he is no longer eligible to sit as an MP. He invited MPs to make any further submissions in writing during the next two weeks. He pledged to announce a decision within three weeks.

Parliament only sat for two days this week, with the Committee on Parliamentary Business deciding to cut down the weeks sittings from the four days initially scheduled to two after one more MP and nine other persons connected to Parliament tested positive for COVID-19. A decision on upcoming sittings is due to be taken by the Committee when it meets again.
She's been setting hearts racing with her series of sizzling snaps from Ibiza.

And Demi Rose once again displayed her ample assets in a new set of daring photos shared to her 15.7 million Instagram followers on Sunday.

The model, 25, put on a curvaceous display as she posed in a sexy nude bodysuit from PrettyLittleThing in the Spanish sun.

Beach babe: emi Rose once again displayed her ample assets in a new set of daring photos shared to her 15.7 million Instagram followers on Sunday

Demi's skin-tight one-piece hugged her in all the right places, with a high-cut thighs to show off her peachy posterior.

She paired the suit with white thigh-high boots in a snakeskin-look material.

Demi styled her raven locks in loose beachy waves which blew in the island breeze.

Popular: The stunning snaps, which garnered over 90,000 likes in 45 minutes, showed off the British model's famous curves in the high-cut garment

She captioned the photo: 'She's got an old soul with young eyes, a vintage heart, and a beautiful mind'.

The stunning photos garnered over 94,000 likes just 45 minutes after the beautiful brunette shared them.

Demi also opted for serpent-patterned boots in a racy photoshoot shared to her Instagram on Saturday.

She sent temperatures soaring as she sported a faux-fur maxi coat over her topless frame and posed outside.

Demi, who visited Kenya before jetting to Spain, seems to be living her best life.

But the influencer recently opened up to MailOnline about the torment she faced when she was growing up.

She confessed: 'I was bullied in school, I wanted to make friends outside of it so I ended up spending a lot of time online.

Bringing the heat: The social media star also set fans' pulses racing on Saturday as she sported a faux-fur coat with nothing but her ample assets and a sexy pair of pants underneath

'I was even interested in virtual reality as a kid, I was always on the computer and then MySpace came around and I found my calling.'

She only joined Instagram, she said, because someone made a fake profile of her and she was 'really envious'.

So Demi joined the platform and signed with a modelling agency when she turned 18, but admitted she still has her bad days.

She said: ' 'I'm comfortable in my skin, but I'm never going to be 100% happy because everyone wants to be a certain way and we all have our own hang-ups.'

State school teachers are moonlighting as tutors during the working day while their pupils are stuck at home denied an education, a Mail on Sunday investigation can reveal.

Dozens of teachers are offering tutorials for up to 40 an hour on video link Zoom, with some breaking rules that ban them from taking on private work in school hours.

This newspaper revealed last year how some teachers were exploiting the closure of schools by making extra money tutoring. Our expose today shows the practice is still rife.

Several spoke of their availability during school hours to an undercover reporter posing as a parent, with one admitting: I have a much reduced timetable at the moment.

Some teachers are making the most of not being in school by tutoring during the day for extra money

Another, who said she was the head of a maths department, said she would be able to tutor in school hours until lockdown was over because she had free periods.

Within minutes of logging on to TutorHunt, a website that connects tutors with parents, a reporter was bombarded with messages from maths and English teachers.

Most said they were only available to work outside school hours but many took a different approach.

Adam, a maths teacher in Yorkshire charging 31 an hour for lessons, said: Yes, I can do during school hours currently as I have a much reduced timetable at the moment. 'Following the lockdown, Ill be available weekday evenings and weekends.

He declined to comment once we revealed our investigation.

Another maths teacher, a department head at a London Academy school, charging 40 an hour for tuition, said: When were in lockdown I can do school hours. When lockdown is over, I will be able to do physical lessons but outside school hours.

She said she could tutor from 9am to 10am on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, plus Wednesdays from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

When we approached her for comment, she said she would face a disciplinary if she was exposed  before deleting her TutorHunt account.

In Birmingham, Rashida, a teacher charging 25 an hour, said she would be able to do private tuition during school hours on Monday and Thursday. A request for comment went unanswered.

Last night, Chris McGovern, chairman of the Campaign For Real Education, said moonlighting in school hours is immoral.

He added: For some teachers, there is clearly a financial incentive in keeping schools closed but it is the poorest children who lose out because their parents will not be able to afford this kind of tutoring.

A Department for Education spokesman said last night: Teachers cant take on additional contracts of work for any time they are required to be available for work with their school.

We would expect head teachers to appropriately manage their teachers workloads while they are working from home.
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Report Description

A recent market intelligence report that is published by Data Insights Partner on the global Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Market makes an offering of in-depth analysis of segments and sub-segments in the regional and international Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Market. The research also emphasizes on the impact of restraints, drivers, and macro indicators on the regional and global Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Market over the short as well as long period of time. A detailed presentation of forecast, trends, and dollar values of global Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Market is offered. In accordance with the report, the global Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Market is projected to expand by healthy CAGR over the period of forecast.

Market Insight, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunity & Trends of the Market:

Definition

Molded fiber pulp packaging is one of the sustainable types of packaging that is manufactured by using recycled paper wastes. Recycled material includes waste newspapers, papers, cardboards, etc. Molded fiber pulp is also known as molded pulp or molded fiber and is largely used for protective packaging.

Molded fiber pulp packaging is recyclable and, thus considered a sustainable packaging material by Sustainable Packaging Coalition (GreenBlue), an environment based non-profit organization located in the U.S.

According to EPA, molded pulp products are categorized under Mechanical Pulp (G-Final Codified Sub-part). The manufacturers in The U.S. are bounded by the limitations such as effluent control regulations. The standards such as New source performance standards (NSPS), Pretreatment standards for existing sources (PSES) and Pretreatment standards for new sources (PSNS) has to be adopted for manufacturing molded fiber pulp products.

According to NESHAP, molded pulp products are categorized under secondary fiber mills, also referred as MACT (III). It focusses on controlling the total hazardous air pollutants (HAP) emissions. Some of the important regulation involves mills to collect and incinerate process emissions, avoiding use of harmful bleaching chemicals etc.

Request for Report Sample: https://datainsightspartner.com/request-for-sample?ref=811

Market Drivers

Eco-friendly and biodegradable molded pulp packaging is gaining wide acceptance and recognition. Molded fiber is a classic packaging material made from recycled paperboard and newsprint. It is a collective term for the process of producing strong, protective, and biodegradable packaging from 100% recycled materials. Moreover, the molded pulp fiber manufacturing process has no wastage, as all the residue and water are reused and recycled. The environment friendly and green molded fiber packaging meets customers needs and expectations in terms of both packaging excellence and ecological development and responsibility. Packaging with molded fiber gains wide attention as it promotes environmental concern and green packaging. Moreover, it acts as a competitive advantage for the companies by differentiating their products from the competitors.

 Kielding,Inc. is the manufacturer of quality custom molded fiber packaging, which is made from 100% recycled paper and offers superior packaging performance and ecological responsibility.

Molded pulp is a versatile material that continues to experience significant growth and opportunity in terms of protection and packaging. Historically, expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging has been considered versatile packaging for protection of products in distribution. However, molded fiber has seen widespread use as it is environment friendly packaging with excellent vibration dampening and cushioning properties. It offers reliable protection of products against damage caused by impacts during transportation and storage. Molded fiber has better grip, shock absorbing and elasticity properties. Molded fiber packaging has been used for a wide range of products from packaging of wine bottles and cosmetics to cushions for computers, protective package for candles, and inserts for mobile phones.

 Philips Consumer Lifestyle has previously used retail cartons for packaging of large protective PET blisters. The change to smaller PET blisters combined with protective molded fiber packaging has led to sustainability, branding, and reduced costs.

Market Restraints

Molded fiber is made up of 100% recycled paper and is a sustainable product that is fully biodegradable and cost-efficient. However, there are certain disadvantages of the material. Molded pulp may not be cost effective and environmental friendly when transported to distant places. Moreover, it may lead to emissions during transportation due to its weight. There are also threat of substitutes such as EPS, plastics in the industry. EPS also has several ecological benefits, as it is made up of 98% air. Usage of molded fiber significantly increases raw material and power requirements as compared to EPS. Moreover, EPS is better as a shock absorbing material and similar applications. EPS is lightweight and versatile and offers savings in design and development cost, product assembly and distribution costs. Hence, it holds a considerable share of the packaging market and is the suitable threat to the molded pulp packaging market. Moreover, plastic is also inexpensive, lightweight and durable material which can readily be molded and can be used as a packaging material in large number of applications.

The choice of fiber and the properties of different fibers used in molded pulp packaging directly influence the characteristics of the final product produced. Packaging structures made up of different fiber types result in products with different characteristics, properties and specifications. The raw materials such as paper or newsprint which contains the large percentage of short fibers and has been recycled many times produce the final product which is short lived, weak, rigid and has low tensile strength. Contrastingly, long fiber based raw materials develop greater strength, provide superior product flexibility and ensure high loading ability for heavy item packages. Moreover, molded pulp packaging is not well suited for the packaging of certain applications such as furniture, televisions, cold chain shippers etc. which require the unique cushioning abilities of expanded polystyrene.

Opportunities

Asia Pacific offers significant opportunities in the molded fiber packaging market. This is attributed to rapid urbanization, growing population, and increasing consumer influence. The region accounts for over 60% of the global egg production; China is the largest egg producer in the world. Moreover, other regions such as Vietnam and Malaysia present high growth opportunities in the molded pulp packaging market due to advancements in technology, manufacturing, and packaging tools in these regions.

u Hartmann has a strong foothold in Europe and North America. It aims to crack other emerging markets such as Asia Pacific through collaboration with distribution partners, agents, suppliers, and other packaging companies

Companies across the globe are focusing on environment friendly and sustainable packaging. Cosmetics companies have begun using molded fiber packaging which ensures sustainability, protection of the products, and also provides strong visual shelf presence.

u Proctor & Gamble partnered a molded fiber supplier to develop a biodegradable package for its Gillette Fusion ProGlide using molded pulp packaging, which is 20% lighter and allows it to cut the percentage of plastic by more than 50%.

u Aveda Corporation has entered into partnership with UFP Technologies, Inc., an innovative designer and custom converter of foam, plastics, and natural fiber products, to develop packaging of its Aveda Uruku lipstick using molded pulp packaging. The packaging is in clamshell form surrounded by a sleeve that holds everything in place.

Trends

Companies are realizing the protective, ecological, and sustainable benefits of molded pulp packaging. They are giving weightage to the green statement together with the other benefits such as cost effective and recycled packaging

 Pangea Organics has shown innovation in the packaging of the soap products by adding plant seeds in the slurry of molded pulp. Soap is packaged in a clamshell made completely of processed pulp. Once the package is used, it can be decomposed and buried to grow the plant.

 Newton Running Shoes created a shoebox made of molded pulp in which the outline of the shoebox curves around the shape of the shoe. This design not only creates strength in the package, but also saves material by not adding extra tissue paper to fill the empty space in the standard packaging of a rectangular shoebox.

In May 2016, Huhtamaki Group acquired Delta Print and Packaging Limited, a producer of folded carton packaging, to improve its food & drink packaging segment and enter the folding carton packaging business in Europe

In February 2016, ESCO Technologies Inc. acquired Plastique Group Limited as part of its subsidiary, Thermoform Engineered Quality LLC (TEQ). The latter develops highly technical thermoformed plastic and precision molded pulp fiber packaging products. This improved its global footprint and expanded its customer base

In January 2016, ESCO Technologies Inc. acquired Fremont Plastics, Inc., a manufacturer of sterile-ready and non-sterile thin gauge thermoformed medical plastic packaging products, to extend its medical custom thermoform segment

Segment Covered:

This market intelligence report on the global Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Market encompasses market segments based on molded pulp type, product type, end user and country.

By Molded Pulp Type the global Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Market has been divided into:

q Thick Wall

q Transfer Molded

q Thermoformed Fiber

q Processed Pulp

By Product Type the global Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Market has been divided into:

q Tray

q Clamshell & Container

q Boxes

q End Caps

q Others (Cups, Bowls)

By End User the global Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Market has been divided into:

q Consumer Durables & Electronics Goods (CDEG) Packaging

Tube Light & Bulbs

Mobile Phones

Others (DVD's, Modems, TV)

q Food & Beverage (F&B) Packaging

Egg Packaging

Wine Packaging

Fruit Packaging

Others (Vegetables, Frozen food)

q Cosmetic & Beauty (CBP) products Packaging

q Healthcare product Packaging

q Automotive parts Packaging

q Transportation & Logistics

q Others (candles, flower packaging)

By country/region, the global Molded Fiber Pulp 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 UFP Technologies

q ESCO Technologies Inc

q Huhtamaki Oyj

q Brodrene Hartmann

q Henry Molded Products, Inc

q ProtoPak Engineering Corporation

q EnviroPAK Corporation

q Pacific Pulp Molding, LLC

q Keiding, Inc

q FiberCel Packaging, LLC

q Pactiv LLC (Reynolds Group Holdings Ltd.)

q Brodrene Hartmann

q OrCon Industries Corporation, among others.

others have been profiled into detail so as to offer a glimpse of the market leaders. Moreover, parameters such as Molded Fiber Pulp 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

Pactiv LLC

In 2015, Pactiv LLC invested US$ 24 Mn to enhance its operations center in North Carolina, which enabled the company to expand its customer base and improve service accessibility.

Brodrene Hartmann

In January 2016, the company shut down its factory in Germany with plans to transfer production to other facilities in Europe with a view to strengthen its position in the highly competitive market of Europe.

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MOSCOW - Russian police arrested more than 3,000 people Saturday in nationwide protests demanding the release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the Kremlin's most prominent foe, according to a group that counts political detentions.

People gather during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Pushkin square, with the statue of Alexander Pushkin in the background, in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. Russian police are arresting protesters demanding the release of top Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny at demonstrations in the countrys east and larger unsanctioned rallies are expected later Saturday in Moscow and other major cities. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

MOSCOW - Russian police arrested more than 3,000 people Saturday in nationwide protests demanding the release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the Kremlin's most prominent foe, according to a group that counts political detentions.

The protests in scores of cities in temperatures as low as minus-50 C (minus-58 F) highlighted how Navalny has built influence far beyond the political and cultural centres of Moscow and St. Petersburg.

In Moscow, an estimated 15,000 demonstrators gathered in and around Pushkin Square in the city centre, where clashes with police broke out and demonstrators were roughly dragged off by helmeted riot officers to police buses and detention trucks. Some were beaten with batons.

Navalnys wife Yulia was among those arrested.

Police eventually pushed demonstrators out of the square. Thousands then regrouped along a wide boulevard about a kilometre (half-mile) away, many of them throwing snowballs at the police before dispersing.

Some later went to protest near the jail where Navalny is held. Police made an undetermined number of arrests there.

Riot police officers run during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Yekaterinburg, Russia, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. Russian police on Saturday arrested hundreds of protesters who took to the streets in temperatures as low as minus-50 C (minus-58 F) to demand the release of Alexei Navalny, the country's top opposition figure. A Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's most prominent foe, was arrested on Jan. 17 when he returned to Moscow from Germany, where he had spent five months recovering from a severe nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Anton Basanayev)

The protests stretched across Russias vast territory, from the island city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk north of Japan and the eastern Siberian city of Yakutsk, where temperatures plunged to minus-50 Celsius, to Russias more populous European cities. Navalny and his anti-corruption campaign have built an extensive network of support despite official government repression and being routinely ignored by state media.

The situation is getting worse and worse, its total lawlessness," said Andrei Gorkyov, a protester in Moscow. "And if we stay silent, it will go on forever.

The OVD-Info group, which monitors political arrests, said at least 1,167 people were detained in Moscow and more than 460 at another large demonstration in St. Petersburg.

Overall, it said 3,068 people had been arrested in some 90 cities, revising the count downward from its earlier report of 3,445. The group did not give an explanation for its revision. Russian police did not provide arrest figures.

Undeterred, Navalny's supporters called for protests again next weekend.

Navalny was arrested on Jan. 17 when he returned to Moscow from Germany, where he had spent five months recovering from a severe nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin and which Russian authorities deny. Authorities say his stay in Germany violated terms of a suspended sentence in a 2014 criminal conviction, while Navalny says the conviction was for made-up charges.

The 44-year-old activist is well known nationally for his reports on the corruption that has flourished under President Vladimir Putin's government.

His wide support puts the Kremlin in a strategic bind  officials are apparently unwilling to back down by letting him go free, but keeping him in custody risks more protests and criticism from the West.

In a statement, the U.S. State Department condemned the use of harsh tactics against protesters and journalists this weekend in cities throughout Russia and called on Russian authorities to immediately release Navalny and all those detained at protests.

Navalny faces a court hearing in early February to determine whether his sentence in the criminal case for fraud and money-laundering  which Navalny says was politically motivated  is converted to 3 1/2 years behind bars.

Moscow police on Thursday arrested three top Navalny associates, two of whom were later jailed for periods of nine and 10 days.

Navalny fell into a coma while aboard a domestic flight from Siberia to Moscow on Aug. 20. He was transferred from a hospital in Siberia to a Berlin hospital two days later. Labs in Germany, France and Sweden, and tests by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, established that he was exposed to the Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent.

Russian authorities insisted that the doctors who treated Navalny in Siberia before he was airlifted to Germany found no traces of poison and have challenged German officials to provide proof of his poisoning. Russia refused to open a full-fledged criminal inquiry, citing a lack of evidence that Navalny was poisoned.

Last month, Navalny released the recording of a phone call he said he made to a man he described as an alleged member of a group of officers of the Federal Security Service, or FSB, who purportedly poisoned him in August and then tried to cover it up. The FSB dismissed the recording as fake.

Navalny has been a thorn in the Kremlins side for a decade, unusually durable in an opposition movement often demoralized by repressions.

He has been jailed repeatedly in connection with protests and twice was convicted of financial misdeeds in cases that he said were politically motivated. He suffered significant eye damage when an assailant threw disinfectant into his face. He was taken from jail to a hospital in 2019 with an illness that authorities said was an allergic reaction but which many suspected was a poisoning.

The media outlet included Sevastopol and Simferopol in a list of Russian cities.

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has commented on a publication by BBC News Russian where the Russia-occupied cities of Simferopol and Sevastopol were added to the list of Russian cities.

Spokesperson for Ukraine's MFA Oleh Nikolenko wrote about this on Twitter.

"@bbcrussian, dont promote Russian false narratives. Sevastopol and Simferopol have never been Russian cities. #Crimea is not annexed but occupied. International law matters. #CrimeaIsUkraine #Navalny," he tweeted on January 24.

.@bbcrussian, dont promote Russian false narratives. Sevastopol and Simferopol have never been Russian cities. #Crimea is not annexed but occupied. International law matters. #CrimeaIsUkraine#Navalnypic.twitter.com/VhZk22xUmr  Oleg Nikolenko (@OlegNikolenko_) January 24, 2021

The publication by BBC News Russia listed the cities where rallies in support of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny were held. In particular, it included the Russia-occupied cities of Sevastopol and Simferopol on Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in the list of cities in the Russian Federation.

Read alsoAlmost 3,300 people detained during rallies in support of Navalny in Russia

Russian occupation of Crimea

Russia took control of Ukraine's Crimea in March 2014 after its troops had occupied the peninsula. An illegal referendum was held for Crimeans to decide on accession to Russia. De-facto Crimean authorities reported that allegedly 96.77% of the Crimean population had voted for joining Russia.

On March 18, 2014, the so-called agreement on the accession of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to Russia was signed in the Kremlin.

The West did not recognize the so-called annexation in response to which sanctions against Russia were introduced.

Ukraine's parliament voted to designate February 20, 2014, as the official date when the temporary occupation of Crimea began.

Reporting by UNIAN
An Army soldier, who was critically injured in Pakistani firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district last week, succumbed to injuries in the command hospital in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district on Sunday, a defence spokesperson said.

He is the third Army personnel to have died in the ceasefire violations by Pakistan this month.

"Pakistan Army had resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation on the LoC in Sunderbani sector on January 18, which was responded to strongly by Indian troops. In the incident, Naik Nishant Sharma of 10 JAK RIF was critically injured and was under treatment at command hospital," the spokesperson said.

However, he said the Non-Commissioned Officer succumbed on Sunday.

"Naik Sharma was a brave, highly motivated and a sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for his supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," the spokesperson said.

Earlier, two Army personnel were killed in separate ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts on January 1 and 21.

Last year, Jammu and Kashmir recorded 5,100 instances of ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC, the highest in the past 18 years with an average of 14 cases daily.

In these ceasefire violations, as per official data 36 people, including 24 security personnel, were killed and over 130 injured.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)

New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence on Sunday (January 24, 2021) announced that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will showcase Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Navy and Anti Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) at the upcoming Republic Day Parade 2021.

"Delivering on its mandate of development of state of the art defence systems, DRDO once again has brought two important tableaux to the prestigious Republic Day parade 2021. Showcasing the major achievements of the year, are LCA Navy take-off and landing on board the aircraft carrier and the complete family of Anti Tank Guided Missiles," said the official statement.

Notably, DRDO showcases the advanced defence technology products for tri-services at Rajpath on Republic Day every year.

The Light Combat Aircraft Tejas has achieved a major technology capability milestone by landing and taking off from the Aircraft Carrier of Indian Navy. The LCA Navy tableau celebrates the successful demonstration of carrier operations of LCA Navy from INS Vikramaditya on the sea. The tableau of LCA Navy shows landing, takeoff and lift operation, three most important operations required to be met by an aircraft onboard a carrier ship.

The LCA Navy successfully demonstrated landing on a 90 meters runway and take-off from a short run of 145 meters in 2020. It is India's first 4+ Generation STOBAR (Ski-Jump Take Off But Arrested Recovery) fighter aircraft capable of operating from an aircraft carrier. The LCA Tejas model is also part of IAF Tableau and adorning the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Tableau representing the theme of 'Vocal for Local'.

On the other hand, symbolizing India's strides in anti-tank missile technologies will be the tableau showcasing the full complement of DRDOs Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) Systems. This tableau showcases NAG, HELINA, MPATGM, SANT and Laser Guided ATGM for MBT Arjun.

This is to be noted that NAG is a 3rd generation fire and forget missile developed for mechanized formations to engage heavily fortified enemy tanks. HELINA, the Helicopter launched anti-tank missile is a 3rd generation fire and forget missile with a range of 7 km designed and developed for integration on a weaponised version of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).

MPATGM is a Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile with a range of 2.5 km with Fire and Forget and Top Attack capabilities for infantry use. SANT is a smart Stand-off Anti-Tank Missile being developed for launch from Mi-35 Helicopter for Air Force anti-tank operations. ATGM for MBT Arjun is a laser-guided PGM (Precision Guided Munition) which is launched from the 120 mm rifled gun of Arjun tank to engage and defeat Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) protected armoured targets.

The other DRDO products at Rajpath on the occasion of 72nd Republic Day celebrations are Akash Surface to Air Missile and Astra Air to Air Missile on IAF Tableau.

See pics: Republic Day 2021 parade full dress rehearsal held in Delhi



Live TV

A New Jersey police chief who outed a witness to members of a violent street gang was allowed to retire in good standing with a $177,000 payout and other benefits, NJ Advance Media has learned.

Penns Grove Police Chief Patrick Riley, 54, was suspended but ultimately faced no discipline for the July 2020 incident, in which he tried to call a witness to see if they had information on the location of a fugitive wanted on gun charges, but inadvertently left a voicemail message on another persons phone.

A family member said the witness had no information about the case, had not previously provided information to law enforcement and was upset that a single errant phone call had placed their life in danger.

Nonetheless, word got out in the neighborhood, and the witness son received a message that their parent was a snitch,  a claim the witness family says is simply not true  according to documents detailing an internal affairs probe by the Salem County Prosecutors Office.

The screw-up forced the borough to concoct an impromptu witness protection program, putting the witness in an out-of-town hotel because of threats against the witness life made by members of the local gang, who believed the witness was cooperating with police, documents show.

The boroughs mayor, LaDaena Thomas, accused Riley of trying to cover up his role in placing a potential witness in harms way, documents show.

Riley, who oversaw a small department of between 13 and 15 sworn officers, declined to comment for this story. Under a December 15 settlement agreement, Riley admitted no wrongdoing and the borough dropped the internal charges.

The former chief, who retired on December 31, received a $150,000 payout, plus $15,000 in unused sick time and $12,454 in unused vacation, the settlement agreement shows. That is on top of his $55,999.92 annual pension, according to state Treasury data.

Rileys attorney, Michael Mormando, said his client steadfastly denies any allegation he was untruthful about his role in the incident.

An investigation by the Salem County Prosecutors Office found Riley violated department regulations by disclosing confidential information and making other errors, but told the truth once he was confronted with a recording, telling an investigator he had no desire to lie about the incident because he was aware that there were phone records that could show whether he made the call or not.

The matter is now concluded, Mormando wrote in an email to NJ Advance Media. My client has unilaterally decided to retire after a long career of serving the public. My client retires in good standing. My client is choosing to retire on his own accord and is not being compelled to do so in any manner.

Presented with information contained in the prosecutors probe, Mormando threatened a reporter with a lawsuit.

If you publish documents that are confidential, or facts that are contained within confidential documents, I will take action against you in Superior Court, Mormando wrote.

NJ Advance Media obtained the records, which are typically considered confidential, from a source with access to the files and took steps to confirm their veracity. The newsgathering process is also protected both by the First Amendment and New Jerseys press shield law.

Rileys settlement agreement, which references the disciplinary action, was obtained through an Open Public Records Act request.

While police internal affairs files are considered public records in many states, here in New Jersey they are mostly shielded from public view. A bill before the state Legislature (S2656) that would make such records public was introduced amid protests demanding police reform last summer, but has yet to get a hearing.

The documents show how a veteran officer rose to be chief at a small department despite a previous episode in which his department accused him of dishonesty.

The borough tried to terminate Riley for malingering in 2013 after the then-sergeant was accused of deliberately overstating his injuries following a drunken attack by a fellow officer in 2012 in order to obtain a disability pension, records show.

Riley was never fired, and he never received a disability pension, records show. His attorney said the malingering allegation was completely false and defamatory.

Riley went on to become chief in December 2019.

Thomas, the mayor, said she could not discuss Rileys employment, citing the settlement agreement.

But in a July letter to Salem County Prosecutor John T. Lenahan, she expressed concerns that Riley had tried to cover up his responsibility for jeopardizing the witness, insisting he had made no such phone call until confronted with a recording of it.

In my judgment, Chief Riley posed a hazard to the public if he remained on the job and his suspension was necessary to maintain safety, order, and effective direction of public services, Thomas wrote in the letter, requesting an internal investigation.

Penns Grove is a small, minority-majority town with about 4,800 residents on the banks of the Delaware River in Salem County. Thomas, who took office last year, was the first woman  and the first Black woman  to hold the office of mayor.

In an interview, Thomas said she was working to restore trust among the boroughs minority communities with its police department, which is predominantly white and male.

Its important that our police officers have a relationship with our residents, and our residents have a relationship with our police officers, she said. And that they trust one another and work together.

An ordinance scheduled to be heard at the next council meeting on February 4 would replace the position of police chief with a civilian police director.

Walter Hudson, a South Jersey civil rights activist and Penns Grove resident who has publicly clashed with the police department, told NJ Advance Media there were longstanding issues between police and members of the community.

They have hurt us economically, they have hurt us physically, and so, that was one of the movements around getting a new mayor in, Hudson said, referring to Thomas election.

The mayors move to suspend Riley in July prompted backlash from the Penns Grove Police Officers Association, the local police union, which in an Aug. 1 statement called the charges against Riley unsubstantiated, frivolous and a deliberate effort to discredit the chief.

Citing a recent spike in gang-related activity, the union said Rileys removal would put borough residents at risk.

Penns Grove Borough Hall, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021.Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media

The phone call

Penns Grove police recognized what they were dealing with when a concerned citizen told them members of a violent street gang believed the would-be witness was giving police information and was looking to retaliate, according to a July 17 report.

Several officers were later dispatched to the witness house to warn them of an unspecified threat against the witness life, records show.

It turned out that Riley, trying to reach the witness to obtain information about the location of a member of a local gang wanted on gun charges, had inadvertently called somebody else in the neighborhood and left a message for the witness on that mans phone.

The witness later went to the mans home and used their own phone to record the voicemail message. The man said he returned the call from Riley.

Afraid for their safety, the witness went to Mayor Thomas, a distant relative, playing her the recording, records show.

Through an attorney, the witness declined to comment. NJ Advance Media is not identifying the witness to prevent placing them further at risk.

Thomas confronted Riley about the call, but Riley initially denied making it, according to Thomas letter to the county prosecutor.

Thomas told Lenahan that Riley had blamed the mistaken voicemail on the U.S. Marshalls service, which was also looking for the man wanted on gun charges, and then disobeyed her order not to interfere in the case pending an investigation, allegedly contacting other officers involved in the ordeal.

These circumstances included his insubordination by continuing his participation in a matter that may have actually originated by his error or misconduct, Thomas wrote.

Through his attorney, Riley rejected those claims.

The borough asked the Salem County Prosecutors Office to place the witness in witness protection, but the office declined because it was not their witness, records show. The individual also was not a registered confidential informant for the Penns Grove Police Department, meaning they were not a regular source of information for police.

Ultimately, Penns Grove taxpayers put the witness and their family up in an out-of-town hotel for several days.

An investigation by the Salem County Prosecutors Office upheld five of six charges against Riley, finding he had improperly divulged confidential law enforcement information and neglected his duty, among other misconduct.

In a letter to Thomas, Lenahan recommended Riley be verbally reprimanded, citing their 17-year relationship and praising Riley as possessing the highest level of integrity, ethics and professionalism.

The investigation determined the allegation of untruthfulness against Riley was unfounded because he readily admitted his mistake in the course of this investigation.

He made a mistake, albeit, a potentially very serious mistake, the prosecutor wrote. It was one mistake.

That distinction was crucial because untruthfulness was the only disciplinary charge that rose to the level of a fireable offense, documents show. The rest, the prosecutors office found, amounted to technical violations.

Reached by phone, Lenahan declined to comment on the case.

As mayor, Thomas was considered the appointing authority and notified the chief that she disagreed with the prosecutors determination, finding that Riley had been untruthful and interfered with the investigation, documents show.

But after Riley filed notice of intent to sue, borough officials entered into a settlement agreement allowing Riley to retire in good standing.

In an interview, Thomas said the borough leaders are in the process of setting up a town watch system and a civilian police advisory board, which will provide recommendations to the borough council on improving relations with residents.

My goal is to help the residents who dont have trust for our police officers to get to know them and build that trust, Thomas said.

S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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New Delhi : Delhi Police has claimed that more than 300 Twitter handles have been created from Pakistan. A statement by the police claims that these handles are aimed at disrupting the tractor rally proposed by protesting farmers on Republic Day.

Deependra Pathak, Special Commissioner of Police (Intelligence) said that the rally on Tuesday will be conducted amid tight security after the Republic Day celebrations conclude.

"Over 300 twitter handles have been generated from Pakistan during January 13 to 18 to disrupt the tractor rally by farmers only by misleading people. There are inputs about the same from different agencies too. It will be a challenging task for us but the rally will be conducted amid tight security after the Republic Day parade is over," Pathak said at a press conference.

Police encouraged farmer leaders to hold their tractor parade outside the national capital. However, the leaders have emphasised on holding the rally on Delhi's Outer Ring Road, which connects major parts of the city.

Farmers from different parts of the country have been protesting against three new farm laws since the month of November. The protests are being held at the capitals borders including Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur. The government and farmer leaders have conducted various rounds of talks without an absolute resolution, so far.

Earlier, there have been three rounds of meetings between the unions and police officers from Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, but it was during the fourth round of talks over the tractor parade on Friday where both sides reached an agreement.

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In a move that is expected to escalate tensions between China and its neighbours, Beijing has passed a law that gives power to its coastguard to fire on foreign vessels and demolish structures built in disputed waters, South China Morning Post reported.

China's top legislative body, the National People's Congress Standing Committee, on Friday passed the coastguard law that empowers the coastguard to use "all necessary means" to deter threats posed by foreign vessels in waters "under China's jurisdiction". It will also allow the coastguards to launch pre-emptive strikes without prior warning if commanders deem it necessary.

The SCMP reported that it is yet to ascertain whether the law will be applied to all waters claimed by Beijing, which has a number of competing claims with its neighbours in the East and South China Seas.

Under the new bill, coastguard personnel can demolish structures built or installed by other countries in Chinese-claimed waters and board and inspect foreign ships in the area.

Chinese coastguard ships have played a leading role in asserting China's maritime claims, including in fishing disputes off Indonesia's Natuna Islands and the stand-off with Vietnam over Vanguard Bank.

China claims virtually entire South China Sea, something which is contested heavily by several countries in the region. As per the report, some parts of the waters that fall within Manila's exclusive economic zone was renamed West Philippine Sea by the Philippine government.

China's territorial claims in the South China Sea and its efforts to advance into the Indian Ocean are seen to have challenged the established rules-based system.

China has been increasing its maritime activities in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea over the past few months, partly in response to Beijing's concerns over the increasing US military presence in the region because of escalating Sino-US tensions.

Beijing's rising assertiveness against counter claimants in the East and South Sea has resulted in unprecedented agreement across the Indo-Pacific.

Japanese diplomats have previously lodged a protest against the growing presence of Chinese coastguard vessels near the Diaoyu, or Senkaku, Islands in the East China Sea.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Friday that the new law would clarify the functions and authority of the coastguard forces and that it was in line with international practice. Hua added that China will continue to manage its differences with Japan through dialogue. Collin Koh, a research fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, said the ambiguous language in the law could heighten the risk of miscalculation in the disputed waters.

"[Though] promulgating a coastguard law (CGL) is a general practice that other countries have been doing (such as Vietnam back in late 2018), China's CGL contains ambiguous language that begs proper definition, for instance 'waters under national jurisdiction'," said Koh.

"This also means the law bestows ... the authority to use force to assert those rights against other foreign parties even when operating in the latter's legitimate [exclusive economic zone]," he said. (ANI)

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Since San Francisco set its sights on eliminating traffic fatalities six years ago, more than 200 people have died in traffic incidents and another 20,000 have suffered serious injuries  with a disproportionate share of the incidents in the Tenderloin, according to a study released Friday.

Walk San Francisco, a nonprofit pedestrian advocacy group, analyzed San Franciscos traffic data, sorting it by supervisorial district, and found that deaths and particularly injuries, were widely spread across the city. The report, available online at walksf.org/reportcards, was compiled from a city database and reports from Vision Zero, the city campaign to eliminate traffic deaths by 2024.

City records showed that traffic fatalities claimed 29 lives in 2020, the same number as in 2019, which was an increase from prior years.

San Francisco started the Vision Zero campaign in 2014, aiming to reduce and eventually eliminate traffic deaths of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists by identifying the intersections and streets where most fatal or injury incidents occur, and focusing on improvements to increase safety at those locations.

The report includes district report cards, which identify the most dangerous streets and intersections based on number of traffic-related incidents and safety improvements to the area.

Each district doesnt rank the same, said Jodie Medeiros, executive director of Walk San Francisco, but when you start to look at injuries in addition to deaths, its very sobering. Unfortunately, traffic violence can happen to any one of us at any time.

District Six, which includes the Tenderloin and South of Market, recorded the most traffic deaths and injuries since 2014. Fifty-one people were killed in traffic incidents and 4,369 suffered severe injuries, according to the report. In District Three, which covers the northeastern corner of the city, including Chinatown, North Beach and Fishermans Wharf, 32 people were killed and 1,986 injured, in traffic incidents.

But even seemingly placid neighborhoods suffer traffic deaths and injuries, said Medeiros, citing District Five, which includes Hayes Valley and the Haight and has seen 17 traffic deaths and 2,283 injuries. The fewest traffic deaths  12  happened in District Eight, which includes the Castro and Glen Park, and the fewest traffic injuries  718  were in District Four, which includes the Sunset District.

The district report cards were intended to demonstrate that traffic deaths and injuries are not limited to the busiest parts of the city and to inform residents of the most dangerous corridors in their neighborhoods.

While acknowledging the budget problems hampering the city during the pandemic, Marta Lindsey, a Walk San Francisco spokeswoman, said the Municipal Transportation Agency needs to pick up the pace by installing simple and cost-effective traffic improvements like high-visibility crosswalks and walk signals that give pedestrians a head start before cars get a green light.

There are deadly streets in every district, Medeiros said. Nows the time for people to say a lot is possible, even with less funding. Vision Zero is the right solution, but the city must be laser-focused on it.

MTA officials said in an email to The Chronicle that 80 miles of safety improvements were added in 2020, including more than 30 miles on the citys deadliest streets. That included 6 miles of protected bikeway, more than 300 crosswalk upgrades, 11 miles of slower speed limits on city streets, more than 150 signals upgraded to accommodate slower walking speeds and more than 60 signals upgraded to give pedestrians a head start.

In 2021, we will continue our focus on slowing speeds since speed is the single most important key factor in severe and fatal injuries in S.F., the MTA said.

Planned improvements include slowing speeds on Market Street and other streets that are among the most dangerous in the city, as well as in areas frequented by seniors; installing traffic safety projects quickly in 10 locations, including two in the Tenderloin; and creating open areas at dangerous intersections around the city to improve visibility.

Zero fatalities is the right goal, and we are committed to reaching our Vision Zero goal, the MTA said.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan

Physics teacher Mai Van Tuc is well-known for his fixing and tinkering.

Old radios, broken clocks, faulty telephones, all get a new lease of life after Tuc has weaved his magic.

So when he had a clear out and sold off many of the items he has fixed over the years, a few eyebrows were raised.

But there was a method behind his madness.

Tuc, who works at the High School for Gifted Students under Vietnam National University, Hanoi, loves the subject he teaches so much, he has decided to take his work home with him, by building a laboratory in his house.

Teacher Mai Van Tuc instructs students at the Edison Physics Experimental Centre he created at his house.  Photo courtesy of the centre

Born to a poor family, Tuc was determined to study since childhood in a bid to change his life for the better. After graduating from university, majoring in radio, he didnt find work immediately.

Because of what I learned at university and what I taught myself, Im quite good at fixing things, he said. People usually asked me to fix their broken items and I was happy to help."

Tuc knows that books and lectures are important, but when it comes to teaching, nothing beats the hands-on approach.

He added: Since I start teaching physics, doing experiments is always an indispensable part in my classroom.

Some experiments took time and effort, both at school and at home, but they were really helpful for his students to learn.

However, Tuc found that few teachers conducted experiments in class and students did not have chance to go to labs.

I had thought about a lab where teachers and students could access proper equipment, tools and instructions to improve experimental skills, Tuc said.

So at his home on Vu Huu Street in Hanoi he created a lab that is open for students from sixth grade to university and physics teachers in Hanoi and other provinces.

It is called the Edison Physics Experimental Centre and since it opened four years ago, has helped students of all ages.

Hundreds of experiments sets are available at the centre. Most were made by Tuc and his colleagues, others were bought when he took his students abroad for international competitions.

Besides basic experimental sets for lessons at schools, there are other advanced sets which aims to create challenges and inspire students creation in selecting materials, structures and options to design models.

An electrical model made by Tuc can be used to do 500 different experiments from secondary schools to university levels.

He said that he preferred instructing students to approach new theory thanks to equipment and experiments in which they could understand matters easier.

It helps save time rather than describing with words, Tuc said, adding that experiments also help learners understand clearly about the nature of the phenomenon and how the rules of physics affect things in daily life.

In a lesson on measuring length, Tuc asked students to take measurements and show them the consequences of what would happen if they made mistakes.

In another lesson on measuring weight, Tuc asked students to identify Vietnams land area after weighing the nations map using just a scale and scissors.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Vietnamese and foreign students have gone to Tucs lab and conducted experiments and then sent results to their professors in other countries.

A top priority of the centre is to make practicing go hand in hand with theory, Tuc said.

Im looking forward to helping Vietnamese students be good at physics and then confidently apply what they learn in daily life and work.

Do Doan Duc, a teacher working at Tucs centre said students there could learn much thanks to experimental sets, many of which were designed like games to make learning fun.

At the centre, students can also make and monitor robots which support them in doing experiments or other activities, Duc said.

Having a great time with science and technology during school is expected to nurture their passion and dreams for the future, he said. VNS

Creative teacher inspires students to learn physics A teacher in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang has developed his own teaching resources for physics so his students can conduct experiments.
Newly sworn-in US President Joe Bidens Oval Office decor has a lunar sample from Apollo 17 on display above his 19th-century oak Resolute desk. NASA loaned the moon rock, Lunar sample 76015,143, a remnant from a violent asteroid impact to the incoming Biden administration which the 46th president has decorated in his office. The rock belongs to the Lunar Sample Laboratory Facility at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston and its display case is inscribed with: Lunar Sample 76015,143.

According to reports, the White House staff revamped the Oval Office while President Biden was taking the oath at the Capitol. The staff installed the alien artifact, the large moon rock as well as a bust of labour organizer Caesar Chavez behind the resolute desk, sculpture by the Indigenous artist Allan Houser, a portrait of the former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, portraits of founding fathers Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, paintings of Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and busts of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr, and a portrait of President Andrew Jackson, among many other artistic pieces. The moon rock, however, now represents a symbolic significance of the space agencies and Americas current Moon to Mars exploration aims as the 332-gram piece sits in the oval office.

Read: NASA Astronauts 'celebrate America' From ISS On Biden-Harris Inauguration Day

Read: 'Brilliant Curtains Of Light': NASA Shares Pic Of Jupiter's Northern And Southern Auroras

A piece of the same Moon rock (100557) also sits in Biden's Oval Office. The Moon rock is stationed on a bookshelf near a painting of Benjamin Franklin. Both represent Bidens interest in following science. Science rocks in the White House these days! https://t.co/ejdKWtUJuw pic.twitter.com/Rk8Y8wBU8S  Jeffrey Gillis-Davis (@JGillisDavis) January 21, 2021

Sample from NASA's Apollo 17 mission

Apollo 17 astronaut Ronald Evans and moonwalkers Harrison Schmitt and Eugene Cernan, the last humans to set foot on the Moon, chipped this sample from a large boulder at the base of the North Massif in the Taurus-Littrow Valley, 3 km (almost 2 miles) from the Lunar Module, NASA informed in a release. It added, that the rock, less than a pound, was collected by the astronaut in 1972 and is a 3.9-billion-year-old sample formed during the last large impact event on the nearside of the moon, the Imbrium Impact Basin, which is 1,145 km or 711.5 miles in diameter.

The irregular sample surfaces contain tiny craters created as micrometeorite impacts have sand-blasted the rock over millions of years, the space agency said. NASAs Lunar Curation Laboratory created the moon rocks flat, sawn sides and used the remains for scientific research.  This ongoing research is imperative as we continue to learn about our planet and the Moon, and prepare for future missions to the cislunar orbit and beyond, the space agency explained.

Read: Biden Talks To Mexican President, Discusses Reversing 'draconian' Immigration Policies

Read: Legislator Mocks Trans Biden Nominee On Facebook, Apologizes
The U.S. State Department urged China to engage in dialogue with Taiwans democratically elected representatives and cease putting military, diplomatic and economic pressure on the island, according to a statement on Saturday.

We will stand with friends and allies to advance our shared prosperity, security and values in the Indo-Pacific region -- and that includes deepening our ties with democratic Taiwan," the Department of State said.

The United States will continue to support a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people on Taiwan," it said, adding that its commitment to Taiwan is rock-solid" and contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability in the Asia.

China is using its growing military muscle to aggressively assert its territorial claims in neighboring seas, and its military aircraft frequently enter Taiwans Air Defense Identification Zone, ratcheting up pressure on the island, which Beijing deems a renegade province.





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WASHINGTON  Kamala Harris made history on Wednesday when she was sworn in as Joe Bidens vice president, becoming the first woman, the first Black American and the first Asian American to hold the second highest U.S. office.

Looking ahead, Harris, 56, is seen as an obvious contender for the Democratic Partys 2024 presidential nomination should Biden, 78, decide not to seek a second term. Harris has yet to weigh in publicly on such speculation.

A U.S. senator from California the past four years, Harris has shattered many a glass ceiling. She served as San Franciscos first female district attorney and was Californias first woman of color to be elected attorney general.

Harris has resigned her Senate seat, but she still will play a prominent role in the chamber. The U.S. vice president serves as Senate president, casting any tie-breaking votes in the 100-member chamber. With it split evenly between Democrats and Republicans, Harris gives her party control of the Senate.

Her background in criminal justice could help the new Biden administration tackle the issues of racial equality and policing after the country was swept by protests last year. She is expected to be a top adviser on judicial nominations.

Harris is the daughter of immigrants, with her mother coming to the United States from India and her father from Jamaica.

She had her sights set on becoming the first woman U.S. president when she competed against Biden and others for their partys 2020 nomination. Harris dropped out of the race after a campaign hurt by her wavering views on healthcare and indecision about embracing her past as a prosecutor.

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Biden looked beyond some of the harsh words she had for him in that campaign to name Harris as his running mate last August. She has proven to be a valuable and polished stand-in, appealing especially to women, liberals and voters of color.

Harris developed a deep fundraising network during her Senate and White House bids. She was instrumental to Bidens raking in record sums of money in the closing months of the campaign against Republican incumbent Donald Trump. Her selection sparked a burst of excitement in the Democratic voter base and among the partys donors.

Accusations from liberals that Harris did not do enough to investigate police shootings and wrongful conviction cases when she was Californias attorney general helped doom her own presidential run but surfaced little during her time as Bidens running mate.

Harris defended her record, saying she had worked her whole career to reform the criminal justice system with the understanding that it is deeply flawed and in need of repair.

Prior to her selection, several Biden aides said Harris was able to put to rest concerns among some in the former vice presidents camp that she would be too personally ambitious to make a trustworthy partner.

Joe and I were raised in a very similar way, Harris said of Biden at her October debate against then-Vice President Mike Pence. We were raised with values that are about hard work, about the value and the dignity of public service and about the importance of fighting for the dignity of all people.
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2020 tested our strength and resourcefulnessand in many ways, San Antonio passed. Our regional philanthropic community, private sector, and city and county governments responded to the COVID-19 outbreak quickly, deploying resources to the most vulnerable and creating pathways for affected workers to safely access training and employment.

At the peak of the pandemic (March and April 2020) unemployment claims hovered around 32,000 per week, resulting in more than 312,000 unique claims from the end of February to mid-October. Read the latest SA Works Jobs Report for an in-depth look at our job market and the workforce programs designed to help people transfer their skills into new careers. In 2021, we have an opportunity to expand these programs in a smart and collaborative way that will give the power of education to every worker who wants it.

63 percent of the people filing unemployment claims during this period have a high school equivalency diploma or less. Nearly half of these claimants are younger than 35 and female, and when disaggregated by race, the data tells us even more about who needs access to training and education as well as the wraparound services such as childcare and transportation they need for success.

Both the City of San Antonio and Bexar County launched emergency workforce programs last year. Train for Jobs SA, a $75 million investment, and Bexar County Strong, an $18 million investment connected affected workers with support services, jobs, work experience, and training programs. Local officials called on trusted organizations to lead the community triage, and I can proudly say SA Works and the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation (SAEDF) were tapped to work directly with employers and industry to identify training and hiring needs, and help connect affected workers to on-the-job training opportunities in high-demand, high-wage jobs.

In the midst of a contentious political year, San Antonians responded to this now or never moment by voting to pass the SA: Ready to Work proposition, which reallocates sales tax revenue to extend and expand the Citys workforce recovery program into 2025. This bold policy and funding move garnered a credit positive response from Moodys Investor Service, stating that the increased employment and higher salaries will boost residents' purchasing power and ultimately lift sales tax revenue, one of the city's largest revenue sources.

Mary C. Daly, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, recently said, we need to become evidence-based optimists [and] feed hope with intentionality.

This resonated with me, as we at the SAEDF and SA Works, continue to work alongside chambers, non-profits, education, private and public sector partners to bring both hope and help to our community. Id like to call on our community to join us in a New Years workforce revolution, whereby we choose to put workers at the center of our efforts. We owe it to ourselves to radically collaborate to get people back into jobs and focus on skills that will make them future ready.

At SA Works, we partner with private companies, local governments, education and training providers, nonprofits, and workforce organizations to learn everything we can about the gaps and barriers to people accessing training and meaningful work. The evidence tells us that we have ample opportunity to build up talent in our regionjoin us in our optimism and help us feed hope with intentional action.
Bhubaneswar, Jan 24 : Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha's Kendrapara district reopened on Sunday after the conclusion of the annual census of estuarine crocodiles.

The national park was closed for tourists and visitors from January 15 to January 23 to facilitate the annual crocodile census, said a forest official.

Bhitarkanika is said to have 70 per cent of India's estuarine or saltwater crocodiles, the conservation of which was started in 1975.

Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited Bhitarkanika along with officials of the state government.

"Dense mangrove forests, exciting trekking trails, birds chirping in colonies, creeks and canals teeming with wildlife - Bhitarkanika National Park spoils you for choices. An off-the-beaten track, a visit to Bhitarkanika is a must during this time of the year," tweeted Pradhan.

"The second largest mangrove ecosystem in the country, Bhitarkanika is often referred as 'Mini Amazon' in India. Home to saltwater crocodiles, the park also is the only habitat of the rare and endangered albino estuarine crocodiles," he said.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced a 72-hour suspension of New Zealands green zone travel status in the wake of a case of community transmission in Auckland.

A woman is believed to have acquired the South African variant of coronavirus while in hotel quarantine, but didnt test positive until she was released.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd has urged anyone who arrived in Australia from New Zealand since January 14 to stay in isolation until they get tested for COVID-19 and receive a negative result.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee recommended to the federal government to take a precautionary approach to the green zone travel bubble arrangements in place, said Professor Kidd.

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A few days after leaving hotel quarantine a specimen [from the woman] was tested last Friday, January the 22nd, and returned a positive COVID-19 test result on Saturday, January 23, Professor Kidd said.

The person had visited at least 30 locations, and these are all detailed on the New Zealand Ministry of Health website today following gene sequencing in New Zealand.

New Zealand health authorities believe the strain detected was from South Africa.

This will be done out of an abundance of caution, Mr Hunt said.

The government has recommended that all passengers from New Zealand with green zone travel plans scheduled in the next 72 hours reconsider their need to travel.
One more person tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, taking the tally in the northeastern state to 16,818, a senior health department official said on Sunday.

The single case was detected from Upper Siang district through rapid antigen test and the patient was symptomatic, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said.

One more people recuperated from the disease on Saturday, taking the total number of recoveries in the state to 16,725, he said.

The recovery rate among patients in the state now is 99.44 per cent while the fatality ratio is 0.33 per cent, the official said, adding that the positivity rate in the state currently stands at 0.22 per cent.

Arunachal Pradesh now has 37 active COVID-19 cases while 56 people have succumbed to the infection so far.

West Kameng district has the highest number of active cases at 22, followed by Changlang and East Siang at three each.

The Capital Complex Region comprising Itanagar, Naharlagun, Nirjuli and Banderdewa area, has four active cases, the SSO said.

The state has so far conducted 3,89,553 sample tests, including 404 on Saturday, he said.

Meanwhile, a total of 6,291 health workers have received shots of COVID-19 vaccine so far in the state, including 555 during the vaccination sessions carried out on Saturday, State Immunization Officer (SIO) Dr Dimong Padung said.

Padung said that the state health department has been carrying out inoculation drive four days a week - Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

He said that so far seven persons have reported Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI) in the state.

The highest numbers of vaccines were administered in Papumpare district with a total of 734 persons receiving jabs, followed by West Kameng (588) and Namsai (571), Padung added.

The state has received a total of 32,000 doses of Covishield vaccine from the Centre till now.

(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.)
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday (January 24) said the officials allegedly involved in leaking the First Division Assistant (FDA) examination question papers may be dismissed from service, even as eight more people were arrested in connection with the leakage, taking the total number of arrests to 14.

The exam conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) was to take place today but ahead of it, the city police arrested six people with Rs 24 lakh in cash and the question papers.

The police said the leaked question papers were allegedly sold to job aspirants.

Based on the expose, the KPSC postponed the FDA examination.

"We will initiate stringent action against all those involved in the case. I am not only ready to suspend them but also dismiss them from the service," the Chief Minister told reporters.

Stating that the officers concerned have been suspended, he said he would get the matter investigated.

"It is an unpardonable act to leak the question papers even before the exams are held," Yediyurappa said.

Meanwhile, the Bengaluru Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Patil, in a statement, said based on the inputs given by the kingpins of the racket - Rachappa and Chandru - 12 people have been arrested taking the total arrested to 14.

According to police, six people were arrested on Saturday (January 23) while on Sunday (January 24) eight more were arrested.

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Thespian: Branagh will appear with other stars in audio play for the GOSH charity

Stage and screen stars including Sir Kenneth Branagh and Olivia Colman have lent their voices to an audio play of Peter Pan in support of the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Children's Charity.

Author JM Barrie donated the copyright of the works to the hospital in 1929, but with theatres closed and Christmas shows on hold due to Covid-19, its charity is missing out on its annual income from royalties and donations.

The retelling will feature contributions from Sharon D Clarke, Joanna Riding, Bertie Carvel, Jane Horrocks, Jason Flemyng, Clive Rowe and more.

Adapted by Shaun McKenna, the production will also feature an original score by Annabelle Brown.

Barrie's tale of a free-spirited young boy who never grows up will be presented in four 30-minute chapters, all rehearsed over Zoom and recorded remotely.

Members of the GOSH Young People's Forum, including patients currently undergoing treatment and former patients, will also perform alongside the professional cast.

Money from the production will go towards the GOSH Charity to fund medical research, equipment, support services for children and families and rebuilding and refurbishment.

Liz Tait, director of fundraising at GOSH Charity, said: "We are so grateful to the many stars who lent their voices to this creative audio adaptation of the timeless story of Peter Pan, alongside children and young people from the hospital whose contribution helped bring this tale to life in such a unique way.

"One hundred per cent of proceeds from the downloads will help us support seriously ill children from across the UK who are cared for at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and we truly hope that the families listening in the lead up to Christmas enjoy the comfort of storytelling together, after the challenging year everyone has faced.

"Thanks to everyone who downloads this adaptation, and to all those involved in its creation."

The audio play is available on iTunes from Sunday, December 20.

It was recently reported that Belfast born Branagh's latest Agatha Christie film has been postponed by Disney. Both it and a Ryan Reynolds comedy were moved from the 2020 schedule.
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)

At Least 24 Shot, 5 Fatally, Across Chicago Over the Weekend: Police

At least 24 people were shot, including five fatally, between Friday night and Sunday morning in Chicago.

Police in Chicago said the weekends first fatality occurred at 8:55 p.m. Friday after a 26-year-old man was shot in the head on South Kenneth Avenue, reported the Chicago Sun-Times.

An hour later, a woman was found dead in an alley around East 118th Place, officials said. She had been shot in the head, according to the paper.

About a day later, a man was found dead in a burning vehicle on South Yale Ave., according to police.

At around 12:50 a.m. on Sunday, a 24-year-old male was shot several times and killed around South Paulina Street, officials told the paper.

And at around 1 a.m., the citys fifth weekend fatality was recorded when a 39-year-old man was shot and fatally wounded during a gathering in the 1100-block of West 104th Street, according to the paper, citing the Chicago Police.

The Chicago Tribunes tally states that some 156 people have been shot in Chicago between Jan. 1, 2021, through January 21, 2021.

Last weekend, at least 23 people were shot, including six fatally, in the city.

In 2020, a tally of Chicagos crime said that 4,100 people were shot while 719 were gunned down. Overall, nearly 800 murders were recorded last year.

Earlier this month, activists in Chicago criticized the citys response, saying that the COVID-19 pandemic isnt to blame. Some officials, including Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, have said the pandemic has exacerbated crime.

We need to stop blaming COVID-19 for the uptick in gun violence in Chicago, Tio Hardiman with Violence Interrupters said. For the entire year of 2020, Ive been trying to reach out to Mayor Lori Lightfoot to sit down with her.
Many Victorian tourism businesses have been buoyed by a bumper summer, with accommodation booked solid in coastal towns.

But the looming loss of JobKeeper payments at the end of March, combined with fears the return of international visitors could be delayed until as late as 2023, has some fearing they may still go to the wall.

Summer has been busy at Phillip Island with domestic visitors but many businesses are struggling with the lack of international tourists. Credit:Eddie Jim

The end of the summer tourism peak and uncertainty about freedom to travel between states also loom as major tests for the beleaguered sector.

This week the Tourism Transport Forum released research showing the national tourism industry would lose an estimated $6.8 billion between December 24 and January 31. It estimated Victoria would lose 85,300 jobs by September if JobKeeper was not extended.
UPDATE (Monday, 12:33 p.m.): The Athletics Lindsey Adler reports the Yankees traded reliever Adam Ottavino to the Boston Red Sox. Read more about that here.

The salary-conscious New York Yankees are looking to give themselves luxury tax threshold room.

Theyre trying to deal reliever Adam Ottavino, according to a report from the New York Posts Joel Sherman.

Introducing Yankees Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers

From the report:

Opposing executives say the Yankees have been looking for partners to move as much of Adam Ottavinos $9 million luxury tax number for 2021 as possible.

As of late Saturday night, the Yankees were trying to acquired righty starting pitcher Jameson Taillon from the Pirates.

Ottavinos luxury tax hit will be $9 million in 2021. He signed a three-year, $27-million deal  with $3 million coming in the form of a signing bonus  with the Yankees before the 2019 season.

He had a rough 2020, posting a 5.89 ERA in 24 games (18 1/3 innings) and making just one postseason appearance. But he was quite good in 2019, boasting a 1.90 ERA in 73 games and 66 1/3 innings. He has pronounced splits, with lefties hitting him for a .792 OPS compared to a .615 OPS vs. righties.

The Yankees are expected to want to stay below the $210 million luxury tax threshold. Cots Contracts had their payroll at approximately $204 million as of Sunday morning. Clearing Ottavinos salary would give general manager Brian Cashman breathing room to make additions to the roster now or during the regular season. Ottavino grew up in Brooklyn as a Yankees fan.

Yankees pitchers and catchers are scheduled report to spring training Feb. 15.

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Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
Wuhan: For people living in Wuhan this January, a year after the worlds first coronavirus lockdown came into place, deja vu hangs in the foggy, winter air.

China is battling its most severe outbreak of the coronavirus in 11 months  more than 2000 cases over the past five weeks, with at least three from the new British variant, not including asymptomatic positives. Infections are primarily clustered around cities in north-east China, more than 1000 kilometres away from Wuhan.

Residents attend an exhibition on the citys fight against the coronavirus in Wuhan on January 23, a year after it was locked down to contain the spread of coronavirus. Credit:AP

But the city where coronavirus first erupted in late 2019 is taking zero chances. Authorities have reintroduced restrictions, limiting bars and restaurants to 75 per cent capacity and banning large group gatherings.

Posters with pandemic tips that had been torn down are going back up, reminding passers-by to wash their hands regularly and stand at least one metre apart. Bins for face mask disposal are again perched on street corners.
Researchers have amassed plenty of persuasive evidence in recent years showing that market timingor moving in and out of stocks based on where you think the market is headedoften leads to lower returns.

But if that isnt enough to convince you, perhaps this will: A new study finds that active trading also significantly increases the volatility of a portfolio. That is, market timers actually assume much more risk to get those lower returns, compared with investors who simply buy and hold investments.

These findings are timely, following a year in which the stock market took investors on a wild ride, plunging into a bear market early on and then surging to record highs at years end. Over the same time, digital apps that encourage Americans to engage in active trading strategies also experienced explosive growth as new investorssome likely stuck at home because of the pandemic and seeking new thrillscrowded into the market.

So as we enter a new year, and investors are forced to deal with a future full of uncertainty, it is worth looking at this new study from Ilia Dichev of Emory University and Xin Zheng of University of British Columbia that explores the connection between active trading and risk.

Although active investors tend to chase stability"they are trying to minimize volatility by market timingthey end up doing the exact opposite, according to the research, as they invest in stocks after past volatility is low and before future volatility is high. The end result is high capital exposure when volatility is increasing. In particular, Drs. Dichev and Zheng find that the volatility of the actual investor experience is nearly 50% higher than the corresponding volatility of stock returns."

The professors also find that the increase in volatility grows over time. For example, a typical investor with a 30-year investment horizon experiences a 71% increase in volatility, at least relative to those who just buy and hold investments.

The link between market timing and increased risk appears to be a global phenomenon. Drs. Dichev and Zheng find a similar pattern in a variety of international markets, including Canada, Germany, Japan and the U.K.

Their findings reveal the full cost of active trading. Such investors are chasing safe winners, but theyre actually getting risky losers. This means that active investors, on average, assume much more risk to get lower returns.

So why do so many individual investors continue to engage in active trading and market timing despite evidence showing it is often counterproductive? Researchers who have explored this question suggest that some investorsparticularly menare convinced the results dont apply to them. Others simply enjoy playing the market; trying to pick winners is more fun than sticking with long-term investments, probably for the same reason that many people enjoy blackjack and slot machines.

That became apparent over the past year as individuals, many of them new to investing, flocked to online trading platforms to try their hand at trading stocks. How big have these platforms become? By studying service outages, Brad Barber of the University of California, Davis, and colleagues conclude that activity on Robinhood Markets Inc.s platform, which allows users to trade securities like stocks for free, now accounts for roughly one-third of all retail trading volume in the stocks that are most popular among Robinhood users.

Critics have suggested one reason these apps might be so popular, and generate so much active trading, is that they gamify the investment experience, appealing to sensation-seeking investors. For instance, Robinhood updates stock values within the app every few secondsthe changing numbers even spin like a slot machine. When investors take certain first actions, confetti falls across the screen in celebration.

Alas, the evidence suggests that more trading often leads to worse results, both in terms of volatility and returns. Dr. Barber and colleagues, for instance, show that Robinhood investors are more likely to engage in herding, which leads to short-term price spikes and longer-term price declines. Within a month, the most popular stocks on Robinhood tend to decline between 5% and 9%. One likely reason is that short-sellers often bet against those same stocks.

In response to such criticism, Robinhood says its platform, which was built for mobile-first customers, has expanded access to the financial system and enabled millions of people to learn and invest responsibly.

We see evidence that most Robinhood customers use a buy-and-hold strategy, and research published by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that Robinhood customers acted as a market stabilizing force through market volatility in 2020," a spokesperson for the company says.

Still, research from Dr. Dichev and others suggests that making trading easier and more exciting is likely to backfire for most investors. Instead of celebrating the activity, we should be encouraging investors to stay focused on the long-term. We should show them confetti for not trading.

Were living through a period of high volatility, both for the world and the financial markets. However, one proven way to make your investments less volatile in the new year is to do as little as possible with them.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text

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To honor the nearly 35,000 Californians who have died from COVID-19, a number that will sadly continue to increase, I propose the state of California plant and name one coast redwood tree for each person lost. Redwood trees can live for hundreds of years, making them ideal for memorializing our loved ones.

Furthermore, coast redwoods capture more carbon dioxide than any other tree on Earth, so we should be planting as many as possible.

Richard Kurylo, San Francisco

A slap on the wrist

Kurtis Alexanders article Baltimore suit against Big Oil has ramifications for Bay Area (Jan. 19) highlights Baltimores case against oil companies, but this is merely a Band-Aid on a bullet wound.

While seeking damages from Big Oil is a good first step, it fails to hold these companies accountable for future damage to the environment. What we need is a more permanent solution like the carbon fee proposed in the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. The act would not only charge these companies for the damages they cause going forward, it would also distribute this money back to Americans  directly strengthening the communities these companies are harming in the first place.

We should implement effective, forward-thinking policy to deal with fossil fuel emissions, not a one-time financial slap on the wrist.

Dan Sulfaro, San Francisco

Leave the seat, Feinstein

Regarding Feinstein defends GOP senators election objections (Nation, Jan. 20): I have always been a strong believer that elections were our term limits and people have to come out and exercise this option. I strongly believed that legislating term limits is wrong. However, reading the article about Sen. Dianne Feinstein has made me see that there perhaps is an argument for limits. Feinstein, you are out of touch. Come home to San Francisco, and leave the seat to someone else.

Leonard Dorin, Lafayette

Resign with honor

I am appalled that Sen. Dianne Feinstein defended Sens. Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley and intimated that the impeachment trial of the former president wasnt important because he was gone from office.

This is outrageous! Of course we need to convict him at his impeachment trial! Unless the Senate convicts him, he can run for office again, God forbid! Isnt four years of hate and destruction and lies enough?

And as for the senators who supported the former presidents lies and distortions, they need to appear before the ethics committee at the very least for trying to undermine the election, to say nothing of supporting the storming of the Capitol.

Its time for Feinstein to resign with honor rather than continue making statements and taking actions that are counter to a democratic nation.

Caroline Lehman, Albany

Correct Trumps tweets

A number of senators have expressed the view that they are against impeachment because they favor uniting the country. I believe this is an incorrect view.

The best way to unite the country is to convict former President Donald Trump at his impeachment trial  the best way to correct his tweets and messages that have persuaded too many people to disregard truth.

Alan Goldhammer, Berkeley

Pence shows some class

Regardless of what you think of him and his politics, former Vice President Mike Pence turned out to be the classiest member of the circus we watched these past four years. I appreciated the outgoing and incoming vice presidents having a laugh on the steps as the Pences headed out.

Anne Jacobs, Berkeley

A test of legality

The editorial Art of the Grift (Jan. 21), asserts that perhaps the only surprise is that former President Donald Trump didnt pardon himself, his family or Rudy Giuliani.

This presupposes that so-called secret pardons were not issued that could be produced by defendants upon future indictment.

Given the sleazy nature of this former president and the fact that such an action is not explicitly restricted by the Constitution, does anyone really believe he is above testing its legality?

There doesnt appear to be any downside for producing such documents, which criminal associates keep locked up as potential Get out of Jail Free cards.
BATTLE CREEK, MI -- LaRon Marshall believes the firing of the Calhoun County sheriffs deputy who arrested him as he collected signatures is a start toward change.

Marshall, a Black resident of Springfield, said he hopes the decision will improve the relationship between police and residents, as well as spur better police policies and training.

Theyre moving in the right direction, Marshall said Friday, Jan. 22, not long after Calhoun County sheriffs administrators announced they were terminating the deputy who arrested him Jan. 2. Its a start toward change.

The deputys name has been released.

Marshall was collecting signatures in his neighborhood to start a tenants association when he was approached by two deputies who said they had received a complaint about a person soliciting in the area. They asked to see his permit.

Related: Michigan deputy terminated after arresting Black man collecting signatures

Marshall told them he was collecting signatures. After a verbal exchange, one of the deputies arrested him after he failed to provide an ID.

Prosecutors later dropped the charges. Marshall and his attorney contend the arrest was a case of racial profiling.

In a statement issued Friday, Calhoun County Sheriff Steven Hinkley and Undersheriff Timothy Hurtt said the deputy made the wrong decision.

We hold ourselves to high standards of professionalism to the communities we protect. When we are right, we are right. When we are wrong, we admit we are wrong. On January 2, we were wrong, according to the statement.

Marshalls attorney, Jennifer Lord, commended Hinkley for Fridays decision.

I do think the sheriff handled the situation very well, she said. There are so many instances where police departments didnt do the right thing.

She said the deputys dismissal sends a really important message to the community and can help to repair a frayed relationship between police and community members who distrust them.

Related: Racial profiling needs to stop, says Black man arrested while collecting signatures

Marshalls arrest was somewhat ironic, Lord said.

The reason he was out there collecting signatures that night was to increase safety and security in the community, she said.

One of Marshalls goals with the tenants association is to help stop vehicle break-ins, vandalism and speeding in the area.

The interaction between Marshall and the deputies on Jan. 2 was captured on cell phone video by the neighbor he was visiting at the time. Marshall was with his two children, ages 13 and 8.

The video was posted to YouTube and gained considerable attention.

Marshall said he believed the deputys termination was appropriate and questions whether the second deputy, who allowed the arrest to proceed, should face repercussions.

He just let it happen, he said.

Calhoun County officials say a review surrounding the second deputy is still ongoing.

Marshall hopes his experience can make a difference.

The system is broken. The attitudes have to change, he said.

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President Joe Biden spoke of the desire to strengthen the special relationship between the US and UK in his first call with Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The pair spoke on Saturday evening, with Mr Johnson congratulating Mr Biden on his inauguration, and warmly welcomed his decision to rejoin the Paris Agreement on climate change and the World Health Organisation  both abandoned by Donald Trump.

A Downing Street spokesman added the potential benefits of a post-Brexit free trade deal were also discussed in the call.

Great to speak to President @JoeBiden this evening. I look forward to deepening the longstanding alliance between our two countries as we drive a green and sustainable recovery from COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/Y4P3G74PPz  Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 23, 2021

He added: The Prime Minister praised President Bidens early action on tackling climate change and commitment to reach net zero by 2050.

Building on the UK and US long history of cooperation in security and defence, the leaders re-committed to the NATO alliance and our shared values in promoting human rights and protecting democracy.

The leaders looked forward to meeting in person as soon as the circumstances allow, and to working together through the G7, G20 and Cop26 this year.

Following the call, Mr Johnson tweeted: Great to speak to President Joe Biden this evening.

I look forward to deepening the long-standing alliance between our two countries as we drive a green and sustainable recovery from Covid19.

A statement from the White House made no mention of discussion on trade.

It said: The President conveyed his intention to strengthen the special relationship between our countries and revitalize transatlantic ties, underscoring the critical role of Nato to our collective defence and shared values.

The leaders also discussed the need for coordination on shared foreign policy priorities, including China, Iran, and Russia White House statement

President Biden also noted the importance of cooperation, including through multilateral organisations, on shared challenges such as combatting climate change, containing Covid-19, and ensuring global health security.

He noted his readiness to work closely with Prime Minister Johnson as the United Kingdom hosts the G-7 and United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this year. The leaders also discussed the need for coordination on shared foreign policy priorities, including China, Iran, and Russia.

It is reported that Mr Johnson is the first European leader to have spoken to the new president, after he had calls on Friday with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

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There will be some relief in Downing Street at the early call amid concerns about the way Mr Johnsons perceived closeness to Mr Trump would be seen by the new administration.

Following Mr Bidens inauguration this week, No 10 sought to play down Mr Bidens decision to remove a bust of Winston Churchill from the Oval Office  even though Mr Johnson had criticised Mr Obama when he did the same thing.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: The Oval Office is the presidents private office and its up to the president to decorate it as he wishes.

Were in no doubt of the importance that President Biden places on the UK and US relationship and the Prime Minister looks forward to having a close relationship with him.
They couldnt beat him at the polls in November, but leaders of Pennsylvanias Democratic Party on Sunday called for Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, an outspoken Donald Trump supporter who represents Harrisburg, Hershey and York, to resign following news reports that he was involved in a Trump effort to use a government lawyer from Philadelphia to overturn Joe Bidens election as president.

Scott Perry has disgraced South Central Pennsylvania, failed his country, and betrayed the trust of anyone who cares about our democracy. He is a stain on our Congress and must resign immediately, state Democratic Party chair Nancy Patton Mills said in a statement.

If Perry wont quit, he should be removed from congressional committee assignments by House GOP minority leader Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) and denied state and national congressional funding, Patton Mills added.

There must be consequences for this conduct, State Attorney General Josh Shapiro, a Democrat who hopes to run for governor, said in a post on social media. Shapiro also wrote that Perry should familiarize himself with a section of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which bars people from Congress who engaged in insurrection or rebellion or aided rebels against the government.

Liberal Democratic Philadelphia state Reps. Malcom Kenyatta and Brian Sims also called on Perry to resign.

Perry has not issued a public response. Staff at his Washington and Pennsylvania offices, which were closed Sunday, did not immediately respond to phone and email inquiries. Calls to the chairman of the state Republican Committee, Philadelphia lawyer Lawrence Tabas, were not immediately returned.

Perry is popular among south-central Pennsylvania voters. He was reelected to his fifth two-year term in November by voters in Dauphin and parts of Cumberland and York Counties, winning 209,000 votes to beat former state auditor general Eugene DePasquale, a Democrat, who garnered only 183,000 votes in a mixed district that Democrats had hoped to capture.

Trump had considered designating lawyer Jeffrey Bossert Clark, a Northeast Philadelphia native, to mount a last-ditch legal challenge against Bidens election, the Washington Post and other news outlets reported last week.

Trump met with Clark at the urging of Perry days before Congress was to meet to confirm the electoral vote, according to the New York Times, adding that Clark, unlike more senior lawyers working for the U.S. Department of Justice, was willing to argue that election challengers might still make a successful case, despite the failures of court challenges by previous Trump lawyers.

The effort, which reportedly included a plan to replace acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen with Clark, was dropped after senior Justice Department officials who considered it futile threatened to quit en masse, according to news reports.

 READ MORE: First it was fraud, then they just didnt like the rules: How Pa. Republicans justified trying to overturn an election

Democrats have attacked Perry for that extra effort to overturn the election, whose results were certified by the states and Congress.

Perry also has condemned House Democrats hasty rush to judgement in impeaching Trump a second time, for inciting rioters to sack the Capitol as Congress was meeting Jan. 6 to ratify the election results. The sham impeachment vote on Jan. 13, he said in a statement at that time, wouldnt be fit for the Inquisition or prairie justice  its an embarrassing and dangerous stunt that furthers our American divide, and I proudly voted against it.

Clark, a graduate of Father Judge High School and Harvard University, earned a masters from the University of Delaware before attending Georgetown Law Center and working at the prestigious corporate law firm Kirkland and Ellis. He had been responsible for environmental law cases in Trumps Justice Department. Trump simplified and rolled back environmental rules he blamed for crippling industry and destroying U.S. jobs.

Perry was one of eight Pennsylvania Republican congressmen who voted against certifying the states vote for Biden, citing concern about voting irregularities, despite courts dismissal of multiple similar claims. Sen. Pat Toomey (R., Pa.), who is not running for reelection, and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R., Pa.), who represents electorally competitive Bucks County, voted with Democrats to confirm the result.

Staff writer Jonathan Tamari contributed to this article.
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This recognition is especially meaningful this year, as it was awarded during a healthcare crisis that has upended virtually every norm in the industry.

American Traveler has earned its ninth consecutive Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval for Health Care Staffing Services Certification. The certification recognizes American Travelers continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organizations commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

The Health Care Staffing Services Certification demonstrates the travel nursing companys efforts to address how qualifications and competencies of staff are determined, placement of staff, and how their performance is monitored.

Travel nursing agencies, like American Traveler, provide much-needed supplemental staffing to hospitals when core staff levels need support. Healthcare employers can streamline staffing when they work with a travel nursing company; registered nurses can find lucrative travel nursing jobs at respected healthcare facilities throughout the U.S.

American Traveler underwent a rigorous review in December 2020. The Joint Commission reviewer evaluated compliance with related certification standards including program management, supporting self-management, and facilitating clinical care. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients.

The Joint Commission commends American Traveler for using certification to strengthen its program structure and management framework, as well as to enhance its staff recruitment and development processes.

The certification review evaluates healthcare staffing agencies based on multiple performance measures, including:



Leadership

Service Level

Continuity of Business

Credentialing and quality of staff placed by the agency, as assessed through file review

Organization-wide support of programs that foster continuous improvement in staff quality and patient outcomes

Healthcare Staffing is a Team Effort

Not only does The Joint Commission evaluate the credentialing and quality of the clinical staff placed by American Traveler, it also assesses the performance of the agencys recruiters, including how well they qualify and work with prospective clinical staff. This includes appraising how thoroughly the recruiters review a clinicians initial application to how well the recruiters handle conflict resolution.

This recognition is especially meaningful this year, as it was awarded during a healthcare crisis that has upended virtually every norm in the industry. With the pace of change accelerating every day, it is even more important that staffing agencies not only meet, but exceed, expectations in procedures and service.

Mary Kay Hull, Vice President of Recruitment at American Traveler, thanked the American Traveler team for their participation in the certification process, stating, "Earning this certification is a testament to our corporate staff whose knowledge, responsiveness and customer focus thoroughly impressed The Joint Commission." She noted, I would particularly like to commend our Compliance Manager, Cristina Ysern, and her team for their outstanding thoroughness and ongoing resolve to provide the highest level of service to the clinicians and the healthcare facilities we work with.

Adds Debbie Bacurin, RN, Clinical Account Manager, We would also like to thank our clinical staff in the field. Your commitment to your profession and your daily passion for providing excellent patient care demonstrates the utmost in career dedication, especially in these challenging times.

Jon Cherry/Getty ImagesBy MEREDITH DELISO, ABC News



(WASHINGTON) -- A man who allegedly made an online threat to "assassinate" Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., faces five charges in connection with the U.S. Capitol insurrection, authorities said.



Garret Miller was arrested Wednesday in Texas. His charges include threats and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. A detention hearing is scheduled for Jan. 25.



Newly released court documents chronicle a series of social media posts Miller allegedly made on Jan. 6 and in the days following the riot, including threats to the Democratic lawmaker, a regular target of conservatives, and a U.S. Capitol Police officer.



"Assassinate AOC," Miller tweeted on Jan. 6 in response to a call by Ocasio-Cortez to impeach former President Donald Trump, according to the criminal complaint.



In a Facebook discussion on Jan. 10 about the Capitol Police officer who fatally shot a rioter, Miller allegedly said, "We going to get a hold of [the USCP officer] and hug his neck with a nice rope[.]"



On Jan. 11, Miller allegedly posted to Facebook a selfie of himself inside the Capitol Rotunda. When someone commented on the post, "bro you got in?! Nice!," Miller replied, "just wanted to incriminate myself a little lol," according to the affidavit.



A few days after the siege on the Capitol, Miller "admitted on Instagram that he 'had a rope in [his] bag on that day,'" according to the affidavit.



Miller's Twitter account has been suspended and his Facebook page has been deleted. The FBI affidavit included screengrabs of social media posts they attributed to Miller and stills of surveillance footage that allegedly placed him in the Capitol building on Jan. 6.



In a statement to ABC News, Miller's attorney said that his client "regrets the acts he took in a misguided effort to show his support for former President Trump."



"His social media comments reflect very ill-considered political hyperbole in very divided times and will certainly not be repeated in the future," attorney Clint Broden said in the statement. "He accepts responsibility for his actions."

On one hand you have to laugh, and on the other know that the reason they were this brazen is because they thought they were going to succeed.  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 23, 2021



In response to news of Miller's arrest, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, "On one hand you have to laugh, and on the other know that the reason they were this brazen is because they thought they were going to succeed."



Copyright  2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
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When Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Higher Education Department introduced the Opportunity Scholarship last year, we knew it was an important resource for closing the access gap for students seeking higher education. What we didnt know is that one year later, the program would prove to be more critical than ever for helping New Mexicans get back on their feet and reinvigorating our economy following the worst public health crisis our state has ever faced.

That is why this legislative session, we are once again putting New Mexico students first by recommending $22 million in funding to support up to 30,000 students across the state in attaining a two-year degree or certificate. In order to accommodate students who work or have other time commitments, we are seeking to reduce the minimum credit hour eligibility requirement from 12 credit hours to six, and establishing a fund to ensure that students have access to the Opportunity Scholarship for years to come. Additionally, we are dedicating $4 million to help students who lost eligibility for the Lottery Scholarship and are close to completing their bachelors degree program.

We estimate that these graduates would bring a return on investment of $150 million in the form of income tax revenues, GRT revenue, and savings to public assistance programs, not to mention the value of supporting families and becoming future job creators and innovators themselves.

As the only one of my siblings to graduate from college, I know firsthand the challenges many New Mexicans face in gaining access to higher education and navigating college once they are there. We are committed to removing barriers, and know that many of our citizens take different paths to higher education. Some start their educational journey later in life, or experience interruptions due to hardships. We also know that pursuing a degree involves costs beyond tuition and fees, such as transportation, housing, books and materials, childcare and technology.

Many financial aid programs do not take these students or costs into account, but the Opportunity Scholarship does. Any New Mexican enrolling in a two-year degree program at any public or tribal college or university in our state can have up to the full cost of tuition and fees covered, leaving them the option to apply other financial aid they receive, such as federal Pell grants, to other expenses that often stand in the way of attaining a degree. Furthermore, students are eligible whether they completed high school or their high school equivalency credential three months or 30 years ago.

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The idea of pursuing a college degree can be daunting, but the rewards of doing so are life-changing and multigenerational for the families impacted. Zooming out with a statewide lens, we know that the students of today are preparing for and even creating the jobs of tomorrow, and that postsecondary education is necessary in a 21st century economy. If we want to reduce disparities for New Mexicans, we only have to look to the education and training programs available in our own backyard.

For example, lets look at the technical trades programs offered at many of our states colleges, universities and branch campuses. New Mexico Workforce Connection has forecast more than an 11% growth in industry positions in the next few years in New Mexico alone, with over 6,600 jobs directly related to these trades. With a two-year degree, graduates can immediately enter jobs where they will experience lower unemployment rates and higher salaries, or they can opt to continue their education to unlock even greater lifetime earning and career potential.

The pandemic has led us to evaluate our present and reconsider our future. How can New Mexico and New Mexicans access jobs that will help us meet the challenges and opportunities of the future? How can we best serve our citizens and empower them to create a better future for all of us?

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has worked hand-in-hand with legislators and state agencies to lay a strong foundation for early childhood and maintain consistent funding in public education. Expanding opportunities in higher education to improve outcomes for New Mexicans from cradle to career is the next logical step. New Mexico was the first state in the nation to offer tuition-free college through the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship, and we must restore that promise to New Mexicans. This is our opportunity to transform educational access, improve lives and restart New Mexico on the path to prosperity.


The New York Times building in New York City, N.Y., on Feb. 7, 2013. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)

New York Times Contributor Loses Think Tank Job After Suggesting Biden Should Lynch Mike Pence

A New York Times contributor was let go from another job after he suggested President Joe Biden lynch former Vice President Mike Pence.

Will Wilkinson wrote on Jan. 20 on Twitter, If Biden really wanted unity, hed lynch Mike Pence.

One of Wilkinsons employers, the Niskanen Center, a think tank, announced that they were firing Wilkinson.

As an organization, the Niskanen Center appreciates and encourages interesting and provocative online discourse, Jerry Taylor, president of the center, said in a tweet.

However, we draw the line at statements that are, or can in any way be interpreted as condoning or promoting violence. As such, the Niskanen Center has, with a heavy heart, parted ways with Will Wilkinson. We thank him for his valuable contributions to the organization and wish him success in his future endeavors, he added.

The New York Times didnt return an inquiry. A spokesperson told Fox News: Advocating violence of any form, even in jest, is unacceptable and against the standards of The New York Times. Were reassessing our relationship with Will Wilkinson.

Wilkinson removed the reference to the New York Times from his Twitter bio.

In a post on Twitter, Wilkinson positioned the apparent call for violence an error of judgement.

It was sharp sarcasm, but looked like a call for violence. Thats always wrong, even as a joke. It was especially wrong at a moment when unity and peace are so critical. Im deeply sorry and vow not to repeat the mistake, he added.
Hospitals are in danger of reaching capacity if the COVID-19 pandemic worsens. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved monoclonal antibodies as an early and very effective treatment, but far too few Americans and New Jerseyans are receiving this medication or are aware it exists.

The most vulnerable who qualify for the medical combination may avoid hospitalization by receiving this treatment. It must be more accessible for everyone. It will save lives.

President Joe Biden is finally in office and state Commissioner of Human Services Carole Johnson and Consumer Affairs Director Paul Rodriguez were appointed to critical positions in his administration. The president is committed to mask wearing and has declared a mission to distribute the vaccine swiftly. The New Jersey officials appointed to the Biden administration and Gov. Phil Murphy are at the forefront of this process to save lives.

We need more than the vaccine to defeat this pandemic and get back to normal. We must educate people about monoclonal antibodies and where to receive this lifesaving treatment. A public awareness campaign would achieve this critical goal and, as an elected official, I pledge to legislatively explore means to ensure we spread the word in every way possible.

Assemblyman Ralph Caputo, D-Essex, Nutley

Seniors know how to go online, thank you

I take offense at all of the articles implying that senior citizens arent able to get COVID-19 vaccine appointments because they arent adept at using computers.

By now, I think most of us have had a computer, a tablet or a smartphone for years. We cant get appointments because there is a shortage of vaccine, and everyone seems to have become eligible at once.

I have used both the phone and the computer. There is no one answering phones, or the lines are busy. Online, after forms are filled out, a polite message says Sorry, no appointments are available.

Dont make seniors sound incapable. We are quite able, thank you.

Barbara Finkel, Edison

This pass-over is not a joyous holiday

I am an 80-year-old diabetic with underlying conditions. My wife is 74 and uses Humira. We are registered on the New Jersey COVID-19 vaccination website.

We see numerous posts from much younger people without our risk factors stating that they have received the vaccine. I cant get a response from my lawmakers or the governors office. Nobody will tell me why we are being passed over.

Clearly, the state registration system is not allocating vaccines in accordance with the original guidelines. The well-being of people like my wife and me is in serious jeopardy because of the failure of this system.

I urge you to please help get to the bottom of this failure and push for prompt correction. Our health and the health of numerous others like us is at stake.

Martin Kanter, Edison

Trump dump would unshackle Republicans

Regarding Paul Mulshines recent column about how banning Donald Trump from holding office again would be a gift from Democrats to the Republicans:

Dump Trump for good? Republicans would be wise to support the Democrats in this effort. Yes, it would be the greatest gift the Democrats could give the Republican Party. It could save it from evolving into The Party of Trump.

Trump never received the majority of the popular vote. If voter suppression is ended nationwide, the Republican Party will need to broaden its appeal beyond the 40% or so of voters that Trump brings. Unless he is held responsible and faces consequences for inciting a riot or insurrection, he will continue to lead the party down the path of division, and he will continue to threaten the GOP with a presidential run in 2024. Any candidate who wants to run for office will need to seek his blessing.

If Trump is not allowed, by law, to run again, Republicans will be free to no longer be Trump clones. The party will be free to develop broader appeal and win races on their candidates merits, not their loyalty to Trump.

So, set yourselves free and dump Trump.

Marlene Czarnowski, Monroe Township

Hunterdon commissioner should exit due to Jan. 6

Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners Director Susan Soloway and other Hunterdon County Republicans attended the infamous Jan. 6 pro-Donald Trump demonstration in Washington that became a riot.

She confirms that she took photos of the thugs attacking the U.S. Capitol building and sent them to the FBI. She must have been on the steps of the building to take those photos, although she maintains that she did not enter the Capitol grounds.

Former FBI Director Jim Comey has said that any protester who was on the Capitol steps that day committed a crime. Soloway and any other commissioners who were there should resign.

On another matter, is anyone checking on the difference in the amount of COVID-19 vaccine being sent to blue states versus red states?

Elaine Narby, Netcong

Soloways excuses for Jan. 6 participation insulting

The reasons that Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners Director Susan Soloway gave for attending the protest and insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6 were insulting.

Her reference to the U.S. Constitution as giving her the right to protest is a slap in the face of everyone who has protested against injustices of any form.

Soloway was not there to protest injustice, she was there to show her opposition to the legitimate election of Joe Biden. She rejected the very Constitution that she claimed to support.

Soloways presence in Washington was an act of contempt for American democracy. She does not deserve to remain in a position of leadership.

Robert Checchio, Dunellen

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Mary Trump has revealed how she is considering changing her last name to cut all ties with her uncle after he did 'incalculable' damage to the US during his Presidency.

Donald Trump's niece - who has written a scathing memoir about her uncle branding him the 'worlds most dangerous man' - says that she fears the negative connotations her name may have in the future.

The clinical psychologist, 55, also shed light on his relationship with Melania Trump, 50, claiming that while she does not feel the former First Lady wants to divorce, Donald does not understand 'affection or intimacy'.

'The damage Donald has done to this country is incalculable', she said in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph. 'We're just waiting to find out how much is irreparable'.

Mary Trump, 55, pictured last year, is considering changing her last name to cut all ties with her uncle after he did 'incalculable' damage to the US during his Presidency

The clinical psychologist also shed light on his relationship with Melania Trump. Pictured, arriving at Palm Beach International Airport on Wednesday

Rumours that Melania is unhappy in her marriage were sparked when she refused to stop and pose for waiting photographers upon her arrival in Florida after leaving the White House.

Instead, a stony-faced Melania strode away from them without so much as a wave while her husband posed for pictures at Palm Beach Airport.

The recording went viral on social media, with users speculating that the mother-of-one is moments away from filing for divorce.

While Mary dismissed these claims, she shed some light on the marriage, alleging that her uncle is incapable of a healthy relationship.

A former aide alleged the Trumps had separate bedrooms in the White House and 'a transactional marriage'

'I don't believe he understands affection or intimacy', claimed Mary.

According to the The Mail on Sunday, former aide Stephanie Wolkoff alleged in November the Trumps had separate bedrooms in the White House and 'a transactional marriage'.

Fellow ex-aide Omarosa Manigault Newman also claimed the couple's 15-year marriage was over, adding: 'Melania is counting every minute until he is out of office and she can divorce.'

Mary is one of two children by Fred Trump Jr, the President's older brother who died in 1982 aged 42 after battling alcoholism.

When Fred Sr died in 1999, Mary and her brother Fred Trump III challenged his will because they claimed that the Trump family exerted undue influence to cut them out.

In July 2020, Mary published 'Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the Worlds Most Dangerous Man' (pictured)

In July 2020, Mary published 'Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the Worlds Most Dangerous Man'.

She released the tell-all memoir despite Robert Trump's claims she was blocked from talking about family members publicly as part of the agreement made to settle the estate of her father after his death.

Mary in her book seeks to explore how the president may have developed from his father some of the traits that have been most apparent at the White House.

She wrote in the book that she had 'no problem calling Donald a narcissist - he meets all nine criteria as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.'

In the interview she spoke of hiring around the clock security due to fears for her safety, but said the only repercussions faced where jibes from her family questioning her 'loyalty'.

Donald Trump left the White House early on Wednesday morning ahead of the inauguration of President Joe Biden

Earlier this week, Mary predicted a 'grim' future for her uncle Donald as he tries to 'change the narrative' around his legacy while facing a loss of relevance and legal threats.

The clinical psychologist told CNN that Tuesday, Trump's last day in office, was 'probably the worst day of his life'.

'This is probably the worst day of his life, because the clock is ticking and he's running out of time,' Mary told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Tuesday.

'The other thing I just want to point out about that speech, it was reminiscent of a video he made after the insurrection saying the movement is just beginning, which seems like a bit of a threat to me,' Trump said.

'My hope is that he be as contained as possible. He's going to do whatever he can or believes he can to change the narrative and I think we're going to see that play out with some of these pardons in excess of 100, if I'm hearing that correctly, and some of these pardons will be quite horrific, some of them will be strategic.'
During my 22 years as a security correspondent, I covered various operations in which gardai and troops sealed off particular areas they were about to search. Some called it 'a ring of steel', a phrase I didn't like and never used. However, I must admit 'a ring of steel' would have been appropriate in describing the lockdown of Washington, DC, for the inauguration of Joe Biden as US president last week.

Then came news that the National Guards themselves were being screened in case any of them might have allegiances to extremist groups. A chilling thought that one of them, or someone posing as one of them, might turn one of those rifles on the president.

Unlikely, you might think, but when I saw those amazing scenes in Washington, I recalled that when another president of another country was reviewing a victory parade, some of his own soldiers attacked him with hand grenades and gunfire. He and a number of others were killed and many visiting dignitaries were wounded, including a member of the Irish government who was sitting not far from him.

The assassinated leader was the Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, the member of our government James Tully, then minister for defence.

However, the thought that such an attack might happen to Joe Biden flew in the face of all previous assassinations in the US, when, to use another cliche, a 'lone gunman' was involved. History is dotted with them, the first one that springs to mind being the assassination of JFK.

I met President Kennedy when he visited Ireland in 1963. Three reporters, including myself, were waiting on the lawn at the front entrance to Leinster House to record his arrival. Inside, members of the government were waiting to greet him. When he walked up to us, a broad smile on his face, I was struck by the fact that his eyes were so blue. Strange the things that stay in your mind.

Only a few months later I saw a poster for the Evening Press in Dublin's D'Olier Street, headlining the terrible news that President Kennedy had been assassinated.

With such a massive clampdown in Washington last week, there was no possibility that anyone would get near enough to carry out such an attack on President Biden. But then news began to filter through of possible danger from another source: A disillusioned right-wing extremist in the ranks of the National Guard? In deciding to screen them, the Secret Service may have been mindful of what happened to Egyptian president Anwar Sadat in Cairo.

On October 6, 1981, Sadat and a gathering of VIPs were seated on a reviewing stand watching the annual victory parade celebrating Operation Badr, during which the Egyptian Army crossed the Suez Canal and took back a small part of the Sinai Peninsula from Israel at the beginning of the Yom Kippur War.

Subsequently, however, Sadat signed a peace treaty with Israel. His action enraged members of the Islamic Jihad and now they were about to take their revenge.

Crowds watched as rows of soldiers marched past, army trucks towing artillery lorries carrying troops. Then as they looked up at Air Force Mirage jets flying overhead, several soldiers jumped out of one of the lorries, led by a young officer.

Thinking he had come to salute him, Sadat stood up. Instead, the officer hurled three hand grenades and as one exploded, the assassins began firing their AK-47 assault rifles into the stands. Sadat and 10 others, including a number of foreign dignitaries, were killed and 28 wounded.

Shortly afterwards it emerged that among the wounded was our own minister for defence James Tully. A Meath man and prominent member of the Labour Party, Tully became minister for local government when Labour entered a coalition with Fine Gael.

Later he became minister for defence, and it was in that capacity that he travelled to Cairo to represent Ireland at the victory parade.

I was working in RTE at the time and, following the attack, we managed to contact him for a radio interview, unaware that he was among the wounded. "I believe you were on the stand at the time, minister," I began. "Yes," he replied, "I was sitting not far from President Sadat." He told me when the grenades were thrown, he himself had been injured by shrapnel. "You were what?" I exclaimed, shocked at the news. Yes, he said, he had been wounded in the face.

Subsequently I interviewed Mr Tully on another matter when he was back in his office in Dublin, and there on his desk was the piece of shrapnel - or was it a bullet fired by one of the assassins, I can't recall. It had been mounted for him by someone in the Army and presented to him as a memento of that day in Cairo when he narrowly survived the assassination of the president of Egypt.

Tom McCaughren is an award-winning author and former security correspondent with RTE
The British government has extended lockdown laws to give councils the power to close pubs, restaurants, shops and public spaces until July 17, and has also decided to quarantine travelers from high-risk Covid-19 countries for at least 10 days as it is unable to arrest the rising numbers of new Covid variant infections.

The Telegraph reported on Saturday, the British government has quietly extended lockdown laws to give councils the power to close pubs, restaurants, shops and public spaces until July 17.

Also, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will force travellers from high-risk COVID-19 countries to quarantine in hotels for ten days, in a decision to be taken on Monday, the Daily Mail said.

On Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government could not consider easing lockdown restrictions with infection rates at their current high levels, and until it is confident that the vaccination programme is working.

He also warned on Friday that the new UK variant of COVID-19 may be associated with a higher level of mortality as the country's death tally from COVID-19 nears the 100,000 mark - hitting 97,329 on Saturday.

Doctors expressed apprehension regarding the decision to delay the second dose

Meanwhile, Britain's COVID-19 vaccination push gathered pace on Saturday, with 5.9 million people now having had the first dose, but doctors expressed apprehension regarding the decision to delay the second dose. Currently, the government is leaving a gap of 12 weeks between the first and the second dose allowing Britain's vaccine programme to proceed quickly. This is against the advisory of the vaccine Pfizer and BioNTech.

The British government is stretching out the gap between first and second shots as it seeks to ensure as many people as possible can be given some protection from an initial vaccine dose.

But in a letter to Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England Chris Whitty, the British Medical Association said leaving the 12-week interval for the Pfizer vaccine went against World Health Organization guidance.

They urged the government to reduce the gap between Pfizer doses to a maximum of six weeks.

The makers of the vaccine, Pfizer and BioNTech, have warned that they have no evidence their vaccine would continue to be protective if the second dose is given more than three weeks after the first.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Right around March 19th of last year, when the first coronavirus lockdown began, the Los Angeles area received a (much needed) prolonged bout of rainfall.

And when it again rained in earnest in LA this Saturday, rapper Cardi B took to Twitter to share her feelings.

'When it rains heavy in LA I get really sad. It reminds me of when Covid started,' Cardi, 28, wrote, adding a sad face emoji.

When it again rained in earnest in LA this Saturday: Rapper Cardi B took to Twitter to share her feelings; seen on Instagram the day prior with husband Offset

'I couldnt be around my kid, family for weeks cause a lot of people around me caught Covid,' she added.

'Everything was super shut down, supermarkets was empty and it rain for hours everyday. I was losing my mind,' the Bodak Yellow hitmaker concluded.

And her emotional feelings were more than valid, as coronavirus-related fears remain very much at the forefront some 10 months later.

'When it rains heavy in LA I get really sad. It reminds me of when Covid started,' Cardi, 28, wrote, adding a sad face emoji

Especially in Los Angeles county, the pandemic has made the area something of an epicenter in recent weeks.

And now, with new, even more infectious mutations of the virus originating in Britain as well as California itself, it appears things will still get worse before they get better.

Incoming President Joseph Biden has reiterated that statement, and his Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci recently said the situation won't significantly improve until this fall.

Feeling it: 'Everything was super shut down, supermarkets was empty and it rain for hours everyday. I was losing my mind,' the Bodak Yellow hitmaker concluded

Another contributing factor is the hampered rollout of the Covid vaccine, due in no small part to former president Trumps lax attitude toward the crisis.

Nonetheless, Cardi appeared to be in somewhat better spirits the day prior to the rainstorm, when she made an appearance in a jaw-dropping sheer dress that doubled as manga cosplay.

The Money songbird saturated her Instagram feed and stories with images and video of the amazing outfit on Friday, and was snapped by paparazzi as she descended on Beverly Hills for a shopping excursion with her husband Offset.

Nonetheless: Cardi appeared to be in somewhat better spirits the day prior to the rain storm, when she made an appearance in a jaw-dropping sheer dress
KALAMAZOO, MI -- A man is in critical condition Sunday morning after crashing his vehicle into a sign on Portage Street, police said.

Kalamazoo Dept. of Public Safety Officers responded at 2:31 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 24 to the scene in the 5100 block of South Portage Street.

The vehicle had significant damage from striking the sign, according to police. Officers had to extricate the driver out of the vehicle to provide medical treatment, according to police.

The victim was a 31-year-old man from Kalamazoo. He was transported to a local hospital and is currently in critical condition, according to police.

Police said the cause of the crash is unknown and remains under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 269-337-8994 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.

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Vietnamese expatriates in Cambodia pin high hopes on the upcoming 13th National Party Congress

Vietnamese expats in Cambodia at the Tet festival held by the Vietnamese General Consulate

Vietnamese expatriates in Cambodia pin high hopes on the upcoming 13th National Party Congress, expecting for more effective policies and guidelines to support Vietnamese nationals who have always turned their hearts to the homeland.

Tran Van Bao, Chairman of the Khmer-Vietnamese Association in Battambang province, expressed his pride when recalling Vietnams good control of the COVID-19 pandemic in the past year, holding that under the sound leadership of the Party and State, the country overcame a gloomy time when it was battered by both the outbreak and serious flooding in the central region.

Bao said the Vietnamese expats are expecting that more practical support policies will be adopted at the 13th National Party Congress to help them gain a legal status in Cambodia so as to ensure stable lives for their children as well as further contributions to the homeland.

Besides, they wished for the better citizen protection work, as well as more assistance in preserving Vietnamese traditional culture in foreign countries, he added.

Meanwhile, Le Thi Thuy Linh, a teacher in Siem Reap province, hoped that the 13th National Party Congress will outline rational policies to promote solidarity among expatriates, while expecting for more programmes to support education for younger generations so that they can integrate easily into the world.

According to Vietnamese Consul General in Battambang Le Tuan Khanh, at the conference held at the end of 2020 to collect opinions of Vietnamese citizens in Battambang, Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat and Pailin provinces on draft documents to be submitted to the 13th National Party Congress, they expressed their delight at the countrys achievements across various sectors after 35 years of oi moi (Renewal), with high economic growth, well-developed infrastructure, improved living conditions of people, and the countrys increasing position and role on the international arena.

They have kept a close watch on the countrys development, and supported the nations fight against corruption as well as policies to popularise the countrys image and encourage patriotism among its citizens.

They do hope that the Party will have more practical and effective policies to create favourable conditions for them to work and live in the host nation, ensuring the Vietnamese expats are always an indispensable part of the great national solidarity bloc, the diplomat added.

VNS
A SEAL Team 6 member who pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the hazing death of Army Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar in 2017 was sentenced to 10 years of confinement and a dishonorable discharge, his lawyer confirmed Sunday.

Chief Special Warfare Operator Anthony DeDolph was one of four operators accused in Melgar's death during a deployment to Mali.

According to a written stipulation of fact by a Marine Raider that was reported by the Washington Post in 2019, Melgar died after a violent hazing episode gone horribly wrong. The Raider, Staff Sgt. Kevin Maxwell, said the four men planned to burst into Melgar's bedroom, choke him until he passed out, and then allow a security Guard from Mali to sexually assault him while they recorded video.

Read Next: Military Leaders Given 2 Weeks to Show Their Sexual Assault Prevention Efforts Are Working

The Daily Beast first reported Dedolph's sentence.

Dedolph's Navy charge sheet alleges he bound Melgar with duct tape, placed him in a choke hold and strangled him.

Defense attorneys have characterized the incident as a prank plan gone bad.

Dedolph pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, obstruction of justice and hazing Jan. 14. According to an Associated Press report from Dedolph's plea hearing, he told the judge the operators had intended to retaliate against Melgar for allegedly hazing other troops by "ditching" them in unsafe places in Mali.

The men had been drinking. Dedolph indicated killing Melgar was never their intent.

"I effectively applied the chokehold as I have done numerous times in training, in combatives, and has been done to me," DeDolph said, according to the AP report.

The sentencing hearing began Jan. 19 in Norfolk.

Dedolph's defense attorney, Phil Stackhouse, confirmed to Military.com that his sentence included 10 years' confinement and reduction to E-1, as well as forfeiture of pay and a dishonorable discharge.

"Objectively, the jury deliberated on a sentence less time than the lawyers argued their points and it would have been virtually impossible for them to do more than a cursory review of the significant volume of critical evidence given to them just when they began," Stackhouse said in a statement. "Because of the confidentiality of the deliberative process, what they reviewed and why they decided on that sentence will remain unknown."

Dedolph's sentence will be appealed, Stackhouse said, and he will petition for parole when eligible.

Maxwell and another operator, Chief Special Warfare Officer Adam Matthews, have already pleaded guilty to charges in connection with Melgar's death. A fourth man, Marine Gunnery Sgt. Mario Madera-Rodriguez, awaits trial.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.

Related: Seal Team 6 Operator to Plead Guilty in Green Beret's Death
As Louisiana ramps up administering vaccines against the novel coronavirus, K-12 schools in the state are beginning to wrestle with how they can get as many of their employees vaccinated as possible.

Educators and other school personnel are part of the next priority group  Phase 1B, Tier 2  for vaccination. But with supply of the vaccines remaining tight, school employees arent expected to be getting vaccinated en masse for several weeks yet.

Louisiana expects 'relatively flat' coronavirus vaccine shipments; here's how it creates 'problems' The Biden administration has told Louisiana officials that shipments of the coronavirus vaccine wont be increasing much for at least a month,

In the meantime, many school leaders are planning ahead to the extent that they can. They are figuring out, among other things, who will provide the vaccine, whether vaccinations will be done at school or at a medical facility, as well as identifying the employees who want them and who dont.

Whats not being widely discussed is mandating school employees get vaccinated.

Just mentioning the idea of a mandate can prompt a strong reaction.

Were not going to force our employees to get vaccinated, Wes Watts, superintendent of schools in West Baton Rouge Parish, said flatly.

I dont think we ever want to be in that place, said Ken Campbell, executive of IDEA Louisiana Public Schools. Theres something that doesnt sit right with me about that.

IDEA, which is based in Texas, operates three schools in Louisiana, two in Baton Rouge and one in New Orleans, and collectively they educate more than 2,100 children.

Instead, Campbell said he intends to lead by example.

My plan is to be the first one there, get it done, get it on video and encourage everyone on our team to go and do it, Campbell said.

Employers toying with the possibility of mandating COVID vaccines face an uncertain legal environment.

The U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission issued guidance last month saying that employers can require workers to get a COVID-19 vaccine, with exemptions for workers with certain medical conditions or religious beliefs.

However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has yet to fully authorize the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Currently, they are approved only on an emergency basis. While that remains the case, individuals who receive the vaccine have the option to accept or refuse it.

That may complicate efforts by employers to enforce in-house mandates.

Some local school districts are hoping for guidance from state and federal authorities before advancing too far in their vaccination planning.

We have put in several calls to the (Louisiana Department of Health) to get information, but none has as yet been provided, said Delia Taylor, a spokeswoman for the Livingston Parish school system.

Gwynn Shamlin, general counsel for the East Baton Rouge Parish school system, said hes on the lookout for federal guidance from the incoming Biden administration.

Many of us are expecting there will be some (federal) guidance, Shamlin said.

Orleans Parish Public Schools, which has already done extensive planning for its upcoming vaccination campaign, is not planning to issue a mandate.

The vaccine will not be mandatory for team members, said Dr. Leron Finger with Childrens Hospital New Orleans, which has partnered with the Orleans Parish school district. Its going to be strongly encouraged.

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Polls show a nation divided when it comes to the new vaccines. In a November survey, about 60% said they would get the COVID-19 shots, up from 50% a month earlier, according to the Pew Research Center.

About 17% of educators said they were very unlikely to take the vaccine, and 12% said they were somewhat unlikely in a nationally representative online survey conducted in November by the EdWeek Research Center.

Hollis Milton, superintendent in West Feliciana Parish, said hes already surveyed his 300-plus employees. Of those who have expressed a preference, he said it was split down the middle, with half wanting to be vaccinated and half against the idea. Many staff members, though, werent sure either way.

Milton suspects the undecided will come around as more and more people get vaccinated without issues.

If someone doesnt want it, thats fine, Miltons said. But if any of our employees want it, Im going to be as aggressive as I can in helping them get vaccinated.

Different districts are at different stages of planning.

For instance, in East Baton Rouge, school nurses are likely to administer the vaccine at school-based health centers, but also via mobile units supplied by local hospitals that will travel from school to school.

Across the river in West Baton Rouge, Superintendent Watts said hes been focused on other COVID matters up until now.

Its probably something were going to look at in the next couple of weeks really closely, Watt said.

Finger advises school leaders in Louisiana through regular online question-and-answer sessions. During a Jan. 13 session, he urged districts right away to gather their lists.

I dont want to be responsible for calling a school and finding out if they want it, he said I want the list of people who want the vaccine.

Employees who pass may end up waiting awhile, he warned.

Youre rolling the dice, and youre going to be put in the next tier along with everyone else, Finger said.

While important, vaccinating school employees will not in and of itself allow schools to relax their many COVID restrictions.

First of all, schoolchildren wont be vaccinated until a vaccine is approved for them  trials are under way for children aged 12 and above and more trials are planned for younger children.

Also, the virus may still be transmittable even for those vaccinated, an unanswered medical question.

Dr. Finger urges continued vigilance.

Once you get vaccinated, your life doesnt change at all. Everything that youve been doing, youre going to continue to do, Finger said. It doesnt give you free rein to go to a bar unmasked and cavort with other maskless people. I would strongly encourage that you continue to mask when youre out in public, socially distance and hang out with your nuclear family. Its not a green light to do whatever you want.

Campbell, with IDEA, though, said hes hoping a few more months of vigilance will pay off.

Hopefully, we will have a critical mass of people vaccinated by the start of next (school) year along with some semblance of normalcy, he said. That would be phenomenal.

Alibaba-backed community group buying platform gets fined for uncompetitive practices; U.S. and China trade officials hold their first phone call under the Biden presidency; and the yuan surges to a three-year high against the dollar

May 28, 2021 05:54 PM
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Two local tech companies were among three in New Mexico awarded $100,000 New Mexico Small Business Innovation Research grants, providing recipients with additional resources to commercialize their technology.

UbiQD in Los Alamos is an advanced materials company powering product innovations in agriculture. Using technology called quantum dots that are sprayed onto a film, the spectrum of harmful UV sunlight can be shifted to plant-friendly orange luminescence, encouraging more efficient greenhouse growth, increasing yield from 5% to 20%.

And Santa Fe-based Mesa Photonics has created a ground-based remote sensor for measuring variations in humidity from the ground up to altitudes as high as 50,000 feet; it is used to improve weather forecasting and to better understand the climate.

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Both companies will use the matching local funds to expand their technology to create better commercialization opportunities.

These companies have proven that innovation thrives in New Mexico. The products they have developed will disrupt markets, said Alicia J. Keyes, New Mexico Economic Development Department cabinet secretary. The state assistance is helping these businesses grow faster and create the higher-paying jobs we need to diversify the economy.

The companies are prime examples of innovations, born right here in New Mexico, that started from a patent, developed a product, and are well on their way to commercializing their technology, said Myrriah Tomar, director of the state Office of Science and Technology.

While the basic premise behind Mesa Photonics initial technology is solid for humidity, it has fairly limited commercial opportunities as it is primarily a scientific research tool, said David Bomse, company president.

But the same technology can be used to trace methane gas, which is where the commercial applications open up, Bomse said.

Methane is the main constituent of natural gas, he said. The market for looking for natural gas leakage is much bigger and we can adapt the technology to the measurement of natural gas leakage. You put the thing on the ground and it can measure the amount of methane in the air at different altitudes.

Its estimated that about 3% to 5% of natural gas is lost during the collection process, Bomse said.

You can say that billions of dollars a year literally evaporates into thin air, he said. So, thats a financial incentive. But, more importantly from my perspective as a father with children, the second-biggest cause of global warming is methane gas behind carbon dioxide. These losses can have a really big impact on global warming, so thats a much bigger deal.

It is possible the company could have a working prototype in the field by summer and, depending on COVID-19 fallout, commercialization by the end of the year, Bomse said. A lot hinges on when trade shows are scheduled again, he said.

For UbiQD, a commercial product is already on the market for production greenhouse growers, but company officials are working on the efficiency of their product as different plants grow better under different lighting situations, said Hunter McDaniel, UbiQD founder and CEO.

Much of that research falls under a $750,000 grant the company received from NASA, he said, while the New Mexico grant will help with such things as building partnerships, product marketing, educating potential end-users, attendance at trade shows and legal fees associated with intellectual property rights.

These are all important things to spend money on, McDaniel said. But theyre not things that the federal grant covers, so the state steps in and helps support that part of it.

The company already is conducting plant research in Arizona and New Mexico to determine which color filters help which types of plants the most, he said.

Tomato plants to pepper plants to cannabis, each can respond differently to different input, so were trying to learn as much as we can, McDaniel said.

Different plants respond to different colors (of the spectrum). Rose plants like more green in the spectrum. Tomatoes, magenta. Peppers have a little bit of yellow. It can even change in the different life cycles of the plants. Theres a lot of research happening that were trying to learn from and apply in film format. Were tweaking sunlight.
Sri Lanka will be receiving 600,000 vials of doses with the first vaccine consignment, reports Xinhua news agency.

Colombo, Jan 24 (IANS) Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the first batch of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines manufactured in India is expected to arrive in the island nation on Wednesday.

Addressing an event on Saturday, the President said the Covid-19 jabs will be first administered to medical officers, Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) and other health sector workers who are on the front line of coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Tri-forces personnel who work closely with medical staff and people who are more vulnerable to the virus will be given the jabs subsequently, Rajapaksa added.

Meanwhile, Covid-19 vaccination trials got underway in Sri Lanka on Saturday, the Health Ministry said, in order to prepare for the vaccination drive once it arrives here next week.

Deputy Director-General of Health Services (DDGHS) Hemantha Herath said this trial will help health officials to get an idea as to how the vaccination should be administered and also identify the discrepancies and shortcomings in the process.

This will also give officials the idea to determine the number of vaccines that could be given to the recipients within an hour or a day, he added.

Sri Lanka has so far reported 56,863 coronavirus cases and 278 deaths.

--IANS

ksk/
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Cloudy. Periods of rain early. Thunder possible. Low near 40F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Cloudy. Periods of rain early. Thunder possible. Low near 40F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%.

US helped enroll over 9mln Afghan children in schools  Envoy

Kabul, Jan 24 (UNI) The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has ensured that over 9 million children in Afghanistan have access to education, more than 3 million of them girls, the US charge daffaires said Sunday.

"Ensured over 9 million children here are now enrolled in school; Printed/distributed more than 170 million textbooks; and enrolled over 3 million Afghan girls in community-based education classes," Ross Wilson tweeted.

The US state agency has been working with local authorities and international donors to increase access to education for all Afghans. It has trained more than 480,000 teachers and helped establish 8,440 community-based education and accelerated learning classes.
Mumbai: Thousands of farmers have left from various parts of Maharashtra to participate in a rally at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Monday (January 25) against the Centre's three new farm laws.

The All India Kisan Sabha's (AIKS) Maharashtra unit in a statement said around 15,000 farmers set out for the state capital from Nashik on Saturday (January 23) in several tempos and other vehicles.

On Monday, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and some other prominent leaders of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the state will address the rally, the release said.

The state Congress unit, which is an ally of the MVA, has already extended its support to the protest.

Farmers from various places gathered in Nashik and left from there on Saturday. Many peasants also joined them on the way, the AIKS said.

They halted at Ghatandevi near Igatpuri hill town for overnight stay.

On Sunday morning, a number of peasants marched down the Kasara Ghat to head for Mumbai, while many left in vehicles.

"The rally is being held to support and expand the two-month-long farmers' struggle in Delhi for a repeal of the three farm laws and for a central law to guarantee a remunerative Minimum Support Price (MSP) and procurement all over the country," the statement said.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a pro-farmer body, has given a nationwide call for a struggle from January 23 to 26, including rallies to Raj Bhavans (governor houses) in states.

Accordingly, over 100 organisations came together and formed the Samyukta Shetkari Kamgar Morcha (SSKM), Maharashtra, in a meeting held in Mumbai on January 12.

The SSKM has called for a joint sit-in at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai from January 24 to 26. On January 25, there will be a public meeting at 11 am, the release said.

Besides NCP chief Pawar, state Congress president and revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat, and Shiv Sena leader and state tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray will also address the rally, it said.

Later, the protesters will march to the Raj Bhavan and submit a memorandum to Governor B S Koshyari. The main demands of the protesters include repeal of the three "anti-farmer" laws, and a central law guaranteeing remunernative MSP and procurement, the release said.

The protesters have also decided to hoist the national flag at the Azad Maidan on the occasion of the Republic day on January 26, and take a pledge to make the struggle of peasants and workers successful, it added.

Enacted in September last year, the three laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country.

Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at several border points of Delhi, demanding a repeal of the three farm laws.

Multiple rounds of talks between the government and farmer unions have failed to break the impasse so far, while the Supreme Court has appointed a panel for resolution of the issue.

--

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  After testing positive for COVID-19 in December, Daeshun Jamison did not have one symptom, his mother Brittney Autman said. But a few weeks later, the 10-year-old Shelby boy was hospitalized and doctors amputated his right leg because of a rare syndrome linked to the novel coronavirus.

Jamison started getting headaches on Dec. 20. By the next day, he had a fever of 103 degrees.

Autman rushed her son to the hospital where doctors diagnosed him with MIS-C, multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children. The overactive immune response inflames organs and can severely affect the heart.

We know that MIS-C is caused by COVID-19 and usually occurs about a month after the active infection, said Dr. Sabrina Heidemann, a Michigan physician who has been researching the syndrome since cases first showed up in April.

Related: Mother warns of terrifying syndrome linked to COVID-19 that hospitalized 8-year-old son

The disease can progress very quickly, said Heidemann.

By Christmas Eve, doctors put Jamison on a ventilator to help him breathe. Autman watched as her sons body struggled  his heart was overworking and his organs were shutting down.

It breaks my heart, Autman said. Hes my best friend.

Dae'shun Jamison, a 10-year-old boy from Shelby, developed a severe case of MIS-C, a syndrome cased by COVID-19. (Photo provided by Brittney Autman)

Hooked up to an ECMO machine and on dialysis, Jamison also lost circulation in his hands and feet during his intubation. His legs ballooned with fluids, and the damage was so acute that doctors amputated one leg.

A team of doctors, including Heidemann, first linked MIS-C to COVID-19 after reporting on 186 cases from 26 states in a paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Hediemann said she hasnt yet seen amputations be a consequence of MIS-C, but its so rare and the numbers are so few, that I wouldnt be surprised.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services started reporting MIS-C cases this month. The latest data from Jan. 21 shows there have been 67 total cases and fewer than five deaths since March. In May 2020, there were 17 cases under review for the syndrome by the agency.

Spectrum Health has treated 23 total cases of MIS-C, with most of those showing up in November and December when West Michigan saw a surge of COVID-19 cases, a spokesperson said. Thats compared to the 5,000 cases of COVID-19 in children the hospital has diagnosed.

The trendlines of MIS-C tend to follow COVID-19, but Heidemann said its prevalence is unknown, as some mild cases could go undetected. She encourages parents to be aware of the symptoms, but also understand the disease remains rare.

I would be concerned if my child had a COVID-19 infection or exposure, said Heidemann. And I would be very concerned if a month after that the child developed a fever and appeared sick.

Other signs are abdominal pain, a rash, vomiting, diarrhea and bloodshot eyes, according to the CDC.

Its been four weeks since Jamison was admitted to the hospital, and Autman said her quiet and sweet 10-year-old can only move his head and arms.

I wouldnt want no kid to go through this--like none, she said. I just dont understand. I just dont understand it.

Many unknowns remain about the syndrome, and Heidemann said there are no particular risk factors to explain why some children develop MIS-C. The next part of the pediatric physicians research will be determining the best way to treat the disease.

Dae'shun Jamison, 10, was diagnosed with MIS-C on Dec. 21. A couple of days later, doctors intubated the boy to help him breathe. (Photo provided by Brittney Autman)

Because of the prolonged hospital stay, Autman has been unable to workspending her days with her son or caring for her 7-year-old daughter at home.

A community-organized GoFundMe has raised over $30,000.

The mother of two attended Muskegon High School, and her 2009 graduating class has also organized efforts to help their former classmate. Kelci Vanderstelt, whos been friends with Autman since they were in middle school, said its not surprising to see this response from their community.

Even when were 12 years later, said Vanderstelt, were still able to keep that bond as a class and help a family in need.

Vanderstelt has put together care packages to brighten Jamisons hospital room, and shes helping to make Autmans house wheelchair accessible. Her Facebook posts have also been shared hundreds of times with people offering their prayers and support to Autman and her son.

As a mother, we ache for her in a whole different way, Vanderstelt said.

Autman has no idea what the next few weeks look like or when her son will be able to leave the hospital, but doctors are planning to amputate Jamisons other leg.

Theyre taking it one day at a time, Autman said. But I know this is going to be a long road.

More on MLive:

Life is always adventurous for former Jackson County firefighter turning 101 after surviving COVID-19

He was just a ring away: New friends inspire, motivate during COVID-19 recoveries

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Alan Dershowitz states the Senate can go through the Trump Impeachment on several points, saying the options that should be taken without breaking the Constitution.

DEMS have set the impeachment trial in February of ex-president Donald Trump which is questioned by scholars who disagree. The Constitution states that once out of office, the president could not be impeached.

The Harvard Law School Professor Emeritus Alan Dershowitz gave his insights on free speech and the second impeaching of Donald Trump by the DEMS. He gave his insights in a talk show with Cindy Drukier of NTD's "The Nation Speaks," reported the Epoch Times.

It is the second impeachment trial of Trump, and his defense acquitted him in 2019. Among them was Alan Dershowitz as part of the president's defense before. Many doubt the charges brought up against him.

What Trump said contrary to the DEMS interpretation

According to the Harvard law professor, it was clear that the president called for peaceful and patriotic demonstrations, but his detractors call it sedition.

Citing that American tradition sees the difference between who did the action and the one who influenced it. Or it is a mistake to persecute the speaker or influencer when the law should charge the culprit.

Adding this is mentioned by Thomas Jefferson, who wrote these words in a letter address in 1801. That has relevance 200-years later.

Comment on more courses of action by the Senate

One of these avenues by senators is voting not to try the case. It won't be done because a majority is needed. It only takes about two thirds to convict, which is easier. Dershowitz stressed that a Trump Impeachment is easier.

Democrats are now the majority; a vote for trial will be called. It will be the most unconstitutional act done in the Senate sponsored by the major party.

The constitutionalist spoke more thoughts on personal opinions on how the Senate will move to impeach now Citizen Trump.

He said his opinion would go against liberals who want to convict a private citizen. Even if the person is convicted, it is moot and means nothing, and the Senate made a mistake. It does not affect citizen Trump, and he'll shrug it off.

He can run in 2024 again because he can do it, but it falls to the courts if the Senate has any constitutional power who can run in 2024. If the Democrats are bent on prolonging it, then Trump wins, and neither America nor DEMS win.

More thoughts on why the impeachment is bad for DEMS

Overall, Alan Dershowitz has said impeaching citizen Trump will backfire and is unwise to pursue. The ex-president will uphold the Constitution by filing a case in federal courts. Trump is a victim of a senate with no authority over him and punished without trial or the bill of attainder.

He cited that censorship is prevalent, and many are too over eager to give a biased judgment that is hard to counter-adding that many of those wanting a Trump impeachment are more dangerous than McCarthyists. Dershowitz said these people are aided by a mainstream media offering another narrative.

Related article: Harvard Professor Says Democrats Violated the Constitution Six Times During Impeachment Process

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is set to send the Senate a single article of impeachment Monday accusing Donald Trump of inciting the Capitol riot, formally triggering the first-ever impeachment trial of a former president.

Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress, vowed last week that the trial -- already scheduled to open in the second week of February -- should proceed, saying, "I don't think it will be long, but we must do it."

But Republican lawmakers signaled over the weekend that Democrats may struggle to secure Trump's conviction over the storming of US legislative buildings earlier this month, which left five people dead.

Senior figures in Trump's party have pushed back with both political and constitutional arguments, raising doubts that Democrats -- who control 50 seats in the 100-seat chamber -- can secure the 17 Republican votes to reach the two-thirds majority needed to convict.

"I think the trial is stupid. I think it's counterproductive. We already have a flaming fire in this country and it's like taking a bunch of gasoline and pouring it on top," Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, told Fox News Sunday.

He acknowledged that Trump -- who had urged thousands of his supporters to flock to Washington and protest the congressional certification of Joe Biden's victory -- "bears some responsibility for what happened."

But to "stir it up again" could only hurt the country, said Rubio, a presidential candidate beaten by Trump in the 2016 primary.

- Constitutional question -

Other Republicans argued that the Senate has no authority to put a private citizen -- as Trump now is -- on trial.

Senator Mike Rounds told NBC's "Meet the Press" that the constitution does not allow for the impeachment of a former president.

But Senator Mitt Romney, the Republicans' 2012 presidential candidate and a frequent Trump critic, told CNN that "the preponderance of legal opinion is that an impeachment trial after a president has left office is constitutional. I believe that's the case."

Story continues

The Utah Republican -- the only member of his party to vote to convict Trump in his first impeachment trial -- hinted that he may be leaning the same way now.

He said he believed "that what is being alleged and what we saw, which is incitement to insurrection, is an impeachable offense. If not, what is?"

The Capitol riots were documented on videos seen around the world -- as were Trump's earlier exhortations to the crowd to "fight" for his presidency -- complicating his defense.

His case may have suffered further after The New York Times reported Friday that Trump had considered ousting the US acting attorney general in favor of a low-ranking official receptive to his efforts to overturn the election result.

- Hands-off approach -

Biden has publicly taken a hands-off approach to the impeachment, eager to put Trump in the rear-view mirror and seek progress on fighting the coronavirus pandemic and reviving a devastated economy.

Biden spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that the president "believes that it's up to the Senate and Congress to determine how they will hold the former president accountable."

As Democrats worked to prepare the case against Trump, one of those who will present it in the Senate -- Representative Madeleine Dean -- said she hoped it would move quickly.

"I would expect it would go faster" than the 2020 impeachment trial, which lasted 21 days, she told CNN.

The trial, however, will be a test for senators: Democrats hope to devote part of each day to regular business, but the furies always surrounding Trump seem sure to undercut any bid for bipartisan cooperation.

Dean said she was in the House chamber during the "terrifying moment" when the invading mob began pounding on its doors, chanting: "Hang Vice President Pence."

She said Democrats would demand accountability of Trump for "an extraordinarily heinous presidential crime."

And Daniel Goldman, who was lead counsel for the House's first impeachment inquiry, tweeted Sunday that "the only way to ensure this lawless, authoritarian, anti-democratic conduct never happens again is to hold him accountable."

The House of Representatives impeached Trump for a historic second time on January 13, just one week before he left office.

The article of impeachment will be delivered and read out to the Senate on Monday at 7:00 pm (0000 GMT Tuesday). The chamber's 100 members will be sworn in as trial jurors the next day.

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Bernie Sanders is known to many in the political system as the senator from Vermont. However, in recent days, Sanders has been making waves for the hilariously cozy outfit that he wore at Joe Bidens inauguration.

Sanders, who is a proponent of many progressive policies, is beloved by many for his no-nonsense attitude and put-upon facial expressions. The image of Sanders at the chilly inauguration day festivities has everyone talking, in particular, the large, fuzzy-looking mittens that Sanders rocked.

Bernie Sanders is a longtime politician

The bottom line is: Weve got crises.



We should hear what my Republican colleagues have to say, but we are not going to spend months and months and not address the incredible pain millions of families are experiencing. pic.twitter.com/PvEfMEDfHu  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 20, 2021

RELATED: 6 Recipes for Bernie Sanders Favorite Foods

Sanders was born in 1941. He entered politics in the sixties, after working as an activist all throughout his college years.

Sanders has had a long, successful political career, and served as a U.S. Representative for 16 years before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006. Sanders has served as the junior United States senator from Vermont since 2007, and the longest-serving independent in U.S. congressional history.

He has run for presidential office twice, in 2016 and 2020. While his campaigns didnt ultimately result in a nomination, Sanders earned many supporters, especially among high-profile Hollywood celebs.

Following the 2020 presidential campaign, Sanders returned to his usual political duties, remaining a vocal supporter of causes such as healthcare for all, affordable college tuition, and equal rights for women and minorities. While Sanders has been keeping a lower profile in recent months, his appearance at the January 20th inauguration of President Joe Biden soon got everyone talking.

Bernie Sanders inauguration day look made waves

Bernie Sanders | Saul Loeb  Pool/Getty Images

RELATED: Bernie Sanders: 5 Things That Make Him Less of a Mystery

The presidential inauguration on January 20th, 2021, was full of high-profile celebrities and political figures. Everyone from Lady Gaga to former presidents like Bill Clinton made appearances, and thousands of viewers tuned in to watch history being made.

Still, out of everyone who showed up to the inauguration, it was Senator Sanders who was the runaway star of the day.

The pose. The mittens. The social distance. pic.twitter.com/kwHH7AzZY8  Vulture (@vulture) January 20, 2021

While few viewers spotted Sanders during the initial broadcast, a picture of the senator at the inauguration soon began making the rounds online. In the picture, Sanders can be seen sitting in a chair some distance away from the other celebrants at the event. He is wrapped up in layers of warm clothing, his face covered with a protective mask, and a stern expression on his face.

The crowning jewel of the picture, and likely what made the picture go viral, were the huge, fuzzy-looking gloves on the senators hands. The image not only went viral, but it took over social media as a meme in short order.

Where are Bernie Sanders inauguration day mittens from?

Bernies mittens are made by Jen Ellis, a teacher from Essex Junction, Vt. She gave them to him 2+ years ago and was surprised when he began wearing them on the campaign trail. They are made from repurposed wool sweaters and lined with fleece made from recycled plastic bottles. pic.twitter.com/ErLr29lY2t  Ruby Cramer (@rubycramer) January 20, 2021

RELATED: Bernie Sanders Asked If the U.S. Economy is Immoral  Is It?

In the days following the viral photo, people everywhere are sharing the Bernie Sanders meme on social media. Sanders himself isnt phased too much by the popularity of the photo, telling CBS that in Vermont, we dress warm  we know something about the cold, and were not so concerned about good fashion. We want to keep warm, and thats what I did.

The mittens that Sanders wore at the inauguration have been receiving the lions share of the attention. Theres a sweet story behind those mittens, which are a subtle brown and cream color and have a classic Fair Isle pattern.

According to Vanity Fair, Sanders was gifted the mittens by Jen Ellis, a teacher from Vermont. The mittens themselves are made from repurposed sweater wool and are fleece-lined, with fleece made from recycled plastic bottles. For the veteran senator with a passion for environmental issues, the mittens clearly made the perfect statement.
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She previously revealed her romance with the writer is 'a bit of unexpected magic in [her] life'.

And Helena Bonham Carter and her boyfriend Rye Dag Holmboe showed their relationship is still going strong on Sunday as they bundled up for a walk in the snow.

The actress, 54, sported a padded jacket while her partner, 32, rested dog leads around his neck as they made the most of the winter outing with their furry friends in London.

Winter outing: Helena Bonham Carter and her boyfriend Rye Dag Holmboe bundled up for a walk in the snow on Sunday

Showing her quirky sense of style, Helena wore a salmon pink and black faux fur scarf while cutting a casual figure in walking boots and jogging bottoms.

She swept her brunette locks up in a high ponytail while wearing minimal make-up.

Her smartly dressed partner Rye sported a navy coat, khaki trousers and chunky boots.

He left his chocolate curls in a natural hairdo as Helena linked arms with him.

Casual: The actress, 54, sported a padded jacket while her partner, 32, rested dog leads around his neck as they made the most of the winter outing with their furry friends in London

The creative duo appeared deep in the conversation during their relaxed outing.

After meeting the writer at a wedding over two years ago, Helena gushed in late 2019 that their romance has been 'a bit of unexpected magic in my life'.

Helena shares son Billy, 17, and 13-year-old daughter Nell with her ex Tim Burton, 62.

The Cinderella star had a famously unconventional 13-year relationship with director Tim, which ended in 2014.

Pop of colour: Showing her quirky sense of style, Helena wore a salmon pink and black faux fur scarf while cutting a casual figure in walking boots and jogging bottoms

Natural look: She swept her brunette locks up in a high ponytail while wearing minimal make-up

Happy couple: He left his chocolate curls in a natural hairdo as Helena linked arms with him

Sharing thoughts: The creative duo appeared deep in the conversation during their relaxed outing

On finally moving on from Tim, the Enid star  who previously dated Irish actor Kenneth Branagh between 1994 and 1999  admitted she grew tired of 'grieving' their relationship, and now leads a 'happy' life with her new boyfriend.

Speaking to Harper's Bazaar UK, the thespian shared: 'You break up, you grieve, you get bored of grieving. And then you finally move on.

'I'm very happy with someone else. It's been a bit of unexpected magic in my life.'

On the professional front, Helena won rave reviews for her role as Princess Margaret on seasons three and four of The Crown.

Smitten: After meeting the writer at a wedding over two years ago, Helena gushed in late 2019 that their romance has been 'a bit of unexpected magic in my life'

Family: Helena shares son Billy, 17, and 13-year-old daughter Nell with her ex-husband Tim Burton, 62

Helena recently told how she believes the Netflix series has a 'moral responsibility' to remind viewers they are not watching a documentary.

She told The Crown: The Official Podcast: 'It is dramatised.

'I do feel very strongly because I think we have a moral responsibility to say hang on guys, it's not a drama doc, we're making a drama. They are different entities.'

Moving on: On finally moving on from Tim, the Enid star admitted she grew tired of 'grieving' their relationship, and now leads a 'happy' life with her new boyfriend
New Delhi: Just moments after the Inauguration Day ceremony on Wednesday, the US President Joe Biden and his family were locked outside the White House.

The awkward moment for the new President and the First Lady is being chalked down to one final act by the outgoing President Donald Trump administration.

It is reported that the White House butlers were sent home as the Trumps left Washington DC, which resulted in a mix up and there was nobody to greet or help the Bidens when they arrived. The moment lasted for about 10 seconds but it did not go unnoticed.

Several media houses have panned the Trumps for the behaviour and called it a 'final petty' act by Donald Trump. Though it is officially not clear what led to the delay at the doors.

It was also noted that the chief usher of White House Timothy Harleth, who was scheduled to welcome the new first family was abruptly fired just five hours before the ceremony.

The chief usher is responsible for the management of the building and oversees residence staff including construction, maintenance, remodelling, food, as well as the administrative, fiscal and personnel functions.

Former president Donald Trump has also been slammed by critics for not greeting the incoming president at the White House and in another protocol where the out going First Lady, in this case Melania Trump, introduces the incoming First Lady to the House staff.

Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States on January 20.
Guwahati, Jan 24 : The Congress on Sunday accused the BJP of trying to destroy the "liberal Assamese identity" through various designs and schemes, including the Citizenship Amendment Act and Hindutva politics.

Senior Congress leader Pradyut Bordoloi said that the RSS and its affiliates are trying to intensify their presence in the northeastern region and destroy the Assamese identity.

"Our identity would defeat them. Our Hindutva, our Hinduism is egalitarian, liberal and accommodative. We assimilated all. Now there is a threat perception," Bordoloi told the media here in wake of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's criticism of Congress for forging electoral alliance with the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), a Muslim-based party.

"Our Hindutva was moulded by great Assamese social reformer Srimanta Sankardev," he said.

Both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Congress ahead of the April-May assembly election are focussing on the ideology and thoughts of Sankardev, a 15th-16th century Assamese polymath, a saint-scholar, poet, playwright, social-religious reformer.

Saying Shah represents the "imperialistic design" of the BJP, Bordoloi alleged that the BJP is trying to rename schools and colleges in the state after RSS leaders such as Deen Dayal Upadhyay instead of Assamese freedom fighters.

He said that Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have falsely claimed that they have ensured peace and stability in Assam by curbing insurgency.

"Everyone knows that the Congress government has taken a holistic approach resulting in the laying down of arms and ammunition by the militants and they shunning the path of violence. The Congress governments, both at the Centre and the state, had taken schemes to rehabilitate many ULFA leaders and cadres." He said that the construction of the Bogibeel rail-cum-road bridge, inaugurated by Modi in 2018, had started in 2011, when Congress was in government both in Assam and the Centre and 95 per cent of the work was completed by 2016 when the BJP came to power in the state.

The Congress leader also charged the BJP with also failing to keep its assurance of recognising six major tribes as Scheduled Tribe even after repeatedly promising this.

"The North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy and special status for the northeastern states, approved by the erstwhile Congress government, were withdrawn and grants-in-aid to Assam reduced by the BJP-led government at the Centre," he said.
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Market Research Future Published a Half-Cooked Research Report on Additive Masterbatch Market Research Report- Forecast to 2023

Market Definition and Growth Factors:

Additive Masterbatch is used to improve the properties such as anti-static, ultraviolet resistance, flame retardant, antifouling, etc. in plastics. Increased use of plastic in consumer goods, automotive, constructions is making a positive impact on the market.

Global supply of COVID 19 Impact on Masterbatch Market has is expected to grow impressively over the next couple of years. The consistent growth of the plastic industry is booting the demand for additive masterbatch. Market Research Future (MRFR) projects that the global additive masterbatch market will witness an above-average CAGR during the forecast period (2017-2023).

Get a Free Sample @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5567

Competitive Landscape:

Clariant AG (Switzerland),

PolyOne Corporation (U.S.),

Plastiblends India Ltd. (India),

DOW Corning Corporation (U.S.),

Ampacet Corporation (U.S.),

Schulman, Inc. (U.S.),

Plastika Kritis S.A (Turkey),

RTP Company (U.S.),

Polyplast Muller GmbH (Germany),

Plastika Kritis S.A. (Greece)

Industry News:

Chemical giant DuPont has recently launched a unique masterbatch combining anti-block and slip that will be used in PE blown film. The masterbatch infuses a compatible slip Additive with anti-block agent to improve film processing and achieve a high quality.

Sanitized AG, a Swiss-based chemical company is reported investing in application-specific development of antimicrobial masterbatches. With this invest the company will be able to develop antimicrobial masterbatch for a vast range of polymer based on specificity of customer requirement.

Segmental Overview:

The segmental analysis of the market has been conducted on the basis of end user industry, carrier resin and type.

Based on end-use industry, the market has been segmented into automotive, agriculture, consumer goods, packaging, building & construction, and others. The packaging sector is expected to remain high profitable during the assessment period. Based on carrier resin, the market has been segmented into polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP) and others. The polyethylene segment is expected to witness a healthy growth during the forecast period. Based on type, the market has been segmented into anti-oxidant additive masterbatch, flame retardant additive masterbatch, antimicrobial additive masterbatch, and others. Antimicrobial segment is expected to retain its leading position over the forecast period. Antimicrobial masterbatch additives are increasingly used in plastic products.

Browse key industry insights spread across 139 pages with 148market data tables & 6 figures & charts from the report, Additive Masterbatch Market Research: Information By Type (Antimicrobial, Flame Retardant, Antioxidant), Carrier Resin (Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polystyrene) End-Use (Packaging, Consumer Goods, Building & Construction)  Forecast Till 2023 in detail along with the table of contents @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/additive-masterbatch-market-5567

Regional Segmentation:

Key regions discussed in the report include Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East & Africa (MEA), Europe and North America. Among these, the market in APAC is expected to remain highly attractive during the assessment period. In addition, the market in APAC is expected to exhibit the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Robust industrial growth and rapid urbanization is linked with the impressive market expansion in the region. The chemical industry is witnessing a tremendous boom in the region, much it can be accredited to China. In addition, favourable government policies (tax wavers, incentives, etc.) coupled with the growth of the manufacturing sector in countries such as China, Taiwan, Vietnam and India is reflecting favourably in the market.

North America is also viewed as an important market for Additive Masterbatch. High consumption of chemicals, rebound in construction, and strong growth in other end-use industries like automotive and packaging are some of the factors supporting the market growth in the region. The U.S. construction sector has found stability in recent years, which is marked by initiation of new projects and increased renovation activities.

Market growth in expected to remain steady in Europe during the forecast period. Competition for emerging markets and lacklustre economic performance has dampened investor confidence. However, the recent improvements in many European markets have signal towards the much stable growth for the Europe chemical sector in the forthcoming years. The Europe additive masterbatch market is projected to demonstrate a CAGR of 6% between 2017 and 2023.
By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Sunday urged Romans to help the homeless in the Italian capital, after a spike in the number dying from the cold.

Speaking at his noon blessing, Francis told the story of Edwin, a 46-year-old Nigerian who died of exposure near St. Peter's Square on Wednesday.

"His story joins those of others who have recently died in Rome in the same dramatic circumstances. Let us pray for Edwin," Francis said.

The Sant' Egidio charity group said Edwin was at least the fourth homeless person to die of the cold in the city this year and the 10th since November.

"Let us think of Edwin, let us think of what this 46-year-old man felt in the cold, ignored by all, abandoned, even by us. Let us pray for him," the pope said.

Sant' Egidio and other groups scour Rome streets to direct homeless to shelters, and give out blankets and food.

They have asked city authorities to open subway stations at night.

The Vatican and its related charities run facilities including night shelters, bathing places, soup kitchens, and a clinic.

The 84-year-old pope delivered the address while standing in the Vatican library despite a renewed flare-up of a sciatica condition that causes pain in his legs and forced him to miss three events on Sunday and Monday.

Francis had been scheduled to say a Mass on Sunday morning and a vespers service on Monday. Both require the main celebrant to stand for long periods. He also postponed his annual address to the diplomatic corps that was set for Monday.

It was the second time this month that he had to miss events because of the flare-up.

(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
The gym junkie boyfriend of Bachelor star Kirralee 'Kiki' Morris has been convicted of supplying steroids, the same week the pair made a couple's escape to Byron Bay.

Lucas Azzopardi joined his girlfriend on holiday in the beachside hotspot this week, with the pair pictured soaking up the sun and splashing about in the waves.

But while most enjoyed clear blue skies, there was a cloud hanging over Azzopardi.

On Thursday the 28-year-old was handed to a two-year community corrections order by Chief Magistrate Michael Allen after being convicted on two counts of taking part in supplying a prohibited drug.

Downing Centre Local Court documents seen by Daily Mail Australia reveal he was convicted of supplying more than 400 individual amounts of testosterone.

Lucas Azzpardi (pictured), the gym junkie boyfriend of Bachelor star Kirralee 'Kiki' Morris, was this week convicted of supplying steroids

The court case hanging over his head did not deter Azzopardi from escaping to Byron Bay for a holiday with Morris (pictured together on the romantic trip)

Police cottoned on to his illegal activity after arresting a series of other men.

After linking them to Azzopardi they arrested him and seized his mobile phone.

On it they discovered a screenshot of an Australian Border Force seizure notice and, messages he sent to others via text, Instagram and SnapChat about the drugs being seized.

'Our stock got seized bro so I have to see whats left at the safe house. Only can give you test (testosterone) for the next two weeks cuz sorry,' the texts read.

'100k ($100,000) worth of stock they took from us.'

Azzopardi must be of good behaviour for two years, received a $2,200 fine and must perform 100 hours of community service.

Morris only went public with the couple's relationship on Instagram last week, telling Daily Mail Australia she was very happy to have finally met such an 'intelligent' man.

'He's very intelligent, very business orientated and a very big secret,' Morris, 33, said.

Despite only officially getting together, the pair have been friends for some time.

Azzopardi, 28, was handed to a two-year community corrections order by Chief Magistrate Michael Allen after being convicted on two counts of taking part in supplying a prohibited drug (pictured together just a few days earlier in Byron Bay)

The seriousness of the court case did not seem to ruin Azzopardi and Morris' holiday, with the pair pictured frolicking in the waves and relaxing on the beach at the popular Byron Bay

Morris (left) only went public with the couple's relationship on Instagram last week, telling Daily Mail Australia she was very happy to have finally met such an 'intelligent' man

Morris and Azzopardi were first pictured together last June after a passerby snapped them as they stood on the footpath during a random police stop. NSW Police confirmed it was simply a routine search and neither party was accused of any wrongdoing

In fact they were pictured together last June during a random police stop at Bondi Junction Westfield.

Photos showed the couple standing on the footpath outside the shopping centre as officers went through the vehicle they were travelling in.

At the time, Azzopardi claimed the car was not his and NSW Police confirmed the check was just routine.

'It was a random check, it was the wrong person, that's not my car I'm just borrowing it,' he said.

Kiki rose to fame on Richie Strahan's season of The Bachelor in 2016, and returned to the franchise on Bachelor in Paradise last year.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Wednesday commended the African Export-Import Bank for filling the financial gap in accessing COVID-19 vaccine across Africa.



The remarks were made by John Nkengasong, director of the Africa CDC, after the announcement that the African Export-Import Bank will facilitate payments by providing advance procurement commitment guarantees of up to 2 billion U.S. dollars to the manufacturers on behalf of the African Union (AU) members.



The biggest challenges to COVID-19 vaccine access in Africa have been financing of the vaccines and the logistics of vaccinating at scale, but we are glad that this gap is being filled by the African Export-Import Bank financing facility, said John Nkengasong, Director of Africa CDC.



The critical decision now is how to get started so that once we start there will be no disruptions, and this is where the Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) will play a very big role, the Africa CDC Director said.



On Tuesday, the Africa CDC had announced the commencement of a COVID-19 vaccines pre-order program for all the AU members.



The move by the AMSP, on behalf of the Africa CDC, came a week after the announcement by the South African President and African Union (AU) Chairperson, Cyril Ramaphosa, on January 14 that the AU has secured a provisional 270 million COVID-19 vaccine doses for Africa through its COVID-19 African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT).



The AMSP, in order to support vaccination operations, has also launched a new category of vaccine accessories which will help member states to procure products such as ultra-low temperature freezers, personal protective equipment, cotton wool rolls, syringes and needles.



While AVATT has secured a provisional 270 million COVID-19 vaccines doses from Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca, AMSP  the single-source platform enabling faster, more transparent and cost-effective access to COVID-19 supplies  has opened the pre-orders program.



According to the Africa CDC, the initiative offers equitable access to COVID-19 vaccine doses for the AU members.



President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank, Benedict Oramah, also stressed that the Afrexim Bank is proud to expand its support to African economies in their bid to contain the pandemic.

Source: The Ghanaian Times









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
Visitors to an Ashtabula County Health Department COVID-19 vaccination clinic wait for service as vaccines are prepared, back center, at Jefferson Elementary School in Jefferson, Ohio on Jan. 23, 2021. (Ashtabula Star Beacon, Warren Dillaway/AP)

Updates on CCP Virus: UK Death Toll Nears 100,000

Britain is expanding a CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus vaccination program that has resulted in more than 6 million people get the first of two doses as the countrys death toll in the pandemic approaches 100,000.

The UK has recorded 97,939 deaths among people who tested positive, including 610 new deaths reported Sunday. The UK is set to record 100,000 CCP virus deaths within days.

UK Detects 77 Cases of South African Variant

Britain has detected 77 cases of the South African variant of COVID-19, the health minister said on Sunday, also urging people to strictly follow lockdown rules as the best precaution against Britains own potentially more deadly variant.

Matt Hancock said all 77 cases were connected to travel from South Africa and were under close observation, as were nine identified cases of a Brazilian variant.

Vaccinated People May Still Spread Virus

People who have received two doses of the CCP virus vaccine may still spread the virus to others, a senior British medical officer has warned.

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, Englands deputy chief medical officer, said on Jan. 24 that we do not yet know the impact of the vaccine on transmission of the virus.

Beijing Requires Mass Testing for 2 Million

On Jan. 22, Beijing authorities in China declared at a pandemic prevention and control press briefing that all residents in Dongcheng and Xicheng districts will be required to take nucleic acid testing, with a total population of more than two million involved.

Israel Bans International Flights

Israel will ban passenger flights in and out of the country from Monday evening for a week, the government announced on Sunday, as protesters in some Orthodox Jewish communities clashed with police over lockdown measures.

Turkey Passes 25,000 Deaths

Turkey on Sunday passed 25,000 COVID-19-related deaths since the start of the outbreak in March, the health ministry said.

A toll of 140 new fatalities brought the total figure to 25,073. Turkey has recorded more than 2.4 million infections since the first case was recorded on March 11, 2020.

Alexander Zhang, Frank Yue, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report
A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked them out. Here are the facts:

CLAIM: Troops in Washington turned their backs on President Joe Bidens motorcade as it passed on its way to his inauguration at the U.S. Capitol.

THE FACTS: In accordance with safety protocols, some National Guard members were positioned with their backs to Bidens motorcade as it made its way through Washington to the U.S. Capitol.

But social media users are falsely suggesting a video shot by an ABC reporter shows Guard members turning their backs on Biden in a show of disrespect.

Many in the military turned their backs to Bidens motorcade, claimed one tweet with more than 3,000 likes that shared the footage. Another video making the false claim had more than 100,000 views on YouTube.

Taking it a step further, some social media users captured a still from the video and showed it in posts alongside photos of Guard members enthusiastically greeting former President Donald Trump at an unspecified event. The video with the false claim was amplified by accounts that have supported Trump and promoted misinformation in the past.

ABC reporter Ines de La Cuetara uploaded the video to Twitter on Wednesday at about 10:30 a.m. The view from Bidens motorcade as it made its way up to the Capitol, she said in her caption.

In the video, some Guard members can be seen facing the cars passing on the street while others have their backs turned near Robert A. Taft Memorial on Constitution Avenue. More than 26,000 Guard members from around the country were brought in to beef up security for the inauguration in the wake of the violent riots at the Capitol.

The AP confirmed with the National Guard Bureau that Guard members had their backs turned to monitor all possible threats, in keeping with safety protocol. During Trumps inauguration, authorities could be seen both with their backs facing and turned away from his motorcade. These National Guardsmen were on duty with a mission to protect the president against potential threats. Some are facing out to ensure the safety of all, said Darla Torres, a spokeswoman for the National Guard Bureau.

Kamala Harris rested hand on Bibles, not a purse, during oath

CLAIM: When Vice President Kamala Harris was sworn into office on Wednesday, she placed a black clutch purse on top of the Bible so she wouldnt have to touch the holy book.

THE FACTS: Harris rested her hand on a Bible stacked on another Bible as she was sworn into office. But on Thursday, social media users were sharing a photo from Wednesdays inauguration ceremony along with false claims that Harris avoided touching the Bible during her oath of office.

The photo showed Harris with her right hand up and her left hand resting on an unidentified black item, reciting her oath of office. The black item rested on top of a thick Bible, both held by Harris husband, Doug Emhoff.

She couldnt even bring herself to touch that Bible, read one Facebook post viewed more than 35,000 times. Do you all need it spelled out for you? read another widely shared post. A believer in Christ couldnt wait to hold that Bible..A Satanist Cannot Touch It! Notice he has gloves... She has her clutch bag on top of it!

But the black item on top of the larger Bible was another Bible, as photos from a different angle confirmed. The Associated Press reported that Harris used two Bibles during her oath.

One belonged to Regina Shelton, a family friend whose Bible Harris swore on when becoming attorney general of California and later senator. The other belonged to Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court justice.

Joint Chiefs of Staff vice chairman did not create Telegram channel

CLAIM: Air Force Gen. John Hyten, the vice chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, created a channel on the popular messaging app Telegram and posted several dozen times there, sharing videos, images and phrases such as nothing can stop what is coming and THE TRUTH WILL SHOCK THE WORLD.

THE FACTS: Hytens spokeswoman, Maj. Trisha Guillebeau, confirmed to the AP that the general does not have a Telegram account and that the creator of the channel is impersonating him. The Telegram channel titled General Hyten was created on Monday.

By the next day, it had dozens of posts and well over 200,000 subscribers. Posts appearing to come from Hyten in the channel urged users not to give up hope and to have faith.

Some posts included videos or images of former President Donald Trump. The posts hinted at impending breaking news and the potential use of an emergency broadcasting system, mirroring a false theory that President Joe Bidens Jan. 20 inauguration would be interrupted by emergency broadcasts or Trump invoking the Insurrection Act.

Multiple posts in the channel also included terms like great awakening, storm and nothing can stop what is coming, which are frequently used by supporters of QAnon, a false conspiracy theory rooted in the baseless belief that Trump is fighting deep state enemies and a cabal of Satan-worshipping cannibals operating a child sex trafficking ring.

The individual sharing the posts used an image of Hyten and claimed to be him, even writing, The account is maintained by me. -genhyten. However, Guillebeau confirmed to the AP that an impersonator was behind the account.

This Telegram account is fake, Guillebeau said in a phone interview. General Hyten doesnt have any professional or personal social media accounts across the board. By Tuesday, the channel had been mentioned in hundreds of other Telegram channels populated by QAnon supporters, according to Marc-Andre Argentino, a doctoral candidate at Concordia University who studies the QAnon movement. Telegram did not respond to a request for comment from the AP, but it did appear to affix a warning label to the channel on Tuesday.
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Actress Asia Argento has accused filmmaker Rob Cohen of drugging and sexually assaulting her during the filming of the action movie xXx nearly two decades ago.

Argento, one of the early accusers of disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, made the allegations in an interview with Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera and other Italian media over the weekend.

Its the first time Im talking about Cohen, she said, according to Variety. He abused me, making me drink GHB  he had a bottle of it, she said, referring to the anaesthetic drug often used in date rapes.

At the time, I really didnt know what it was. I woke up in the morning naked in his bed.

Argento alleged that the assault took place while she was filming the Cohen-directed xXx in 2002, which also stars Vin Diesel and Samuel L. Jackson.

In a texted statement to Variety, Argento confirmed the details of her allegation, adding that she discusses it in her forthcoming autobiography, Anatomy of a Wild Heart, due to be released in Italy later this month.

Actress Asia Argento has accused filmmaker Rob Cohen of drugging and sexually assaulting her nearly two decades ago

Argento alleged that the assault took place while she was filming the Cohen-directed xXx in 2002 (pictured together for a photocall for xXx in 2002 above)

During her conversation with the Italian media, Argento claimed she was initially unsure what had happened to her when she was allegedly drugged and raped by Cohen.

I discovered later, speaking with a friend who opened my eyes about that substance [GHB], she said.

Argento said she refrained from speaking about the alleged assault at the time, and in the years after, because she did not want to create another storm.

However, since two women have spoken against [Cohen], including his daughter, she said she felt encouraged to come forward.

Responding to Argentos claims, a spokesperson for Cohen, 71, vehemently denied there was any truth to them.

Mr. Cohen categorically denies the completely false accusation of sexual assault that Asia Argento made against him.

The spokesperson went on to add that Cohen and Argenton had an excellent working relationship during their time working together, and that Cohen considered her a friend.

So this accusation, which dates from 2002, is puzzling, especially considering what has been said about her in recent years.

He abused me, making me drink GHB  he had a bottle of it, she said, referring to the anaesthetic drug often used in date rapes. At the time, I really didnt know what it was. I woke up in the morning naked in his bed'

Vin Diesel, Asia Argento, director Rob Cohen and Samuel L. Jackson at the premiere of "XXX" at the Village Theater in Westwood, CA

The spokesperson's comments appeared to allude to allegations which surfaced in August 2018, whereby Argento was accused of sexually assaulting fellow actor Jimmy Bennett.

Bennett claimed that incident happened in May 2013, when he was 17-years old, at a hotel in California.

Although she initially denied the allegation and claimed she had no sexual interactions with Bennett, within weeks, she retracted the claims and admitted they did have sex but claims she didnt know how old he was at the time.

Bennett disputed Argento's version of events, and she later reportedly paid him $380,000 in hush money.

Argento was at the forefront of the #MeToo after claiming she had been sexually assaulted by disgraced mogul Harvey Weinstein.

She was one of the first to go public with her story, telling The New York Times she was allegedly assaulted by Weinstein at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival.

Cohen, also, has previously been accused of sexual assault on at least two occasions.

Jimmy Bennett (left) claimed Asia Argento (right) slept with him in a California hotel room when he was aged 17 in May 2013

In 2019, Cohen was accused of allegedly sexually assaulting a victim  identified only as Jane  while she was unconscious.

The reported assault was said to have taken place in 2016 after Cohen invited the woman to a business meeting in Manhattan to discuss collaborating on a potential TV pilot.

According to Jane, Cohen picked a cigar lounge for the meeting locale and ordered a drink for her, even though she hadn't requested one. They then continued the meeting at a restaurant near the hotel where he was staying.

At the restaurant, Jane said, Cohen ordered a carafe of wine and encouraged her to have more to drink.

During the meeting, Jane said that Cohen had flirted with her and told her details about his sex life, although she hadn't asked about it. She said she ignored Cohen's comments because she needed the pilot money and was excited about the career opportunity.

Among the other things she remembered about the evening was starting to feel 'fuzzy,' being alone with Cohen at the restaurant because the other diners had left, Cohen leaning over to kiss her on the cheek and going to another bar with him.

She said her next memory was regaining consciousness in a bed in Cohen's hotel room. She said she was naked and that Cohen's face was in her crotch and that he had inserted his fingers inside her - neither of his acts being activities that she had consented to.

She said she jumped out of bed, went to the bathroom and threw up.

When she stumbled back to the bed, she said that Cohen tried to have sex with her, but that he stopped when she told him to stop.

In 2019, Cohen faced similar accusations from his daughter Valkyrie Weather, who accused him of molesting her when she was just two-years-old.

Despite being a social drinker during that period of her life, Jane said that she did not remember drinking enough alcohol to black out or lose consciousness and that the incident 'did not feel like being very drunk.'

When contacted about the claims, Cohens lawyer issued a 13-page denial, calling the allegations outrageous and extraordinarily offensive.

First reported by the Huffington Post, two of Janes friends confirmed to the outlet that she had told them about the alleged assault immediately after it happened.

Jane also shared medical records to show she had sought clinical treatment as a sexual assault victim within weeks of her meeting with Cohen taking place.

Earlier in 2019, Cohen faced similar accusations from his daughter Valkyrie Weather, who accused him of molesting her when she was just two-years-old.

Weather, Cohens eldest child who is transgender, said: When I was very young, Rob used my body for his own sexual gratification.

My mother witnessed one of the assaults when I was between two and two and a half years old, and has since confirmed what she saw. This fact has cost me more than I could ever convey here, she said.

Weather went on to accuse her father of raping 'at least one other woman, in her sleep' and said he had told her the story as 'an anecdote'.

Cohen on set with Vin Diesel during the filming of xXx in 2002 in the above image

Weather also claimed her father would take her in her early teens, before her transition, to see sex workers in Thailand and The Czech Republic.

Responding to Argentos claims, a spokesperson for Cohen, 71, vehemently denied there was any truth to them. Mr. Cohen categorically denies the completely false accusation of sexual assault that Asia Argento made against him'

She said that she has been inspired to speak out 'thanks to the '#metoo movement' and because of therapy and support from loved ones.

'While Rob will in all likelihood escape criminal justice, I demand that my story be heard. I am not seeking financial restitution, nor do I have a career to promote. My greatest hope is that others who have been hurt by Rob Cohen feel that they are able to come forward as well.'

In a statement, Cohen, a father of four, once again denied the allegations against him, calling his daughters claims categorically untrue, painful and that his beloved child has accused me of the most awful thing imaginable.

'When Valkyrie's (Kyle at the time) mom and I were getting divorced, she accused me during the custody court proceedings of many things, including a similar accusation to this one. After a very long trial, the court appointed psychiatrist awarded me full custody, in spite of these false accusations,' Cohen said.

'Subsequently, my ex-wife appealed, and after another lengthy trial, I was awarded full custody once again. At this point Kyle was about 14 years old, and when asked about his preference on which parent to live with, he chose me,' the statement read.

'Recently, my child chose to live her life authentically and transition to the woman she is today. When she wrote me about it, I told her that she has my continued love and support, as well as how beautiful and brave I think she is,' Cohen continued.

He also denied his daughter's allegations that he had raped another woman.

'I may have not been a perfect husband. I am, as all of us are, a person and a parent who has made mistakes along the way, but never ever would I harm any of my children, or any child for that matter,' Cohen, who has been married a number of times, added.

Cohen, 71, has directed numerous films, including The Fast and the Furious series, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, The Running Man and Bird on a Wire.
With demand for workspaces growing, Kiklabb, the Dubai Government-owned licensing and workspace hub, is set to increase its locations in the UAE and across the region.

Its also planning to provide industry specific sponsorship opportunities for various economic sectors and debut support services such as providing customers with accounting and marketing assistance to take their businesses to the next level.

Like many of our customers, Kiklabb is also a start-up, and as our entrepreneurs grow, so do we. With additional locations, services and sponsorship opportunities, we look forward to continuing to expand on the trust, support and stability that we offer, said CEO Tasawar Ulhaq.

Im confident that 2021 will be another year of growth for Kiklabb thanks to greater business

opportunities with Israel as well as the launch of exciting new services for our community. Were also reigniting our commitment to grow the regions start-up scene and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs through our Seedlabb internship programme, added Ulhaq.

The peace treaty between Israel and the United Arab Emirates commanded headlines last year, and Kiklabb keenly followed its progress. Once the peace treaty was formalised, Kiklabb opened communications channels with the Israeli investment community, and realised the importance of finding a trusted partner to collaborate with and highlight the benefits of having a trade license in the UAE.

The NY Koen Group emerged as the clear front-runner and, in November 2020, a partnership agreement was signed between both companies, heralding a brand-new business chapter in the Middle East. The agreement opens the door for a dedicated centre for the Jewish community in Dubai providing support for business and tourism, as well as a new strategic advisory for Israeli investors keen to launch in the UAE with Kiklabb.

Committed to encouraging entrepreneurship across the region, Kiklabb launched its Seedlabb internship programme. Launched at the end of 2020, the 12-week scheme is designed to mentor and develop young talent in the region, introducing aspiring entrepreneurs to the different disciplines of business including accounting, customer service, marketing and business ethics.

Interested applicants are invited to join the wait list for the next intake of interns, who will also benefit from a full-time job opportunity with Kiklabb or a two-year entrepreneur membership.

Since launching in February 2020, Kiklabb has shaken up the regions start-up and entrepreneurship scene thanks to its collaborative ethos and avant-garde initiatives.

Kiklabb has managed to navigate 2020s turbulent economic challenges by introducing key initiatives to support entrepreneurs in Dubai and beyond. Shortly after working from home, in May Kiklabb launched a feature-packed virtual licensing platform and, soon after, a first-of-its-kind WhatsApp service to give customers the ability to register trade licenses remotely, using just their smartphone. The initiatives were an overwhelming success, leading to a sharp increase in new business applications.

Kiklabbs services are designed to not only make it easier to open a business in Dubai, but to transform the way that the licensing process is traditionally managed. Its customer service team guarantees a response to any query within 24 hours and are available via email and phone.

Its been a challenging year for entrepreneurs and Im delighted with what we have managed to achieve. Offering custom, cost-effective solutions specifically for those who lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We remain one of the most affordable options for those who wish to license and launch their businesses in Dubai and have access to workspaces, said Ulhaq.

Im looking forward to what the new year has in store and with our honest pricing and high-value offerings, its exciting to see more and more entrepreneurs choosing to start their journey with Kiklabb.

Owned by the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), a Government of Dubai entity, Kiklabb has helped hundreds of companies set up for success.

With zero hidden costs and an open, collaborative environment, the benefits of joining Kiklabb include a P.O. Box, a Dubai stamp and a physical address at the iconic Queen Elizabeth 2 in Mina Rashid, one of the largest ports in the Middle East.

All entrepreneurs that sign up with Kiklabb are provided with Dubai residency visas, so they can feel at home in the heart of the regions business hub.-- Tradearabia News Service
Straining to handle record numbers of COVID-19 patients, hundreds of the nation's intensive care units are running out of space and supplies and competing to hire temporary traveling nurses at soaring rates. Many of the facilities are clustered in the South and West.

An Associated Press analysis of federal hospital data shows that since November, the share of U.S. hospitals nearing the breaking point has doubled. More than 40% of Americans now live in areas running out of ICU space, with only 15% of beds still available.

Intensive care units are the final defense for the sickest of the sick, patients who are nearly suffocating or facing organ failure. Nurses who work in the most stressed ICUs, changing IV bags and monitoring patients on breathing machines, are exhausted.

You cant push great people forever. Right? I mean, it just isnt possible, said Houston Methodist CEO Dr. Marc Boom, who is among many hospital leaders hoping that the numbers of critically ill COVID-19 patients have begun to plateau. Worryingly, theres an average of 20,000 new cases a day in Texas, which has the third-highest death count in the country and more than 13,000 people hospitalized with COVID-19-related symptoms.

According to data through Thursday from the COVID Tracking Project, hospitalizations are still high in the West and the South, with over 80,000 current COVID-19 hospital patients in those regions. The number of cases reported in the U.S. since the pandemic's start surpassed 25 million on Sunday, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Encouragingly, hospitalizations appear to have either plateaued or are trending downward across all regions. It's unclear whether the easing will continue with more contagious versions of the virus arising and snags in the rollout of vaccines.

In New Mexico, one surging hospital system brought in 300 temporary nurses from outside the state, at a cost of millions of dollars, to deal with overflowing ICU patients, who were treated in converted procedure rooms and surgery suites.

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Its been horrid, said Dr. Jason Mitchell, chief medical officer for Presbyterian Healthcare Services in Albuquerque. Hes comforted that the hospital never activated its plan for rationing lifesaving care, which would have required a triage team to rank patients with numerical scores based on who was least likely to survive.

Its a relief that we never had to actually do it, Mitchell said. It sounds scary because it is scary.

In Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center ran into shortages of take-home oxygen tanks, which meant some patients who could otherwise go home were kept longer, taking up needed beds. But the biggest problem is competing with other hospitals for traveling nurses.

Initially, when the COVID surges were hitting one part of the country at a time, traveling nurses were able to go to areas more severely affected. Now with almost the entire country surging at the same time, hospitals are paying twice and three times what they would normally pay for temporary, traveling nurses, said Dr. Jeff Smith, the hospitals chief operating officer.

Houston Methodist Hospital recently paid $8,000 retention bonuses to keep staff nurses from signing up with agencies that would send them to other hot spots. Pay for traveling nurses can reach $6,000 per week, an enticement that can benefit a nurse but can seem like poaching to the hospital executives who watch nurses leave.

Theres a lot of these agencies that are out there charging absolutely ridiculous sums of money to get ICU nurses in, Boom said. They go to California, which is in the midst of a surge, but they poach some ICU nurses there, send them to Texas, where they charge inordinate amounts to fill in gaps in Texas, many of which are created because nurses in Texas went to Florida or back to California.

Space is another problem. Augusta University Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, is treating adult ICU patients, under age 30, in the childrens hospital. Recovery rooms now have ICU patients, and, if things get worse, other areas  operating rooms and endoscopy centers  will be the next areas converted for critical care.

To prevent rural hospitals from sending more patients to Augusta, the hospital is using telemedicine to help manage those patients for as long as possible in their local hospitals.

It is a model I believe will not only survive the pandemic but will flourish post pandemic, said Dr. Phillip Coule, the Augusta hospitals chief medical officer.

Hospitals are pleading with their communities to wear masks and limit gatherings.

There just hasnt been a lot of respect for the illness, which is disappointing, said Dr. William Smith, chief medical officer for Cullman Regional Medical Center in Cullman, Alabama. He sees that changing now with more people personally knowing someone who has died.

It has taken a lot of people, he said of the virus, adding that the death toll  144 people in six months in a county of 84,000  has opened their eyes to the randomness of this.

The Alabama hospitals ICU has been overflowing for six weeks, with 16 virus patients on ventilators in a hospital that a year ago had only 10 of the breathing machines. You can see the stress in peoples faces and in their body language. Its just a lot for people to carry around, Smith said.

Just the fatigue of our staff can affect quality of care. Ive been encouraged weve been able to keep the quality of care high, Smith said. You feel like you are in a very precarious situation where errors could occur, but thankfully weve managed to stay on top of things.

Hospitals say they are upholding high standards for patient care, but experts say surges compromise many normal medical practices. Overwhelmed hospitals might be forced to mobilize makeshift ICUs and staff them with personnel without any experience in critical care. They might run out of sedatives, antibiotics, IVs or other supplies they rely on to keep patients calm and comfortable while on ventilators.

Its really daunting and mentally taxing. Youre doing what you believe to be best practice, said Kiersten Henry, a nurse at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney, Maryland, and a board director for the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

In Oklahoma City, OU Medicine Chief Medical Officer Dr. Cameron Mantor said while the vaccines hold promise, hope still seems dim as ICU cases keep mounting. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations at OU Medicine has declined from more than 100 daily in recent weeks to 98 on Wednesday, Mantor said.

What is stressing everybody out," Mantor said, is looking at week after week after week, the spigot is not being turned off, not knowing there is a break, not seeing the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel."

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Associated Press writers Marion Renault in Rochester, Minnesota, Nomaan Merchant in Houston and Ken Miller in Oklahoma City contributed.

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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.
National Guard troops around the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, on Jan. 21, 2021. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo)

National Guard Disputes Claims Troops Intentionally Turned Backs on Bidens Motorcade

The National Guard disputed a claim that troops intentionally turned their backs on President Joe Bidens motorcade as it passed through D.C.

These National Guardsmen were on duty with a mission to protect the president against potential threats, Capt. Tinashe Machona, a spokeswoman for the D.C. National Guard, told the Stars and Stripes newspaper. Some are facing out to ensure the safety of all.

A video that showed Guard members with their backs turned garnered more than 2 million views.

Claim is @joeBiden banished troops in DC to parking garage when they werent on guard b/c he felt the troops had disrespected him by turning their backs on him, tweeted Crime Prevention Research Center President John Lott Jr. after the clip went viral. Others say they were facing out away from the entire motorcade b/c any threat to it would come from outside the road.

More than 20,000 National Guard members were sent to Washington earlier this month following a breach at the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6.

However, since then, controversy has ensued. Several unnamed National Guard soldiers told news outlets that they were forced to leave the Capitol and rest in a nearby parking garage, prompting apologies and condemnations from various lawmakers.

Several governors pulled their respective state National Guard forces in the aftermath.

Theyre soldiers, theyre not Nancy Pelosis servants, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told Fox News on Friday. This is a half-cocked mission at this point, and I think the appropriate thing is to bring them home.

Some officials blamed the public relations fracas on miscommunication. The National Guard said that U.S. Capitol Police ordered troops to move their break area to the garage, prompting a counter-statement from the Capitol Polices acting chief on Friday.

I want to assure everyone that, with the exception of specific times on Inauguration Day itself while the swearing-in ceremonies were underway, the United States Capitol police did not instruct the National Guard to vacate the Capitol Building facilities, Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman said on the departments website. And on Inauguration Day, the Guard was notified and encouraged to reoccupy the spaces in the Capitol and CVC at 2 p.m.

Pittman added, It was brought to our attention early today that facility management with the Thurgood Marshall Judicial Office Building reached out directly to the National Guard to offer use of its facilities.

The move drew apologies from Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who was seen visiting with some of the National Guard members last week.

New Delhi, Jan 24 : As the News Media Bargaining Code triggers a bitter war between Google and the Australian government, the tech giant has detailed eight facts on why reaching a workable Code is important but serious concerns with the current draft remain.

Google said that it supports a fair Code but the current version remains unworkable.

"We believe that the concerns we and others have raised can be addressed with reasonable changes. We have proposed a solution that would see Google pay publishers for value under this new law -- without breaking Google Search," the company said in a statement.

Rod Sims, chair of the watchdog Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), said on Friday that Google and Facebook just don't want the code to be implemented.

"Google and Facebook like to do things on their terms. I think the code does what it's intended to do. It is workable. It allows for a process of negotiation we've seen these sorts of things work in the past where you've got negotiate-arbitrate regimes, so I think this is just something Google and Facebook don't want," he was quoted as saying in media reports.

Google, however, said that the draft Code is unworkable for Google in three key areas: Paying news sites for snippets and links; an unfair and unprecedented arbitration process and giving 14 days algorithm notification to news publishers.

"Even if we could comply, that would delay important updates for our users and give special treatment to news publishers in a way that would disadvantage every other website owner," Google lamented.

According to Google, many others have raised concerns that paying for links and snippets would undermine the fundamentals of the free and open web.

This includes the Business Council of Australia; Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web and Scott Farquhar, co-founder of Australian tech company Atlasssian, among others.

"We're proposing to pay publishers through Google News Showcase, not for links and snippets in Search. News Showcase is a licensing programme we're investing AU$1.3 billion (US$1 billion) in globally over the next three years to help news businesses publish and promote their stories online," the tech giant said.

Google said the News Showcase would operate within this new law, with binding arbitration on News Showcase as a backstop to resolve any disputes.

"Google doesn't 'use' news content. We sort through hundreds of billions of webpages to find the most relevant, useful results in a fraction of a second, and present them in a way that helps you find what you're looking for -- and then we take you to the source of that information," the company emphasised.

Google said it is not the reason for the decline in newspaper revenue over time.

"Google's revenue growth was primarily from new money being spent by businesses that would previously not have spent money on advertising".

The company once again reiterated that it has provided $53 billion in benefits to businesses and consumers in Australia each year.

Facebook and Google have been engaged in a battle with the ACCC since August last year over the new media code.

Google on Friday threatened to pull its Search engine from Australia if a proposed media bargaining law, that directs Google to pay news publishers, goes into effect.
The hills in the Central Highlands of Vietnam are beckoning, most notably Da Lat, The City of Eternal Spring, one of the great gems in this world.

The city is still a small blip on the global travel radar, and although many wish it would stay that way, it grows in popularity each year.

Da Lat (the Vietnamese language uses two words, while in foreign languages its usually combined into one word  Dalat) definitely lives up to its Eternal Spring moniker, except for the odd overnight drop in temperature to below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) in the dead of winter, and occasional hot spells in summer when it hits 30 degrees (87 Fahrenheit).

Ive never seen an air conditioner in Da Lat, though there must be some in fancier hotels and offices, with space heaters being a bit more common. Thats how consistently mild the weather is.

The 100-kilometer (62-mile) distance from the coast is a big advantage, inasmuch as storms during the monsoon season from July to November fizzle before arriving inland at a higher elevation in Da Lat. Those wet months bring frequent rains, often many short showers in a day, but nothing dramatic like the deluges that flood and paralyze other locales in Southeast Asia for days on end.

How breathtaking the approach to Da Lat is by airplane from the coast if youre lucky enough to hit a day with an easterly wind!

The plateau upon which the city is built rises dramatically from less than 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) to 1,500 meters (5,000 feet), so the city appears surreal, with the only thing missing being a castle as in the fairy tales.

The city is also referred to as the City of Thousands of Pines (head out of the city proper and youll be surrounded), the City of Love (no shortage of smitten couples cuddling up on a romantic getaway), and the City of Flowers (the prevailing overall theme).

We need to add City of Selfies to that list  Ive never seen anything like it.

Just last week I saw a couple posing with flowers in the middle of Hoa Binh Square in full wedding regalia, with trucks, cars, and motorbikes whizzing around them. Anything for a good shot!

Even if the city was ugly, the people nasty, food bland, and the architecture unimaginative and boxy, Da Lat would be worth a visit just to frolic in the fresh, cool air. In truth, its the opposite on all those points  people are mellow and welcoming, the food is off the charts delicious, and the warm look and feel to the architecture and topography are unique in this part of the world.

Medieval look and feel

The hilly layout is akin to old cities found all over Europe  after all Da Lat was founded and built by French colonialists just over 100 years ago who clearly knew what they were looking for: a cool weather high-altitude retreat from the searing heat of Ho Chi Minh City, known during those times as Saigon.

European-style architecture in Da Lat

Da Lat is also referred to as Le Petit Paris (The Small Paris in French), a bit of a misnomer  given all the hills it more closely resembles some cities in the south of France than it does Paris, which is quite level for the most part. There is a tower similar in design to the Parisian landmark La Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower) but much lower in height, as well as a neighborhood labeled the French Quarter with French-style villas, but neither are must-sees.

Colonial-style buildings cling to the hills, giving the city its identity and charm. Small lanes and cobblestone alleys are lined with stone walls exuding an aura of mystery, romance, and intrigue, like a scene out of an old movie or novel. Level streets can be hard to find, so when you come across one, take a moment to catch your breath and enjoy the ambience.

Intriguing alleys in Da Lat

If you took down the signs in Vietnamese and replaced them with others in a European language, youd never even know you were in Asia, thats how distinct the European vibe is. There are some cities in the region that retain a colonial feel, but none hold a candle to Da Lat when it comes to charm.

That look and feel make Da Lat a huge hit with Vietnamese tourists, which made up over 80 percent of the over six million visitors in 2019.

Those tourist numbers are going to keep growing, probably in direct proportion to how hot and stuffy the major cities in Vietnam and Southeast Asia become each year, so there is much talk of wear and tear on the citys infrastructure, especially the increasingly clogged roads.

Authorities forecast there is enough land in the vicinity to allow the city to double in size going forward, as well as sufficient natural resources to support a larger population. Initiatives to modernize the city center are well into the planning stage so that traffic flow will be improved and congestion reduced in key areas.

With a population closing in on 400,000, and given its 300-kilometer (200-mile) distance from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat is both small enough and far enough from the hubbub of the megacity to retain its provincial charm. The city is the capital of Lam Dong Province, and therefore the regional commercial, cultural, and political hub.

There is a small expatriate population of several hundred, most of whom live outside the city center and lead low-profile lives. Most visitors tend to gravitate to the coastal areas leaving Da Lat low-keyed and peaceful.

Gaining global popularity

Property values in recent years have skyrocketed, making Da Lat among the most expensive real estate markets worldwide. Well-heeled residents of Ho Chi Minh City, the capital Hanoi, and other major cities in Vietnam and Southeast Asia are the most aggressive buyers, eager to trade the woes of urban living for fresh air and space.

The city has moved onto the international scene during the last two years with flights from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, and Lanzhou (Peoples Republic of China) added, with Singapore and destinations in Laos and Cambodia on the horizon. Well have to wait and see which routes are viable when some semblance of normality returns and borders reopen to tourists.

Visitors also arrive by bus, car, and even motorbike in droves, pop into the market, buy a hoodie and maybe a French-style beret, and theyre all set! They might as well be in France  so, for many Vietnamese, its a great opportunity that they may not otherwise get to experience European culture.

Businesses are mostly family-owned and operated in Da Lat, featuring local food and products  refreshing compared with the increasing number of destinations worldwide that cater to the international tourist trade, bringing their mass-produced goods and services along with the crowds.

A large chunk of the populace was born and raised here so they own their homes, passed down through the generations. Several of my friends nearing retirement age still live in the houses they were born in, so deep are the roots in the community.

The usual urban-style rat race is noticeably absent, leaving plenty of quality time dedicated to a slow living pace. Many residents have small businesses and part-time gigs because the pressure to earn big is off so all they need to do is earn enough to put food on the table and save for a rainy day.

(To be continued)
Ron Chapple / Getty Image

HARTFORD  Police are looking into a shooting incident from late Saturday night, according to a news release.

After someone reported thered been shots fired on Webster Street, police headed to the area before 11 p.m. Saturday, according to a release.
Four in ten parents say cost of computers and other items they need is too high

Our campaign to help get laptops to lockdown pupils has raised a staggering 250,000 in its first weekend.

In a flying start beyond our wildest dreams, Daily Mail readers have again shown phenomenal generosity.

From 5 to 5,000, thousands of contributions have flooded in  many from grandparents  coupled with heartfelt messages of support.

One pensioner gave 250, signing off simply as a 'retiree' who was 'happy to help the young'.

And today Bill Gates, who practically invented home computing, has been inspired to add his heavyweight support to the drive to help the neediest schoolchildren. The Microsoft co-founder said its success was 'vital'.

The Daily Mail poll illustrates the effect of school closures on children and shows four in ten parents say the cost of computers and other items they need is too high

David Walliams said he was 'pleased and proud' to back the campaign, and urged big names to follow suit. The comedian and children's author handed over a five-figure sum.

Every penny of the money will help the Mail Force charity to accelerate the Government's efforts to get laptops to schools.

An exclusive poll for the Mail today reveals one in three families do not have enough computers for their children to study at home.

With classrooms likely to stay shut until after Easter, a 'digital divide' is opening up between pupils who are able to follow online lessons at home and those who do not have ready access to the internet.

Mail Force, the charity set up by the Mail last year to buy personal protective equipment for the NHS, is now obtaining devices for children who desperately need them for study.

The Computers for Kids campaign launched only on Saturday yet within 48 hours, our generous readers have donated 210,000 online.

Because Mail Force is a registered charity, and qualifies for Gift Aid, which can add 20 per cent to a donation, the overall sum raised is 250,000. Many readers will have posted cheques that are yet to arrive while our online giving page was swamped with warm messages of support.

An anonymous donor decided money spoke louder than words, putting down an extraordinary 5,000.

Another, named just Bowers, gave 1,000. The cash will be spent on refurbishing used laptops given by companies that are upgrading their systems.

Scores of donor firms have already been in touch with Mail Force's IT specialist partner. For as little as 15, a laptop can be securely wiped of all data, rebuilt and made classroom-ready.

Mail Force will also buy new laptops and tablets to hand over to the Department for Education. Nothing Mail Force does will interfere with the Government's programme  it will just help to speed things up.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, writing in today's Mail, says: 'I'm delighted the Daily Mail and its generous readers will be helping our remote education programme.

'I want to assure you we have been working incredibly hard to deliver the necessary tech across the country so that every child, especially those from disadvantaged homes, can keep their learning on track.

Mail Force is now obtaining devices for children who desperately need them for their study. (Stock image)

Backed by the support of the Mail and its readers, I have no doubt remote education will continue to go from strength to strength.'

The Mail Force crusade has also won the backing of the main teaching unions. The scheme means the DfE has become one of the world's biggest buyers of computers, ordering 1.3million so far  of which 800,000 have been delivered.

Among the contributions flooding in from Mail readers over the weekend was 150 from grandparents named Phil and Sue who left a message saying: 'We have ten grandchildren, so we are funding one computer on behalf of each one.'

Donating 300, plus 75 Gift Aid, Mail reader Jill sent an encouraging message to the children: 'Fantastic cause. Well done Mail. Good luck kids with all your studying  this will all get better soon.'

A former teacher, who gave 50 anonymously, said: 'It is heart-breaking to witness the disparity in access to learning for our children.'

It's Mission Impossible to get my kids online

By Lizzie Deane for the Daily Mail

Harriet Way, 31, from Eastleigh in Hampshire, says it has been 'Mission: Impossible' trying to get her children's work done without enough laptops

Harriet Way says it has been 'Mission: Impossible' trying to get her children's work done without enough devices.

Her three school-age children  Mia, nine, Alfie, six, and four-year-old Isla  are sharing two laptops donated by a local charity, Ade's Computer Angels, which has been helping dozens of children get online.

She says it is an improvement on the first two weeks of term, when the children were using tablets but their education is still suffering.

The 31-year-old, from Eastleigh in Hampshire, who has two younger children, two-year-old Theo and 17-month-old Lexi, said she has been forced to choose which of the elder three can study.

'Most days one of the kids will still miss out on some of their lessons because they can't all use the laptops at the same time,' she said.

'It's like Mission: Impossible trying to get all of their lessons done. The video lessons have been a godsend, but if all three have one at the same time I'm forced to choose who gets to tune into their lesson.

'I prioritise Mia because she's the oldest  but I shouldn't have to because then the others suffer. I do worry for their education, because these are years they'll never get back.

'The jump from infant to junior school especially is a massive leap.'

We juggle one laptop among our three children

Lynsey Fulcher, 42, from Shildon in County Durham, said having only one small-screen laptop to share between her sons made things even more of a struggle for her and partner Andrew Basham

As a mother of three boys with a range of disabilities, lockdown learning was never going to be easy for Lynsey Fulcher.

But having only one small-screen laptop to share between her sons has made things even more of a struggle for her and fiance Andrew Basham.

Their three boys  George, nine, Matthew, seven, and six-year-old William  have a mixture of conditions and special needs.

Miss Fulcher, 42 and from Shildon in County Durham, said: 'Disabled children have been forgotten about during the pandemic.

'They've not been able to get carers in, they're not getting therapies, parents are getting no respite time.'

Miss Fulcher said she had used Fair For You, a not-for-profit lending firm, to buy sensory lights, toys and books to stimulate the boys through lockdown.

My daughter's GCSEs are at risk

Freya Smith, 15, does not have a laptop for vital assessments

Freya Smith is in her final year at secondary and does not have a laptop for vital assessments.

The 15-year-old has been accessing live online lessons via an Xbox and iPad, but struggles to do the coursework that partly decides her GCSE grades.

Her mother Lisa said having a laptop would help her after enduring, like all pupils, such disruption.

The 51-year-old school worker said: 'They've had a really tough time this year group  they only did half a year last year and now this year has been disrupted and they're the two most important years really, the GCSE studies.

'The lack of technology just adds to the pressure they're feeling. She needs a laptop to complete the classwork and homework and also the coursework for her GCSEs.

Quite often they need a Word application, so a laptop would be so beneficial.

'All the students and Freya particularly have been so resilient, they've adapted to online learning and they're just getting on with it. They're spending a lot of time on their online lessons and then having to take extra time because they don't have the right technology.

'If they had that laptop it would just make the best use of their time and help them to work efficiently.'

Freya is on the waiting list for a laptop at her school, Arena Academy in Birmingham.

'They're working so hard and they just so deserve to have the right equipment,' her mother said.

Home schooling despair: One in three locked-down families don't have enough computers for their children to study

By Simon Walters for the Daily Mail

One third of families are struggling with home schooling because they simply do not have enough computers for their children, an exclusive poll for the Daily Mail today reveals.

Four in ten parents say the cost of computers and other items they need is too high, according to the survey.

More than a quarter cite the high cost of internet access as a problem.

And families worst hit by the Covid schools shutdown are the poorest and those in the North.

The Daily Mail poll illustrates the devastating effect of school closures on children  and their mums and dads.

An overwhelming 72 per cent of parents believe it is the Government's responsibility to provide computers to children. (Stock image)

The survey by JL Partners shows that nearly one in five children (18 per cent) learning from home gets no 'live' schooling via a computer screen from their teacher per day whatsoever.

Significant numbers of parents say their children's hopes of getting a good education, a university place or a career have been severely damaged by nearly a year of Covid disrupted education.

Even their social skills have been damaged by being denied face to face contact with their friends.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who came to power on a pledge to 'level up' Britain, will be concerned that the impact on poorer children is greater in all these categories.

Nor is it only the young who are suffering: a staggering one in two parents says their own mental health has deteriorated.

Mothers have borne the brunt: 55 per cent say their mental health has got worse  nine per cent higher than fathers (46 per cent).Parents' concern is shared by the wider public: 49 per cent of all adults say coronavirus has caused long-term damage to children's life chances; 20 per cent disagree.

According to the poll, 82 per cent of children in England, Scotland and Wales are learning from home.A total of 32 per cent of parents say they do not have enough computers for their studies. Nearly one in five (19 per cent) has more than one child  but only one laptop.

Six per cent who do not have a computer are forced to use a mobile phone instead.

But  while there are clearly difficulties  two thirds of parents say they do have enough laptops to cope. An overwhelming 72 per cent believe it is the Government's responsibility to provide computers to make home learning easier; only seven per cent disagree.

Four in ten parents say the cost of 'remote learning materials' such as computers, software and exercise books, is too high. While parents are largely supportive of teachers, 41 per cent want more help from schools for children forced to learn in their front room or kitchen; 29 per cent say they have enough support. Twenty-seven per cent believe internet access costs too much, with 23 per cent saying they grin and bear it and pay up to stop their children falling behind. Sixteen per cent of parents pay between 10 and 30 per week for internet access.

Children who are not able to go to school are getting an average of two hours and six minutes of 'live' remote lessons. (Stock image)

Most parents are doing their best to take the place of teachers: 44 per cent spend between one and three hours per day helping their children learn at home. An impressive additional 27 per cent devote more than three hours a day.

While 43 per cent of parents say they have taken over teaching duties because the school had 'fallen short' in its obligations; 30 per cent did not blame the school.

Remarkably, the survey suggests parents now do more 'live lesson' teaching than teachers. Children unable to go to school are getting an average of two hours and six minutes of 'live' remote lessons from their school teacher a day  two minutes less than the average time parents spend teaching their offspring.

Seventeen per cent of parents in the South are paying for private tuition to help children learn at home  more than three times more than in the less prosperous North where 5 per cent do this.

Nowhere is the class divide on the effect of the stress and strain on parents during the Covid crisis illustrated more vividly than the mental health impact. Among affluent families, 39 per cent say their mental health has suffered; 20 per cent say it has improved.

However, among the poorest families, these figures are 61 per cent and five per cent respectively. The public agree that today's young generation will feel the effects of the pandemic for decades.

Almost one in two (49 per cent) say it will inflict long-term damage to their children's life chances; 20 per cent say it will not have this effect. James Johnson of JL Partners said: 'This poll lays bare the stark inequality of the Covid pandemic, and months of remote learning.

'Middle-class parents say there has been no real impact on their children's life chances, but children of working-class parents and the unemployed are short of laptops, their parents have seen their physical and mental health worsen, and they are the least likely to have remote lessons provided for by their school.

'While some enjoy the comforts of being at home, this data shows that less affluent children are truly being left behind.'

Bill Gates and David Walliams back Mail Force drive to boost children's learning capacity during lockdown

Heartfelt support for the Mail Force campaign has arrived from one of the pioneers of home computing  Bill Gates.

The co-founder of Microsoft gave his staunch backing to the Mail's drive to get laptops to schoolchildren.

The US philanthropist, 65, said: 'There is no limit to what young people can achieve if they have the right resources and are able to access quality digital learning online.

'It's vital, with so many kids stuck at home, that we equip more students with the tools they need to succeed and prevent inequalities from deepening.'

FACT BOX TITLE Generous firms have started coming forward in their droves to help. Scores of companies offering their laptops to help children have been in touch with campaign team organisers over the weekend. Firms with 50 or more computers to give can contact our expert IT partners, who handle the process securely. A careful assessment process ensures the machines meet the minimum specifications. The computers are then collected and wiped to industry gold standards. Among the first companies to volunteer include a bank and several medium sized enterprises. Computers from individuals cannot be accepted, for technical reasons. Advertisement

In the 1980s, Mr Gates' vision of a computer in every home helped make Microsoft the world's largest supplier.

Further backing to the cause came from David Walliams, the award-winning comedian and best-selling children's author.

He has donated a generous five-figure sum to the campaign and hailed its crusade to help poorer children cross the 'digital divide' between those can access online lessons and those who cannot.

He said: 'I am pleased and proud to support the Mail's campaign to put computers into the hands of children who need them most. I was shocked to learn of the extent of the digital divide that exists in this country.

'A computer and WiFi is something many of us take for granted. We need a fairer society and education for all is a pillar of that.'

Walliams is a hit with children due to his books such as Demon Dentist and The Beast of Buckingham Palace. He is also a judge on ITV's Britain's Got Talent.

The star added: 'I know these are tough times, but if you are fortunate enough to be able to help, please join me in this fantastic initiative from the newspaper.'

When the campaign was launched on Saturday, England rugby star Maro Itoje said: 'We must strive for every child to have an equal education because it is the one gift that stays with them for life and opens up their world.'

And former education secretary Lord Blunkett said: 'Quite simply, our children need laptops if they are to learn.

That is why I am backing the Mail's campaign to get the equipment, connectivity and conditions right for youngsters to have everything they need to be able to learn at home and begin catching up in the months and years ahead.'

Heartfelt support for the Mail Force campaign has arrived from one of the pioneers of home computing  Bill Gates. The co-founder of Microsoft gave his staunch backing to the Mail's drive to get laptops to schoolchildren [File photo]

We MUST help these children fulfil their hopes and dreams: SARAH VINE makes a passionate plea to give lockdown pupils the tools they need to thrive in lessons

As the mother of two children at inner-city London secondaries, I know how difficult life is for some pupils. Over the years, children of all shapes and sizes and from all types of backgrounds have sat at my kitchen table.

Some have every advantage in life, others have very little. Some have parents who smother them, others have ones who are completely absent.

More than one is growing up without a father. One of the mothers once rang me up and threatened me with violence. It has been an education in more ways than one.

I have always been committed to equality in education and believed that money, status or class should not be a driver of a young person's chances in life.

Pupils test for Covid-19 at a school in Coulsdon, Surrey

Yet I have no illusions about the scale of the obstacles some children face. Well-off families can mitigate with money, but for poorer children, school is the one chance they have to change the narrative. It doesn't always succeed, of course. There are always those who sadly slip through the net. But something is better than nothing.

And yet now, nothing is what they have. By closing schools, we have taken away that social safety net, and many are now in freefall. Last November, Ofsted raised the alarm about what is happening to young people outside classrooms, stating growing evidence that vulnerable children are being targeted by drug gangs.

As Amanda Spielman, head of Ofsted, so wisely says: 'Getting children engaged and into the classroom is so important  for their safety and to help them make the right life choices.'

Many of the teenagers due to sit GCSEs last year and this year are being lost to the education system, unable to see a future for themselves and seduced by what, thanks to a prevailing youth culture that glorifies guns, drugs and violence, seems like a more lucrative path. It's a tragedy in the making.

Perhaps none of this would be so bad if the alternative provision during lockdown was adequate  if every child had a laptop on which to study, and lessons to log on to throughout the day.

Yes, children of key workers have been allowed into schools  but they haven't been having anything approaching normal lessons.

Money, status or class should not be a driver of a young person's chances in life, writes SARAH VINE

The best most schools have managed to muster is a kind of glorified creche, where children of all ages and all abilities are supervised in a socially distanced environment while they attempt 'independent learning'.

Others  inevitably, the already best-performing schools  have been more successful in providing remote learning.

Both my children's schools, for example, have done their utmost and succeeded impressively in giving pupils some semblance of a 'normal' school day, with live lessons and supervised tests using Zoom and the like. For kids like mine, who have access to decent wifi and their own laptops (albeit, like their phones, hand-me-downs) this has helped maintain some semblance of normality.

But there are plenty who simply don't have access to the hardware.

For them the days lack structure and, without the encouragement and help of teachers, ambition and focus ebb away.

I know one child who has barely left his house since last March. Both my children have friends who have fallen off the grid, and they have several who can't access remote learning at all.

Others manage it sporadically but not in any meaningful way. Once again, these are never the kids who already have a head start in life. It's always the ones with the biggest hurdles to overcome.

Digital poverty in the age of Covid doesn't just mean not being able to Snapchat your mates or post selfies on Instagram.

The best most schools have managed to muster is a kind of glorified creche, argues SARAH VINE

It is creating an educational divide not seen since Victorian times. One that, unless we take action now, threatens to blight an entire generation.

This is not to point fingers at teachers or ministers or anyone else wrestling with the monstrous problems this pandemic has visited on a shellshocked world.

It is simply to highlight one of the most damaging legacies of a health crisis that we are still struggling to contain.

There are almost ten million children aged three-16 in the UK. If you add in those in further education, those aged between 17 and 24, it's almost 15 million.

Every single one of these individuals has been affected in one way or another by school and college closures. Some catastrophically so. We already know that a quarter of pupils  around 2.5 million children in the UK  had no schooling at all during lockdown last year.

Now, the repercussions of that are beginning to filter through. Children lost up to 14 weeks of school time during spring and summer.

There is strong evidence that, on average, pupils are three months behind on their schooling, with maths being the subject worst affected.

But the Department for Education estimates that in some areas, especially in the North East, that could be as high as 22 months.

That's not just a gap  it's an abyss. A black hole that threatens to swallow up whole lives, whole futures, not to mention the prospects of the country as a whole.

In the long term, it risks leaving students without the necessary foundations either to continue their studies or progress into the workforce. It means a workforce that simply won't have the skills required not just to earn a living but to help rebuild our shattered economy.

In the short term, it means poor mental health, social problems and loneliness.

To my mind, the only way out of this is to reopen schools within weeks. Vaccinate teachers as a priority, and get children back into safe learning environments as soon as humanly possible.

B ut I know that won't happen. I've made the argument time and time again, but always the immediate threat of Covid and the grim death toll trumps everything.

Until that changes, making sure that every child has access to a computer and decent wifi so they can do their best to keep up in lockdown is the most important thing we, as parents and as a country, can do.

That is why this Daily Mail campaign is so vitally important. That is why the astonishing amount of money  around 250,000  already so generously donated by you, the readers, in the two days since the campaign launched, is so crucial.

By giving money to the Computers For Kids campaign, you are not only improving the short-term prospects of students, helping restore their hopes and dreams.

You are also helping to safeguard the long-term future of the country, the economy and Britain as a whole.

Thank you.

I welcome this boost from the Mail and its readers, writes Education Secretary GAVIN WILLIAMSON

The last thing any parent wanted was to see schools closing to most pupils  as they had to at the start of this month.

I'm a parent myself and I completely understand that this will have caused no end of disruption for those of you who are trying to juggle a family and working from home at the same time.

However well parents are managing to support their children while they learn from home, there really is no substitute for them being in school.

I can assure you as soon as Covid infection rates are back under control then we will get them back there as quickly as we can.

The last thing any parent wanted was to see schools closing to most pupils  as they had to at the start of this month, writes Education Secretary Gavin Williamson (pictured)

In the meantime, thanks to our superb teachers, every child can now expect to have high-quality lessons remotely and I'm delighted that the Daily Mail and its generous readers will be helping our remote education programme.

Of course, for this to be successful pupils need the right devices to work from and we are well aware that this is not a given. Not every pupil has a laptop and not every family has internet access.

I want to assure you that we have been working incredibly hard to deliver the necessary tech across the country so that every child  especially those from disadvantaged homes  can keep their learning on track.

We have now delivered an extra 800,000 laptops and tablets on top of the ones schools already had  and nearly 240,000 have gone out in the past couple of weeks.

While I can't give you a date for when children will be back at their desks, I do want to assure everyone that we are doing everything in our power to make sure that their learning does not suffer. An empty classroom is seen at Westlands Primary School, Staffordshire

Laptops and devices have been in high demand across the world and it has been a massive procurement exercise to get hold of them. In spite of that, we are making sure that 1.3million devices are going to be distributed to children in England who need them.

Our Get Help With Technology programme, which has been distributing laptops, tablets and 4G routers with pre-loaded data since May last year, goes hand-in-hand with the Government's work with mobile network operators, enabling schools to request free data uplifts for disadvantaged families.

We have also set up a new online 'one stop shop' for all schools and colleges to help them keep up to date with the latest information and guidance on remote education as well as tips and advice from teachers and leaders.

Every pupil can now expect to have either recorded or live direct teaching as well as time to complete tasks they've been set as they learn from home.

Although teachers know what materials work best for their own lessons, there is also plenty of other material from external providers available for them to use.

Last Easter, for instance, a group of 40 teachers launched the Oak National Academy. This new venture was created in two weeks flat and has gone on to produce thousands of high-quality teacher-led videoed lessons.

These include topics as varied as blues musicianship and an examination of the effects of urban sprawl on local communities. The BBC is also providing a mass of educational content across its channels to support home learning.

And these are just a couple of examples of an immense industry response  from textbook publishers, from digital teaching tools and from training providers  to extend help to schools.

While I can't give you a date for when children will be back at their desks, I do want to assure everyone that we are doing everything in our power to make sure that their learning does not suffer.

Backed by the support of the Mail and its readers, I have no doubt remote education will continue to go from strength to strength and will help keep our pupils' learning on track.

How you can help

What is Mail Force doing?

With schools shut and children learning online, those without laptops are falling behind.

As with last year's successful drive to provide PPE to the NHS, Mail Force is sourcing laptops fast and passing them on to schools through the Government's existing distribution scheme. We are working closely with the Department for Education.

Isn't the Government doing this?

Ministers ordered 1.3million laptops, with 800,000 already delivered. But a third of families say they don't have enough and schools could be shut until after Easter. We want to help speed things up for children missing lessons.

How does it work?

With money donated to the charity, it costs as little as 15 to refurbish a second-hand laptop  which generous companies are already starting to donate. Mail Force will also purchase brand new laptops and tablets. This is on top of Government supply.

Can I give my own laptop?

Sadly not, for technical reasons.

Laptops have sensitive data  is it safe?

Yes, completely. The process is handled by experts at a firm of global IT specialists. Their clients include multinational banks, blue chip companies and governments who trust them to securely wipe old laptops to a 'gold standard'.

Mail Force is not directly involved in the process.

How will they go to the right children?

The Department for Education prioritises those who need the laptops most, calculated by using a school's number of children on free meals or pupil premium (funding for disadvantaged youngsters).

The laptops are then sent to schools for head teachers to allocate to families.
Eightyfive persons have been arrested in Koforidua for failing to wear the mandatory nose mask.



They were arrested within the central business district in Koforidua and its environs on Friday, in a special operation led by the Acting Regional Police Operational Commander and his team.



Briefing the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Police Chief Superintendent Mr Raymond Kofi Erzuah, Acting Regional Operations Commander, said those arrested were sent to the Regional Police headquarters, where they took their caution statements.



He explained that the operation was targeted at enforcing the directive on the mandatory wearing of the face masks, as part of measures to check the spread of the coronavirus in the region.



The operations commander indicated that in line with enforcing the law, policemen were deployed at various points in the region to ensure that all persons moving about had masked up or be sanctioned.



Meanwhile, traders in the central business district in the municipality cashed in as people rushed to buy the nose masks and wear, to avoid the police arrest.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
A Kiwi nanny who travelled around the world now has the lungs of a 20-year-smoker and spends half-a-day sleeping after she contracted Covid-19.

Helena Power has been hospitalised twice and now suffers from breathing difficulties that are so severe she is confined to her London apartment since December.

Ms Power left Auckland, to look after a billionaire's child in London at the start of 2020, New Zealand Herald reported.

Helena Power has been hospitalised twice and now suffers from breathing difficulties that are so severe she has been confined to her London apartment, in the United Kingdom, since December

She spent much of the year jetting around Ibiza, Switzerland, and Australia before returning to London.

The 26-year-old found a nanny job with another family before they decided to move to Qatar in the Middle East.

Ms Power remained behind while she waited for approval of her travel visa, when she was struck down by the virus.

The young nanny initially suffered from slight fatigue, shortness of breath and loss of taste and smell.

In just 14 days her symptoms worsened and Ms Power was rushed to hospital for an x-ray.

'They said my lungs had been damaged from having Covid,' Ms Power said.

'Despite being 26 and never having smoked - I don't even drink alcohol - my lungs looked like someone who had smoked for 20 years.'

Ms Power was discharged and relied on the charity of friends to order her food and check in on her.

Though she suffered another attack and returned to hospital, before she claimed the doctor told her to not come back unless she was 'dying'.

Ms Power remained behind while she waited for approval of her travel visa, when she was struck down by the virus

The total number of coronavirus cases in the UK has skyrocketed above three million as a Covid-19 variant, which is 70 per cent more infectious, ravages the country.

Hospitals are under intense strain with London buses turned into ambulances to deal with the uptick in cases.

Ms Power said her friends waited as long as 12 hours for an ambulance to show up at the door.

Ms Power has now moved into her uncle's home, an hour south of London, and has plans to fly back to New Zealand in February.

'I'm so lucky I will be home in a month, which will give me enough time to work up to walking to the plane,' Ms Power said.
The number of people in intensive care units will hold if not grow in the coming days, the health service chief has said.

Paul Reid said ICU admissions are a real challenge with delayed discharges from units and an increased number of deaths.

He told RTEs This Week that something has changed in terms of the level of transmission and the impact of the virus.

A total of 1,931 people were in hospital with the virus on Sunday afternoon including 218 in ICU.

Twenty-four beds were available in intensive care but eight hospitals had reached surge capacity.

The planning by our critical care teams at local, regional & national level has saved lives. Mobilising oxygen, ventillation, building surge beds & teams, deploying critical care transfers, & utilising private hospitals has sustained good levels of care. Thank you all. @HSELive  Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) January 24, 2021

Talking to the ICU consultants I think theres a huge learning in the last three weeks about what were seeing, Mr Reid said.

Were seeing huge difference in terms of delayed exit from ICU and, sadly, increased mortality.

There are still 430 patients who are receiving critical care outside of ICU with advanced respiratory support.

Mr Reid said a third of those patients could end up in intensive care units or die.

Theres a very significant pipeline, unfortunately, we would see continuing into ICU. Id expect to see ICU numbers holding if not growing in the coming days, he said. Thats a real challenge for us.

Asked about the Irish National Nurses and Midwives Organisations concerns over a lack of high-grade face masks for nurses, Mr Reid said there was a good supply of up to 1.3 million masks per week for healthcare staff who required them.

If you have any of these symptoms this Sunday:

ai fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above)

ai cough

ai shortness of breath

ai loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

Self-isolate & call your GP Out of Hours service and ask about a coronavirus test.#StaySafe pic.twitter.com/VySMapQZjd  HSE Ireland (@HSELive) January 24, 2021

He also said officials have deployed antigen testing recently to assess where there are outbreaks in hospitals, and have secured another 500,000 antigen tests. He said this will be brought into the hospital system from Wednesday.

Mr Reid also said officials are very anxious to get back to testing close contacts.

We do aim to get back to it, he said. We would need (cases) to be sustained below 2,000 for a few days for that to happen but were very anxious for that to happen.

Asked about the announcement by AstraZeneca of possible delays in the production of its vaccine, Mr Reid said he believed shortfalls will be a feature of the supply and setbacks will happen.

He said the HSE is planning on rolling out the vaccine for over-70s as envisioned, having been assured by AstraZeneca that it would receive its February delivery as planned.

So our plan to commence the over-70s in the middle of February will continue, he said. Were not quite sure of the impacts beyond that.

I do know that in a similar way when we had the same announcement from Pfizer it had triggered very significant concerns across the EU and from the Taoiseach, and they do expect, as theyve said already, very strong conversations to happen to assess the health impacts.

The Taoiseach described the AstraZeneca production issues on Saturday as a real problem and warned it could delay the rollout of the vaccine to over-70s.

The news from AstraZeneca, which has advised the EU of a reduction in vaccine supply in Feb and March, is a real setback. The numbers are still tentative and AstraZeneca is due to provide more exact figures at a meeting early next week. Will provide an update as soon as possible.  Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) January 23, 2021

On Saturday Health Minister Stephen Donnelly described the news from AstraZeneca, which has advised the EU of a reduction in vaccine supply in February and March, as a real setback.

The numbers are still tentative and AstraZeneca is due to provide more exact figures at a meeting early next week, he said. Will provide an update as soon as possible.

Sunday saw a further 23 deaths and 1,378 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed by the Department of Health. All the deaths occurred this month.

The median age of those who died was 84 and the age range was 61-99.

It is the second day in a row since the start of the year that the number of new cases has fallen below 2,000.
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Chairwoman of the Argentina-Vietnam Culture Institute (ICAV) Poldi Sosa Schmidt has attributed Vietnams successes to the sound and ingenious leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and consensus of the whole nation.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina Duong Quoc Thanh (R) and ICAV Chairwoman Poldi Sosa Schmidt

In an interview recently granted to the Vietnam News Agency's reporter in Buenos Aires, Poldi Sosa said throughout its revolutionary history, the CPV has always played a vanguard role and gathered people from walks of life under its fighting flag to make Vietnam an independent and sovereign nation. Following national reunification later, the CPV continued affirming its leadership role and mapped out development orientations, riding Vietnam through challenges to gradually prosper economically. In recent years, Vietnams position and voice have been increasingly respected on the international arena.

Poldi Sosa said that she has taken ICAV delegations to Vietnam nearly 20 times since 1998. The countrys changes happen every day and take her from surprise to surprise. The Vietnamese peoples lives have improved significantly over time and the nation has become a destination that many international friends always expect.

She described the upcoming 13th National Congress of the CPV as a significant event to review successes and shortcomings in the past five years, and outline orientations for Vietnam in the next period amid complicated and uncertain developments in the region and the world.

With solidarity and high consensus in the Party, she believed that the 13th National Party Congress will be a success, opening up a new period of development and success for Vietnam.

The ICAV Chairwoman regularly studies Vietnams issues via books published in Spanish language and magazines with stories about its history and people. When Vietnam is preparing for the 13th National Party Congress, she frequently checks information about this important political event on the Internet to share with her friends as well as at events organised by the ICAV to popularise Vietnam.

In her young age, Poldi Sosa also joined movements protesting the war in Vietnam. She founded ICAV and served as its Chairwoman so far, creating a bridge to foster friendship and solidarity with the Vietnamese people, as well as stepping up activities to popularise Vietnams culture and people to Argentine friends.

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She's been making the most of quality time with her loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic.

And Helena Christensen treated fans to a glimpse of her sunny getaway with her pet dog Kuma to Instagram on Sunday.

The supermodel, 52, slipped into a selection of vibrant swimwear as she posed on the sandy shores.

In her element: Helena Christensen treated fans to a glimpse of her sunny getaway with her pet dog Kuma to Instagram on Sunday

Showcasing her sensational figure, the catwalk queen was dressed in a floral print bikini as she cuddled her beloved pooch in one image.

For another outfit, the media personality enhanced her lean legs in a colourful swimsuit by Audrey Louise Reynolds.

The Danish photographer ensured focus remained on her patchwork ensemble as she opted for minimal make-up while her tresses were drenched in water.

Commanding attention: The supermodel, 52, slipped into a selection of vibrant swimwear as she posed on the sandy shores

Turning up the heat: For one outfit, the media personality enhanced her lean legs in a colourful swimsuit by Audrey Louise Reynolds

Helena's modelling career was launched when she won the Miss Universe Denmark title in 1986.

The bombshell went on to become one of the original 1990s supermodels alongside Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Elle Macpherson and Claudia Schiffer.

Since her break into the fashion industry, the clothing designer also has become an accomplished photographer and was a co-founder of Nylon magazine that published from 1999 to 2017.

In 2019, the former Victoria's Secret Angel spoke to Daily Mail about some of her fitness secrets.

The brunette, who shares son Mingus, 21, with her former partner Norman Reedus, detailed how she likes to swim in 'rivers, lakes and oceans' in a bid to maintain her sensational figure.

She shared: 'I think it's important to shake it up and do as many different forms of workout as possible, but also to incorporate nature into them.

'Swim in the ocean, swim in rivers, swim in lakes. Hiking, trekking, chopping wood  it's the best way of working out, because it doesn't really feel like a workout. It feels like you're alive.'
Brood X is here

Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield.
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She previously revealed she was dating a new man under lockdown conditions after her split from her model boyfriend Elliott Reeder.

And Montana Brown looked loved-up as she enjoyed a stroll on the beach in Barbados with a new mystery man on Saturday.

The former Love Island star, 25, put on a cosy display with her companion as they were seen wrapping their arms around each other.

Cosy: Montana Brown looked loved-up as she enjoyed a stroll on the beach in Barbados with a new mystery man on Saturday

After their stroll on the sands, the pair were seen arriving at the posh Lone Star Restaurant in St. James Parish.

The mystery man put his arm around the reality star as they arrived at the venue and enjoyed a meal.

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Montana Brown for comment.

During her outing, the TV star looked stylish in a khaki shirt which she tucked into white shorts.

Loved-up: The former Love Island star, 25, put on a cosy display with her companion as they were seen wrapping their arms around each other

Love life: Montana previously revealed she was dating a new man under lockdown conditions after her split from her model boyfriend Elliott Reeder

Dinner: After their stroll on the sands, the pair were seen arriving at the posh Lone Star Restaurant in St. James Parish

Montana also sported a red bikini top on the outing while she styled her brunette locks into an updo.

Also wearing a pair of shades, the social media star completed her look for the day with a pair of sandals.

Montana's companion opted for a casual look, wearing a white shirt with dark green shorts and a matching cap.

Reality personality Montana has been in the Caribbean since before Christmas after jetting out to spend the festive period with her family.

Outing: The mystery man put his arm around the reality star as they arrived at the venue and enjoyed a meal

Outfit: During her outing, the TV star looked stylish in a khaki shirt which she tucked into white shorts

Looking good: Montana also sported a red bikini top on the outing while she styled her brunette locks into an updo

Prior to jetting to Barbados, Montana spent time in the Maldives shooting a campaign for her swimwear line, Swim Society.

Back in June, Montana revealed she was planning to meet up with her potential date for a walk as she chatted to pal Joanna Chimonides on FUBAR Radio.

Montana, who split from Elliott in January after two years together, said: 'We have a light at the end of the tunnel okay.

'This guy, we're going to go on a walk, and he was like, "I'm gonna come pick you up". He lives like quite far from me and where we're going is not near me either.

Style: Also wearing a pair of shades, the social media star completed her look for the day with a pair of sandals

Casual: Montana's companion opted for a casual look, wearing a white shirt with dark green shorts and a matching cap

Getaway: Reality personality Montana has been in the Caribbean since before Christmas after jetting out to spend the festive period with her family

'He's like, "no I'm gonna pick you up. I'm gonna swing by, pick you up. Do you have any allergies? Because I'm gonna grab some food on the way for our walk".

'I was like," would you like to marry me?!"

And Montana said she doesn't want a high profile romance as she is 'craving normality'.

The television personality revealed: 'He's not famous which is actually ideal for me because I'm craving normality.

Busy: Prior to jetting to Barbados, Montana spent time in the Maldives shooting a campaign for her swimwear line, Swim Society

Date: Back in June, Montana revealed she was planning to meet up with her potential date for a walk as she chatted to pal Joanna Chimonides on FUBAR Radio

'I just want someone who only wants me and not a million other girls I just want to find a doctor in Sheffield that no one knows, who lives with his grandma or something, got a farm maybe, and that's me sorted.'

When asked about the attention she's received since being on the show three years ago, Montana explained: 'You do get boys talking to you but they're just so odd.

'This boy right, I was like, "oh you know, he's attractive, I'll match him on whatever". So I match with him  "do you have snap?" 'No I don't have snap!' I don't want your What?! I was like, "are you taking the p**s"?!'

Elliott and Montana dated for two years and went Instagram official back in February 2018, just eight weeks into their relationship.

Future: Montana, who split from Elliott in January after two years together, said: 'We have a light at the end of the tunnel okay'

She said: 'This guy, we're going to go on a walk, and he was like, "I'm gonna come pick you up". He lives like quite far from me and where we're going is not near me either'

Montana previously spoke about her jealous streak over the amount of attention Elliott gets.

She said: 'There are people in the limelight who follow him and like his pictures who don't even know him. It's not very nice when people want to go for your man.'

Talk turned to the cancellation of Love Island last summer due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and how future series could differ: 'I'm going to really miss it.

'I'm honestly kind of a bit gutted. I think they need to send me and Jo back on because neither of us have found love,' she said.

She added: 'He's like, "no I'm gonna pick you up. I'm gonna swing by, pick you up. Do you have any allergies? Because I'm gonna grab some food on the way for our walk"

Limelight: Montana said she doesn't want a high profile romance as she is 'craving normality'

'Normality': The television personality revealed: 'He's not famous which is actually ideal for me because I'm craving normality'

Agreeing with Montana, Joanna added: 'I think they should get all previous Love Islanders who haven't yet got a partner, us two, and they should put us on it and see how we get on.

'I'm up for it. If I did that again, I reckon I would maybe embrace it a bit more and be like, "this could be my husband".'

Montana then noted: 'I think I was more in it for the experience last time. Now I want one [husband] now! Where's the rock on my finger?!'

It comes as Montana recently brushed off backlash she'd faced from her fans who claimed she was 'rubbing in' the fact she'd escaped lockdown as she lived it up abroad while most of the UK are ordered to stay at home.

Montana said: 'I just want someone who only wants me and not a million other girls I just want to find a doctor in Sheffield that no one knows, who lives with his grandma or something, got a farm maybe, and that's me sorted'

She appeared to be in unfazed by the current COVID-19 restrictions back in the UK as she happily danced along to popular tune Fergalicious in her Barbados hotel room in a recent social media clip.

Montana came under fire for sharing 'what she's been doing in lockdown', despite having been in Barbados when the UK was plunged into a third lockdown.

Alongside her clip, she penned: 'when people ask what you've been doing in lockdown.... with my Babygirl @frankiebowdenn'

The TV star was then slammed by Instagram users, who claimed that the star was 'hardly in lockdown' as she had 'escaped the UK' in favour of balmy Barbados.

Unwanted attention: When asked about the attention she's received since being on the show three years ago, Montana explained: 'You do get boys talking to you but they're just so odd'

She said of past matches: 'This boy right, I was like, "oh you know, he's attractive, I'll match him on whatever". So I match with him  "do you have snap?" 'No I don't have snap!' I don't want your What?! I was like, "are you taking the p**s"?!'

Ex: Elliott and Montana dated for two years and went Instagram official back in February 2018, just eight weeks into their relationship (pictured in 2019)

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.

One angry fan fumed: 'When the rest of the U.K. are following the rules and not travelling.....'

While another commented: 'LOCKDOWN?! Please stop'. And a third wrote: 'Hardly lockdown. Do anything to escape the uk whilst we're all in the shit'

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.'

The Barbados government has recently brought in tough measures to suppress coronavirus transmission on the popular winter holiday destination.

Those breaking Covid laws on the island face an 18,000 fine or jail.
His president and No. 1 client, Donald J. Trump, is no longer in office. His claims of election fraud, unfounded and disproved, were dismissed in courts across the country. He may still face criminal charges, and now there is a move to disbar him in New York.

But Rudolph W. Giuliani still has a voice, amplified by a 50,000-watt radio station nestled in Midtown Manhattan. And there, Mr. Giuliani is his usual, unrestrained self.

Think Mr. Trump lost the election? Mr. Giuliani vehemently disagrees.

He won that election, Mr. Giuliani said last week on his radio show on WABC-AM (770). You give me one hour. I will prove it to you with pictures, documents, votes and people we can call on the phone in five states.

And the people who want him disbarred?

Idiots, malicious left-wingers and irresponsible political hacks, he said on his show on Thursday. You want to disbar me? I think Im going to move to disbar you.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The krewes of Drips and Discharges/Krewe of KAOS contacted Gambit to note the event will not accept items from the public, and the dumpster fire will be at an as yet undetermined date.

Parade watchers are not supposed to hurl throws theyve caught, or anything else, at krewe floats, except for a handful of riderless floats where that became a tradition. But a couple of Krewe du Vieux subkrewes have found a new twist on returning unwanted items in the satirical groups 2021 parade-alternative event, which begins Saturday, Jan. 30.

The subkrewes of Drips and Discharges and Krewe of K.A.O.S. are constructing a large effigy of Donald Trumps head which will be placed in a dumpster. Mementos or emblems of the horrors of the past year will be tossed in a dumpster. Afterward, the dumpster will be taken to an open field and torched, says Krewe du Vieux captain Sebastian Bogershausen. The fire also will be filmed and live-streamed.

Were trying to create this cathartic moment of finally getting rid of all the crap that happened to us in 2020  the president, the pandemic  and hope for better days to come, Bogershausen says.

Just having an event should be welcome news to Carnival fans. Krewe du Vieuxs plan is for subkrewes to stage their own satirical, artistic or socially conscious installations around the city. Most will be on display Saturday, when the parade would have rolled, and Sunday, Jan. 31. Some of the displays will stay up through Fat Tuesday, or as long as they last. There is a list of subkrewes and the locations of many of the installations in Le Monde de Merde, the krewes newspaper, which is available in print and online at kreweduvieux.org.

Were encouraging the public to nominate a designated driver and then safely and in a socially distanced way, in their pod, go around town and see the installations, have a drink and contribute at locations where that is possible, Bogershausen says.

The theme for 2021 is Krewe du Vieux has No Taste, a reference to a symptom of contracting COVID-19 and a nod to the groups often crass themes and floats. The Krewe of Mama Roux is providing scratch-and-sniff COVID tests at 1113 Decatur St., so anyone who smells something foul should take it as good news.

The Krewe of Comatose is running a sort of treasure hunt. Its members are adding to the citys array of little libraries, the birdhouse-like collections of free books many residents have posted in front of their homes. Krewe carpenters built 10 alternative libraries which each will have their own special collections. Anyone looking for Rouses Right Wing Recipes can find them on a block near the Rouses supermarket on Tchoupitoulas Street. The cookbook satirizes the news that Donald Rouse Sr., the co-owner of Rouses, and the companys former HR director, attended Trumps rally in Washington, D.C., prior to the deadly assault on the Capitol on Jan. 6. Other libraries focus on other topics, and each will have a list of all the libraries locations, says Comatose captain Lee Mullikin.

Many exhibits are not political. The Mystick Krewe of Inane is Staging a Coop at the parklet at the Phoenix Bar at 941 Elysian Fields Ave. Visitors to the giant chicken coop, which may have a live chicken or krewe members dressed as chickens, can get a plastic egg, which may have a note, or a surprise or confetti. The coop will be up while egg supplies last. The Krewe of SPANK is creating two Pants Down, Masks Up displays. There will be displays on the history of Carnival masking and an imagined future of masking. One is in Gentilly and one is across from Markeys Bar at 640 Louisa St. in Bywater. The Krewe of Space Age Love is building an Oral Vaccination Station. Seeds of Decline is taking over the balcony above the R Bar. The Krewe de C.R.A.P.S. is reworking its 2020 float and parking it at 171 Walnut St., and it will accept donations of canned foods for Second Harvest Food Bank.

Krewe du Vieux also is running a fundraiser to support the brass bands that would normally march in the parade. Its inviting krewe members and fans to donate to a fund being set up in conjunction with the Krewe of Red Beans, Boegershausen says. Theres a link on the Krewe du Vieux website, and funds are earmarked for its bands. Individual subkrewes also are raising funds for other Covid relief efforts, including the New Orleans Musicians Assistance Fund, formerly the New Orleans Musicians Clinic.

Various installations will be filmed, and a documentary about the activities will be screened at a live event later year in the year, Bogershausen says.

He also sees a positive message in the alternative events.

Its just not possible to do what we normally do, but thats not a reason to pack up your bags and go home, he says. There was plenty of material from the city and the country to be lampooned. Its smaller and not as bombastic, not as lewd and crude as other years, but itll still be something special.
NEW DELHI : The government may in the Budget next week announce formulation of a dedicated policy for the toys sector to boost domestic manufacturing, sources said.

They said the policy will help in creating a strong ecosystem for the industry in the country and also attract startups.

The commerce and industry ministry is already taking steps to promote domestic manufacturing of toys. It has came out with a quality control order for the sector and had also increased import duty last year on toys.

Quality control order is one of the ways to stop flow of cheap sub-standard toys into the domestic market.

A source said that the country has low share in the international toys industry and India's exports account for less than 0.5 per cent of global demand, so there are immense opportunities in this segment.

The other areas which could be considered for the sector include promotion of research and development and design centres for toys.

"Boosting manufacturing would also help increase exports of toys from India. Countries like China and Vietnam are major players in the sector," they added.

India's toy exports are limited to about USD 100 million.

The toys industry in India is primarily in the unorganised sector, comprising about 4,000 small and medium enterprises.

About 85 per cent of toys are imported in the country, with maximum coming from China. It is followed by Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Germany, Hong Kong and the US.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that India has talent and ability to become a toy hub for the entire world and called upon startups to work towards realising this potential while being "vocal about local toys". PTI RR ANZ MKJ

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No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, Oregonians benefit from a strong Republican party. Even in a state that regularly elects Democrats to top posts, a capable GOP can play a vital role in providing accountability and shaping government to better serve all of us. Whether its championing rural concerns or injecting fiscal prudence in spending plans, Oregons Republican party has historically shown how opposing voices can make a meaningful difference.

But lately, Oregonians are not benefiting from what this Republican party is offering. Its not just that the party practically ceded the 2020 attorney generals race to Democrats and put up a weak nominee for secretary of state. Its not just the two unmerited recall efforts of Gov. Kate Brown that, unsurprisingly, went nowhere or that Republican lawmakers staged four walkouts in two years.

Its also the current leaderships embrace of alarmist rhetoric and conspiracy theory that are rendering the Oregon GOP more and more irrelevant. While leaders of all parties spin news to support their own objectives, they should at least advance an interpretation tethered to verifiable facts and grounded in rationality. A resolution released last week by the Oregon GOP reflects instead a party steering hard to the extreme fringe of its constituency at the cost of its credibility.

The resolution condemned the 10 Republican representatives  all from other states  for voting to impeach former President Donald Trump for inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, as The Oregonian/OregonLives Ted Sickinger reported. Full of ominous language of Democratic dictatorships and Republican betrayals, the resolution argues that the riots may have been a false flag operation by leftists to discredit Trump supporters, despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary. It also paints an apocalyptic picture of life under the Biden/Harris administration, suggesting that, among other things, the government may seek to place conservatives on a secret no-fly list.

The accusations, fearful scenarios and conjecture stand in stark contrast with the broad acknowledgment by Americans that the riots at the U.S. Capitol were a disgraceful assault on our democracy brought on by Trump. While a Senate trial will decide whether his actions meet the legal definition, his lies and targeting of officials including his own vice president meet Americas definition.

Unfortunately, the partys resolution reflects a larger problem that crosses party lines, in which people shop around until they find the set of facts that best match their world view. Critics all along the political spectrum denounce mainstream media when its reporting contradicts a favored narrative. But if we cannot even agree on a common set of facts, theres little hope that we can bridge the massive gap that divides Oregon and find common ground.

Kevin Hoar, the GOP party spokesman, defended the resolution as a reflection of the opinions and concerns of many Republicans who disagreed with the impeachment and believe it is harming the country. He said many in Oregon feel frustrated, silenced and persecuted, even though they abhorred the assault on the Capitol.

But such words only further inflame an already incendiary environment. Rep. Mike Nearman, R-Independence, is under investigation after opening a door in the closed state Capitol to rioters during Decembers special session. Sen. Dallas Heard, R-Roseburg, has encouraged people in his district to expose those who complain about businesses not following coronavirus restrictions. The state party should be seeking to calm tensions, not stoke them.

Certainly, its fair for the party to criticize impeachment, and to call out representatives who they feel are hurting Republicans. And Republicans in Oregon have a legitimate complaint that their priorities and concerns within the Oregon Capitol are easily overpowered by a Democratic majority that controls the rules and has the votes. Rural Oregons many years of lagging economic prosperity reflects its lack of power and a lack of urgency by urban legislators to address it.

But if Republicans want to make a case to the 75% of the Oregon electorate that aligns with other parties, they must present reasoned arguments. They must strongly reject the cringe-worthy elements of their own party. They must start from a common base of facts. Recognizing Trumps role in the Jan. 6 insurrection should not be such a difficult place to start.

- The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board

Subscribe to our free weekly Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email:


The Covid-19 death toll now stands at 440, with the deaths of 15 more people yesterday.

The Ministry of Health reported the deaths in its daily update yesterday evening.

One of the new deaths occurred in Tobago. The Tobago Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development disclosed that the patient was a 38-year-old male with co-morbidities.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia reports that there are closed roads in the territory of Armenia.

The roads leading from Amberd high mountainous meteorological station to Amberd Fortress and Lake Kari in Aragatsotn Province are closed, and the Vardenyats Mountain Pass is only closed for trucks with clutches.

The Goris-Tatev road in Syunik Province is closed due to snowstorms (there are over 100 cars), and road cleaning is in progress.

The Aparan-Aragats road of Aragatsotn Province, as well as the roads in Vayots Dzor and Shirak Provinces are icy.

According to the information received from the Emergency Situations Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the Crisis Management Center of Northern Ossetia at the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation, the Stepantsminda-Lars road is open for all types of vehicles (there are over 1,000 trucks on the Russian side).

According to the information provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, the decision prohibiting the entry of foreigners into Georgia is still in effect, but the ban doesnt concern cargo transportation.

Drivers are advised to drive only with winter tires.

Japan is considering using its national ID system for its coronavirus vaccine rollout program, hoping to avoid the pitfalls and confusion that was created when the government dispersed economic aid earlier in the pandemic.

Vaccinating the country's 125 million people has taken on a heightened sense of urgency as hospital officials have warned the medical system was near collapse and the nation prepares to host the Tokyo Summer Games this year. While Japan has kept its rates of COVID-19 relatively low compared with the Americas and Europe, it has seen a surge in the new year and is under its second state of emergency due to daily rises in cases.

To ensure a smooth rollout of vaccines, the government wants a more unified approach to vaccination distribution and will likely use the "My Number" ID system. That system is a 12-digit number issued to all citizens and residents of Japan, including foreign residents, used for taxes, social security and disaster situations.

Currently, vaccines are distributed differently in each municipality. Such disparities could cause confusion in rolling out the vaccines, which need to be taken twice within a certain period.

The government plans to start vaccinating medical workers from the end of February. From late March at the earliest, people 65 and older will receive the shots. People getting vaccines will take coupons from local municipal authorities to the vaccination sites, which are typically medical facilities near their homes.

The new system would be linked to the national "My Number" IDs and the vaccination coupons. Information about who took the vaccine in which places would be shared by municipalities across Japan. The government aims to start operating the system by the spring, when they expect mass inoculations to begin.
Dozens of Moldovans gathered on January 23 outside the Russian Embassy in Chisinau in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny. At the same time, about a dozen demonstrators nearby chanted slogans against Navalny while waving the flag of Moldova's Russia-backed breakaway Transdniester region and the black-and-orange St. George ribbons used by Kremlin supporters. Large protests against Navalny's prosecution took place on January 23 across Russia and abroad.
There were few precedents and no standard protocols for this work, which was funded in part by the U.S. State Department. The clothes had been housed in buildings that were not entirely sealed off to their tropical climes, she said, letting in rodents, birds, microorganisms, rains, sunlight, which literally eat them up.
https://www.aish.com/ci/s/50-Violinists-from-50-States-One-Big-Thank-You.html

Expressing our profound gratitude to healthcare workers through the language of art.

As a professional classical violinist, I had a lot of time on my hands during the pandemic since concerts and gigs were canceled or postponed. I began practicing new pieces, like Salut dAmour, a beautiful short song by the English composer Edward Elgar, written as an engagement present to his soon-to-be wife. Its full of love and romance and lyricism.

One of my relatives is an ER doctor in NYC, and reading the news, I was thinking about what she must go through every day. I wanted to do something to show her support and care during this tremendously difficult time. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to play for her this beautiful piece of music by Elgar. Maybe shed find solace and comfort in it, even if for a moment. But knowing that healthcare workers all over the country were defending us on the frontlines, reaching out to one doctor in New York didnt feel like enough. So I took on the goal to organize violinists from every state in America to record Salut dAmour and virtually play it together, as a way to show unity and gratitude for our healthcare workers.

Aviva Chertok

I knew musicians from so many places, and the classical community is tight-knit, so I was sure I could find 50 violinists in all states within a week. With enough hubris to get me started, I began reaching out to friends from Florida, Michigan, Kentucky, California, as many as I could each day, and to my excitement, most said yes to the project right away. After 20-some states, I began asking for friends to recommend musicians, finding a violinist from the Milwaukee Symphony who studied at my university, a woman from the Hawaii Symphony who had studied with my same teacher back in Chicago, and more with surprising connections.

Eventually, it got down to places like New Hampshire and the Dakotas, and I was emailing symphony personnel managers and professors at various universities. Two weeks later, I had 50 violinists from every state in America practicing Elgars piece at their homes and starting to send in their recordings.

With Gods merciful hand guiding the process, a friend from North Carolina (violinist turned professional filmmaker) volunteered hours and hours of his time to edit the videos so that 50 tracks of violinists playing a song would sound perfectly in sync. In the end, violinists from as far away as the Arkansas Symphony and Boise Philharmonic expressed their joy at taking part in the project and making music while their concert halls lay shuttered and dark.

Fulfilling this project was a magical experience. It lifted the spirits of many musicians as we bonded together to create a gift of music that comes from our very essence. And it gave us the opportunity to express our profound gratitude to healthcare workers through the language of art that brings Gods light into the world.

Please watch the video below:
Shes an up-and-coming actress next set to appear in the long-awaited monster movie Godzilla Vs. Kong.

And Eiza Gonzalez was seen attending to some personal care on Saturday, when she was spotted exiting a skincare center in Los Angeles, California.

The Mexican actress, 30, wore a denim jacket adorned with white fleece collar and sleeves.

Taking care of personal business: Eiza Gonzalez was seen attending to some personal care on Saturday, when she was spotted exiting a skincare center in Los Angeles

Underneath, Eiza kept warm in a dark brown hoodie during the cold and rainy Los Angeles day.

On the bottom, the Baby Driver star opted for light gray sweatpants along with white Fila sneakers.

Gonzalez kept her hood up, with her long brown locks spilling out from one side.

Cool and casual: The Mexican actress, 30, wore a denim jacket adorned with white fleece collar and sleeves

She sported small rounded sunglasses.

As a final element in her ensemble, a nude Lapcos face mask served as a measure of protection against the still-prevalent coronavirus pandemic.

On her Instagram stories, the starlet appeared to explain the reason for her Saturday skincare center visit.

From the back: On the bottom, the Baby Driver star opted for light gray sweatpants along with white Fila sneakers

She first uploaded a still image showing an ornate floral tattoo that was square on the top of her right foot.

On top of the photo, she included a black text box which read, 'As Phil Collins once said Think twice.'

The following entry was video footage showing the process of tattoo laser removal, which looked surprisingly fast and efficient.

'Think twice': On her Instagram stories, the starlet appeared to provide context for her Saturday skincare center visit

Ouch: The following entry was video footage showing the process of the tattoo laser removal, which looked surprisingly fast and efficient

Here she included a caption on the bottom: 'Preferably dont drink and get tattooed when youre young.'

Eiza also included a rolling on the floor laughing with tears emoji, along with a crying face one.

As an in-demand actress, its no surprise that Gonzalez would seek to get her body art removed  distinguishable characteristics such as tattoos can often serve as impediments in the casting process.

As an in-demand actress, its no surprise that Gonzalez would seek to get her ink removed: Distinguishable characteristics like tattoos can serve as impediments in the casting process

In addition to Godzilla Vs. Kong, the Bloodshot star is also currently at work on the new thriller Ambulance, opposite Jake Gyllenhaal.

The film, directed by Michael Bay, follows two brothers who hijack an ambulance after bungling a bank robbery.

Gonzalez is also set to appear in the Netflix movie I Care A Lot next month, opposite Rosamund Pike.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  A luxury resort in Boracay will be temporarily closed after several workers tested positive for COVID-19.

Shangri-La's Boracay Resort and Spa will be closed for 48 hours for disinfection after 16 employees were found positive for the virus.

The closure was initially slated for five days, but the resort management appealed for it to be shortened to 48 hours. Governor Florencio Miraflores granted the request on Saturday, Jan. 23.

Employees were pulled out of the resort while guests were moved to other hotels and resorts on the island. Others who opted for refunds and rebooking were also considered.

Meanwhile, the local government of Aklan is planning to have free RT-PCR tests administered to all hotel workers in Boracay. No dates and details regarding the tests have been released.

Aklan-based stringer Carla Doromal contributed to this report.
Erode: If India's labourers, farmers and weavers were strong, protected and given opportunities, China would never dare to come inside India, said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday.

Interacting with weavers in Odanilai of Erode district of Tamil Nadu, the former Congress president said China has understood that Indian economy is on its knees, and every action of our government is designed to strengthen five-six big business people.

"You must have read that the Chinese army is occupying the Indian Territory, and many people say that Bangladesh is competing very strongly in the textile industry. Now, one has to ask why China thinks it has the guts to come inside Indian territory? It has not happened before. China can see that that India is weak," he said.

Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said the PM does not have the courage to say the word 'China' and has not used the neighbouring country's name in his speeches for the past few months.

"You saw yourself that Prime Minister of the country does not have the courage to say the word China. You look at his speeches from the past three-four months, he does not say word China, and China is sitting inside India. There is a reason behind that, China has understood that the Indian economy is on its knees. China can see that every single action of the Indian government is designed to strengthen five or six big business people and weaken India's real strength-- the labourers, weavers and Farmers," the Wayanad MP stated.

"I will go one step further, I can also guarantee you that India's farmers, labourers, weavers and MSMEs were strong then the president of China will be wearing a shirt made in India. I can also guarantee that Chinese will be driving Indian cars, flying in Indian aeroplane and their home will have Indian carpets. Why is this not happening, because our government is insisting on helping five or six India's richest business people and destroying India's true strength," he added.

Today is the day two of the Gandhi's three-day visit to the western belt in Tamil Nadu, where he is having interactions with farmers, weavers and the general public.

During the visit, he is scheduled to cover Tiruppur, Erode, Karur and Dindigul districts till January 25.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

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Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield.
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Activities for the state funeral for Ghanas former president, Jerry Rawlings, began on Sunday with a Requiem Mass at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra.

Later in the evening, there will be a vigil at the Air Force Officers Mess in the Ghanaian capital.

Giant portraits of the former President, who was a Flight Lieutenant in the Ghana Air Force, adorn the Accra International Conference Centre, where he will lie in state on Monday and Tuesday for various interest groups and members of the public to pay their last respects.

His maternal kinsmen, the Anlo Traditional Council, will host two days of mourning for the late leader. His father was from Scotland.

According to the funeral programme, Rawlings, 73, will receive a full military burial service on Wednesday, January 27, at the Independence Square in Accra after which he will be buried.

The former President died suddenly at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra on November 12, 2020.

He burst onto the Ghanaian political scene when he was arrested and tried for mutiny in May 1979.

At that trial, Mr Rawlings, who was a fighter pilot, defended himself by criticising the military leadership at the time for widespread corruption.

This won him many admirers and he was sprung from jail on 4 June by junior officers and other ranks to lead an uprising that they called house cleaning exercise.

Three former military leaders were executed during the period which is regarded as the bloodiest in Ghanas history.

He handed over to a civilian government in September 1979 but staged another coup on 31 December 1981 and ruled as a military leader until 1993 when he was sworn in as a civilian president after winning a multi-party election on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) which he formed.

He served two terms as the democratically elected President of Ghana from January 7, 1993 to January 7, 2001, before handing over to John Agyekum Kufuor, whose New Patriotic Party (NPP) won the presidential election in December 2000.

He was an active politician and a fierce anti-graft leader. He spoke his mind freely.

Mr Rawlings was someone who one had to like or hate depending on where one stood.

(PANA/NAN)
The collision involving a tractor and a lorry took place on Saturday.

A man in his 60s is in a critical condition in hospital after a two vehicle crash near Omagh on Saturday.

Police investigating the road traffic collision on the Curr Road have appealed for witnesses or dashcam footage

The collision involving a tractor and a lorry, which took place near the junction with the Killadroy Road, was reported to police at around 12:50pm.

Police are appealing for anyone who was travelling on the Curr Road on Saturday and who witnessed the collision, or captured any footage on dashcam, which could assist the police investigation to contact local officers in Omagh on 101 quoting reference 736 of 23/01/21.

Police are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have dash cam footage of the collision.
Another year, another colour? Not so fast, blue while omnipresent today, only three centuries ago was the most sought after possession. Pigments of colour blue as the rarest possession of all have influenced the choice of subjects by the great painters, and this rarity itself has given a whole new meaning to the use and symbolism of the colour. The history itself and the use of colour blue shows us that behind the creation of art pieces and their historical meaning stand sometimes simple reasons. Those reasons were for centuries mostly economical and have shaped the message behind some of the most important masterpieces to date. Nevertheless as we are to discover chemistry was behind it all.

The Historical Use of The Colour Blue

While blue itself is present within infinite sources around us (we see it by looking at the sky, rivers, seas and flowers around us), creating the same is a whole nother story. Going back you will literally find no blue colour in the early prehistoric art, cave drawings feature none of it. Besides a small presence of blue colour in certain flowers reproducing the same into actual blue pigment has proved almost impossible throughout the centuries. Historians claim before the discovery of certain pigments we did not even have names for many today present nuances. In addition some historians are willing to argue early colour blindness. One of the most important literary pieces to date, Odyssey a poem by Homer actually confirms this colour blindness  the ocean in the poem was described as wine-red. First pigments we were able to reproduce were black and white, followed by green and yellow, while blue lacked behind for centuries.

Egyptians were the first ones to master creation of the coveted blue pigment, datin back as far as 2200 BC. In a special treatment of limestone, sand and various minerals they managed to create a special powder like substance closely reflecting the colour of sky and the sea. By heating these three components to extremely high temperature the Egyptians would create a sort of a glass like material bond of undefined colour. Afterwards they would crush the glass like structure into fine powder dust and once adding up the egg yolk to the substance would turn it into colour blue. For centuries egg yolk was for artists more important than the brush itself. Egg yolk was the additive holding together and shaping the colour powders they were using.

The history itself and the use of colour blue shows us that behind the creation of art pieces and their historical meaning stand sometimes simple reasons. Those reasons were for centuries mostly economical and have shaped the message behind some of the most important masterpieces to date

This nuance of blue colour was known as the Egyptian blue and it was used to colour ceramics, statues and interior of the tombs. Still the production was a very complicated process, and even the slightest discrepancy would result in failure. In fact the formula by which Egyptians created their colour blue was guarded as a highly important secret.

Egyptian blue was one of the most important components in the empires export, giving away the secret would be equivalent to a modern day economic collapse. Yet according to historians the basics of the formula were actually known, however the biggest problem to create Egyptian blue was inability to produce the needed high temperature. This was an impossible task for many outside Egyptian borders who have tried and failed countless times. The colour they would get once drying would closely resemble mud, you would agree far from the coveted blue sky.

Egyptian blue quickly became one of the most desired colours in the Roman empire, and thanks to the trade agreements with Egypt the Romans had plenty of it to go around. Unfortunately with the turmoil on the crossing into the middle ages within the mediterranean civilizations and the fall of Egypt the precious production technique simply got lost. Only recently, four thousand years later, scientists were able to recreate the creation of the original Egyptian blue. The original egyptian blue actually glows under the fluorescent lighting. This was an incredibly important part of the discovery, thanks to this recent discovery the experts are able to verify the age and authenticity of recovered artifacts.

Virginal Blue

For artists working in Christian Europe colour blue was a direct connection to Virgin Mary, this was even made official by the Church. In year 431 the church created a certain colour rule book, by which each of the saints would get an assigned colour in addition to various other symbols assigned to them. Think of modern day uniformed superheroes, blue is for Captain America but also for Virgin Mary. In fact, we will get back to that connection in a bit. In addition to respecting the colour order when creating religious art the middle century artist also had to pay attention to various rules. Blue assigned to Virgin Mary will to this day in religious art represent a symbol of her good will, caringness and purity.

For centuries this symbolism of purity and righteousness was closely connected to the colour blue. Deeply from within this depiction given to the colour many countries have assigned blue colour to their national symbols but also the law enforcement. Thus today its hard to find a country whose police force is not wearing blue uniforms. And even in todays comic book art, if you are a superhero saviour likely you are wearing blue spandex.

In year 431 the church created a certain colour rule book, by which each of the saints would get an assigned colour in addition to various other symbols assigned to them

Going back to the recipe, the old Egyptian blue technique while entirely lost did not leave the mind of scientists and artists trying to recreate the pigment in the middle ages. No matter how hard they would try to trace it back and repeat it there was nothing but failure on that field for millenia to come. Nevertheless what Europeans noticed is that even artisans of the time in Egypt still had other sources of colour blue . The source at this point was coming from an expensive blue stone called Lapis Lazuli. This stone was already discovered in the previous era, it was mined in the territory of todays Afghanistan. Still while Egyptians did try to create colour out of the stone there was little success, instead the stone was widely used by jewellers of the time.

The Middle ages proved a bit more successful with harvesting blue out of Lapis lazuli and blue was finally extracted from it. The colour achieved from this precious stone to this day is known as the famed nuance of Ultramarin. The name came thanks to the route the stone would take to travel to Europe via the sea  thus ultramarinus. This was no easy road for the colour blue travelling all the way from Asia, it was often a target since it was more sought after by the robbers in the middle ages than gold itself. At one point the pigment was more expensive than the precious metal itself. In records, through all of the middle ages till the early 18th century the value of ultramarine was equal if not at times even more expensive than gold itself.

This extremely difficult trading route has made ultramarine one of the most expensive colours to date. Even if artists of the time were able to find it they would use very little of it and save it only for the most special painting. Therefore next time you find yourself in a gold clad church from the middle ages or walking through a museum wing dedicated to the art of the time, stop for a moment and look for the colour blue. Even with the dominance of gold blue you will find it saved only for Virgin Mary, an angel or two and a few out of worldly characters  the royals. With such growing importance of the blue colour Monarchs of the time could simply not get enough of it. After the state symbols and flags quickly got the touches of blue, so did the royal portraits. If a ruler was to get a portrait make sure they were to wear blue in it, thus thanks to this the term royal blue was coined.

For centuries this symbolism of purity and righteousness was closely connected to the colour blue. Deeply from within this depiction given to the colour many countries have assigned blue colour to their national symbols but also the law enforcement. Thus today its hard to find a country whose police force is not wearing blue uniforms

The obsession with blue lingered for centuries, at one point historians depict it as so expensive not even the most famous artists of the time could get their hands on it. Even artists sponsored by monarchs and churches such as Michelangelo Buonarroti and Leonardo da Vinci desperately struggled with the lack of blue. It is known few of his masterpieces Michelangelo abandoned not because of lack of inspiration but due to the lack of blue colour. Simply he could not afford the blue he needed to finish his pieces. While Italian Painter Raffaello Santi saved it only to colour the capes of his famed madonnas.

Leonardo da Vinci himself was cursed by the sparsity of blue colour. For this most famous is his work on the painting of Virgin Mary commissioned by one of the most important churches in Milan. Starting in 1483 for three years da Vinci was working on The Virgin of The Rocks to only desperately disappoint the church authorities. Even though today this is considered as one of the most beautiful paintings by Leonardo da Vinci the fraternity of the church was upset the artist used no blue colour spitting the strict canons of the Catholic Church. Not only did da Vinci betray by not using the colour blue he dared to remove the halos from top of the saint heads and other at that time canonized symbols. His intention on the contrary was to depict this religiously important moment of Virgin Mary and baby Jesus meeting the saints as something the people could relate to. Making sure the depiction is more out of this worldly than godly. The church authorities in Lombardy never forgave this to Leonardo, yet to make amends 10 years later Leonardo painted the same painting with the addition of colour blue for the mountains in the back and Virgin Marys cape. The first version is today in Londons National Gallery and the blue version is at the Louvre. In addition to Mary, for the second version Leonardo gave a bit of a blue cape to the angel as well but also gave the halos back to their saints.

Throughout the middle ages the artists suffered and longed for the colour blue. As the story goes, the wife of the Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer was incredibly upset over his famed Girl With The Pearl Earring painting. Not only because she was jealous over her own pearl earring he gave to the maid he painted, but for spending the money the family desperately needed on the colour blue used to paint the turban worn by the girl.

STRUCK OF BLUE LUCK

Only by a stroke of luck after four millennia of colour blue being one of the most coveted possessions it all changed in a few short years. First artificial pigment of colour blue was created at the beginning of the 18th century in Berlin. That happened in a laboratory of two men, who likely today would hold a title of entrepreneurs, both were incredibly interested in alchemy.

Their names were Johann Jacob Diesbach and Johann Conrad Dippel. The later one as the story would tell was working on creating a universal potion to cure all of the diseases known to mankind. This ambitious project was called Oleum Animale by its creator, simply said animal oil so therefore he kept distilling animal blood over and over and over again in his laboratory. To create this magical potion he would keep adding up a sort of a fertilizer known at the time. While his business partner Diesbach was the more practical one of the duo, and was actually very well known for creating a very good red colour pigment. His red was created by a murky mix of water used to boil all kinds of insects, acid, aluminium sulphate, iron sulphate and potassium based fertilizer. At one point he was out of fertilizer so without asking he borrowed some from his colleague not knowing this fertilizer was already saturated with animal blood. The moment he mixed it in, his red quickly started changing colour into a purple like substance, then dark red, pink and in the end blue!

Extremely cheaper prussian blue has made the expensive ultramarine a fragment of the past

The duo needless to say thrilled by their accidental discovery named the colour Prussian Blue. Historians are tracing it back to documentation from 1708. While it may seem as easy there was a lot of complication for Diesbach and Dippel, at one point they were about to be prosecuted by the church. Dippel left Berlin and travelled to Holland where he started producing the Prussian Blue on his own. The formula was closely guarded by its creators for more than two decades.

Then, John Woodward, an English naturalist, antiquarian and geologist soon before his death, has published a detailed description of the Prussian Blue manufacturing process. Soon after nobody could control or stop the production of the blue colour. To this day nobody knows how exactly did Woodward obtain the closely guarded secret.

Furthermore, this extremely cheaper prussian blue has made the expensive ultramarine a fragment of the past. This wide availability of the blue colour has soon after resulted in the colour losing also its importance and exclusivity. With what was once an exclusive right of the royals and saints during 18th and 19th century artists just couldnt get enough of blue. Artworks of the time are incredibly rich in blue colour, with entire life works of some artists were dominated by it. Some of the most famous artworks such as Van Goghs The Starry Night and Hokusais The Great Wave off Kanagawa are to this day part of contemporary culture thanks to their blue depictions. Both are the result of the suddenly available prussian blue.

THE CONTEMPORARY BLUE

Art world of the 20th century was equally as impressed with the colour blue. One could say it starts with the blue period of Pablo Picasso, this period for the artist lasting from 1901 till 1904 was incredibly melancholic. It is considered as one of the most saddest moments in the artists opus, he was depicting outlaws, baggers, drunkards and prostitutes. Picassos sadness also came from the death of a close friend. Since then the colour blue is often depicted as a somber one, and blue itself is to this day used to describe a sad feeling  feeling blue.

Blue came back on the art scene in the 2nd part of the 20th century thanks to the French contemporary artist Yves Klein who is celebrated for his monochrome blue canvases. In the mid 50s thanks to his collaboration with a chemist, Klein was able to create a special nuance of blue. This very saturated version of it was described by the artist as the most perfect shade of blue and he protected the same under his name as The International Klein Bleu or IKB.

His blue era Yves Klein started in 1957 at a gallery in Milano, where he exhibited only blue canvases depicting nothing but monochrome colour blue. His monochrome canvases thanks also to his original nuance are now instantly recognizable around the world. Klein famously shared: Blue has no dimensions, it is beyond dimensions, whereas the other colours are not. They are pre-psychological expanses, red, for example, presupposing a site radiating heat.

To this day artists and chemists alike are fascinated by the colour blue. The latest version was also discovered by accident. It happened in 2009, at University of Oregon. The YInMn Blue also known as Oregon Blue or Mas Blue is an inorganic blue pigment that was created by chance by Professor Mas Subramanian and his student Andrew E. Smith. YInMn in the name stands for yttrium, indium, manganese contained in the colour, which was created from a metal substance the scientist and his student were working on. In 2016 various companies started the commercial use of the colour. Crayola who bought the first right for the colour soon after started looking for a more commercial name for the colour and with the help of the public they came up with Bluetiful as a more well beautiful name.

Finally, we have to mention the idea of blue colour today for many is connected to a boy colour. Yet this notionas is fairly novel, and it started only after world war two. With the baby boom following this was actually a commercial gimmick by the garment industry. In fact, in the decades before boys were the ones mostly dressed in pink. The popularity of blue colour is to this day unparalleled. The above mentioned bluetiful is only one of the names it has, the testament to its popularity is the fact that through various languages there are over hundred different names for the shades of blue.

Words by Zarko Davinic, originally published in issue 13 of DSCENE Magazine True Blue issue.
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Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said the government cannot put the lives of employees in peril by forcing them hold the gram panchayat polls.  ysrcongress.com

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court on Thursday expressing its difficulty to conduct the gram panchayat polls as scheduled by the State Election Commission and hold the Covid-19 vaccination programme simultaneously, following the High Courts verdict allowing the elections to be held.

The SLP followed the High Court verdict earlier in the day allowing conduct of the polls despite objections from the state government.

The governments main contention in the SLP is that employees were now preoccupied with the Covid-19 management and vaccination programmes. It would be difficult to simultaneously handle the vaccination programme and the gram panchayat polls, the SLP stated. The government expressed the fear that performing both the tasks at the same time could jeopardise the safety of the general public and the employees. It sought the intervention of the apex court to defer the polls.

Meanwhile, state government adviser (public affairs) Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said the government cannot put the lives of employees in peril by forcing them hold the gram panchayat polls. The state government should not be blamed if the Covid-19 pandemic spread aggravated as a result of simultaneous polls.

Speaking to the media, Reddy slammed Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu for spreading lies such as arrest of former TD president K. Kala Venkata Rao. The police only served a notice on Rao under section 41-A CrPC, asking him to report for an inquiry. Naidu was also making false allegations against the state DGP, he said, and added that such derogatory remarks could invite defamation suits and payment of compensation. .

The adviser flayed Naidu for his insulting remarks about the idols of gods and in particular of Lord Ram. Naidu used expressions like beheading of Ram idol. It only reflected his mental state.

On desecration of the Nandeeswar statue at Santhabommali, Reddy alleged that TD leaders were behind the recent attacks on temples. TD leaders are trying to save their face after CCTV footage exposed their wanton acts. Naidu, he said, encouraged such acts as he was worried over peoples growing support to Chief Minister Jagan for providing good governance and initiating a series of welfare schemes in the state.

Meanwhile, agriculture minister K. Kannababu said in Visakhapatnam that the state government would respect the verdict given by the High Court on gram panchayat polls. He slammed State Election Commissioner N. Ramesh Kumar for his adamant attitude towards holding the polls before completion of his tenure. The SEC, he said, is bent on putting the lives of the people and the employees in danger.

Minister for social welfare Pinepe Viswaroop said in Ongole that the state would move apex court against the High Courts verdict.


Danny Zaragoza /Laredo Morning Times file

Texas A&M International Universitys Police Department, together with CVS Health and the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, is continuing a partnership thats brought a free Drug Collection Unit to the campus.

The Unit is housed in the TAMIU University Police Department Building and serves as a public drop off location for individuals looking to safely dispose of expired and unwanted prescription drugs.
M*A*S*H was an American television comedy that ran from 1972 through 1983. Set in the Korean War, it followed the exploits of a U.S. Army field surgical hospital (the "4077th") as they dealt with the hardships of war, the bureaucratic inefficiencies that hindered their medical efforts, and the many characters and personalities they encountered along the way. Although the series had a constant subtle undertone of anti-Americanism and took veiled jabs at the military establishment and conservative thought, the series itself was well acted and entertaining, as borne out by its remarkable eleven-year run.

For the first three seasons, the 4077th was commanded by the character Lt. Colonel Henry Blake. Blake was a kindly, bumbling sort, who never quite knew what he was doing and was blissfully unaware of the shenanigans continually being pulled off by the mischievous doctors and staff under his supervision. One particularly funny character was the company clerk, Corporal Walter "Radar" O'Reilly. It was O'Reilly's task to get Col. Blake to sign the authorization orders and requisitions.

On many occasions, O'Reilly would put multiple requests on Blake's desk and wait impatiently for them to be signed. The hapless, oft-confused Blake would say, "Radar, what the heck am I signing?"

The clever O'Reilly would reply, "Oh, don't worry, sir. You want this." "Okay, Radar. If you say so."

Joe Biden is this country's Lt. Colonel Henry Blake.

To begin his largely symbolic, retribution-based term of office, "President" Biden issued 17 executive orders on his first day. There can't be any real doubt in peoples' minds that Biden didn't write or conceive any of these. The 17 E.O.s presented to him in a painfully choreographed, ostentatiously grandiose fashion on his opening day in office were quite obviously prepared by his Progressive-minded operatives well in advance, his group of unelected, unaccountable sycophants who will control the puppet strings for as long as Biden is able to sit upright and remain awake behind the desk. Biden dutifully and unthinkingly signed each one, as his minions of O'Reillys looked on, satisfied with knowing they had put one over on the big guy, much as the 4077th's clerk consistently hoodwinked the oblivious Col. Blake.

Looking at the list of orders, one is struck by their uniformity, their sameness: every one of them is a pander to a voting bloc, a cave to a Progressive constituency for the sake of political correctness or to further the appearance of compassion or a supposed enlightened understanding of humanity.

Missing from all of them is any concrete action that makes America safer or more prosperous or enhances our national security or improves our position of energy independence or creates jobs or reduces the tax burden on the average wage-earner or moves to strengthen our fundamental constitutional rights of free speech, self-protection, and the right to peacefully assemble. Not a single executive order redounds to the concrete benefit of the country as a whole. Instead, all of them amount to nothing more than political sleight-of-hand, smoke and mirrors, activity and movement without meaning.

To look at just one example, the executive order to revoke the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline is especially risible. The pipeline is there to carry Canadian crude oil through the Western mountain states down to refineries in the Gulf, off Texas. Currently, Canadian oil comes into America by tanker truck. This method is costly and inefficient. Trucks emit copious amounts of carbon pollution from their engines. They have limited load-carrying capacity. They are subject to crashes, causing bodily harm and spilling their contents all over the countryside. The pipeline corrects all of these shortfalls. Construction and maintenance would've created 42,000 good jobs, which Biden eliminated with a pen stroke, obviously gambling that he'll pick up more green votes than he'll lose union construction votes.

Ignorant green-minded Progressives think stopping Keystone means we won't import oil from Canada, so we'd be forced to replace the oil with a so-called "renewable" energy that is more to their liking. That's wrong. The oil comes in from Canada anyway, pipeline or no pipeline, just slower, less efficient, more polluting, and more dangerously. Stopping Keystone is the typical liberal knee-jerk reaction policy: it's all for show, to impress the uneducated, unknowing, emotionally dominated throngs. The details  the truth  are too far beneath the surface for the typical ADD Progressive, dominated as he always is by misplaced, distorted emotion.

If a reporter, knowledgeable about details such as these, were to ask Biden at a press conference how he'd respond as to why the present-day use of oil tanker trucks is preferable in his view to the Keystone Pipeline, does anyone think Biden could articulate a convincing, coherent argument? Does anyone think Biden has command of the intricacies and minute details of the subject? Obviously not.

Keystone is just one example. That these executive orders were drafted and signed strictly out of spite, for the sheer unhinged joy of publicly reversing some of President Trump's policies instead of being thoughtfully formulated for the betterment of the entire country, should give any intelligent, loyal American serious pause.

This type of vindictive, retaliatory governance will dominate the new administration's actions. These 17 Day One executive orders have set their standard. This is how it will be throughout his entire presidency. Even if the embarrassingly diminished Biden is forced off of the top spot, a Harris tenure would very likely be even more vengeful and unforgiving of political opponents. Hold on to your hats.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Cyclone Yaas: Amit Shah to hold review meeting with Chief Ministers of states to be affected

BTR Accord, inked a year ago, marks beginning of end of insurgency in Northeast: Amit Shah

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Guhawati, Jan 24: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a new era of development and peace has prevailed in Bodoland Territorial Region.

While addressing mega rally in Kokrajhar to mark the 1st anniversary of the historic BTR Accord, Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Accord was inked a year ago and marks beginning of end of insurgency in Northeast".

''This rally is a reply to those who disturbed the peace in Assam by spreading venom in the name of Bodo and non-Bodo. Today, Bodos & non-Bodos both are present here,'' Shah at the opening ceremony of first BTR Accord Day.

''With the Bodo Peace Accord, the Prime Minister gave the message -- wherever there is unrest in the Northeast, negotiate and pave the way for peace,'' Amit Shah said.

Let's have a duel: Amit Shah slams vaccine critics

''Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the process to end insurgency in the Northeast by signing the Bodo Peace Accord. Efforts were made for settlement for Bru-Reang issue & 700 members of 8 armed groups laid down arms,'' he added.

Shah also said,''Please identify those instigating disputes in the name of Assamese and non-Assamese, Bodo and non-Bodo. They are not doing it for our development but are playing politics. It is high time that people of Assam teach a lesson to such people.''

He said Jammu and Kashmir witnessed violence free Panchayat polls recently. Mr. Shah further said that a slew of development measures have been taken for the development of the BTR as promised earlier. He said that 500 crore rupees have been sanctioned for the road development in BTR .

Shah assured that the Bodo language and culture and political rights of Bodo people will be preserved. He criticized the Congress for not fulfilling any promises for BTR region.

Amit Shah also announced that a fund of Rs 500 crore has been sanctioned to build road network in the Bodo region. He said that the move will take the area on a path of development.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the government will fulfill all the clauses of the BTR Accord.

The BTR Chief expressed gratitude and thanked the Centre for signing the BTR Accord and bringing faster development in the region. He urged the government to recover all the illegal arms at the BTR .The BTR accord was signed last year on 27th of January in New Delhi.

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Story first published: Sunday, January 24, 2021, 14:44 [IST]
BEIJING: Chinese rescuers pulled four gold miners to safety on Sunday 14 days after they were trapped by an underground explosion, state broadcaster CCTV reported, with at least seven others still believed to be alive in the mine.

Footage showed the first miner to be rescued, a black blindfold across his eyes, being lifted out of a mine shaft in the morning.

The miner was extremely weak, CCTV said on its Weibo site. Rescue workers wrapped the barely responsive man in a blanket before taking him to hospital by ambulance.

Later, the broadcaster said another three miners were brought out from a different section of the mine, including one who was injured. No further details were given.

Twenty-two workers were trapped in the Hushan mine by the Jan. 10 blast in Qixia, a major gold-producing region under the administration of Yantai in coastal Shandong province.

One miner has died and 11 have not been in contact with rescue teams, according to a Xinhua report from last week.

Officials said on Thursday it could take another two weeks to clear severe blockages" before they could drill shafts to reach a group of 10 men who had been receiving supplies of food from the rescue team.

State media said earlier however that rescuers were hoping to reach the 10 men in the mines 5th section on Sunday.

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

NGO report accuses Turkey, Azerbaijan of genocidal intent in Nagorno-Karabakh offensive

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A new report by International Christian Concern accuses Muslim-majority Turkey and Azerbaijan of having an intent to commit genocide when they launched a weeks-long military offensive in an ethnic Armenian territory last year.

ICC, a U.S.-based advocacy organization, published the new report The Anatomy of Genocide: Karabakh's Forty-Four Day War last Friday.

The report asserts that the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh (known as the Republic of Artsakh in Armenia), which lasted from September until November 2020, had strong religious freedom concerns that should alarm human rights advocates and governments worldwide.

According to ICC, Turkey and Azerbaijan destroyed churches and other religious sites, abused prisoners of war and hired known extremists, including members of the Islamic State, as mercenaries to help regain control of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The disputed territory is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but has been controlled by ethnic Armenians for decades.

Chatter on the Syrian side showed that they were being recruited using jihad terminology against Christians, the ICC reports of the mercenaries.

For example, AsiaNews quoted a source from Syria who explained that they were going to fight alongside Azerbaijan because it is part of the Jihad; it is a holy war of Muslims against Christians. Syrian mercenaries reported that they were offered monetary bonuses based on different actions, such as beheading Christians.

According to the report, one of the more pressing humanitarian issues that have emerged from the offensive is Azerbaijans treatment of Armenian Christian prisoners of war, both military and civilian.

Rationalization and justification tactics have been displayed throughout this entire process concerning the POWs, ICC notes.

Videos have emerged showing how captors have dismantled prisoners sense of identity and choice.

They are not simply taunted or beaten. Their captors use their power for control and coercion in a manner which reinforces the narrative used to justify the war, the report reads, adding that ICC viewed one video showing the treatment of three Armenian men dressed as civilians.

One lies on the ground, presumably deceased. While the other looks on, the captors beat one demanding that he affirms their belief that Karabakh is Azerbaijani, ICC reports. He eventually does for the camera. Given the nature of Pan-Turkism, what he is being asked is more than a question of nationality. He is being asked to ignore every aspect of his identity, including his faith.

Videos widely shared on social messaging platforms show Azerbaijani soldiers beheading two Armenian civilians who were reported to be non-combatants. Those videos were among several others that have emerged depicting shocking atrocities committed by Azerbaijani soldiers against civilians and prisoners.

These crimes implicate Turkey because the Turks trained these soldiers, International Christian Concern contends.

Indeed, many of the footage of war crimes committed during the conflict show troops wearing the dual patches of Azerbaijan and Turkey, making it hard to distinguish the actual nationality of the perpetrator, the report explains.

As an impression management tactic, this makes accountability challenging by redefining the concept of state while also making clear that whatever this redefined concept of state means, that is who is responsible for initiating the war. Blurring the definition so profoundly reduces the ability for accountability.

In places the Turks and Azerbaijanis invaded, they destroyed churches and ancient Christian crosses called khachkars, the report said. Video evidence shows the destruction was intended. ICC accused the two governments of holding Karabakhs Christian cultural sites hostage.

Khachkars are often centuries old, are individually and uniquely crafted, and tell the story of Christianity in that specific location, ICC stressed. Destroying a church prevents corporate worship. Destroying a khachkar erases Christian history.

For many ethnic Turks in Azerbaijan and Turkey, being Turkish means being Islamic, according to the report.

As they attempted to destroy evidence of Christian history, Turks and Azerbaijanis emphasized their own history, the report added. Both Turks and Azerbaijanis trace their heritage back to the Ottoman Empire, and Turkeys Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan refers to the countries as one nation, two states.

Azerbaijan and Turkey were both parts of the Ottoman Empire, which committed the 1915 Armenian genocide. Both nations still argue the murder of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman government wasnt genocide.

Erdogan triumphantly invoked the names of leaders involved in the Armenian genocide in a speech delivered after military victories against Armenia.

Today, may the souls of Nuri Pasha, Enver Pasha, and the brave soldiers of the Caucasus Islam Army be happy, he stated, according to the Armenian Mirror-Spectator.

Enver Pasha was the Ottoman Minister of War during the genocide, and Nuri Pasha led troops in the Caucasus that were responsible for carrying out the genocide against the Armenians.

Our iron first embodies both our unity and strength. That iron fist broke the enemys spine and crushed the enemys head. If Armenian fascism ever raises its head again, the result will be the same. Again, Azerbaijans iron first will break their back, said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the same event, according to The Mirror-Spectator.

To hide violence against Armenians, Turkish and Azerbaijani national media distorted the truth, ICCs report alleges.

Media outlets claimed that there was no historical Christian presence in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and that the region originally belonged to non-Armenian people. The Turkish and Azerbaijani state used these claims to justify their offensive.

The first narrative denies the historic presence of Christianity in Karabakh. The second narrative redefines it, not as Armenian, but as originally belonging to either the ethnic Udi or Albanian communities, the ICC report summarizes.

In regards to the second, it is noteworthy that at these Christian sites, it is the Armenian language which is written and often engraved onto the stone. Both narratives share in common that they are meant to dismantle and discredit attempts at framing this war within religious freedom terminology. It also sends the subtler message that they will tolerate Christianity only on very specific terms.

ICC concludes that the world should take note that the strategic planning by Turkey and Azerbaijan show an intent of mass extermination, thereby genocide, of Karabakhs Armenian residents because of their combined faith and ethnic identity.

Azerbaijan has made it clear that though they want territorial ownership over Artsakh, they do not want a caretaker role over the residents who live there unless those people validate a particular identity, the report concluded.

Both Azerbaijan and Turkey have made it clear these actions are taken because of a Pan-Turkic ideology that prefers conformity to Islam, with some exception for very specific versions of Christianity. These two countries have pursued their actions in a way which elevates and echoes the 1915 genocide of ethnic Christians.
In the early hey-days of the Range Rover, following its introduction in the 1970s, it was the vehicle of choice for the British rangers. The...
The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks!

Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics.

The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc.

The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics.

The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates.

Access to college recruiters and advisors  its harder to line up higher education.

Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family.

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Ramallah, Jan 24 : The UN Security Council (UNSC) will hold a session to discuss the situation in the Middle East region including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's initiative to hold international peace conference, a senior official said here.

"The session will be held on Tuesday," Xinhua news agency quoted Riyad Mansour, Palestinian envoy to the UN, as saying to a local media outlet on Saturday.

He explained that the session will discuss three critical issues related to the Palestinian issue.

The first one is the initiative made by Abbas to convene an international peace conference.

The second issue is the presidential decrees issued by Abbas to hold general elections in the Palestinian territories, as well as their preparations, Mansour said.

"The third issue is related to the new US government headed by Joe Biden and the Palestinian willingness to deal with it on the basis of its backing off from controversial positions by (former US President) Donald Trump," he added.

On October 28, 2020, Abbas called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to hold urgent consultations on convening an international peace conference.

In a letter sent to Guterres, the Palestinian leader called on the majority of the UN Security Council's members "to start preparing at the beginning of next year (2021) for an international conference for peace in the Middle East".
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.
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After a series of successful space missions during the past year, 2021 promises some exciting new international exploration projects.

Three nations have launched spacecraft designed to begin exploring Mars in 2021.

The U.S. space agency, NASA, is expecting its explorer, called Perseverance, to land on the Red Planet on February 18. The explorer, or rover, is on a mission to search for signs of life and collect rock and soil samples, NASA says.

Perseverance is NASAs fifth Mars explorer. It is carrying a small experimental helicopter, called Ingenuity. The device would be the first to test the abilities of such a craft on another planet. One important experiment will test a device designed to capture carbon dioxide from Mars atmosphere and turn it into oxygen.

Chinas Tianwen-1 spacecraft launched last July on a mission to search Mars for signs of water. It is also expected to reach Mars in February. The spacecraft will attempt to land at Utopia Planitia, a large flat area in the northern half of the planet. Once there, Tianwen-1 will deploy a rover for exploration.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched its Hope Probe in July 2020. The explorer is also to reach the Red Planet next month. The country describes Hope as the first probe to provide a complete picture of the Martian atmosphere and its layers.

The mission will study climate and weather activity on the lower atmosphere of Mars. Hope will also observe and study hydrogen and oxygen in the Martian upper atmosphere, the UAEs space agency said.

New space vehicles to be tested

Boeing is expected to carry out another unpiloted flight test of its Starliner spacecraft. The company was chosen by NASA  along with Americas SpaceX  for its Commercial Crew Program. The program uses private spacecraft to transport U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). SpaceX has already completed two successful crewed missions to the ISS.

If Boeings unpiloted test goes well, the company is expected to move ahead with its first crewed test flight of Starliner.

NASA said it plans to complete final preparations for the first flight of its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft for a possible launch sometime in the autumn. The flight would be the first unpiloted test flight for SLS and Orion. The goal is to complete a month-long mission around the moon.

The test is part of NASAs Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and next man on the moon by 2024. The programs long-term goal is to establish a continued human presence on the moon.

NASA tests planetary defense

In late July, NASA says it will launch its first test for planetary defense against asteroids. The mission is called the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART). It will send a spacecraft to purposely crash into an asteroid at a high speed in an attempt to change the asteroids orbit in space. The target is a near-Earth asteroid called Didymos. The operation will only be a test of defensive capability, since Didymos represents no threat to Earth.

In October, NASA plans to launch its Lucy space mission. The operation aims to study a population of unusual objects orbiting Jupiter known as the Trojan asteroids. The space agency says the mission will involve a 12-year trip to eight different asteroids.

Also in October, NASA plans to launch its James Webb Space Telescope which has been delayed several times. It is NASAs replacement for the Hubble Space Telescope, which has been in operation for 30 years.

The James Webb is a large infrared telescope that has a nearly seven-meter mirror for observing space. NASA says the mission is designed to look deeper into space and offer more answers about the past of the universe than any other spacecraft.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from The Associated Press, Reuters and NASA. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

Quiz - Major Space Missions Planned in 2021 Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

mission  n. the flight of a spacecraft to perform a certain task or job

sample  n. a small amount of something that gives information about what it was taken from

probe  n. a vehicle used to examine or observe something closely

layer  n. a level of something spread over an area

asteroid  n. small planets or space rocks that orbit the sun

capability  n. the ability to do a certain job or task

mirror  n. a piece of glass that reflects light or images
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"Only BJP can solve the biggest problem of Assam  floods. We have made Assam free from bullets and agitations. Give five years more to BJP and we will make Assam free from flood too," News18 quotesd Shah as saying.



Speaking at another rally in Kokhrajar on the occasion of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Accord Day, Shah said that the accord, inked a year ago, has initiated the process of ending insurgency in the North East.

Addressing the 1st anniversary celebrations of the historic Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Accord in Kokrajhar, Assam. Watch live! https://t.co/PG1XjWHPl5  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 24, 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the process to end insurgency in the Northeast by signing the Bodo Peace Accord. Efforts were made for settlement for Bru-Reang issue and 700 members of eight armed groups laid down arms, The Indian Express quoted Shah as saying.

The Union home minister distributed rehabilitation packages among a section of surrendered militants during the day.

"I have come here to iterate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP are committed to fulfil all clauses of the BTR Accord, which will pave the way for peace and development in the region." Shah added.

Peace has returned to Bodo areas due to the accord. There used to be killings and abductions here, but I can assure that in a few years, this region will become the most developed part of Assam, Hindustan Times quoted him as saying.

Shah further announced that Rs 500 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of a road network in the Bodo region.

The BTR Accord, designed to usher in peace in the Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD), was signed on 27 January last year by the Centre, the Assam government, all four factions of the National Democratic Front of Boroland and the then Bodoland Territorial Council chief Hagrama Mohilary.

Attacking the Congress, Shah said that the grand old party had signed many agreements with different militant outfits in the past, but failed to keep the promises it made. The Congress, during its rule, could not quell violence and bring peace, "but it would not refrain from giving us advice", the senior BJP leader said.

"The presence of all communities in today's rally is a befitting reply to the ones who had indulged in violence and bloodshed in the Bodo areas as the people here have proved that they are all children of Mother India," Shah insisted.

Shah said the political rights, culture and language of all communities of Assam are secure under the BJP government.

"The prime minister was in Assam on Saturday, and he distributed land pattas (certificates) to more than one lakh indigenous people. The state government has already made Bodo the associate language of Assam. Several measures have been taken to protect, preserve and promote the rich culture, language and heritage of all communities of the state," the Union minister said.

According to a report by NDTV, Shah claimed that the BJP and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) win in the BTC elections last December "is a trailer (to the) Assam polls."

"Now that the United Peoples' Party Liberal (UPPL) has become a part of NDA, we are sure that we will win the Assam Assembly polls with a thumping majority. The BTC polls were a trailer... I have come to appeal to you that just as we were made victorious during the semi-final, we must be triumphant in the final too," PTI quotes him as saying.

Only the BJP, under the leadership of Modi, can make Assam corruption-free, terrorism-free and pollution-free, Shah further stated.

Listing the steps taken so far in accordance with the Bodo accord clauses, the Union minister said a committee has been formed to survey tribal-dominated areas, and the number of seats in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) has been increased to 60. A Bodo kachari welfare council has also been constituted for the benefit of people from the community who do not live anywhere near BTR, he said.

According to the NDTV report, Shah, who is on a two-day visit to the state, did not say anything about the Citizenship Amendment Act, even as activists of the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) burnt copies of the CAA as part of its protests across the state against Shah and Modi's visit.

According to the Hindustan Times , at the Nalbari rally, Shah also accused new political parties formed on the back of anti-CAA protests of indirectly aiding Congress by trying to divide the BJP's votes.

With inputs from PTI
While Winnipeggers flocked to shop for non-essential goods after some pandemic restrictions were lifted Saturday, Manitoba's north continued to bear the brunt of new COVID-19 infections.

While Winnipeggers flocked to shop for non-essential goods after some pandemic restrictions were lifted Saturday, Manitoba's north continued to bear the brunt of new COVID-19 infections.

Just over half of the cases identified Saturday  118 of 216  were in Manitoba's north.

Fifty were identified in the Winnipeg health region; 22 in the Interlake health region; 12 in the Prairie Mountain health region; and 14 in the Southern health region.

Three people from Winnipeg died, including a man in his 60s, a woman in her 70s and a woman in her 80s.

There are 3,372 active case in Manitoba, with 272 people in hospital. Twenty-six are in intensive care.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 9.8 per cent provincially and 6.5 per cent in Winnipeg.

Some code-red restrictions that were implemented in November  mandating the closure of non-essential businesses, banning in-person purchases of non-essential goods and prohibiting public and private gatherings  were lifted in Manitoba Saturday except in the northern health region, where cases are surging.

On Friday, acting deputy chief public health officer Dr. Jazz Atwal said the province is working with leaders in Thompson and Lynn Lake to stem the virus's spread in the north.

Public health officials are involved in every community that is reporting active cases, as well as working with the First Nations Inuit Health Branch and local tribal councils, to support outbreaks on First Nations, Atwal said Friday.

At the time, Atwal could not predict the impact on hospitals in the north where the virus is surging, but said the population in the region skews younger, meaning infections are less impactful.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday wished speedy recovery to his arch rival Lalu Prasad, who has been rushed to New Delhi following marked deterioration in health and with whom he has shared a love- hate relationship for close to five decades. The JD(U) de facto leader also rued the fact that he now had to remain content with news about the ailing RJD supremo gathered from newspapers since his telephonic enquiries about the latters health in the recent past had triggered a controversy.

"It is my fervent wish that he gets well as soon as possible", Kumar told reporters here when asked about Prasad whom he had dethroned in 2005, less than two decades after having supported his ascent in the states politics. The chief minister was talking to journalists outside the JD(U) state headquarters here, where he had gone to pay tributes to former Chief Minister and OBC stalwart Karpoori Thakur on his birth anniversary.

Both Kumar and Prasad consider Thakur to be their political guru. With a hint of regret in his voice, Kumar added "I used to frequently call up his personal attendants and enquire about his well being when he had similarly fallen ill in 2018. So many things were said about me because of that".

Notably, in 2017 Kumar had abruptly walked out of the coalition he had formed with the RJD and the Congress and formed a new government with the BJP. The soft corner he displayed for Prasad during his illness had triggered speculations that he was feeling uneasy in the BJP-led coalition and seeking a rapprochement with the RJD chief.

Their bitter rivalry notwithstanding, Kumar has often displayed his person affection for Prasad against whom he pulls no punches in the political arena. Recently, while admonishing his son Tejashwi Yadav for impudence the chief minister had underscored that he has been too charitable with the 31 years old, who was also his former deputy, because he was "mere bhai samaan dost ka beta" (the son of a friend, dear to me like a brother).

Replying to queries about the states budget for the next financial year, which is scheduled to be tabled in the assembly on February 22, the chief minister said the people of Bihar may look forward to more development and many new schemes besides completion of the existing ones.

.
A quote attributed to Ron Weiser in an email has been clarified.

LANSING, MI - President Joe Biden issued a call for national unity during his inauguration speech on Wednesday, stressing that he would be a president for all Americans.

Days before Bidens speech, presumptive incoming Michigan GOP Chair Ron Weiser sent an email to donors and constituents with a similar plea for unity, but specifically among Republicans, as Donald Trump prepared to leave office.

I along with my incoming Co-Chair Meshawn Maddock are issuing a plea, he wrote in an email obtained by MLive. Unite now so we can begin the work of defeating those who are working to undermine and destroy the very values that built our country.

I will not mince words, Weiser continued. We are facing the greatest threats to freedom that our Republic has ever seen.

This tone of Trumpian brinksmanship is not shared by all Michigan Republicans, said John Sellek, a Republican strategist based out of Lansing. For example, former House Speaker Lee Chatfield said on Inauguration Day that Bidens success is Americas success.

There are divisions in the party between those who simply want to pursue conservative, accountable government and those who are more focused on Trump himself and tapping into the energy of that part of the base, said Sellek, who worked on former Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuettes gubernatorial bid in 2018 and for two Republican House Speakers. For now, that line started to get brighter as attempts to completely overturn the election resulted in an assault on the U.S. Capitol and generated fears of a similar attack in Lansing.

Despite the divide, Republican leadership will double-down on its confrontational style, Sellek said. Lawmakers will unite, as Weiser requested and Sellek predicts, against what they see as the shared threat that is Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her COVID-19 orders.

We will not succeed with violence.



We can have different perspectives yet unite for a common cause. We win through addition rather than subtraction. We win by standing for timeless principles, traditions, norms, and values, and we advocate for those values by practicing them.  Ron Weiser (@RonaldWeiser) January 9, 2021

House Republicans to follow Wentworths blunter lead

Caucuses follow the tone set by their leaders, Sellek said. So far, he sees House Speaker Rep. Jason Wentworth, R-Clare, sharing the same publicly contentious style as Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clark Lake.

This is a response to former Speaker Lee Chatfields push for dealmaking, Sellek said.

They want to take on Gov. Whitmer more directly. Weve seen that right away, he said. (Rep.) Thomas Albert, (Rep.) Pam Hornberger, almost every time that they communicate, theyre making very clear, were going to take on the governor... Speaker Wentworths style is to be more confrontational on key issues in public, not to do them behind the scenes.

Sellek pointed to public criticism levied by Republican lawmakers at Whitmer for her December veto of a $220 million appropriation into the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, killing a 6-week extension on new claims. Republicans wanted that included to prevent a payroll tax increase on small businesses once the Fund dries up later this year.

Read more: Whitmer veto means some Michiganders could lose extra 6 weeks of unemployment benefits

Chatfields more low-key approach helped grease the skids on criminal justice negotiations with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and on budget agreements with the Whitmer administration, Sellek noted.

He tempered his words with his rhetoric to make sure there was still that ability to have a relationship behind the scenes, he said.

Wentworth, on the other hand, is blunt with what he wants to get done, Sellek said.

I think this term will see more similarities between Wentworth and Shirkey than we saw during Chatfield and Shirkey, he said.

Wentworth also shows loyalty to fellow Republican representatives even amid intense criticism. When Democratic lawmakers called for the censure of Rep. Matt Maddock for his challenges to results of the election and participation in Washington rallies ahead of the Capitol riot, the Speaker defended him.

Related: Presence at US Capitol ahead of riot not likely to affect prospective Michigan GOP co-chairs candidacy

Rep. Maddock simply exercised his right to peaceful assembly. He attended a rally, said Wentworth through his spokeswoman Lynn Afendoulis. He did NOT participate in the abhorrent riots at the Capitol and has condemned them. The Speaker has seen no evidence of behavior that merits punishment.

He distinguished the rhetoric used by Maddock from those that drew disciplinary action last year for Rep. Gary Eisen, R-St. Clair Twp., and Rep. Cynthia Johnson, D-Detroit. The two both lost committee assignments near the end of the lame-duck session in December. Eisen suggested during a radio interview that there was going to be violence at the Michigan Capitol prior to the states casting of Electoral College votes. Johnson issued an ominous warning to Trumpers in response to violent and racist threats she had received.

Read more: Presence at US Capitol ahead of riot not likely to affect prospective Michigan GOP co-chairs candidacy

The rules of conduct are outlined in the House Rules, Afendoulis told MLive. Members are expected adhere to those and to the laws under which we live. Representatives Eisen and Johnson uttered words that threatened or encouraged violence... Punishment of a member is serious and has very public consequences; the Speaker doesnt use it lightly or symbolically.

A lot of Republicans just want to weather the storm of the post-Trump backlash, Sellek said.

A wish by some elected officials... lets just get through these next few months of President Trump, he said, and then well be able to get back to issues like we normally do... For these things to keep popping up, its created a lot of heartburn.

He pointed to U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Grand Rapids, receiving backlash from Trump supporters after his condemnation of the former Presidents election challenges. Republicans will face a lot of grief from their constituents for speaking up, Sellek said.

Hes taking on tons and tons of grief, he said. I think theres this feeling among a lot of Republicans that Trump lost, so if I just hold on a little while longer, this is going to dissipate.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sits between State Senator Mike Shirkey, left, and Mike Hirst during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Andy's Place project on the site of the former Odd Fellows and Rebekah home on Michigan Avenue near the Westwood Mall in Jackson on Monday, April 29, 2019. The project will give a long term solution housing solution to those struggling with opioid addiction.J. Scott Park | MLive.com

Shirkeys relationship with Whitmer continues to sour

Meanwhile, in the Michigan Senate, Shirkey and Whitmers relationship is as fractured as ever.

Shirkey told JTV this week that Whitmer deliberately chooses not to meet with him. Whitmer said at a Jan. 19 press conference that Shirkey has to answer tough questions about his reported meeting in September with militia groups, which he acknowledged in the same JTV interview.

What groups did he meet with? Were any of them involved in the plot to kidnap and murder me? Were any involved in the insurrection in Washington? Whitmer asked. I think those are legitimate questions that Im sure wed all love to know the answer to.

Shirkey frequently makes controversial statements, ranging from his previous support of a herd immunity approach for COVID-19 to joking that he recovered from his own case of the disease sent by the Chinese flu army.

Read more: Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey says he wrestled COVID-19 sent by Chinese flu army

The confrontational tone is partly just the old practice of a Republican-led Legislature working to differentiate itself from a Democratic governor, Sellek said. He compared the dynamic to that of former Speaker Craig DeRoche and former Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

That pressure is put on the Republican caucus when theres a Democratic governor, he said, not to help the governor of their own party get things done, but theres pressure on them to lay out more clearly the policy differentials.

COVID-19 is the fracture point on policy

Without Trump looming over the party, Republicans can focus their efforts on chaffing Whitmer, Sellek said. The opportunity is there to make winning moves on COVID-19 vaccine distribution, he said.

I think Republicans know they have to do something on COVID, he said. The lowest bar for Biden to clear and make progress and keep gaining a large majority is to just improve, for example, the vaccine distribution. All (he and Whitmer) have to do is step forward and do that. The Legislature knows they have to do something.

The House and Senate approved $79 million for vaccine distribution and expanded testing in its December COVID-19 relief supplemental, which Whitmer signed. This week, she proposed a $5.6 billion plan which earmarked $90 million in federal funding for additional distribution.

Republicans have attempted to make hay out of Michigans middling national ranking of COVID-19 vaccinations administered per 100,000 residents, which stands at No. 23 among all states, according to the CDC. The ranking excludes territories, commonwealths and the District of Columbia.

Michigan Senate Republicans posted on Twitter a variety of headlines showing the vaccine rollout is a nightmare.

The headlines say it all: @GovWhitmers #COVID19 vaccine rollout is a nightmare. pic.twitter.com/QKLbt9fPcP  MI Senate GOP (@MISenate) January 19, 2021

Whitmer has said the rankings unfairly count both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, despite the fact that the latter bypasses the state and goes right to national pharmacies to be administered to the states long-term care facility residents and staff.

Read more: Michigan considers itself a leader in COVID-19 vaccination effort despite CDC ranking

Over the next several days, Republicans will be reviewing Whitmers plan to find areas where they have to appropriate money, as well as plans of attack against her, Sellek said.

Theyre going to be digging through (it), and say we cant afford to avoid putting money into better COVID response, he said. We can afford putting money into schools to help with learning loss, because parents in their districts are super mad. We cant avoid putting more money into small businesses, because weve put our lot with them during these shutdowns.

Where in that package are they going to say, youre spending too much money, or youre picking and choosing industries. That will all be focused on the Governor, Sellek added.

Ultimately, Trumps influence over local elected officials was an intense distraction for state lawmakers, Sellek said. Since thats over, the party can unify against the Governor across the street.

These officials were beholden to his agenda where in the past a state Legislature wouldnt be to a President. Thats over for now, Sellek said. The person theyre going to be focused on instead of the President is the Governor across the street...

Thats the No. 1 thing that has the potential to unify the caucus.

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I really dont see the need for it and I dont think its going to solve anything, Mr Thomas says. Its not going to do anything for the racism. So I really dont understand why. The national online poll canvassed the views of 1222 Australians between January 19 and January 22 on their views on changing the Australia Day date, its importance to improving the lives of Indigenous Australians and to what extent they think Indigenous Australians face racism in Australia today. Loading Mr Thomas, a former transport worker with Australia Post, was born in Portland on the windswept south-west coast of Victoria. He has Irish ancestry on his mothers side and Welsh on his fathers. The British have got a lot to answer for. Theyve tried to colonise a country, put them to their way of thinking and if they havent theyve tried to wipe them out. But this invasion day happened so long ago. We are all supposedly part of Australia, so why dont we all just move forward instead of dwelling on things that have happened in the past.

The Ipsos poll found a generational divide when it came to support for moving the Australia Day date. Forty-seven per cent of people aged 19-24 were in favour of a shift from January 26, compared to just 19 per cent in Mr Thomas cohort of people aged older than 55. I think people are happy with where it is, said Mr Thomas, who has no plans to celebrate the day this year. Im sort of old-school and I dont see why people complain. And I think even if they do pick another day, no-one is going to be happy with it anyway. Mr Thomas says the only thing that would persuade him to change his mind would be if a census of Indigenous people showed overwhelming support for a change. Im just wondering if this so-called movement is the Aboriginal people doing it, or people thinking thats what they should be doing for the Aboriginal people. Storm Mackenzie, a 23-year-old school course designer from the Perth suburb of Armadale, was among the 24 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds who told the Ipsos poll she opposed a shift.

Loading Ms Mackenzie believes Australia Day should still be celebrated as well as NAIDOC Week, a celebration of Indigenous culture that was born out of the Day of Mourning protest against Australia Day. Racism against Indigenous Australians varies depending on the location. But at the same time I feel especially the older generations make these subconscious racist comments that they dont even notice. She worries changing the date of Australia Day would be divisive and inflame those with strong views. Moving a date would not address all the problems, we need to go a lot deeper than that. I feel like its just going to cause more tension and we need to focus on better ways to all be Australian.

Despite less than 30 per cent of respondents supporting the campaign to change the date of Australia Day from January 26, half of those polled believe a shift will happen in the next 10 years. They will get away with it, predicts Robyn Muir, a 60-year-old Woolworths worker from the suburb of Cornubia in Logan, Queensland. The older generation dont protest and we dont dig our heels in. She and her husband Michael see a divide between the generations. The older generation love Australia Day the way it is because its our history and the younger generations think it should be changed, Mr Muir said. But some Australians are becoming more aware of the Indigenous perspective around January 26.

Loading Dean Attard, a 30-year-old pharmacy manager from Newcastle, was never someone to plaster himself in Australian flags, but for years he and his friends congregated on Australia Day to listen to the Hottest 100 countdown. Mr Attard says it was the debate on Triple J over whether the Hottest 100 should be held on Australia Day that first alerted him to the issue. To be honest Ive only really heard of this in the last five years, says Mr Attard, who told the Ipsos poll he strongly agreed with changing the date. In 2017 Triple J announced the Hottest 100 would no longer be held on Australia Day, amid growing dialogue around Indigenous recognition and perspectives on 26 January.
Pro-Khalistani secessionist outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has now urged the farmers to display life-size portraits of secessionist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and Beant Singh - Indira Gandhi's assassin - during the tractor rally scheduled to be taken out on January 26 in Delhi. The radical pro-Khalistan outfit has made multiple attempts to infiltrate the ongoing farmers' protests at the borders of the national capital and has made shocking offers in the name of rewards to propagate their Khalistani agenda. In the latest attempt to do so, SFJ urged farmers to display portraits of Bhindarwale and Beant Singh while taking out the 'Kesari tractor rally'.

Appealing to the farmers via a video, SFJ asked the farmers to not carry the Tricolour Indian flag which they claimed represented the genocide of Sikhs but instead carry the Kesari Khanda - considered the symbol of freedom and justice for all. The pro-Khalistan terror outfit further claimed that the Kesari tractor rally was taken out to protest against India's colonialism. It also reiterated that the 'permanent and sustainable' solution for the various issues of farmers was the complete liberation of Punjab from Indian occupation'.

READ | Pro-Khalistani SFJ Wants To Plunge Delhi Into Darkness On Republic Day; Appeals To Farmers

Earlier, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) had urged the people of Delhi to not participate in the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath on 26 January while also threatening to cut off electricity supply to the national capital on Republic Day. The radical outfit appealed to the farmers to target electricity companies allegedly owned by 'Ambanis' in order to 'plunge Delhi into darkness'. SFJ issued a 'stay home-stay safe' advisory while appealing to the people of the national capital to boycott the Republic Day parade at Rajpath. SFJ had also announced a cash reward of USD 2,50,000 for hoisting the Khalistan flag on January 26 at the India Gate on Republic Day. Meanwhile, the Government of India has blocked the website shared by Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice in a letter to farmers protesting against Centre's agriculture laws.

Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has been actively involved in hijacking the ongoing farmers' protests and recently protested outside Indian Missions in US, Canada, UK and Europe to 'stand in solidarity' with the protesting farmers of Punjab, as stated by the Centre in the Supreme Court. The radical outfit wrote to EAM S Jaishankar and MoS Muraleedharan declaring their support for the Bharat Bandh called on December 8 and alleged that the Indian government was 'unabashedly suppressing and gagging the protesting, criticizing and dissenting voices, with impunity'. Earlier, the SFJ also offered $1 million to farmers who were injured or whose tractors were damaged in the farmers' protests.

READ | Pro-Khalistan Outfit SFJ's June 17 Letter To China Seeking 'help' Against India Surfaces

What is SFJ?

As per reports, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) which was formed in 2007, seeks a separate homeland for Sikhs  a Khalistan in Punjab. Its legal adviser - Gurpatwant Singh Pannun had launched Referendum 2020, which seeks to liberate Punjab from Indian occupation. SFJ has announced to hold polling for the referendum in November 2020 which it has planned to hold in Punjab along with major cities of North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Kenya and the Middle Eastern Countries. India has banned SFJ in 2019 in India, as it continues to operate from the US since 2007.

READ | Pro-Khalistan Flags At UK Protest Outside Indian High Commission; SFJ Claims It's A Seige

READ | Radical SFJ To Protest At Indian Consulates In Solidarity With Farmers; Writes To MEA
The challenges of 2020 did not impact the generosity of HomeAid Houstons supporters. A number of year-end donations were received that will be valuable funds in 2021 as HomeAid continues to identify critical construction needs within the homeless community. With 2020 behind us, said Carole Brady, executive director of HomeAid Houston, we wrapped things up on a high note with incredible contributions that helped round out a successful year in fundraising, project development and project completions. There is nothing but optimism in our camp for 2021.

HomeAid received a grant from Manners Coole Foundation for $50,000, a long-time supporter of HomeAid.

HomeAid is grateful to the Manners Coole Foundation as we have been selected by the foundation for many years, Brady said. This grant has helped change the lives of so many less fortunate. We cant thank the foundation enough for keeping HomeAid as part of their giving program.

HomeAid also thanks Jim Holcomb with Holcomb Properties for his annual contribution that was $10,000 in 2020. Jim has been a HomeAid partner on construction projects as well as a huge financial donor year after year.

A check for $5,000 was presented to HomeAid at the end of the year, by Taylor Morrison/Darling Homes, another long-time contributor. These funds were designated for the Greater Houston Builders Associations annual Frank Aranza Adopt-A-Family charity at Christmas, to go toward individual gift cards for families in need. As an added bonus in 2020, additional gift card donations also came in during the Holiday Season that totaled $5,100, also designated for Adopt-A-Family.

The GHBA Young Professionals organization was also a contributor at the end of 2020 with their committees donation of $185.

And finally, the total miscellaneous donations from individuals and HomeAids Christmas Greeting Card raised another $7,800. The total for end of year proceeds was $78,085.

GHBA members and others from the community continue to step up and provide funds so HomeAid can successfully complete our mission which is to build new lives for homeless families and individuals through housing and community outreach, said James Miller, HomeAids 2021 president. These generous companies and individuals understand that without help from within the community, the homeless numbers will continue to rise.

About HomeAid

HomeAid Houston is a 501(c)(3) charity of the Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA). The agency has been building transformational housing for homeless care providers throughout Houston and surrounding counties since 2003. The first shelter was dedicated in 2005. Since then, more than 70 projects both large and small have have been completed, adding 400-plus beds and more than $14 million in real estate construction and improvements to Houstons homeless community.

For more information about HomeAid Houston visit www.homeaidhouston.org or call 281-970-8970.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24) - The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday apologized to the University of the Philippines alumni who were included in a list of alleged New People's Army recruits.

We sincerely apologize for those who were inadvertently affected by inconsistencies regarding the List of Students who joined NPA (Died or Captured) that was posted in the AFP Information Exchange Facebook account, read the statement.

The Office of the J7, AFP is already conducting an internal investigation as to how the list got published. Personnel who are responsible will be held to account, the AFP added.

The apology just came hours after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana acknowledged the mistake committed by the military, branding it an unpardonable gaffe.

Atty. Raffy Aquino, a member of the Free Legal Assistance Group and was included in the list, earlier demanded a public apology from the AFP.

The AFP Information Exchange recently posted in its page a list of UP students allegedly captured and killed after joining the communist rebels group. The post went viral not just on Facebook, but also on other social media platforms.

The post was later taken down after a backlash.

On Saturday, Aquino with other UP alumni said they would take legal actions against the "red-tagging" by the AFP.

The members of the group are consulting and definitely, we want to hold people accountable for this reckless publication of a list and our malicious inclusion in that list, he said during a media briefing.

Aquino said they were looking at filing cyber libel and the "angle of contempt" given that some of those listed, like him, are currently involved in the ongoing litigation of the Anti-Terrorism Act before the Supreme Court.

Lorenzana seeks dialogue with UP

Also on Sunday, the Defense chief asked UP to help the government put an end to the alleged communist recruitment activities on its campuses  a claim which the university maintained lacks factual evidence.

Lorenzana said his decision to unilaterally terminate the DNDs deal with UP is a fulfilment of a patriotic duty, repeating his earlier statement that the move is meant to protect the youth from what he called enemies of the state. In a letter made public last week, he informed UP President Danilo Concepcion that the UP-DND accord, which bars the unauthorized entry of state forces in UP campuses, was abrogated as of Jan. 15.

READ: UP accord terminated to protect Filipinos vs 'enemies of the state'  Lorenzana

Our problem with the CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines - New Peoples Army) has been with us for 52 years, Lorenzana said in a taped statement addressed to the UP community. Help me fix this. Let us talk and find ways to end this insurgency once and for all. Let us work together and move forward.

Lorenzana told reporters that he has already asked a friend to facilitate a meeting with Concepcion sometime next week. He previously said he is open to a dialogue with UP only if the university officials would explain the presence of students in military encounters with rebel groups.

While Concepcion already expressed his willingness to discuss the matter with authorities, he has also denounced the allegations of communist recruitment in UP, saying these pose a very real danger to the lives of UP members. He maintained that the institution has always been a safe space for free thought and expression, as well as for criticism and dissent, and vowed to continue to defend the institution from all attacks and machinations against its academic freedom.

On the other hand, UP Diliman Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo called on the whole UP community to stand up for academic freedom and civil liberties following the red-tagging of some of its alumni.

Let us join the fight to stop any form of baseless red-tagging and to protect the enabling environment for freedom of thought and expression, that has nurtured critical minds, social consciousness and a sense of service and nation-building that have become the hallmarks of our Universitys tradition of education, said Nemenzo.
Ahead of Republic Day, the Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday stated that it will not exchange sweets with Pakistani troops this year. The customary exchange this year will not take place as the situation with Pakistan is not conducive, BSF IG NS Jamwal said.

READ: BSF Unearths Over 6-year-old Tunnel In J&K, Recovers Old Bags With 'Pakistan Markings'

No sweet exchange with Pakistan on Republic Day

The BSF's decision comes after Pakistan's attempts to push terrorists along the borders. With this decision, the BSF has slammed Pakistan and indicated that terrorism and friendship will not go hand in hand.

"Our good wishes but the situation is not that sweets can be exchanged; so there wont be any sweet exchange this time." said Jamwal on sweet exchange with Pakistan on Republic Day.

Meanwhile, in yet another instance, the BSF has discovered a long tunnel which could have been used by the terrorists from across the border to infiltrate the LoC with the possibility of it being used for infiltrations. "Its an old tunnel, whether used or not is a matter of investigation," said NS Jamwal, Inspector General (IG) of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Jammu Frontier.

Gujarat: BSF Holds Two-day Pension Adalat In Gandhinagar

The tunnel discovery came after the forces have been conducting anti-tunnel drive ahead of Republic Day. This comes after another tunnel was found over 10 days ago. As per the BSF IG, forces have discovered around 10 to 11 tunnels in the past six to seven years. The latest tunnel to be found is the fourth one in last six months. Authorities also added that the tunnel is situated 140 metres inside the Indian territory starting from point zero of Pakistan. The BSF IG also added that the tunnel could be over six to eight years old.

"Some old bags with Pakistan marking have been found", he said, while adding that the tunnel must have been dug with a well-laid plan and the proper thought process must have been put into it. "Experts also must be involved in the digging of the tunnel it seems", BSF IG NS Jamwal added.

READ: BSF Dismisses TMC Neta Firhad Hakim's 'helping BJP' Allegations; Says It's Apolitical
Association president Chandrasekhar Reddy said AP government employees have risked their lives to control Coronavirus. Instead of appreciating them, the SEC is threatening to terminate and suspend employees in case they oppose the polls. (Representational Photo:PTI)

VIJAYAWADA: Government employees are up in arms against State Election Commissioner (SEC) Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar announcing the election schedule for holding of the local body polls. They have warned that they may boycott election duties keeping in view safety of employees owing to Coronavirus pandemic.

APNGOs Association president K. Chandrasekhar Reddy has objected to the (SEC) threatening employees of action in case they shun polls over safety and protection of government staff.

The swift response of government employees came within hours of Ramesh Kumar issuing a notification for the four-phase panchayat polls. Employee representatives said there are nearly 10 lakh employees in the state and they would like to see how many of them the SEC would terminate.

Association president Chandrasekhar Reddy said AP government employees have risked their lives to control Coronavirus. Instead of appreciating them, the SEC is threatening to terminate and suspend employees in case they oppose the polls.

He drew attention to special care Ramesh Kumar had taken while addressing the media. A glass partition was fixed on his table and he wore a mask to protect himself from the virus. The employee leader said, "While addressing media, you spoke from behind a glass shield. All people in the state have watched it. When you think your life so important, how can you not care for our lives? Should we discharge election duties and lose our lives," he asked.

The AP NGOs chief warned that if SEC goes ahead with panchayat polls, chaos may prevail across the state. He appealed to the SEC that the notification be cancelled. He assured Ramesh Kumar that they would willingly undertake election duties after receiving vaccination.

At least 11 fighters from Iraq's state-sponsored Hashed al-Shaabi force were killed in an ambush by the Islamic State group north of the capital on Saturday, Hashed security sources said.

The jihadists used light weapons and the cover of darkness to target the Hashed east of Tikrit, the capital of Iraq's Salahaddin province, two days after a twin suicide attack claimed by the group killed 32 people in Baghdad.

"IS launched an attack on the Hashed's Brigade 22," said one of the unit's officers Abu Ali al-Maliki.

Maliki told AFP the brigade commander was among those killed before reinforcements from the federal police came to the unit's aid.

Hashed security sources said the total toll was 11 dead and 10 wounded.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but security sources interviewed by AFP blamed IS.

Iraq declared the group territorially defeated in late 2017, but has continued to battle extremist sleeper cells, mostly in the country's mountainous and desert areas.

Local troops have been aided by a US-led coalition, which first intervened to help fight IS in 2014 and continues to provide training, surveillance and air strikes in support of anti-jihadist operations.

The coalition has significantly drawn down its troop numbers over the past year, with the US shrinking its force from 5,200 to 2,500.

- A worn-down military -

Local and Western sources have expressed concern over the readiness of Iraq's security forces, who have been worn down by the spread of Covid-19, political infighting and corruption.

This week's attacks may be more illustrative of those accumulated shortfalls than any significant IS comeback, experts have said.

Following the US-led invasion in 2003, Iraq's security forces had to be effectively rebuilt from the ground up, relying heavily on training by foreign armies.

But with Covid-19 spreading fast through Iraq's bases, coalition troops put a halt to all training operations.

Story continues

Military sources and observers also cited political divisions within local security forces between units trained by the US and those -- like the Hashed -- who have received support from Iraq's powerful neighbour Iran.

Navigating those tensions has been a major challenge for Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, seen as being friendly with the US.

Kadhemi has relied heavily on the US-trained Counter-Terrorism Service for a range of missions, from hunting down IS cells to reigning in groups launching rockets at the US embassy in Baghdad.

In an effort to bring in more names and faces he trusts, Kadhemi ordered an overhaul of Iraq's security leadership late Thursday, including a new federal police commander and chief of the elite Falcons Unit.

But he had to walk back some of those decisions within a day following political pressure.

str-sbh/mjg/sw
If there is one profession that was highlighted in 2020, it was the frontline workers who formed the many nurses and doctors who were facing the virus head on. This is something local nursing professors, deans and even prospective nurses have seen in their fields.

For nursing, I can say that our nation has recognized the need for a stronger workforce that can deliver quality care to our patients, Laredo College Vocational Nursing Instructor Tracy Humphries RN said. Our program has seen a steady interest in the nursing field.

One of her colleagues said she is not aware whether there has been a steady increase because of the pandemic but that the program has seen a steady stream of applicants in recent years, and more can be expected for the next round of applicants.

I know our associate degree nursing program has many more applicants every year than the number of students that we can admit, Laredo College MSN, RN-Professor of Associate Degree Nursing Melissa Guidry said.

Texas A&M International University has seen an increase in nursing amid the growing pandemic.

We have increased admission this Spring 2021 semester by 15% because of the number of applicants who met the admission criteria for the program, TAMIU College of Nursing and Health Sciences Dean Dr. Marivic Torregosa said.

The university had 389 students in its nursing program during 2020, so the 15% increase is significant.

Torregosa said there have also been no indications that people are leaving the program because of the pandemic. In fact, she said the pandemic offers them a real-time opportunity to see how their profession is applied.

Prospective nursing and medical students around the community have also sounded their voices as they continue to see how the profession they once thought about joining is now the one they want to pursue without a doubt considering the need from the pandemic.

It has made me become more interested in becoming a nurse practitioner because with this pandemic and so many people being infected with this virus every single day, its never enough to say we have enough nurses and doctors, said Anna Karen Salinas, an 11th-grade student at Lyndon B. Johnson High School and part of the Early College BLSIA program.

Even though they understand nursing goes beyond tending to the needs of the pandemic, students like Salinas understand nursing is about helping others.

Even though this pandemic is out of hand, it has made me more eager to join the medical field because of this virus, and Im just waiting to help them even if it means putting myself at risk just like how all these first responders and frontline workers are risking it and making sure their patients get treated, Salinas said. It doesnt matter because nurses and doctors are trained to put the patient first to make them a priority and to ensure they feel better and get cured as soon as possible.

Although Salinas wants to help locally, her dream is to make it into the nursing program at the University of Texas at Austin. Her second option is to stay home and attend Laredo College.

Our nursing courses have changed due to the pandemic, Guidry said. The theory courses are presently fully online. The skills and clinical courses are hybrid format with some instruction online and some face-to-face either on campus in skills labs or simulation areas or at clinical sites.

Even though nursing students attending these courses in LC have adapted well, Guidry said there have been challenges. She said finding a way for nursing students to get hands-on experience while also ensuring their safety has been a difficult balance to maintain.

The challenge has been to find clinical sites that are allowing students and keeping our students, faculty and staff safe, Guidry said. We have to consider the policies of each clinical site and the LC policies. The students receive hands-on instruction and practice in the College of Health Science skills labs or state of the art simulation areas along with faculty at the clinical sites.

Humphries said they have integrated all of the CDC guidelines into their instruction. These professors have also incorporated COVID-19 patients into their clinical simulation scenarios.

Despite these changes, Guidry said the ADN program has not changed the admission policies due to the pandemic.

The pandemic has forever changed the medical field, from PPE to emergency response to bedside care, Humphries said. Just look at how we test and vaccinate our community. The response has been unprecedented. We have not changed the way we select students. All of those requirements have stayed the same as of now.

Though no new courses have been added to the curriculum regarding the pandemic, some courses at the college have added it as a case study.

The nursing program has also changed at TAMIU.

Clinical simulation activities replaced some of the direct patient care clinical hours; face-to-face classes have gone flex due to reduced seating capacity in the classrooms, Torregosa said. These adjustments were based on the Texas Board of Nursing and Texas A&M University System guidelines. Likewise, we leveraged existing technologies in order to maximize student learning. Despite these changes, our program continues to thrive and grow to advance its mission. This can be attributed to the flexibility and resilience of our students and faculty.

Torregosa said the pandemic has actually brought many opportunities for current and prospective students that the university never anticipated.

We developed new partnerships and collaborations with other agencies to work together on our common mission: serving the health care needs of our community, Torregosa said. These include flu clinics, contact tracing, COVID testing and more. The College of Nursing and Health Sciences also received two grants from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help address students needs during this pandemic.

Laredo Colleges Associate Degree in Nursing Program was ranked as the top program in Texas for a fourth consecutive year by RNCareers.com. TAMIU has recently begun offering new bachelors programs in the field as the university offers new degrees in pre-physical/occupational therapy in Fall 2021.

jorge.vela@lmtonline.com
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Cloudy with showers. Thunder possible. High 53F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low 44F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
File image: Indian soldiers march during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India on January 23, 2021. (Image: Reuters/Adnan Abidi)

Indias 72nd Republic Day on January 26 will be different this time, with the coronavirus pandemic forcing changes in what used to be a grand show of the country's culture and military might in the heart of New Delhi.

The parade route has been trimmed and so have been the marching contingents. Children and veterans will not walk the Rajpath and social-distancing will be in place for those coming to watch the celebrations.

India's might as well as culture will be showcased but the event will follow strict safety protocols and see many firsts.

Heres what will make this years Republic Day parade unique:

No foreign dignitary as chief guest

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

United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson was invited to be the chief guest of the R-Day parade but the emergence of a new and a more infectious coronavirus strain and surging COVID-19 cases in his country forced Johnson to cancel his visit.

The government has said that no other head of state has been invited as the chief guest. This will be the first time in 55 years that a foreign dignitary will not be the chief guest.

According to The Indian Express, the last time India did not send an invitation to any head of state for the annual event was in 1966 due to the sudden death of then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Rafales R-Day debut

The parade will culminate with a flypast by the Indian Air Force (IAF)s newly-inducted Rafale fighter aircraft. The French-made fighter jet will also perform the 'Vertical Charlie formation in which an aircraft flies at a low altitude, pulls up vertically and conducts rolls before stabilising at a higher altitude.

A total of 38 Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft and four planes of the Indian Army will participate in the flypast.

First woman fighter pilot to participate

Flight lieutenant Bhawana Kanth will become the first woman fighter pilot to participate in the parade. The 28-year-old will be a part of the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s tableau.

Ram Mandir in UPs tableau

Uttar Pradesh's tableau will feature a replica of the Ram Temple being constructed in Ayodhya. It will also display the culture, tradition and art related to the town.

Participation of Bangladeshs Armed Forces

A tri-service contingent of 122 defence personnel belonging to Bangladeshs Armed Forces will participate in the parade. This is only the third time that a foreign military contingent has been invited to the event. Bangladesh was invited to commemorate 50 years of the country's Liberation War in which India played the lead role.

No veterans, national bravery award recipients in the parade

The veterans and national bravery award recipients parade will not be a part of the show this year. Stunts on motorcycles by the army and paramilitary personnel have also been given a miss.
Tesla Model 3 / Courtesy of Tesla Korea



Feuds between Tesla, Korean gov't deepens over EV incentives



By Nam Hyun-woo



The tit-for-tat between Tesla and the government is escalating after the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) maker was sidelined from a series of incentive programs on low-emission vehicles here.



Industry officials said Sunday this issue could be elevated into a trade dispute between Seoul and Washington as Tesla claims the administration's move violates the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA).



Last week, the government announced a revision to the country's incentive programs on low-emission vehicles for this year and halved the government incentive on EVs priced between 60 million won ($54,300) and 90 million won. For EVs priced over 90 million won, the government will not provide incentives.



In Korea, the central and municipal governments each offer incentives to registered drivers purchasing EVs. Municipal incentives are set based on those of the central government.



After the revision, a customer purchasing a Tesla Model 3 Long Range in Seoul will get a 5.13 million won incentive  3.41 million won from the central government and 1.72 million won from the Seoul Metropolitan Government. This is down 7.37 million won from 12.5 million won last year. The Tesla Model 3 Long Range was the best-selling EV in Korea last year.



"Given that incentives are still a critical factor in EV sales, the revision will likely be a boost for domestic EV makers and brands importing volume models," an industry official said. "It is difficult to rule out the chances of this being amplified into a trade dispute."



In the revision, the government slashed its incentive cap from 8.2 million won to 8 million won, and lowered incentives given for travel range. Instead, the government increased the amount given for a brand's compliance with government EV initiatives from 200,000 won to a maximum 500,000 won, and added a new criterion for evaluating energy efficiency.



Based on the revision, the Model 3 Long Range comes with a 6.82 million won price reduction, down from 8 million won last year. However, since the vehicle is priced at 64.79 million won, the new price rule is applied, halving the subsidy to 3.41 million won and lowering Seoul city's subsidy too. On the other hand, the buyer of a Tesla Model 3 Standard, which is 54.69 million won, will get a 6.84 million won incentive.



While the Model 3 Long Range faced a drastic cut in incentives, the high-performance Model S was stripped of all of them due to its price range surpassing 100 million won. Along with the Model S, the Mercedes-Benz EQC 400, the Audi e-tron 55 Quattro and the Jaguar I-PACE will also have no incentives.



Tesla buyers claimed 40 percent of the country's 128 billion won in EV incentives allocated for the first half of last year. This led rival firms to claim the incentive program was unfair, saying Tesla "didn't invest much in the domestic economy" while its customers here benefited from the incentives leading to increased sales for the company.



They also said earlier that incentives hurt the price competitiveness of cheaper EVs, because they were originally designed to favor vehicles with a longer range on a single battery charge.



Tesla has reportedly expressed concerns to the Ministry of Environment and other related government agencies over the compliance criteria.



These refer to a government regulation on mandating car brands to meet a certain proportion of low-emission vehicles in their total sales. Brands meeting this receive tradable credits, and those that don't are forced to pay a levy or buy credits.



However, this regulation was applied to just 11 brands which sold at least 4,500 vehicles in Korea from 2009, sidelining Tesla from getting benefits from selling credits. Tesla reportedly claimed this was a violation of equitable national treatment guaranteed in the KORUS FTA.



Article 11.3 of the trade pact states: "Each party (Korea and the U.S.) shall accord to investors of the other party treatment no less favorable than that it accords, in like circumstances, to its own investors with respect to the establishment, acquisition, expansion, management, conduct, operation, and sale or other disposition of investments in its territory."



The environment ministry said the regulation was "not aimed at discriminating against overseas companies or targeting Tesla," but industry officials say the revised incentive scheme appears designed to favor cheaper vehicles.


German newswire Deutsche Welle (DW) recently ran an article hailing Vietnams successes in combating the COVID-19 pandemic as well as economic development on the threshold of the 13th National Party Congress.

The Communist Party of Vietnam will hold its 13th National Congress from January 25 to February 2. (Photo: VNA)

The article lauded Vietnam among few countries in the world that have been successful in preventing the outbreak, saying soon after the onset of the health emergency, authorities put in place strict measures to control the spread of the virus, which helped keep infection number under control throughout the year.

According to the US-based Johns Hopkins University, the country has so far recorded 1,544 COVID-19 infections and 35 deaths.

The Vietnamese Governments successful handling of the health crisis has had a positive effect on the economy. Vietnam is one of the few countries that managed to post growth in 2020, expanding by 2.9 percent in a year while many economies worldwide recorded massive contractions.

Additionally, consumer confidence and optimism also remain high, according to the London-based market research firm Nielsen.

The export-oriented nation is becoming increasingly important to the globalised economy and international supply chains, the article highlighted, saying Vietnam has emerged as a major trade partner for Germany and the European Union (EU) as a whole since the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) came into force in August 2020.

Vietnam also organised the virtual signing ceremony for the mammoth Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agrement, creating the worlds largest free trade area.

According to DW, the Southeast Asian country will hold the 13th National Party Congress from January 25 to February 2 to select new leaders of the Communist Party of Vietnam and outline policies for the next five years, of which COVID-19, trade and climate change will be in top priorities.

Regarding the countrys challenges, Carl Thayer, a political scientist emeritus at the Australian University of New South Wales, said Vietnams energy security is the most pressing problem for the next five years. Besides, the country needs to resolve numerous longstanding tariff and trade issues with the US - the largest export market of Vietnam.

He also expressed his optimism that Vietnam will reach agreement with the US on many issues, and the country is likely to resume double-digit economic growth within the next five years, particularly if it makes clever use of the signed new-generation free trade pacts.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Phuong Linh, deputy director of the consulting firm Control Risks, said reforms top the list of the measures needed to ensure robust economic growth and political stability.

Journalist Mike Tatarski who lives in Ho Chi Minh City, for his part, mentioned the urgent need to modernise infrastructure in the context that Vietnam has been a favoured destination in the global production chain.

Vietnam should pay due heed to climate change, he said, adding it is necessary for the country to develop agriculture in a more stable fashion./.VNA


Joe Exotic is hoping President Joe Biden will grant him clemency.

The Tiger King star - who is currently serving a 22-year sentence behind bars after being convicted of plotting a murder-for-hire against rival Carole Baskin - had banked on being released by former President Donald Trump before he left the White House earlier this week.

And whilst Trump didn't pardon him, Joe is confident that he may get one from Biden in the coming weeks and months as he knows Vice President Kamala Harris is keen to 'help clean up the corruption in the Department of Justice and other agencies', TMZ reports.

Optimistic: Joe Exotic is hoping that the Biden administration will pardon him after Trump failed to do so

The animal trainer/convict reportedly sent emails to his team where he sounds hopeful about the possibility, according to the site.

Joe previously claimed he was 'too innocent and too gay' to receive a presidential pardon.

Slamming Donald's son in a message posted to Twitter, he wrote: 'I was too innocent and too GAY to deserve a Pardon from Trump ... I only mattered to Don Jr. when he needed to make a comment about me to boost his social media post.

Boy were we all stupid to believe he actually stood for Equal Justice? His corrupt friends all come first.'

On his side? Joe is confident that he may get one from Biden in the coming weeks and months as he knows Vice President Kamala Harris is keen to 'help clean up the corruption in the Department of Justice and other agencies', TMZ reports

Over-the-top: Joe previously claimed he was 'too innocent and too gay' to receive a presidential pardon

Behind bars: The Tiger King star is currently serving a 22-year sentence behind bars after being convicted of plotting a murder-for-hire against rival Carole Baskin

While Joe was angry not to be granted clemency, Carole admitted she was relieved that her rival hadn't been pardoned as she is now 'taking a deep breath'.

She said: 'I'm taking a deep breath because I feel such a sense of relief. From the very time that he was sentenced I have worried about there being a presidential pardon that could undo all of the hard work that went into bringing this person to justice.

'When today at noon a new president was sworn in, I felt like I was finally safe from that threat.'

Before missing out on clemency, Joe's legal representative had been so 'confident' he would be pardoned, they had a limousine waiting to take him home from prison.


New Delhi: Hours after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to address the event on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Kolkata on Saturday (January 23, 2021) as the crowd raised 'Jai Sri Ram' slogans, Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP Nusrat Jahan strongly condemned the incident.

Taking to Twitter, the sitting MP from Basirhat wrote: "Ram ka naam gale laga ke bolo na ke gale dabake I strongly condemn the shouting of political and religious slogans at government functions to celebrate the legacy of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary celebrations."

raam kaa naam gl lgaak bol naa ki glaa dbaak /

I strongly condemn shouting of political and religious slogans at Government Functions to celebrate legacy of Freedom Fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary celebrations. #SaveBengalFromBJP #Shame  Nusrat Jahan Ruhi (@nusratchirps) January 23, 2021

At the event on Netaji, the crowd raised 'Jai Sri Ram' slogans which upset Mamata Banerjee. She objected to the shouting of political and religious slogans at government functions.

"I think government's program should have some dignity. This is a government's program and not a political party's program. I'm thankful to Prime Minister and Ministry of Culture to host this event here but it doesn't suit you to insult someone after inviting them," Banerjee said, adding that as a protest she will not speak on the occasion.

This happened moments before Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his speech on the occasion of 'Parakarm Divas'.

Prior to the program, PM Modi paid tributes to Subhas Chandra Bose at Kolkata's Netaji Bhavan. On Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's 125th birth anniversary, PM Narendra Modi also attended the international conference on 'Re-visiting the legacy of Netaji Subhas in the 21st century'.

The event is being held at Kolkata's famous Victoria Memorial, where, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar is also present.

Live TV
Indian, Turkish, Azerbaijaniani and Bangladeshi seafarers are in the third week of a hunger strike in the port of Shuaiba, Kuwait.

The abandoned crew of the bulk carrier Ula (IMO number: 8102414) have been on hunger strike since January 7 in a desperate effort to get off the ship and recover more than $400,000 in wages owed to them.

Six of the crew of have already been hospitalised to stabilise their blood pressure and sugar levels, before being returned to the ship. The seafarers lives remain at risk if they continue to refuse food and water.

"The Kuwaiti authorities must act urgently to save these seafarers from killing themselves through this hunger strike. While it was the Qatari shipowner and the Flag State of Palau who let these seafarers down, we call on Kuwait to show leadership in resolving this crisis," said Mohamed Arrachedi, ITF Arab World and Iran Network Coordinator for the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF).

"Most of the crew have been on board for 14 months  and some have now spent over two years on board. These seafarers are simply asking Kuwait to replace them with local crew, so that they can go home to their families."

For the last 11 months the crew have been abandoned by MV Ula's Qatari ship owner, Aswan Trading and Contracting. Aswan has been blacklisted since 2017.

Job and income losses, and their unresolved abandonment case, have forced the seafarers to take a stand over their owed wages. They say their families cannot afford to have them walk away from the ship empty handed.

"My mother, father, sister and younger brother depend on me to support them since my father lost his job due to the Covid-19 pandemic," one seafarer told the ITF. "So now I am the only one with a job, but I've had no salary for 11 months. We took out a loan, but we can't pay it back."

When a ship is abandoned the vessel's Flag State normally steps in to take action to preserve the life of the crew and ensure owed wages are paid.

"Palau has failed to do its job," argues Arrachedi. "The ITF repeatedly raised the lack of provisions and wages owing, but no action has been taken."

Palau terminated the ship's registration in September 2020 and the vessel remains flagless with the crew demands unresolved.

"Since the ship is now flagless, it is left up to the Kuwaiti maritime authorities to resolve the situation. Kuwait has a legal and moral responsibility to save these seafarers while there is still time. As always, the ITF is on standby to assist in any way we can," said Arrachedi.-- Tradearabia News Service


Andrew Davies returns as leader of Welsh Conservatives as party moves to fill vacancy created after Senedd drinking incident

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jan 24th, 2021

The Welsh Conservatives have moved quickly to fill the leadership vacancy created when Paul Davies MS stepped down yesterday over the drinking alcohol in the Senedd issue.

On Friday the Welsh Conservative Group in the Senedd gave Paul Davies MS unanimous support, with strong denials issued that there was issues on two separate days, less than 24 hours later Mr Davies said he was truly sorry for my actions on the 8th and 9th December and stepped down as leader.

The investigation into drinking on the Senedd estate has made referrals to Cardiff Council after it found a possible breach of regulations occurred.

The allegation is that consumption of alcohol took place on the premises of the Welsh Parliament on the 8th of December  a significant action and date with the pandemic restrictions on the serving of alcohol coming into effect on the 4th of December. The unofficial meeting took place in the Senedd tea room in the Ty Hywel building, which is behind and linked to the main Senedd building.





This morning a statement has been issued saying Andrew RT Davies MS has, again, been appointed as the new Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group in the Welsh Parliament. Andrew Davies MS had previously been leader from July 2011 to June 2018, and most recently held the health portfolio on the Welsh Conservatives front bench.

The now new Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, Andrew RT Davies MS said: Becoming leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd once again is a great honour and privilege, and Im pleased to enjoy the unanimous support of my colleagues to take us forward after a difficult few days for us all.

On behalf of the Group I want to pay tribute to Paul Davies for his service as leader. Paul is not only a colleague but a trusted friend, who has served his constituents and party with distinction, and will continue to do so.

There is urgent work in front of all of us and our immediate focus will be continuing to hold the Labour administration in the Senedd to account on vital issues such as the vaccine rollout, and fighting Mays election alongside our excellent slate of candidates and dedicated volunteers.

We are in a moment like no other, and the COVID-19 pandemic has sadly only served to shine a spotlight on the challenges in peoples everyday lives; challenges that have been made all the harder by twenty of Welsh Labour Government failure.

From our fragile economy to ever increasing NHS waiting lists, people in Wales have been badly let down by successive Labour administrations. Let me be clear; devolution isnt the issue, it is the socialists in the Labour Party, and Wales deserves better.

In just over 100 days, the Welsh public will head to the ballot box to decide on the future they want for our country and in the coming weeks and months the Welsh Conservatives will put forward a positive plan to get Wales moving again and build back our country better than ever.

This will be in tough election during a tough time for our country and whereas other parties want to use this period to divide and separate, well seek to unite our country and deliver a strong voice for Wales, in a strong United Kingdom.

Chairman of the Welsh Conservative Group in the Senedd, Janet Finch-Saunders MS said: Following a meeting of the Welsh Conservative Group in the Senedd this morning, Im pleased to confirm that Andrew RT Davies has been endorsed unanimously as our new leader in the Senedd.

As Chairman of the Group, I want to say thank you to Paul Davies for his immense efforts in the post since 2018. Paul played a key role in our record-breaking General Election in 2019, whilst setting the groundwork ahead of Mays Senedd election.

Our attention now turns to May and taking the fight to the Labour Party.
A word is more than just a neutral label attached to an object; it also carries a time-hardened public attitude. The easiest way to change the attitude is to change the label; hence, I heard on NPR a mention of "sex workers." Juvenile drug-dealers  I kid you not  were called "boys who made a mistake."

The effect of re-labeling is well known, and it is widely used by the politicians. I just read a Russian writer's reminiscences of World War II, in which he recalled how, after the signing of the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, the hated word "fascism" disappeared from the Soviet papers and broadcasts, to be replaced with a much more relatable and sympathetic "National Socialism" so as to make it easier for a Soviet citizen to transition to Hitler's new role of a friend, rather than bitter enemy, of the Soviet state.

Oppressive regimes, aware of the power of labels, use them to their full advantage, and include positive labels right into the official names of their states. Names like "United States" or the "Russian Federation" tell you little about those countries' political organization, but how about words like "democracy" or "republic"?

I started wondering, why do we in the West parrot those words even when they are manifestly misleading? Is there really a "Peoples' Republic of China"? In the huge geographic area so designated, people have zero input into how they are governed. This is decided for them by the all-seeing, all-knowing, all-wise chairman of the Communist Party. So why not call it  in the Western press at least  the "Communist Dictatorship of China"? Likewise, the first three words in the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea" are pure fiction, for it is neither "Democratic" nor "People's" nor "Republic." (By the way, if it were "Democratic" and "People's," just the last word, "Republic," would suffice, since it adequately encompasses the first two concepts.) Just as with China, "Communist Dictatorship of Korea" is its realistic description. Iran, at least, had the honesty to lie in only one  middle  word in its self-assigned name, "Islamic Republic of Iran." Since it is ruled by a cleric, not by its people, "Islamic Dictatorship of Iran" is a far more accurate term.

Why do we repeat those misleading names in our media? Why do we agree to play this strange word game of self-deception? Was it what allowed us to transfer, in exchange to cheaper labor, American technology to China, handing the communists the weapon with which to beat us? Did it dupe the Obama administration into the hope that dictatorial Iran would change its brutal ways if we only gave its nuclear program legitimacy in exchange for a token concession of a fifteen-year hiatus in Iran's production of the actual weapon  in a "deal" that Joe Biden now wants to re-enter?

Why do we want to ignore reality? Why do we want to be duped?

Sure, we seek bliss  and ignorance is bliss. But ignorance is only as blissful as drunkenness; it lasts only as long. The reckoning won't be pleasant. Shouldn't we better see the things for what they are and not shield ourselves from the brutal reality by inventing innocent-sounding labels for scary and ugly and dirty things  nor accept those used by our enemies to dupe their own people  and us, too?

Image: Martin Vorel via Libreshot.
MOSCOW  For years, the Kremlin tried to ignore the opposition leader Aleksei A. Navalny, right down to avoiding the very mention of his name.

But by Sunday, Russian officials had drastically reversed course.

President Vladimir V. Putins spokesman appeared on a prime-time show on state television and denied Mr. Navalnys assertion that Mr. Putin had a secret palace on the Black Sea. On another marquee program, the host devoted 40 minutes to Mr. Navalny, who was described as engaging in political pedophilia. And the evening newscast showed tweets by Western officials in support of Mr. Navalny as proof that he was working against Russian interests.

The tightly scripted, all-hands attack on Mr. Navalny on Sunday underlined how the opposition leaders dramatic return to Russia a week earlier and his arrest have changed the landscape of Russian politics.

Mr. Putin remains in firm control of the levers of power. But Russians unhappy with their president  long a weak, diverse and atomized group  suddenly have a clear leader around whom to rally, and the government appears unsure about how to fight back.
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Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced a 72-hour suspension of New Zealands green zone travel status in the wake of a case of community transmission in Auckland.

A woman is believed to have acquired the South African variant of coronavirus while in hotel quarantine, but didnt test positive until she was released.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd has urged anyone who arrived in Australia from New Zealand since January 14 to stay in isolation until they get tested for COVID-19 and receive a negative result.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee recommended to the federal government to take a precautionary approach to the green zone travel bubble arrangements in place, said Professor Kidd.

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A few days after leaving hotel quarantine a specimen [from the woman] was tested last Friday, January the 22nd, and returned a positive COVID-19 test result on Saturday, January 23, Professor Kidd said.

The person had visited at least 30 locations, and these are all detailed on the New Zealand Ministry of Health website today following gene sequencing in New Zealand.

New Zealand health authorities believe the strain detected was from South Africa.

This will be done out of an abundance of caution, Mr Hunt said.

The government has recommended that all passengers from New Zealand with green zone travel plans scheduled in the next 72 hours reconsider their need to travel.
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New Delhi, Jan 24 : For the first time, the number of states affected by the outbreak of bird flu has reached double digits in India, although wild birds are worst affected by this disease. The poultry trade has not yet recovered from the outbreak. However, the demand for chicken at hotels and restaurants has seen an improvement over the previous week.

Though, bird flu has been confirmed in poultry birds in nine states, but its impact is quite low. Experts point out that the new avian influenza virus is not dangerous to humans.

The poultry industry of the country had not yet recovered fully due to the havoc caused by Covid-19, and now the recent outbreak of bird flu at the beginning of the year has severely affected the poultry business. Despite the elaborate arrangements made by the central and state government agencies for prevention of outbreak of bird flu, it is safe to eat cooked chicken and eggs. The difficulties faced by poultry farmers have not subsided as they have been forced to sell cocks of Rs 100 at Rs 50.

The Commissioner of Animal Husbandry in the Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy, Praveen Malik, told IANS that bird flu cases were first detected in India in 2006, but till now it was reported in a small number of states simultaneously, but this time its reporting has been good, leading to its number rising in many states. States have shown promptness in reporting and conducting control campaigns against the virus.

He said that wherever the avian influenza has been confirmed in poultry birds, with the cooperation of the central government teams, the states have taken all the precautionary measures, including culling of birds.

According to an investigation report by the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, the infection in birds had been confirmed in 13 states of the country as on Saturday, including in the poultry birds across nine states. Among these bird flu in ducks have been found in Kerala while it has been detected in poultry in Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

At the same time, bird flu in wild birds has been confirmed in 12 states. Malik said the new virus which has emerged is not very dangerous as there are no reports of its affecting humans.

The virus by which the bird flu usually spreads is H5N1 while this time there have also been cases of H5N8 infection.

Poultry Federation of India President, Ramesh Khatri, said the fear of bird flu has affected the poultry industry's business in north India by nearly 50 per cent, while the business of poultry farmers in other parts of the country was affected by nearly 30 to 40 per cent.

At the same time, retail sales of chicken are definitely low but its price is not that low as chicken is being sold at Rs 230 to 250 per kg in Delhi-NCR.

The demand for chicken in hotels and restaurants was less a week ago, but now it has increased. Inderjit Singh, the director of 20 restaurant chains in Delhi, said the demand for chicken in his restaurant is starting to pick up now while non-vegetarian food lovers are demanding chicken as there is no panic among them about bird flu.

The demand for chicken has also increased in 'Panda Kitchen' restaurant in Gurugram. Panda Kitchen operator Rajan Gupta said the price of chicken has also risen now. However, a week ago, chicken was sold at Rs 120 to 150 per kg, which is now being sold at more than than Rs 200.

Experts say that before the coronavirus pandemic crisis last year, the annual turnover of the poultry industry in India was nearly Rs 1.25 lakh crore, which has now been reduced to half the amount due to the rumours spread during the coronavirus crisis.



ANN ARBOR, MI  The Washtenaw County Health Department announced Saturday that it is aware of a possible public exposure to the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7.

A total of five cases of the variant have been identified and additional sequencing continues for other possible cases already positive for COVID-19, according to the Jan. 23 news release from the health department.

Officials say brief, public exposures are not normally a COVID-19 exposure concern but the B.1.1.7. variant is more easily transmitted and could lead to more cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Related: 2 more cases of COVID-19 variant tied to Washtenaw County woman

Washtenaw health leaders are recommending immediate COVID-19 testing for anyone in the following locations at the specified times:

Sunday, Jan. 17 at the Meijer on Ann Arbor Saline Rd., Ann Arbor MI from 9 to 10 a.m.

Sunday, Jan. 17 at Briarwood Mall, 100 Briarwood Circle, Ann Arbor MI from 1 to 2 p.m.

Related: What Michiganders should know about new coronavirus variant B.1.1.7

The initial case of the B.1.1.7. variant was identified Jan 16 in the University of Michigan community, according to the release. It is not clear if all subsequent cases are connected to this first case.

The possibility of additional spread of the variant is a concern, said Juan Luis Marquez, MD, MPH, medical director with Washtenaw County Health Department.

At this point and with the guidance of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, we are encouraging extra precautions. Seek testing if you have symptoms, have recently been exposed to COVID-19, or have recently traveled to a place where the new variant is circulating. And everyone should make sure they are using all COVID-19 precautions consistently. This includes face masks, social distancing, hand cleaning, avoiding crowds or gatherings, and following isolation and quarantine guidance.

While believed to be more contagious, there has been no indication that B.1.1.7 affects the clinical outcomes or disease severity compared to the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

The Washtenaw County Health Department, MDHHS and the University of Michigan are working closely to implement additional containment strategies to slow the spread of the variant, the release states.

READ MORE:

What Michiganders should know about new coronavirus variant B.1.1.7

Washtenaw County Health Department offering no-cost COVID-19 testing at Pioneer High School Sunday

Large COVID-19 vaccine clinic at DeVos Place designed to boost shots in arms
A red-faced MP has issued a grovelling apology after she was pulled over by police for breaking the speed limit.

Western Australian Liberal MP Alyssa Hayden was given a speeding ticket for going 20km/h over the limit in a 60km zone in the Byford on the Scarp estate on Perth's south-eastern outskirts on Sunday.

A photo of the MP being spoken to by a police officer in her campaign van, with a big photo of her plastered on the side, has since gone viral online after it was shared to a community Facebook page with more than 2,400 members.

Ms Hayden has issued a grovelling apology after this photo of her being pulled over by police went viral on a Facebook community page

'Just now in the Scarp - 80km in a 60km zone is not a good example no matter who you are,' a local resident captioned the photo, the West Australian reported.

An embarrassed Ms Hayden vowed to pay the fine and pleaded with other motorists to learn from her lesson and slow down.

'There are no excuses. I will cop it sweet and pay the fine,' she told the publication in a statement.

'I know the importance of road safety and I am extremely remorseful.

'It is a reminder to keep your eye on your speedo.'

Daily Mail Australia contacted her office late Sunday night for further comment.

The penalty for exceeding the speed limit in Western Australia by more than 19 km/h is $400 and the loss of three demerits points.

This is Ms Hayden's second stint in state politics.

MP Alyssa Hayden (pictured) found herself on the wrong side of the law on Sunday after she was allegedly caught speeding 20km over the limit

A former Senate staffer, she was first elected to the Western Australian Legislative Council representing the East Metropolitan Region in 2009.

She briefly served as a parliamentary secretary to the roads safety minister during her eight year stint before she lost the seat in the 2017 state election.

Ms Hayden returned to state politics the following year when she won the Darling Range by-election and is currently the opposition spokeswoman for small business and tourism.

Western Australian voters will return to the polls at the next state election on March 13.

The ABC reported on Saturday that many within the Liberals fear that Ms Hayden may lose the Darling Range seat, which is traditionally a blue ribbon electorate.


For Steve Williams, the public media veteran tapped to helm Newarks cultural crown jewel, the legendary jazz station WBGO, stepping into the presidents chair represents the challenge of his lifetime.

Embroiled in controversy for the last few years over issues of diversity and accessibility, WBGO is at a critical inflection point, fighting for relevance and the support of its community, long considered the stations lifeblood.

While he appreciates the task of commanding a decades-old cultural institution, what The New York Times calls arguably the best jazz station in the world, Williams doesnt see it as a burden to shoulder.

Pictured is Steve Williams, the new president and CEO of WBGO.Gordon Tunison

The 60-year-old Cincinnati native, who previously served as WBGOs Programming Director and a Programming Consultant, balked at the suggestion that his appointment as President and CEO was meant to signify a new era for the station as it enters its 42nd year on the air.

I wasnt asked to make changes at WBGO, what I was asked to do is to come in and do the best possible job of maintaining and enhancing the stations fortunes as a media company, Williams told NJ Advance Media in an exclusive interview a week into his Jan. 4 start on the job.

Instead of weighing in on the controversies and his plans to address them, Williams stuck to his resume while paying tribute to the stations legacy. His vision for WBGOs future: a continuation of its past.

I have an abiding love and respect for BGO  thats why I worked for the station twice, and thats really geared to my appreciation and respect for the legacy of the radio station and its history that goes back to the late 1970s, Williams said. So, primarily, I want to continue that.

After a firestorm of criticism for the station, that answer is sure to anger some community members demanding change. Others might be reassured, seeing that Williams wants to restore WBGOs status, even if he might not agree theres much damage control or restoration that needs to be done.

Steve comes from the New York City radio environment where, from top management to lowest level of staff, you have to be about the job, you have to be about the mission of the radio station. At WBGO, everyone had a different mission, a different direction, a different interpretation of what should be going on, and I think all that disappears under Steve, Bill Daughtry, a longtime WBGO host who retired in 2019 due to what he described as a lack of vision, told NJ Advance Media.

Carmen Ballentine worked in fundraising at WBGO for five years, before leaving in 2018. Though he only crossed paths with Williams briefly, he remembered thinking that that was the man who should be in charge.

His energy, his receptiveness was exactly what I felt the station needed, Ballentine said, describing the leadership of Williams predecessor, Amy Niles, as ineffective and unengaged.

The charges against the station are manifold and came to a peak nearly a year ago after Josie Gonsalves, a Black development officer, said she was abruptly fired for raising concerns about a lack of diversity in station leadership. Soon after, the station conducted an internal review to investigate racial bias in the workplace and Niles resigned.

The stations reputation was also thrown into question, when Ronald S. Glover, a Newark community activist, penned an op-ed for The Star-Ledger alleging that the station was excluding Black donors from a gala and managed by an elitist white faction with little to no ties or commitment to be a voice of the community.

Others in the community have been critical of WBGO. One longtime volunteer said she wanted to see a new leader reconnect with the community and broaden outreach efforts to highlight fresh local talent.

Radam Schwartz, a Newark musician with a 40-year-old relationship to the station, was more blunt: Some of the people at WBGO look at the Newark jazz community as being like a minor league system.

So serious was the racial reckoning that Newark Mayor Ras Baraka issued a forceful declaration demanding that these problems be addressed swiftly and immediately to the satisfaction of your employees, or I can no longer continue to support the station in our community.

Neither Baraka nor Glover returned a request for comment and Gonsalves declined to comment.

Still, after a saga of scandal for the station, Williams maintained he has no opinion of the events that transpired, merely saying, the controversial nature of Amy Niles departure was not really a factor in my decision to take the job nor was it part of the discussion.

I certainly read about it, like a lot of people did  but, again, it wasnt really a factor for me. When I took the job, I didnt take the job thinking Im going to come in and heal the damage that had been created by my predecessor. This is purely a professional decision.

So, with past issues outlined, where does Williams stand on the stations future direction? Above all else, Williams must deal with another pressing crisis: a pandemic that has hit Newark especially hard and shuttered jazz clubs that WBGO relies on in part for revenue.

He presents himself as a capable leader and broadcasting pro to steer the ship through rocky waters  a pageslong resume certainly helps him make the case. Starting his career at age 15 with a local station in Cincinnati, Williams most recently served as Managing Producer of WAMU, Washington D.C.s NPR station, and as Director of Audio Production for KUOW Public Radio in Seattle.

The hiring of Williams, who is Black, is sure to quell at least some of the concerns about a lack of diverse leadership raised under Niles tenure, who is white.

Beyond representation in leadership roles, Williams said hes spent his entire career committed to equity in the workplace, calling WBGO a pretty diverse place where he doesnt see issues of imbalance as far as the staffing goes. However, Williams chose not to weigh in on critiques of the majority white male Board of Trustees.

There are some who worry WBGO is passing its artistic prime, citing the loss of legends like Daughtry and Newarks First Lady of Jazz and founding member Dorthaan Kirk.

However, Williams gestured to a burgeoning class of younger contributors, like Daughtrys replacement, Keanna Faircloth, and Evening Jazz host Nicole Sweeney, both of which he said he played a role in hiring, calling them a representation of an ongoing evolution of presentation on WBGO.

While Williams role in that evolution has just commenced, the executive already faces a long list of to-dos in an already chaotic new year.

Im truly excited and filled with anticipation, Williams said. You go through a career hoping that you are lucky enough... to exercise all of the various skills and attributes that you have developed over a lifetime of work  I think thats what this situation is for me.

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.
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Advencha before Demencha!

This is the motto both Kevin Arnold and Dani Dukes live by.

The Albuquerque natives make their living by traveling around the world  by van.

The couple then documents their experiences on their website, vankookz.com, as well as their YouTube channel.

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The transition to van life was easy for the couple as the idea came up years ago while attending Burning Man.

One of the camp mates came to Seattle and we had a small apartment, Dukes says. He was like, How much do you pay? If you came to Australia you could live with me. We looked into it.

The pair were 30 at the time and the age limit to get a working holiday visa in Australia is 31.

We took off on the adventure and havent stopped, Dukes says.

While in Australia, Arnold and Dukes noticed the number of surfers living in vans and traveling around the country.

The couple was able to save money  and the beginning of their van life started.

We bought the van in Australia and it was really expensive, and we were figuring out how to make it work, Arnold says. We found a van for $500. The guy that we lived with was an electrician and helped us out.

When the couple got back to the United States, it was time for them to downsize.

Simplifying is harder than it is to expand, Dukes says. We had a landlord who said, People are like fish. As long as you have space, you will acquire things. 

We still pack the essentials, Arnold chimes in.

Their current van has all the essentials, including outdoor equipment and kayaks.

Arnold says the van has a pimped out water filtration system that was installed just before the end of the year.

The parents got reverse osmosis water on their sink, Arnold says. I wanted that same system in our van. Of course you need warm clothes and power is always nice. We have solar panels on the van, which helps to charge all of our gadgets.

While the couple looks for a simple kind of life, there is room for a splurge at times.

One of our biggest expenses is food, Dukes says. We treat ourselves well. I want good organic and pasteurized foods. We never go out to eat. When we get to a new town, we look up what farmers markets are around.

Arnold continues and says the next splurge is on outdoor gear.

The couple has noticed more traffic on their website and YouTube channel since the pandemic started.

The couple has downloadable information on how to build your own van, as well as a travel guide to places like Baja California.

A lot of people have made the jump into a more sustainable way of living, Arnold says. Weve met a lot of people choosing to live out of their vehicles. Weve been to festivals for nomadic life and its mind blowing to see how many people are shifting towards this new way of living.

Arnold and Dukes enjoy their travels that take them far away from their hometown of Albuquerque.

They both went to Sandia High School.

I grew up in New Mexico and its beautiful, Duke says. With all of our travels, its given us new eyes and appreciation for where we come from. We really love it now. Theres always somewhere to hike and be outdoors. Its a special place.

Arnold loves the challenge of figuring out the next stop of the adventure.

Were always looking for federal camping sites, he says. At the end of the day, we are often more tired because it takes so much work to plan it all out.

Dukes enjoys reciting their motto Advencha before Demencha.

Our outlook is that we have to do it while we can, Dukes says. We are 35 years old now and there is no way we can see ourselves waiting until 65 and retirement to do it.
to mark the 45th anniversary of David Bowie's darkest album, a special limited edition of Station To Station has been released. Just yesterday, in fact. It starts on the title track with 3.20 minutes of noise - a train travelling, guitar feedback, an atonal groove - before Bowie finally speaks: "The return of the thin white duke, throwing darts in lovers' eyes." This is a reference to the occult. Ten utterly surreal minutes later, the song ends. It is a matter of debate whether Bowie meant Station To Station to represent Christ's Stations of the Cross or some paranormal inner journey. What is beyond argument, is the diminished mental and physical state Bowie was in when he created this, his 10th studio album.

He remembered little of the album's creation other than that it was recorded in Los Angeles - in late 1975 at Cherokee Studios in North Hollywood - "because I've read it was." The album, which contained only six tracks, was recorded by an emaciated addict in a state of "psychic terror."

His was a vampiric life in the City of Angels, lived in the shadows. During the recording sessions, black candles were burned in the studio to ward off evil spirits. The album was filled with Bowie's obsessions with Friedrich Nietzsche, ancient fascist mythology, Aleister Crowley, the occult, the Kabbalah, and Christianity. The latter is evident on 'Word on a Wing', when he sings as if directly to God: "I'm trying hard to fit among Your scheme of things." He would later say that the song was, "unwittingly... a signal of distress, a call for help."

There was much need for help. His cocaine use was causing him paranoid delusions. He was hallucinating "24 hours a day." He would see bodies fall past his window. He had a dread of having his semen stolen by witches masquerading as groupies who wanted to create - Rosemary's Baby-style - a devil-baby. He believed the swimming pool in his new home in Beverly Hills was possessed. He felt the devil was in the water. He had an exorcism performed on the pool by a white witch.

At his previous home, in the Los Feliz district in Los Angeles, in a mansion four doors down from the location of the Manson murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca in 1969, he had all the knives removed from the kitchen. He feared the Manson family might break out of jail and kill him.

He drew protective pentagrams on the walls. He was as pale as a corpse and skeletal, weighing just 95lbs. On November 28, 1975, Bowie talked by satellite from LA to Russell Harty for his BBC chat-show in London. It was a car crash with Bowie awkward and clearly coked out of his mind, because at that point he was out of his mind in every sense.

That said, Station To Station remains an avant garde masterpiece, however dark. It was also the final resting place for Bowie's last persona, the Thin White Duke - "a very Aryan, fascist type, a would-be romantic with absolutely no emotion." There was a theory that the lyrics of 'Golden Years', "I'll stick with you baby for a thousand years/ Nothing's gonna touch you in these golden years", referred to Hitler's dream of a 1,000-year reign of the Third Reich. (Bowie claimed he wrote the song for his idol Elvis, who didn't like it.)

"I haven't a clue where I'm going be in a year," he said when Station to Station was released on January 23, 1976.

In mid-April of that year, in Stockholm, on the world tour to promote Station To Station, he told a local newspaper that he believed "Britain could benefit from a fascist leader. After all, fascism is really nationalism." The following week, in a break between shows, he took a train to Moscow via Warsaw. At the border, a KGB officer took Bowie and his guests off the train. They were detained for questioning because Bowie had books by Joseph Goebbels in his possession. He said they were research materials for a film about the Reich Minister of Propaganda of Nazi Germany. He was allowed to travel on to Moscow. In London, in May, he allegedly greeted fans from an open-top Mercedes with a straight-arm salute. Bowie himself later denied it was a Nazi salute. "That did not happen. I just waved."

In the summer of 1976, he told Playboy magazine that "Adolf Hitler was one of the first rock stars. The world will never see his like. He staged a country." Years later, he would claim that his fascination with the Nazis and their search for the Holy Grail was driven by drug psychosis which he paid for "with the worst manic depression of my life. My psyche went through the roof, it just fractured into pieces. I felt like I'd fallen into the bowels of the earth.

"There was something horrible permeating the air in LA in those days," he would later say. "The stench of Manson and the Sharon Tate murders."

In late 1976, Bowie finally decided to escape that stench and leave his home in LA, a city he described as "the most vile piss-pot in the world". Having met Christopher Isherwood, author of Goodbye To Berlin, the book that inspired the film Cabaret, he was drawn to his stories of Berlin, and moved to Schoneberg in West Berlin. The plan was to set up home with his estranged wife Angie, and young son, Zowie Bowie (now Duncan Jones), in Blonay, Switzerland as a tax exile. Instead, on September 1, 1976, trying to kick his cocaine addiction and realising his marriage was over, he went to the Chateau d'Herouville, outside Paris, to start recording an album.

The title would sum up his mood: Low. Its glacial sound helped create the post-punk of Public Image Limited, early Simple Minds, Human League et al. There is an apocryphal story that during the latter part of the sessions for Low, the album's co-producer Brian Eno felt the presence of composer Frederic Chopin and writer George Sand, lovers who had once lived in the chateau. When Eno developed a cough, everyone in the studio became especially paranoid because Chopin had died from consumption in nearby Paris, in 1849.

'Breaking Glass' from Low was partly inspired by Bowie's penchant for occult drawings. There was some real breaking glass, too, during the recording in France, when Angie turned up with her new boyfriend Roy Martin, and wine bottles were thrown. Bowie got the song 'Be My Wife' and, of course, 'Breaking Glass' out of the fight. The first of a trilogy of experimental albums, Low was full of pain. Bowie was a recovering cocaine addict going through a bitter divorce with Angie, plus a custody battle over their child, as well as legal problems with his ex-management. It left him broke. The first cheque to pay for the chateau where Low was recorded bounced.

All of this aside, we owe Bowie a debt of gratitude for the music he gave us. He also gave several generations of artists and musicians the courage to be different, to be themselves.
Evercam, a Dublin-based construction time-lapse camera and project management software company, has secured a 2.5m investment from a fund linked to stockbroker Davy and professional services company BDO.

The company, headed by Marco Herbst, secured the investment toward the end of December. According to Companies Registration Office documents, the investment was made by investor services firm IQ-EQ, which is understood to act as a trustee for the Davy EIIS Fund.

Speaking with the Sunday Independent, Herbst said the investor was the Davy EIIS, which is also linked to BDO. He was attracted to the financing package as the investment is non-diluting.

Herbst hopes to use the investment to grow the business in the US and boost its artificial intelligence capabilities.

"It is daunting; there are high expectations now," Herbst said. "Everybody that has gone before us, in terms of taking Irish companies to America, the consistent advice is that it is the big opportunity; it is the thing you have got to go for if you are ambitious.

"The rationale for us, the US wasn't the easiest for us. We could have gone to Amsterdam or Australia, which is working out really well for us.

"If we are serious about our ambition of being the number one company in the world at what we do, then you can't avoid America. That was our rationale, it might have been nice to spend more time getting market dominance in the UK, but I didn't feel like we had that time.

"We are serious about being number one globally, so America is non-negotiable," he added.

Evercam, which large contractors use, such as BAM Ireland on notable projects such as the National Children's Hospital, has raised 3m in the last year.

It recently completed a 600,000 round with DBIC Ventures and Elkstone.

Herbst said Evercam has around 60 employees, a lot of whom started following the 600,000 fund raising. He believes the company will be up close to 100 staff toward the end of the year, with new hires mostly working sales roles overseas.

The company also recently hired three sales staff in the US, having completed some new deals in Texas.

Herbst said Evercam was also on track to grow its turnover significantly. Evercam had sales of 2m last year, with Herbst having the ambition to hit revenue of 100m in seven years if the company maintains its growth level.

The company uses machine learning and AI to help clients capture information from video time-lapses to ascertain real-time project status and site activity. The product can also be used to help construction companies avoid site disputes.

It currently has offices in Ireland, Britain, Australia, the US, Pakistan, Algeria, Poland and Canada.
Alex Woods one-year contract with the Giants pays out $3MM with another $3MM in incentives, but its the structure of those incentives that makes the contract unique, writes Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports.com. Woods deal will reward the southpaw for consistency working deep into games. Hell make $150K after 12 games of 10-plus outs, and another $150K after 14 such games. Hed then get $250K for each of 16, 18, 22, and 24 10-out games, and $500K for 26, 28, or 30 10-out outings. Given the 3 1/3 inning threshold, Wood should have a decent chance of reaching those benchmarks if hes in the rotation, but the structure leaves open the possibility of earning his incentives even if he works as an opener or follower.

Speaking of Wood, he almost signed with the Giants last season, but he chose to return to the Dodgers instead to take his best shot at winning a World Series ring, per John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. That worked out about as well as possible, but now Wood hopes to return to the rotation on a regular basis. Wood made just two starts with the Dodgers in 2020, working a total of 12 2/3 innings (which included seven relief appearances). He spent more than a month on the injured list suffering from shoulder inflammation. With the Giants, hell have an opportunity to pitch his way back into the rotation. That said, after bringing back Kevin Gausman and signing Anthony DeSclafani , Wood is not without competition for those starting spots. Hell have to stay healthy as well, which has not been a given for Wood in recent seasons.

and signing , Wood is not without competition for those starting spots. Hell have to stay healthy as well, which has not been a given for Wood in recent seasons. Ehire Adrianza signaled an end to his time in Minnesota with a post on instagram thanking the fans in Minnesota for his four years there. As of now, however, its not readily apparent if Adrianza has a new team lined up for 2021, per Chris Miller of the Star Tribune. The versatile switch-hitter has played everywhere on the diamond except for centerfield over his eight-year career. He spent four seasons with the Giants and the last four with the Twins, compiling a career triple slash line of .244/.310/.360, good for an 82 wRC+. The 31-year-old doesnt offer a lot of pop, but he generally puts the ball in play and walked at a 10.9 percent clip in 2020. He may be a value option for a team that had interest in but missed out on either Jurickson Profar or Enrique Hernandez.
The Air Force continues to defend its decision to locate the U.S. Space Command headquarters in Huntsville, Ala., citing a list of government offices and organizations that gave feedback before the decision.

Leaders in Colorado, one of the competing finalist states and home to the provisional command headquarters, are complaining that politics powered the decision to move the command to the South.

That decision announced this month is not final pending an environmental impact study. The final decision is expected in Spring 2023.

Colorado critics claim former President Donald Trump intervened to choose Alabama to reward Sen. Tommy Tuberville, one of the eight Republican senators who challenged portions of the Electoral College certification in Congress.

But responding to questions from AL.com this week, the Air Force said, The Secretary of the Air Force thoughtfully considered all input, feedback, staff analysis, best military advice, changes in the strategic environment and what evaluation criteria is the most important.

Given the complexity and importance of this decision, the Air Force Press Desk said, she also received feedback from the National Command Authority, defense oversight committees, senior commanders and functional staff experts before making her decision on the preferred location.

After considering all of that, the Air Force said Secretary Barbara Barrett chose Huntsville.

The National Command Authority included Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. But it is unclear who in that group gave Barrett feedback or what that feedback may have been.

The Air Force said this week that Alabama was chosen based on factors related to mission, infrastructure capacity, community support and cost to the Department of Defense. Huntsville compared favorable across more of these factors than any other community.... It cited the areas large, qualified workforce, superior infrastructure capacity, and low initial and recurring costs.

Asked about incentives from the city and state, the Air Force said it would defer to the local community of Huntsville for any information related to its self-nomination package.

Mayor Tommy Battle has said the city will be accelerating some major road projects to accommodate the command, including the completion of the Northern Bypass from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to Memorial Parkway. That completed highway will expand and smooth traffic flow into the arsenal from northern Madison County and southern Tennessee. The State of Alabama is also providing incentives.

We are working through the details to finalize and agreement with local stakeholders and so I am not yet able to provide values of financial support for the U.S. Space Command to locate in Huntsville, AL on Redstone Arsenal, Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield said this week. The State of Alabama will be providing support for new housing and recruitment of the workforce.

Redstone Arsenal is a 38,000-acre base led by four-star Gen. Edward Daly, commander of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. It has 40,000 employees at 78 federal agencies organizations including NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center, the Army Aviation and Missile Command, U.S. Missile Defense Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency/Missile and Space Intelligence Center, Army Space and Missile Defense Command and the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center.

Also in the space arena, Lockheed Martin announced last year that it will build a facility to test and manufacture hypersonic weapons in nearby Courtland, Ala. Hypersonics are a new frontier in combat featuring faster-than-sound missiles.

And the FBI also recently chose Redstone for a major expansion outside of Washington, D.C.

U.S. Space Command is what the military defines as a Unified Combatant Command, which is a joint military command composed of several military assets involved in space operations. It is often confused with the relatively new U.S. Space Force, which is a military service like the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. The Space Force organizes, trains, and equips space forces in order to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint force, the Air Force said.

Colorado was one of six states competing for the Space Command headquarters including Alabama, Florida, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado and Nebraska.

(AL.com reporter Paul Gattis contributed to this report)
About 150 National Guard members and 38 U.S. Capitol Police officers have tested positive for COVID-19 since the U.S. Capitol building's deadly attack earlier this month.

National Guard members, Capitol police officers, tested positive for COVID-19

Officials told CBC News that 38 Capitol Police officers and 150 National Guard members tested positive for the coronavirus after responding to the U.S. Capitol riot this month.

The cases "spiked" since the January 6 Capitol attack that brought the police in close quarters with rioters, the chairman of the union representing Capitol police, Gus Papathanasiou, told CBS News.

In the wake of the attack, more than 25,000 National guard members were deployed to Washington DC.

Photos showed guardsmen resting in close quarters inside the Capitol building. Over half of the guardsmen will go home in the coming days.

Besides the National Guard troops and Capitol police, Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Bonnie Watson Coleman also tested positive for COVID-19 after the attack. During the riot, lawmakers were forced to hide together in a secure room, and the proximity caused concern of a super-spreader event.

Read also: National Guardsmen Forced to Sleep in Parking Garage After Protecting Capitol for Biden Inauguration

Democrats accused Republican colleagues of refusing to wear face masks while sheltered together, as per the CBS News.

More Than 120 suspects have been hit with federal charges from the January 6 riot that killed five people. The FBI continues searching through social media, personal videos, and tips to find more suspects.

On Friday, approximately 150 out of 26,000 National Guard members deployed to the Capitol tested positive for COVID-19 as thousands of them departed Washington DC, U.S. officials said.

The troops sighted through images in close quarters within the Capitol Visitor Center raised concerns that social distancing guidelines had been impossible during the incident.

National Guard spokesperson claims members followed COVID-19 guidelines

According to WLTX, it remains unclear whether defense officials informed Mayor Muriel Bowser's office of the testing data or if the diagnosis constitutes a super-spreader event.

National Guard spokesperson Maj. Matt Murphy said the bureau did not discuss the COVID-19 cases, and personnel followed CDC guidelines.

Murphy said, "When National Guard members departed from their individual states and upon arrival to the D.C. Armory, they had their temperatures checked and completed a screening questionnaire."

He claimed that masks and social distancing were required in the mission, and they followed these procedures daily.

Wall Street Journal reported the developments first, which was confirmed by CBS News.

U.S. Park Police Acting Chief Gregory T. Monahan also tested positive for the coronavirus, the USPP confirmed on Thursday. Monahan "took swift action to inform his diagnosis" to start contact tracing, Park Police said. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Pamela A. Smith will be the acting chief of police until Monahan is cleared.

Read also: House Democrats To Fine GOP Lawmakers Who Will Refuse To Wear Masks

Less than half of the 26,000 members who served on the Inauguration day remain on duty, as per the National Guard. Arrangements are also being made to send 15,000 National Guard members home within five to ten days, the Guard added.

D.C. National Guard Major General William Walker received a letter from the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency director, Dr. Christopher Rodriguez, showing the District requesting 500 unarmed guard members to stay at the Armory through the end of the month.

D.C. urged unarmed guard members to be trained to provide crowd management and public safety support through the manning of traffic control points.

Police officers housed in Trump's hotel lobby

In a recent HNGN report, nearly 5,000 guardsmen were brought to protect the newly-elected President Joe Biden during his inauguration on Thursday.

They were forced to take shelter in an underground parking garage after being told to leave the Capitol building.

Former President Donald Trump offered his luxury D.C. hotel to thousands of National Guard troops who were kicked out of the Capitol. The move caused an intense backlash after it was revealed that soldiers were forced to sleep on the ground in freezing temperatures and had only one bathroom and one power outlet.

Read also: Trump Offers Washington DC Hotel To National Guards Kicked Out of the US Capitol

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be asked to hold a joint meeting with the leaders of the Northern Ireland Executive to resolve the impasse over the sharing of Covid-19 passenger data, the Sunday Independent has learned.

Six months after the information was first requested during a sitting of the North South Ministerial Council at Dublin Castle last July, the Government continues to stonewall over providing its Northern counterparts with details of people arriving here and travelling over the Border in a bid to ensure self-isolation has been observed.

Last Thursday, the issue "intensified" after Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann met Health Minister Stephen Donnelly again and no agreement on the way forward was reached.

Afterwards, Mr Swann expressed his "deep dis- appointment" during a meeting of the Northern Ireland Executive, according to a source, telling ministers he "couldn't understand the resistance" from the Irish Government and Mr Donnelly.

"Swann said he was no further on and that nothing meaningful came from the meeting," the source said.

Mr Donnelly struck a slightly different tone when questioned about the issue by Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane last week, saying: "There has and continues to be engagement between myself and minister Swann on data sharing, and officials from both our departments have met to advance discussions on this issue."

He said there was a "commitment" to finding a solution; however, there are legal and data protection issues which "must be addressed" before a data-sharing agreement can be established, while ensuring Ireland complies with GDPR obligations.

However, an Executive source said Mr Swann was "clearly frustrated" following the meeting with Mr Donnelly and asked First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill to convene an urgent joint meeting with the Taois- each and Mr Johnson.

Mr Martin and the prime minister will be urged to resolve the issue through a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, the forum established during the Good Friday Agreement in which both governments meet to discuss cooperation on matters of mutual interest.

A meeting between civil service officials from Stormont and senior government officials in Dublin is expected to take place this week, when the sharing of data will be the main item on the agenda.

"This issue has escalated and it's not going away," the Executive source said.

The pandemic restrictions in Northern Ireland have been extended by four weeks, until March 5.

Mr Swann presented his Executive colleagues last week with what was described as a "sobering assessment" of the Covid-19 situation.

In the document, seen by the Sunday Independent, he detailed the "ongoing pressures" the health service is facing and the emerging risk of new Covid-19 variants, "which are more transmissible and may become vaccine-resistant".

"While I am recommending an extension to the restrictions at this point for four weeks, I believe it is possible that yet further extensions will be required beyond that, potentially postponing the easing of restrictions until around the Easter holidays," Mr Swann wrote.

The North experienced another record weekly rise in Covid-19 related deaths since the pandemic began, with the statistics agency announcing 153 related deaths, bringing the total to 2,129.

The region is heading for its "tipping point" this week, with the health service expected to struggle.

At the end of last week, 72 patients were in intensive care units in hospitals throughout Northern Ireland, 779 Covid-19 in-patients, with 118 awaiting admission and 129 care home outbreaks.

The scale of the soaring numbers means intensive care numbers are expected to rise "significantly" in the days ahead, an Executive source said.
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Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of Putin critic Alexei Navalny, has been released from custody in Moscow after having been arrested at an anti-Putin rally on Saturday.

Alexei's wife was among nearly 3,500 people to have been detained by Russian police officers during protests in as many as 100 cities.

After being arrested by officers Yulia, 44, posted a selfie onto her Instagram page with the caption: 'Apologies for the poor quality. Very bad light in the police van.'

According to reports from Russian media outlets, Yulia has now been released from police custody in Moscow.

It comes after supporters of Putin critic Alexei Navalny continued to clash with police deep into the night as world leaders condemned officers' 'brutal tactics' which left crowds of activists bloodied and injured.

The wife of Alexei Navalny, Yulia Navalnaya, 44, (pictured) was detained at an anti-government demonstration in Moscow while major anti-Kremlin demonstrations broke out across Russia on Saturday in support of the jailed Putin-critic. She uploaded a picture to Instagram from inside the police van she was placed in following her arrest. Russian media outlets report that she has now been released by police

Riot police officers detain a participant in an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny by the Moscow Circus

Russian policemen detain men during an unauthorized protest rally against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny

Hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters took part in demonstrations across 70 cities on Saturday in a show of defiance against the jailing of Navalny, who was poisoned with a nerve agent he says was slipped to him by state security agents in August.

Demonstrators were dragged off by riot officers to police buses and detention trucks, while some activists were beaten with police batons.

Authorities eventually pushed protesters out of Moscow's Pushkin Square, but thousands then regrouped along a wide boulevard about half a mile away, many of them throwing snowballs at the police before dispersing.

The violent scenes from police drew condemnation from both the United States and the European Union, whose foreign policy chief said he deplored the 'widespread arrests' and the 'disproportionate use of force'.

Similarly, the United States called on Russian authorities to release protesters and journalists detained, and condemned what it called 'harsh tactics' used against them.

Throughout the day and into the early hours of Sunday morning, people were seen holding signs that read 'Russia will be free' and chanting 'Putin is a thief.'

Some then marched towards the Kremlin, while others blocked Tverskaya Street, the capital's main thoroughfare.

Reuters reporters estimated at least 40,000 people had gathered in central Moscow for one of the biggest unauthorised rallies for years, but authorities claimed a mere 4,000 people had shown up.

The foreign ministry questioned Reuters' crowd estimate, using sarcasm to suggest it was too high. 'Why not just immediately say 4 million?,' it quipped on its official Telegram messenger channel.

Riot police officers guard the area during an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny

People climb a monument during an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny

A smoke bomb lies on the street as protesters were detained during rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, near Matrosskaya Tishina prison, in Moscow

Riot police officers detain a participant in an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny by the Moscow Circus in Tsvetnoy Boulevard

: People take part in an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny in Sochi, Russia

A supporter's face is bandaged and covered in blood after attending the unauthorised rally in Moscow on Saturday

Russian police watch a fire during an unauthorised protest rally against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny

Riot police officers detain a participant in an unauthorised rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny

Protesters clash with riot police during a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in downtown Moscow

An injured participant reacts during an unauthorised protest rally against of jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny

Riot police officers detain a participant in an unauthorised rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny in Tverskaya Street

Riot police officers detain a participant in an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny in Tverskaya Street

Riot police clash with supporters of Alexey Navalny, Russian opposition leader, during a demonstration in Moscow

Police take a protester into custody during a protest demanding the release of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow

Supporters of Putin critic Alexei Navalny threw snowballs at police today after violent clashes resulted in more than 2,000 arrests and what the European Union called a 'disproportionate use of force'

Riot police officers during an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny

Law enforcement officers detain a man during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow

Police block a street near Moscow's penal detention centre Number 1 (known as Matrosskaya Tishina), where opposition leader Alexei Navalny is being held

Riot police officers in St Petersburg detain a participant in an unauthorised rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny

Police take a protester into custody during a protest demanding the release of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow

Law enforcement officers clash with participants during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow

Police block the street during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia

Police in Rostov-on-Don detain a participant in an unauthorised rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny

Riot police officers line up during an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny in Oktyabrskaya Square

Riot police officers line up during an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny in Senate Square, St Petersburg

Russian policemen beat participants of an unauthorized protest rally against of jailing of oppositon leader Alexei Navalny

A participant in an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny in Yekaterinburg, Russia

People march during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in St.Petersburg, Russia, on Saturday

People attend a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in downtown Moscow holding placards on Saturday

Pictured: An injured man is helped by other protesters during a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in downtown Moscow on January 23. AFP journalists saw several protesters left badly injured after clashing with police in Moscow, which saw its largest gathering of anti-government protesters in two years

Protesters clash with riot police during a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in downtown Moscow on January 23. The protests in Moscow were estimated to be the largest demonstrations since 2019 when Navalny supporters rallied to demand free local elections

'The United States strongly condemns the use of harsh tactics against protesters and journalists this weekend in cities throughout Russia,' State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said in a post on Twitter that he deplored the authorities 'disproportionate use of force', while Britain's foreign minister, Dominic Raab, condemned the 'use of violence against peaceful protesters and journalists'.

Navalny being taken into custody and the arrests of his supporters were 'troubling indications of further restrictions on civil society and fundamental freedoms,' he added.

'We call on Russian authorities to release all those detained for exercising their universal rights and for the immediate and unconditional release of Aleksey Navalny,' Price said, using an alternative spelling.

'We urge Russia to fully cooperate with the international community's investigation into the poisoning of Aleksey Navalny and credibly explain the use of a chemical weapon on its soil.'

Protesters in the county's east defied bitter cold and a ban by authorities by also staging rallies to demand the release of Putin's nemesis, ahead of the larger cities in the west.

Protests against Russia's President Vladimir Putin took place in temperatures as low as minus 60F (51C) as police forcibly detained supporters of Kremlin foe Navalny, who was arrested upon his return to Russia from Germany on January 17.

Putin's most vocal domestic critic called for mass rallies after he was arrested upon his return to Moscow on Sunday. He did so knowing he would likely be arrested after surviving a near-fatal poisoning with a Novichok nerve agent in August and after months of treatment in Germany. He was arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport and jailed.

There was no immediate comment from the Kremlin, which had previously called the protests illegal and the work of 'provocateurs'. State prosecutors said they would look into alleged violence against police officers by protesters.

Demonstrations in support of Navalny were also held in the Baltic states of Lithuania and Estonia on Saturday, as well as in Spain's Barcelona, with the protesters in Estonia being joined by environmental activist Yevgenia Chirikova, who fled from Russia in 2015 fearing a crackdown on the opposition.

In Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, nearly 1,000 people also demonstrated against Navalny's arrest. Small demonstrations were also held in Bulgaria and some 200-300 people protested in Paris.

Navalny, who accuses Putin of the plot to poison him last August, was locked up until mid-February as he waits to hear whether a suspended prison term will be converted into three-and-a-half years of jail time.

Demonstrators shouted 'Shame, shame' in Pacific capital Vladivostok as heavily armed baton-wielding OMON special forces officers and national guards threw a protester in a police vehicle.

The authorities told crowds that their action was unsanctioned and they faced detention unless they dispersed, with video footage from Vladivostok showing riot police chasing a group of protesters down the street.

Demonstrators gathered at Moscow's central Pushkin Square and nearby streets despite a heavy police presence and detentions. Pictured: Yulia Navalnaya

Thousands of Navalny supporters joined nationwide demonstrations against the Kremlin. Pictured: Yulia Navalnaya

Yulia Navalnaya was detained at the anti-government demonstration in Moscow while major anti-Kremlin demonstrations broke out

Police have detained around 1,200 people so far at protests against Russia's detention of Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia. Pictured: A large group of protesters in Moscow on January 23. Demonstrators gathered at Moscow's central Pushkin Square and nearby streets despite a heavy police presence and detentions

The authorities had warned people to stay away from Saturday's protests, saying they risked catching COVID-19 as well as prosecution and possible jail time for attending an unauthorised event

In central Moscow, where Reuters reporters estimated at least 40,000 people had gathered in one of the biggest unauthorised rallies for years, police were seen roughly detaining people, bundling them into nearby vans. Russian authorities said just some 4,000 people had shown up to the protest in Moscow on Saturday (pictured)

Some protesters chanted 'Putin is a thief', and 'Disgrace' and 'Freedom to Navalny!' Pictured: People face off against police at a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in downtown Moscow on January 23

Protesters hold a 'Free Navalny' banner as they march in Moscow on Saturday. Some of Navalny's political allies were detained in the days before the protest; others on the day itself

The OVD-Info protest monitor group said that at least 1,614 people, including 513 in Moscow and 212 in St Petersburg, had been detained across Russia. It reported arrests at rallies in nearly 70 towns and cities

Law enforcement officers stand guard in the snow during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia. There was no immediate comment from the Kremlin, which had previously called the protests illegal and the work of 'provocateurs'

In Moscow, some journalists covering the protests were detained, drawing a rebuke from the U.S. Embassy. Pictured: A man gestures as he climbed up on New Year's decorations next to statue of Alexander Pushkin during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow

With the protests continuing to unfold on Saturday, Russia accused the US embassy in Moscow of publishing routes of planned demonstrations in support of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and demanded an explanation from American diplomats.

'Yesterday the US embassy in Moscow published 'protest routes' in Russian cities and tossed around information about a 'march on the Kremlin,'' Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Facebook, adding: 'US colleagues will have to explain themselves.'

The US embassy in Moscow said Saturday it was following the rallies, adding that Washington supported 'the right of all people to peaceful protest, freedom of expression.'

'Steps being taken by Russian authorities are suppressing those rights,' embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Ross said on Twitter.

Pictured: Police detain a man during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Khabarovsk, 3,800 miles east of Moscow on Saturday, January 23. The protests are against Vladimir Putin and the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny last Sunday

Police detain a boy during a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in downtown Moscow on January 23

Police detain a man during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, January 23. Police detained more than 200 people in Russia's Far East and Siberia on Saturday as protesters defying bitter cold and a ban by authorities staged nationwide rallies to demand the release of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny

Putin's most vocal domestic critic called for mass rallies after surviving a near-fatal poisoning with a Novichok nerve agent and returned to Moscow following months of treatment in Germany. He was arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport and jailed. Pictured: Large crowds of anti-Putin demonstrators gathered on Saturday (pictured) in temperatures as low as minus 60F

Pictured: Russian Law enforcement officers stand guard during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Yakutsk, Russia, January 23. Navalny called for protests after his arrest, telling his supporters to take to the streets

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny is escorted out of a police station on January 18 in Khimki, outside Moscow, following the court ruling that ordered him jailed for 30 days. Following his arrest, he called for his supporters to take to the streets in protest

Left: People take part in a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Omsk, Russia January 23. Law enforcement officers stand guard during a rally in support of Navalny in Vladivostok

Ugly scene quickly developed at protests in several cities in the Russian Far East, with the OVD-Info monitoring group saying that 238 people, including 56 in Novosibirsk, had been detained so far at the rallies.

In Moscow, police put up barricades around Pushkinskaya Square as workers were engaged in re-tiling it, an apparent attempt to thwart a demonstration that was scheduled to start at 1100 GMT. Police also detained a few people gathered on the square before the rally, including a lone picketer.

A video reportedly showed a child being manhandled and detained by a Russian policeman at the main rally at Pushkinskaya Square.

Law enforcement officers stand in front of participants during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Saint Petersburg, Russia January 23

Police stand guard during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in St. Petersburg, January 23

The demonstrations were called by Navalny after he was detained returning to Russia from Germany where he had been recovering from being poisoned with a Soviet-designed nerve agent

Pictured: A police officers grabs the hair of a protester in Moscow on January 23. Thousands of people gathered in cities across the country including in the Far East on the Pacific coast, Siberia and the Urals, despite police threats to use violence

This followed repeated warnings by the authorities that school age students should not attend, and claims they were being used as 'human shields' by adults.

The boy apparently detained, named Sasha, 14, told pro-Kremlin REN TV that he had come to the rally because 'I am just curious what is happening here'.

Asked if he was afraid - after the authorities warned children could be hurt - he said: 'I run fast.'

Asked if he was supporting the anti-Putin demonstrators, he said: 'I just came here to watch.'

People attend a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Saint Petersburg, Russia January 23

OMOH officers push people during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow, January 23

Pictured: A general view of a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia January 23

Hundreds of people were pictured at the demonstration in Moscow, Some 369 had been detained in by 2pm in the city

In the Russian capital, which usually mobilises the largest rallies, protesters planned to meet on the central Pushkin Square at 2:00 pm (1100 GMT) and march towards the Kremlin

But more than an hour before the planned rally police began detaining people, AFP journalists reported. Pictured: Police detain blogger Ilya Varlamov during the rally on Saturday

One state TV news broadcast said 'most of the participants are young people, some of whom do not look 18 years old. 'The detainees were escorted to paddy wagons.

'Before that, the police warned activists several times that in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, mass gatherings of people are prohibited.'

In Ufa, a video showed protesters throwing snowballs and scooping up snow to throw at police seeking to break their rally.

Another shocking video reportedly showed protesters beaten by OMON riot police in Orenburg as rallies widened to cities all across Russia's 11 time zones.

At some rallies, protesters shouted 'Aqua disco', and carried toilet brushes sprayed with gold paint mimicking the gold interior or Putin's alleged Black Sea palace.

Another video showed shocking protesters in Krasnoyarsk being dragged on the ground by police in minus 15C.

In Vladivostok, it was reported that 26 children had been detained.

But Vladimir Putin's children's ombudsman angrily blamed adult protesters for using children as a 'human shield'.

She said: 'Now I know everything about human baseness. Vladivostok - children are standing in a human chain. And adults behind their backs are throwing road cones at OMON [riot police] and hiding again. Who are these people? Are they people?'

Protesters said mobile data was being disrupted around protest sites to stop communications between anti-Putin protesters.

Pictured: Protesters run away from law enforcement officers during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Vladivostok, Russia January 23. Around 250 people have been reportedly arrested during the protests

The Russian authorities told crowds that their action was unsanctioned and they faced detention unless they dispersed. Pictured: People take part in a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Vladivostok

Law enforcement officers restrain a protester during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Vladivostok, Russia January 23

Pictured: Russian police are arresting protesters demanding the release of top Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny at demonstrations in the country's east and larger unsanctioned rallies are expected later in Moscow and other major cities

Key Navalny aides around Russia had been rounded up and detained ahead of the rallies.

In far-eastern city Khabarovsk, crowds chanted 'Putin's Dogs' as law enforcement detained protesters.

At one point crowds fought back with police seeking to release those being held.

In Kamchatka, nine time zones east of Moscow, protesters carried placards reading 'Corruption is the cancer of our country' and 'I'm choosing Freedom'.

While crowds were not huge, protests went ahead in all main cities in the Russian Far East including former GULAG staging post Magadan on the Sea of Okhotsk in a temperature of minus 30C.

In Yakutsk - the world's coldest city - crowds gathered in minus 51C to support jailed Navalny, who was earlier allegedly poisoned with nerve agent Novichok by an FSB secret service hit squad.

Navalny accuses Putin of a plot to poison him last August. The Kremlin critic was taken ill on a flight and was found by doctors in Germany to have been poisoned by Novichok nerve agent

Pictured: Police officers detain a man during a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in the far eastern city of Vladivostok on January 23

Demonstrators shouted 'Shame, shame' in Pacific capital Vladivostok as heavily armed baton-wielding OMON special forces officers and national guards threw a protester in a police vehicle. Pictured: Officers detain a man during a rally in support of jailed opposition leader

Pictured: Demonstrators clash with police during a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in the far eastern city of Vladivostok on January 23

A video showed police pulling a protester on the snow into a law enforcement bus as cries directed to police are heard: 'What have they done? What are you doing? Are you out of your mind doing that?'

Among the protesters in eastern cities were mothers carrying babies.

In Siberia city Ulan-Ude extra Saturday classes were put on to prevent school students joining the unsanctioned protests which the authorities said were illegal.

In Komsomolsk-on-Amur a squad of OMON detained a dozen people, as the crowd chanted: 'Freedom to political prisoners!'

Navalny's supporters say his arrest when he returned from Germany on Sunday was politically motivated.

Reports suggest he may be hit with new legal action that could see him remain behind bars for more than a decade.

A participant holds a poster reading 'freedom to political prisoners' during an unauthorised rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny near Lenina Square, January 23

A participant holds a poster reading 'You are killing Navalny' during anti-Putin protests, Jan 23

A woman is surrounded by riot police during January 23 protests against the arrest of Alexei Navalny, who was been detained upon his return to Russia

Pictured: Police bundle a protester into a riot van amid protests against Vladimir Putin

The authorities told crowds that their action was unsanctioned and they faced detention unless they dispersed. Protests against Vladimir Putin took place in temperatures as low as minus 60F (51C)

Navalny - a 44-year-old lawyer who has dedicated himself to toppling strongman Putin - styles himself an anti-corruption campaigner who despite being behind bars in recent days accused the Russian president of using state cash to enrich himself, his family and his cronies.

Among the claims is that Putin has built himself a 1 billion palace at Gelendzhik on the Black Sea.

Putin denies any wrongdoing.

The Kremlin has denied being 'afraid' of Navalny and his pro-democracy campaigners but are concerned to act tough to prevent mass support growing for a Ukrainian-style revolution.

However, it is unclear that Navalny has the mass support he would need to overthrow ex-KGB spy Putin who has been president or prime minister for 21 years.

Bigger protests were expected later in Moscow and St Petersburg, led by Navalny's wife Yulia who announced she planned to take to the streets in support of her jailed husband.

Moscow: Riot police officers in Pushkinskaya Square ahead of an unauthorised rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny on January 23

Bigger protests were expected later in Moscow and St Petersburg, led by Navalny's wife Yulia who announced she planned to take to the streets in support of her jailed husband

Demonstrators clash with police during a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in the far eastern city of Vladivostok on January 23

She would join the demonstration 'for myself, for him, for our children, for the values and the ideals that we share'.

In Moscow, mayor Sergei Sobyanin had warned the rallies were 'unacceptable' during a pandemic, and police would take action to ensure public order.

In Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, nearly 1,000 people demonstrated against Navalny's arrest. Small demonstrations were also held in Bulgaria and some 200-300 people protested in Paris.

Police in Siberia's Yakutsk, one of the coldest cities in the world, where the temperature was -52 Celsius (-62 F) on Saturday, grabbed a protester by his arms and legs and dragged him into a van, video footage showed.

In Moscow, some journalists covering the protests were detained, drawing a rebuke from the U.S. Embassy.

"Russian authorities arresting peaceful protesters, journalists," spokesperson Rebecca Ross said on Twitter. "Appears to be a concerted campaign to suppress free speech, peaceful assembly."

Navalny called for his supporters to take to the streets after a hastily organised court ordered him jailed for 30 days on Monday.

The makeshift court - set up in a police station on the outskirts of Moscow where Navalny was being held - ruled he be held in custody until February 15 when he will appear in court on corruption charges.

The 44-year-old anti-corruption campaigner previously was handed a suspended sentence for the charges in 2014.

Russia now accuses him of breaching the terms of that sentence by not checking in with police as often as he should have done.

In a video released by his team shortly after the ruling, Navalny urged his supporters to take to the streets and protest as Western governments called for his immediate release.

Russia's most prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny has called on Monday for his supporters to take to the streets after a hastily organised court ordered him jailed for 30 days

Police officers stand outside a police station where detained Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is being held, in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia January 18

But Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Russia's leaders did not fear mass protests - adding that they had heard the Western outrage but 'cannot and are not going to take these statements into account'.

He also rejected the suggestion that Putin was afraid of Navalny, following claims by the Kremlin critic's supporters that putting him in prison could turn him into a Nelson Mandela-like symbol of resistance.

The Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said Friday it launched a criminal probe into the calls for unauthorised protests.

It comes as Navalny released a statement from prison on Tuesday, saying he had no regrets about returning to Russia despite his arrest.

A participant holds a poster reading 'Court, not circus' during an unauthorised rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny near Lenina Square, January 23

Pictured: A woman walks in front of a row of riot police amid anti-Putin protests on January 23

Pictured: Police escort an anti-Putin protester amid clashes during anti-Putin protests

Pictured: Participants hold posters reading 'Freedom to Navalny!' during an unauthorised rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny on January 23

In a post on Instagram which he published from Moscow's Matrosskaya Tishina prison, Navalny said: 'I couldn't have done otherwise, and there's no pathos in this, nor sacrifice, nor fatalism.

'It's a completely rational choice. I refuse to put up with the lawlessness of the authorities [in] my country. I refuse to stay silent, listening to the shameless lies of Putin and his friends, mired in corruption.'

On the eve of the rallies, Navalny, who is being held in Moscow's high-security Matrosskaya Tishina jail, thanked his supporters.

'I know perfectly well that there are lots of good people outside of my prison's walls and help will come,' he said on Friday.

Navalny's wife Yulia said she would join the protest in Moscow. 'For myself, for him, for our children, for the values and the ideals that we share,' she said on Instagram.

Ahead of the demonstrations several key Navalny aides were taken into police custody for violating protest laws and handed short jail sentences to keep them away from the rallies.

Navalny and his wife sit on the tarmac in Berlin before flying back to Russia on Sunday, five months after he was airlifted to Germany in a coma following his Novichok poisoning

Alexei Navalny with his wife Yulia at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport on Sunday where he was arrested after returning to Russia from Germany

Navalny's team this week released an investigation into an opulent Black Sea property allegedly owned by Putin.

The 'Putin's palace' report alleges the Russian leader owns a 17,691 square metre mansion that sits on a property 39 times the size of Monaco and features a casino along with a theatre and a hookah lounge complete with a pole-dancing stage.

The two-hour video report had been viewed more than 65 million times since Tuesday, becoming the Kremlin critic's most-watched YouTube investigation.

The Kremlin has denied the property belongs to Putin.

Many Russians took to social media - including video sharing app TikTok hugely popular with teens - to voice support and urge a large turnout on Saturday.

A hashtag demanding freedom for Navalny was trending on TikTok as Russians flooded the Chinese app with thousands of videos.

Russia's media watchdog warned online platforms against encouraging minors to participate in the rallies or risk hefty fines.

The watchdog said on Friday that media platforms, including TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, removed content at its request.

Russia's most popular social network VKontakte blocked groups created to coordinate the protests in different cities.

But a number of public figures - including those who usually steer clear of politics - have spoken out in Navalny's support.

Navalny (centre in a green jacket) was photographed being escorted from the police station in Khimski on Monday evening

The opposition leader appeared to shout to hit supporters gathered outside the station as he was being escorted from the building

Navalny, 44, flashed a peace sign to photographers and supporters as he was escorted from the police station where he has been detained into a van

How Alexei Navalny has been punished for defying Putin 2011: Navalny is arrested and jailed for 15 days for 'defying an official' after leading protests in Moscow 2012: Jailed for 15 days after leading an anti-Putin protest in the wake of presidential elections. His apartment is subsequently raided, and some of his private emails posted online 2013: Put on trial for embezzlement, amid claims he tried to steal wood from a state-owned company. He is convicted and sentenced to five years, but allowed out on bail. The conviction is subsequently overturned 2014: Placed under house arrest, again charged with embezzlement alongside brother Oleg. Again, the conviction is overturned 2017: He is re-convicted in the first corruption case, and ordered to repay millions of rubles of compensation in the second While leaving his office, a pro-Kremlin activist throws green disinfectant dye in his face, partially blinding him 2018: Arrested twice for leading protests against presidential elections he was barred from running in. Jailed for a total of 50 days in jail 2019: Arrested and jailed for a total of 40 days for leading protests during Moscow Duma elections. While in jail he was rushed to hospital, suffering from what medics called an allergic reaction. Others believe he was poisoned 2020: Navalny is rushed unconscious to hospital and placed on a ventilator after falling ill on a flight. His allies say he was poisoned August 22, 2020: Navalny is transferred from a hospital in Siberia to another hospital in Berlin September 2020: German scientists revealed tests confirmed he was poisoned by Novichok nerve agent December 2020: Bellingcat investigation alleges Moscow's FSB agency began tracking Nevalny after he announced plans to run against Putin before launching an assassination attempt in August using Novichok December 2020: Navalny claimed he had tricked an FSB agent into admitting on a phone call Russian assassins tried to kill him using poisoned underpants and then tried to cover it up. The FSB dismissed the recording as fake January 2021: Navalny is arrested at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport after Russia's prison service alleged he had violated parole terms from a suspended sentence on a 2014 embezzlement conviction Advertisement

Navalny rose to prominence a decade ago and has become the central figure of Russia's opposition movement, leading large-scale street protests against corruption and electoral fraud.

His arrest drew widespread Western condemnation, with the United States, the European Union, France and Canada all calling for his release.

Navalny's anti-corruption foundation said that the 44-year-old was 'illegally detained' and that 'lawyers are not allowed to see him'.

The opposition leader had joked with journalists on the plane from Berlin on Sunday.

'All the criminal cases against me are fabricated,' he added.

After the plane landed, Navalny kissed his wife Yulia before four masked police officers escorted him away at passport control, before he had formally entered Russia.

He reappeared on Monday morning at a Moscow police station where a court hearing to extend his detention was already underway.

'It is impossible what is happening over here,' Navalny said in a video from the improvised courtroom. 'It is lawlessness of the highest degree.

'One minute ago I was taken out of my cell to meet the lawyer, I came here, and here a hearing of the [court] is happening.'

Navalny's lawyers said the immediate court hearing was an unexpected turn of events, saying they were only notified about it minutes earlier.

According to a police notice distributed published Navalny's lawyer Vadim Kobzev, the legal process began at 12.30pm local time on Monday.

The Moscow prison service had warned that it would arrest Navalny once he returned.

It accused Navalny of flouting the terms of a three-and-a-half-year suspended prison sentence in a 2014 embezzlement case.

Navalny's supporters had gathered at Moscow's Vnukovo airport despite bitterly cold weather and more than 4,500 new coronavirus cases a day in the Russian capital.

But they were denied a glimpse of Navalny after the flight path was switched at the last minute and the plane landed at Sheremetyevo instead.

OVD Info, which monitors detentions at political protests in Russia, said at least 55 people had been detained at the airport.

Prominent Moscow activist Lyubov Sobol was among those arrested, saying later that they had been released and were facing administrative charges.

The latest episode in the Navalny saga has led to calls for more sanctions against Russia, amid a wave of condemnation from Western countries.

Donald Trump's outgoing secretary of state Mike Pompeo said on Twitter: 'Deeply troubled by Russia's decision to arrest Alexei Navalny.

'Confident political leaders do not fear competing voices, nor see the need to commit violence against or wrongfully detain, political opponents,' he said.

France also called for Navalny's release and voiced its 'strong concern' over his arrest in Russia.

Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, responded to a question about the arrest by saying 'Was he arrested in Germany? I'm not up to date,' according to Russian media.

The Kremlin typically belittles Navalny by referring to him merely as the 'Berlin patient' and calling him a blogger rather than a politician.

Navalny fell into a coma while aboard a domestic flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20. He was airlifted from a hospital in Siberia to Berlin two days later, where a military lab found evidence of Novichok.

Russian authorities insisted that the doctors who treated Navalny in Siberia before he was airlifted to Germany found no traces of poison and have challenged German officials to provide proof of his poisoning.

Navalny with his wife and children after waking from his coma at the Berlin hospital where doctors say his previous good health contributed to his recovery

The Kremlin has rejected calls to open a full investigation into the poisoning, and denied Navalny's claims that the FSB security agency was behind the plot.

Last month Navalny claimed he had duped an FSB agent into confessing details of the plot in a recorded phone call which the agency dismissed as fake.

The alleged plotter, Konstantin Kudryavtsev, was one of a team of alleged chemical weapons experts named last month as suspects in Navalny's poisoning.

The recording purported to reveal that Navalny's underpants had been sprinkled with the nerve agent while he was staying at a hotel in Siberia.

Alexei Navalny kissed his wife goodbye in an emotional scene as he was arrested by Russian authorities just minutes after landing in Moscow

Navalny hugged and kissed his wife Yulia before he was taken away by Russian police at Sheremetyevo airport last weekend

Navalny's wife Yulia Navalnaya is seen surrounded by people as she leaves Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport following the arrest

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny landed back on Russian soil in Moscow and walks out of the plane after arriving at Sheremetyevo airport

Nevalny's plane was diverted last minute from Vnukovo airport in Moscow to nearby Sheremetyevo

How the 'FSB plot' unfolded August 12: Three FSB 'plotters' buy plane tickets to Siberia after Navalny's entourage books a flight there August 13: The alleged FSB team flies to Novosibirsk a day before Navalny arrives. Maria Pevchikh also flies to Siberia and is tailed as she leaves Moscow August 17: Navalny travels on to Tomsk, pursued by the alleged FSB operatives. When he books a flight back to Moscow, the 'plotters' do the same only minutes later August 19: Navalny has a drink at a hotel bar in Tomsk, leaving his room empty. There is a 'surge' in communication among members of the alleged FSB unit August 20: Navalny boards the flight in Tomsk and becomes critically ill on board, forcing an emergency landing August 22: The unconscious Navalny is airlifted to Berlin. A German military lab later finds evidence of Novichok Advertisement

Navalny was initially treated at a hospital in Omsk before Russian authorities agreed to hand him over to a German air ambulance crew on August 22.

In an article in The Lancet, doctors at Berlin's Charite hospital described how Navalny had to be ventilated and given drugs during his airlift to Germany.

Medics described how he had become confused and sweaty before vomiting and collapsing on the domestic flight in Siberia, leaving him unconscious and drooling when the plane made an emergency landing.

By the time he arrived at the Berlin hospital, more than two days after falling ill, his heart had slowed well below an adult's usual range of 60 to 100 beats per minute and his brain was starting to show signs of reduced responsiveness.

When he arrived in intensive care, he was showing 'decreased brainstem reflexes' and suffering from hypothermia with a body temperature of just 33.5C (92.5F).

Navalny was treated with atropine for 10 days and given other antibiotics by the hospital doctors, who said he started to breathe spontaneously within two weeks.

As his condition improved, he was brought out of a coma, and doctors determined that difficulties understanding speech and speaking he had initially showed after waking up disappeared after three weeks.

On the 24th day after falling ill, he was taken off mechanical ventilation, and two days later he was moved from intensive care into a normal hospital ward.

Navalny has been a thorn in the Kremlin's side for more than a decade, exposing what he says is high-level corruption and mobilising protests.

He has been repeatedly detained for organising public meetings, sued over corruption investigations and was barred from running against Putin in the 2018 presidential election.

The 44-year-old has also served several stints in jail in recent years for organising anti-Kremlin protests.

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Russia's arrests and detention of Navalny in 2012 and 2014 were politically motivated.

Keeping up the tempo by filing FIRs against the makers of "Tandav", a political thriller starring Saif Ali Khan, another FIR was registered in Krisna Raja Pura (K.R. Pura) Police limits of Eastern Bengaluru on Friday.

According to the FIR, Kiran Aradhya, social worker lodged complaint against web series "Tandav" starring Saif Ali Khan.

Aradhya in his complaint demanded legal action against "Tandav" makers and telecasters who according to him have tried to hurt Hindu religious sentiments by making an actor portraying Lord Ishwar using abusive language in a college function.

Aradhya has named web series director Ali Abbas Zafar, producer Farahan Akhtar, actors Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Saif Ali Khan and Amazon Prime's India head of original content Aparna Purohit in his complaint but he has neither furnished their occupation nor address of Bengaluru or Mumbai.

Though "Tandava" makers have rendered public apology last week itself when the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry had intervened and called Amazon Prime to respond to complaints against the web series, makers of the show issued a public apology if it "unintentionally hurts anybody's sentiments".

Despite issuing public apology, social activists are still registering FIRs in various police stations across the country and the complaint registered in Bengaluru is the latest one.

One of the scenes in "Tandav", in which a student leader talks about 'azadi' (freedom) from 'Manuvad, jaatiwad and atyachar', is being cited as offensive. A student leader called Bholenath takes on 'Ram bhakts' whose social media reach is threatening his popularity. This is seen as a metaphorical conflict between Shiva, known for his free, non-conformist ways, and Rama, who treads a more traditional path.

Hindutva groups see the scenes as a veiled attack on their brand of politics. "Tandav" is a political drama, and tells the story of how politicians go to any extent to cling to power. Student protests in the series actually bring to mind the Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi era, some critics say.
Huntington, WV (25701)

Today

Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 52F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

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Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 52F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
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Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield.
As Christians, we know Jesus told us to turn the other cheek and not repay evil for evil (Matthew 5:38-40). So why does a principle found in the Old Testament seem to run contrary to this? The concept of an eye for an eye essentially means that if someone hurts you in some way, you repay them with a punishment that fits the crime. In the literal sense, if someone takes out your eye, you take out theirs.

But wait. That doesnt sound biblical at all. At least, most Christians appear to have their eyes in their forehead. And if they dont, it probably was not caused by wronging another believer. At least, we should hope not.

So where did this concept of an eye for an eye come from? Does God actually mean for his people to seek revenge and then later changes his mind? Or have we been seeing (buh dum tssh) this the wrong way? Lets dive into the meaning of this phrase found in Exodus 21:24.

Where Does the Phrase Eye for an Eye Come From?

According to John Gills commentary, retribution law existed long before the phrase eye for an eye occurs in the Old Testament. In other words, if someone wrongs you in the sight of the law, justice needs to be served and consequences often occur.

The phrase actually originates in the Mesopotamian Empire under Hammurabi. Or at least, archeological evidence can trace nothing further back than the Code of Hammurabi. In many Middle Eastern cultures (and some lands beyond) during the Old and New Testament, people operated off of a Karma-esque principle. That if someone harms you in a certain way, they receive a punishment to repay for the damages.

But this doesnt really seem biblical.

First, we have to examine what this means when the Old Testament writers included it. According to this Crosswalk article, For both passages, the phrase is used in the circumstance of a court case before a civil authority such as a judge. An eye for an eye was thus intended to be a guiding ethic for legislators and judges; it was not meant to advocate personal vengeance.

In other words, they did not want someone to carry out the punishment literally. If someone took out your eye (literally) you would, in Old Testament culture, bring them to a court of law to receive fair compensation for the pain they inflicted.

But lets take a look at the verse in context to better understand what it means.

What Is the Context of Exodus 21:24?

It often never helps to take one single verse and never read it without surrounding chapters for context. This is how we ended up misconstruing Jeremiah 29:11 and Philippians 4:13. So for Exodus 21:24, lets include some surrounding verses, to better understand the context of this passage:

Exodus 21:22-24: If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the womans husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

This entire chapter falls under the heading of personal injuries. It lists several specific examples of what punishments fit the crime in Old Testament law. It also looks out for those who wouldve been considered second-class citizens in Ancient Israel such as women and slaves. For instance, in the above passage, we learn what happens if someone kills the baby of a pregnant woman. They repay the life with their life. In other words, a form of capital punishment in the eyes of Old Testament court law.

Matthew Henry summarizes the section dedicated to personal injuries: The cases here mentioned give rules of justice then, and still in use, for deciding similar matters. We are taught by these laws, that we must be very careful to do no wrong, either directly or indirectly. If we have done wrong, we must be very willing to make it good, and be desirous that nobody may lose by us.

God values justice and watched out for the marginalized in Old Testament times. He hated sin and these laws often showed the consequences of it.

We do really need to read these verses in the context of Old Testament law. God didnt commission Israelites to become vigilantes to execute justice outside of the court system. Below well analyze some verses that say why.

What Does the Bible Say about Revenge?

So does this mean that people can go out and seek revenge if someone wrongs them? That they should personally remove the eye of whoever wronged them? Lets analyze some verses on what the Bible says about revenge.

Romans 12:19: Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.

Leviticus 19:18: You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

1 Peter 3:9: Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Proverbs 20:22: Do not say, I will repay evil; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.

The Old and New Testament make it clear that vengeance belongs to God. We should not go out and seek revenge ourselves, but rather, wait on the Lord. Does this negate going to court or bringing to light the wrongdoings of other peopleeven believers? Not necessarily. The Bible not only instituted court systems for the Israelites to receive proper retribution, but it also mentions taking people to court for wrongdoings. With that said, lets take a look at what 1 Corinthians 6 has to say when it comes down to other believers.

Should Christians Implement Eye for an Eye when it Comes to Retribution?

1 Corinthians 6:1-8: Why do you go to court when you have something against another Christian? You are asking people who are not Christians to judge who is guilty. You should go to those who belong to Christ and ask them. Did you not know that those who belong to Christ will someday judge this world? If you judge the people of the world as guilty, are you not able to do this in small things? Did you not know that we are to judge angels? So you should be able to take care of your problem here in this world without any trouble. When you have things to decide about this life, why do you go to men in courts who are not even Christians? You should be ashamed! Is it true that there is not one person wise enough in your church to decide who is right when people argue? Instead, one Christian takes another Christian to court. And that court is made up of people who are not Christians! This shows you are wrong when you have to go to court against each other. Would it not be better to let someone do something against you that is wrong? Would it not be better to let them rob you? Instead, you rob and do wrong to other Christians.

For context, the Corinthians were getting a little sue-happy. When it comes to retribution and fellow believers, we should first go to them with the problem to try and work it out, especially in the case of trifling quarrels. This doesnt negate the court systems or prevent any Christian from being taken to court for crimes. But it does warn believers that the world is watching. If we take everyone to court over little matters, it will not look good for the church as a whole.

God values justice. Paul even advocates for court systems (Acts 16:3740), so dont read 1 Corinthians 6 as Never go to court. But God is also the perfect Judge. We should never exact revenge on our own. Instead, we should wait on the Lord for the right actions and know that he hates sin and does not allow evil to prosper forever.

Photo credit: GettyImages/megaflopp

Hope Bolinger is an editor at Salem, a multi-published novelist, and a graduate of Taylor University's professional writing program. More than 1,100 of her works have been featured in various publications ranging from Writer's Digest to Keys for Kids. She has worked for various publishing companies, magazines, newspapers, and literary agencies and has edited the work of authors such as Jerry B. Jenkins and Michelle Medlock Adams. Her modern-day Daniel trilogy released its first two installments with IlluminateYA, and the final one, Vision, releases in August of 2021. She is also the co-author of the Dear Hero duology, which was published by INtense Publications. And her inspirational adult romance Picture Imperfect releases in November of 2021. Find out more about her at her website.

This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today.

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Better infrastructure is way to absorb surge in renewable energy production: experts

Storing renewable energy in batteries and pumped storage of water to generate power, and improving transmission capacity are keys for Vietnam to foster renewable energy, according to experts.

Nguyen Duc Ninh, director of the National Load Dispatch Center, said earlier this month Vietnam plans to reduce its renewable energy output by 1.3 billion kilowatt hours this year since it lacks transmission capacity.

Installed solar power capacity reached 19,400 MWp by the end of last year, or 25 percent of total power capacity.

Dr Hang Dao, a sustainable energy expert at the World Resources Institute (WRI), said the reason Vietnam has solar energy surplus is the country's electric grid and infrastructure are quite weak, and so energy is not transmitted to locations where needed.

The national grid is out of date and needs to be upgraded, but it would take time to install a modern network, and while waiting for it the country could focus on short-term storage plans, said Hang.

The first option is batteries in different forms and scales that can be used for various kinds of electric vehicles like bikes and cars now and the metro in the near future, she said.

"The technology is already fairly mature globally, and Vietnam's task is to adopt and apply it."

Solar panels seen at a power plant in Tay Ninh Province, southern Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran.

Professor Andrew Blakers of the Research School of Electrical, Energy and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Australian National University, said Vietnam should invest in batteries with a huge storage capacity, such as those used for overnight storage, instead of one-hour batteries, because the country has great potential in solar and wind energy.

But overnight storage batteries are 12-24 times more expensive than a one-hour battery, he said.

Battery storage is the best option for Vietnam, and so it should make a decision to invest in electric vehicles since they have large batteries and can soak up a lot of sunshine, he said.

Besides, vehicle owners would pay for the batteries in that case, he pointed out.

But Prof Chris Greig of the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, the U.S., said this choice is relatively expensive since a battery with a storage capacity of four or six hours costs around $400 per kilowatt hour.

Greig suggested a second option for Vietnam: pumped storage at hydropower plants. The plants could use renewable energy to pump water up mountains and dams during low-demand periods and release it during peak periods to generate electricity, and this technique could be used to store power for a longer time, he said.

"With its good hydropower resources, I think that has good potential for Vietnam."

The country should make hydropower plants and wind and solar plants partners, he suggested.

Pumped storage depends on how far hydropower resources are from solar plants, and Vietnam needs adequate transmission facilities, he said.

Long-term solutions

Hang said the country's transmission and distribution infrastructure is not equipped to cope with the rapid growth in renewables, but it would be a financial burden for the government to improve the power grid by itself.

It is time for allowing private investment in the power sector, including in transmission and distribution, she said.

It means the Electricity Law needs to be amended to eliminate the government's monopoly, and this is in line with the Politburo's Resolution No. 55 on strategic orientations for national energy development for until 2030, she said.

The need for private power plants to build their own transmission lines has become pressing in light of Vietnam Electricity (EVN)s difficulty in developing infrastructure, she said.

There is no shortage of international investors in renewable energy projects in Vietnam, she pointed out.

Greig said if a country wants to invest in solar and wind plants, it has to invest more in the grid if their sites are far from places that have demand for power.

The low capacity of the grid is a common problem when a nations renewable power production grows quickly, he said.

Ninh from the National Load Dispatch Center of Vietnam said there was a surge in renewable energy production last year, especially in the rooftop segment, which saw capacity rise by 66 percent to 10,000 megawatt peak (MWp) between June and December.

This caused an oversupply, with overloads recorded in the central provinces of Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan, forcing EVN to reduce purchase of solar energy by 365 million kilowatt-hours in 2020.

Greig said the main demand for power is in the big cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and Can Tho, and so Vietnam needs to make large investments in power transmission infrastructure.

Furthermore, if it wants to expand solar and wind production to significant levels, it should not do this independently of the national system, but make it part of a plan that includes a national grid, existing generators and the way the market operates, he said.

It should have a robust national system and ensure that provincial plans are consistent with national plans, he said.

"Vietnam has to have a very clear plan for where you are today and where you want to be in 2050."

He said Vietnams power generation would grow rapidly for two reasons: its rapidly growing economy, leading to rising electricity demand, and the move by users from fuel to electricity, like cars.

"In the next few years maybe Vietnam will double the amount of solar energy. And then the challenges will become much more significant."

As for the role of the private sector in developing renewables, he said that there are always trade-offs when a country deregulates or privatizes the electricity sector because private operators do not necessarily act in the national interest.

But ownership is not the important thing, the country's energy security is, he said.

Great potential

Blakers said Vietnam has the best solar and wind power potential in Southeast Asia.

He cited a recent study he did with colleagues that found Vietnam has enormous off-river pumped storage potential of 200 Terawatt-hours at 6,000 sites.

This is about 100 times the total electricity Vietnam needs, he said.

A combination of these is much better than what its neighbors possess, he said, pointing for instance to Indonesia which has no wind because it is on the equator.

Other countries in Southeast Asia also lack winds and mountains for pumped storage while Vietnam has it all, he said.

It needs to combine all these like utility-scale batteries, pumped storage and electric vehicles, and improve transmission capacity, he said.

That would mean the need for new coal-fired power stations and hydroelectric dams would disappear, he said.

"Vietnam will find it easier to get to 100 percent renewable electricity than almost any other country. Vietnam could have the cheapest electricity in Asia."
Patricia Kolwicz fought back tears while explaining how she keeps her heat down to afford everyday necessities.

Kolwicz, 70, is one of many seniors who will have to pay $20 for an annual pass to use New Milford parks.

People might think $20 isnt much, but it is for some people, Kolwicz said. Theres a lot of money in New Milford... but they should be able to pay for passes for these seniors who are struggling.

In between soft sobs, she said a park pass from the town would be a nice gift for struggling seniors, such as herself.

Some New Milford residents are looking to do just that - gift park passes through Operation Park Pass. The grassroots initiative allows people in town to sponsor park passes for local seniors.

Operation Park Pass is an initiative to come together with the community, in which they can make a donation through our non-profit, Helping Hands for Heroes, which will prepay for a park pass for a senior. And the donor has the ability to donate one park pass or as many park passes as they like, Helping Hands for Heroes organizer Joe Quaranta said.

Residents can donate money to sponsor a seniors pass by visiting the Helping Hands for Heroes website and filling out a form. The funds collected will be donated to the New Milford Parks and Recreation Committee, with the stipulation that it be used for seniors park passes, according to Quaranta.

The initiative has raised enough money to cover roughly 50 passes thus far, Quaranta said. Helping Hands for Heroes was prompted to start the operation after the New Milford town council struck down a members idea to eliminate seniors park fees.

Given the circumstances of COVID and the fact that theyve really just paid their dues in our community... we felt like they paid their dues and thats something that the community, as little as it may be, say thank you and give back to them, Quaranta said.

Seniors pay $20 for an annual pass, accumulating to roughly $6,000 in revenue for the town each year, a cost council member David Lawson argued could be covered by the parks and recreation departments budget surplus.

Katie Golembski, a 67-year-old senior, found it very unfair for the council to continue charging seniors, especially during these harsh times. She believes the amount it costs to cover seniors park fees is small potatoes for the town.

Ive been a lifelong New Milford resident and Ive paid my dues in this time, Golembski said.

Golembski feels betrayed by the town. She minimally used town parks, sometimes going to eat lunch on a bench, people watch and take in some Vitamin D, she said.

But now, in the time of a pandemic, she feels as though she has to choose between paying for medications out-of-pocket or for a park pass.

COVID has pushed a lot of people over the edge, Golembski said. Ill find another place to sit outside and people watch.
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By Michael Nienaber

BERLIN (Reuters) - German car manufacturer Volkswagen is in talks with its main suppliers about possible claims for damages due to a shortage of semiconductors, a company spokesman said on Sunday.

Automakers around the world are shutting assembly lines due to problems in the delivery of semiconductors, which in some cases have been exacerbated by the former Trump administration's actions against key Chinese chip factories.

The shortage has affected Volkswagen, Ford Motor Co, Subaru Corp, Toyota Motor Corp, Nissan Motor Co Ltd, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and other car makers.

"For Volkswagen, the top priority is to minimise the effects of the semiconductor bottleneck on production," the Volkswagen spokesman said, adding the company wanted to resolve the problem in close cooperation with its suppliers.

But the spokesman added that this exchange would also include examining claims of damages together with its suppliers.

Among the affected car suppliers are Germany's Bosch and Continental, which in return are dependent on chip suppliers in Taiwan and other Asian countries.

Volkswagen had communicated to its suppliers shortly after the first lockdown in spring that it was ramping up production to pre-pandemic levels again, industry sources said.

Still, manufacturers of semiconductors shifted production to other industrial sectors with high growth rates such as consumer electronics which left clients in the car industry with less chips than needed, the sources said.

Automobilwoche magazine reported that Volkswagen was in talks with alternative suppliers of semiconductors but there were concerns this could lead to higher prices.

Volkswagen wants to make sure that both Bosch and Continental share the burden and partly compensate the company for the resulting additional costs, the magazine reported.

A Bosch spokeswoman said the company was currently focusing on maintaining supply chains as much as possible.

Story continues

"We will discuss all further aspects of the shortage of semiconductors directly with our customers and suppliers in due course," she added.

Continental declined to comment.

German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier has urged his Taiwanese counterpart Wang Mei-hua to persuade Taiwanese chip manufacturers to help ease the semiconductor shortage in the car industry which is hampering its fledgling economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Altmaier has asked Wang to address the issue in talks with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC), the world's largest contract chipmaker and one of Germany's main suppliers.

To reduce dependency on Asian suppliers and avoid similar problems in the future, Berlin is now planning to increase state support to increase the production capacity of semiconductors in Germany and Europe.

(Reporting by Michael Nienaber, editing by David Evans)

Syracuse, N.Y. -- The Rev. Daren Jaime said this morning that all appointments for a Covid-19 vaccination clinic at the Peoples AME Zion Church in Syracuse are full.

The state is opening up small PODs -- points of distribution -- in communities to dispense the vaccine, Jaime said this morning. The Peoples AME Zion Church in Syracuse was selected as an initial site, he said.

But the appointments for the clinic on Monday afternoon are full, Jaime said.

He said there was inconsistent news that the church was accepting appointments. We are no longer taking registrations, he said shortly before noon today. We are not handling that anymore.

He said people who are eligible for the clinic are being contacted. Other churches and organizations have sent in names of people eligible for the community clinic, he said.

Dont call us, well call you, he said.

The church clinic is part of Gov. Andrew Cuomos effort to bring the vaccine to Black and brown communities.

The state already has started vaccinating seniors who live in public housing in New York City. Last week, the state administered about 4,200 shots at those New York City senior apartment complexes. By Tuesday, another 3,000 should have had their first shots, according to the governor.

Cuomo said Saturday this effort will ramp up across the state. So far, Syracuses AME church is one of eight sites where the vaccine will be given this week.

The governor delivered a pre-taped video message this morning to the church.

While the vaccine is scarce across the country, I am working as hard as I can to get it here for you, he said. We will make it available through churches, community groups, public housing in many different ways to make sure it is accessible to the hardest hit communities of color.

Black people have died from Covid-19 at twice the rate as others, Cuomo said. Latinos have died at 1.5 times the rate as others.

Jaime said he welcomed the opportunity to use the church as a vaccine site.

Were excited, he said, because we have an opportunity to loan our house of worship to be a haven of not just healing, but also hope.

As of about noon today, New York had vaccine appointments available in Potsdam and Plattsburgh.

Got a story idea or news tip youd like to share? Please contact me through email, Twitter, Facebook or at 315-470-2274.
Ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Nak-yon, center, eats fish cake at a stall in Namdaemun Market in central Seoul, Saturday, together with former SMEs and Startups Minister Park Young-sun, left, DPK Rep. Woo Sang-ho, right, two candidates of the DPK competing for the party's primary to run in the Seoul mayoral by-election in April. Yonhap



By Jung Da-min



With less than three months left before April's by-elections, potential candidates have started campaigning, with some of them visiting traditional markets to hear about the economic hardships suffered by merchants amid the COVID-19 pandemic.



While it has become routine for politicians to eat popular street foods in traditional markets to appeal to blue-collar voters, critics say such practices show the hypocritical side of politicians as most of them visit such markets only during campaign periods.



On Saturday, former SMEs and Startups Minister Park Young-sun and Rep. Woo Sang-ho, two members of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) competing in the party's primary race to select a candidate to run in the Seoul mayoral by-election, visited Namdaemun Market in Seoul, together with DPK Chairman Lee Nak-yon. The politicians ate fish cake at a stall while listening to the hardships suffered by vendors and small business owners there.



Three days earlier, Na Kyung-won, a former four-term lawmaker with the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) running to become the PPP's candidate for the by-election, also engaged in a similar campaign, visiting a local market in Seoul's Yangcheon District and eating "hotteok," or Korean pancake, from a stall.





Na Kyung-won, a former four-term lawmaker with the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), eats "hotteok" at a stall during her visit to a local market in Seoul's Yangcheon District, Jan. 20. She is running to be the PPP's candidate for the Seoul mayoral by-election. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-geun
Photo shows an overseas warehouse of Ningbo HOOYA Import & Export Group Co., Ltd. based in Ningbo city, east China's Zhejiang province. (Photo/official website of Ningbo HOOYA Import & Export Group Co., Ltd.)

With a mature operating model based on its overseas warehouses, Ningbo HOOYA Import & Export Group Co., Ltd. based in Ningbo city, east China's Zhejiang province, doubled its business volume in 2020, compared with the previous year.

It sells more than 15,000 products under over 20 categories in European and U.S. markets and receives an average of over 30,000 orders per day.

Ten years ago, however, HOOYA was a traditional foreign trade enterprise selling daily necessities with low unit prices and low profit margins.

Its overseas warehouses, which have integrated functions for such purposes as storage, transportation and sale of products, hold the key to the transformation of the enterprise.

The company has built overseas warehouses covering 400,000 square meters and 20 storage and marketing centers around the world.

In fact, besides HOOYA, many more Chinese companies have established warehouses overseas.

Ruston Express, an international logistics company based in northeast China's Heilongjiang province, built its first overseas warehouse in Russia in 2015.

By joining hands with local logistics companies, the warehouse, which covers an area of 11,000 square meters, can reduce the delivery time of parcels to as short as one day.

Fujian Zongteng Network Co., Ltd., a third-party service provider for cross-border e-commerce merchants, owns 36 overseas warehouses covering an area of about 700,000 square meters. These warehouses have served as transit stations between Chinese sellers and their overseas consumers.

According to reliable statistics, Chinese companies have so far established more than 1,800 overseas warehouses in countries and regions like Russia, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S.

Photo shows a warehouse of Fujian Zongteng Network Co., Ltd., a third-party service provider for cross-border e-commerce merchants, in Georgia, the U.S. (Photo/official website of Fujian Zongteng Network Co., Ltd.)

These overseas warehouses established by Chinese companies are mainly classified into three categories, namely warehouses that provide third-party services for cross-border e-commerce sellers, warehouses that own cross-border e-commerce platforms and mainly provide services for customers on their platforms, and fast-growing warehouses with distinctive characteristics and great potential for development.

Behind the increasing number and density of Chinese-owned overseas warehouses is the countrys thriving cross-border e-commerce.

As an emerging trade form, cross-border e-commerce has bucked the trend of global foreign trade slowdown because of its advantages including online transaction, contactless delivery, and relatively short transaction chain, and played an active role in helping foreign trade companies respond to the COVID-19 epidemic, said Li Kuiwen, head of the statistics and analysis department of Chinas General Administration of Customs (GAC).

The pandemic has intensified global consumers' reliance on online shopping, according to Li, adding that cross-border e-commerce has seen rising import and export volume amid the outbreak, becoming an important force in stabilizing foreign trade.

In the first three quarters of 2020, the value of imports and exports checked and released through Chinas customs cross-border e-commerce management platform reached 187.4 billion yuan (about $29 billion), a year-on-year increase of 52.8 percent, official statistics show.

The import and export lists checked and released via the management platform registered 2.45 billion in 2020, up 63.3 percent year on year.

Overseas warehouses have become an essential link and platform for the development of cross-border e-commerce, according to Zhang Jianping, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce.

By building overseas warehouses and then shipping goods in bulk to these warehouses to sort, package, and deliver them to customers according to local markets, Chinese companies can effectively improve logistics efficiency and reduce operational cost, Zhang added.

During the Singles Day shopping spree last year, a consumer in Spain received the TV set he ordered via AliExpress, Chinese e-commerce conglomerate Alibaba's global online retail platform, within only half a day after placing the order, thanks to the warehouse located near his home.

Compared with traditional logistics models, overseas warehouses feature an operating model that allows goods to be delivered to foreign consumers from the nearest warehouses, thus greatly reducing the transportation time.

In Indonesia, Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has established a logistics chain combining the functions of warehouses and express services, extending its delivery services to 483 cities and seven islands in the country and reducing the delivery time of 85 percent of the orders to one day from five to seven days.

Regarding overseas warehouses as an important measure for stabilizing foreign trade, the Chinese government has provided strong support for the development of these warehouses in recent years.

In July 2020, the GAC piloted a program to boost cross-border e-commerce business to business (B2B) export, adding two export supervision codes 9710 and 9810 for cross-border e-commerce B2B direct export and cross-border e-commerce export overseas warehouses respectively. The move offered a dedicated channel to goods exported via overseas warehouses.

So far, 22 customs under the direct administration of the GAC have carried out the pilot program, which enables companies to enjoy a series of favorable measures in customs clearance, such as priority in inspection, customs transit, and convenient return of goods. Since the launch of the pilot program, these customs have witnessed a steady increase in the number of customs declarations and the value of exports.

More overseas warehouses are expected to be established by Chinese around the world, and these warehouses will see continuous improvement in operating efficiency in the future, Zhang said.

In particular, the construction of new-generation intelligent logistics systems will further give play to overseas warehouses, thus helping cross-border e-commerce make greater contributions to stabilizing foreign trade, Zhang added.

On the second Sunday of the Word of God, Pope Francis urges believers to make room for Gods in their daily life. The pontiff, who was unable to lead the Mass due to sciatica pain, was replaced by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation. A television actor, a journalist, and a blind girl proclaimed the Mass readings.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  In his homily at the Mass for the second Sunday of the Word of God, Pope Francis asked the Lord for the strength to turn off the television and open the Bible, to turn off our cell phone and open the Gospel.

This is the second edition of this Sunday, which the pontiff established in 2019 to boost interest in the Holy Scriptures. The Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation organised it, and its president, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, led today's Mass because Pope Francis is suffering from a sciatica attack and could not take part.

The Holy See Press Office announced that tomorrow, the Holy Father will not be able to preside over vespers together with representatives of other Christian denominations in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Card Kurt Koch will take his place. Similarly, the meeting with the diplomatic corps, scheduled for tomorrow as well, has been postponed.

At Mass today, Archbishop Fisichella read the pontiffs homely. Taking his inspiration from todays Gospel (Mark 1:14-20), the Pope stressed what Jesus said and to whom he said it.

God is near was the leitmotif of his preaching, the heart of his message, and this is the one constant of the Christian life and message. [. . .] Prior to every word of ours about God, there is his word to us, his Word who continues to tell us: Do not be afraid, I am with you. I am at your side and I will always be there.

The closeness of Gods Word is the antidote to our fear of having to face life alone. Indeed, by his word the Lord consoles us, that is, he stands with (con-) those who are alone (soli). In speaking to us, he reminds us that he has taken us to heart, that we are precious in his eyes, and that he holds us in the palm of his hand.

At the same time, Gods word infuses this peace, but it does not leave us in peace. It is a word of consolation but also a call to conversion [. . .] Those who hear Gods word are constantly reminded that life is not about shielding ourselves from others, but about encountering them in the name of God who is near. The word sown in the soil of our hearts, leads us in turn to sow hope through closeness to others. Even as God has done with us.

In the second part of the homily, to whom he said it, Francis shows the difference between the preaching of conversion of John the Baptist and that of Jesus. John received people in the desert, where only those able to leave their homes could go. Jesus, on the other hand, speaks of God in the heart of society, to everyone, wherever they find themselves. He does not speak at fixed times or places, but walking along the shore, to fishermen who were casting their nets (v. 16). He speaks to people in the most ordinary times and places. Here we see the universal power of the word of God to reach everyone and every area of life.

Speaking to the first disciples, He did not appeal to them using lofty words and ideas, but spoke to their lives. He told fishermen that they were to be fishers of men. [. . .] The Lord does the same with us: he looks for us where we are, he loves us as we are, and he patiently walks by our side. As he did with those fishermen, he waits for us on the shore of our life. With his word, he wants to change us, to invite us to live fuller lives and to put out into the deep together with him.

In concluding, the Pope urged the faithful to find room for Gods Word in everyday life. So dear brothers and sisters, let us not ignore Gods word. It is a love letter, written to us by the One who knows us best. In reading it, we again hear his voice, see his face and receive his Spirit.

That word brings us close to God. Let us not keep it at arms length, but carry it with us always, in our pocket, on our phone. Let us give it a worthy place in our homes. Let us set the Gospel in a place where we can remember to open it daily, perhaps at the beginning and at the end of the day, so that amid all those words that ring in our ears, there may also be a few verses of the word of God that can touch our hearts.

To be able to do this, let us ask the Lord for the strength to turn off the television and open the Bible, to turn off our cell phone and open the Gospel. During this liturgical year, we are reading Saint Mark, the simplest and the shortest of the Gospels. Why not read it at home too, even a brief passage each day. It will make us feel Gods closeness to us and fill us with courage as we make our way through life.

As a sign of the universality of Gods Word, a television actor, a journalist, and a blind girl proclaimed the Mass readings. At the end of the celebration, copies of the bible were handed out to people from different walks of life.
Dhaka, Jan 24 : Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Vikram Doraiswami on Sunday termed the celebration of Netaji's birth anniversary in the country as "very touching" as he hoped that the two friendly neighbours would come even closer in the future.

His remarks came in his address at seminar "Nobojagorone Netajir Adarsho", organised by the Netaji Janmobarshiki O Deshprem Dibosh Udjapan Parishad to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Bangladesh's Information Minister Hasan Mahmud paid rich tributes to Netaji and the 26,000 soldiers of the Azad Hind Fauj. He said the contribution of Netaji in the independence movement of the subcontinent will figure in history in golden letters.

"It is our pride that Netaji was a Bengali and our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu wrote in his 'Oshomapto Atmajiboni' that he was attracted to the leadership of Netaji from his childhood and inspired by him," said Mahmud, also is also Joint General Secretary of the ruling Awami League.

The minister also hailed the sacrifice of thousands of Indian soldiers in the War of Liberation of Bangladesh, the then Indian governments' role in giving shelter to one crore Bangladeshis and earlier then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's visits to 30 countries for creating awareness in favour of Bangladesh's independence.

Terming Bangladesh's friendship with India as most helpful, he said the cooperation of India is vital to his his country achieving development and progress under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Mahmud also noted that Bangladesh has some political forces whose main agenda is opposing India.

"The development of the country is not possible by keeping hostile relation with the neighbouring country which is surrounding three sides of Bangladesh. Actually, the people, who are doing politics considering opposing India as the main object, are going in wrong direction. Progress lies in friendship," he added.

"The development of the region will be possible as we (Bangladesh and India) are going ahead with friendship through strengthening the alliance and expanding our regional and people-to-people contacts. And we are working to this end." He said that the friendship of the two countries has reached a new level under Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi.

"The 20 lakh coronavirus vaccines are a unique example of love and friendship. Many people of India have not got the vaccine till now, but it (vaccine) has reached Bangladesh. For this, I would like to thank the Indian government," he added.
The Israeli government on Sunday approved a U.S.-brokered diplomatic deal upgrading ties with Morocco pending ratification by parliament, Israeli media reported.

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Covid-19 vaccine pioneer Pfizer is ramping up its development of treatments for rare diseases that affect millions of children.

The US pharmaceuticals giant is investing billions of dollars into research and development of therapies to treat illnesses such as spina bifida and haemophilia.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Pfizer is aiming to launch gene therapies for use in the UK within two years and is piloting a system that uses artificial intelligence to flag potential rare disease in patients to doctors.

A rare disease is defined as a condition that affects fewer than one in 2,000 people and includes childhood cancers, cystic fibrosis and Huntington's disease.

Pioneer: Pfizer is investing billions of dollars into research and development of therapies to treat illnesses such as spina bifida and haemophilia

They affect 3.5million people in the UK  more than the population of Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham and Sheffield combined.

Some 75 per cent of rare conditions affect children and more than 30 per cent of them die before their fifth birthday.

Pfizer's Covid vaccine, developed with Germany's BioNTech, was the first jab to be administered in the UK.

The firm is working round the clock to meet demand and plans to improve production, though this will involve a temporary reduction in UK vaccine deliveries.

But Owen Marks, the boss of Pfizer UK's rare diseases arm, told The Mail on Sunday the $200billion company has not overlooked long-term research beyond Covid-19.

He said: 'There's a compartmentalised approach... We have business units [each working on totally separate projects], which means we're able to maintain focus across different areas and rare disease research can continue.'

The company is piloting tech across three UK hospitals which uses AI to scan doctors' notes for 'red flags' that indicate the possibility of cardiomyopathy, a rare form of heart failure.

The condition can often take three years to diagnose, but 'if you use techniques like this you can reduce that dramatically, in some cases to months', Marks said.

Vaccine: Pfizer is working round the clock to meet demand and plans to improve production

Pfizer has invested $500million in a specialist gene therapy facility in North Carolina and has just spent $60million acquiring US specialist Homology Medicines.

Marks said he expected to do more deals this year, adding: 'We've been very active about collaborating with small biotechs. We basically look to where the best science and overlap is.'

Gene therapy, in which defective genes are replaced by healthy ones, has been used for three decades but progress in making the technique widely available has been slow.

Marks said that Pfizer is running several trials, including one for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, conducted remotely.

He said: 'We must not take our eye off the ball otherwise there will be a delay in those treatments getting to patients  we've got to avoid that.'

Pfizer hopes to launch a therapy within two years and Marks said this could be faster if the collaboration seen with BioNTech, regulators and governments worldwide on its Covid vaccine could be emulated.

He said: 'We're already starting to see the urgency of the response to Covid create a degree of change which is remarkable and there is a lot that we can take from that for rare diseases.'

Marks's perspective has been shaped by his 21-year-old son, who has a severe form of autism.

The Pfizer chief has in a personal capacity signed a petition to give people with learning difficulties priority in receiving the Covid vaccine.

Pfizer has seen its shares gain 35 per cent since the pandemic began. It has not received support from Washington to develop its vaccine, although the German state gave BioNTech 375million to accelerate the jab's production capacity.
More than 340 million Christians live in places with very high or extreme levels of persecution, according to Open Doors 2021 World Watch List.

Since these believers are our brothers and sisters in Christ, we thought it might be helpful to hear from the church and those close to them in 11 different countries on how God is workingand how you can pray for them.

Countries that have been ranked in World Watch Lists top 20 in its 2020 and 2021 lists are represented here. They appear in order of how they are ranked on the current list.

North Korea

We praise God:

for the descendants of believers in North Korea who have kept their faith despite the relentless persecution there since 1945.

for building underground churches and allowing the gospel to be shared in North Korea even though all churches there were destroyed by Communist oppression.

for helping North Koreans, who are thoroughly disconnected from the outside world, to nevertheless translate, print, and share the Bible.

We pray:

that the sin of idolatry that deifies the leader in North Korea will cease so that all North Koreans can serve the true God.

that the sins of violating and repressing human rights will be stopped so that North Koreans can enjoy and worship the God who created all of us in his image.

that vital foodstuffs and other basic necessities are provided to North Koreans who continue to suffer from hunger and frigid winter weather so they can at least maintain their minimal standard of living.

Submitted by Peter Lee, executive director, Cornerstone Ministries International

Pakistan

We praise God:

for the numbers of students training in the seminaries and Bible colleges.

for the many agencies discipling people in the faith.

for boldness in witness by many Christians.

We pray:

for current seminary and Bible college students to become good pastors and evangelists in the future.

for the continuing danger posed by the blasphemy laws.

for the systemic discrimination faced by Christians in employment, education, and society.

for Muslim-background believers who face particular dangers if their identities become known.

Submitted by Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, director of the Oxford Centre for Training, Research, Advocacy and Dialogue

Iran

We praise God:

for the number of Iranians coming to Christ. In the beginning of 2020, Iran Alive Ministries (IAM) sensed that Iranians were even more open to the gospel, so we dedicated the month of May to evangelism. During that month, we not only aired more evangelistic programs, but we also taught our viewers how to evangelize. The number of registered salvations jumped from 2050 per week to over 500 salvations per week. This went on for months and now fluctuates between 300 and 400 per week. The best news is that two-thirds of those who came to Christ did so not through our programs but through the personal witness of those whom we trained to evangelize.

We pray:

for the safety of the people in our network. Two of our Bible distributors (a male and a female) inside Iran were arrested in the last few months. Because of their arrests, the lives of others in the network are in danger. If they are tortured and give out names, the rest of the network will be arrested as well.

Submitted by Hormoz Shariat, founder, Iran Alive Ministries

Nigeria

We praise God:

for his strength and grace that have kept our brethren in northern Nigeria going in their service and faith in God despite intense persecution.

for providing help and succor for Christians who have been displaced by terrorism in northeast Nigeria.

for his intervention in many cases where kidnapped Christian leaders (some with their spouses) have been successfully rescued.

for providing many opportunities for the church of God to keep marching on during the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many believers experienced revival in their Christian lives from attending virtual meetings. Cities were locked down, but the Word of God could not be locked down as record numbers of souls came to Christ during the ongoing pandemic! Hallelujah!

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We pray:

that the Lord will raise help for the church of God in northern Nigeria to be rebuilt. Many places of worship are lying in ruins, and we pray for God's divine and miraculous restoration.

that the Lord will arrest and convert the kingpins who are unleashing terror and spearheading the persecutions of Christians in Nigeria. Lord, let them have the same experience that Saul (Paul) had on the way to Damascus.

Submitted by Ronke Mosuro, ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and lecturer at the Lead City University in Ibadan, Nigeria

India

We praise God:

for the way the church was and is able to reach out to cater to the needs of the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic. From nationwide efforts to the local church in the grassroots, all reached out in compassion to alleviate the sufferings of their neighbors.

for the unity efforts going on in the church in India. The coming together of the National United Christian Forum comprised of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, the National Council of Churches in India, and the Evangelical Fellowship of India is a big step forward in promoting unity and cooperation among churches in India.

for church leaders ability to take care of their congregations using tools that have helped them take the church online. We praise God for giving the church resources that have helped in pastoral care, preaching, and teaching, thus keeping the church in India vibrant even during the lockdown.

We pray:

for the church in India to be a major voice for peace, justice, equality, and harmony in the nation. Pray that the church would keep on not only speaking but also intervening on behalf of the marginalized and the oppressed. Pray that the church in India would live the values of the kingdom of God and bless and transform the nation.

for the church in India as persecution and opposition grow, nurtured by the ideology of religious nationalism and extremism. Pray that the church would stand steadfast and in faith, continuing to reach out in love even to those that oppose and persecute.

for the church in India to be able to effectively train leaders to meet the need of a growing church so that both the church and the nation would be blessed. Pray for grassroots discipleship and leadership movements in different parts of India that the Lord continues to work through them to produce commendable people who engage in society with compassion and love to bring about transformation.

Submitted by VijayeshLal, the Delhi-based general secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India

Iraq

We praise God:

that Christianity is still present and that the government is trying with all its might to consolidate and strengthen this presence.

that the Baptist church reached many poor or displaced families from Mosul or the Nineveh Plains and from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds with food and relief aid.

that evangelical churches in Kurdistan have received official legal status.

We pray:

for the government to be strengthened. In fact, the weakness of the government in Baghdad and its inability to extend its influence over important facilities in the country lead to the existence of many behaviors thatalthough far from persecutionmake Christians feel unequal.

for political and security stability in the country. That Christians can feel safe returning to their villages and cities from which they were displaced since 2014. Many of them are still in Baghdad and other areas of Kurdistan.

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for the official registration of evangelical churchesincluding our ownas the failure to register these churches hinders their normal functioning as well as their service.

Submitted by Ara Badalian, senior pastor of the National Evangelical Baptist Church in Baghdad

We praise God:

that evangelical churches helped the local government distribute food and medicine despite the quarantine.

that in the midst of the persecution and pandemic, many started looking for answers in the Bible. Now we have Bibles in the Bahdinan Kurdish language.

We pray:

for the completion of the Bible in Kurdish language and the translation of some exegesis and discipleship books to help believers understand the Bible more clearly.

Submitted by Ashty Bahro, pastor of Evangelical Apostles Church and director of the relief organization, Zalal Life, based in Duhok, Kurdistan.

Saudi Arabia

We praise God:

for the continuing/developing openness politically/culturally/religiously and that old-school clerics have been marginalized and replaced with those who encourage liberal thinking.

for the new connections between the youth and the foreigners that have helped to increase tolerance and appreciation for other cultures, Christians, and Jesus.

We pray

for more caretakers for the Muslim-background believers who want to show Gods love practically. We pray that they will continue to grow in God as we witness to his care for their life and comfort.

for church unity that witnesses by showing a beautiful life for others to see and an understanding and synergy toward the needs of the inquiring and Muslim-background believers.

I. Hanna, church leader, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Egypt

We praise God:

for his support to our economy that has been affected by COVID-19.

for his protection over our churches against many terroristic attempts and for the efforts that President Abdel Fattah El Sisi is doing to promote citizenship and equality.

that although our churches have been closed due to the pandemic, Christian faith is strengthened and Christians are seeking God like never before.

We pray:

for God to put an end to the coronavirus pandemic that has caused the death of some leaders and pastors in our churches.

for peace to prevail in the Middle East, especially with all the changes taking place in the United States and Europe.

for peace and protection for Egypt, specifically in confronting terrorism and extremism.

Submitted by Andrea Zaki Stephanous, general director, Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services

China

We praise God:

for online prayer meetings and joint missional events that have brought incredible vibrancy to the Chinese churches. COVID-19 has led us to give attention to the needs of the world like never before. We praise God for the growing fervent prayers and unity for missions through online meetings.

for the growing hunger for the truth and for the sense of belonging in the body of Christ. New churches have been planted every week in various forms across the country in the past year.

for the growing Christian witness through social services during the pandemic. More and more churches are stepping out to make an impact through faith-based NGOs.

We pray:

for Christian students facing more surveillance and inspections than ever. Campus evangelism has become almost impossible under digital totalitarianism. Pray for perseverance and growth of Christian students, as they are the future.

for foreign workers who have led ministries among the minorities over the years. As more and more are expelled from the country, pray for mature and culturally sensitive workers to grow and be sent from the majority Han churches to fill in the gap and continue the work.

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that as God answered our prayers and China first recovered from the pandemic, we pray that it will be a blessing to all nations, not a curse.

Submitted by a church leader in Shanghai

Vietnam

We praise God:

that there have been significant efforts and progress in building relationships and mutual understanding between the government and the Christian community.

that Christians have been proactive and bold in meeting the physical and spiritual needs of their community. In 2020 we saw greater cooperation between local authorities and churches in providing relief to areas in central Vietnam hit by severe flooding.

that evangelism continues to take place through personal relationships, in the workplace, on church premises, and through street performances.

We pray:

for policies and laws on religion to be implemented with a greater emphasis on religious freedom (as opposed to control), especially in rural and mountainous areas of the country.

for greater unity and cooperation between churches so that they have a stronger presence in public life.

for more resources for church leadership training, which was negatively impacted by the pandemic, and that they would attract greater numbers of younger Christians.

Submitted by the Institute for Global Engagement

Uzbekistan

We praise God:

that the first-ever evangelical church in Karakalpakstan has been registered by the government in 2020. This releases a lot of stress from the ministers and their family members because in Uzbekistan an unregistered religious activity is punishable according to the law.

We pray:

for more Christian brothers and sisters in our country to have access to theological education.

for the many people, especially women, who are experiencing enormous psychological pressure due to the COVID-19 lockdown. A lot of people lost their jobs, and families struggle financially. We pray that God will provide the opportunities for the families to make ends meet.

Submitted by a womens ministries leader in Uzbekistan

[ This article is also available in espanol and Francais. ]
The EU vaccine rollout has been plunged into further chaos after AstraZeneca warned it would deliver fewer doses to Europe because of supply problems.

The vaccine, developed with Oxford University, has not yet been approved by the EU regulator but even when the expected green light comes at the end of the month, progress is set to be severely hampered.

AstraZeneca had initially promised to deliver 80 million vaccines to the 27 nations by March, but the order has reportedly been reduced to 31 million  a cut of 60 per cent  in the first quarter of the year.

When the AstraZeneca vaccine is given the green light by the EU regulator, its progress is set to be severely hampered. Picture: Stock

The pharmaceutical giant said only that initial volumes will be lower than originally anticipated because of reduced yields at one of its manufacturing sites.

EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said there was deep dissatisfaction at the news while Irelands Taoiseach Micheal Martin said it may have to slow its rollout.

The EU has come under fierce criticism for its laboured rollout of vaccines, with smaller nations accusing the bloc of failing to order enough doses.

According to the most recent data, France has given a first vaccine dose to just 1.4 people per 100, compared to 8.8 per 100 people in the UK.

EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides (pictured) said there was deep dissatisfaction at the news while Irelands Taoiseach Micheal Martin said it may have to slow its rollout

Meanwhile, The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Matt Hancock was involved in a high-stakes, behind-the-scenes battle to stop President Trumps administration from diverting supplies of the Oxford University vaccine to the US.

The drama took place in April when the university was in talks about joining with the US firm Merck & Co to manufacture the jab.

The talks broke down after the Health Secretary demanded a written guarantee that the US would not be given priority for the supplies  which was not forthcoming.

Several weeks later, Oxford signed a deal with AstraZeneca instead, helping to place Britain in the vanguard of global vaccine rollout rates.
Protesters hold banners reading "FREE NAVALNY" and "FREE POLITICAL PRISONERS" in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, on Jan. 23, 2021. (Omer Messinger/Getty Images)

Rubio Rips McKinsey for Response to Arrest of Putin Critic

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) says serious questions are surfacing about McKinseys core values and corporate culture following the famous international management consulting firms order barring its Moscow office employees from joining the growing protests in Russia against the arrest of Alexei Navalny.

Navalny was arrested last week as he returned to Russia from Berlin, where he was recovering from his poisoning five months ago by a military-grade nerve agent known as Novichok. Navalny is one of Russias most prominent critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin. His Jan. 17 arrest sparked demonstrations on Jan. 23 that The Associated Press said led to the arrest of more than 3,000 people by Russian police.

In an unusual statement issued early on Jan. 24, Rubio made public a letter in which he blasted McKinsey & Company Global Managing Partner Kevin Sneader after Sneaders firm told its Moscow office employees they were forbidden from participating in illegal demonstrations.

The firm subsequently issued a statement saying its employees are free to participate in legal protest demonstrations.

It strains credulity to believe the managing partner of Russia and CIS incorrectly characterized how McKinsey policy sought to interact with the Putin regime in his original email, Rubio wrote.

Despite efforts to correct public perception now, this episode raises serious questions about McKinseys core values and corporate culture, he said. It is no secret that McKinsey maintains close business ties to Russian government agencies and Kremlin-linked companies.

Rubio told Sneader that the firms actions contradicted what he was told was the companys policy by another senior executive last year, and raises questions about whether there were consultations between McKinsey officials and the Russian government about the demonstrations protesting Navalnys arrest.

The initial guidance is also radically different from what Ms. Liz Hilton Segel, the managing partner for McKinseys North America operations, outlined to my office just a few months ago, Rubio said in his letter.

To help my offices understanding of the situation, please describe how the initial no participation guidance was determined, and whether any McKinsey employee consulted with anyone in Vladimir Putins regime before or after the guidance was sent. Similarly, did any McKinsey employee consult with anyone in the Putin establishment before or after the revised guidance was sent?

With every new report of McKinsey & Companys work with authoritarian regimes, I grow increasingly concerned about its work on behalf of the U.S. Government.

Rubios views are especially significant because hes the ranking Republican on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and is considered a potential contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

Some of the demonstrations on Jan. 23 to demand Navalnys release from prison were held in the Siberian region of Russia, where temperatures reached 50 below zero.

The U.S. State Department condemned Navalnys arrest and those of the demonstrators, saying, We call on Russian authorities to release all those detained for exercising their universal rights and for Navalnys immediate and unconditional release.

We urge Russia to fully cooperate with the international communitys investigation into the poisoning of Aleksey Navalny and credibly explain the use of a chemical weapon on its soil.

The United States will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our allies and partners in defense of human rightswhether in Russia or wherever they come under threat.

Navalny has long been targeted by Putin. The critic was charged and convicted in 2014 of money-laundering, but he has insisted the case against him was false. His arrest upon returning from Berlin violated the terms of his suspended sentence in the money-laundering case, Russian authorities claimed.

In a related development on Jan. 24, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) called on President Joe Biden to impose new sanctions on Russia in response to Navalnys arrest and to lead an international coalition to protest the Putin regimes actions.

Vladimir Putin is a coward who fears the strength and resilience of the Russian people. Tens of thousands of Russians took to the streets because theyre fed up with Putin and refuse to be silenced by his tyrannical regime, Sasse said.

The free world has seen their bravery. The Kremlin must release Alexei Navalny immediately, along with the thousands of Russians theyve unjustly arrested in the last 24 hours.

The United States should immediately rally an international response to impose Magnitsky sanctions on those leading the crackdown on protesters and invoke the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention to inspect Russian facilities that produced the nerve agents involved in Navalnys poisoning. Its time the freedom-loving world cut off all avenues of support for Putins corrupt regime.

Contact Mark Tapscott at Mark.Tapscott@epochtimes.com
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms possible. A few storms may be severe. High 84F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms. Low 66F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.

After Frans and his wife came to Philadelphia from Indonesia in the mid-2000s, they lived in fear that their young son would accidentally spill the family secret and get them all deported:

They were in the United States illegally.

We always told our son, no matter how close you are, you do not share anything, said Frans, who is in his 50s and asked that his full name not be published. You cannot open the door to whoever rings our bell or talk to any strangers.

The couple abandoned an upscale life in their homeland to move into the shadows here, trading a big house and a thriving lending business for a rented home and low, off-the-books wages at a beauty-supply shop. Their sole motivation was to propel their son toward a top education at a competitive American college.

A decade later hes nearing graduation. And now a dream just as big could be possible, as President Joe Biden submits groundbreaking legislation that would offer Frans and 11 million other undocumented migrants in this country a path to U.S. citizenship.

Its a dramatic change of direction, opposite that set by former President Donald Trump, who based much of his presidency on attacking immigrants. Its uncertain if Congress will approve Bidens plan, despite slim Democratic majorities in both chambers. And the route to citizenship will not be easy or quick.

Biden wants to first let people apply for temporary legal status. Five years later, they could get green cards, provided they pay their taxes and pass criminal- and national-security background checks. Then, after three more years and additional checks, those with green cards could apply to become citizens.

Its life-changing, said Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, director of the Center for Immigrants Rights Clinic at Pennsylvania State University, and not just for individuals but for the country.

The DACA program offers a small preview, she said. Allowing those who were brought here as children to legally stay and work has fostered thousands of productive lives that benefit the nation  including as frontline doctors and nurses during the coronavirus pandemic.

The specific language in Bidens bill will be crucial, Wadhia said, so that people feel comfortable revealing themselves to undergo background investigations.

People come to the United States without permission in different ways for different reasons, but jobs, better lives for their children, and safety from criminal gangs are drivers. Many make dangerous desert treks from Mexico, the nation that accounts for about half of all undocumented. Others fly into American airports holding legal visas, but stay after theyre supposed to go home.

That 11 million is down from a peak of 12.2 million in 2007, according to the Pew Research Center and others. One reason the total has remained relatively stable is because of stringent U.S. policies  migrants cant easily leave and return, so they stay. Another is that they live American lives.

People may think of undocumented migrants as separate from society, the illegals that the Trump administration routinely denounced, but their lives are intermeshed with those of their neighbors.

About 1.6 million undocumented people are married to U.S. citizens, and an additional 675,000 are wed to lawful permanent residents, according to the Migration Policy Institute in Washington. About 4.4 million U.S.-citizen children have at least one undocumented parent.

More than a third of all undocumented speak only English or speak it very well. And, again defying stereotypes, many are well-educated. About 20% have a four-year college degree, compared with one-third of the overall U.S. population, MPI found. Sixty percent have lived in the United States for at least a decade.

One commonality: To be undocumented is to live a life of risk and uncertainty, where any contact with officials  a simple police traffic stop  threatens discovery and deportation.

Undocumented migrants cant legally work, except under certain programs. That limits job prospects and opens them to abuse from employers. They cant vote, cant legally drive in most states. Theyre ineligible for most government benefits, for health insurance, and, in most places, for a loan to go to college.

Yet many say their choice to come here was no choice at all: Stay in their homeland to watch their family suffer or be victimized, or take a chance on a better life.

Its opportunity  opportunity thats not available in my country, said an undocumented Jamaican woman in her 30s, who came to Philadelphia with her child under a legal visa, but wont be going back. I want to be able to give my daughter those opportunities.  This is the land where the possibilities are endless, as long as you work hard.

She came here about two years ago as violent crime ran rampant in Jamaica, the U.S. State Department warning potential travelers that armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides were common.

In the city, she worked at a restaurant, where she said she was poorly paid and badly treated, and now earns money doing graphic design. Her daughter, about 10, doesnt really understand the complications, the ever-present fear of being found out. Or that now theres a sudden hope of citizenship.

I want her to focus on school, she said. Let me do all the worrying for us. Im still able to make ends meet. She can eat. She has a roof over her head. Im hopeful that God is going to find a way, or send me an angel, or send us Joe Biden to make things more transparent and easier for everybody.

Some Americans blame undocumented people for their own predicaments, arguing they should go home if conditions here are difficult, or else should get in line to become a citizen.

But immigration to the United States generally is limited to three routes: employment, family reunification, or humanitarian protection. Each is highly regulated. Immigrants who leave the United States and try to reenter legally can be banned for 10 years.

I will live in the place where my children are safe, said Murcia, an undocumented, 30-something Honduran woman who asked to be identified only by her last name.

She never intended to come to the United States. But her homeland had become dangerous. Most of all, she was distraught after the death of her infant daughter.

When her partner planned to go north, she went with him, traveling by bus, car, boat, and foot to Texas and then to Philadelphia around 2010.

Together they care for her teenage son, who is here legally, and for two younger sons who are American citizens by birth. She has a part-time job and he works fixing mechanical systems.

You come to the United States and you work in whatever you can, Murcia said. If you have to clean bathrooms, you clean them.

She constantly worries that a random brush against law enforcement will bring immigration authorities to her door. Citizenship would change all that.

I ask myself, if tomorrow I am detained by Immigration, what will happen to my children? she said. If I had the citizenship, that would be the most important thing, not to be separated from my children.

Philadelphia is home to about 50,000 undocumented, roughly one of every four foreign-born residents, according to Pew. Compared with four other large, Northeast cities  Boston, New York, Baltimore, and Washington  Philadelphias population ranked second, more than the 35,000 of Boston and fewer than the 525,000 of New York, Pew found.

Philadelphia is a welcoming city, and we will continue protecting our most vulnerable residents and fighting for their rights and their families, Mayor Jim Kenney said last week.

He said the Biden administration is quickly replacing the cruelty and the chaos that Trump is leaving behind with a commitment to modernize our immigration system, and that providing 50,000 Philadelphians a path to legality would keep families together, help them obtain quality jobs, and improve the regions economy.

Kenneys team fought and won a major sanctuary city lawsuit against the Trump administration in 2018, securing the right to treat undocumented and documented people the same when they come into contact with the justice system. Trump sought to withhold grant money to force the city to actively help federal authorities in identifying and turning over undocumented migrants, while the city insisted the Police Department was not an arm of immigration enforcement.

The American ideal is anchored in the notion that every individual is an equal citizen, said Frank Sharry, executive director of Americas Voice, a pro-immigrant group in Washington. The idea of 11 million enjoying the rights of citizenship is [striking] a real blow for equality, a real blow for justice.

Frans earned a college degree in Indonesia, where he and his wife had a big home with three live-in maids. A rental-car business supplemented his lending company. But for them their sons education was everything, and they told him that once you get the diploma from a U.S. college, you can work anywhere.

In that way, Frans said, the sacrifice was worth it.

Still, he dearly hopes Bidens plan will succeed and he can become a citizen.

He wants to start his own business, to be back running a company and creating jobs. He wants to buy a house with a nice yard. Most of all, he wants to purchase health insurance.

He and his family go to city public health centers for medical treatment. The workers are wonderful  skilled and kind, he said. But going there makes him feel as if hes taking something for free.

It makes me feel guilty, Frans said. I dont want to depend on them. I want to live the way Americans do.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday became the third PM to visit Kolkatas Netaji Bhawan on freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Boses birthday. Before this former PMs Lal Bahadur Shastri ad PV, Narsimha Rao visited Kolkatas Netaji Bhawan on Subhas Chandra Boses birthday.

The mansion on Elgin road where the freedom fighters family lives is now a museum on Bose. Now, Prime Minister Narendra Modis picture on Facebook of landing in Kolkata breaks records by clocking 1 million likes in less than 24 hours. PM Narendra Modi reached Kolkata on Saturday to participate in the Parakram Diwas celebrations commemorating the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Checkout the post here-

Superhit photograph: PMs picture on Facebook of landing in Kolkata breaks records by clocking 1 million likes in less than 24 hours! pic.twitter.com/lQqHXVWc1X  Aman Sharma (@AmanKayamHai_ET) January 24, 2021

Heres what people have to say about PM Modis viral picture-

Salman 2.0 bhai!  Akshay Shah (@agilewiz) January 24, 2021

Power of computers and bots  Jitu Mehta (@jitu70069205) January 24, 2021

This is nothing on insta he got 2.6M like in less than 24 Hour  Himanshu sahu (@HimanshuNit) January 24, 2021

Wahh you put so much effort in this investigative journalism  bhakhtt (@basher24) January 24, 2021

Boses grandnephew and BJP leader Chandra Kumar Bose who was present during Modis visit said, Lal Bahadur Shastri was the first Prime Minister who visited this historic building on January 23 while being in office.

Some glimpses from the programme at Victoria Memorial. #ParakramDivas pic.twitter.com/rBmhawJAwA  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2021

He also said, The prime minister saw the Wanderer car that Netaji used. He visited Netajis study and his elder brother Sisir Kumar Boses room and also saw Netajis uniforms, swords, and old photographs. The prime minister was inquisitive about Netajis visit to Haripura in Gujarat and we showed him some photographs.

The National Library is one of Kolkatas iconic landmarks. At the National Library, I interacted with artists, researchers and other delegates as a part of #ParakramDivas.



The 125th Jayanti celebrations of Netaji Bose have captured the imagination of our entire nation. pic.twitter.com/r3xVdTKFXf  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2021

Modi also visited Netaji Bhawan, Modi went to the National Library. After spending around thirty minutes at the library campus, the PMs motorcade left for the Victoria memorial grounds where he attended the cultural programmes.

What do you think about Prime Minister Modis viral picture? Let us know in the comments section below.
That afternoon both the House and the Senate were in session when the mob fought its way past Capitol Police officers and forced their way into the building

During the four-and-a-half-hour attack on the Capitol on 6 January, one of the moments when the mob came closest to the lawmakers they were pursuing took place just after 2.30 pm.

On one side of a set of antique wood and gla bss doors were dozens of lawmakers and their aides trying to evacuate the House chamber.

On the other were rioters yelling Stop the steal as they hammered the panes with a flagpole, a helmet and even a bare fist.

In between was a Capitol Police lieutenant, scrambling to pile tables and chairs into a makeshift barricade. He had 31 rounds for his service weapon, and he has told others that he feared he might need them all.

At the height of the standoff, a woman named Ashli Babbitt tried to vault through a window. The lieutenant, his weapon already extended, pulled the trigger once, killing her in a confrontation that was captured on video and widely viewed around the world.

At least three investigations into the security response on 6 January are underway, and officials have not provided the full details of Babbitts death.

But videos taken of the episode, legal documents and witness accounts point to a dire set of circumstances and an officer left to confront a mob. The lieutenant, who has not been publicly named, has been placed on administrative leave while his actions are reviewed by federal authorities.

The use of deadly force by officers is considered legally justified if they have an objectively reasonable fear of serious, imminent harm to themselves or others.

Several policing experts said that video of the encounter was not enough for them to offer an opinion on the shooting. But interviews with two people with direct knowledge of the officers account suggest he will make the case that he acted to protect lawmakers from harm.

I could look them in the eyes, said Representative Jim McGovern, Democrat, Massachusetts, who had been presiding in the Speakers chair and was one of the last to leave as the mob attempted to break through the doors. I mean, thats how close they were.

He added: I dont even know what would have happened had they breached that area.

Babbitts husband, Aaron, told a Fox affiliate on the day of the riot that he had seen his wife die on the news.

She didnt have any weapons on her, I dont know why she had to die in the Peoples House, he said, adding, She was voicing her opinion and she got killed for it.

He did not respond to an email requesting comment. One of Babbitts brothers, reached by phone, declined to comment.

Babbitt was one of five people who lost their lives at the Capitol that day. A Capitol Police officer was overpowered and beaten by rioters. A Georgia woman appeared to have been killed in a crush of fellow rioters. One man had a stroke, and another a heart attack.

The lieutenant had heard on the news that Trump supporters like Babbitt would be converging on Washington, according to his account. But the first time the protests were discussed at work came only when he arrived early that morning; according to his account, he had been given no advance planning to counter a violent riot or an invasion of the building.

That afternoon both the House and the Senate were in session, with hundreds of lawmakers debating challenges to the certification of the Electoral College vote when the mob fought its way past lines of Capitol Police officers outside and forced their way into the building.

Some said they merely wanted to halt the proceedings while others carried weapons, climbing gear and zip ties that could be used as restraints.

The crowd was peppered with far-right nationalists, military veterans and militia members, and adherents of a dangerous conspiracy. Rioters hurled invectives at police officers and called them traitors, threatening to kill former vice-president Mike Pence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The lieutenant, a veteran officer, was regularly assigned to the Speakers Lobby, an enclosed hallway and waiting area in the inner sanctum of the Capitol where access is highly restricted. The lobby runs directly behind the House chamber and is lined with portraits of the Houses past leaders. It is bound by two sets of old wooden doors with windows, one on the Democratic side and one on the Republican side.

Around 2:15 p.m., the lieutenant heard on the radio that the Capitol had been breached, according to his account.

Pelosi was escorted from the chamber, but so little was understood about the situation at that point that she left her phone behind on the dais as if she would return shortly, McGovern recalled.

At 2:30 pm, a crowd that included Babbitt streamed through the Capitol Rotunda and Statuary Hall. At that point, they were calm, even staying within a walkway defined by velvet ropes. But as they surged toward the north doors of the House, they grew aggressive, chanting, Break it down.

Hey guys, I have a knife, one person in the crowd can be heard saying.

Those doors had been barricaded on the inside with furniture, and three plainclothes officers just inside the chamber had drawn their guns.

On the floor, the proceedings were repeatedly disrupted as leaders were ushered out.

You could hear people shouting outside the door of the chambers and pounding on the door, said Representative Zoe Lofgren, Democrat, California.

But no one on the House side yet understood the size of the crowd or the gravity of the situation, McGovern said.

Seeking another way into the House chamber, part of the crowd, including Babbitt, peeled off and made its way around to the Democratic side of the Speakers Lobby.

They were heading right for the passage being used to evacuate the House floor. Dozens of lawmakers and aides, according to witness estimates, were being ushered through doors on the Republican side of the chamber into the Speakers Lobby.

It was a slow-moving group that had to funnel into a narrow staircase.

When McGovern reached the corridor, he turned to see the barricade of upturned furniture and the scene beyond.

I could see the angry crowd banging on the glass, and I saw several police officers sandwiched between the crowd and the doors, he said. Thats when I realized that this was more than just a few people.

He added, You ask me to describe evil  thats what it looked like. I mean, these people seem crazed. And I mean, they werent here to make a political point. They were here to destroy things.

Standing guard outside the doors were three Capitol Police officers. The crowd hurled insults at them and punched the glass just inches from their heads. To the right, at the top of a stairwell, stood a man in a suit with an earpiece, identified by a person familiar with congressional security as an unarmed member of the House sergeant-at-arms staff.

Near the front was Babbitt, 35, who had served 14 years in the Air Force and was an enthusiastic supporter of President Donald Trump. Her social media feed was filled with QAnon conspiracy theories.

One man in the crowd, David Charles Mish Jr. of Wisconsin, told an investigator later that Babbitt was telling the police officers, Just open the door. Theyre not gonna stop, according to an affidavit.

Inside the doors was the lieutenant, who, according to his account, had trained to deal with an active shooter but never a scenario like this, in which the Capitol was being overrun by large numbers of people. Calls for backup and reports of officers engaged punctuated the radio traffic.

Since the breach began, rioters had wielded bear spray, batons, pipes and fire extinguishers against officers. When the lieutenant thought he heard on the radio that shots had been fired, according to his account, he positioned himself in a doorway off to one side of the corridor, with a view of anyone trying to get through the glass doors.

With the lawmakers slowly draining out the far end of the hall, those doors became a strategic choke point.

The officer, according to his account, could not see the three uniformed officers outside and did not know they were there  he only described seeing a hallway full of oncoming people. The three officers had no visible shields or riot gear  two of them were not even wearing hats.

According to the lieutenants account, he did not know who among the rioters, if anyone, was armed. Nor could he see how far down the hall the crowd extended.

The lieutenant was also unaware, those briefed on his account said, that a tactical team from the Capitol Police was climbing the stairwell behind Babbitt, intending to reinforce the area and clear out the rioters.

As the team arrived, one of the three officers standing guard gave the word: Theyre ready to roll.

The officers moved away from their post, leaving the doors unguarded for a crucial 30 seconds.

Go! Lets go! someone yelled as a few rioters renewed their attack on the glass. They continued to hammer, shaking the doors in their frames.

Several members of the crowd have since been identified and arrested by the FBI They include Christopher Ray Grider, a winery owner from central Texas who is accused of trying to kick in the doors and supplying a black helmet used to break windows, and Chad Barrett Jones of Coxs Creek, Kentucky, accused of breaking windows with a flagpole.

As they moved in, they got a clear view of the lieutenant on the other side, who was raising his .40-caliber Glock handgun.

Theres a gun! Hes got a gun! people shouted.

In the thick of the action, a man wielding the helmet broke out the windowpane in front of Babbitt. A few seconds later, someone tried to boost her through. She wore a Trump flag around her neck like a cape, and a backpack over it.

As Babbitt was hoisted up, the lieutenant fired a single shot. She plummeted backward, striking the hard floor. There was no evidence that she had been armed.

Since Babbitts death, far-right extremists and white supremacists have claimed her as a martyr and a freedom fighter, even reproducing her image on flags and with anti-Semitic imagery. Many have demanded the release of the name of the officer who shot her.

McGovern said any loss of life was tragic. But he praised the Capitol Police as heroes, noting that no members of Congress or their staff had been harmed. I think he and others showed a great deal of restraint in this whole thing, he said of the lieutenant.

The shooting put an end to the attempts to break through the doors. Officers tried to push back the rioters and give Babbitt medical aid.

A member of the tactical team tried to stop her bleeding, pressing down on her left shoulder as blood streamed from her mouth and nose.

Outside the Capitol, word of the shooting began to spread, helping fuel the mobs anger.

Adam Goldman and Shaila Dewan c.2021 The New York Times Company
Australians have plenty to celebrate on Australia Day. Unfortunately, every year we find ourselves debating whether one distinction in particular  our choice of date for our national day  is worth celebrating at all.

National days around the world typically mark the anniversaries of national achievements such as the birth of the American republic on July 4, 1776, the confederation of Canadas provinces on July 1, 1867, or New Zealands Waitangi Treaty with Maori on February 6, 1840.

Eddie Mabo, whose historic High Court win on June 3, 1992 removed the legal fiction of terra nullius. Could that date become a national day to unite all Australians?

We didnt have a national Australia Day until 1935  34 years after Federation, 147 years after Arthur Phillips 11 ships of sail rounded the heads. In fact, for two-thirds of European settlement, there were multiple national days, including marvellous posters from 1915 showing brave Diggers urging us to celebrate Australia Day on July 30. The Diggers, it seems, were not wedded back then to January 26.

Its odd that our national day should commemorate the establishment of a British prison on the other side of the world, a decision that not a single Australian was involved in. January 26 represents the British admiraltys desperate response to the American revolution, under which the idiot George III lost Britains former American colonies.
Irish fast-fashion retailer Penneys has no plans to sell its clothes online. This is despite the company warning that lockdown store closures could cost it losses of more than 1.12bn. The retailer has shut 305 of its 389 global stores. Penneys trades as Primark outside Ireland and has announced a 30% sales fall to 2.25bn in the 16 weeks leading to January 2, adding that this loss could mean price rises.

While the retail giant has no online store to fall back on, the likes of online-only fashion retailers Asos and Boohoo, saw sales rise by 40% in the last four months of 2020. In fact, the Office for National Statistics says that online retail sales increased to 31.4% last November, compared with 28.6% reported in October - so its clearly unusual for Primark not to have a digital presence for shoppers.

Primark is right to be extremely cautious, as online shopping is designed to favour time-poor but cash-rich customers, not necessarily retailers.

Because Primark is one of the few high street fashion retailers without an online store, many of its customers have called for the business to adapt to the digital era and change this. But the stores directors have no intention of doing so, citing the high costs of running an online business and the associated customer returns as the main reasons.

We have researched the growth of buy online, return in store and the true cost of returns. Our view is that Primark is right to be extremely cautious, as online shopping is designed to favour time-poor but cash-rich customers, not necessarily retailers. Its a good example of how an online offering is not always the right option for retailers  and as we shall see, there are implications for social justice.

A good returns policy can attract customers and increase sales, but high rates of returns can wipe out any profits for a retailer.

The average rate of returns is 8% for store sales but around 25% for online sales, rising to between 30% and 70% in the fashion world.

A recent report by the UKs online retail association, IMRG, indicates that 31% of retailers found that managing online returns had a definite impact on profits. Some 33% reported increasing prices to cover the cost of returns.

In 2019, retailers had started to revise their policies and practices to combat these rates of return. In some cases, savings were made by simply enforcing the returns policy that they already had in place.

However, Covid-19 has negated most of this success. With stores closed, returns are coming through more expensive channels like post, courier and third-party collection points. There has also been an increase in fraud-related returns. The cost of these offset any gains from increased online sales.

If Primark were to launch an online store, Brexit would mean that it would need to decide whether to establish two separate returns distribution stores in Ireland and the UK. Running all returns through a single warehouse would generate additional paperwork around export classifications and increase transaction costs. But ultimately both solutions would be expensive and complicated due to import/export and VAT regulations.

In contrast, British clothing retailer Next has been successful online, though this not always straightforward. It began its directory business in 1988, shortly after opening its first stores, and then went online in 1999.

Online shopping might be another sign of inequality in society  benefiting those with access to credit and IT, and who can afford to pay enough to cover the hidden costs of returns.

In 2018, Next had to make an accounting adjustment when it realised that the staffing and management cost of handling click and collect orders in-store was 0.89 per parcel and not the 0.57 previously assumed. With Primark selling clothes at lower prices than Next, it would likely not make a profit at all with click and collect.

Nexts online operation faces other challenges. In 2020, it said it would cost 12 million over two and a half years to modernise its website, which it described as increasingly complex, unwieldy and expensive. Additionally, the company reworked its distribution and inventory processes to turn around online orders more quickly.

We found that some retailers also face a problem of integrating their store and e-commerce channels. It is a major task to remodel the entire company IT infrastructure to accommodate the online business, and most settle for bolt-ons. Consequently, several of the businesses we studied used data from different systems to track refunds, returns and lost items. This is an issue Primark will have considered. And unlike Next, it had a poor experience of selling outside of the stores when it trialled selling through online retailer Asos a few years ago.

There is a perception that setting up and running a website should be easy. However, even small e-commerce owners quickly find that being online is not just a nice-to-have addition to their business.

To sell online, businesses need a gripping website with quality pictures. Returns usually occur when the item fails to match its online image or the information provided is incomplete or inaccurate. Additionally, the website needs a back end with very high functionality that links into inventory, logistics, customer accounts and finance systems.

Before you even start selling, thats a lot of investment in design, photography, programming and testing. Then there are ongoing costs of maintenance, support, daily marketing and click bait. Online chat, call centres and customer support all need to be staffed, in addition to the warehouse operations dealing with online orders.

Most retailers find themselves setting up separate distribution warehouses to handle their online goods. Most major retailers have also set up separate distribution centres just to deal with returns. We found that accepting returns in store is the most cost-effective route.

But either way, there are still additional costs: even if there are no returns at all on a line or item, there is still a cost in maintaining the system just in case there is a return. This means that for items under a certain price, the handling costs are more than the income from reselling the item  a problem for low price propositions like Primark.

Online shopping offers advantages for cash-rich, time-poor customers, whereas the time-rich, cash-poor often rely on stores like Primark. This raises the uncomfortable question of whether online shopping might be another sign of inequality in society  benefiting those with access to credit and IT, and who can afford to pay enough to cover the hidden costs of returns.

This article was written by Lisa Jack - Professor of Accounting, University of Portsmouth

and

Regina Frei - Associate Professor in Operations and Supply Chain Management, University of Southampton

This article is republished from theconversation.com under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here.
She said, Im so happy, and that she feels that she can walk out of here without fear, where that wasnt like that a year ago, Lozano said, translating for Lino. And she says that now that she can go home  and its been a long time  where she feels free to go home and hug her children.
New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Sunday (January 24, 2021) said that the 'Pakistan Zindabad' slognas were raised in Delhi's Khan Market area on Saturday night and it was done in a 'lighter vein'.

The police reached Khan Market after receiving the complaint, two men and three women were picked up in the early hours of Sunday for alleged raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans.

The Delhi Police said that they received a PCR call reporting people raising Pakistan Zindabad slogans near Khan Market metro station. It was found to be a group of people racing bikes and naming their vehicles based on countries.

In a statement the police said: "A PCR call was received at around 1 am in Police Station Tughlaq Road that few people are heard sloganeering Pakistan Zindabad near Khan market metro station. The enquiry officer reached the spot and found that 2 males, 3 females and a teenager were present on the spot on blue colour Yulu bikes."

Further the police said that the two along with their families are being questioned and an enquiry is being conducted.

The incident happened at around 1 am on Sunday.

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For more than a century, Democrats and Republicans have monopolized the path to the presidency. After each presidential election, you hear rumblings that is it time for a viable third party. This time, some are asking whether the Republican party will hold together or splinter while more moderate Democratic lawmakers are feeling the pressure from progressives. Special Correspondent Joie Chen heads to Pennsylvania to see if both parties could be headed for a potential breakup.
"The Perfect Nine: The Story of Gikuyu and Mumbi" by Ngugi wa Thiong'o
Both the Trump and Obama administrations relied heavily on highly trained Special Forces units to keep Afghanistan from collapse. The strategy has kept recent episodes of the 21-year Afghan War out of the public eye, but it is failing to stabilize the country and is straining the United States militarys elite troops, who serve back-to-back combat tours without an end in sight and disproportionately give their lives in service of a war the public knows almost nothing about.
Kathmandu, Jan 24 : Discord and division continue inside the Nepal Communist Party, which has not split formally but has virtually fallen apart after Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli unilaterally decided to dissolve the House of Representatives on December 20 without the party's consent.

Since then, the Nepal Communist Party is acting like two parties -- one headed by Oli himself and the other led by former Prime Ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda and Madhav Kumar Nepal. Both sides are running separate programmes across the country under the same banner as they await official recognition from the Election Commission.

Amid this row, the Prachanda-Nepal faction has taken disciplinary action against Oli.

A Standing Committee meeting of the faction held on Sunday decided to expel Oli from the party, its spokesperson Narayan Kaji Shrestha told the media.

The dissident faction has alleged Oli breached the party discipline and is liable to expulsion from the party. It had earlier relieved him from the post of party Chairman.

According to Pampha Bhusal, leader of the dissident faction, Sunday's meeting decided to expel Oli even from the general membership, accusing him of violating the party statutes.

"He (Oli) is not even an ordinary member of the party now," Bhusal said.

The faction had earlier asked Oli to furnish, within three days, an explanation why not action should be not taken against him for anti-party activities.

The faction had handed over this notice to the Prime Minister's residence. However, Oli did not respond to the letter.

Sunday's meeting also reviewed the protest programme and discussed a new protest plan.

The faction had taken to the streets against the dissolution of the House of Representatives, terming the move unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Dutch authorities have arrested 57-year old Canadian national Tse Chi Lop at the request of the Australia Federal Police after a long probe into drug trafficking in the Asia-Pacific.

Tse had been on a global most-wanted list and was of "significant interest" to law enforcement agencies in multiple countries, said Dutch and Australian police.

WHO IS TSE CHI LOP?

Tse - known by his nickname "Sam Gor", Brother Number Three in Cantonese - is the alleged senior leader of a sprawling transnational drug trafficking syndicate known as "The Company" to its members or, to some police, the "Sam Gor syndicate."

Born in China's southern Guangdong province, he became a member of the Big Circle Gang, a Triad-like organisation founded by disillusioned Red Guards at the end of the Cultural Revolution, police sources have told Reuters.

He moved to Hong Kong, then Canada, and was arraigned by United States authorities for heroin trafficking in 1998. After release from an Ohio prison in 2006, he found his way back to Asia, where police allege he led the transformation of the region's $70 billion annual drug trade. Described as immensely wealthy and a prodigious gambler, Tse lost $66 million in one night at a casino and travelled with a guard of Thai kickboxers, investigators told Reuters.

WHAT IS 'THE COMPANY"?

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated that Tse's drug syndicate earned as much as $17 billion from trafficking drugs in 2018.

Police and analysts said the syndicate drove a rapid expansion of crystal-methamphetamine trafficking in the region, which increased fourfold in the five years to 2019. The syndicate also manufactured heroin and has been a major player in the global market for MDMA, a euphoric party drug also known as ecstasy, police say.

The UNODC's Jeremy Douglas has said Tse was "in the league of" the Latin American narco-bosses Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and Pablo Escobar.

Police allege Tse's crime syndicate was formed after a peace pact among five Asian criminal groups - the Big Circle Gang (also called the Big Circle Boys); the 14k, Wo Shing Wo and Sun Yee On triads from Hong Kong and Macau; and the Bamboo Union, based in Taiwan.

The collaboration ended the blood-soaked rivalries of some of the crime groups and paved the way for gargantuan profits.

As well as pioneering industrial-scale meth production in super-labs in Myanmar, Tse's syndicate built its customer base among smaller, nation-based crime groups by offering to replace any drugs that were seized by law enforcement at no extra cost, police say.

WHAT NEXT?

Tse bunkered down in Taiwan in 2019 after he became aware of a major multinational investigation into him and the syndicate, four police sources say. China and Australia issued arrest warrants for Tse, but neither has extradition agreements with the self-governing territory that is claimed by Beijing.

Following his arrest at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport on Saturday, Australian police said they can seek Tse's extradition to Australia to face court. No charges have been revealed. But the Australian police believe Tse has been involved in at least 13 drug importations to Australia, according to a document viewed by Reuters.

Whether Tse's arrest dents the Asia-Pacific drug trade remains unclear. While he has kept a low profile in the past year, the syndicate's activities have been largely unaffected, two police sources told Reuters. The UNODC and police sources have told Reuters that, with the exception of a few countries, the trafficking of illicit substances has been largely unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Asia-Pacific, unlike other regions.

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The Laois Offaly Kildare Garda Division was busy on the sulky racing front last weekend with fines handed out in Portlaoise and near Athy to racers breaking rules designed to save lives by stopping the spread of Covid-19.

Portlaoise Gardai stopped a group of males on the N77 Portlaoise to Abbeyleix Road on Sunday, January 25. They had travelled from Waterford, Cork and Limerick for a sulky race.

Two were arrested for Road Traffic offences while twelve Fixed Charge Penalty notices issued.

Meanwhile, five men from Dublin who were attempting to race sulkies on a Kildare road not far from Laois were fined by local gardai in recent days.

Community gardai and detectives from Athy stopped the group on the N9 roadway. According to the gardai, the men were well outside their 5km Covid-19 travel area, and were "attempting to race sulkies".

"This is not essential travel," said gardai of both incidents.
The HSE has said more than 10,000 doses of the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine have been administered in nursing homes and community hospitals across Cork and Kerry.

Cork Kerry Community Healthcare vaccinators completed the first round of the roll-out of the Pfzier BioNtech vaccine to residents and staff at more than 90 nursing homes and community hospitals.

The roll-out will now move to residents aged over 65 in other long-term residential facilities, including disability and mental health facilities, and the HSE said supply of the vaccine was the only limiting factor.

The vaccination rollout was conducted by peer vaccinators in Cork Kerry Community Healthcare facilities, and teams of HSE vaccinators in private and voluntary facilities, supported by teams from the South/South West Hospital Group.

Among the locations facilitating vaccinations this weekend was St Josephs Nursing Home in Killorglin.

Kay OConnor, vaccination team lead in Kerry said: It is a great achievement to have offered and administered the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to all the nursing homes in Kerry within a two-week period and this would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of all the staff.

"The nursing homes were extremely welcoming of the vaccination team and every nursing home had extra staff on hand to help in the delivery of this very important vaccination programme.

"Everyone worked well together and we all look forward to working together again in the coming weeks in the delivery of the second phase of this national programme."

Ms O'Connor stressed the need for people to continue observing all measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus, with 47 outbreaks currently in residential settings across both counties.

Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Chief Officer Michael Fitzgerald said: I cannot overstate how serious the situation is right now for many nursing homes, community hospitals and other centres. The level of staff ill with Covid-19 across the health service means that it is difficult for some locations to maintain their staffing at the levels needed, and this is a constant challenge. The HSE and Cork Kerry Community Healthcare is now supporting a significant number of residential centres in crisis. Staff are going to heroic lengths to make sure that residents continue to receive the care they need, and their communities may never know the debt of gratitude we all owe them.

He also said there was still an urgent need for more healthcare staff, particularly nurses and healthcare assistants, to redeploy to nursing homes.

I repeat our appeal for any healthcare staff, particularly nurses and healthcare assistants not currently involved in direct care of patients or residents and who are available to contact me on MichaelM.Fitzgerald@hse.ie
New Delhi: After a devastating year of COVID-19 in 2020, now the world has been set on the path of recovery with the help of the vaccine. However, vaccine production is still limited and for now, only a few countries have been able to access it. Given the severity of the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is understandable that countries are eager to get their hands on a potential vaccine. China is actively trying to exploit this desperation of the developing countries. Its latest prey in this regard seems to be Turkey.

China is pushing for the extradition treaty with Turkey to be ratified by the Turkish authorities for handing over wanted persons from the Uighur diaspora living in Turkey to the Chinese authorities. The extradition treaty between China and Turkey was signed back in 2017 during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Beijing. China recently announced the ratification of the extradition treaty at the National People's Congress, while the Turkish Parliament is yet to ratify the treaty. Chinese push for ratification from the Turkish side has come at a time when China is due to supply the coronavirus vaccine to Turkey.

A deal between Turkey and Sinovac Biotech was signed for 50 million doses of the vaccine, to be delivered to Turkey in batches. The first batch of 3 million doses was delayed three times over the past three weeks and was finally delivered on 30 December. These delays indicated that the supply of vaccine is being used by China to persuade the Turkish leadership to ratify the extradition treaty at the earliest. It is rightly said that everything that comes from China has a hidden price.

Historically Turkey has long welcomed Uighur Muslims fleeing China's oppressive regime, and on some occasions even voiced against China's treatment of the ethnic minority. But in recent years, Turkey has deepened its ties with China and as a result, has begun to offer more assistance in regards to tracking down and interrogating Uighurs that the Chinese government falsely accuses of terrorism.

Reports have also indicated that residency papers have become harder to obtain for Uighurs in Turkey. Many Uighurs Muslims residing in Turkey have complained that Chinese officials call them over the phone to stop supporting their relatives in East Turkistan, who are voicing their independence from China. During these calls, Chinese officials have also warned that such support would be seen as campaigning against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and allegedly threatened the lives of their relatives in occupied East Turkistan (Xinjiang in China) if they do not listen to their demands.

Uighur Muslims for decades, under the false accusation by the Chinese government of terrorism and separatism, have suffered from abuses including persecution, forced detention, intense scrutiny, surveillance and even slavery. Over the last few years, the Chinese government and the CCP have accelerated and intensified their prosecution of Uighur Muslims in occupied East Turkistan. China views common everyday activities like practising one's religion, growing beards, and wearing a veil as problematic. Uighur diaspora living in other countries are too afraid to even contact their relatives back home due to fear that Chinese officials will imprison their family members. Over a million Uighurs are suspected of being detained in concentration camps that China has conveniently labelled vocational training centres. Within these detention centres, Uighurs are kept under constant surveillance and are even subjected to inhuman forced-labour such as cotton-picking by hand.

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Leo Lan, a spokesperson for China Human Rights Defenders has stated that if ratified, the treaty would expose Uighurs to a higher risk of being returned to China. Any Uyghur who has studied travelled to or lived in Turkey will be viewed as a separatist by Beijing. The terms comprised within China's national security law are extremely vague and ambiguous. They have been purposely designed as such to allow the CCP to label anyone it deems as a threat or a nuisance as a terrorist. Kemal Krisci, a non-resident fellow at Brookings Foreign Policy believes that China is using Turkey's economic dependence on it as leverage to pressure Erdogan to ratify the treaty.

While speaking to journalist William Yang, President of the World Uyghur Congress, Dolkun Isa, stated that recent news of China's ratification of the extradition agreement has sent a shockwave among the Uighur community in Turkey over the fear of reciprocation from Turkish leadership. Dolkun added that if Uighurs from Turkey are forcibly returned to China, they risk facing severe maltreatment ranging from torture to indefinite confinement. Dolkun further emphasised that while China portrays the extradition treaty as a tool to counter-terrorism, one should keep in their minds that China defines terrorism very differently from other countries. Most Han Chinese, who flee China, go to the West. Uighur Muslims are the only ones that flee to Turkey. This further proves that this extradition treaty was specifically made to target Uighurs.

Turkey which in the past had become like a second home to Uighurs is currently facing a severe economic crisis due to multiple ill-conceived policies of President Erdogan. Erdogan has managed to isolate Turkey from the US, his weaponization of Syrian refugees against Greece/EU has earned Turkey the ire of European Countries like France. The relationship between Turkey and its NATO allies further deteriorated after Erdogan purchased S-400 missiles from Russia.

These factors left China as Turkey's only ally and thus it became more dependent on China. This dependence has caused Turkey to reverse its stance on giving shelter to Uighur Muslims and consider effecting an extradition treaty with China in exchange for COVID-19 vaccines. But all hope is not lost, as there is a strong link between the local population and Uighur refugees from China. If the treaty is ratified by the Turkish parliament then there is sure to be a backlash from the local people as well as the opposition parties. Also, if Turkey ratifies the treaty with China, it could further sour its relationship with NATO and EU allies.

Having persecuted and terrorised Uighur Muslims in occupied East Turkistan, the Chinese government and the CCP have now turned their eyes towards the biggest Uighur diaspora outside of Xinjiang. Uighur activists in recent weeks have begun to keep daily vigils outside the Chinese consulate in Istanbul. Other Turkish citizens are coming to their support as they are already sceptical of China's vaccine, besides sharing a deep bond with Uighurs. China's continued assault on the Uighur Muslims has earned it widespread condemnation from the international community. On the other hand, Erdogan's ambitions to acquire the caliphate of the Islamic world for himself have necessitated him to show that he could at least arrange coronavirus vaccines for his people. And in his desperation, Erdogan has decided to forsake his Uighur Muslim brothers in exchange of the untested, unregulated and underwhelming Chinese vaccine to somehow claim to be the Messiah of Muslims.
NEW DELHI : Steel Authority of India (SAIL) with the help of the Centre is planning to set up India's first gas to ethanol plant at its ferroalloy plant in Chandrapur in Maharashtra, according to an official.

Mukesh Kumar, the Director of Steel Research & Technology Mission of India (SRTMI) told PTI that the plan is in line with the government's aim to reduce the country's dependence on import for crude oil besides addressing the issue of carbon emissions.

SRTMI is facilitating SAIL in setting up the gas-to-ethanol plant.

It would cost around 400 crore for SAIL to set up the plant, of which 20% "viable gas funding" or aid will be provided by the government under the National Policy on BioFuels 2018.

SRTMI is a collaborative research platform formed jointly by the steel ministry and domestic steel players which facilitates research and development (R&D) in the iron and steel sector by strengthening association among industry, academia and research bodies.

"This would be the fourth such plant in the world in the steel sector, and overall the first in India. As of now the bio-ethanol fuel generation technology is being used at two plants in China and one at ArcelorMittal's plant in Belgium," he said.

SAIL's Chandrapur Ferro Alloy Plant (CFP) is the only public sector unit engaged in production of manganese based ferro alloys in the country. CFP has an installed capacity of 1,00,000 tonne per year (TPY) ferro manganese.

Explaining about the new technology, Kumar said it captures the hot gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen that emit from the ferro alloy plant's submerged arc furnace and convert these into ethanol using fermentation technology.

The government has asked SAIL to prepare and submit a detailed project report (DPR) on the project, and SRTMI will facilitate SAIL in the project, he said while replying to a question related to the timeline for setting up the project.

The official said there is a scope to produce 50,000 litre a/day of ethanol from about 10,000 normal meter cube (nmc) per hour gas produced at Chandrapur.

An email sent to SAIL seeking its response remained unanswered.

Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), under the Ministry of Steel, is the country's largest steel-making company having an installed capacity of about 21 million tonne per annum (MTPA).

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Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II

EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation

ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason

Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia

Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest

"Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan

Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator'

Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow

Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast

We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan

Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory

Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances

Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections

Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day

Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan

Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake

Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS)

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS)

Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time

Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation

Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country

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At least one person is in a hospital after a police car was driven through a crowd in Tacoma, Wash., on Saturday, authorities said Sunday.

Authorities said police responding to an incident reported just after 6 p.m. in downtown Tacoma found a crowd of about 100 people and numerous vehicles at the intersection of South Ninth Street and Pacific Avenue.

As police began clearing the intersection, people surrounded an officer's vehicle and hit the vehicle's body and windows, according to a statement from the Tacoma Police Department. The officer, "fearing for his safety, tried to back up, but was unable to do so because of the crowd," the statement said.

The officer then accelerated the car forward, and it struck the crowd. According to police, the vehicle struck one person and "may have impacted others."

Videos circulating on social media appear to show a police car, with lights and sirens on, plowing into numerous people in the crowd. Several people appear to hit the ground as the vehicle moves forward. It is not immediately clear how many people were affected or where the vehicle hit them.

"The officer stopped at a point of safety and called for medical aid," the statement said.

According to the police statement, one person was taken to a hospital. At a news conference Saturday night, Puyallup Police Capt. Dan Pashon told reporters that two people had been taken to the hospital but that one was released soon after.

Pashon told The Washington Post that officers were there because a group was "driving in a reckless manner and had taken over an intersection in downtown Tacoma."

The group, he said, is commonly associated with street racing, which he said has increasingly been a problem for local authorities.

On Friday, the Puyallup Police Department tweeted that it had recently "encountered several incidents of illegal street racing" and had put up signs in some areas declaring them a "No racing zone."

Puyallup is about 10 miles southeast of Tacoma.

The Tacoma Police Department said the incident is being turned over to a Pierce County team that will conduct an independent investigation. Pashon said the team will gather details about the incident. He said the team has been interviewing witnesses and will ask the public to contact the department to share videos of it.

The team is called on when "use of deadly force occurs," Pashon said, and it is made up of officers from agencies in the county not involved with the incident. The incident commander for Saturday was from the Puyallup Police Department.

Pashon said the team will not make any determinations about whether the officer is disciplined.

"We provide the facts. Those facts go to the prosecutor. They go to the city of Tacoma. The Tacoma Police Department will make those decisions," he said.

Interim Tacoma police chief Mike Ake said in a statement that he was concerned that the department "is experiencing another use of deadly force incident."

"I send my thoughts to anyone who was injured in tonight's event, and am committed to our Department's full cooperation in the independent investigation and to assess the actions of the department's response during the incident."
Frontline workers in the aviation sector should be considered for COVID-19 vaccination on priority basis after health workers have been given the jabs, the has told the Union

As per the guidelines issued by the on December 28 last year, initially around 30 crore Indians will be vaccinated, including around three crore healthcare and frontline workers, and approximately 27 crore people of over the age of 50 years.

The frontline workers mentioned in the December 28 guidelines does not include aviation sector employees but personnel from the armed forces, prison staff, municipal workers, among others.

In a letter dated January 20, 2021, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Pradeep Singh Kharola told his counterpart in the Rajesh Bhushan: "You will agree with me that the crew, engineers, technicians, ground staff, frontline workers in aviation have certain risk elements while performing their duties in a most diligent manner and make air transportation a safe mode of transport."



Recently, airlines and airports had approached MoCA and highlighted the need to vaccinate their staff on priority basis, albeit once the medical personnel are covered, Kharola mentioned in the letter, which has been accessed by the PTI.

"Considering that the front line workers of airlines and airports are also involved in movement of vaccines, this MoCA recognizes the merit in the proposal and requests the MoHFW (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) to include front line workers of airlines and airports along with front line workers mentioned in the operational guidelines released on December 28, 2020," he added.

If the request is considered favourably, MoCA would coordinate for enumeration of these personnel to be covered under the vaccination programme, Kharola noted.

He said airlines and airports have been in forefront in extending their services to the passengers and movement of cargo within the country and across the borders.

(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.)

Who isn't dreaming of a sun-drenched beach holiday right now?

White sand and cocktails aside, it's the sunshine that appeals  and for very good reason. Light is one of the keys to health and wellbeing because it sets our body clock, which has a huge effect on everything from mood and productivity to sleep and immunity to disease.

Bright light can be hard to come by in winter, but there's a new generation of lighting products that claim to imitate the natural light cycle and synchronise our body clocks. It's a market that could be worth 2.9 billion globally within three years, according to tech company Philips.

'Light is super-powerful for health, and it's one of the easiest things to manipulate to keep yourself healthy,' says physiologist Stephanie Romiszewski, of sleepyheadclinic.co.uk.

Your body needs bright light first thing in the morning to signal to the brain, via light sensors in the retinas, that it's time to stop producing the sleep hormone melatonin, and blue light during the day to keep us alert. In the evenings, we need softer, warmer light to tell the body to re-start melatonin production, usually about 9pm.

Here we test the latest lighting products that can help recalibrate your body clock...

BOOST MIDLIFE EYES

Dyson Lightcycle Morph, 499.99, dyson.co.uk

Dyson Lightcycle Morph, 499.99, dyson.co.uk

'This light changes everything,' promises the packaging. I'm tempted to reply that for this price I'd want it to make me a nightcap, too. But once you start playing with this ultra-sleek white and silver desk lamp, it's hard not to be drawn in by its cleverness.

You can adjust its light 'temperature' (how much blue or yellow light it emits, measured in kelvins) and its brightness using sliders on its arm or with your phone via the Dyson app.

Tell it your birthdate and it will adjust light levels for your age. Someone middle-aged needs two to three times as much light as a 20-year-old to see as well because your pupils don't open as wide, your cornea can get clouded and your lens yellows, which reduces the light reaching your retina.

Pricey, but a gamechanger.

Lumie Bodyclock Glow 150, 79.20, johnlewis.com

SLEEP MORE DEEPLY

Lumie Bodyclock Glow 150, 79.20, johnlewis.com

This clever bedside light and alarm from Lumie, which invented the first wake-up light in 1993, mimics a sunrise to wake you up gently. You can choose one of ten sounds to accompany it  chirping blackbirds or the muffled hum of a cafe I understood, but goats? Really? I used the Lumie for two mornings and certainly felt I slept more deeply than usual on the second night.

BEAT INSOMNIA

Twilight Red Light Bulb, 19.99, and Sweet Dreams Sleep Bulb, 19.99, blockbluelight.co.uk

Twilight Red Light Bulb, 19.99, and Sweet Dreams Sleep Bulb, 19.99, blockbluelight.co.uk

All the lights in a standard UK home are high on the blue light spectrum, which keep us alert and stop our brain producing melatonin.

Entrepreneur Daniel Ebbett came up with the idea for these revolutionary blue-free lightbulbs when he was battling chronic insomnia.

Use the red Twilight bulb in the living room in the couple of hours before going to bed, and the Sweet Dreams version in loos, bathrooms, bedrooms and hallways so you don't disturb your circadian rhythm if you have to get up during the night.

BANISH THE GLOOM

Lumie Desklamp, 120, johnlewis.com

Lumie Desklamp, 120, johnlewis.com

If you are one of the three to six per cent of people in the UK who suffer from depression in the winter, known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or the many more who feel sluggish or low, a blast of this light at full brightness for 30 minutes will deliver the correct level of blue-ish light to qualify as light therapy and help synchronise your body clock.

Less sophisticated than the Dyson, but at a quarter of the price, it's a quality desk lamp that will double up as a lightbox in the dreary winter months.

WAKE UP TEENS

Philips Somneo Sleep & Wake-Up Light, 189.99, philips.co.uk

Philips Somneo Sleep & Wake-Up Light, 189.99, philips.co.uk

I bought my daughter the forerunner of this light (the SmartSleep WakeUp Light) in a desperate attempt to improve those grouchy school mornings, and it worked a treat. Philips' Sleep & Wake-up lights simulate sunrise over 30 minutes with optional sounds to wake you slowly.

The new version is sleeker-looking and has a light-guided wind-down breathing programme for bedtime and a simulated sunset with optional nature sounds to help you drop off at night.

Oculamp blue light blocking lamp, 99.99, ocushield.com

STYLISH WIND DOWN

Oculamp blue light blocking lamp, 99.99, ocushield.com

Harvard researchers discovered that six and a half hours of exposure to the kind of light emitted by screens and work lights suppresses melatonin production by three hours, and could play havoc with our body clocks.

It's why British optometrist Dhruvin Patel came up with the Oculamp.

This ultra-contemporary cordless light is a thing of beauty, but it also has three colour 'temperatures'  a cool, white light to wake you in the mornings, a neutral white light for keeping alert during the day, and a softer, warmer light to wind down in evenings and encourage melatonin production.

SainteCroix, Switzerland, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jan, 2021 ) :In his snow-bound workshop, Swiss master Francois Junod's moving mechanical artworks whir into action: birds whistle, historical luminaries write poetry -- traditional craftsmanship newly recognised as being among the world's cultural heritage.

In the Jura mountains running along the French-Swiss border, the precision skills behind some of the planet's finest watches and automatons have been handed down through the generations.

The region's historical pre-eminence in a field combining science, art and technology has also been given a boost by the United Nations.

In December, the craftsmanship of mechanical watchmaking and art mechanics in the Juras were jointly added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

They now sit on a par with Argentine tango, Belgian beer culture, Chinese calligraphy, French cuisine, Indian yoga, Japanese Kabuki theatre, Mexico's Day of the Dead and Spanish Flamenco.

Junod is working on an automaton of Leonardo da Vinci. His eyelids blink, and his sparkling eyes move, following his pen strokes as his arm moves from left to right.

"It's close to magic," Junod told AFP as he brought Da Vinci's head to life.

"There is renewed interest in these objects because we are living in an electronic age, and to see these mechanical artworks again -- the mystery comes back, the magic returns.

"It revives this profession which had disappeared somewhat."
Multiple agencies are investigating the cause of death of a California resident who died on Thursday, just hours after receiving their COVID-19 vaccine.

The sheriff's office in Placer County, California shared information about the death on Saturday.

"There are multiple local, state, and federal agencies actively investigating this case," they said. They also clarified that reports about the California resident's death were premature and pending investigation.

Authorities did not appear to have any indication that the death was related to the COVID vaccine as few details were revealed.

It was also unclear whether the person received a COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna or Pfizer. Their identity and ties to the country were not released, said a report from ABC 10.

California Resident Tested Positive for COVID-19 in December

New York Post reported that the person tested positive for COVID-19 last month. The shot was administered on Thursday and they died several hours after.

News of the death prompted Californians to question the efficacy and safety of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Read also: Oxygen Shortage in Second Virus Wave Overwhelms Health Care in Brazil's Manaus

One of them is Britni Tucker, who was looking forward to the vaccine as a cure for the pandemic. She has a 9-month-old daughter that she is trying to protect from the pandemic but with the recent news, she is doubtful of the vaccine.

"Now I think it's something I should definitely put more research into," she told CBS 13 Sacramento.

Others like Eric Parra said the vaccination effort just seemed too rushed and he never planned to get it in the first place.

"This was rushed just so fast. I'm not getting it myself only until I can see it works after some time," he said.

The sheriff's office said the Placer County Coroner's Office will conduct an autopsy by Monday.

Meanwhile, CBS 13 reached out to the California Department of Public Health and received a statement saying they "take these instances seriously" and are working with government partners to investigate the cause.

"We are working collaboratively and will continue to use data and science to determine how to proceed," the statement read.

The department also extended their condolences to the family of the deceased.

California Health Department Says Serious Adverse Effects of Vaccine are 'Very Small'

Last week, state epidemiologist Dr. Erica S. Pan recommended to stop vaccinating Californians with the Moderna vaccine "out of an extreme abundance of caution" after it caused an allergic reaction in less than ten people.

On the other hand, the California State Department said that while vaccines don't come without risks, "the risk of a serious adverse reaction is very small." It also cited data that shows the expected rate for anaphylaxis was about 1 in 100,000.

Read also: 33 Missing Children Rescued in Los Angeles Human Trafficking Investigation

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also said the COVID-19 vaccines do have some side effects like tiredness, headache, chills, and a fever. However, they are "normal signs" that signal a person's body is building immunity against the virus.

Fox News noted that even though the likelihood of adverse reactions is low, COVID-19 still seriously ravaged California that now has nearly 37,000 deaths and more than three million cases.

As of Saturday night, more than 41 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been distributed and 20 million have been administered throughout the U.S.
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Former Senator Averil Power said the Governments apology on the mother and baby homes means nothing unless adoptive people and their parents are given basic human rights.

The CEO of the Irish Cancer Society was born in a mother and baby home hospital and was adopted.

After years of searching, she found her biological mother and father but calls herself one of the lucky ones as she advocates for a system to be put in place to reunite Irish adoptees and their parents.

Speaking on RTE Radio Ones Sunday with Miriam, she said: The apology was positive to have but it really wont mean anything unless we finally move forward by giving adoptive people and their parent's basic human rights.

When asked if giving adoptees their personal information would infringe on the right to privacy of the parents if they dont want to be contacted, Ms Power said we have to distinguish between information and contact.

She explained that when an adopted person receives their birth certificate it doesnt have the mothers current contact details on it. So, she believes this is a right and in terms of contact a system needs to be set up where adopted people and their parents can say whether they want to be contacted or not.

I think theres this myth that women willingly gave up their babies.. and there's this notion that they walked away from their children years ago and havent thought about it since. And how many mothers do we have to hear say that's just not the case? Ms Power said.

Some people may want contact while others don't but we need a mechanism of dealing with that.

At the age of 18, Ms Power began looking for her biological mother and it took ten years for them to be reunited. She also began looking for her father, but that took another 10 years.

Tragically, he was diagnosed with cancer and passed away last May.

As he wasnt signed up to the Adoption Board like her mother, she had to find him privately- and after much investigation had her friend ring him to deliver the news.

"I was so nervous I didnt know if he wanted to get this call or not but thankfully he did. My friend rang me back and I ended up meeting him that night.

It took me so long to find him and thankfully it went well, and I got to know him Ive two half brothers. We had a good relationship and we were really only getting to know each other.

"I suppose you just think of all the time wasted and the time we could have had.

Last summer, Ms Power had a baby girl called Noa and her biological father hoped he would get to meet her, but sadly he didnt.

"Just so much wasted time, my dad really hoped he would be here for Noa's birth. He really hoped that he would meet her and he didnt, she said.

She explained that becoming a mother herself has made her realise the importance of the bond between a newborn baby and their mother.

"The first relationship of a baby is with its mother and before its even born it gets used to your heartbeat and your voice and after birth they find it comforting when theyre upset, she said.

"Its very traumatic for a baby no matter what, even if you have a really loving adopted family, being separated from your parents at that young age is really traumatic and that has affected me and my relationships, and I probably only understand that now I have a baby.

The former Senator stressed that although the mother and baby homes were in a past Ireland, that it is still very much a present reality for survivors.

"For so many of us its not just the past its the present, she said.

"Its affected our whole lives, our relationships, our experiences and there are women who still dont know where their sons and daughters are and adopted people who still have no idea what their original identity was.

"It is very much the present for us and our living reality.
President Joe Biden tempered his optimism with realism about the fact that the nation's vaccine supply delivery system is a long way from being effective.

Public health experts and state officials suggest that most Americans will need to be careful as the availability of COVID-19 vaccine supply available works to meet the demand as states continue to make more individuals available for vaccination

Taming Covid-19 is President Biden's top healthcare priority, and so far, he is doing so using executive orders followed by a roadmap.

At the beginning of the year, a new president and a new Congress seemed to give hope to many Americans though naive, but at least it was still there. Americans who felt stuck in a never-ending season of sorrow, loneliness, and disappointment, that there would be some flip of a switch that could speed up the nation's lurching process to get shots in weapons.

The things will still get worse before they get better, "Things are going to continue to get worse before they get better," "We didn't get into this mess overnight, and it's going to take months for us to turn things around."

But even as Biden announced last week a series of executive steps to combat the pandemic, the reality is sinking in that Americans will be trapped for quite a while longer in this maddening purgatory, with their state governments finally in possession of vaccinations that can protect them. However, most people still find them out of control.

Scientists and epidemiologists hailed Biden's acts who took with the stroke of his pen last week in the whirlwind of White House activity. Which included harnessing the Defense Procurement Act to create more vaccine supply such as needles, syringes, and PPE; helping states set up community vaccination clinics; a strong drive to ensure vaccine supply equity in Black and Brown communities and the prom.

But at a time when thousands of Americans are still dying every day, it is still not clear how much effect the administration of Biden will have on the nation's greatest crisis right now. There are not enough vaccine supply doses available for people who want to return to some sense of normalcy desperately.

ALSO READ: Trump Offers Washington DC Hotel To National Guards Kicked Out of the US Capitol

On Saturday, according to new data released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US finally achieved the elusive goal set by the Trump administration by the end of last year: 20 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines administered.

"Once they get going into the month of May, June, July, August, then you're going to see a sharp escalation of additional doses of this one-dose vaccine," Dr. Anthony Fauci said while adding that change would make it more likely that 70 to 85% of Americans could be vaccinated by the end of the summer.

As vaccine supply availability in major cities such as New York and Los Angeles has reduced, vaccination appointments are being canceled because there are not enough doses.

State epidemiologist Erica Pan said during a vaccine advisory panel meeting last week in California. The country reached a single-day death record last week at the state's current rate is collecting doses. June before the form can vaccinate only 65 and older people in the existing eligibility group.

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PM Gakharia announced that 60% of the Georgian population will be vaccinated this year

By Veronika Malinboym

On January 21, Prime Minister Gakharia announced that 60% of the Georgian population will receive vaccination by the end of 2021. He added that the first ones to be vaccinated will be high-risk groups  residents of long-term care homes, medical workers, senior citizens over 65.PM Gakharia said that Georgia will receive vaccines from the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility (Covax), to which country is a member. The Prime Minister said that six months ago, Georgia presented its plan to receive half a million vaccines in the nearest future, and the payment has already been made. The main goal is to prepare the healthcare system for such a volume of vaccinations within a year, Gakharia said.Similar plans were announced earlier this month by the head of Georgias National Centre for Disease Control, Amiran Gamkrelidze, who said that by the end of this year, 3.7 million people will be vaccinated in the country. According to him, by vaccinating at least 60% of the population of Georgia, the country will be able to return to the normal way of living. He also added that people under the age of 18 will not be receiving vaccines yet, as such the age group has not yet been studied.Vaccination of 60% of the overall population will amount to a total of ?65-170 million of the countrys budget, and the vaccines are expected to be received in the first quarter of 2021. As of right now, according to Health Minister Eraterine Tikaradze, Pfizer might be the first vaccine to arrive, and, in the long run, Georgia is considering the storage of AstraZeneca, which does not have to be kept at -70 degrees Celsius, and can be kept at 2-8 degrees instead.According to Tikaradze, only the high-quality vaccines that have already acquired approval from the World Health Organization will be purchased for Georgian citizens. Similarly, Prime Minister Gakharia reinstated that while the negotiations with the anti-COVD-19 vaccine producers continue, the country is committed to only importing the vaccines that have been approved by the World Health Organization.
Considering getting the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available? The Carillon spoke with Dr. Curtis Krahn of Steinbach Family Medical, who thinks getting vaccinated against the virus is a good idea.

Considering getting the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available? The Carillon spoke with Dr. Curtis Krahn of Steinbach Family Medical, who thinks getting vaccinated against the virus is a good idea.

Could you explain basically what a vaccine is and what it does?

Very simply, a vaccine is a tiny, weakened, non-dangerous fragment of an otherwise dangerous organism. When injected into the human body it will produce an immune response strong enough that if your body is confronted with the real pathogen, for example the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it will recognize it as an intruder and be able to defeat it.

Older vaccines used portions of the actual organism itself. Some of the newer vaccines, including the messenger RNA viruses, such as the Pfizer BioNTech and Tech and the Moderna vaccine are much more elegant and really just present your body with a blueprint of a small non-dangerous portion of the virus rather than having actual viral particles. We don't have to be concerned about the possibility of injecting either human tissue or other animal particles (like the chicken eggs used to produce the flu virus) into our bodies. Also, the newer vaccines may not require preservatives, but that unfortunately means that they may need to be stored at significant sub-zero temperatures.

Are you concerned about the possible short-term or long-term effects of a brand new vaccine once injected, or do these effects tend to be so minimal that they don't warrant much concern?

I'm not really concerned about significant side effects. We know there may be some immediate side effects lasting 1-2 days and that's just part of the immune system ramping itself up as it would with a real infection. The effect of soreness at the injection site or perhaps a mild fever or fatigue is exactly the sort of response that you would get if your body were fighting a germ and building up an immune response to the actual organism. And there certainly are reports of more serious allergic reactions but those are extremely rare.

I know I've heard concerns about the unknown and I acknowledge vaccine hesitancy. I must say that within the course of my career vaccines have become much cleaner, purer and safer than they originally were. But even the old vaccines had effectiveness which far outweighed any possible risk they may have had.

I'm encouraged that we had the initial trials with 30 to 40,000 people failing to identify any significant health concerns with the vaccine

My concern is not about people getting the vaccine  my concern is about people not getting the vaccine and allowing this pandemic to continue when we have the chance to stop it. I would encourage readers to look up reliable resources such as WHO, CDC and the Manitoba Shared Health websites. I also like ImmunizeBC from British Columbia.

Are you concerned the vaccines were approved and manufactured as quickly as they were? Or might this timeline be normal compared to other vaccines?

The rapid approval and manufacturer of vaccines is an indication of a couple of things  all of them good. It's astounding that by Jan. 11, 2020, shortly after the actual disease was recognized, we already had the genetic code for the organism which causes the disease. That allowed developers to get started producing a vaccine against the virus and by March 2020 the first vaccines were available for testing. That's not because it was a hasty slipshod process. It's because the world has thrown all of its resources against this illness, much as it ramped up technology and production in World War II. There has been a unified international collaboration to fight this pandemic and we're using technologies I could not even have been imagined when I started my medical career.

Would you be in favour of young, healthy people, with a low likelihood of being seriously affected by COVID, getting the vaccine?

I certainly would be in favour of immunizing young healthy people, even if they have a low likelihood of being seriously affected by COVID-19. This of course would have to be after others are immunized and only for vaccines approved in their age group. That's because some [people] will be the reservoirs that would otherwise keep the disease alive in the population of the world. And the more people who have that virus floating around in them, even if they don't appear to get very symptomatic, the more likelihood that we are going to get more dangerous mutations.

Do you expect mask usage to be common long after a great number of people in Manitoba are vaccinated?

Once we have immunity in the majority of the population we can stop having rules about masks. We can start getting together with family and friends. We can start living the rich, rewarding, socially wonderful lives that we have led before. I think the present generation will be a lot more cautious about their health but they will also celebrate the fact that we have an opportunity as a society to defeat some very real health concerns. I don't see masks as being representative of fear at this point, I see masks as representative of an ability to do something about a problem. But I'll be very happy when we no longer have the problem.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that the country will tighten laws around incest after the Duhamel incest scandal sparked outrage and testimonies from victims across France. In a series of tweets, Saturday, Macron said that France will adapt its laws to protect children from sexual violence, adding that the justice minister will chair a consultation for making legislative proposals. We will go after the aggressors," Macron said. These testimonies, these words, these cries, no one can ignore them anymore against sexual violence against our children, he added.

According to local reports by Frances press, Macron raised the statute of limitations on incest to 30 years, which will be tallied from the legal age of the majority of the victim. French Senators, on January 23 introduced measures that incur harsher penalties and prison for nonreporting of the crime against the young victims. Any sexual abuse with children below the age of 13, consensual or non-consensual was declared a criminal offense punishable by the law by the French government, with 150,000 fine. Anyone bearing witness to, or having knowledge of sexual abuse of a minor, could be held accountable for their silence for 10 years after the victim turns 18, the law stated.

Read: Macron Announces Referendum On Climate Change

Read: Macron On Climate Change: 'The Stakes Are Very High'

Olivier Duhamel case

Frances high-profile political scientist was accused of sexually abusing his stepson when he was aged 6 to 14. Testimonies poured in on Twitter as #Metooinceste hashtag trended on the lines of the #Metoo movement. The trend started after the publication of Camille Kouchner's book, 'La Familia Grande caused a stir after it revealed that Kouchner's brother was sexually molested at the age of 14 by his stepfather, political scientist Olivier Duhamel.

As victims of incest took to the French Twitter to share stories of their unheard sufferings, Frances First Lady Brigitte Macron told French broadcaster TF1: It is absolutely necessary that these actions are known, and that these actions are not silenced". Meanwhile, according to the France24 report, Duhamel resigned from all prominent political positions, including as head of the National Foundation of Political Sciences (FNSP). "I am stepping down from my posts after being the target of personal attacks as I want to preserve the institutions in which I work," the 45-year-old wrote in a tweet.

Read: Macron's French Govt Proposes 'Republican Principles' Bill To Tackle 'Islamist Radicalism'

Read: France's Macron Wants To Add Climate Goals In Constitution
Despite dozens of deaths of people shortly after they were vaccinated against coronavirus, scientists say the evidence available so far does not incriminate the new anti-Covid vaccines .

Health agencies stress however that the vast majority of post-vaccination fatalities were elderly, already vulnerable and often sick.

Here's a review of the situation:

Elderly, vulnerable

Norway sparked alarm last week when it reported the deaths of 33 of some 20,000 retirement home residents who had received a first shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

At least 13 of the fatalities were not only very elderly but also considered frail with serious ailments, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health said.

While it noted that no analysis had yet been carried out on the causes of the deaths, it suggested that with the aged and vulnerable the normal side effects of vaccination such as fever or nausea could have contributed.

Outside Norway the news raised widespread concern and fed anti-vaccine scepticism, prompting the authorities to stress that no link had been established between the vaccine and post-jab deaths.

In France, of 800,000 people vaccinated, nine deaths of chronically ill residents of care and retirement homes were recorded by Friday.

The national medicines agency ANSM said that based on available evidence, "Nothing leads to the conclusion that the reported deaths were linked to vaccination."

Other examples include 13 deaths of elderly people recorded in Sweden and seven in Iceland, all with no link established.

In Portugal, a care worker died two days after being inoculated but the justice ministry said a post-mortem found no direct link.

France's interior ministry on January 18 listed 71 "observations of death" in Europe of people who had the inoculation, but offered no further details.

Continued monitoring

The European Medicines Agency said that despite the deaths, "to date no specific concerns have been identified with Comirnaty", the commercial name for the Pfizer shot.

The EMA noted that the authorities investigate fatalities to determine whether the vaccine was responsible.

National and European agencies check any problems with vaccinations reported by health professionals, pharmaceutical firms and patients themselves.

For the moment, the number and type of deaths among those vaccinated are not considered abnormal, with no cause-and-effect relationship identified.

In many countries -- such as France, Norway, Britain and Spain -- the frail and elderly are first in line for vaccinations.

"It is not unexpected that some of these people may naturally fall ill due to their age or underlying conditions shortly after being vaccinated, without the vaccine playing any role in that," the UK medicines regulator MHRA said.

Transparency, reassurance

The deaths are a highly sensitive issue, and approaches to informing the public vary.

France and some Nordic countries have reported post-vaccination deaths and detailed the potential side effects of the jabs even if no link has been established.

But Britain's MHRA said it would make a statement at a later date, possibly seeking to avoid spreading alarm.

"We will publish details of all suspected reactions reported in association with approved Covid-19 vaccines, along with our assessment of the data on a regular basis in the future," it said.

In any event, European health officials say the deaths do not call into question the safety of the vaccines.

Norway has not changed its vaccination rollout, even if it has recommended doctors consider the overall health of the most frail before giving them the jab, the policy of numerous other countries.

Globally, more than 60 million doses have been received in at least 64 countries or territories, according to an AFP tally on Saturday.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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FBI investigates explosion at California church labeled 'hate group' by SPLC

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The FBI is investigating after an explosive device was thrown at a southern California church on Saturday, weeks after it was threatened with an arson attack over its pastors views and harsh rhetoric toward the LGBT community.

The bombing, which involved an improvised explosive device, broke the windows of the First Works Baptist Church in the Los Angeles County town of El Monte.

The local news outlet KTLA5 reported that no one was injured but that 14 homes and eight apartments within the vicinity of the church were temporarily evacuated.

An improvised explosive device was apparently detonated here at the church, causing some damage, El Monte Police Chief David Reynoso was quoted as saying.

Lt. Christopher Cano told reporters that officers arrived at the scene and found smoke coming from the windows of the building.

It appeared that the walls to the church had been vandalized as well as all the windows, Cano said, according toThe San Gabriel Valley Tribune. [The windows] appeared at first to be smashed, then we realized that the windows were not smashed, that they had actually blown out from some type of explosion.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said that it is too early into the investigation to state if the attack could be considered a hate crime.

As to the question of whether this was a hate crime, thats always going to be considered among the theories when a house of worship is attacked, Eimiller said, according to the newspaper. But it would be premature to confirm any motive at this time, and we are not ruling any other motive out.

Pastor Bruce Mejia had earlier told police about a threat of arson the church received on social media.

Some of those within that LGBTQ group caught one of my sermons that are online and theyve just been harassing ever since, trying to get me out of El Monte, trying to get me and myself and my church out of El Monte by signing a petition, Mejia said at the time, according to The Press-Telegram.

The pastor added that while the church filed a complaint with authorities, were not going to pursue it.  We feel its not worth it. Were not the violent ones here.

First Works had been the site of protests in recent weeks due to opposition to Mejias preachings on sexuality and marriage.

Reynoso told the media that it is not fair at this stage of the investigation to speculate on whether anyone involved in protests against the church was involved in the attack.

I dont even want to talk about the protests because it wouldnt be fair in any way, shape or form to link the two together, the police chief said, according to The Los Angeles Times.

We cannot speculate that anyone involved in previous demonstrations is connected to or involved with this in any way.

The group, Keep El Monte Friendly, which organized the protests, canceled a demonstration scheduled for Sunday outside the church.

We understand that what they preach can make people upset. However, we would never promote, encourage or condone any violence or acts of harm, the group said in a statement. Our intent is to unite the community and keep El Monte a safe place for all regardless of gender identity, race or sexual orientation.

First Works issued two posts Saturday featuring two Bible verses. The first verse was Psalm 9:17, which reads: The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. The second verse, Romans 12:19, states: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written: Vengeance is mine. I will repay, saith the Lord.

The online petition launched three weeks ago calls on El Monte Mayor Jessica Ancona to not only recognize First Works as a hate group but to also take them out of our city. The petition is supported by over 15,000 people.

The city of El Monte and its constituents do not condone this church and want their members to know that they cannot congregate here, the petition reads.

In June 2019, the Southern Poverty Law Center, a far-left civil rights organization, listed First Works as one of 88 hate groups in California, labeling the church anti-LGBTQ.

SPLC also reported in 2019 that Mejia participated in a Make America Straight Again conference and called for government executions of members of the LGBT community.

Although there is no official word yet on the motive in Saturdays bombing, this is not the first time that a Christian organization listed by the SPLC as a hate group has been attacked.

In August 2012, the Washington, D.C. headquarters of the Christian conservative lobbying organization Family Research Council was attacked by a gunman who later told investigators that he chose FRC as a target after visiting the SPLC website. At the time, FRC President Tony Perkins accused SPLC of being reckless in labeling organizations 'hate' groups because they disagree with them on public policy.


Brazil is currently overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the situation gets worse in the Amazon region's Manaus where an oxygen shortage overwhelms the medical system.

The Rio Times said in a report that the oxygen shortage in the Amazonas is expected to go on, still to be normalized.

Brazil's Minister of Health Eduardo Pazuello said in a January 18 interview that the crisis had been "stabilized" but the oxygen shortage and other issues in medical care say otherwise.

On Thursday, Manaus of Brazil's Amazonas reported more than 2,5000 new infections of the virus and 254 related hospitalizations, Al Jazeera said. It was the highest figure seen by the region since the onset of the pandemic and families are in desperate need for oxygen for their loved ones.

Doctors and nurses also said hospitals were overwhelmed with the care of patients with COVID-19 and suffered from shortages.

Brazil Digging Mass Graves for the Dead

Bloomberg reported that Brazil had to resort to hastily digging mass graves as hospitals were overrun by patients.

In some cases, patients were being flown out to receive treatment for the virus elsewhere. Others who did recover were also reported to become reinfected by the new, more contagious variant of COVID-19 that reached Brazil.

Read also: Biden Talks to Mexico President About Reversing Immigration Policies

About eight months ago, then-mayor Arthur Virgilio Neto sent a desperate appeal for help to former President Donald Trump and other world leaders, reported NPR.

"We are doing our best, but I tell you, it's still very little in [the] face of the oncoming barbarism," he said in his video message. "We cannot be silent. We need all possible help."

Neto also said that with Manaus's population of over two million, they acted as custodians to the surrounding rainforest. He argued that it was now the outside world's turn to reciprocate and "look after" the people of Manaus.

Now, 75-year-old Neto can only do so much as his term ended and he had to leave office.

He is now, just like others, watching helplessly as the pandemic engulfed his city and brought tragic levels of death.

He said this new wave of the virus was "even worse" from when he first made his plea to world leaders. Manufacturers were only meeting a fracture of the health care system's oxygen demands, among other hurdles the city faces.

Earlier this month, oxygen was completely tapped out in the city and it only has a dangerously low amount of oxygen now.

Some patients were forced to share oxygen supplies and others died in bed from suffocation.

Needless to say, Manaus was facing a health catastrophe.

Most of Residents in Brazil's Manaus Had Detectable Antibodies

According to scientists, there was evidence that at least one new and infectious variant of the coronavirus emerged in the area, which is prompting the surge in infection.

Most of the city's population, at 76%, also had detected antibodies, a study published in Science said in December.

Related story: U.S. COVID-19 Death Toll Exceeds 400,000 on the Final Day of the Trump Administration

This proportion is almost thrice Sao Paulo, the country's original epicenter for the coronavirus.

This grim milestone for Manaus prompted many patients like Rafael Cesar to air out their concerns on social media.

"Due to a collapse in the medical system in Manaus, my family are being transferred to Sao Paulo. Any donation will help with the treatment and recovery of my family," he wrote in a Facebook post.

Some critics blame the government for its poor handling of the crisis.

The health ministry was allegedly warned about the oxygen shortage nearly a week before it reached critical levels but federal authorities were not informed.
Thousands of Brazilians took the streets for a second day on Sunday to call for the impeachment of President Jair Bolsonaro , who is under fire for his government's response to rampant cases of Covid-19, which has claimed more than 216,000 lives in the country.

Horn-honking cars paraded through the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and a dozen or more other cities as other protesters marched on foot, some calling, Get out Bolsonaro!"

Sunday's protests were called by conservative groups that had once backed the president, while those on Saturday had come from the left.

"When Bolsonaro arrived, we voted for him for his proposals that we found interesting, but the situation now with the pandemic is terrible", said Meg Fernandes, a 66-year-old engineer who joined a protest in Rio on Sunday.

She said she was especially alarmed by the situation in the northern city of Manaus, where there's a waiting list for hospital intensive-care beds and a shortage of medical oxygen.

I had already been disappointed last year, but now with the situation in Manaus, I think (this government ) has to stop," she said. "Bye, Bolsonaro."

Thomaz Favaro, a political analyst at consultancy Control Risks, said Bolsonaro faces little risk of impeachment, though that could change if his allies lose a Feb. 2 vote for leadership of the lower house.

Bolsonaros base in congress is unstable, but it is robust," he said, though it could be dented by the president's flagging popularity.

But he said impeachment would be "a nuclear option that changes the countrys political trajectory."

Bolsonaro  who is midway through his four-year term  has faced renewed criticism in recent weeks both for the crisis in Manaus and for delays in launching Brazil's immunization campaign against COVID-19. The president has long resisted lockdown measures against the new coronavirus, arguing economic damage would be worse than the disease.

Brazils prosecutor-general, Augusto Aras, on Saturday asked the Supreme Court to open an investigation into Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello over the crisis in Manaus, capital of Amazonas state. Aras cited a document that said the ministry knew of a possible shortage of oxygen on Jan. 8, but didn't start sending extra supplies until Jan. 12.

A newly released Datafolha survey from Jan. 20-21 showed support for Bolsonaro fell to 37% from 31% in December, the biggest one-month drop since the start of his administration. The number terming his performance bad rose to 40% from 32%. The margin of error was two percentage points.

We ask for an impeachment of Bolsonaro because it is not just a crime he committed. The way he treated the pandemic  He spent money on ineffective remedies instead of investing in the vaccine and in oxygen", said Tiago Sussekind, a 21-year-old law student who joined the Saturday protest in Rio.





This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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Then-President-elect Joe Biden speaks during a virtual meeting with members of his national security and foreign policy agency review teams in Wilmington, Del., Dec. 28, 2020. / AP-Yonhap



By Kang Seung-woo



With the new U.S. administration busy finalizing the roster of its national security team, questions are arising in South Korea over when President Joe Biden will unveil his policy toward North Korea.



As the team features many experts on Pyongyang, some believe that Washington could complete a review of its North Korea policy within a couple of months. However, others claim that issues involving the Kim Jong-un regime still rank below other diplomatic agenda items involving Iran, China and Russia, so it is still expected to take some time before the Biden team comes up with a new strategy. The consensus here on the estimated length of time for the policy review is up to six months



So far, President Biden has nominated Antony Blinken as state secretary and Wendy Sherman as his deputy, while naming Sung Kim as acting assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, all of whom have experience in dealing with the North Korean regime under previous administrations.



Describing the North's nuclear ballistic missiles and other proliferation-related activities as a serious threat, the White House said, Friday (local time), it would adopt a new strategy after a thorough policy review of the state of play in the country in close consultation with South Korea, Japan and other allies. William Burns and Kurt Campbell, career diplomats serving for former President Barack Obama, have also been selected to lead the Central Intelligence Agency and Asia policy, respectively.







Another 33,552 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 36,17,459, according to the official figures released on Saturday.

Another 1,348 people have died within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test. The total number of the coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 97,329, the data showed.

The latest figures were revealed amid rising concerns over coronavirus variants from abroad as Britain steps up efforts to enhance border control, the Xinhua news agency reported.

Peter Horby, chairman of the British government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), said certain measures would slow down the movement of foreign coronavirus variants, but it would be "almost impossible" to control them completely.

"The variants are a concern... I think complete control of variants moving around the world is going to be almost impossible but we know that certain measures can slow the movement of these viruses around the world," he said.

The British government is considering the possibility of hotel quarantines for arrivals into the country amid concerns over new coronavirus variants abroad, local media reported on Saturday.

Government ministers will discuss the issue at a meeting on Monday whether to further tighten restrictions at the borders, according to a report.

England is currently under the third national lockdown since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country. Similar restriction measures are also in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Airline operations at Sikkim's Pakyong Airport resumed on Saturday after a gap of almost 18 months. Budget carrier SpiceJet carrying 57 passengers from Delhi landed at Pakyong around noon. The flight returned with 21 passengers. This was the first flight to connect Sikkim and the national capital.

SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh tweeted, "Delighted to start flights to this strategic airport located on our border with China. This flight will give a boost to tourism in the magical state of Sikkim. Thank you @MoCA_GoI for making this possible."

Delighted to start flights to this strategic airport located on our border with China. This flight will give a boost to tourism in the magical state of Sikkim. Thank you @MoCA_GoI for making this possible. @flyspicejet @HardeepSPuri @PMOIndia https://t.co/tU1KmTr5Da  Ajay Singh (@AjaySingh_SG) January 24, 2021

The airport is also important for its strategic location near the international border.

The airport, built by the AAI at an estimated cost of 605 crores, is located at a height of 4,646 feet and is one of the five highest airports in the country.

The tabletop airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2018, and commercial flight operations started in October 2018.

With its high-altitude, table-top runway, Pakyong has for long struggled with visibility concern, resulting in air operations being stalled after a year-long operation since 2019.













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January 23, 2021 DUQUE COMMITS TO GORDON'S SUGGESTIONS ON UHC LAW IMPLEMENTATION, ON VACCINE ROLLOUT The Secretary of Health on Friday agreed with Senator Richard J. Gordon's suggestions to get the public to register with a primary health care provider as provided in the Universal Health Care law, and to conduct a 24/7 operation for the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program. "We will kill three birds with one stone. Habang wala pa 'yung vaccine, makakapag-organize pa tayo, mag-umpisa na tayo na i-organize ang mga tao na may kanya-kanya ng primary health care provider. It must be given priority, we need it," he said. As for the vaccination, Gordon said more people would be inoculated at a shorter span of time if the vaccination would be 24/7, adding that the shelf-life of the vaccines is also a consideration. "Vaccination should be done 24/7, not just for health workers, but also for the regular citizens, para mapabilis ang pagbabakuna. Tutal hindi naman sabay-sabay ang pagdating ng stock ng bakuna. 24/7 vaccination operation sa high prevalent areas, malalaking areas na siksikan, para mas marami agad mabakunahan, mas mabilis na matatapos ang problema," he proposed to Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III during the continuation of the Committee of the Whole inquiry. "Start in Metro Manila where the disease is prevalent. Map all the health care providers, sabihan mga LGU's (local government units), gawing parang dry-run ang pag-register sa mga health care providers. Ngayon pa lang dapat sanayin na ang mga healthcare providers kung ano ang mga data na dapat kunin sa pasyente na ilalagay sa QR Code," the senator said. "Mapapabilis ang proseso, at mas maraming mababakunahan in a shorter span of time. Kung mabilis tayo makakapag-trabaho na ulit mga kababayan natin at ang ating mga kabataan, makakapasok na sila sa eskwela. Pag nagawa 'yan, sasaya na ang bayan natin," he also said, at the same time offering the assistance of the Philippine Red Cross in conducting the inoculations. "Ang Red Cross po ay laging partner ng DOH, hindi lang sa mga disasters, pero maging sa mga vaccination drives nito," he said. According to the Senator, "PRC also has sufficient volunteers who could help the DOH in implementing the vaccination drive, adding that they are already experienced, having participated in several vaccination programs, such measles and polio, and vaccinating a total of more than one million people for both diseases." The senator also pointed out that the PRC has a fleet of vehicles, refrigeration and cold chain facility that could be used. "We are willing to help you. We can use our cars, our vans, our ambulances para madala ang mga tao sa vaccination centers," he said.
Police and workers arrange buses to remove all residents at a neighborhood in Huangpu district to quarantine centers, in Shanghai on Jan. 21, 2021. (AFP via Getty Images)

Residents in Chinas Virus Hotspots Taken to Unknown Locations for Mass Quarantine

Northeastern Chinas Heilongjiang Province is a new epicenter for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Virus outbreak. In Harbin, capital city of the province, many communities are under lockdown. Buses were seen taking residents away for mass quarantine in recent days.

Over 100 Infected at Zhengda Foods

According to Chinas official statistics, on Jan. 21, a total of 41 new infections were identified in Harbin, among them 38 employees at Zhengda Foods.

However, The Epoch Times learned from several locals that more than one hundred employees from Zhengda Foods were diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP virus.

Mr. Gao, who lives in Taixing community, said in a phone interview that one of the confirmed COVID patients at Zhengda Foods lives in the same community. According to Gao, the person infected 11 neighbors.

I heard that in Zhengda Foods, more than 30 employees were infected, and another 80 plus employees were identified as asymptomatic virus carriers, Gao said. In China, asymptomatic patients are counted in a separate category from those who exhibit symptoms.

The Epoch Times could not independently verify the information on COVID cases.

Gao works at a store near his home. He has stayed in his store for six days and could not go home, because his community was held under sealed off managementmeaning no one was allowed to enter or leave.

All nearby communities were also sealed off. Stores and restaurants had been closed for several days, Gao said.

At around 5 p.m. on Jan. 22, Gao noticed that 11 buses were parked outside the Taixing community. All staff members on the buses were wearing white protective suits. They were going to take away residents to be quarantined, Gao said.

Another resident in Taixing community confirmed that on Jan. 21 and 22, more than ten buses arrived each day to take residents away.

Unknown Quarantine Site, Unknown Future

Transferring residents in virus-hit areas to a far-off location for mass quarantine and medical observation is a new prevention measure that Chinese authorities recently enacted.

On the same day when mass transfer was taking place in Harbin, Shanghai authorities also announced a plan to evacuate 2,000 people from the citys Huangpu district.

After a new infection case in the district was identified on Jan. 21, local residents, hotel guests, and hotel staff in the affected area all had to get onto designated buses to leave.

Previously, an even larger-scale mass transfer was reported in northern Chinas Hebei Province.

In early January, Hebei Province announced more cases of the CCP virus than any other province in China. The virus resurgence in Hebei mostly started from rural areas, especially a district called Xiaogaocun. Videos from the district uploaded online showed dozens of buses waiting on the street and residents being evacuated and transferred elsewhere for mass quarantine.

Chinese state media later confirmed that more than 20,000 residents are now under mass quarantine and medical observation at an undisclosed location.

In one of the videos that circulated online around Jan. 10, a female villager showed pictures of herself packing stuff at home and then boarding a bus in Xiaogaocun. With her face blocked using editing techniques, she shared her feelings in front of the camera.

There was an announcement this morning that the entire village must be vacated. We are unclear where we are going, and there was hearsay that it was a place in Shijiazhuang city. We had to hurry to prepare food and clothing, she said. I prepared a lot of steamed buns. Although I have no idea what the quarantine site will be like, its always good to prepare as much as possible.

She felt puzzled as to why everyone must be transferred to another place, as she felt more comfortable with self-quarantine at home, but authorities made no explanation to villagers.

For families with children like ours, there is a lot more to prepare and it is very inconvenient, she continued. Now I feel like a refugee. It is an unfamiliar place and we dont know how long we will have to stay thereWe feel anxious and uneasy.

A few days later, the entire Xiaogaocun region was vacated, according to a volunteer who went there to check the situation and spoke to The Epoch Times.

Hong Ning and Zhang Dun contributed to this report.
The explosive new series of Marcella was delayed by the mass killing of 39 Vietnamese nationals at the hands of a Northern Ireland trafficking gang.

The cop drama with Anna Friel has already been shown around the world on Netflix. But ITV kept it off air in the UK and Ireland because of scenes showing people smuggling.

Three years since it was last on screen it's now set for release next week after the convictions of eight men in connection with the tragic deaths.

The 39 Vietnamese migrants were found dead in a lorry container in Purfleet in England in October 2019. The victims, aged 15 to 44, had suffocated after spending 12 hours in the sealed unit.

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They had paid 13,000 each to be smuggled into the UK by a trafficking ring led by Monaghan haulier Ronan Hughes and Romanian Gheorghe Nica, who'd promised them VIP treatment.

Hughes pleaded guilty last year to 39 counts of manslaughter, along with lorry driver Mo Robinson from Markethill.

At the Old Bailey on Friday Hughes was jailed for 20 years, Nica received a 27 year sentence and Robinson was ordered to serve 13 years and four months.

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Robinson had stood to make around 50,000 for the single delivery but his bosses had agreed to packing too many people into the trailer for them to be able to survive the ferry crossing from Belgium.

Nica and 24-year-old Eamonn Harrison from Mayobridge have also been convicted of being involved in the deadly smuggling operation. Harrison had dropped off the trailer at the Belgian port of Zeebrugge. He has been sentenced to 18 years.

Lorry driver Christopher Kennedy, 24, from Keady, Co Armagh, who previously collected the trailers from Purfleet on two successful runs, claimed he thought he was transporting cigarettes, but was found guilty of conspiring to assist illegal immigration.

A total of eight men have now been convicted in connection with the deaths.

The third season of the ITV series features similar scenes of people trafficking by Belfast crime family, the Maguires, with Silent Witness star Amanda Burton as the matriarch. The series was filmed here in 2019 but just months after it wrapped the horrific events in the English port unfolded.

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It's not the main plot but producers felt it was too close to reality to be shown while the raft of court cases carried on.

Marcella had been delayed due to Covid and was then set for transmission last summer. It was released on streaming service Netflix last June but only for overseas customers, and star Anna, executive producer on the show, told her Twitter followers it would be released last September but that was also put back.

"It feels like we made it a lifetime ago," says a series insider. "We made it in the middle of 2019 and then we kept waiting for news of a transmission date. It feels really strange that it's been shown all around the world, but not here. I've got friends in America and Australia who have reported back to me that they've watched the whole series.

"I think the transmission date was put back on the grounds of taste, because you couldn't have these scenes in a drama so soon after it had happened in real life.

"But it was also out of consideration for the trials, so the show is going ahead now that the legal process is over."

The series has been a hit for bringing the darkness of Nordic-noir to a UK cop drama. It's the work of Hans Rosenfeldt who created Scandi series The Bridge, and Nicola Larder, who produced Waterloo Road.

Anna Friel plays DS Marcella Backland who suffers from black out episodes. In the first series she's returned to work on a serial killer case after her husband announces he's leaving her.

Friel won an International Emmy for the gritty role in 2017.

For the third season Marcella has relocated to Belfast on an undercover mission to infiltrate a crime gang, but her handler, played by Hugo Speer, fears she's gone too deep into her new identity as Keira. Following the horrific revelations about the reason for her mental health problems the new series dives into her damaged psyche.

It also features local talent Aaron McCusker from Bohemian Rhapsody and Martin McCann, star of The Survivalist as brothers in the Maguire crime family and Hollyoaks' Glen Wallace as a face from the troubled cop's past.

Marcella is on ITV on Tuesday at 9pm.
The global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines has failed to ignite CSL shares despite boosting offshore pharmaceutical firms, with analysts warning that vaccine making wont be a key revenue driver for the homegrown biotech giant.

CSL shares have dropped 3.6 per cent to $274.60 in the first three weeks of 2021, with the price dipping earlier this month after concerns over Australias reliance on the AstraZeneca vaccine which CSL is producing in Melbourne.

CSL scientists at the company's Broadmeadows production facility in Melbourne with the AstraZeneca vaccine 'freezers'. The biotech giant confirmed last week that the first batches of bulk product for the vaccine had been completed.

Meanwhile, global vaccine stocks are booming, with the Nasdaq healthcare index up 9.3 per cent so far this year compared with the local health indexs drop of 1.7 per cent.

Companies at the forefront of the vaccine rollout have continued to build momentum. German firm BioNTech is up 26.5 per cent year-to-date to $US108.44, Moderna has gained 17.2 per cent year-to-date to $US131.02, while Novavax is up 12.4 per cent to $US126.98.

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Amanda Knox has defended herself against critics who say she's 'profiting' from the death of her roommate Meredith Kercher.

Rudy Hermann Guede, 33, was last month released from prison after being convicted in 2008 for the killing of the British 21-year-old in Perugia, Italy in November 2007.

Despite being cleared of Meredith's murder by an Italian supreme court back in 2015, Knox, 31, says she is still unable to live her life without being viewed through the 'lens of Meredith's murder'.

In an interview with the Sunday Times Magazine, she said she is vilified for using her experiences to make money, with critics unable to feel sympathy for her as they 'compare' her ordeal with that of Meredith.

Amanda Knox, pictured in Italy in 2019, has defended herself against critics who say she's 'profiting' from the death of her roommate Meredith Kercher

Knox and her boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito (pictured) were accused of the murder of Kercher in 2007 and spent four years in prison

'People seem to believe there can only be one true victim', said Knox, who has since started a true crime podcast and works with the Innocence Project to try and exonerate those with wrongful convictions.

'I exist only through the lens of Meredith's murder in some people's minds', she added. 'They forget that I'm a human being'.

Knox and her boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were accused of the murder after Kercher's half-naked body was found in a back room of the apartment she and Knox shared in Perugia.

The 21-year-old had been stabbed 47 times and had her throat slashed. Police also found signs of sexual assault.

British 21-year-old Kercher (pictured) had been stabbed 47 times and had her throat slashed

Knox, who became dubbed by the press 'Foxy Knoxy', and Sollecito were both convicted of Kercher's murder.

Knox spoke in the interview of the prosecutions 'obsession' with her sex life, with a police officer once dismissing a claim that she had come home from Sollecito's to shower because she 'smelled of sex'.

The discovery of a vibrator in her bathroom only fuelled more speculation about her sex life, with Italian investigators allegedly convincing Knox she had HIV, prompting her to write down a list of all of her sexual partners.

Knox would later be acquitted twice of the crime after already having spent four years in an Italian prison. She returned to the US in 2011 after her murder conviction for the killing of Kercher was overturned.

However, as she refused to return to Italy, she was retried and convicted a second time three years later.

The Italian Supreme Court overturned her second conviction in 2015 and finally brought an end to her legal saga.

Guede, an Ivory Coast-born drifter and small-time drug dealer, was eventually convicted of the murder and last month was released after serving a 16-year sentence in an Italian prison.

Knox has since settled in Seattle, marrying musician Colin Sutherland, and has taken part in a Netflix series about her case, along with writing books and articles advocating for people wrongfully convicted of crimes.

Knox, who became dubbed by the press 'Foxy Knoxy', and Sollecito were both convicted of Kercher's murder. Pictured, Knox in 2014

In June 2019 Knox returned to Italy for the first time since she was cleared of the murder to appear at a criminal justice festival, where she told attendees she 'still fears more charges' despite being cleared of Meredith's murder.

Before her trip to Italy the family of Miss Kercher labelled her return to the country 'inappropriate' and said her reappearance in the public eye was 'very painful for the family'.

In an essay published online, Knox said she was 'polishing up the speech I'm about to give to a potentially hostile audience in Italy'.

The Kercher family lawyer Francesco Maresca told the Guardian: 'All these insistences and appearances are only ever done to keep the attention on herself.

Knox has since settled in Seattle, marrying musician Colin Sutherland (pictured), and has taken part in a Netflix series about her case

'The murder is a tragic memory for the Kercher family, they lost their daughter and sister in such a terrible way. It's also an injustice for them as they still don't know the full truth.'

In her podcast, The Truth About True Crime, Ms Knox also spoke about her ordeal. While discussing Jens Soering, a man who falsely confessed to killing two people out of love, she talked about her own confessions.

She said: 'Jens knowingly and willingly falsely confessed to killing Nancy and Derek Haysom. My own false statements were coerced, authored by the police themselves and were the result of an abusive illegal interrogation that wasnt recorded.'

Ms Knox also spoke about her fiance, Chris, saying: Romantic love hits me that way when I think about my fiance Chris. It feels deep, and primary, like my need for water.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi left everyone, including his own translator, baffled with his speech as he attempted to attack the PM Modi-led Centre during his speech at a campaign in Coimbatore on Saturday. The Congress leader is on a three-day visit to the poll-bound state of Tamil Nadu and undertook a roadshow in Coimbatore where he claimed that he had a 'blood relationship with Tamil Nadu and not a 'political' one. While taking a dig at the Centre and attempting to woo Tamil voters during his speech, Rahul Gandhi left his translator lost for words as he attempted to process the Congress leader's bizarre statement.

READ | Rahul Gandhi Assures Revisiting GST When Cong Is Voted To Power At Centre

Speaking at a roadshow in Coimbatore, Rahul Gandhi said, "If we say Tamil Nadu is India, then we have to say India is Tamil Nadu. It cannot be that we say that Tamil Nadu is India, but India is not Tamil Nadu". However, soon after Rahul Gandhi said the latter half of the statement, his translator bore a puzzled look and he helplessly looked at Rahul Gandhi to receive some clarification. "It cannot be like Modi ji says that Tamil Nadu is a part of India but India is not Tamil Nadu", Rahul Gandhi clarified.

If despite this, PEOPLE vote for CONGRESS, only god can save these TAMILIAN's....



#Pappu pic.twitter.com/NElbsPiz3G  Subba Rao (@yessirtns) January 23, 2021

READ | EPS Says Stalin's Dream Of Becoming Tamil Nadu CM Will Never Come True; DMK Chief Responds

Rahul Gandhi on 3-day visit to Tamil Nadu

Upon his arrival on Saturday, Rahul Gandhi participated in an interaction with MSME representatives in Tamil Nadu. The Congress leader later took part in roadshows where he launched an attack on PM Modi-led government for allegedly 'giving what belongs to the farmers to 2-3 big industrialists'. Further, he claimed that PM Modi attempted to control the people of Tamil Nadu using agencies such as the ED, CBI and that the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu was compromised.

I do not have a political relationship with Tamil Nadu, I have a family relationship with Tamil Nadu, a blood relationship with Tamil Nadu.: Shri @RahulGandhi#TamilNaduWelcomesRahul pic.twitter.com/TeME4Nt4Fy  Congress (@INCIndia) January 23, 2021

Mr. Narendra Modi does not understand that just because he is for sale, does not mean Tamil Nadu is for sale.#TamilNaduWelcomesRahul pic.twitter.com/ift7qw5SSn  Congress (@INCIndia) January 23, 2021

READ | Udhayanidhi Defies Legal Notice; Hurls 'slave EPS' Taunt Again Over Law & Order Issues

Tamil Nadu Assembly elections

Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu are due in April-May 2021 and the political parties have started their campaign. While DMK's MK Stalin is eyeing becoming Chief Minister for the first time, CM E Palaniswami (EPS) is fighting for his re-election. The BJP is yet to make a formal announcement of the alliance with AIADMK and is in talks with Stalin's estranged brother MK Alagiri. On the other side, AIADMK has said that they are the big-brother within the NDA alliance. Meanwhile, Kamal Hassan has put a halt to his campaign trail due to a leg surgery. Superstar Rajinikanth who was about to launch his party this year has backed out due to health reasons.

READ | Stalin Raises Jayalalithaa's Death Mystery: EPS Has No Moral Right To Unveil Her Memorial
PMs New Gas Deal Upsets Head of Australian Workers Union

As part of the federal governments CCP virus recovery plans, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has signed another two year deal with liquid natural gas (LNG) suppliers from the east coast of Australia to ensure that uncontracted gas is going first into the domestic market.

The agreement, announced by Morrison on Jan. 21, is part of the governments CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus economic recovery JobMaker package aimed at getting the right balance between affordable gas for manufacturers and a price that encourages new gas resource development.

Affordable LNG for Australians is to play a key role in the federal governments Modern Manufacturing Strategy as it moves to incentivise the scaling-up of manufacturing in Australia for strengthening Australias sovereign resilience amid disruptions to global trade.

As part of our JobMaker plan, we are delivering more Australian gas where it is needed at an internationally competitive price. This particularly includes manufacturing businesses who employ more than 850,000 Australians, many of which rely on gas to operate, Morrison said.

But the deal is also designed to see high enough prices to encourage investment towards developing the nations untapped LNG resources.

Gas is critical to our economic recovery, and this agreement ensures Australian businesses and families have the gas supply they need at the cheapest possible price, he said.

Announced in October last year, the government will invest $52.9 million (US$40.83 million) to help unlock new gas supplies in Australia to get additional gas to the international market as efficiently as possible, while first empowering domestic gas consumers to get better deals.

This is about making Australias gas work for all Australians, while also supporting economic growth and backing important regional jobs in our expanding LNG sector, Morrison said.

However, the deal, known as the Heads of Agreement, has not provided enough assurance on domestic gas prices for some critics.

AWU National Secretary Daniel Walton in a media release on Jan. 22 said the prime minister had capitulated to the LNG exporters who would extract our gas and export it to Asia. He found it acutely disappointing.

By rejecting price controls, or any other measures to ensure Australian gas reaches Australian employers at a reasonable price, Mr. Morrisons deal is basically identical to the weak and pointless bargain negotiated by Malcolm Turnbull, Walton said.

Australia is lucky enough to have some of the most abundant gas reserves in the world, he continued. Morrisons deal ensures that advantage will be squandered as our local manufactures cop gas prices higher than global competitors. This deal ensures Australians will continue to pay more for our own gas than foreigners.

However, the government argues that after it moved to ensure affordable supply to the domestic market with the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism and the first Heads of Agreement in 2017, the price of gas price has already dropped from between $10.50 to $12.50 a gigajoule to between $7 to $5 a gigajoule now.

CEO of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Andrew McConville agreed with the governments assessment.

In a statement on Jan. 21, he said that it had been confirmed by both the ACCC and the International Gas Union, that Australians pay lower prices than our Asian neighbours for Australian gas.

Individual prices offered to domestic gas users will continue to be internationally competitive, McConville said.

He also thanked the Morrison government for the common-sense approach it had taken to working with industry to finalise the agreement through to Jan. 1, 2023.

The approach taken to recognise the realities of the gas market on the east coast will deliver competitive gas supply outcomes for customers and continue to encourage more investment in new supply by producers, he said. This is the best way to ensure the lowest possible prices for customers.
Tse Chi Lop, Joaquin "El Chapo Guzman. YouTube/The Straits Times/Getty/Omar Torres

Tse Chi Lop, one of the world's most wanted fugitives, has been arrested in Amsterdam.

Lop is understood to head an organization called The Company that dominates Asia's $70 billion-a-year drugs trade.

The 56-year-old has been compared to the Mexican drug baron Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman due to the size of the cartel.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Tse Chi Lop, who is accused of being head of one of the world's biggest drug gangs, has been arrested in Amsterdam on a warrant issued by Australia, according to the BBC.

Lop, a Chinese-born Canadian national, was detained at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport on Friday.

Listed as one of the world's most wanted fugitives, the 56-year-old is understood to be the head of The Company, an organization that dominates Asia's $70 billion-a-year illegal drugs market, according to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

Lop has been compared to the Mexican drug baron Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman due to his alleged cartel size.

Guzman is known as one of the most powerful drug trafficker's in history.

Australian police issued a warrant for Lop's arrest in 2019 as part of Operation Volante, which dismantled a global crime syndicate operating in five countries.

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According to the AFP, the "syndicate targeted Australia over a number of years" by "importing and distributing large amounts of illicit narcotics, laundering the profits overseas, and living off the wealth obtained from crime."

It is estimated Lop's enterprise is responsible for up to 70% of all narcotics entering Australia.

The syndicate's revenue from methamphetamine sales alone was massive. Reuters, citing the UN, said it trafficked as much as $17bn worth in 2018.

The AFP said it is now working with Attorney-General Christian Porter's department to prepare a formal extradition request for Lop.

Lop spent nine years in prison in the US in the 1990s for drug trafficking, said the BBC.

Story continues

The Sydney Morning Herald described Lop's arrest as the "most important" made by the AFP in two decades.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  The Quezon City government is enforcing tighter monitoring of quarantine hotels for returning overseas Filipino workers amid the threat of the new COVID-19 variant.

In a statement on Sunday, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte mandated the stricter security measures in hotels serving as quarantine facilities for Filipino workers from countries with known cases of community transmission of the UK coronavirus variant.

Belmonte is also looking at tapping the Quezon City Police District for the deployment of police officers outside the hotels to make sure that the OFWs will complete the 14-day quarantine period.

"Now that the DOH confirmed the presence of the new strain in several places of the country, the more we need to double our efforts in preventing the spread of the virus," she was quoted as saying in the statement.

"If need be, we can tap our police officers to man these hotels so we can prevent returning Filipinos from leaving without finishing the government-mandated quarantine period," Belmonte added.

The city government said it would also heighten inspection in accommodation establishments to ensure they comply with health protocols.

Belmonte noted the City Tourism Department will conduct unannounced visits to more accommodation establishments.

The Quezon City government also reiterated that only four- and five-star hotels accredited by the Department of Tourism can accept "staycation" guests.

The mayor said Quezon City now has zero case of the new COVID-19 variant after its first index case tested negative for the virus.

Our doctors in our HOPE facility declared that he is finally recovered. They gave him clearance to go home so he was allowed to leave the facility yesterday afternoon. He will continue to be monitored by our health officials, said Belmonte.

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The conflict continues to rage in Armenia that has taken the lives of many soldiers and displaced over 100,000 people. All the while, the world keeps silent and prefers not to know about it. On Nov 10th a Russia-brokered peace deal has been agreed between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It brought to an end six weeks of war in which thousands of people were killed and displaced.

I just came back from Armenia and want to emphasize some basic facts about what is happening in this small and remote country.

First of all, we should acknowledge that although hostilities have ended with a ceasefire agreement, the humanitarian crisis is only getting worse. The terms of the peace are such that Armenia loses almost everything and people have nowhere to return to. Moreover, Armenia itself is completely under Russian control. This means that all Western and international organizations can face big problems. Protests against surrender are growing, and chaos is growing in the country.

Secondly, in these conditions, the role of the Church increases. People just have nowhere else to go. The church becomes the only place where people can be helped.

Thirdly, the Church is ready to help people but the Church itself needs help. Evangelical churches of Armenia are very active but they are not and cannot be ready for such high numbers of refugees. Today is our chance to show Christian solidarity and help the Armenian Evangelical Church fulfill its mission in this difficult time. Help us to help our people, ask local pastors.

On my recent trip to Armenia (Oct 29th  Nov 7th) I had an opportunity to visit 12 evangelical churches and meet with many church ministers. I heard it everywhere that Christians are also on the frontlines, on their very special front  the front of caring for those who have been affected by the conflict.

For a small Christian nation the conflict is not an issue of the territory, its of their survival. Refugees suffer because of lack of bread, roof over their heads, medicine and doctors help. Apart from that, the pandemic crisis is worsening. With all that happening, the churches have become the beacons of hope for scared and suffering people. They dont do services on Sundays because of the coronavirus but they continue serving refugees every day sharing their bread and their homes as well as words of comfort and hope. Even before the war, more than 32% of the population lived below the poverty line. Now with the conflict raging on, these alarming rates are growing every day.

Asatur Nahapetyan, pastor and general secretary of the Baptist Union of Armenia, anticipates this conflict to linger and asks everyone to get ready for a hard winter. Over 100 families from Karabakh have been placed by Baptists in their homes and 42 people were accommodated in a conference hall in Razdan.

According to Suren, a pastor of a small Baptist church in Ararat, not only conference centers but many churches open their doors to welcome refugees. Due to quarantine, many church buildings are closed for attending services and are now used for taking in refugees.

The church with a symbolic name Noahs Ark (in Ararat) is providing shelter for 40 people. At first, they were really afraid of Christians regarding them as sectarians but now they dont want to leave. Pastor Araik says that people from Karabakh are not very religious and many of them still retain the Soviet spirit, but there are no atheists in trenches.

The church in Ararat has 700 members. They all minister to refugees as one strong united team. Its the only place where we are welcomed, say women refugees  who didnt want to know anything about God just yesterday  about the evangelical church. They learned to pray in the church and their husbands who are on the front lines call their wives, We didnt believe in God but it was your prayers that kept us safe. Women and children say to their pastor often, When you pray we sleep well and we stop having nightmares. Everyone lives on prayers here.

It all started on the first day of war when the pastor called the mayors office and said that the church was ready to take in refugees. Its been filled with people since then.

Its important to understand that the church prepared themselves for this ministry even before. The pastor says that successful work with young people changed the way the society viewed the church. We fed 40 people every Saturday and took hot lunches to 20 families even before the war. Everyone knows us as the ark of hope and salvation. For people, we are not just a religious organization but a charitable organization. But the Apostolic church is just religious to them. Although its interesting to see how the state church starts to imitate us. Priest David started doing what we do  preaching the Gospel, visiting people in their homes, meeting them and talking to them. Even the police say to people, 'contact the church; theyll help you there.' Everyone respects us now.

Pastor Vazgen from the church in Abovyan says something similar: Almost all the refugees that we received in our church have made a decision to follow Jesus.

The church in Artashat is also filled with refugees and its also filled with the spirit of hope. Nune arrived from Stepanakert last night and is still in shock but firmly says, We are doing well while we are at the church. A boy is standing right next to her. His name is David and he is from Shushi. He also arrived last night. When we prayed and sang he held his hand up all 30 minutes sending prayers to God. I think that all these events make the refugees of Karabakh the people of prayer and faith. When I timidly asked Khaspik who lost her son (the other son together with her husband were still fighting in Karabakh) if I could pray for her she firmly nodded her head. A day later I learned that not only her but all the other refugees who were living in the former cowshed in Abovyan, accepted Christ.

People are very traumatized yet at the same time they are very open. The families of refugees open their doors and invite us to come in and eagerly bow their heads in prayer. In one of the old half destroyed homes in Vanadzor where two families were sharing a small space, I noticed a New Testament at the center of the room on a stand that was given to them by our SWW students. The family have lost their loved ones and the children were sick. When I showed the Gospel and said that it was the most important book in life that saved me and could save them, they nodded in agreement. Then we prayed together.

Local churches are very active in reaching out and working with refugees but their personal resources are running low. Thats why its so important for the involvement of international partnerships. Its important for us to know that our brothers and sisters from other countries suffer together with us as one body, says pastor Haik from Vanadzor.

There is another need and that is to prepare the church leaders to this ministry. As pastor Vazgen notes, Young evangelical churches dont have a system to train leaders. Everything is just starting. Many are willing to serve but they need to be trained first.

Pastor Artur Simonyan says that mentoring will become the main need that will have to be met after the critical phase of the conflict as many thousands of victims of war will need the healing. If you can develop a resource for counselling people with war traumas you will greatly help the local church.

For now, the flow of refugees is steadily increasing. Here is one of the thousands of stories of families who fled Karabakh.

Lucine was baking bread when a mortar landed on their house. Fortunately, it didnt explode. Together with her seven children, pregnant Lucine climbed out of the window and ran barefoot to the nearest village. God saved us, she said, although it was hard. We lived outside under the open sky for two weeks waking up with our skin blue from cold. The last few days we lived in an old military trailer.

When asked what she wants for her children Lucine answers confidently, for them to study well.

Her husband stayed behind fighting in the war. Her mother-in-law, Lola, the grandmother of 26 grandchildren helps Lucine with the children.

Lola is tightly holding the Bible that was given to her and says, They asked me how they could help. I asked for a Bible. Its been my dream to read the Bible since I was a child.

While evangelical churches of Armenia are serving their people we have an opportunity, even responsibility to think about this ancient Christian nation, pray for them and extend our helping hand. Its our common second front, but in terms of importance, its ranked first. Lets help Armenian Christians to help their nation.
Deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's son, Hussain Nawaz on Saturday challenged Imran Khan government to show proof of corruption or illegality committed by the Sharif family before the UK or any other government in the world, reported Geo News.

Hussain Nawaz said that Sir Anthony Evan's judgment in the Broadsheet LLC vs the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) case is a "clean chit" for the Sharif family since the judgment clearly states that Broadsheet hired Matrix Research Limited to investigate assets of the Sharif family but found nothing illegal.

The Broadsheet LLC, based in the Isle of Man, was hired by the NAB during Musharraf's regime to trace out hidden assets of Pakistanis in foreign countries. NAB signed an agreement with the Broadsheet but terminated it in 2003.

The scandal amply proved that Pakistan has been plagued by corruption. Instead of targetting the corrupt, it was used for political gains and safe passage was given to the corrupt people to escape accountability through National Reconciliation Ordinance.

Hussain said that foreign governments don't believe in the "lies" told on Pakistani media about Nawaz and his family.

Moreover, he claimed Prime Minister Imran Khan's ministers and friends were involved in corruption for which proof is available, adding that there was no accountability for them. Hussain gave the example of Faisal Vawda owning 19 undeclared properties in London, reported Geo News.

"Mark Bezant and Yasir Dajani of the FTI Consulting were appointed by the anti-graft watchdog (NAB) to comment on the Stroz Friedberg (SF) forensic report on the Sharif family and matters arising out of the report of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT)," explained Hussain.

Mark Bezant of the FTI consulting and Yasir Dajani of the same firm was appointed by the NAB to comment on the SF forensic report which is essentially related to the Sharif family and matters arising out of the report of the JIT.

"Bezant's evidence was confined to the identification and valuation of relevant assets owned by the Sharif family," he added.

Bezant was instructed by the NAB to consider and comment on the SF report, so his evidence was confined to matters relating to the Sharif family, specifically the identification and valuation of the relevant assets. The SF report resulted in identifying 76 items from the JIT report that was considered potentially recoverable assets of the Sharif family.

Hussain said the report led to the identification of 76 items from the JIT report that were considered potentially recoverable assets and NAB representative contended that there were four items of double-counting totalling USD 41 million had not taken into account, further contending that liabilities of property-owning companies including mortgages were not taken into account, reported Geo News.

(ANI)

Also Read: China's dam-building over Brahmaputra risks water war with India
New Delhi: Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav was admitted to AIIMS in Delhi on Saturday (January 23, 2021) night after his health condition reportedly worsened.

"He has been admitted in the coronary care unit (CCU) of the cardiothoracic centre of the AIIMS," an official was quoted as saying.

Lalu Prasad, 72, who was convicted in fodder scam cases, was undergoing treatment at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi for multiple ailments.

The former Bihar chief minister's condition wiil be monitored by a team of doctors.

"Lalu Prasad was having trouble breathing for the last two days. On Friday, he was found to be having pneumonia. Considering his age, we decided to shift him to AIIMS-Delhi on the advice of doctors for better treatment," RIMS Director Dr Kameshwar Prasad had said.

On Friday, Lalu Prasad's wife Rabri Devi, daughter Misa Bharti, sons Tej Pratap and Tejashwi reached Ranchi on a special plane after being informed of the veteran leader's deteriorating health.

The family met Prasad on Friday night after which Tejashwi told reporters that Lalu's condition was worrisome.

Lalu's family had sought the help of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the state government in arrangment to transport him to Delhi.

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US makes commitment to Japan on defence

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin (pictured) spoke to Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi. Photo: Reuters

New US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, during his first phone call with his Japanese counterpart, reaffirmed America's commitment to Tokyo to defending a group of East China Sea islets claimed by both Japan and China, the Pentagon said.



Austin, in talks with Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi, confirmed that Article 5 of the US-Japan security treaty, which stipulates US defence obligations to Japan, covers the uninhabited islands, the Pentagon said in a statement.



The islets are known as the Diaoyu islands in China and the Senkaku islands in Japan.



Austin also reaffirmed that the United States remains opposed to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea, the Pentagon said.



Japan has become increasingly concerned about Chinese activity in the East China Sea, including incursions into waters around the islands.



The talks marked the first ministerial discussions between Tokyo and Washington since US President Joe Biden took office on Wednesday. Retired army general Austin made history on Friday by becoming America's first black defence secretary.



Japan's defence ministry was not immediately available for comment.



US Indo-Pacific Command said on Sunday a US Navy strike group entered the South China Sea on Saturday, the same day Taiwan reported a large incursion of Chinese bombers and fighter jets into its air defence identification zone near the Pratas Islands. (Reuters)
The unlikely coalition that first sent 29-year-old Joe Biden to the Senate in 1972 included an army of first-time voters  many of them under 21 years of age. With a polarizing Nixon White House, historic racial protests following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and a seemingly endless war in Vietnam, Biden added his voice to Americas unruly discussions on war, addiction, the environment, prison reform, ethics, and equality. Even before winning his first election, he made a priority of shaking up the old guard, insisting on the inclusion of youth at every level of politics. Its a key reason he won.

In the months preceding ratification of the 26th Amendment (giving 18-year-olds the right to vote) Biden -- only 28 himself and the youngest member of Delaware's 1971 Democratic Party Renewal Commission  helped revamp the states Democratic Party. He did this by demanding youth inclusion. "We must identify issues of interest to young people -- poverty, racism, the draft, pollution -- and develop legislative programs, he said. We must integrate youth into the party organization at all levels.

That fateful right-to-vote ratification for 18-year-olds arrived July 1, 1971 -- two weeks after my 18th birthday. I was a teenage volunteer charged with the logistics of implementing youth education and volunteerism for the '72 Biden campaign and son of state party Chairman Henry Topel, who helped usher him onto the national stage.

Nationally, Democrats expressed hopes that a surge in support from 18-to-21-year-olds would give the party a huge boost. But the military draft that had sent so many young Americans to Vietnam ended that year and President Nixon all but co-opted the 26th Amendment: The upshot was that Nixon won by a landslide in 1972 as young Americans voted very much the way their parents had. One of the few exceptions was in Delaware, where Joe Biden upset a Republican incumbent by 3,162 votes. It was clear to us that young people had made the difference.

I was there to see that with passion and heart, Joe Biden brought a new vitality into nearly every high school and community college in the state, educating teens on the power of their voices and the influence within their reach. He sent thousands of young people home armed with literature and information, inspired to begin discussions around the family dinner table about issues ranging from prison reform and pollution to ending the war in Vietnam.

What made young people trust Joe Biden? It was a combination of attributes. It wasn't merely his age, appearance or position on the issues, but rather an authentic, alert, attentive and empathetic presence. By listening and speaking candidly from his heart, he inspired a new generation, moving them to action in numbers that would not only shift the local balance of power but forever alter political campaign strategies.

Fast-forward to 2021. The concerns of Millennials and Generation Zers, according to the Pew Research Center and recent polling, are closely aligned on a host of issues ranging from climate change and gun violence to social justice. While some voiced concern that Biden's campaign stances on key issues concerning todays younger demographic was too moderate, his prescience in keeping a distance from Bernie Sanders' more progressive, youth-appeasing positions was borne out by the election returns  in both the primaries and the general election.

Biden's policies on immigration reform, global warming, and student debt reduction proved attractive to young voters, who were alienated by the Trump administration. As the year wore on, the closer young voters looked at Joe Bidens record  from his 2012 support of gay marriage to his backing of the decriminalization of marijuana at the federal level  the more they found to like.

Now, with Cabinet nominations that strive to reflect America's diversity, Biden's relatability to youth is more likely than ever to translate into lasting support. A defining moment of the 2020 campaign was the image of an open-hearted Joe Biden focused on 13-year-old Brayden Harrington, sharing how he, too, overcame stuttering as a boy and the techniques he continues to use in order to do so.

Can Biden lead another youth movement? Absolutely. If anything, behind his vision -- weathered by a lifetime of experience, love and loss -- lies a great authenticity, one that transcends age and generations, bridging the divide and bringing us truly together.
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The police in Ebonyi State have confirmed the death of eight persons and arrest of more than 60 others, following clashes between Effium and Ezza Effium communities in Ohaukwu Local Government area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Aliyu Garba, made the disclosure on Sunday during a joint security operation, which included the state Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, to the affected areas.

Mr Garba, while stating that normalcy had returned to the communities, also confirmed that about eight houses, including a petrol station, were burnt.

The crisis was fuelled by a leadership tussle at the areas branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, involving old and new executives.

The police have ensured adequate security and I doubt if anything would breach the peace in the areas again, he said.

The police commissioner said the presence of a joint security operation in the area will send a signal to the perpetrators of the dastardly acts that the force was on ground.

It will also avert a re-occurrence of the clashes, and after investigations, the suspects will appear in court for prosecution.

I can also confirm the arrest of stakeholders from the areas and anyone found culpable will be duly prosecuted, he said.

Also speaking, Stanley Okoro-Emegha, the Commissioner for Border, Peace and Internal Security, commended the police, saying that their proactive response had helped in restoring normalcy to the areas.

The commissioner of police has shown that he meant business, as he pleaded with the leaders and the people to allow peace reign, but unfortunately, they did not heed to the advice.

We conducted a joint operation, which led to the arrest of the suspects. Even those in government, who were involved in the crisis, will be duly prosecuted, he said.

He chided those giving political colouration to the clashes, noting that government had shown enough resolve to duly prosecute the culprits, no matter their political affiliations.

The deputy governor, however, called for calm, saying government would ensure that the situation is permanently nipped in the bud.

(NAN)
Pakistan has approved the emergency use of a Russian vaccine to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

The approval of Sputnik-V comes on the heels of the green light given to vaccines developed by Oxford University-AstraZeneca and Chinese state-owned firm Sinopharm.

No date was given for the start of the rollout of Sputnik-V.

Pakistan, the worlds fifth most populous nation, has officially recorded just over 11,000 deaths from COVID-19, though observers say the actual numbers are much higher.

Sputnik-V lacks large-scale clinical trials to support its safety and efficacy and does not have the approval of the European Medicines Agency or the World Health Organization.

Nonetheless, several foreign countries and territories are already using the vaccine, including Belarus, Serbia, Argentina, Bolivia, Algeria, and Palestine, according to the manufacturer.

Russia anticipates another 10 countries will register the vaccine in the coming weeks.

Based on reporting by Dawn and Bloomberg


APM Terminals Bahrain, the port operator of Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP), today (January 24) announced the departure of Managing Director, Susan Hunter.

Hunter has decided to pursue an opportunity outside of the company and will leave effective April 30. The Board has started the process to select a successor and a further announcement will be made in due course, APM Terminals Bahrain said in a statement.

Hunter joined APM Terminals Bahrain in January 2019. During her tenure as Managing Director she advanced a strategic and transformational agenda for the company, strengthening the management team, and promoting existing talent.

The operational and commercial performance has steadily improved during Mrs. Hunters leadership and Khalifa bin Salman Port is well positioned to continue to deliver exceptional value for the Kingdom of Bahrain, its employees and shareholders in the years to come. Notably, Mrs. Hunter and her team responded with great urgency and determination to face the unique challenge of COVID-19, protecting customers and employees alike, said David Skov, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Prior to joining APM Terminals Bahrain, Hunter was previously based in the UAE. As the Global Head of the Operational Excellence Programme for APM Terminals, she was responsible for implementing corporate strategy across one of the worlds most comprehensive port and integrated inland service networks.

Hunter has held several senior management positions with A.P. Moller  Maersk, focusing on business transformation, growth, and development. She joined the organisation in 2009. Prior to her tenure at A.P. Moller - Maersk, Hunter held several senior positions in the Utilities and Telecom industries within the UK.--TradeArabia News Service
New Delhi, Jan 24 : As the e-commerce battle intensifies in India, with Reliance Retail's JioMart being the latest major entrant with a massive potential to disrupt the space, the next big thing is the delivery of groceries online and the market size is estimated to grow eight times in the next five years in the country.

As companies from Reliance to BigBasket put their top dollar in serving daily grocery at your doorsteps, online grocery is going to be the next battleground for growth, expanding to over $18 billion by 2024.

The eGrocery market has grown 60 per cent from the calendar year 2020 and is expected to grow 41-49 per cent by the first half of CY21, according to the latest data provided by homegrown consulting firm RedSeer.

Another recent report by Bengaluru-based RedSeer and Bigbasket (Brand Intelligence) found that demand for comfort foods like noodles and cookies, immunity boosters such as lemon, and hygiene products like sanitisers picked up after the pandemic while essentials remained strong.

Within snacks and branded foods, biscuits and cookies were the largest sub-category and grew the most.

"We have observed that traditional brands which pivoted quickly to be digitally ready brands have seen 2x+ jump in sales compared to offline brands," said Anil Kumar, founder and CEO of RedSeer.

Now, JioMart is set to take the pole position in online delivery of groceries.

"Grocery is the largest retail category. This makes it an important category for retailers and one that is going to drive future growth of online retail sales. JioMart will definitely be a key player in the months to come," said Satish Meena, Senior Forecast Analyst with global market research firm Forrester.

Driven by the uptick in online grocery adoption due to the Covid-19 pandemic, "online retail sales will grow at a CAGR of 30 per cent from 2019 to 2024 and reach $359 billion", Meena informed.

India is witnessing a surge in demand for online grocery. The latest Reliance takeover of Future Group's retail business is a major consolidation of organised grocery retail. In terms of grocery retail, the revenue of Reliance Retail in FY20 was Rs 346 billion and that of Future Retail's annualised revenue for FY20 was Rs 100 billion.

According to Meena, grocery will also be the category where most marketplaces' investments will be made in the next five years.

Reliance Jio's new commerce platform JioMart and Whatsapp will be working closely to create growth opportunities for millions of Indian small merchants and kirana shops, Reliance Industries (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani said recently.

In India, there are more than 15 million monthly WhatsApp Business app users, and more than 400 million overall users. Reliance aims to integrate JioMart in WhatsApp within the next six months.

The Covid-19 induced lockdowns and social distancing led to a surge in online orders for groceries, driven by utility as 80 per cent of those who ordered online during lockdown did it for convenience as opposed to price and selection.

According to a survey by LocalCircles, 52 per cent online grocery shoppers found the e-commerce grocery apps useful during lockdown. As many as 32 per cent online grocery shoppers placed one or more orders every week during the lockdown while 38 per cent found fruits and vegetables delivered via e-commerce grocery apps to be of poor quality.

A recent Bernstein report said that Reliance is "best positioned in new commerce, digitising neighbourhood stores, and e-commerce apps (JioMart and AJIO)".
[January 24, 2021] Marketing Automation Software Market Research Report - Global Forecast to 2024 - Cumulative Impact for COVID-19 Recovery | SpendEdge

The Marketing Automation Software market will register an incremental spend of about USD 2.69 billion, growing at a CAGR of 9.82% from 2020-2024. A targeted strategic approach to Marketing Automation Software market sourcing can unlock several opportunities for buyers. This report offers market impact and new opportunities created due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Get free report sample within minutes This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210123005002/en/ SpendEdge has announced the release of its Global Marketing Automation Software Market Procurement Intelligence Report (Graphic: Business Wire) Get detailed insights on the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and recovery analysis of Marketing Automation Software market Marketing Automation Software Market Analysis Analysis of the cost and volume drivers and supply market forecasts in various regions are offered in this Marketing Automation Software research report. This market intelligence report also analyzes the top supply markets and the critical cost drivers that can aid buyers and suppliers devise a cost-effective category management strategy. The report provides insights on the following information: Regional spend dynamism and factors impacting costs

The total cost of ownership and cost-saving opportunities

Supply chain margins and pricing models

Competitiveness index for suppliers

Market favorability index for suppliers

Supplier and buyer KPIs For more information on the exact spend growth rate and yearly category spend, download a free sample.



Spend Growth and Demand Segmentation The Marketing Automation Software market will register an incremental spend of USD 2.69 billion, growing at a CAGR of 9.82% from 2020-2024

On the supply side, North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and APAC will have the maximum influence owing to the supplier base. To get instant access to over 1000 market-ready procurement intelligence reports without any additional costs or commitment, Subscribe Now for Free.

Some of the top Marketing Automation Software suppliers enlisted in this report This Marketing Automation Software procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies. International Business Machines Corp.

Adobe Inc.

Oracle Corp.

SAP (News - Alert) SE

Salesforce.com Inc.

SAS Institute Inc.

HubSpot Inc.

Act-On Software Inc.

Infusion Software Inc.

SugarCRM (News - Alert) Inc.

eTrigue Corp. This procurement report answers help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers for their Marketing Automation Software requirements following questions: Am I engaging with the right suppliers?

Which KPIs should I use to evaluate my incumbent suppliers?

Which supplier selection criteria are relevant for?

What are the workplace computing devices category essentials in terms of SLAs and RFx? Get access to regular sourcing and procurement insights to our digital procurement platform- Activate Free subscription. Table of Content Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

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Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope Appendix About SpendEdge: SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. To know more Request for demo View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210123005002/en/

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If there is anything that is a consensus in Nigeria today, it is the security challenges rocking every part of the nation.

People wake up every day doubting their existence for another 24 hours because of insecurity perpetrated by a growing band of murderers, terrorists, castle rustlers kidnappers, and other violent criminals crisis-crossing the entire length and breadth of the country.

The incessant killings and kidnappings across the country have further strengthened the debates around true federalism and restructuring which will allow state governors have control over state police that will help in curbing the rising insecurity in the country.

This newspaper, on several occasions, has reported the killings and kidnappings of some farmers by suspected herdsmen. In some cases, herders allegedly destroy farm lands with their cattle with practically done to make them face the wrath of the law.

The incessant killings and kidnapping, have, however, led to allegations and counter allegations between farmers and Fulani herders especially in southwest communities.

Kidnappings, killings

The red light on Fulani herders in the Southwest became clearer when a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olu Falae, was abducted by armed herders on his farm in Akure, Ondo State.

He was forced to cough out N5 million to regain his freedom despite efforts by police to rescue him.

In addition, Olufunke Olakurin, a daughter of the Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti, was also killed on her way to Lagos by suspected herdsmen along Ore road in Ondo State.

Aside these popular figures, many more individuals have been abducted and killed either on the highway, in the forest, or even in their residences by suspected herders.

Victims, who have the opportunity to pay ransom and left to return to their families, have, in the past, narrated sorrowful tales.

The aforementioned and many more triggered the establishment of a regional security network code named Operation Amotekun by South-west governors.

The security outfit was put in place to support the police and other conventional security agencies in ensuring safety of lives and property of the people.

Scary scenarios in Oyo

Despite the creation of Amotekun and joint efforts of security operatives in combating crimes, many residents of Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa axes of Oyo State have been at the mercy of suspected herders kidnapping and killing residents weekly.

Last year, PREMIUM TIMES reported how Modupe Oyetoso, a young farmer, lost her fiancee to armed kidnappers alleged to be Fulani herdsmen in Lanlate.

They were returning from their farm at Igbo-dudu in Lanlate around 5 p.m. when four armed men accosted them, killing her fiance in the process while she was whisked away.

Ms Oyetoso narrated that she spent two days in captivity until her family paid ransom to secure her release.

The place of the incident, Lanlate, is one of the seven towns in Ibarapa area of Oyo State. Others are Igangan, Eruwa, Aiyete, Tapa, Idere, and Igbo-Ora where agriculture is their major business.

Another victim in Igangan known as Fatai Cocoa also told PREMIUM TIMES then that he was kidnapped by those alleged to be Fulani herders while returning from Iseyin with his wife. He had to pay N10 million as ransom before he could regain his freedom.

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Aside from the aforementioned cases, many more cases have been recorded in these areas and they continue to generate controversies.

But the Fulanis in the axis have also argued that bad Fulani herdsmen are responsible for insecurity in the areas, citing instances where top Fulani traders living in the areas have also been kidnapped.

Sunday Igboho filling void for authorities?

As the security challenges in the Ibarapa axis appear unending, Sunday Igboho, a self-styled Yoruba warrior, issued an ultimatum to Fulanis in Ibarapa to leave the area.

Upon the expiration of the ultimatum, he led some youth to Ibarapa to evacuate the herders.

Properties worth millions of naira were burnt in the process, a development that has generated heated controversies both on the social media and offline.

Public affairs analysts, who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES, however, said Mr Igboho was simply filling the void not addressed by the federal and state governments.

A public affairs analyst, Festus Ogun, told our correspondent that Mr Igboho perpetrated all he did last Friday because the government at the federal and the state levels has failed.

The government has failed in its duty to protect its people. Insecurity did not just start yesterday and since authorities failed, what will the people do than to defend themselves. If a government truly exists, folks like Sunday Igboho wont be let alone have the power to carry guns.

The political leadership must show sincere commitment in its mandate to protect its people. We cannot condemn Igboho while trying to fix what the government pretends not to see and when the government fails, the Sunday Igboho of today will rise. What I will like to say is that we should not throw away caution.

Another public affairs analyst, Kazeem Israel, said: the fact that Sunday Igboho issued an ultimatum shows that theres loss of trust and confidence in government.

The loss of trust and confidence in public institutions prompt the people to take matters of protection into their own hands which is actually not good for the continued existence of the country. It will also lead to a proliferation of self-protecting armed militia and cases of jungle justice in the country as was witnessed in the case of Sunday Igboho. In short, Igboho is a logical consequence of a failed State.

Pedro Omolola, a rights activist, also disclosed that if the government had acted earlier, there would not have been what we witnessed. It shows that the authorities need to work harder in restoring adequate security of lives and properties.

In his own view, Jide Ojo said Mr Igboho was a metaphor for Nigeria.

Sunday Igboho is a metaphor for Nigeria. When we have agencies who appear nonchalant, what will come next is for non state actors to take charge. It was because of this same crisis that led to the establishment of Amotekun but nothing seems to have been done and thats why Igboho is having heroic acceptance, he said.

The herders have been fingered repeatedly from the case of Chief Falae and others. There is no way to justify Sunday Igboho action but if the state has acted promptly, there wont be what we have. We just need to understand that Yoruba also have people in northern Nigeria. What happened is a challenge for the state actors to act correctly. When the state is abetting the lawlessness of some persons, you leave no choice to the people than to resort to self-help.

Security failure

Adesina Ogunlana, a human rights lawyer, said that humans have fundamental rights to protect themselves.

I dont have to wait for the police to resist an armed robber from robbing me. The situation of farm destruction and others is rampant. Now, the security forces appear weak and a man must protect his people from bandits occupying the highways and farms.

People came to seek help from a militia because self-help is not illegal when official help has failed. Sunday Igboho appears to be the alternative helping to protect their lives and properties. The guy has not even fired any shot. The man provided leadership and talent that Buhari and Makinde are not able to show.

Another lawyer, Dele Farotimi, said Mr Igboho is a fruit of Nigerias madness.

There would not have been a need for Sunday Igboho if the Nigerian state had done the needful. He is a reaction of the government failure. While one may not support him, we cannot rant against him because he is an indicator of government failure.

Meanwhile, Daniel Onwe, a Lagos -based lawyer, told PREMIUM TIMES that regardless of the circumstances that surround issues, Mr Igboho has no right to issue ultimatum let alone vacate people from their community.

He doesnt have that legal right to have done that. He isnt a police officer or attached to any government security agencies He doesnt have the power to even issue ultimatum that could disturb public peace.
VIRGINIA  A continued drop in the number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations is good news for Virginia, but experts with the University of Virginia Biocomplexity Institute worry that will change in the next month with numbers nearly doubling.

The cause for concern by researchers at the institute is the expected arrival of more contagious variants of the coronavirus in Virginia. The variant has been identified in 20 states, including Maryland and Pennsylvania, the institute's report released Friday said.

If the more contagious variant becomes dominant in Virginia, which the experts expect by March, the state could have a 10-week sustained peak of more than 65,000 new weekly COVID-19 cases from late February to late April, the latest institute model said.

By comparison, Virginia had about 50,000 new cases during the entire month of November. "These sustained high rates could place unprecedented pressure on Virginia's health resources," the U.VA experts wrote."Additionally, high case counts increase the risk that new, and perhaps more concerning, variants to emerge."

The Virginia Department of Health reported 4,904 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, a drop from 4,147 on Friday. The state's seven-day average of cases now stands at 5,609, down from Monday's peak of 6,166.

A total of 468,655 coronavirus cases have been reported in the state; 20,654 hospitalizations have been recorded as of Saturday. To date, a total of 6,079 deaths have been caused by COVID-19.

A surge in COVID-19 cases that strains Virginia hospitals is not inevitable, the institute said.

By decreasing spread now, Virginians can reduce the opportunity for variants to take hold in the state, lower the strain on the health-care system, and lower the risk of new variants emerging.

"Many Virginians heeded warnings over the holidays, and the post holiday surge has not been as bad as feared," the institute's report said."If we continue to do our part, we can give time for vaccinations, and lower transmission expected with warmer weather, to reduce the risks associated with (variants.) Do your part to stop the spread. Continue to follow prevention best practices and get vaccinated when eligible."

Story continues

Current COVID-19 hospitalizations are slightly down in recent days. As of Saturday, there are 2,927 patients, including 567 in the intensive care units and 320 on ventilators. There are 1,024 ventilators in use in hospitals across the state, which represents 35 percent of capacity.

Vaccinations expanded to a larger segment of the population two weeks ago. Residents should check to see when Phase 1b begins in their community on the VDH COVID-19 Vaccine webpage.



To date, 393,613 Virginians have received at least one vaccine dose and 50,147 people have been fully vaccinated, according to the Virginia Department of Health. To date, 1,010,150 total doses have been distributed in the state.

Death data is available as both the date of report and by date of death and are updated as amendments to the death records as they are received by VDH.

Below are the latest coronavirus data updates for our coverage area on Saturday:

Alexandria: 9,021 cases, 483 hospitalizations, 101 deaths; an increase of 34 cases, 29 hospitalizations, 10 deaths

Arlington County: 11,093 cases, 714 hospitalizations, 196 deaths; an increase of 1,096 cases, 43 hospitalizations, 11 deaths

Fairfax County: 56,139 cases, 3,190 hospitalizations, 753 deaths; an increase of 7,040 cases, 122 hospitalizations, 46 deaths

Fairfax City: 391 cases, 25 hospitalizations, 10 deaths; an increase of 64 cases, 2 hospitalizations

Falls Church: 258 cases, 18 hospitalizations, six deaths; an increase of 50 cases

Loudoun County: 18,151 cases, 723 hospitalizations, 171 deaths; an increase of 2,783 cases, 55 hospitalizations, 7 deaths

Manassas: 3,516 cases, 152 hospitalizations, 32 deaths; an increase of 411 cases, 4 hospitalizations, 3 deaths

Manassas Park: 1,056 cases, 66 hospitalizations, eight deaths; an increase of 70 cases, 1 hospitalization

Prince William County: 33,048 cases, 1,290 hospitalizations, 285 deaths; an increase of 4,777 cases, 34 hospitalizations, 21 deaths

Fredericksburg: 1,154 cases, 72 hospitalizations, 14 deaths; an increase of 231 cases, 5 hospitalizations, 3 deaths

Spotsylvania County: 6,551 cases, 235 hospitalizations, 78 deaths; an increase of 1,143 cases, 13 hospitalizations, 7 deaths

Stafford County: 7,169 cases, 262 hospitalizations, 42 deaths; an increase of 1,197 cases, 22 hospitalizations, 13 deaths

VDH estimates it will take weeks to months to vaccine Virginians in phase 1b, with an estimated 1.2 eligible Virginians. The federal government allocates around 110,000 doses of vaccine to Virginia each week. That supply could increase gradually over the next few months depending on manufacturer capabilities.

Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines require two doses; Pfizer's doses should be taken 21 days apart, and Moderna's doses should be 28 days apart.

This article originally appeared on the Fairfax City Patch

A Russian social media celebrity is being deported from Indonesia, officials said on Sunday, after he held a party at a luxury hotel on the resort island of Bali attended by more than 50 people despite coronavirus restrictions.

The party held on January 11 violated health protocols put in place to fight the spread of the virus, said Jamaruli Manihuruk, chief of the Bali regional office for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.

Sergei Kosenko, who has more than 4.9 million followers on his Instagram account, arrived in Indonesia in October on a tourist visa.

Immigration officials in Bali decided to examine Kosenko's activities after he posted to social media a video of him driving a motorcycle with a female passenger on the back off a pier into the sea in December.The stunt was condemned by many Indonesians as reckless and potentially hazardous to the environment.

Manihuruk said the immigration investigation found Kosenko took part in activities that violated his tourist visa, such as promoting companies and products.

After the announcement of his deportation, Kosenko told reporters at the immigration office in Bali that he was sorry.

"I love Bali. I'm sorry and I apologise," Kosenko said.

The deportation comes just days after Indonesia deported an American woman who had been living in Bali over her viral tweets that celebrated the island as a low-cost, "queer-friendly" place for foreigners to live.

Her posts were considered by officials to have "disseminated information disturbing to the public," which was the basis for her deportation.

Indonesia has temporarily restricted foreigners from coming to the country since January 1 to control the spread of COVID-19, and public activities have been restricted on Java and Bali islands.

Bali regional office for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights recorded 162 foreigners have been deported from Bali in 2020 and 2021.

Most of them are being deported for violating the visit visa.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
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Bogota / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : I was in the kitchen and I heard a crack sound and some movement... I saw moving some decorations that hang from a door... | 2 users found this interesting.

La Mesa Cundinamarca / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 15-20 s : Was sitting in my chair. Began as a light shaking and got worse before stopping. My chair moved a couple inches back and forth. Swinging items in the house. I am on the sixth floor. The top floor of the building. | 2 users found this interesting.

188.6 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : Simple shake but felt by shaking the sofas were we sat in apartment 14th floor. | 2 users found this interesting.

ib (153.6 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 20-30 s : was felt on the 2 floor my water bottle was moving lots i was able to see how long it lasted | 2 users found this interesting.

Jamundi / Weak shaking (MMI III) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 10-15 s : Was on the top the 11th floor felt the shaking while taking a nap. The picture on the wall was rattling | One user found this interesting.

Bogota / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I live on the 8th floor of a building and was worried I would have to run outside | 2 users found this interesting.

175.7 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) Leve | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III)

182.4 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s Very soft | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

193.6 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) Slight swinging of lights and some lateral movement | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Bogota / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / very short : I was inside my hotel room, on fourth floor of building | One user found this interesting.

Pereira / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short : Like riding a wave | One user found this interesting.

Bogota / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 15-20 s : Fear | One user found this interesting.

Bogota / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 15-20 s : I didnt felt it, but my mom did. It was very short and quiet. | One user found this interesting.

Bogota / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s : Vi como objetos colgantes y las puertas se mecian suavemente. | One user found this interesting.

Cali Colombia / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : Primero senti un mareo y luego la cama se movio | One user found this interesting.

Bogota / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s : Bogota, colombia | One user found this interesting.

Bucaramanga (475.5 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

193.3 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV)

193 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Bogota (179.9 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI)

1032.7 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

199.7 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

bogota (184 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

204.5 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

Medellin (358.5 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

181.8 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Palmira valle (174.9 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating

186.9 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

181.4 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

Pitalito (219 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s

189.4 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

215 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Bogota / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

Soacha / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : I was laying on my bed and rocked back and forth twice

Pereira / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Bogota / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Bogota / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Usaquen, Bogota / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Bogota / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Huila, Neiva / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Bogota / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Bogota / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Bogota / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Bogota / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

Bogota, Usaquen, Cedritos / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Ibague tolima / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vibration and rolling / very short

Bogota / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Bogota / Light shaking (MMI IV)

neiva / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Bogota / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / very short

Quindio / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Bogota D.C / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Bogota / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short

Ibague / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Bogota / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s
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In his last weeks in office, Donald Trump started to get desperate. As his efforts to overturn the election results with his baseless claims of voter fraud kept collapsing, he suddenly started pressuring the Justice Department to go straight to the Supreme Court to overturn the election results, reports the Wall Street Journal. But he was unable to get senior officials, including then-acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, former Attorney General William Barr and former acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall, to go along with his plan. Trumps attorneys outside government were trying to convince the then-president of the plan, but even his White House counsel, Pat Cipollone and his deputy, Patrick Philbin, objected to the idea.

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As Trump kept pushing the move, the senior Justice Department officials continued to insist that there was no basis to challenge the election results. And besides, they said, the federal government couldnt really make the argument considering it had no legal interest in who actually won the election. He wanted us, the United States, to sue one or more of the states directly in the Supreme Court, a former administration official said. The official said that the pressure got really intense after a lawsuit Texas filed in the Supreme Court against four states Biden won was dismissed in early December. An outside lawyer who was working for Trump even wrote a brief that the then-president wanted to be filed in the name of the Justice Department, but officials refused.

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It was after this plan failed that Trump really got fixated on replacing Rosen with an ally, Jeffrey Clark, the acting chief of the civil division. Several outlets had previously reported on the plan to dismiss Rosen and get Clark into the role of acting attorney general after he made it clear to the then-president that he would take a more hands-on approach in helping Trump with his election challenges. He ultimately backed down after senior Justice Department officials all said they would resign if Rosen was fired in the last weeks of Trumps presidency.

Earlier, the New York Times reported that Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Perry played a key role in this plan as he was the one who first presented Clark as a possible alternative to Rosen. Perry, a member of the Freedom Caucus, told Trump that Clark was an ally who agreed with the presidents claims of voter fraud and then later introduced the two men.
Ofoase Ayirebi's Member of Parliament, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has expressed his heartwarming appreciation to his constituency for their massive support before, during and after the December 7, 2020 polls.



The Information Minister-designate returned to his constituency over the week just to say thank you to his people for retaining him as their legislative representative in parliament.



This will be Oppong Nkrumahs second term as MP  and his hard work has compelled many to tag him as a darling boy within his constituency and across the country.



Again, he has been nominated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to continue with his ministerial role as Information Minister.



He, however, took to social media to express his gratitude to his constituency and pray with their help he will do more to develop his consistency.



From Parliament yesterday to Abenase, Anyinase and Adjobue to say thank you to my people. We have a lot more to do in the next 4 years. With their support we will succeed together, he posted

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/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.

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New Delhi:

Family members of the 1997 Uphaar cinema tragedy victims today met Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal. They requested him to recommend rejection of the plea filed by real estate baron Gopal Ansal for waiver of one-year jail term that was awarded to him in the case.



The Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT) handed over a representation to the L-G saying giving such mercy to 'rich and powerful' people would send a wrong message to other wrongdoers in society.



The association said that the Delhi government has already recommended rejection of the plea filed by Ansal.



"We at AVUT request you not to consider the mercy plea filed by Gopal Ansal. Using discretionary powers to provide mercy for the rich and powerful is sure to send a wrong signal to other wrongdoers who will doubtless be emboldened by any mercy shown to Gopal Ansal," AVUT, in its representation filed through its president Neelam Krishnamoorthy, said.



"We are relieved that Delhi government has recommended rejection of the mercy plea. We hope that you too will accept our request and recommend rejection of the same," it said.



AVUT has said that Gopal Ansal, through his counsel, has filed a plea before the president requesting clemency and waiver of the jail term awarded by the Supreme Court and it has been forwarded to the LG office by the home ministry for an opinion.



The Supreme Court had on February 9 directed Gopal Ansal to serve a year's jail term while his elder brother Sushil Ansal had got relief from incarceration with prison term already undergone by him in the two-decade-old case of Uphaar fire tragedy in which 59 people had died.



The apex court, in a majority 2:1 verdict, had asked 67-year-old Gopal Ansal to surrender within four weeks to serve the remaining jail term of one year punishment. He was in jail earlier for around four-and-a-half months.



The apex court had also upheld the fine of Rs 30 crore each imposed on both the convicts earlier and said it should be utilised for setting up a trauma centre.



The 59 people had died of asphyxia when a fire broke out during the screening of Bollywood movie 'Border' in Uphaar theatre in Green Park area of South Delhi on June 13, 1997.



Over 100 people were also injured in the subsequent stampede.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Bridgerton fans have spotted that despite first appearing 140 years later, the streets of Regency-era Bath are still paved with yellow lines.

Viewers of the racy series took to social media to joke that Brits living in the 19th Century must have been 'pioneers' as they had already invented road markings restricting where they could park their horse-drawn carriages.

It comes just days after Netflix announced Bridgerton has been renewed for a second season which will focus on Anthony's quest to find a wife after his turbulent love life was played out in the first series.

Can they park there? Bridgerton fans have spotted that despite first appearing 140 years later, the streets of Regency-era Bath are still paved with yellow lines

Fans first spotted the yellow lines in Bridgerton's opening scenes, which see carriages circling around Bath's famous Royal Crescent.

Taking to Twitter to poke fun at the gaffe, one fan posted: 'Really enjoying Bridgerton, but with the technology available to film makers these days, a yellow line?'

Another added: 'Two episodes into #Bridgerton and I've so far spotted a single yellow line and a telecoms manhole cover. I didn't realise the 19th Century Brits were such pioneers...'

Praised: The Netflix drama has seen huge viewing figures since it debuted on Christmas Day, and has already been renewed for a second season

A third tweeted: 'Thats nothing. You will also spot a Primark poster, a single yellow line parking restriction and a parking sign on a lamppost.

'Down pipes on the front of buildings which would not have been there and a modern day doorbell. Still a great one to watch though. #bridgerton.'

One also wrote: 'After you mentioned Bridgerton the other week I finally had a watch.

'Very enjoyable, especially recognising Wilton House. It was interesting to see that Bath Crescent had yellow line parking restriction even then.'

Cheeky: Fans poked fun at the gaffe on social media, and joked that Brits living in the 19th Century must have been 'pioneers' for inventing the road markings

In the UK the first ever road markings were white and appeared in 1918, and yellow lines didn't follow until the 1950s, limiting where cars were allowed to wait or unload items.

Bridgerton follows the self-titled family and how their lives are turned upside-down by the revelations of the illusive and anonymous Lady Thistledown in London.

Since the show debuted on Christmas Day it's remained in the top spot on Netflix's most-watched list ever since, proving to be a mammoth success.

How unusual! Fans first spotted the yellow lines in Bridgerton's opening scenes, which see carriages circling around Bath's famous Royal Crescent

History: Yellow lines didn't appear on UK roads until the 1950s, limiting where cars were allowed to wait or unload items (King's Road in London is pictured in 1959)

The steamy period drama is set to rack up more than 63 million views by the end of January and has already earned the title of the fifth largest original series to launch on the streaming giant.

On Friday Netflix also announced the show had been renewed for a second series, tweeting: 'The ton are abuzz with the latest gossip, and so it is my honour to impart to you: Bridgerton shall officially return for a second season.

'I do hope you have stored a bottle of ratafia for this most delightful occasion. This author has been reliably informed that Lord Anthony Bridgerton intends to dominate the social season.

'I will have my pen to report on any and all of his romantic activities.'
It was a black Saturday in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State following the death of students and residents...





It was a black Saturday in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State following the death of students and residents of the community who were killed by an articulated truck.

The cement-laden truck belonging to Dangote Group was said to have lost control before ramming into some open shops opposite Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, AAUA.





The truck was said to have suffered brake failure while descending from the Ikare-Akoko end of the road.

As at the time of filing this report, about six bodies among whom were students had been pulled from the accident scene while more bodies were still being searched for.





The students who were preparing for their first-semester examination had just resumed after months of break occasioned by the ASUU strike and COVID-19 pandemic.





According to a student of the institution, Miss Bolatito Arogundo, when the truck lost control, it crushed those by the roadside before ramming into the shops.





Confirming the incident, the Police Spokesperson in the state, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro said that eight bodies had been recovered so far with many injured.

The PPRO also disclosed that the truck was coming from Obajana in Kogi State and heading to Akure, Ondo State capital.





According to Ikoro, more bodies were still being searched for.

Within the last few months, fatal accidents were recorded in the community with many lives lost.




(Natural News) A political scientist based in Massachusetts has been accused by federal authorities of secretly working for the government of Iran while working as a lobbyist, professor and author.

Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi, 63, an Iranian citizen and legal permanent resident of the United States, was arrested by the FBI at his home in Watertown, Massachusetts, on Monday, Jan. 18. A federal court in New York City is charging him with acting and conspiring to act as an unregistered agent of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

According to federal authorities, Afrasiabi is on the payroll of Iranian diplomats who are assigned to the Iranian permanent mission to the United Nations in New York City since at least 2007. Investigations revealed that he may have been paid as much as $265,000 in checks drawn from the permanent mission. Iran is also covering his health insurance through the permanent missions employee health benefit plans since at least 2011.

At the same time that he was being paid by the Iranian government, he was lobbying U.S. officials to advocate for policies favorable to the agenda of Iran, he has made TV appearances, written articles and published books, all for the purpose of advancing viewpoints sympathetic to Iran.

Federal investigators are also alleging that Afrasiabi acted as a counsel for Iranian diplomats, who would regularly seek his advice regarding U.S. foreign policy.

At one point, in 2009, Afrasiabi helped an unnamed congressman draft a letter to then-President Barack Obama regarding the ongoing nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. He never disclosed to the congressman that he was working for the Iranian government.

After the January 2020 airstrike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, commander of the elite Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Afrasiabi advised the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding its actions moving forward.

According to the investigation, Afrasiabi informed the permanent mission in New York that Iran should end all inspections of Irans nuclear power plants and nuclear research facilities and end the release of information regarding the countrys nuclear activities pending a statement condemning Americas supposed crime coming from the United Nations Security Council. The regular inspections and releases of information are all mandated by the countrys nuclear deal

If Iran did this, Afrasiabi said that it will strike fear in the heart of the enemy, and weaken Trump and strengthen his opponents. (Related: BACK TO THE TABLE: Iran expects US return to Obama nuclear deal under Biden.)

Afrasiabi has long known that Foreign Agents Registration Act [FARA] requires agents of foreign principals to register with the U.S. Department of Justice and has discussed information obtained from FARA disclosures with others, read the Justice Departments press release regarding his arrest. Nevertheless, Afrasiabi did not register as an agent of the Government of Iran.

The arrest was announced by a multitude of federal officials, including William F. Sweeney, the FBIs Assistant Director in Charge, who released this statement: Anyone working to advance the agenda of a foreign government within the United States is required by law to register as an agent of that country. Mr Afrasiabi never disclosed to a congressman, journalists or others who hold roles of influence in our country that he was being paid by the Iranian government to paint an untruthfully positive picture of the nation. Our laws are designed to create transparency in foreign relations, and they are not arbitrary or malleable. As todays action demonstrates, we will fully enforce them to protect our national security.

Iran accuses the United States of taking hostages

On Wednesday, Jan. 20, the government of Iran responded to the arrest of Afrasiabi by accusing the U.S. of taking hostages. This is according to a report released by the state-owned ISNA news agency.

Americas action is a clear hostage-taking of Iranian nationals, said Saeed Khatibzadeh, a spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry. Americans have sadly become addicted to such actions and take hostages for any excuse.

Khatibzadeh called Afrasiabi a well-known university lecturer and called the federal governments charges against him baseless.

Afrasiabis website lists him as a former professor at Boston University as well as a visiting scholar at Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley.

In his statement, Khatibzadeh appealed directly to President Joe Biden. The spokesman believes that this new Democrat-led administration would want to distance itself from the hostage-taking approach to foreign policy supposedly employed by former President Donald Trumps Republican White House.

If convicted, Afrasiabi faces up to 10 years in prison. His arrest comes just days after Iranian authorities convicted Iranian-American businessman Emad Sharqi on espionage charges, which the U.S. has dismissed as baseless. Khatibzadehs hostage-taking comments are implying that the U.S. is retaliating against Iran.

The U.S. has not had formal diplomatic relations with Iran since 1980. However, the two governments have been able to engage in several prisoner exchanges.

There are many spies in the United States working for belligerent nations such as Iran. Learn more about them, and other threats to the countrys national security by reading the latest articles at NationalSecurity.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

APNews.com

Justice.gov

TimesOfIsrael.com
When prophecy fails, the prophets get creative. That was the lesson of Leon Festinger and his colleagues who, in their 1956 study of an American UFO cult, coined the term "cognitive dissonance" to describe how the cultists frantically rewrote their own beliefs after their predicted apocalypse failed to appear.

The inauguration of US President Joe Biden has set off a similar scramble for meaning. The Stop the Steal protesters behind the violence at the Capitol were certain that they would expose a massive election fraud and keep Trump in power. Many were adherents of the cult-like QAnon movement - which mixes evangelical Christianity with baroque conspiracy theories - who believed right up until last Wednesday that the "Satanist" Democrats were about to be liquidated in a military coup. Instead, like Lucifer and his angels in Paradise Lost, these extremist groups now find themselves cast out into a political netherworld: condemned by legislators, harried by law enforcement and exiled from mainstream social media.

On Friday, Biden ordered a probe into domestic terrorism, while the FBI has arrested more than 100 people and may charge some with sedition.

Yet as movement leaders scramble to explain their prophecy's failure, the future of American politics - and particularly the Republican Party, which has often embraced their ideas - may be shaped by what their followers do next.

"I think QAnon as a vessel will be significantly damaged by the anticlimax," says Liam Donovan, a Republican strategist and former Senate fundraiser. "But the isolation, frustration, and desperation it tapped into will find somewhere else to go."

On fringe social networks such as Telegram and Gab, pro-Trump extremists are sharply divided.

A flurry of new theories are competing to show how this month's events are all part of the plan, while some people struggle with doubts. "I want to believe you, but what we are seeing can't be fake," said one message seen by reporters.

Mike Rains, who helps run a support group for people whose loved ones have been sucked into QAnon, says many of its "rank and file" believers are furious at its "promoters".

"It will be harder to recruit, but the people in the movement now will be more extreme," says Rains.

The chaos is already being exploited by neo-Nazis and white supremacists, among whom Gab and Telegram are widely used. Monitoring the internet, it is not difficult to find many attempts at channelling despair into recruitment - with certain users pointedly blaming Israel or Jews and posting links to archives of racist texts. Not everyone is receptive: one Telegram group leader complained of newcomers spreading vicious anti-Semitism. Some were kicked out, with the leader saying, "this is not the Nazi group".

The bigger issue is what will happen to Trump's base, and to the Republicans. Those groups are hard to disentangle from QAnon and Stop the Steal because of how thoroughly Trump and leading members of the party have adopted their platforms.

"A Venn diagram of those three circles shows that the overlap is growing," says Doug Heye, a former communications director of the Republican National Committee. He recalls how conspiracy theories about Barack Obama's birth certificate began to spread through the party's voters in 2009 and 2010, and later served as a springboard for Trump's candidacy.

Donovan describes the former president as a man who "marinated in, ingratiated himself with" the Republican "fever swamp" - an "authentically conspiracy-minded" president who stoked these latent currents until they became inescapable. His prize was a fervent, energised and volatile support base - including first-time voters and former Democrats - which many Republicans still fear to cross.

Even after the Capitol riots, 140 Republicans in the House of Representatives voted not to certify Biden's victory, while 197 opposed Trump's impeachment. The House Republican leader reversed his claim that Trump was responsible for the violence. Loyalist RNC chairman Ronna McDaniel was re-elected. Two newly elected House members have declared support for QAnon.

Donovan argues that while QAnon and Stop the Steal's specific ideas may not last, they have revealed a deeper feeling that future politicians will seek to harness. "The energy within the party in recent years, and the impulse that propelled Trump himself, is anti-elite, anti-establishment, populist and grievance-minded. I don't expect that to change, and if anything it will become more powerful."

Much depends on Trump himself, whose social media posts delivered regular shots of adrenaline to extremists. Without that, insiders say the temperature in the party has already gone down. Yet the former president still commands enormous influence, and if he can find a new megaphone - or launch a party of his own - Republicans may be forced to dance to his tune again.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
Overlooking Ngoc Khanh Lake in Hanois Ba Dinh District, Oc Thi No restaurant has a pleasant view that helps diners feel relaxed as they enjoy a variety of dishes of freshwater snails.

The restaurant is not at all posh, bearing a modest tone with wooden furniture and murals of Hanoi. Its a great place to enjoy a gentle breeze from Ngoc Khanh Lake, though, especially if you reserve a table on the balcony or the terrace.

It offers almost every single snail dish you can think of. Foreigners will find it easy to order from the menu as each dish comes with a photo. They can be divided into three types: fried, steamed/boiled, and hotpot.

As usual, to start off I ordered nem oc (snail spring rolls), cha oc (snail nuggets), and ha cao oc (snail dumplings) -- all fried dishes. Each has a separate dipping sauce that gives the taste a boost.

At first glance, the snail spring rolls look like the traditional spring rolls you see at feasts in Vietnamese homes. The difference here is that the filling has snail and piper lolot leaves, which are not found in regular spring rolls. All ingredients are mixed together and wrapped in rice paper, and then deep-fried until they turn yellow and crispy.

Be sure not to miss the chance to enjoy a range of steamed dishes. Snails are steamed with lemongrass, fermented rice, and ginger, while snail balls are steamed in bamboo tubes. Each has its own taste and decoration. My favourite is oc hap me(snail steamed with fermented rice). Me is a popular ingredient in traditional Vietnamese cuisine, used to create a sour touch. This dish strikes a balance between sour, hot, spicy, and sweet.

The restaurant doesnt just serve snail dishes originating from the north. Gourmands can try dishes like snails stir-fried with coconut flakes, from the south, or snails stir-fried with laksa leaves, from the central region. Dishes like snail in shacha sauce and snail salad bear the culinary features of China and Thailand, respectively.

You should always try the most popular snail dish when in Hanoi: snail noodle soup. Its one of the most common breakfast options among Hanoians, alongside pho (beef noodles) and bun rieu (crab noodle soup).

The snail noodle soup served at Oc Thi No is quite close to the traditional Hanoi version. People nowadays often add too much protein to the dish, such as pork, beef and even duck embryo. But there is no meatification going on at Oc Thi No restaurant, as the chef is keen to preserve the traditional taste of the dish. I enjoyed the perfect taste of crunchy, fatty snails and the sourness of the rice wine residue. The bowl was also eye-catching, in the colours of tomatoes and spring onions.

If you go in a large group of four or more, be sure to try the hotpot, which combines round stone snails, grilled tofu and green banana. You can treasure both the dish and the time sitting around the boiling pot with friends.

Ive lost count of how many times Ive been to Oc Thi No restaurant. Throughout all those visits Ive tried each and every dish on the menu and always leave feeling satisfied.

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Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - Clashes erupted between protesters and security forces on Saturday during a demonstration by hundreds of young people on Avenue Bourguiba to demand the release of some 1,000 people arrested during a social unrest that rocked the country in recent days to denounce "police repression"
A 14-year-old Indian student in Dubai has made a special portrait of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a gift for the Republic Day. The six-layered stencil portrait made by Saran Sasikumar from Kerala was handed over to Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan on the concluding day of his three-day visit to the UAE on Thursday.

"Happy to meet in #Dubai the talented young artist Saran Sasi Kumar from Kerala, now a resident in #UAE. He presented this beautiful portrait, a 6 layered stencil painting, to our PM @narendramodi ji as a Republic Day gift. Truly inspiring! My best wishes to him," Muraleedharan tweeted on Friday, sharing a photograph of him accepting the portrait from the boy and his parents.

Happy to meet in #Dubai the talented young artist Saran Sasi Kumar from Kerala, now a resident in #UAE. He presented this beautiful portrait, a 6 layered stencil painting, to our PM @narendramodi ji as a Republic Day gift. Truly inspiring! My best wishes to him. @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/iq766O4vCD V. Muraleedharan (@MOS_MEA) January 22, 2021

In the portrait, Prime Minister Modi is seen saluting, wearing a wide-brimmed cavalry hat with the logo of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

According to a Gulf News report, the portrait measures 90 cm by 60 cm.

It took around six hours to draw the picture with layers of six colour shades, said Saran, who has drawn 92 portraits including those of top UAE leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is not the first Modi picture that Saran has drawn.

The grade nine student of Dubai-based New Indian Model School had also made a five-layered stencil portrait of Modi which measured 1.5m by 1m in October last year. He has bagged a grandmaster certification from Asia Book of Records and another certificate from India Book of Records for that stencil art portrait, the report said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  Faberco Life Sciences, Inc., the distributor of the Covovax vaccine in the country, and Unilab, Inc. signed an agreement to make the said COVID-19 vaccine available to workers of the private sector.

In a statement, Unilab said this will also be subject to the approval of the National Task Force Against COVID-19, the Department of Health, and the Food and Drug Administrations decision on its application for emergency use authorization.

The regulator has so far issued EUA to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, while applications of AstraZeneca, Sinovac, and Gamaleya are pending.

Under the agreement, Faberco appointed Unilab as its authorized partner for the private sector distribution of the Covovax vaccine, which was developed by US drugmaker Novavax.

We are prepared to help the Philippine government in protecting the people by enabling more access to COVID-19 vaccines through the private sector, Faberco founder Kishore Hemlani said.

Atty. Jose Maria Ochave, senior vice president for Social Partnerships of Unilab, said the vaccines will be made available especially to essential industries at no cost to their employees. Depending on the companys financial capability, families of their employees and their selected communities may also be given access to the vaccine.

Further, the distribution and administration of the vaccine will be strictly subject to the guidelines set forth by the Department of Health, including those pertaining to pharmacovigilance, he added.

Faberco is also the partner of Serum Institute of India in the Philippines. They recently signed a term sheet with the Philippine government for 30 million doses of Covovax.

The government targets to procure 148 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to inoculate up to 70 million Filipinos this year.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 18:21:09|Editor: huaxia

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PHNOM PENH, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Sunday reported two new imported COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections in the kingdom to 458, said a Ministry of Health (MoH) statement.

The new cases were found on a 57-year-old Cambodian woman returning from the United States two weeks ago and a 26-year-old Cambodian man coming back from neighboring Thailand nine days ago, the statement said.

Both were positive for the virus in their second tests and are currently undergoing treatment at designated COVID-19 hospitals, MoH's secretary of state and spokeswoman Or Vandine said in the statement.

The Southeast Asian nation has so far registered a total of 458 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with zero deaths and 405 recoveries, she said. Enditem
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Eze Benard Enweremadu, the Traditional Head of Ngwaland (Ezeukwu of Ngwaukwu) in Abia, is dead, his family announced on Saturday.

The heir apparent, Christopher Enweremadu, announced the death of the first-class traditional ruler in a statement issued at the deceaseds country home in Ahiaba Ngwaukwu Autonomous Community in Isialangwa North Local Government Area.

Christopher, a former Speaker, Abia House of Assembly, stated that Mr Enweremadu died on January 17 at the age of 77.

The royal father, who mounted the traditional stool of Ezeukwu of Ukwu at age 33, marked his 44th anniversary on the throne on October 23, 2020.

He was crowned on October 23, 1976, to become the 13th traditional head of Ngwaland.

He was the deputy chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers in the old Imo and later became the Chairman of Abia Council of Traditional Rulers.

(NAN)
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Police in India's capital New Delhi will allow thousands of protesting farmers to drive through the city after this week's Republic Day military parade, despite security concerns, a senior official said on Sunday.

The police statement comes after India's Supreme Court on Wednesday declined a government petition to ban the rally.

Farmers have been camping on the outskirts of national capital for around two months in protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's controversial farm laws which they say will hurt their livelihoods and help big companies.

To up the ante, farmers wanted to drive tractors to the centre of New Delhi on Jan. 26, the Republic Day national holiday when Modi will join a parade of military forces in the capital.

Senior police officer Dependra Pathak said the city police would allow at least 12,000 tractors on Delhi's roads to move over a 100 km (62.14 mile) stretch away from the centre on Jan. 26 after the parade.

"This will be a very challenging task but we decided upon it so that there is a peaceful and disciplined solution," he told a news conference.

Security arrangements were being made to allow tractors through certain designated entry and exit points on the day, Pathak said, adding that intelligence inputs indicate some people may try to disrupt a peaceful rally by the farmers.

The government - which says the agriculture reforms will boost farmer incomes - has agreed to suspend the laws, but the farmers have said New Delhi must repeal them.

Talks between farmers and Modi's government have so far failed to break the deadlock - landing Modi with one of his most significant challenges since he was re-elected in 2019.

(Reporting by Neha Arora; editing by Aditya Kalra and Philippa Fletcher)
The Tanaiste, Leo Varadkar, has backed the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Hazel Chu after the most recent incident where she was confronted by protesters outside the Mansion House.

Mr Varadkar tweeted this afternoon evening: "I want to pay tribute to @hazechu for standing up to racism.

"Public figures & their families are sometimes subjected to abuse & bullying from opponents but worst is reserved for those from minority backgrounds. Sometimes overt.

"Usually covert. Too often ignored. Always wrong.

Yesterday, the Lord Mayor revealed how she now looks out the window every day to check if it is safe to leave her home with her three-year-old daughter.

It followed an incident when the Lord Mayor was confronted outside her home in the Mansion House by people holding placards and posters.

Expand Close Lord Mayor Hazel Chu / Facebook

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"I didn't think my life was in danger but it was deeply uncomfortable," Ms Chu said.

"They've been calling for my resignation since I spoke about the shooting of George Nkencho. A woman stopped me and stuck her hand out, touching my body, and said: 'pleased to meet you'.

"I said I couldn't shake her hand because of Covid, and then I realised someone was filming me.

"I kept thinking, 'just get back to the door', when two of her mates surrounded me on either side and started questioning why I was wearing a mask.

"I edged towards the door and when I got there one shouted: 'Hazel Chu, you're going to turn into a shapeshifting dragon someday and we're going to catch it on camera'. It was bizarre.

"The guards arrived and there were more people, around 30, and a lot of shouts and screaming."

Speaking on RTE's Today with Claire Byrne, Ms Chu said it was scenes like this that prompted her to check outside the window every day to check if it is safe to leave her home with her three-year-old daughter.

"If I am taking Alex to creche I do double check. Mainly because I worry. I feel a little embarrassed saying that, because it shouldn't be like that."

She revealed how the little girl has previously been called a "mongrel", but said she was "too young to understand".

"Now that she's a little older, I'm hoping there won't be any more issues directed at her, but there have been there been some online comments...[that] she should be deported back to China and aborted there".

"This is why it's really important that people actually do call it out and try to address these issues now because I don't want my three-year-old to grow up to realise we're back in the exact same place as we were 20 years ago, she added.

She said she recognised some of those gathered outside her home yesterday as they had provided very direct, more racist abuse at me, on other occasions.

"You do have to have a reason why you're there protesting. It can't be just because that they don't like the look of me because I can't change that.

"The home versus office thing is a hard one for me, because my child lives with me.

"As a mother, I like all mothers, fear what will happen for their children. What irks me is, if you're going to come at me, make sure that you have a reason, apart from the colour of my skin.

"When you take possession of the public place yourself, anyone, you will get harassment or abuse that comes with the territory."

A female member of the protestors was arrested and later fined for breaching public health laws.

Yesterday, Social Democrats councillors on Dublin City Council added their names to a cross-party statement of solidarity with the Lord Mayor.

Cllr Mary Callaghan, Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, stated: I would like to offer Lord Mayor Hazel Chu my strong and sincere support as she continues to face unacceptable racism and intimidation, not just online, but now outside her home.

"She is highly respected by Social Democrats city councillors and does great work for the people of Dublin, both in public and behind the scenes.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Cloudy with showers. Thunder possible. High 53F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low 44F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Brood X is here

Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield.
While Manitobans in the southern part of the province were free to pursue retail stores deals, Sunday's latest coronavirus figures were a reminder that the challenges of COVID-19 remain particularly acute in northern Manitoba.

While Manitobans in the southern part of the province were free to pursue retail stores deals, Sunday's latest coronavirus figures were a reminder that the challenges of COVID-19 remain particularly acute in northern Manitoba.

Another 222 cases of the virus were reported by public health officials on Sunday. More than half of the new cases were once again in the hard-hit Northern health region, where 116 new cases were identified. In Winnipeg, 61 cases were reported, followed by 22 cases in Prairie Mountain Health, 20 cases in Interlake-Eastern and three cases in Southern Health.

The continued high numbers in the north have brought calls for increased vigilance.

Earlier this week, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee said access to rapid testing needs to be readily available in all local First Nations, including the 26 northern communities represented by MKO.

The rising figures in the north comes as the province relaxes restrictions elsewhere. Pandemic restrictions were loosened in southern Manitoba as of Saturday, but three more deaths highlighted the fact the virus is still having a deadly effect where case counts have dropped as well.

A man in his 80s connected to an outbreak at the McCreary/Alonsa Health Centre in the Prairie Mountain Health region, along with two women in their 90s from the Winnipeg region, were reported dead on Sunday. Both women were also linked to personal care home outbreaks  one at Holy Family Personal Care Home and the other at Concordia Place.

The total of 799 Manitobans have died from COVID-19. The province said in its Sunday release that one death, previously reported as COVID-19-related case, had been removed from its totals.

The five-day test positivity rate is 10.6 per cent provincially and 6.4 per cent in Winnipeg.

Currently, there are 3,521 active cases of the virus. There are 278 people who remain hospitalized  including 42 patients in intensive care.

Laboratory testing numbers show 1,956 tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 465,040.



Brood X is here

Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/24/2021



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[ Spoilers Warning: This report features spoilers that reveal if Jovi and Yara are still together and whether the couple had a baby.]

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So did Jovi and Yara get married and are they still together, or has the couple broken up?

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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

star Yara Zaya was just shown discovering she may be pregnant on Season 8 of the series while Jovi Dufren was away working, so what do spoilers reveal about if Jovi and Yara are still together now and if they had a baby?Jovi, a 29-year-old who works in underwater robotics from New Orleans, LA, met Yara, a 25-year-old makeup artist from Kiev, Ukraine, through a travel app.Jovi said he thought Yara was very beautiful and they're both family-oriented and seemed to like a lot of the same things -- such as beaches, scubadiving and traveling.Jovi decided to meet Yara in-person during a work trip to Budapest. He said he had no expectations when they first met and, despite an awkward introduction, "really good sex" led to more hangout sessions.During the first few months of their relationship, Jovi and Yara took vacations together all over the world, including a stop in Bali. Jovi also visited his girl in the Ukraine multiple times.Jovi revealed he got Yara pregnant six months into their relationship and that was a huge shock to him."I was dumbfounded, it was so unexpected. This is not what I'm ready for. I thought she was trying to trap me. I thought, 'This is her ticket to America,'" Jovi admitted. "But after the shock wore off, it actually pulled us pretty closer together."At that point, Jovi said he loved Yara, and so he decided to propose marriage to her during a trip to Cuba.Afterward, Jovi applied for a K-1 visa so he could marry Yara and they could become a family, but then the couple received bad news that Yara had suffered a miscarriage.Jovi therefore came down with a case of cold feet because he realized there was no longer a rush to get married and settle down.But after more time passed, Jovi determined Yara was the person he wanted to be with and he felt good about having her in his life. And Yara was prepared to move to Louisiana in just a few days after her K-1 visa was approved.Jovi's friends and family didn't think he was ready to settle down since the free spirit was used to a partying lifestyle, and Jovi's mother Gwen warned her son that many Ukrainian women want to get to the United States and receive green cards.However, Jovi decided to change his ways for Yara and put his trust in her.Jovi only had two weeks to spend with Yara before he had to take off and work on a boat for a month."If Yara and I don't work out, I'll be devastated," Jovi said, before the couple reunited at the airport.Once Yara arrived to America, she disappointed Jovi by wanting to sleep her first night in New Orleans instead of partying with his friends. Jovi began thinking that he and Yara were on different pages."We have a lot to think about before we get married," Jovi said.During Yara's first full day in New Orleans, Jovi then gave Yara a tour of the city, including Bourbon Street, which Yara considered chaotic and crazy.Yara seemed overwhelmed by her environment and admitted she thought America was going to be "sweet dreams" but Ukraine was better -- although "more poor."Jovi then introduced Yara to his mother, but Yara was uncomfortable about spending the night at Gwen's place, which was upsetting to Gwen.Jovi said he needed the women to get along in order to have a happy future, but Gwen was once again disappointed upon hearing about the couple's Las Vegas wedding plans.Gwen wanted to be able to attend the wedding, along with Jovi's grandparents, but Yara insisted she wanted his big day to be an intimate affair.Gwen suggested that Yara was being a bit selfish, but Yara said she wasn't going to let Gwen control her."I will not get married in a trailer park," Yara said.Yara and Jovi later argued while picking out furniture for their apartment together. Yara accused Jovi of being "rude" and "mean" to her, and Jovi realized he needed to compromise more since Yara had sacrificed her whole life in the Ukraine to be with him.Yara admitted she thought New Orleans was "a nasty village," and she said she just didn't like the city. Yara wished she and Jovi could move somewhere else, like Los Angeles, so she told Jovi to make her happy by relocating, but Jovi pictured raising a family in New Orleans.Before Jovi left for work, the couple then discussed children while dining out, and Yara said she hated the idea of being left alone with the kids while Jovi worked a full month at a time away from home.Yara said she'd need help with their kids, but Jovi said his mother did a great job of raising him while his father was gone doing similar work.Jovi said he loved his upbringing and also thought it would be great to spend four weeks of interrupted time with his children once he returned home from work.Yara broke down into tears and recalled how Jovi had left her alone when she had an operation while pregnant with Jovi's child and so she no longer trusted him.Yara complained about Jovi leaving her when she had a miscarriage, adding that she might never be able to trust him again and would never want to be left alone with children again.Jovi recalled the turn of events differently and insisted he never meant to ditch Yara during her time of need. Jovi also said he never realized Yara was so resentful about him leaving her alone in Albania while she was pregnant with their child and lost the baby.Jovi said he didn't know at the time Yara would have follow-up doctor appointments and the procedure Yara had mentioned.Once Jovi left for work, Yara was a little scared, sad and homesick, and as some time passed, she found herself incredibly bored and lonely. Yara also complained about how people in the city got drunk really early in the day, which drove her crazy.Yara decided to meet up with Jovi's friend Sara at a nail salon, and Yara revealed she had no plans to have a baby in the near future and she'd like to open her own business, maybe a salon working as a makeup artist.Sara then appeared to spend most of the outing as an opportunity to bash Jovi.Sara warned Yara that Jovi used to be a regular at one of the local stripclubs, and Sara added, "He would sleep with them.""That's a part of Jovi he don't tell me about," Yara replied. "I heard some things about his ex because everybody tell me that she was so bad."Sara also revealed Jovi's ex got so drunk one night that she had pissed herself in bed in the middle of the night. Yara laughed and said that girl sounded "nasty," but Sara pointed out that's who Jovi was before he got involved with Yara.Yara told the cameras that she had gotten to know a totally different side of Jovi and if he partied hard all the time, she wouldn't want to be with him. Click here to read Jovi's denial about having slept with strippers, and click here to see his reaction to Sarah throwing him under the bus to Yara.Yara then went out for brunch with Gwen, who learned Yara had been engaged once before."It makes me curious as to what happened and why it ended. Without really knowing Yara, I know that Ukrainian women just want to get to America. We'll have to talk about that a little bit," Gwen told the cameras.Yara later found herself feeling nauseous and sick, so her friend questioned via FaceTime if Yara could be pregnant.Yara said she wasn't ready to have a child and hadn't been throwing up. She also hadn't been in the United States for a full month yet, and she said she and Jovi had been "careful.""I cannot even [think] about having a baby right now. I am not ready yet. I don't even know if I want to get married and live here," Yara complained.Yara complains in a trailer teasing what's to come on 's eighth season that Jovi is an alcoholic and party animal."He needs to understand I [gave] up everything I have to be here," Yara says in a confessional.Yara later says she "deserves somebody better" after Jovi is shown joking with a friend how he wasn't married yet."I'm going to walk away," Jovi threatens his fiancee."You f-cking walk away," Yara dares him with tears in her eyes. "I'm just done with you."It appears Jovi and Yara got married within the 90-day period that Yara's K-1 visa allowed and they are still together.According to In Touch Weekly, Yara and Jovi got married in a wedding ceremony in Las Vegas, NV, in February 2020.And in even bigger news, Jovi and Yara reportedly welcomed their first child together last year!Yara gave birth to a baby only a few months before Season 8 of premiered on TLC in December 2020, In Touch reported.It appears Yara delivered the couple's child in September 2020.Pregnancy rumors have been floating around ever since Yara posted a December 31 Instagram photo that appeared to show two unique ornaments on a Christmas tree she was posing next to. (Eagle-eyed fans also pointed out the tree looked like it was in Jovi's New Orleans apartment).One of the ornaments was a baby and the other was a pink heart with the word "mom" written on it.Yara also reportedly created an Amazon baby registry last year under the name "Yara Dufren," which would seem to not only provide evidence that she was expecting a child, but also that the couple got married during her K-1 visa trip to the United States.The baby registry was posted on January 4, 2020, according to In Touch, and the items Yara listed were for a baby girl due in September 2020.The registry has since been removed from Amazon.There is also evidence on social media the couple's relationship is in good standing. For example, Jovi's Instagram profile picture features Yara.And on Yara's Instagram, her description says, "38 country, traveling with my [love]." Jovi has a similar description on his own Instagram page, saying he's been to 57 countries and is "on an adventure to see the world!"In mid-December 2020, Yara posted a picture of herself touching her hair, and an Instagram user noticed an engagement ring and wedding ring on Yara's left hand.But when a fan commented, "Ooooooooo a wedding ring," Yara commented, "Not wedding, this is an ordinary ring, I wear it so that the engagement ring does not get lost, because it is big for me."The fan wrote back that Jovi needs to size the ring for Yara, and she replied, "Hahahahah, i was thinking about that, but I newer have time."And when one fan wrote on Yara's Instagram last year, "I can't wait to see more of you and jovi you two are so cute together," Yara replied, "Thank you."In early December, Yara posted a photo of herself filming behind-the-scenes and wrote alongside it, "I want Jovi to look at me with the same loving eyes as this woman looks at me in the first photo."Yara also uploaded a photo of herself drinking wine with a cityscape in the background, and Jovi commented on the picture, "Dayummmm. Are you single??"Jovi's flirtatious remark would seem to suggest they're still together.The pair were definitely still together in early May 2020, when Yara captioned a selfie of the couple with three red heart emojis.One follower gushed "gorgeous couple," and then Yara responded, "Thanks."Yara also posted a throwback photo of Jovi proposing marriage down on one knee. She wrote "memories" alongside the photo with a red heart emoji.And in February 2020, Yara uploaded a few photos of herself in an ivory suite and pink shirt, and Jovi commented, "Like."Going back to late December 2019, Jovi posted a photo with Yara in which they were sitting in front of a fireplace at Christmas time.Yara commented, "I look ugly here."One month earlier, Yara posted photos with Jovi posing on a rooftop and captioned them, "Best [man] in the world, love you so much."Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
A woman who wishes only to be known by Adele pictured at Palace Demesne in Co Armagh after telling the story of her experience at the Marianvale mother and baby home in Newry to PA Media. (Niall Carson/PA)

A survivor of a home for unmarried mothers and babies in Northern Ireland has called for the doors of secrecy around the institutions to be flung open.

Earlier this month Irelands premier Micheal Martin issued an apology to women incarcerated in mother and baby homes and Magdalene Laundries, saying they had been failed by the state.

The Stormont Executive is expected to receive a report around institutions run north of the border this week.

Ministers will then decide whether to call a public inquiry.

I can still smell the polish in that room when I was brought in that first day, this person on the other side of the desk treating me like a criminal Adele

Adele, 69, who was sent to the Marianvale home in Newry as a teenager after becoming pregnant, told the PA news agency that it was the time for light to finally be shone on what happened to thousands of women in Northern Ireland.

She described how the nuns created a culture of shame and secrecy which had led to many women feeling unable to speak about what they experienced.

Adele was herself born to a woman sent to a mother and baby home in Belfast and later adopted, before being sent to one herself.

She described being taken by the parish priest to Marianvale where her name was taken away and despite being pregnant forced to scrub floors on her hands and knees to atone for her sins.

Expand Close The Marianvale mother and baby home in Newry. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday January 23, 2021. See PA story ULSTER Motherbaby . Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp The Marianvale mother and baby home in Newry. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday January 23, 2021. See PA story ULSTER Motherbaby . Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

What women and girls were put through in those times was horrific, just because you didnt obey their moral code, she told the PA news agency.

It was the whole ethos of the place (that) was absolutely diabolical. I can still smell the polish in that room when I was brought in that first day, this person on the other side of the desk treating me like a criminal.

As a young girl you werent given any options whereas today that would never happen.

There we were, pregnant girls doing Irish dancing like performing monkeys - how demeaning, how demoralising Adele

Adele said there were girls as young as 13 at Marianvale when she was there. Some had suffered rape or incest.

She said that while she experienced no physical abuse, they were repeatedly told that they were fallen women who had to pay for their sins and were made to put on shows to entertain the nuns.

There we were, pregnant girls doing Irish dancing like performing monkeys  how demeaning, how demoralising, she said.

And underneath it was all these snide remarks, you have to pay for your sins and make amends for the wrongs you did.

Adele said that while the homes claimed benefits on their behalf and set them to work  they were never paid, even when they sent her out to clean someones house.

Her baby son was adopted after she was made to feel like she had no other option but to give him up, and it took decades for her to be able to speak openly about it.

She attributed depression, anxiety and physical symptoms she has suffered throughout her life to that experience and the forced secrecy around it.

Now she said there must be a public inquiry led by survivors, and said that the religious orders who ran the homes must be held to account.

I am coming 70 and have lived with this since I was 17. Now is the time to speak out and ask for these people to be held accountable for what they did, and the abuse. It was systemic abuse, and sanctioned by the Government, she said.

There has to be a light shone in this dark area and expose what was done in the name of God and religion to keep the moral code on this island of Ireland Adele

I want a public inquiry and I want it to be led by the survivors themselves and designed around them. I want their voice to be heard even if it is only a small number of people who can speak for the ones who have no voice.

There has to be a light shone in this dark area and expose what was done in the name of God and religion to keep the moral code on this island of Ireland.

There has to be a public inquiry and it has to be held up to scrutiny and not done behind closed doors. They (the orders) have closed the doors all these years, lets open them and let a bit of air and light in.

An inter-departmental working group on mother and baby homes, Magdalene Laundries and historical clerical abuse was set up in 2016 to look into the homes which operated between 1922 and 1999.

Mother and Baby Homes: Amnesty calls for inquiry in Northern Ireland



aMy baby was taken from me. We have been asking the Executive to set up an inquiry for years. Ministers have brushed us aside.a

- Mary, former resident of Marianvale Home, Newryhttps://t.co/u06gtkgkmq pic.twitter.com/8LW3IyATdF  Amnesty Int'l NI (@AmnestyNI) January 12, 2021

These institutions were run across the region by both the Catholic orders and Protestant clergy.

A report by academics, along with an options paper will be handed to the Executive.

Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland director of Amnesty International, said he had written to First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill asking for them to meet with survivors of the homes.

He has backed the call for a public inquiry but stressed the process must be survivor-designed and led.
Bahrains National Broadband Network (BNET) has opened a Network Intelligence Centre of Excellence (NICE) to support BNETs mission of delivering secure, reliable and stable network services to Bahrains licensed service providers.

NICE has been developed to provide 24/7 proactive monitoring and management of Bahrains smart digital telecommunication infrastructure networks to ensure the continuity of network operations and services by addressing any issues in real time. The new centre supports BNETs strategic objective of optimised and efficient digital operations.

Among the functions covered by NICE are Fault Management, to enable the timely resolution of network faults and interruptions, and Performance Management, to predict and prevent service interruptions through the proactive network monitoring which will ensure consistency in the performance level.

BNET CEO Mohamed Bubashait said that Bahrains National Broadband Company is very pleased to launch the new Network Intelligence Centre of Excellence following the recent introduction of the companys new Service Management Centre (SMC), with both Centres located onsite at the BNET Headquarters in Hamala.

Our aim is to ensure that Bahrains Licensed Operators have access to seamless and efficient support for all their needs around the clock so that they can deliver the best quality of services to benefit the end users, Bahrains consumer and business customers across the kingdom.

Furthermore, we are focussed on adopting modern, world-class solutions to meet international standards, he added.

Bubashait continued by saying: The ongoing support we are receiving from the BNET Board of Directors is invaluable in enabling our team to complete key strategic initiatives which we designed to be in line with the kingdoms goals for the telecommunication sector.

BNET Acting Chief Technical Officer Mohamed Alkaabi said that the criticality of BNETs network services and operations requires a world class network operation monitoring centre and the new NICE operation perfectly meets this requirement.

BNET NICE strives to efficiently and effectively operate Bahrains digital telecommunication infrastructure using digital innovations to ensure secure and reliable services, he added.

BNET is an independent wholesale broadband provider. As part of Bahrains fifth National Telecommunication Plan, BNET provides next-generation wholesale fiber broadband connectivity to all licensed telecom operators in Bahrain. It also provides broadband services to large enterprise customers in the kingdom.

BNET continues to work on enhancing National Broadband connectivity and is committed to enabling the provisioning of quality services to all licensed operators, to positively impact the end-user through the availability of high speed, secure, reliable and affordable internet.

This will ultimately lead to improved consumer satisfaction and economic growth and is in line with BNETs vision as a company and the kingdoms fifth National Telecommunication Plan.-- Tradearabia News Service

European health agencies have said there is no evidence to link the deaths of COVID-19 vaccine recipients in the region with coronavirus vaccines. Dozens of people across Europe have died soon after receiving COVID-19 vaccines, but health agencies say that there is no evidence to link those deaths with anti-COVID-19 drugs. Health agencies have said that nearly all the people who died after being inoculated were elderly suffering from underlying health conditions.

Read: COVID-19: Germany Orders 200,000 Doses Of Drugs That 'cured Donald Trump'

After 33 people died in Norway post-vaccination, health agencies across the region were alerted, which prompted them to look into the cause of deaths. Despite no formal analysis yet, they have ruled out vaccines as causes of the deaths. Health agencies say that available evidence suggests the deaths could have occurred due to the age of the patients, which made them vulnerable even prior to receiving the jabs because elderly and sick people were kept out of vaccine trials and there was no data on how the drugs would react on them.

Read: Portugal Holds Presidential Election As Country Battles Rise In COVID-19 Cases

Several European countries, including France, Sweden, and Portugal reported deaths among people who have been vaccinated to date. France reported nine deaths, all of whom were elderly patients with prior illnesses. Sweden also reported 13 deaths among recipients, all elderly people. Iceland reported seven deaths with no links to the vaccines. In Portugal a health care worker died after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, however, the country's justice ministry said the autopsy report found no direct link to connect it with the vaccine.

Read: WHO Secures 40 Million COVID-19 Doses For Poorer Nations, Announces Chief Tedros

EMA asks to monitor deaths

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has said that despite no direct link established with the vaccination, national agencies have been asked to keep a check on the process and update the European agencies, manufacturers, and patients regarding the same. Europe has already approved two vaccines - Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, and a third, from AstraZeneca, is expected to receive EUA by the end of this month.

Read: COVID-19: Netherlands Begins First Curfew Since World War II; Travel Ban Comes Into Effect


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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

About three dozen surplus chimpanzees no longer used in biomedical research are still being held at the Alamogordo Primate Facility by the National Institutes of Health, in violation of federal law and previous NIH commitments to retire the chimps to a sanctuary.

Thats according to a lawsuit filed last week in U.S. District Court in Maryland, where the NIH is based.

Three animal rights groups  Animal Protection of New Mexico, Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund, as well as three individuals who previously cared for the chimpanzees at APF  are named as plaintiffs.

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Defendants are the NIH and NIH Deputy Director James M. Anderson.

Located on the grounds of Holloman Air Force base, APF is operated by contractor Charles River Laboratories of Massachusetts. A spokeswoman at Holloman said the base is not involved in any of the operations at the primate facility. Sam Jorgensen, associate director of public relations for Charles River, declined to comment and referred all questions to the NIH. Renate Myles, NIH deputy director for public affairs, said Tuesday that the agency does not comment on pending litigation.

Laura Bonar, chief program and policy officer for Animal Protection of New Mexico, said the NIH is violating the Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance and Protection Act, or CHIMP Act, of 2000. The act funded Chimp Haven, a federal chimpanzee sanctuary on 200 forested acres in Keithville, Louisiana.

The act said when chimps are determined to be surplus and no longer needed in research, theyd be moved to this federal sanctuary, Bonar said.

In 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service classified all chimpanzees, those in captivity as well as those in the wild, as endangered. The following year, the NIH reaffirmed its commitment to retire its remaining chimpanzees to the sanctuary, and between 2016 and 2018, the NIH moved 94 of them from the Alamogordo facility to the Louisiana sanctuary.

Subsequently, the NIH said that 44 chimps at the APF were not healthy enough to be moved and were therefore ineligible for relocation. Seven of them have died since 2019, Bonar said.

That health assessment, the lawsuit says, was based on the recommendation of a single veterinarian employed by the contractor operating APF, which has a clear financial interest in retaining the surplus chimpanzees because it guarantees a federal revenue stream that covers salaries and facility overhead expenses.

According to the lawsuit, moving the chimpanzees to the sanctuary is also less expensive for taxpayers. The suit says it costs $35.65 per day to house a chimpanzee at the sanctuary, vs. $130.32 per chimp per day at the Alamogordo Primate Facility.

Furthermore, Bonar said, the CHIMP Act does not specifically give the NIH the right to declare animals as ineligible for transfer to the sanctuary.

The lawsuit charges that the NIH selectively ignores evidence that transfer is safe and would result in better health and welfare outcomes for these animals. It notes that 460 chimpanzees, many with serious health issues, have already been successfully moved to Chimp Haven from three NIH research facilities, as well a large number of chimpanzees that had been privately owned.

Many of the remaining chimpanzees at the Alamogordo facility are in their early 30s and early 40s, and because chimpanzees can live to well over 50, some of these ineligible animals could spend the next 20 years or more living at the research compound.

Although the lawsuit focuses on the chimpanzees at the Alamogordo Primate Facility, more than 100 additional chimpanzees remain in laboratories supported by the NIH, Bonar said.

The decision to make some chimpanzees ineligible for relocation to the sanctuary was made by the NIH using the pretense of rational, scientific justification, Bonar said,  but when you dig into just a little bit, it doesnt make any sense.

The parents body Hyderabad School Parents Association has urged the government to simplify the process of examination by limiting the syllabus to 50 per cent instead of the 30 per cent that has been announced. (Representational Photo:PTI)

Hyderabad: SSC exams will be conducted from May 17 to 26, according to the education department which released the academic calendar for the year 2020-21 here on Saturday.

Schools will reopen for Classes IX and X on February 1 and will have 89 working days with the last working day on May 26. During this time they are expected to cover, or revise, 70 per cent of the syllabus, which will be the portion of the board exams. Schools will go on summer vacation from May 27 to June 13.

According to the academic calendar, the Formative Assessment 1 (FA1) should be completed by March 15 and FA2 by April 15. The summative assessment will be done from May 7 to 13.

Students will have project work and assignments comprising 30 per cent of the syllabus to be completed at home under the guidance of teachers and parents. This syllabus will not be part of internal assessments and year-end summative assessment/board examinations. The remaining 70 per cent syllabus will be taught in schools and online.

The schools will operate from 9.30 am to 4.45 pm in other districts, while in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the timings will be from 8.45 am to 4 pm. Online/digital classes for Class 10 will be held from 10 am to 11 am and for Class 9 from 4 pm to 5 pm.

A total of 204 working days including 115 days from September 1, 2020, to January 30, 2021 (online/digital classes) and 89 days from February 1 to May 26 (offline and online classes) have been calculated by the department for the academic year.

Attendance will not be mandatory at school, which will seek written consent from parents. Students willing to study from home with the consent of the parent may be allowed to do so, the academic calendar said.

According to the calendar, SMC and parents meetings are mandatory to be conducted before reopening of the schools to create awareness on Covid-19, immunity development, mental health and hygiene, physical distancing and precautions to be taken after reopening of the schools.

The schools have been directed to organise regular health check-up of students. The headmasters need to keep phone numbers of the nearest primary health centre or any reliable medical facility, which can be contacted in case of medical emergency. Schools have been instructed to arrange isolation rooms for staff/students having symptoms of COVID-19.

In case, the child has or develop symptoms (of Covid-19), the parents should be contacted and transport should be arranged to send the child back to their residence with a proper escort, it read.

The parents body Hyderabad School Parents Association has urged the government to simplify the process of examination by limiting the syllabus to 50 per cent instead of the 30 per cent that has been announced. They said that the government should provide study material in the form of video lessons, exercises and Q&A type worksheets to the students.
The Retro Store, an exclusive shoe store where customers can buy, sell and trade shoes, had its soft opening in North Augusta Saturday afternoon.

The owner, Maurice Tolliver, said his goal is to bring more of a sneaker culture to the area.

We don't have anything like this in the area, you got to travel to Atlanta or Charlotte, you know, maybe Columbia to get something like what we offer, Tolliver said.

There was a line of customers outside, waiting for the store to open.

Theres not a lot of Black-owned stores that I would say in the South Carolina area, so I mean I think this would be good to bring out more of the community to him to support, especially to expand him a little bit further as well, so its good on both sides, Raven Johnson, a customer, said.

Johnson said the store most definitely has exclusive everything when it comes to the shoes sold in the store.

Now that the store is open, people are welcome to bring in their shoes to trade and sell. There is no limit of how many shoes you can bring in, and the customer will be told an estimate of how much they can receive for their shoes.

You can buy a shoe, or if you got some old stuff in the closet, you can bring that in and you can trade it towards another pair or you can sell it to me so you know, you just don't get that on the big chain stores, Tolliver said.

Tolliver said most of the shoes sold in his store are not sold at the major chain stores in their area, and if it was sold there it is a shoe that sold out quickly.

We pretty much take retro Jordans, and some of the more exclusive and hard to find shoes, because it's hard for us to compete with somebody like a Foot Locker so you know we just kind of get the stuff that's exclusive that they don't have, Tolliver said.

Tolliver has been in the shoe business for 10 years now, selling shoes at conventions and on eBay. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the conventions were no longer an option, but he continues to sell online.

The pandemic has also had an effect on the stores opening date.

I was originally supposed to open on Black Friday, if that tells you anything, so it's just been one obstacle after another, Tolliver said.

Although Tolliver faced a couple of challenges opening his new store, he is excited for what is to come.

I'm definitely looking to expand, I would like to have another store by the end of the year, kind of close in the area, and then from there, I'm looking to branch out and the sky is the limit, Tolliver said.

The Retro Store is located at 141 Edgewood Drive, North Augusta, SC 29841 and is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
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Milly Dowler's killer Levi Bellfield has reportedly been offered the coronavirus jab

Milly Dowler's killer Levi Bellfield has reportedly been offered the coronavirus jab at his high-security prison, while millions of ordinary Britons wait for theirs.

Bellfield, 52, was found guilty of the murder of 13-year-old Milly in 2011.

He was also convicted of the murders of French student Amelie Delagrange, 22, in 2004, and Marsha McDonnell, 19, in 2003.

He is one of around 50 British prisoners serving a whole life sentence, meaning he will never be released.

But the vicious killer, along with other inmates at Frankland Prison, in County Durham, is said to have received a letter saying he will be vaccinated in the coming weeks, the Sun reported.

Former Home Secretary David Blunkett told the newspaper that it 'beggars belief' that a 'child murderer' could have the vaccine 'early'.

But the Ministry of Justice insisted in a statement posted on Twitter that prisoners will not get preferential treatment for a coronavirus jab.

Priority for the vaccines has been determined by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, with everyone over 70 and clinically extremely vulnerable people all planned to get a first dose by February 15.

It means prisoners in those categories will get the vaccine before ordinary Britons who do not have health conditions or are not elderly.

Bellfield, 52, was found guilty of the murder of 13-year-old Milly in 2011

Bellfield reportedly complained that he should have 'already' had the jab because it 'can spread like wildfire and we are in danger'.

Another inmate at Frankland, who is said to be in his 50s, received the same letter which read: 'In January/February 2021 we will be receiving the Covid-19 vaccination to distribute to our vulnerable/priority patients.

'Due to the criteria set out by Public Health England you will be eligible for the vaccination.

Former Detective Colin Sutton - the police officer who finally nailed Bellfield - said it was 'appalling' that Bellfield and others should 'apparently jump the queue.'

Frankland is also home to the Ian Huntley, the killer of school girls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, as well as Michael Adebolajo, one of the killers of soldier Lee Rigby.

However, the Ministry of Justice hit back at suggestions that prisoners are being prioritised.

They said on Twitter: 'The NHS is legally required to vaccinate prisoners in eligible cohorts, such as those over 80, in line with guidance.

The vicious killer, along with other inmates at Frankland Prison, in County Durham, is said to have received a letter saying he will be vaccinated in the coming weeks

He was also convicted of the murders of French student Amelie Delagrange (left), 22, in 2004, and Marsha McDonnell (right), 19, in 2003

'Prisoners will not receive the vaccine ahead of their cohort.

'To suggest prisoners are being treated any differently to the general public is completely untrue.'

MailOnline has approached the Ministry of Justice directly for comment.

Bellfield, 52, was given a whole life term for murdering Ms McDonnell, 19, in 2003, and murdering Ms Delagrange, 22, and attempting to murder Kate Sheedy, 18, in 2004.

Bellfield was serving a whole life term for the murder of Ms McDonnell and Ms Delagrange and attempting to murder Kate Sheedy, 18, in 2004, when he went on trial of killing Milly.

She was snatched from the street while on her way from school to her home in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, in March 2002.

Bellfield was found guilty of abducting and killing the 13-year-old following a trial at the Old Bailey in 2011.
Delhi Police granted the farmers permission to carry out a tractor parade on January 26 inside the capital but on the condition that they will start only after the completion of the official parade at Rajpath.

Twitter

Amid the protests and preparations for the tractor rally, a farmer from Punjab reached Delhi on his tractor in reverse gear. The stunt was a symbolic one, appealing to the centre to 'reverse' the farm laws.

Also Read: Farmers Claim Police Have Given Permission For Tractor Rally On R-Day; Over 2L To Participate

Farmers protesting against the Centre's contentious farm laws have sought written permission from the Delhi Police for the massive tractor rally they are planning on Republic Day.

A farmer drove his tractor from Punjab to Delhi in reverse gear.

He said @narendramodi should also reverse (repeal) the anti-farmer laws.#BharatKaregaDelhiKooch pic.twitter.com/a0ESH9Zt9y  Tractor2 (@Tractor2twitr) January 24, 2021





According to NDTV, a thousand tractors from across Punjab and Haryana will take part in the rally, which will be held on Ring Road, which encircles the city.

Also Read: Tractor Rally To Go Ahead On R-Day As Farmers Reject Govt Offer, Want Total Repeal Of Farm Laws

Since November 28 last year, farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have been protesting against the laws at several Delhi border points, including Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur, and demanding the three legislations be repealed.



Reuters

The farmers have turned down the government's proposal of keeping the laws on hold for 18 months while its special committee continues negotiations. They have also rejected the committee named by the Supreme Court, saying all its members are pro-government. One of the committee members has already resigned.

Also Read: Farmers' Protest: This Is How Farmers Are Gearing Up For January 26 Tractor Parade


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U.S. President Joe Biden and Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador discussed reversing immigration policies, a phone call readout from the White House stated Saturday.

Biden talked about plans to reverse the Trump administration's "draconian" immigration policies while working to address the causes of migration from other countries like Mexico, reported Reuters.

The new president said immigration policies under the Biden administration had a goal of reducing migration by focusing on "addressing its root causes."

Biden also talked about efforts to increase "resettlement capacity and lawful alternative immigration pathways" as well as ways to improve processing immigrants at the US-Mexico border.

Based on a report from DW News, the U.S. expects Mexico to play a major role in Biden's immigration reform plans.

US, Mexico Leaders Vow to Reduce 'Irregular Migration'

The two presidents agreed to address "irregular migration."

It appeared that the discussion was also a pleasant one for Lopez Obrador as he described it as "kind and respectful" in a tweet.

Conversamos con el presidente Biden, fue amable y respetuoso. Tratamos asuntos relacionados con la migracion, el #COVID19 y la cooperacion para el desarrollo y el bienestar. Todo indica que seran buenas las relaciones por el bien de nuestros pueblos y naciones. pic.twitter.com/QEVK4UgFuo  Andres Manuel (@lopezobrador_) January 23, 2021

"We discussed issues related to migration, Covid-19 and cooperation for development and welfare," Lopez Obrador said, adding that the conversation indicated relation that will be "good for the good of our people."

President Biden's plans on immigration included opening a path to citizenship for roughly 11 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S., a move that even his allies in Congress believe to be a "Herculean task."

Related story: Biden to Prioritize Paving Path to Legal Status for Millions of Immigrants

Under the plan, the citizenship process would take as little as three to eight years.

His plans on immigration policies also prompted backlash from Republican lawmakers.

Former President Donald Trump had a very different immigration approach if compared to Biden. He had a crack down on both legal and illegal migration as one of his flagship policies.

Throughout his term as president, he worked towards building a wall along the U.S. border, a project that Biden wanted to stop.

Migrants Drawn to Biden's Promise of Changed Immigration Policies

Mexico's Foreign Ministry also said it has been discussing a COVID-19 related order with officials from Washington. It seeks to establish firmer health protocols for people who seek entry to the U.S.

DW noted that earlier this month, Mexico worked with Central America to contain a large caravan of migrants seeking entry to the U.S.

On Friday, the U.S., Mexico and Guatemalan governments agreed that it would prohibit the passage of these kinds of caravans.

"Our border remains closed for those who try to enter illegally," U.S. ambassador to Guatemala William Popp said.

It is believed the caravan was headed for the border after Biden's promises of change in immigration policies.

Read also: Migrant Caravan Calls on Biden Administration to Honor Commitments

The Guardian noted that many of the migrants in the caravan hope to reach the U.S. to escape desperate situations in Honduras. The country was hit by two major hurricanes which worsened poverty conditions and elevated gang violence in addition to the threat of COVID-19.

The caravan was stopped thousands of miles away from the border, but right-leaning news outlets were quick to point out that the change in immigration policies could really lead to pressure at the border.

Media Matters pointed out that when Fox News covered Biden's immigration plans, it constantly showed video of migrant caravans in scuffles with authorities.


STATEN ISLAND N.Y.  Inauguration Day was special Gerard Weir, 24, who worked closely with the Biden family while interning for the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware.

The West Brighton resident said that the program has given him the knowledge and preparation for his career in government.

Weir left the program shortly after graduating in 2019, explaining his time there as priceless.

Now he works as the Director of Energy Policy and Communications, alongside Assemblyman Michael Cusick.

His interest in policy came after attending Xaverian High School where he began to pursue his studies in government.

Weir is confident that President Biden will lead America in the right direction during his presidency.

I do genuinely believe we are in good hands because I have seen first hand the kind of person we have as our president now.

Watch the video above to learn more about Weirs personal experience with Biden and his team.


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The Russian Foreign Ministry blamed the U.S. Embassy in Moscow for interference in opposition rallies in Russia, which are the country's domestic affairs.

The U.S. Embassy has shown disregard for diplomatic rules and regulations by actively posting messages on social media in support of unsanctioned protests in Russian cities, the ministry said in a statement.

"We are talking about encouraging violent actions, hypocritically declared as peaceful protests, in which the organizers cynically involved even minors," the statement read.

Attempts by U.S. diplomats to incite radical actions are doomed to failure and will have negative consequences for Moscow-Washington relations, it added.

The ministry made the remarks after activists staged unauthorized protests in a number of Russian cities earlier in the day to show support for detained opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

About 4,000 people participated in the rally at Pushkin Square near the Kremlin, the Moscow branch of the Russian Interior Ministry said in a press release.

More than 600 protesters have been detained by police in downtown Moscow, according to TASS news agency.
The words of the Donald Trump supporters accused of participating in the deadly US Capitol riot may end up being used against him in his Senate impeachment trial as he faces the charge of inciting a violent insurrection.

At least five supporters facing federal charges have suggested they were taking orders from the then president when they marched to challenge the certification of Joe Biden's election win.

Now those comments, captured in interviews with reporters and federal agents, are likely to take centre stage as Democrats lay out their case. It is the first time a former president will face such charges after leaving office.

"I feel like I was basically following my president. I was following what we were called to do," Jenna Ryan, a Texas real estate agent who posted a photo on Twitter of herself next to a broken Capitol window, told a Dallas-Fort Worth TV station.

Jacob Chansley - the Arizona man photographed shirtless and wearing a furry hat with horns - called the FBI the day after the insurrection and said he had travelled "at the request of the president that all 'patriots' come to DC on January 6, 2021", authorities wrote in court papers.

They said that while in the Senate chamber, Chansley wrote a note to then vice president Mike Pence that said: "It's only a matter of time, justice is coming."

Trump is the first president to be impeached twice and the first to face a trial after leaving office.

The charge this time is "inciting violence against the government of the United States". His impeachment lawyer, Butch Bowers, did not respond to calls for comment.

Opening arguments in the trial will begin on February 8.

Trump spoke to the crowd before they marched along Pennsylvania Avenue to Capitol Hill, saying: "If you don't fight like hell you're not going to have a country any more."

Unlike a criminal trial, where there are strict rules about what is evidence, the Senate can consider anything it wishes. If they can show Trump's words made a real impact, all the better, and experts expect it in the trial.

A retired firefighter from Pennsylvania told a friend he listened to Trump's speech and then "followed the president's instructions". That man, Robert Sanford, is accused of throwing a fire extinguisher that hit three police officers.

Another man, Robert Bauer, of Kentucky, told FBI agents he "marched to the US Capitol because President Trump said to do so".

More than 130 people are facing federal charges, and prosecutors have promised more cases are coming.

Two-thirds of the Senate is needed to convict Trump, and while many Republicans - including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell - have condemned his words, it remains unclear how many would vote to convict him.

Associated Press

There is a new number for Walker County residents to call to submit their information to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Beginning Monday, the Walker County COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline, 706-670-1234, will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Through a partnership with the Walker County Health Department, the new hotline will serve as ground zero for eligible residents to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine, which remains in extremely short supply. Currently in Georgia, the vaccine is only available to healthcare workers, first responders, long-term care residents and adults 65+ and their caregivers.

When someone calls the hotline, a team member will document that persons contact information and eligibility. Then, when additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine become available locally, those who submitted their information via the hotline will be contacted directly to schedule a vaccination appointment at the Walker County Health Department.

Our Health Department staff has done an amazing job handling additional assignments related to COVID-19, in addition to their daily responsibilities, said Shannon Whitfield, chairman of the Walker County Board of Commissioners. Now, with the state government asking them to also handle vaccines, this new hotline will ease the administrative burden of this task, so they can focus on getting shots in arms.

"Due to high demand and supply dynamics that change daily, hotline workers cannot provide a timetable for when an appointment may become available. We hope the hotline, which is staffed locally, offers residents some peace of mind that theyve followed the proper procedure to ensure their name is on the wait list for the vaccine.

Individuals who previously submitted their contact information through the Northwest Georgia DPH online portal are already on the wait list and do not need to call the hotline. In addition, those who have already received their first dose of the vaccine will be contacted directly to schedule an appointment for their second dose and do not need to call the hotline.




Make no mistake, Phillipsburg officials say: The town is still on board with an ambitious mixed-use redevelopment in and around Union Square along the Delaware River.

But downriver, past the railroad bridges and Delaware River Park and the Phillipsburg Pistol Club, town officials now say they want to see an expansion of the towns industrial base.

Town council last week voted 3-2 to direct the Phillipsburg Planning Board to draw up a rezoning from residential to industrial for the wooded, undeveloped land between the industrial uses on Howard Street and the Delaware River. Councilman Harry Wyant Jr., raising concerns about truck traffic downtown, voted no along with Councilwoman Danielle DeGerolamo.

The idea is that we redevelop this portion of land, which hasnt been used in years, as a ratable -- a tax ratable -- where the monies would go to the Town of Phillipsburg, Council Vice President Bobby Fulper said alongside council President Frank McVey in a Facebook Live the day after the vote.

Much needed money, McVey said.

And jobs created, added Fulper, who supported the rezoning move with McVey and Councilman Randy Piazza Jr.

Known as District 5 in Phillipsburgs redevelopment plan, the land had been zoned industrial before being changed for residential, the two councilmen said. It used to be home to Tippett & Wood and is the property where developer Michael Perrucci proposed his Riverview at Delaware Station townhouse project backed by the town in 2006 and again in 2016 but which hasnt been built.

Fulper and McVey took to Facebook on Wednesday in response to criticism of the proposed rezoning aired at Tuesday nights council meeting.

They stressed how far removed the land is from Union Square, where council last October gave the green light to Stateliner United LLC to pursue an estimated $75 million to $80 million of Delaware River-side property into a 90-room hotel, American Microbrewery Hall of Fame, 20,000-square-foot municipal building, residential and retail components and a 400-space parking structure with rooftop public park.

Tuesdays council meeting drew questions from Harmony Township resident Theresa Bender Chapman, who has been critical of Jaindl Land Co.s massive warehouse proposal in White Township through the grassroots group Citizens for Sustainable Development. Chapman also ran for Warren County commissioner last year.

Chapman wanted to know why industrial uses were being pursued, calling them seemingly at odds with the rest of the riverfront redevelopment.

Phillipsburg resident David Morrisette also questioned the change, pressing council on whether it was to pave the way for a marijuana-growing company. New Jersey lawmakers are trying to approve a framework for legalized recreational use of marijuana by adults, as approved by voters in November, in addition to the states medical cannabis program.

I hope there is, but not to my knowledge, Piazza, who with McVey comprises councils redevelopment subcommittee, told Morrisette. If a marijuana-grow facility wants to come in and open up ... outside a school zone in an industrial area, so be it.

Permitted principal uses in Phillipsburgs light industrial zone are manufacturing, research, office, warehouses and storage yards, and wholesale and retail businesses. The towns heavy industrial zone adds trucking terminals and lumberyards.

The planning board was already reviewing the redevelopment plan for the Union Square area, according to McVey. Councils vote directing the Phillipsburg Planning Board to prepare an amendment to the Riverfront Redevelopment Plan in order to include industrial uses (District 5) builds on that ongoing effort, McVey said.

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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.

MBABANE  Will Marula festivals be suspended?

The surging cases of COVID-19 infections, caused by the second wave of the virus, have left government crossing fingers that this year Marula festivals be suspended. The ministry of health has argued that the traditional event could become spreaders of the virus. The Kingdom of Eswatini is expected to host three national events which are observed by their Majesties and the nation. The events include the national prayer, Parliament opening and Buganu Ceremony at Buhleni and Hlane Royal Residents. All these events were scheduled to take place next month. Last year, the Buhleni Buganu festival was on February 7 until 9 February while the festival held at Hlane was on March 1, 2020, until the 3rd of the same month.

regiments

Throngs of emaSwati joined by Lutsango regiment, Emabutfo regiment and international guests converged at the arena to dance and celebrate the first fruit. The ceremonies were also regarded, as a business expo because small, medium entrepreneurs displayed their products, most of which were made from the infamous Marula fruit. From these events, items including body soaps, vaseline, hair products and body lotions to mention a few, are sold. Mlandvo Dlamini, the Communications Officer at the Ministry of Home Affairs, said it was too early for the ministry to start discussing or making decisions on the said events.

It would be premature to start discussing information about the said events. For now, their Majesties are still in seclusion, and when the time is right, we will issue a statement, he said. Meanwhile, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Simon Zwane, said since the second wave of the virus was deadlier; the ministrys advice would be sticking to the precautions set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). He said the precautionary measures were to practise social distancing, wearing of a face mask, frequent washing of hands with water and soap, plus avoiding crowded places.
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - People can now their COVID-19 vaccines at Riggs Community Health Center. The center just started offering the vaccine at their location at 18th and Hartford Streets on Wednesday.

They will only be giving out the vaccine twice a week for now, but could expand that program at the Indiana State Department of Health's direction down the road.

Right now they are giving out the Moderna vaccine. They plan to give out about 200 shots per week to start.

Jolene Prather is the Director of Operations at Riggs. She said they knew they had the potential to become a vaccination site, but only had about two weeks to get their operation off the ground. Thankfully, she said they had helpful guidance from the state and other vaccine operations like at IU Health Arnett.

She said their first week of offering the vaccine has been a success.

"The patients that we dealt with were just incredible," she said. "It felt like you just got win after win after win at the front desk. they were so gracious, kind and excited."

The clinic is open on Wednesdays from 8am to 6pm, and on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm. She said their operation is simple. You should enter the building once you arrive for your appointment. Someone will greet you once you enter to see if you are there for the vaccine or for another health purpose. From there a staff member will help you get checked in to actually get your vaccine.

She said the staff at Riggs has stepped up to the plate, and that there is a sense like they are taking part of history.

"To not only be a part of a bigger movement but getting to collaborate with so many great community partners and then finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, it's incredible. It's very exciting."

To schedule your COVID-19 vaccine appointment, call 211 or go online to ourshot.in.gov. Right now in Indiana, you can only get the vaccine if you are a health care worker, first responder or are 70 or older.

Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High near 75F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 50F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 09:42:19|Editor: huaxia

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ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ethiopia rose to 133,298 after 417 new cases were reported, the country's Ministry of Health said on Saturday evening.

The number of COVID-19 related deaths in the country reached 2,063 as of Saturday evening, including three new deaths reported during the last 24-hour period, the ministry said.

Some 118,730 COVID-19 patients have recovered so far, including 217 over the last 24 hours, while 12,503 cases are active and 239 patients are in severe condition, it said.

Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous nation, has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the eastern African region.

The government has been urging the public to implement COVID-19 precautionary measures to contain the spread of the virus.

The country has so far conducted 1,913,618 COVID-19 tests, including 5,085 during the past 24-hour period, according to the ministry. Enditem
Scientists at Porton Down are increasingly confident that vaccines will be able to counter new mutant strains of Covid 19.

Staff at the Governments top-secret scientific research laboratory in Wiltshire have been examining different strains of the coronavirus since they were first identified at the end of 2020.

These include the so-called South African and Kent variants that prompted Boris Johnson to reverse plans for a Christmas relaxation of lockdown rules.

Scientists at the Government's top-secret scientific research laboratory have been examining different strains of the coronavirus since they were identified at the end of 2020. Picture: Stock

Scientists at Porton Down (pictured) are increasingly confident that vaccines will be able to counter new mutant strains of Covid 19

Investigations suggest that both variants are effectively countered by the vaccines that are being rolled out across the UK because the mutations share a similar biological pattern.

Tests on the strains suggest that initial fears about the efficacy of the vaccines have been overblown.

A source told The Mail on Sunday: The scientists have been putting this virus under all sorts of tests and are increasingly confident that a vaccine will be able to withstand these variants.

The news will come as a boost to public health professionals who previously feared that the mutant variants would reduce the effectiveness of vaccines.

On Friday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: There is evidence that the South African variant reduces by about 50 per cent the vaccine efficacy.

On Friday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock (pictured) said: There is evidence that the South African variant reduces by about 50 per cent the vaccine efficacy.

A British firm has created a vaccine aimed at protecting against all mutant strains of the Covid-19 virus  and safeguarding the world from another pandemic.

ConserV Bioscience says it could be available in little over a year if pushed through trials.

The vaccine gets the immune system to recognise the parts of viral particles common to all coronaviruses, which mutate little. This means it should protect against all variants of the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19.

A Dallas-area man who joined a violent mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol earlier this month has been charged with making a death threat in a social media post against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, CNBC reported.

Garret Miller, 34, of Richardson, Texas was arrested earlier this week on multiple charges related to the Capitol riot, according to a federal complaint.

The other charges include entering or remaining in any restricted buildings or grounds without lawful authority; violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; obstructing or impeding any official proceeding and certain acts during civil disorder.

Miller wrote Assassinate AOC in a Twitter post, according to the complaint. Miller also allegedly posted about entering the Capitol building on his Instagram account and admitted that he had a rope in [his] bag on that day.

Miller also threatened a Capitol Police officer who shot dead a woman trying to breach the Capitol building during the riot. We going to get a hold of [the USCP officer] and hug his neck with a nice rope[.], Miller said, according to the complaint.

Mr. Miller regrets the actions he took in a misguided effort to show his support for former President Trump, Broden said. He has the full support of his family and has always been a law-abiding citizen.

Broden added that he doesnt believe there is evidence that Miller planned to carry out the threats.

Miller is due to appear Monday for a detention hearing in Dallas federal court. Prosecutors have said they want him detained pending trial, but Broden said he will argue for Millers conditional release pending trial in Washington.

Ocasio-Cortez has previously said she feared for her life during the riot and members of Congress were nearly assassinated.

Four years ago, as a college student in Washington DC, I watched Donald Trump take his oath of office and address the nation for the first time as president. The speech he delivered was, on its face, similar to President Joe Bidens last week; both men conjured broad themes of unity and togetherness. And yet, the context of Trumps rise left me with plenty to fear.

American poet Amanda Gorman during the inauguration ceremony Joe Biden last week. Credit:Getty

When Trump said, The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer, I heard the language of white grievance, not a signal to the truly disenfranchised. When he claimed, When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice, I nearly chuckled, remembering the many moments throughout his campaign when patriotism and prejudice were treated as synonymous. And when he pledged, From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land, I knew to be fearful, for his was not a new vision for America at all, but rather a centuries-old one in which the label American itself was only open to a select few.

In the emotional tidal wave that Trumps inauguration inspired, a 1956 speech from Dr Martin Luther King Jr resonated with me. And last week, having both commemorated the civil rights leaders birthday and welcomed a new administration, I revisited his address for guidance.

King expressed a need for leaders who  on the one hand, embrace wise restraint and calm reasonableness and, on the other hand, reveal a courageous determination to press on until the victory for justice is won. We need leaders not in love with money, but in love with justice; leaders not in love with publicity, but in love with humanity. To paraphrase the great words of Holland: God give us leaders!
Marco Rubio signaled Sunday that he isn't too worried about any primary run from Ivanka Trump in his 2022 reelection race, claiming she would 'have a tough race' amid speculation she could pursue public office like her father.

'I don't really get into the parlor games of Washington,' the Florida senator told 'Fox News Sunday' host Chris Wallace.

'If you're going to run for the Florida Senate, you're going to have a tough race, including a primary,' Rubio continued. 'That's their right under the system.'

Former Trump administration officials told Politico earlier this month that Ivanka is working on a possible Senate run.

Senator Marco Rubio said Sunday he isn't too concerned with potentially facing off with Ivanka Trump in a Senate primary run

'If you're going to run for the Florida Senate, you're going to have a tough race, including a primary,' Rubio told 'Fox News Sunday' host Chris Wallace (left). 'I don't own the Senate seat,' Rubio said. 'If I want to be back in the U.S Senate, I have to earn that every six years'

Speculation is mounting that Donald Trump's eldest daughter and former White House Senior Advisor Ivanka Trump is mulling a Senate run in 2022 against Rubio after she and her family moved to Florida from Washington

Ivanka, Jared and their three children (pictured) were present for Trump's departure from Washington on Wednesday morning  hours before Biden was sworn in

One person who was in contact with Trump during the final days of his administration said that the then-president's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner was 'working single-mindedly to protect and promote his wife's 'political career.'

Jared and Ivanka are currently living in a luxury condo in Miami after moving out of their rented home in the elite Kalorama neighborhood of Northwest Washington, D.C.

The couple purchased a more than $30 million plot of land on the swanky high-security Indian Creek Island in Miami  where reports indicate they and their three children will move to once a mansion is constructed there.

With Trump's move to Florida, rumors have swirled that Ivanka could launch a bid for public office in the Sunshine state that she now calls home.

'I don't own the Senate seat,' Rubio said of a potential face-off with Trump's eldest daughter. 'It doesn't belong to me.'

He added: 'If I want to be back in the U.S Senate, I have to earn that every six years.'

Also during his interview Sunday, Rubio weighed in on the impending Senate impeachment trial against Donald Trump, claiming it could turn the president into a 'martyr' for his supporters.

'I think the trial is stupid. I think it's counterproductive,' Rubio said. 'We already have a flaming fire in this country and it's like taking a bunch of gasoline and pouring it on top of the fire.'

'I think this is going to be really bad for the country,' he continued. 'It's going to take us -- not just is it going to keep us from focusing on really important things, but it's also just going to stir it up even more and make it even harder to get things done moving forward.'

Rubio added: 'In terms of the rules, I think the president is entitled to due process. I think he's entitled to have a defense. I think he's entitled to present, you know, testimony and evidence if necessary.'

The Florida senator did not join the eight other GOP senators  or several dozen Republican representatives  who voted to object to the Electoral College results on January 6 after Trump's supporters stormed the Capitol.

Moving trucks are seen outside Ivanka and Jared's home in the elite Kalorama neighborhood in Northwest Washington D.C. on Thursday

The couple and their three children lived at this property the last four years, spending $15,000 per month in rent

The family is residing in a condo in southern Florida as they wait for their new residence to be ready on a $30 million plot on the swanky and ultra-exclusive Indian Creek Island in Miami

On Thursday, the day after Joe Biden's inauguration, movers could be seen outside of Kushner and Trump's home, which they rented for the last four years for $15,000 per month.

The couple and their children were nowhere to be seen as removal teams got to work carrying large boxes and pieces of furniture out of the $5.5 million property into trucks.

Ivanka confirmed her family was leaving Washington DC in a farewell message on Twitter on Tuesday.

Also on Tuesday, sources revealed the Kushner's had signed a one-year lease for a luxury condo in one of Miami's most exclusive complexes as construction gets underway for their new home on Indian Creek Island.

Lara Trump is also rumored to be considering a run for Senate in 2022 in her home state of North Carolina.

The former presidents daughter-in-law, who is married to his son Eric, got more involved in the 2020 reelection campaign and is now thought to want to run for public office herself.
Twin suicide blasts in Baghdad claimed by the Islamic State group have exposed gaps within Iraq's security forces, weakened by the COVID-19 pandemic, rival armed groups and political tensions.

At least 32 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in the double-tap suicide attack that targeted a commercial district in Baghdad on Thursday.

It was the deadliest attack in three years in the capital, which has been relatively calm since IS's territorial defeat in late 2017.

But it has also illustrated accumulating shortfalls in Iraq's patchwork of security forces, experts said.

"IS isn't coming back. The fact that this is news shows how good the situation has become compared to the past," said Jack Watling, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London.

"But there are some very clear problems in the Iraqi security sector, and this is reflective of that."

Following the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, Iraq's security forces had to be effectively rebuilt from the ground up, relying heavily on training by foreign armies.

The COVID-19 pandemic put an abrupt halt to that.

Living together at bases with little social distancing, Iraqi troops were some of the country's first coronavirus victims.

In March 2020, the U.S.-led coalition announced it was pulling out foreign trainers to stem the pandemic's spread.

"The decreased training over the past year because of Covid-19 (created) a gap there," a top US official in Baghdad told AFP last month.

It also meant Iraq's security services had decreased access to the coalition's communications surveillance -- "an early warning system" that was crucial to nipping IS attacks in the bud, said Watling.

Gap to Exploit

Many of those withdrawals became permanent.

The U.S.-led coalition announced last year that Iraq's army was capable of fighting IS remnants on its own and pulled out of eight bases across the country.

At the same time, citing the improving security situation, Baghdad's authorities lifted the concrete blast walls and checkpoints that had congested the city for years.

Battle-hardened units were moved out of cities to chase down IS sleeper cells in rural areas, with less-experienced units taking over urban security.

Security analyst Alex Mello said those rotations combined with less-reliable intelligence may have eventually granted IS "a gap to exploit."

The US official said Iraqi forces were at times unwilling to tackle IS fighters head-on, allowing small cells to flourish into larger groups.

One coalition air strike near Mosul in December killed 42 IS jihadists -- an unusually large number.

"The senior commanders in Baghdad were extremely pissed at the local forces. They had to know those guys were there," the US official said.

But the core challenge may not be technical.

Iraq's security forces include army troops, militarized police units and the Hashed al-Shaabi, a network of armed forces incorporated into the state after 2014.

Many were backed by Iran, which generated a mutual distrust with some forces trained by its arch enemy, the United States.

Tensions spiked following the US drone strike last year that killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and Hashed deputy chief, Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

"The real strain has been political," said Watling.

"During the fight against IS, there was a lot of informal information sharing between the Hashed, the coalition and others. That's just not there anymore, which reduces situational awareness," he said.

No One is Clean

Navigating those tensions has been a major challenge for Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, seen as U.S.-friendly.

He rose to the premiership in May while retaining his previous post as head of Iraq's intelligence service.

Kadhemi has relied heavily on the US-trained Counter-Terrorism Service for a range of missions: hunting down IS cells, arresting corrupt officials and even reigning in groups launching rockets on the US embassy.

Observers say it is because he trusts so few other units.

But it has also forced the CTS into uncomfortable confrontations with pro-Iran factions that have often ended with the former backing down.

"Constantly retreating on orders and apologizing to the targeted groups only weakens the CTS, the commander-in-chief, and the Iraqi state," said Marsin Alshamary, a Brookings Institute research fellow.

Following Thursday's attack, Kadhemi announced an overhaul of Iraq's security leadership, including a new federal police commander and chief of the elite Falcons Unit.

Kadhemi is hoping those changes will not only plug holes that Thursday's attackers exploited, but could also resolve the deeper issues of trust and coordination.

But observers were skeptical of how far that could go given widespread graft in Iraq's security forces.

"When you're dealing with a corrupt bureaucracy, no one is clean," said Watling.

This article was written by Maya Gebeily from Agence France Presse and was legally licensed through the Industry Dive publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.
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Ken Cedeno/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesBY: KENDALL KARSON, ABC NEWS

(LONDON)  President Joe Biden is held in high regard by most Americans, according to a new ABC News/Ipsos poll released Sunday, as he takes the reins of a divided country in the midst of a once-in-a-century pandemic and economic crisis.

In his first week in the Oval Office, Biden yielded high approval ratings for his response to the coronavirus (69%) and confidence in his ability to unify the country (57%). The new poll was conducted by Ipsos in partnership with ABC News using Ipsos' Knowledge Panel.

Biden's early honeymoon period is a sharp departure from the underwhelming initial response former President Donald Trump received four years ago.

In a recent ABC News/Washington Post poll, Biden's score for handling the transition landed at 67%, nearly 30 points higher than his predecessor just before his inauguration.

Trump's lackluster marks broke with the pattern for newly elected presidents, who usually enjoy high approval ratings in their first months in office.

For Biden, starting his tenure as commander-in-chief in a honeymoon period might afford him more room to maneuver on policy, particularly on his administration's colossal challenge: COVID-19.

The more than two-thirds of Americans who approve of his leadership on the coronavirus includes 40% of Republicans -- a notably high level of support from across the aisle a year into the pandemic. An overwhelming 97% of Democrats and 70% of independents also back Biden's management of the crisis in his early days in office.

The highest approval Trump received for his handling of the virus was in mid-March last year, when 55% of Americans approved of his response, including 30% of Democrats. But for virtually all of the pandemic, Trump was underwater with the American public on his handling of COVID-19.

As Biden faces a collection of crises, starting with the nation's war against the coronavirus, he signed an executive order on his first day in office that implemented a mask mandate and social distancing requirements in federal buildings and on federal land. The order is backed by more than 8 in 10 Americans in the poll (81%), as well as almost all Democrats (99%), and majorities of Republicans (59%) and independents (83%).

But honeymoons rarely last, and the poll revealed several fault lines that could erode Biden's broad early support.

Americans are a bit more wary of Biden's ability to make effective progress on his signature campaign promise: to unify a splintered nation.

As part of the survey, respondents were shown a video excerpt of Biden's inaugural address, in which the newly sworn-in president invoked a familiar theme from his campaign that focused on mending a deeply fractured nation.

"We can see each other not as adversaries, but as neighbors. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces, stop the shouting and lower the temperature. For without unity, there is no peace -- only bitterness and fury. No progress -- only exhausting outrage. No nation -- only a state of chaos," Biden said. "This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge. And unity is the path forward. And we must meet this moment as the United States of America."

While 71% of those who viewed the video clip believed Biden's rhetoric was convincing, in contrast, just over 1 in 5 Americans (22%) have a great deal of confidence in the president's ability to actually unify the country. Nearly one-quarter (24%) are deeply skeptical of Biden's capacity to bring the country together.

On Day One, the president rolled out a first slate of executive actions -- charting his own course with policy steps that clear majorities of Americans back in the poll. But there is some variance in the level of support for each one.

Some of the dividing lines that could potentially imperil Biden's agenda are forming around specific policy goals that overlap with issues Trump touted during his campaign and four years in office.

The potentially most fraught terrain for Biden to find common ground on is the issue of immigration, in which support for the directives addressing the Trump-era Muslim ban and the border wall plummet among Republicans.

While more than half of Americans support reversing certain moves by the former president -- including the travel ban that targeted Muslim and African countries (55%), the construction of a wall at the southern border (55%), the exclusion of noncitizens from the U.S. Census (56%) and an effort to dismantle the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program (65%) -- Republicans are sharply opposed to such actions.

More than 3 in 4 Republicans oppose Biden's executive orders to reverse the Muslim ban (78%), end the national emergency declaration at the U.S. southern border to stop construction of the wall (87%) and exclude noncitizens from the Census count (81%). Nearly two-thirds (66%) are against extending DACA.

After Trump withdrew from the Paris climate accords and cut ties with the World Health Organization, roughly one-third of the country opposes Biden's decision to recommit to the climate agreement and rejoin the global health agency, driven by steepened Republican opposition. About 6 in 10 Republicans (61%) are against returning to WHO, and 72% are opposed to signing onto the Paris Agreement again.

But for broader actions by the newly installed Democratic administration targeting social justice and workplace discrimination, support is more widespread and bipartisan.

Roughly 8 in 10 Americans back Biden's directives prohibiting discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation and gender identity (83%) and creating a government-wide approach to equity, civil rights, racial justice and equal opportunity (77%). That includes 64% and 52% of Republicans, respectively.

This ABC News/Ipsos poll was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs' KnowledgePanel Jan. 22 to 23, 2021, in English and Spanish, among a random national sample of 504 adults. Results have a margin of sampling error of 5.0 points, including the design effect. Partisan divisions are 31%-26%-36%, Democrats-Republicans-independents. See the poll's topline results and details on the methodology here.

ABC News' Dan Merkle and Ken Goldstein contributed to this report.

Copyright  2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
A car is banned from leaving Ang'angxi district as the province declares an "emergency state," in Qiqihar, in Heilongjiang Province, China, on Jan. 12, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinas Suspected COVID-19 Patients List Leaked Online, Sparking Outrage

Personal information about COVID-19 patients in China was recently leaked online, sparking a heated debate about privacy.

Two government documents began circulating on the Chinese internet, dated Jan. 17 and Jan. 18 from the local disease prevention and control command center of Qinggang county, Suihua city, in northeastern Chinas Heilongjiang Province.

They listed the personal information of 10 people who were tested for COVID-19, including their full names, ID numbers, home addresses, and phone numbers; and the personal information of seven people who were close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 patients.

Personal Information of suspected COVID-19 patients in Qianggang county, Suihua city, Heilongjiang Province, circulated online. (Provided to The Epoch Times)

The 10 people were in one testing cohort. According to the document, people in that cohort tested positive in nucleic acid testing, though it was unclear how many or who tested positive. The command centers experts recommended that the ten people be placed under quarantine for 14 days and get re-tested. Their health codes should also be upgraded to red, the highest level of COVID-19 risk in China. The health codes are generated via a mobile app and are usually checked by security officers at checkpoints.

For the seven close contacts, the experts also recommended 14-day quarantine and red health codes.

The Chinese-language Epoch Times interviewed two people whose information was leaked.

Wang Hua (alias) confirmed that her personal information was disclosed.

She said she initially did not tell her close friends and relatives about her positive test, because they may be worried about her condition.

All of my relatives and friends are now panic-stricken, she said, adding that many of her contacts began reaching out to her.

She was also worried that her work colleagues may have seen her name on the leaked list, and might be fearful of her returning to work.

A man surnamed Tian was frustrated that this information was leaked before their diagnosis was confirmed. In China, reports of false positives and false negatives have surfaced.

Is it right to publicize our information before we get fully confirmed?Who or which [governmental] department should be responsible for the leak?

Locals from virus hotspots also said they faced discrimination.

A young rural worker from Wangkui county, Heilongjiang Province recently traveled to another city, Daqing, for work.

Wangkui experienced a surge in COVID-19 cases around the same time.

At a COVID-19 testing site, healthcare personnel asked where he had traveled from. The young man replied that he had come from Wangkui. People nearby immediately dispersed.

Though he presented a negative COVID-19 test that he recently took, healthcare workers still said he had to be quarantined for 14 days.

He must bear all the expensesabout 2,000 yuan (about $308) for the entire periodhimself.

He said it was difficult for him to come up with the money because he had been staying at home for several months due to the pandemic, and did not take up work.

Though he explained his situation to personnel, they did not listen and threatened to keep him isolated for more days if he refused to pay, he told the Chinese-language Epoch Times in an interview.

Another case of leaked personal information occurred in Shenyang city, Liaoning Province.

On Dec. 23, 2020, personal information belonging to an elderly COVID patient surnamed Yin was leaked online. Soon, she received hundreds of phone calls, according to a report by state-run media The Paper. People cursed her and accused her of being the patient zero of the local outbreak. Both her and her family were extremely distressed due to the public attention.
Urk, Netherlands: Rioting youths protesting on the first night of a Dutch curfew torched a coronavirus testing facility and threw fireworks at police in a fishing village.

Police said they fined more than 3600 people nationwide for breaching the curfew that ran from 9pm on Saturday until 4.30am on Sunday.

At least 25 people were arrested for breaching the curfew or for violence, while 3600 people were fined nationwide for violating the stay-at-home order.

Video from the village of Urk, 80 kilometres north-east of Amsterdam, showed youths breaking into the coronavirus testing facility before it was set ablaze on Saturday night.
Wellington: New Zealand has reported its first case of community transmission in more than two months, although there was no immediate evidence the coronavirus was spreading.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield on Sunday said the case was a 56-year-old woman who recently returned from Europe.

Since leaving quarantine, the woman visited about 30 locations, which were yet to be made public.

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield speaks to media about the new case of community transmission on Sunday. Credit:Getty Images

Like other returning travellers, she spent 14 days in quarantine. She twice tested negative before returning home on January 13.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-25 00:34:51|Editor: huaxia

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ACCRA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- At least six persons were killed and five others injured in a road accident in Ghana's northern region of Savannah on Sunday, officials confirmed.

Kwasi Baffour-Awuah, Savannah regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, told the media that the accident occurred at Mpaha Junction, a community in the Central Gonja District.

He said a Mercedes Benz Sprinter bus and a Rhino truck traveling in opposite directions collided head-on, killing some of the passengers on the spot.

He said the five injured passengers were receiving treatment at the Holistic Medicare Health Facility at Buipe, a community in the Savannah region. Enditem



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The past year has brought turmoil and turbulence to people in New Mexico and the world over. Sadly, children facing obstacles to their education have become one of the largest casualties of coronavirus-related shutdowns.

This National School Choice Week, Jan. 24-30, Id like to open a conversation about three tough truths that the COVID-19 crisis revealed to us  and how school choice can help alleviate some of the problems families continue to face.

First, the coronavirus and its shutdowns have revealed, and in many cases worsened, inequities in the current school system. Children in households of modest means often suffered the most when schools shuttered last spring, from difficulties accessing federally-funded meals to a lack of reliable internet connections for online learning.

School choice exists in large part to level those inequities, so that lower-income families can receive the same quality education available to wealthier households. Choice can offer alternatives to online learning  for instance, in-person or hybrid instruction in areas where public schools remain closed. Smaller schools of choice are often able to provide a more personalized learning experience for kids, even when school is online. The growth of learning pods and microschools during the pandemic also shows parents desire for more personalized, flexible options rather than a one-size-fits-all experience.

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A second truth the coronavirus drove home is that remote learning can be isolating. At some point during the pandemic, most parents and children have found constant Zoom calls and lectures isolating and exhausting. While some may thrive on full-time online learning, most thrive on live engagement with their teachers and peers.

When families have choices for the way they engage with education, that provides opportunities for higher levels of engagement. Providing parents with greater choices for their children also encourages schools to curate best practices for instructional strategies, provide social emotional learning support, and personalize educational methods to individual student needs.

Finally, the coronavirus serves as a reminder that, in a crisis, priority must be made for vulnerable students to have choices, including pathways to in-person education. Younger students, special education students, and English language learners especially need these options. In areas where in-person learning is simply not an option, schools need to find the highest quality practices for online teaching and leverage the best programming for vulnerable students.

Giving parents various options via school choice will help to ensure the populations most at risk will not fall through the cracks. School choice recognizes that learning doesnt start and stop at the classroom door; families need support in areas like child care, food service and health services to ensure their students receive a quality education.

From Jan. 24 through 30, thousands of students and organizations like mine will celebrate National School Choice Week. During this time, we shine a spotlight on all quality educational options, including traditional public schools, magnet programs, public charter schools, private schools, and home and online learning options.

Having attended School Choice Week functions for many years, I can attest to the spirit of optimism, hope, and joy in those who participate. Often, school choice lights a spark of curiosity, wonder and love of learning that remains with a child their entire life.

We have seen so much sadness over the past year that we could all use some warmth and good news. For millions of Americans, school choice provided that good news well before the coronavirus  and school choice can help students recover learning lost to the coronavirus. This week, lets remember the ways that school choice can help New Mexico students recover from this tumultuous year, and use choice to put some much-needed good news back into our lives.

Kelly Callahan is a former charter school principal.

SALINAS  In a glass-enclosed room at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, a man in a green gown lies on his left side, a tube delivering oxygen into his nose from a machine doing the work his body cant as COVID-19 invades his system.

The man has short, salt-and-pepper hair. It is mid-January during the worst coronavirus surge since the pandemic began nearly a year ago. Hundreds are dying of the disease each day across California, and the raging virus has put 21,000 people into hospitals and intensive care units like this one, even as the rate has begun to slow.

In Monterey County, the man is one of 207 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. He is breathing with help from a BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure) machine, the next oxygen level down from a ventilator. He is sedated and groggy as a nurse tends to him, wearing her own breathing apparatus and spacesuit-like protective gear.

As she finishes clearing tubes and checking vital signs, nurse Liezl Duesdieker snaps off the light, removes her blue hospital gown and drops it into a receptacle before leaving the room. She peels off her gloves, sanitizes her hands, and pulls on a fresh pair. Only then does Duesdieker remove and clean the battery-powered respirator she puts on and takes off dozens of times in each 12-hour shift. Its 7:08 p.m.

Nic Coury / Special to The Chronicle

Less than 90 minutes later, another nurse checking on the man will notice his vital signs ebbing and summon the hospitals Rapid Response Team to the fifth floor.

The alert goes out just before 8:30 p.m. Someone yells: Room 5  is currently coding!

It means that without help right now, the man could die.

Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital sits in farm country, 8 miles from the ocean and about 20 miles northeast of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Author John Steinbeck grew up on Central Avenue in Salinas, in a Queen Anne Victorian that before the pandemic hosted busloads of tourists for lunch and tours.

The rural city of 156,000 people serves as the county seat and produces lettuce, broccoli and other vegetables eaten around the world. To make that happen, some 50,000 migrant farm workers travel to Salinas each summer to pick produce.

Early in the pandemic, we had predominantly seasonal agricultural workers who were generally younger and tolerated the disease better, said Dr. Allen Radner, an infectious disease expert who is chief medical officer and chief executive at Salinas Valley Memorial. The hospital typically had 10 to 15 COVID patients at any one time. By fall, those migrant workers had gone to fields in Arizona.

Now, its roughly 70 to 80 inpatients in the last three or four weeks, Radner said. People who live in the area. Patients needing ventilators  and ICU care  are also up to 10 to 20 a day, a lot more than weve historically seen.

Those dramatic increases mirror what the state saw after the holidays when people defied public health admonitions not to gather with family.

Sometimes the ICU is full. Sometimes there are beds, as patients come and go. The hospital works with other local hospitals, helping each other as needed.

The hospital operates its COVID ward on the third floor, and its COVID ICU two floors up. The Chronicle spent an evening here at a time when ICUs across the Bay Area and the state were nearly filled with coronavirus patients. Such efforts to save lives happen each day at hospitals around California, but are seldom seen by the public.

Medical workers are stretched beyond reasonable limits, but theyre not giving up as patients and families confront unimaginable horrors with fortitude and hope.

Monterey County, and the Salinas Valley in particular, are windows into the ethnic and income disparities among COVID-19 patients seen across the country. Low-income Latinos and other people of color often hold essential jobs in fields, factories and plants that prevent them from sheltering at home.

In Monterey County, 60% of residents are Latino. Yet that group carries 80% of the countys 35,000 coronavirus infections, according to state data. They are also 73% of the people hospitalized with COVID-19, county records show.

In bed on the third-floor COVID unit, Francisco Hernandez, 48, picks up the ringing phone. Its his doctor, Jaime Gonzalez, calling from less than 5 feet away.

Gonzalez could have spoken with his patient directly, but that would have required the doctor to put on a suit of protective gear, strapping a hefty powered air-purifying respirator around his waist and covering his head with the canary yellow hood and face shield into which the PAPRs hose pumps oxygen. He would have had to sanitize his hands, pull on gloves and tie on a full-body plastic apron.

Gonzalez asks whether Hernandez would care to speak with a reporter spending the evening among COVID patients this Jan. 14. He would.

Hernandezs voice sounds raspy, and his words halting as he pauses for frequent breaths.

Id like ... people to ... realize ... they need ... to ... wear a mask, he says in Spanish.

Hernandez lies on his back, his bed angled at about 45 degrees so he can watch TV or view the busy nurses just outside the glass. A high-flow oxygen hose lays like a mustache beneath his nose, attached to a tank to the right of his bed.

A divorced father of two, Hernandez works in Salinas and lives alone in Moss Landing, a coastal town about 20 minutes to the northwest. His son is 18, and his daughter is 22. Hernandez believes he caught the virus on Jan. 4 at his job in a vegetable processing plant. A week later, a raging headache hit, and his body burned with fever.

It all changed the next day. I felt freezing, he says. I took some steps, and I couldnt breathe. So I knew.

Down the hall, Carmelita Martinez is puzzled. She says her doctors told her shed be good to go home the next day, a message she cant quite believe. Martinez, 75, was admitted to the COVID unit the day before with a deep cough, which she still has.

I dont feel like going, Martinez tells a reporter by phone from her glass-enclosed bed. But she shrugs and says her husband will set up the spare room for her so she can isolate. The doctor said if I continue coughing, I can come back.

Salinas Valley Memorial has an outpatient clinic specifically for COVID patients who need treatment, but not hospitalization.

In the COVID era, we continue to assess people, and ask: Are we doing anything that cant be done at home? Radner, the chief medical officer, said later, noting that some people may even be safer at home. You can pick things up at a hospital.

A retired school cafeteria worker, Martinez appears relaxed as she chats on the phone, smiling and resting her head of short-cropped brown hair against a pile of pillows. A thin, nasal cannula tube lays against her nostrils, blowing in extra oxygen.

Nic Coury/Special to The Chronicle

She says she is in no pain. She is pleased that her son in Arizona has called her in the hospital each day, and jokes that he is a little spoiled to call so much. Her daughter in Fremont wants to visit, but that isnt allowed. Besides, Martinez says, I dont want her to get COVID.

Martinez says she isnt sure how she caught the coronavirus.

Shed gone to her sisters house in San Jose for Thanksgiving. But even though everyone removed their masks for dinner, the timing wouldnt be right. COVID symptoms show up within 14 days, and Martinez didnt feel ill until early January. She assumed she had the flu. I didnt think anything of it until the 9th or 10th, she says. Then I started to feel real bad. By the 13th, her granddaughter insisted they go to the hospital.

My husband is also coughing. Hes getting checked tomorrow, she says. His brother has a bad cough, too, but wont get checked. Hes scared.

For anyone reading about her, Martinez says, she has an important message: People! Please, please, wear a mask at all times. Wash your hands the minute you drop your groceries at the table. Stay out of the public, and take care of yourselves. Go to the doctor if you feel sick.

A stack of colorful cards sits at the nurses station in the center of the fifth floor COVID ICU. Decorated with red hearts and stethoscopes, they say thank you! to nurses and doctors. Some envelopes are still sealed, addressed to Hospital Patient or Covid Patient.

The patients on this floor arent up to opening letters. Most are sedated to tolerate the ventilator tube that stretches down their throat and breathes for them. They are isolated from one another, but linked by the disease that brought them here.

Blue-gowned nurses study computer screens outside patients glass-walled rooms scribbled with messages from one nurse to the other. Bright yellow PAPRs  the spacesuit-like protective gear  hang on poles, each belonging to just one nurse. Some rooms on one side of the ICU are reserved for patients who need slightly less attention than those in intensive care.

Shortly before 7 p.m. the shift changes. As the next crew arrives, the nurses share details about patient medications, urine flow, the family dog.

In a corner, two burly men in khaki uniforms with holstered guns stand by a patients room. They are from the California Department of Corrections.

The guards smile but decline to speak. The patient they are guarding no doubt comes from one of two nearby state prisons, where cases have soared in January, state data shows.

More than half of the 4,800 inmates at the Correctional Training Facility at Soledad have been infected with the coronavirus since the pandemic began, and 16 have died. At Salinas Valley State Prison, 19% of the 2,877 prisoners have tested positive. Three have died.

What has it been like working in the COVID ICU? It is a mix of everything. Noisy. The noise of the air swishing back and forth forcefully into the face mask as you struggle to hear the patients voice. Like the voice of a patient stating, tell them I love them very much when asked (before intubation) what message should be relayed to family.

The words are part of an essay ICU nurse Sandra Martinez, 52, wrote for a newspaper in Soledad, where she lives about half an hour south of Salinas. In it, she detailed the exhaustion of nurses working 16-hour shifts, and their despair at seeing people ignore precautions that would keep them out of the COVID ward.

She wrote about the wide-eye panic look of patients hungry for air, and the joy of seeing patients discharged. She described the pain of watching a parent say goodbye to a child as a heart in your throat moment, whether the child is a minor or 70. She signed her essay: A Tired ICU Registered Nurse.

Nic Coury / Special to The Chronicle

Taking a moment at the hospital to talk, Martinez muses about the fatigue, emotional and physical, she has felt throughout the pandemic.

I ask myself, why is this affecting me so much? Ive seen hundreds of deaths in 27 years. I think because there is no break, no end in sight. And these patients who passed away: Was it preventable? Other diseases are not. But here ... Her voice trails off.

Martinez has been vaccinated, and knows the vaccine will reach everyone  eventually. She knows hospitalizations are slowing. And yet, each day, COVID still sends patients to her ICU. Each day, she is witness to farewells.

Early on, Martinez had nightmares about being intubated herself, and being unable to say goodbye to her children. So she and her husband, a respiratory therapist, wrote them letters saying goodbye.

I dont feel silly for doing it, she says. But I never did give it. How do you say goodbye?

Its 8:30 p.m. in the fifth floor COVID ICU. Doctors and nurses are racing to the room of the man on the BiPAP oxygen machine.

He is conscious, but hes coding. Doctors in full protective gear enter the room, in the part of the ICU set aside for people whose needs fall short of intensive care. Outside, half a dozen people stand by.

To an onlooker, its not clear what all the doctors, nurses and technicians are doing. But to Jeanna Beckham, a nurse watching from across the room, the role of each person is essential in trying to save this patients life.

That nurse did a really good job, Beckham says. She knew she needed assistance, so she quickly called Rapid Response. Its part of our profession. You have to be able to act quickly. Thats the amazing thing about the nurses we work with. We dont hesitate to ask for help. Were a team.

That night, the team worked on the patient for some time. He did not die. Three days later, doctors placed him on a ventilator.

Hernandez, the patient who spoke to his doctor by phone, was discharged Thursday after eight days in the hospital.

Carmelita Martinez did not leave the hospital.

She was moved to Comfort Care, a form of hospice meant to help at the end of life.

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov

New Delhi, Jan 24 : In a bid to gear up its force for a "big" anti-extremist operation in the Maoist hotbeds, especially in areas prone to attacks, the Central Resrve Police Force (CRPF) is engaged in adding updated gadgets and arms to its armoury. In the process, the force will use an upgraded version of the Netra-V2 drone named 'Micro UAV A-410'.

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) weighing 6 kg with payload and battery is an updated version of Netra-V2 -- the drone being used by the CRPF for several years in Maoist-affected areas to carry out operations against the rebel groups, which has proved to be an indispensable asset in surveillance, reconnaissance and rescue operations on numerous occasions.

With a "cruise speed" of 35 km per hour, the UAV A-410 has the capacity to fly for around 60 minutes in one go at an altitude of 600 metres, covering 5 km range. It has dual camera system both for day and night. The day camera has 1,280 x 720 pixel resolution with 10x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom. The night camera has thermal imaging capacity of 640 x 480 pixel resolution and 4x digital zoom.

"Micro UAV A-410 is a vertical takeoff and landing small RPAS for quick deployment from confined locations with 60-minute endurance. It provides autonomous operation from takeoff to landing with digital encrypted communication link. It has full HD camera and reliable aerial imaging for surveillance and security operations," said an CRPF officer.

The 'Made in India' drone being manufactured by Asteria Aerospace is expected to be included in the CRPF armoury by April or May end, sources in the CRPF told IANS.

The CRPF, a 3.5 lakh strong force under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) with mandatory responsibility to provide internal security across the country as well as Maoist-hit states and Jammu and Kashmir, will procure 40 such drones and use them in different regions of its deployments.

One Micro UAV A-410 is expected to cost between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 15 lakh.

Sources in the CRPF and the MHA told IANS that the procurement of the drone is part of a process to upgrade the force's armoury to launch a "big operation against Maoists before the monsoon this year". However, it is not yet clear as to which of the Maoist hit hotbeds will be targeted by the security force.

There are 90 Maoist-affected districts across 11 states in India which are covered under the Security Related Expenditure scheme. This includes 19 districts in Jharkhand, 16 in Bihar, 15 in Odisha, 14 in Chhattisgarh, 8 in Telangana, 6 in Andhra Pradesh, three each in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala and one district in West Bengal.

In reply to unstarred questions in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy had said in the Monsoon Session last year that Maoist violence was reported in only 61 districts in 2019 and in 46 districts in the first half of 2020.

He said there has been a steady decline in violence and the geographical influence of Maoists in the country. He cited that the number of civilians and security personnel killed in Maoist violence has reduced from 1,005 in 2010 to 202 in 2019. In 2020 till September, the number of fatalities stood at 102. Moreover, 4,022 Left-wing extremists had surrendered till then since 2015.

(Rajnish Singh can be contacted at rajnish.s@ians.in)
She's a trend setter renowned for her impeccable high-fashion tastes.

And Olivia Palmero's haute couture bona fides couldn't be beat when she showed off her leopard-print coat during a stroll in New York City on Saturday with her husband Johannes Huebl.

The 34-year-old socialite's playful coat was upgraded with an eye-catching hot pink collar that contrasted with the otherwise drab winter day.

Standing out: Olivia Palermo, 34, was unmissable in a leopard-print coat with a hot pink collar as she went for a walk in New York City with her husband Johannes Huebl on Saturday

Olivia's dark brown thigh-length coat was paired with a casual set of slim jeans that were lightly tucked into her edgy patent leather combat boots.

She wore a thick ribbed cream-colored sweater underneath her coat and she added more color to the muted ensemble with a purple handbag.

The 5ft6in beauty had her light brown locks pulled back in a tight bun, highlighting her chunky black sunglasses.

Johannes contrasted his wife with a more dressed-up look in shades of blue.

Edgy: Olivia's dark brown thigh-length coat was paired with a casual set of slim jeans that were lightly tucked into her patent leather combat boots

Jazzed up: She wore a thick ribbed cream-colored sweater underneath her coat and she added more color to the muted ensemble with a purple handbag

The German model wore a three-buttoned navy suit while dressing it down with a pair of blue suede loafers.

He added some extra warmth with a short navy overcoat that he left unbuttoned and a gray ski cap, and he added a frumpy blue polka-dotted ascot over his white dress shirt.

Both Olivia and Johannes wore black masks to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, and they kept their distance from other strollers.

The pair first met in 2008, and they got engaged six months before they tied the knot in June 2014.

Blue mood: Johannes, a German model, wore a three-buttoned navy suit while dressing it down with a pair of blue suede loafers

In December, Olivia opened up to Page Six about how she's been keeping up her fashionable ensemble with 'a lot of cashmere and diamonds' amid the pandemic.

'I have not let coronavirus stop me from getting dressed; I feel that its important,' she said.

'Im convinced its going to be the roaring 20s with that extra sparkle when we get out [of quarantine],' she theorized. 'All of us have probably been looking at our festive wardrobes for a year, waiting to wear things.'

The reality star also said she planned to start up ballroom dancing lessons with her husband again once it's safe to do so, as they had just started classes before the pandemic struck.
A Mercedes driver has allegedly rammed through the front gates of a Islamic school in Sydney's south-west.

Police raced to Salamah College in Chester Hill shortly after 4pm on Sunday after reports from security staff that a car allegedly drove through the boom gate at the school's front entrance.

Officers attended the scene and spoke to the male driver, who allegedly became aggressive and resisted arrest when told he was trespassing on the school grounds.

Police remain at the scene of Salamah College (pictured) in Sydney's south-west. Pictured are cop cars at the scene in Hector Street, Chester Hill

'A taser was deployed to subdue him, and the man was arrested,' a police statement read.

The man was taken to Bankstown Police Station where he is assisting with police inquiries.

A large presence of police remains at the school on Hector Street.

The male driver of the white Mercedes (pictured) was arrested at the scene and now assisting with police inquiries

The school remains cordoned off as the scene and the white Mercedes are forensically examined by officers.

Salamah College is an independent Islamic co-educational primary and secondary school for students from kindergarten right through to year 12.

Thousands of students across New South Wales will return to classrooms later this week for the start of the 2021 school year.
SYDNEY -- Alphabet Incs Google said on Friday it would block its search engine in Australia if the government proceeds with a new code that would force it and Facebook Inc to pay media companies for the right to use their content.

Googles threat escalates a battle with publishers such as News Corp that is being closely watched around the world. The search giant had warned that its 19 million Australian users would face degraded search and YouTube experiences if the new code were enforced.

Australia is on course to pass laws that would make tech giants negotiate payments with local publishers and broadcasters for content included in search results or news feeds. If they cannot strike a deal, a government-appointed arbitrator will decide the price.

Coupled with the unmanageable financial and operational risk if this version of the Code were to become law, it would give us no real choice but to stop making Google Search available in Australia, Mel Silva, managing director for Australia and New Zealand, told a senate committee.

Silva made no mention of YouTube in prepared remarks, as the video service is expected to be exempted under revisions to the code last month.

Googles comments drew a sharp rebuke from Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison who said the country makes its rules for things you can do in Australia.

People who want to work with that in Australia, youre very welcome. But we dont respond to threats, Morrison told reporters.

At the inquiry, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair Rod Sims, who has overseen the new rules, said he could not predict what the tech giants would do but said theres always brinkmanship in serious negotiations.

They talk of commercial deals where theyre in full control of the deal, he said. In my view thats not a commercial deal.

Google has called the code overly broad and said that without revisions, offering even a limited search tool would be too risky. The company does not disclose sales from Australia, but search ads are its biggest contributor to revenue and profit globally.

The United States government this week asked Australia to scrap the proposed laws, which have broad political support, and suggested Australia should pursue a voluntary code instead.

Australia announced the legislation last month after an investigation found Google and social media giant Facebook held too much market power in the media industry, a situation it said posed a potential threat to a well-functioning democracy.

Googles threat to limit its services in Australia came just hours after the internet giant reached a content-payment deal with some French news publishers as part of three-year, $1.3-billion push to support publishers.

Googles testimony is part of a pattern of threatening behaviour that is chilling for anyone who values our democracy, said Peter Lewis, director of the Australia Institutes Centre for Responsible Technology.
Just weeks after the East Baton Rouge Metro Council rejected a $5 million settlement with the family of Alton Sterling, lawyers for the city-parish are now offering to settle the wrongful death lawsuit for $2.5 million, The Advocate has learned.

The offer was made this week after it was approved by a committee within the Parish Attorney's Office, according to sources with knowledge of the discussions. They required anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case publicly.

The settlement still would need the approval of a majority of the Metro Council and is likely to come up for discussion at its Dec. 9 meeting.

Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old Black man, was shot and killed by a White Baton Rouge police officer outside a convenience store in the early morning hours of July 5, 2016. The civil suit, filed in 2017, alleges that the deadly encounter exemplified longstanding problems of racist attitudes and excessive force among Baton Rouge police officers.

+2 $5M settlement to Alton Sterling's family rejected by Metro Council; see who voted for, against In a split vote Wednesday, the East Baton Rouge Metro Council rejected a proposed $5 million settlement in the civil lawsuit filed on behalf o

The case is crawling towards a March 2021 trial date, and on Monday, Judge William Morvant of the 19th Judicial District Court ruled that Blane Salamoni, the officer who shot and killed Sterling, will remain as a defendant in the case after denying a motion for summary judgement. The suit alleges Salamoni's conduct violated Sterling's constitutional rights.

If the $2.5 million offer is accepted, it would be divided among Sterling's five children. The money will only be accessible with the consent of a judge while the recipients are still minors.

Parish Attorney Andy Dotson and Sterling family lawyer Brandon DeCuir, reached Friday, both cited a "gag order" Morvant issued in the case.

The Metro Council voted to reject a proposed $5 million settlement this month, the third time in less than a year that such a measure has failed. That number emerged out of nonbinding mediation that both parties of the lawsuit participated in last year.

It's not clear how the city-parish settled on the $2.5 million figure. Previously, DeCuir told The Advocate that the $5 million offer was unlikely to pass muster given how much had already been spent prepping the case.

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

"With the amount of money I've spent in the last couple of weeks, the number they're tossing around probably isn't going to get it done," Decuir said in an interview conducted prior to the "gag order" going into effect.

How much is the Alton Sterling case worth? Here are the complex factors that could decide More than four years after the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling, and numerous failed attempts to settle the resulting wrongful death la

Some council members have argued against any settlement whatsoever and others have said that going to trial is the best way to provide the public with a full accounting of the facts and evidence. The city's attorneys previously said they would prefer a settlement, but called the $5 million proposal excessive.

Several council members have said that settling is the best path forward to help heal the racial and political divisions that have engulfed the city in the last four years. They have argued that a trial would only reignite past tensions.

At least six current Metro Council seats will turn over in January, five due to term limits and another because a member sought higher office. Two incumbents face Dec. 5 runoff elections.

Two cellphone videos taken by bystanders in July 2016 captured the graphic conclusion of the roughly 90-second encounter. The videos were released publicly shortly after the fatal shooting and quickly spread online, focusing national and international attention on the incident and fueling protests over Sterling's death.

Salamoni can be heard yelling "gun" in the brief video clips just before the shooting. Salamoni fired three times into Sterlings chest and then three more times into his back when Sterling began to sit up and move.

Howie Lake II, another office on the scene, retrieved a loaded .38-caliber revolver from Sterling's pocket just after the shooting and both officers told investigators they thought Sterling was reaching for the weapon. The officers were responding to an anonymous 911 caller who claimed a man matching Sterling's description had threatened him with a gun outside the store.

Both state and federal prosecutors decided against pressing charges against either officer, though BRPD internal investigators concluded Salamoni had used excessive force.


Its widely assumed today that a nationalist emphasis on American sovereignty and the prioritizing of our own countrys interests, rights, values, and traditions represents a radical departure from the dominant currents of American foreign policy. But in a learned and suggestive essay, political scientist Colin Dueck establishes that Wilsonian internationalism, with its emphasis on authoritative global structures and aggressive democracy promotion, is the true innovation in American foreign policy. Nationalism in its best American form is a mainstream tradition of statecraft, democratically oriented and in accord with a civic form of patriotism. Professor Dueck shows American nationalisms relevance to foreign policy challenges today and its crucial place in shaping a politics of prudence marked by both confidence and restraint.

At its most exemplary, conservative nationalism is a democratically oriented and civic form of patriotism, a love of a particular place, maintaining that the world is best governed by independent nation-states and that only within the context of such states can a free citizenry experiment with constitutional forms of self-rule. In foreign policy, conservative nationalists focus on preserving and promoting their own countrys interests, rights, values, security, traditions, and way of life, in the belief that it is entirely legitimate to do so. Within the United States, a kind of conservative American nationalism was the mainstream bipartisan political and foreign policy tradition for most of the countrys history. But Americas Founders also hoped that the nations example of popular self-government would eventually spread worldwide, and they saw no contradiction between holding out that hope, or even pressing it forward, and preserving U.S. national sovereignty.

Within the United States, a kind of conservative American nationalism was the mainstream bipartisan political and foreign policy tradition for most of the countrys history.

As a matter of historical record, the original American colonies were founded by English Protestant settlers, and this specific cultural and religious heritage provided the context for U.S. founding principles. Over the years, some U.S. nationalists have defined their identity mainly in religious or ethnic terms. This has long encouraged tensions between an ethnic definition of the American nation and a civic one. Yet in their Declaration of Independence, the American revolutionaries stated that all men are created equal, justifying their rebellion in part by claiming certain universal natural rights. These claims were informed by beliefs well described as classically liberal. There has consequently been within the United States, from the very beginning, a kind of American creed, a civic religion or national identity with some notably classical liberal elements, including the rule of law, individual freedom, majority rule, equality of right, enterprise, progress, and limited government. As 19th century Marxists such as Friedrich Engels noted, this classical liberal creed made it difficult to promote socialism within the United States. This is what Engels meant by American exceptionalism  and he found it exceptionally frustrating.

In terms of its worldwide implications, the leaders of the American Revolution hoped that it would encourage the spread of republican forms of government and the creation of a new international system, characterized by peaceful commercial exchange, individual liberty, the rule of law, and human progress. They rejected the 18th century European state system as corrupt, militaristic, warlike, and autocratic. Of course, the pressing question was inevitably how to interact with states still part of that Old World system. To varying degrees, the Founders and succeeding generations embraced Americas westward continental expansion, to create what Thomas Jefferson described as an empire of liberty. They also embraced commercial opportunities overseas. In this sense, U.S. economic and territorial expansion beyond existing boundaries long predated Americas later rise as a global power. Simultaneously, however, these very same early statesmen cherished the preservation of U.S. independence, and for that matter held to a policy of prudent disengagement from European alliances, a policy laid out formally by George Washington in his 1796 Farewell Address, in which he said that the great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. This emphasis on avoiding what Jefferson later called entangling alliances became a key component of U.S. foreign policy throughout the 19th century. Early American statesmen saw no essential contradiction between expanding the sphere of republican governments and preserving their nations independence.

Partisan political debate over the precise foreign policy implications of American nationalism was evident from the start. Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton agreed on American exceptionalism, U.S. sovereignty, and the long-term expansion of republican governments. They did not agree on the foreign policy implications. Whereas Jefferson envisioned the United States as a vast, decentralized, agrarian republic, Hamilton looked to encourage a centralized treasury and nascent American manufacturing, along with the other apparatus of state power in the international arena, including a professionalized armed forces. During the 1790s, Jefferson tended to sympathize with revolutionary France; Hamilton, with Great Britain. It was precisely these differences between Jefferson and Federalists such as Hamilton that Washington hoped to quell in issuing his Farewell Address. To his mind, one advantage of non-entanglement overseas was the avoidance of domestic factional hostility inside the United States.

Each round of 19th century American territorial expansion was typically characterized by some significant internal debate over whether such expansion was constitutional, cost-effective, or appropriate. These genuine philosophical differences were often bound up with sectional interests and party politics  along with support of, or opposition to, individual presidents. And presidents sometimes acted aggressively to direct American territorial expansion. Jefferson, for example, decried the centralization of executive authority, but when the opportunity presented itself in 1803 to purchase the vast Louisiana territory from France, he freely did so, admitting that he had stretched the Constitution until it cracked. Later waves of attempted territorial expansion and U.S. warfare against Britain, Mexico, and Native American tribes brought intense controversy and debate, pitting those Americans who favored expansion against those who did not. Both sides often argued that the other was betraying U.S. founding principles. And yet Americas nationalist foreign policy consensus held firm. It was a heated dispute between partisans who shared the same underlying premises.

[Wilson's] innovation was . . . to say that only through binding, universal, and formal multilateral commitments on the part of the United States could progressive liberal values be vindicated  worldwide.

Out of the heat of World War I, President Woodrow Wilson offered a fundamental alternative to the American nationalist foreign policy tradition. He conceived of and explained his decision to go to war in terms of his countrys ability not only to help defeat Germany militarily but also to lead in the creation of a transformed global order characterized by democratic governments, national self-determination, collective security, open trading arrangements, freedom of the seas, multilateral organization, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and general disarmament. A League of Nations was to be the capstone of this new U.S.-led order, containing at its heart what Wilson envisioned as a virtual guarantee of territorial integrity and political independence for each member state. Wilsons great innovation was not simply to argue that American liberal values needed to be vindicated by force on the European continent, though this was dramatic enough in itself. Nor was it simply to tie his League project to the achievement of progressive reforms inside the United States, though he did that as well. His innovation was also to say that only through binding, universal, and formal multilateral commitments on the part of the United States could progressive liberal values be vindicated  worldwide. And in the process, Wilson disparaged the goal of maintaining a balance of power. In the end, the U.S. Senate refused to pass the Versailles Treaty by the required two-thirds vote. But Wilson had laid down a marker, ideologically, that would not disappear. The Wilsonian vision would become an animating force in American foreign policy, politically and internationally, over the course of the next century.

Republicans, for their part, had grave concerns about Wilsons liberal internationalist vision from the beginning, along with its domestic implications. But they disagreed over how far exactly to correct or resist it. In particular, they were divided between hawkish forms of conservative American nationalism and more non-interventionist versions. As of 1918-19, the most common foreign policy view among Republican senators favored a limited postwar alliance with France and Great Britain. But the final outcome of the League debate was essentially a victory for non-interventionists like Senator Robert LaFollette. That outcome underpinned GOP foreign policy approaches throughout the 1920s and into the opening years of World War II. Then Republicans again divided, with one side arguing for U.S. aid to Great Britain against Nazi Germany and the other side opposing it. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor settled that debate in favor of the GOPs foreign policy hawks.

The rise of the Soviet Union after World War II reinforced the new predominance of national security hawks within the GOP. Strict non-interventionists were marginalized. But in reality, many conservative nationalists had to be dragged into a set of postwar U.S. commitments overseas, and the only thing that ensured their support was a fierce anti-Communism. No subsequent Republican president could entirely ignore the continued force of conservative American nationalism at the grassroots level, and most achieved political and policy success by incorporating aspects of it into their overall approach. The manner in which they did so varied considerably from one president to the next. Those who failed to strike effective balances on this score  such as Senator Barry Goldwater, the Republican presidential nominee in 1964  tended to lose elections, whatever their other virtues.

. . . already in the 1990s, non-interventionists had resurfaced, led by social conservative Pat Buchanan, on the one hand, and libertarian Ron Paul, on the other. Though they seemed marginal at the time, over the long run, these voices  and Buchanans, in particular  proved prophetic.

In the immediate aftermath of the Cold War, the most common Republican feeling with regard to the partys foreign policy record was one of satisfaction. But already in the 1990s, non-interventionists had resurfaced, led by social conservative Pat Buchanan, on the one hand, and libertarian Ron Paul, on the other. Though they seemed marginal at the time, over the long run, these voices  and Buchanans, in particular  proved prophetic. President George W. Bush managed to rally most hardline GOP nationalists to his policy of a War on Terror, combined with the 2003 invasion of Iraq and a freedom agenda for the Middle East. But frustrations in Iraq raised some obvious criticisms, and once Bush left office the GOP again splintered into its most basic divisions. In 2016, insurgent candidate Donald Trump took advantage of these divisions to do what had previously seemed impossible  upend the dominance of foreign policy hawks in favor of other approaches. The actual foreign policy of the Trump administration, however, was a hybrid or mixture of these tendencies.

The Trump administrations foreign policy is therefore best understood as a resurgence of one specific form of conservative American nationalism  a less interventionist version  against Wilsonian foreign policy legacies in both parties. Trumps foreign policy emphases appear unprecedented only if earlier historical experience is ignored. To be sure, Trump did not run as a liberal internationalist. But neither did most 20th century Republican presidents. Nor is doubling down on dreamy Wilsonian foreign policy assumptions the great necessity of our time. The liberal internationalist or Wilsonian tradition suggests that long-term global progress toward greater economic interdependence, democracy promotion, and multilateral organization ultimately combine to leave ancient patterns of power politics obsolete. Each post-Cold War president prior to Trump operated on some key premise within this tradition. President Bill Clinton hoped that expanding the zone of market-oriented U.S. allies through democratic enlargement would promote American values and interests at minimal cost. President George W. Bush hoped that preventive military action, combined with regime change in Iraq, would undermine support for jihadist terrorists inside the Muslim world. President Barack Obama hoped that international accommodations led by the U.S. would help to promote multilateral coordination around liberal policy goals. No doubt all three sets of hopes were sincere. And all three had certain foreign policy successes. Yet in the end, all three were overly optimistic in very significant ways.

To be specific: history never ended. Historically normal patterns of strategic competition, international conflict, and great-power politics never entirely disappeared. Authoritarian powers both large and small discovered new ways to adapt and survive. And contrary to post-Cold War expectations, the major powers of the world did not all converge upon a single liberal democratic model or ideal. If anything, the 21st century has seen a resurgence of great power competition. The conclusion of the Cold War did not bring an end to geopolitical realities. It only reconfigured them.

Todays great challenge is not to promote or transform any progressive world order but simply to defend existing democracies.

For conservative nationalists, as for all Americans, the realization that progress is not inevitable, and that history has not ended, ought to lead to a shift in foreign policy emphases. Expanding international cooperation and human rights are both worthy goals, but neither in itself can be the starting point for U.S. grand strategy. Greater weight must be placed on supporting Americas allies and pushing back against its rivals and adversaries within an internationally competitive environment. The answer is not to disengage. Nor is to think that rivals can be lectured into accommodation  much less blasted away in a burst of regime change. Rather, the answer is for the United States to prepare for steady, long-term, robust competition with a range of serious competitors  above all, China  so as to better protect existing democracies against a variety of threats. What is required is a carefully calibrated and tough-minded politics of prudence.

U.S. diplomatic efforts should start with traditional alliances, rather than obvious competitors. There is little point in being half-hearted while protecting American primacy. But there is also no need to prioritize strategies of preventive war or regime change as uppermost doctrinally, since unsuccessful interventions overseas only serve to undermine broader U.S. interests. The default preference should be regionally differentiated strategies of attrition, assertive containment, and peace through strength. Transformational global projects or promises from all directions must now be met with considerable skepticism. Todays great challenge is not to promote or transform any progressive world order but simply to defend existing democracies. The United States remains much stronger than some believe. If it pursues tough-minded foreign policy approaches, tapping into its profound capabilities, it can outlast its challengers and succeed. That will involve a bringing together of confidence and self-restraint, in the best traditions of American foreign policy.

Colin Dueck is a professor in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University and a Visiting Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. His most recent book is Age of Iron: On Conservative Nationalism (Oxford, 2019).

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(CNN)  Brexit might be done and dusted, but its specter will loom over Britain for a long time yet.

For all the fanfare made when Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck a trade deal with Brussels on Christmas Eve, the inescapable reality of leaving the European Union's customs and regulatory territory has already started to bite. The fact that the deal was only agreed one week before it came into effect meant that dangerous disruption to countless businesses that relied on seamless supply chains was inevitable.

Despite Johnson's repeated claims that Brexit is a great opportunity for British exporters and would lead to some kind of revival for free trade, the reality is very different: freshly caught fish are reportedly being left to rot as exporters cannot get them to the European Union while logistics firms are skeptical that both importing and exporting is going to be viable for many businesses in the long term. Fallout from Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic is pushing the UK economy into a sharp contraction in the first quarter, according to data published Friday by IHS Markit, meaning a double-dip recession is now on the cards.

While it should be a source of embarrassment for the PM that his deal has made life very difficult for many of the industries that he has championed post-Brexit, Johnson's public statements on the matter suggest he is oblivious to the reality that many are facing.

When asked for comment on the immediate consequences of the trade barriers implemented as a result of the deal, a UK government spokesperson told CNN Business:

"From the outset we were clear that we would be leaving the customs union and single market which meant that there would be new processes after the end of the Transition Period. These were widely communicated through our public information campaign."

The starkest example of what Brexit is doing to British business comes from Scotland's fishing industry. Despite the government's claims during Brexit negotiations that the fishing industry was very near the top of its priority list, there is a real fear that the entire industry could collapse in a matter of weeks.

"We had an entirely new system for exporters to get their heads around that hadn't been tested prior to use. The result, somewhat inevitably, was that it started going wrong straight away," says James Withers, chief executive of Scotland Food and Drink.

"This isn't as simple as an IT glitch that needs fixing. In a matter of days, we went from being able to send fresh food to Madrid with a single cover sheet of paperwork. Now there are roughly 26 steps for each transaction."

The real-world impact of this means that some exporters have had the European market cut off overnight. Almost every day, pictures circulate on social media of virtually empty fish markets and boats tied up. Withers has heard stories of Scottish boats sailing 48 hours to process catches in Denmark, just to get their stock into the single market. In an industry where profit margins are often thin, every hour spent working around red tape is critical to both the freshness of the product and the productivity of the business.

When pushed on the matter, Johnson has said that he thinks these are merely teething issues and not the fault of his deal or the barriers it's created. His spokesman explains that the government is providing 23 million ($31.4 million) for the industry to ease the process.

When asked specifically about the fishing industry earlier this week, Johnson once again denied that the problems facing exporters had anything to do with his deal, but instead were due to restaurants being shut because of the pandemic.

However, Withers believes that money "will run out quickly" and without coming to some new sort of arrangement with the European Union, "this sort of exporting might not be sustainable" and will "almost certainly lead to the very people the [Prime Minister] said he was fighting for losing their jobs."

The scenes in Scotland might not be as dramatic as the food shortages and lines of backlogged trucks that many predicted post-Brexit, but the damage is already showing up in economic data. Brexit issues are exacerbating a slowdown caused by pandemic restrictions, IHS Markit said on Friday, and lengthening suppliers' delivery times. While 33% of manufacturers reporting a drop in exports linked the decline directly to the pandemic, some 60% linked the drop to Brexit, according to IHS.

ForagePlus, a horse nutrition business based in Wales, had dozens of parcels bound for Europe returned this week due to glitches in its shipping company's new systems for processing customs information. "It's just a shambles basically," ForagePlus founder Sarah Braithwaite told CNN Business, adding that it had been nearly a month since the company was able to ship anything into Europe due to the pandemic and Brexit.

There is real concern among trucking companies and logistics firms that things are going to get much worse in the coming months.

Multiple sources within the affected sectors told CNN Business that British consumers won't feel much disruption yet, as January is a typically quiet month at ports and the United Kingdom did stockpile goods to prepare for a possible no-deal Brexit. But that could change as trade volumes increase over the coming months, putting border systems under additional pressure.

This could result in a gradual reduction in the variety of fresh produce available to British shoppers. According to a spokesperson for Logistics UK, "in the short term, while supply chains sort themselves out, it may be that we return to a more seasonal approach to shopping or have a more limited range to choose from." This could mean that after decades of fresh fruit and vegetables at all times of the year, Brits might have to start seeing strawberries as summer treat, for example.

The region where food shortages could fast become a real issue is Northern Ireland, where images of empty supermarket shelves have circulated on social media. Due to the unique position of Northern Ireland, it has split with the rest of the United Kingdom and remained inside the EU single market, making it a lot harder to import food from Great Britain. Simon Coveney, Ireland's foreign affairs minister, said that images showing empty shelves in Northern Irish supermarkets were "clearly a Brexit issue" and "part of the reality" of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union.

Trade experts are concerned about the gradual decline in EU-UK trade. "The slow decline is in some ways more dangerous than sudden food shortages," says David Henig, UK director at the European Centre For International Political Economy. "I am particularly concerned about exporters being unable to fulfill orders and losing customers or just giving up completely. The long-term message that sends could be very damaging for inward investment," he adds.

There are legitimate questions as to why things have been so bad, despite the United Kingdom having years to prepare for the cliff edge. "We've known about the risks of not being prepared for five years," says Anna Jerzewska, founder of Trade and Borders, which assists exporters and importers across Europe.

Jerzewska says that her clients are reporting numerous complaints, but most worryingly a failure of support from the UK government to resolve their issues. "Getting an answer to a technical question could take 48 hours, which is obviously a problem for fresh produce. People in the call centers can only really point to guidance, but the guidance isn't currently fit for purpose."

And despite everyone involved working hard to resolve the early issues, Jerzewska fears this won't be enough to save struggling British exporters. "At the moment it's shock, but the underlying costs are not going away. And for traders who work at thin profit margins, an extra couple of percentage points could be the end."

Many of Johnson's Conservative lawmakers are struggling with how to reply to their constituents. "The party gave us lines to read out when the deal came through presenting it as a huge success, but as time goes on, it's clear there's quite a lot of nasty surprises in Pandora's box," says one Conservative member of parliament who is not permitted to speak on-the-record about government policy outside of their brief.

Others say that small local businesses are up in arms at finding out that if they want to visit Europe to sell their goods, they might need a work permit from foreign governments or paperwork allowing them to move goods into the European Union.

There isn't much optimism that things will improve in the near future among moderate Conservatives. Many are extremely worried that the gradual decline caused by Brexit will ultimately lead to Europe trying to lure Britain's golden goose to the continent: The City of London, which hosts many of the world's biggest banks.

"Once the fog of Covid lifts, financial and professional services firms looking to expand globally will see London and realize that we have given up quite a lot of our competitive advantage," says the Conservative member of parliament.

The trade deal Johnson signed bizarrely didn't address either of these, despite them making up a huge part of the UK economy. Banks and traders in London are now hoping to be granted "equivalence" by the European Union, a designation that would allow them to continue serving EU clients with limited disruption.

"If no deal is reached on equivalence for financial services or data, that could kickstart a squeeze on the city from EU regulators and leave businesses wondering what the benefit of setting up in London is if you want to serve the European market," says Henig.

The European Union and United Kingdom are supposed to reach an agreement in March on financial services, but the mood music from both London and Brussels right now suggests that the United Kingdom is unlikely to be pulled back into the EU regulatory sphere any time soon.

Many Brexiteer lawmakers felt vindicated when the world didn't fall off its axis in the immediate aftermath of Brexit, as plenty of the anti-Brexiteers' worst nightmares failed to materialize. However, if the current trajectory of gradual decline continues, the slide could become uncontrollable.

Those politicians will have to explain to voters why they encouraged their prime minister to pursue such a hard Brexit despite the warnings of its consequences. They have a couple of months before things get really bad to put pressure on Johnson to start engaging with the reality of Brexit a little more.

The question that matters most to those struggling is how bad things must get before those who most vocally supported Brexit are willing to break ranks and admit the truth: that leaving the world's largest trading bloc has immediate consequences.

This story was first published on CNN.com 'Rotting fish, lost business and piles of red tape. The reality of Brexit hits Britain'
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The 87th Legislative session began on Jan. 12 and we are already off to a busy start. Within the first few days of the session, the House elected a new Speaker, the Comptroller released his biennial revenue estimate, and our office has continued to file legislation that we have been working hard on for many months. I am looking forward to a productive session for House District 16.

I had the great honor of delivering the nominating speech for the newly elected Speaker of the Texas House, Dade Phelan of Beaumont. Speaker Phelan was first elected to the Texas House in 2014 and is serving his fourth term as the State Representative for House District 21. As a fellow southeast Texan, he has seen his fair share of disasters, just as we all have, since hurricane Harvey and the several devastating flood events since then. I am confident that Speaker Phelan will help lead the state and ensure that Texas remains open and working. As Speaker of the House, one of his main duties will be selecting the House Committee memberships, which should be coming within the next few weeks.

There was some optimistic news with the biennial revenue estimate that was delivered by Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Jan. 11. The biennial revenue estimate is an estimate that outlines how much state revenue is available for the state to operate during the next biennium. The biennial revenue estimate works as the ultimate cap on our state budget, because, thankfully, the Legislature is bound by the Texas Constitution to pass a balanced budget, meaning we can spend no more than we bring in. Comptroller Hegar announced $112.5 billion in available general purpose spending for the 2022-23 biennium. It is a decrease in funds available from the 2020-21 biennium but it is certainly not as bleak as was projected last year. During the summer of 2020, in the height of COVID-19, Comptroller Hegar projected a potential $4.6 billion shortfall. On Jan. 11, he announced an updated number of a nearly $1 billion shortfall. While still not ideal, this is better news since it shows the Texas economy is recovering well from the economic stresses we went through.

One issue that remains of the upmost importance to me this session is property tax reform. The Legislature has done work on this topic over the past few sessions, but there is always more work to be done. The appraisal process is a key element of the property tax system. That is why I filed three pieces of legislation to reign in the appraisal districts, House Bills 1166, 1167, and 1168. This legislation will make the Chief Appraiser of a county an elected position, make the members of an Appraisal Review Board elected positions, and make the Appraisal District Board of Directors elected positions. It is vital that local citizens have the ability to elect their local officials. This system will allow taxpayers to replace appointed boards with elected officials so that the appraisal districts are responsible to the taxpayers, not the tax collectors.

Our office has continued to file bills on various topics since the start of the 87th Legislative Session. These bills deal with school safety, criminal justice, and many other issues brought to our office by constituents of House District 16.

We are very fortunate to have the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission in our county working hard to expand a beautiful tribute to our veterans and first responders with the Montgomery County Memorial and Flag Park. In the 85th Legislative Session in 2017, I sponsored Senate Concurrent Resolution 51 which urged the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Historical Commission, the Texas Veterans Commission and all other appropriate state agencies to offer support to the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission in its mission to establish the new veterans memorial in Conroe. Last week, I filed House Bill 1158 which comes following unsuccessful attempts made by the City of Conroe and the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial and Flag Park to have the Texas Department of Transportation install signage for the park along Interstate 45. This particular legislation would provide for the inclusion of a nonprofit attraction on informational logo signs operated by the Texas Department of Transportation. Under current law, TxDOT operates a logo and directional sign program which allows for the placement of signs for eligible businesses along Texas highways. The eligible businesses may lease space on these signs for gas, food, lodging, camping, and 24-hour pharmacies. HB 1158 would create another criteria of eligibility by allowing an attraction to lease space on these signs. Only an attraction which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit establishment, including a museum, monument or park may be included on the informational logo sign. I have always supported the memorial and flag park and I look forward to continuing to do so.

I filed House Bill 977, brought by the Montgomery County Hospital District (MCHD) Board of Directors, to correct the deadline date for a MCHD board candidate filing their ballot petition. At present, the District's enabling statute is inconsistent with the deadline date in the Texas Election Code, leaving open the possibility for a candidate to be disqualified from serving but still elected if they do not file a ballot petition by both statutory dates. HB 977 will eliminate this confusion by amending the MCHD statute to reflect only the date that is required in the Texas Election Code.

I have also filed House Bill 978 to address justice for victims of crime. HB 978 would allow victims due compensation to claim their perpetrator's unclaimed property. The bill requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to file the claims on behalf of victims. The Unclaimed Property Fund is an account maintained by the Office of the Comptroller consisting of property belonging to Texans that has been reported as unclaimed. Current law does not allow victims to have access to this property, essentially leaving it protected until the inmate claims the property. By allowing victims to have access to these funds, we can make sure that they receive the compensation they are due from their assailants.

Finally, I have filed House Bills 690 and 691 to address issues relating to school safety. I am proud of the work we did last session to address school safety through Senate Bill 11, but there is always more work to be done to ensure our children and loved ones are safe. HB 690 would require that school safety be an element of the required training for school board members. HB 691 would put enforcement mechanisms into the minimum school safety standards that school districts already must follow. Any school district found to be non compliant would be fined equal to the current annual salary of the district superintendent.

As always, it is an honor to serve the constituents of House District 16 in the Texas Legislature. Please know that my door is always open and I look forward to hearing from you. Do not ever hesitate to contact my office if I can ever be of service to you.

May God Bless you, your family and the great state of Texas!

State Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, represents House District 16.
Two people were killed in a crash Saturday on U.S. 101 near Rockaway Beach, troopers said.

The Oregon State Police said two drivers  Robert Muzzy, 69, of Nehalem and Leeanna Sutton, 63, of Rockaway Beach  collided and suffered fatal injuries. They both died at the scene.

Muzzy, who was driving south in a Ford Clubwagon van, traveled into the northbound lane and collided with Sutton, who was driving a Nissan Rogue SUV, the state police said, citing an early investigation.

Authorities responded about 1 p.m. to the crash, which closed the highway for several hours.

-- Jaimie Ding

jding@oregonian.com; 503-221-4395; @j_dingdingding
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Hyderabad, Jan 24 : The Covid-19 pandemic should serve as an eye-opener for the government to increase allocation for the health sector in the Union Budget 2020-21, feel representatives from the sector.

Pointing out that the pandemic exposed the "shortcomings" in the India healthcare system, they have urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to hike the allocation in the Budget to be presented in Parliament on February 1.

According to them, the pandemic posed a serious threat to the healthcare system and consequently to the supply chain of medicines and materials used for the care of those affected. They believe that the situation has forced everyone to think about the money India spends to strengthen its healthcare sector.

Sitharaman had allocated Rs 69,000 crore or 1.28 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for health in the last fiscal. However, the situation India faced due to the health emergency exposed the shortcomings of the healthcare sytem.

Doctors and health professionals appealed to the government and to the Finance Minister to increase allocations to ensure healthcare reaches all sections of society, both urban and rural.

"I sincerely hope the Minister increases allocations to the health sector in the 2021-22 Budget, and a major portion of this allocation must be spent to strengthen primary healthcare and improve the quality of healthcare delivery mechanism. India needs better healthcare facilities which will work towards improving the economy. Covid-19 pandemic must work as an eye-opener to increase Budget allocations for the health sector," said Dr Guru N Reddy, founder and director, Continental Hospitals.

"Not just an increase in financial allocations, India must focus on skill development and training of the workforce to ensure better delivery of healthcare services in the country. Increased funding will help in improving preparedness to manage uncertain situations arising out of emergencies," said Dr Mervin Leo, Cluster COO, Gleneagles Global Hospitals.

Dr Rahul Medakkar, COO, Care Hospitals-Banjara Hills, said that in addition to increase in allocations, the government must consider the option of giving enhanced tax incentives for individuals and groups who intend to invest in the health sector.

"One major lesson learnt from the pandemic is the need to establish epidemiology units at all districts in the country, and this is possible only when more investment comes into the sector. The government should also consider to set up infectious diseases units in all hospitals which require unique design considerations and isolation strategies." The health professionals are of the view that the Indian healthcare budget is directionally sound but is inadequate in view of the vastness of our country. The sector remains underfunded, and this continues to reflect on the short-term fixes at the expense of building a robust health system over a longer period of time.

The glaring mismatch between allocation and desired outcome make it unclear how the government proposes to achieve what it claims to have budgeted for, they added.
Three people have died and five others were badly injured during a terrible 10-hour period on greater south-east Queensland roads overnight.

The crashes followed police warnings to drivers on Friday to take extra care on the roads leading up to Australia Day.

Critical care paramedics and ambulance officers from the high acuity response unit were kept busy overnight.

There was a double-fatal crash on the Bunya Highway in Taabinga near Kingaroy, about 155 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, just after 4.30am on Sunday.

Two of the three male occupants in a silver station wagon died in a single-vehicle rollover. The 34-year-old and 39-year-old both died at the scene.
The local sharemarket entered the Australia Day holiday at a fresh 11-month high as the major miners offset niggling concerns around the impending rollout of a coronavirus vaccine.

The ASX 200 added 0.4 per cent in extremely light trade on Monday to finish at 6824.7 - its highest since February 25 last year.

The ASX 200 added 0.4 per cent on Monday. Credit:Louie Douvis

Volumes were low to start the week, with many traders likely taking the chance to stretch a two-day weekend into four ahead of the public holiday.

The session did continue what has been a bright start to the year for the local market, in which investors have generally looked through the damage wrought by the coronavirus and instead focused on the promise of extra stimulus thanks to US president Joe Biden and his effective senate majority.

The market has also largely priced in the rollout of a coronavirus vaccine, though developments in this space on Monday appeared to deliver local investors a reality check.

Before the opening bell, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australias medical regulator, provisionally approved Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine, with the government expecting first vaccinations expected to begin rolling out across the country from late February.

The news, however, came with a caveat from authorities.

It remains unclear if the vaccine will have any effect on reducing the transmission of the virus. It also remains unclear what effect the vaccine has on asymptomatic COVID-19, or how long the vaccine will be effective.

Tribeca Alpha Plus portfolio manager Jun Bei Liu said ultimately the vaccine news proved negative for investors, with travel-aligned stocks and energy firms faltering.

Flight Centre fell 3.3 per cent, Webjet dropped 3.8 per cent, Qantas lost 1.7 per cent and Corporate Travel Management finished 1.1 per cent lower.

Its a negative but I do also think its just a matter of time with the vaccine, before we see everyone benefiting, she said.

I think the market will continue to gyrate until it is rolled out.

Ms Liu said focus would now turn to US earnings season numbers, which she said this week could prove a litmus test for the true strength of the global economy and how far it has managed to bounce back.

This week weve got the big tech stocks up - things like Apple, Microsoft, Facebook - and they will really set the tone for the reporting season, she said.

Shares in Breville Group hit an all-time high of $30.20 on Monday, giving the manufacturer a market capitalisation of $4.18 billion.

Wesfarmers got up to $54.48 and closed 1.7 per cent ahead at a record $54.34.

Students and faculty associated with Southern Adventist Universitys Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team are returning from a trip to Lesotho, Africa, where they helped build greenhouses for families affected by AIDS/HIV.

Nearly a quarter of Lesothos adult population is infected with HIV, and 220,000 of the countrys residents suffer from chronic hunger.

Working in conjunction with Maluti Adventist Hospital, the SIFE team went with a goal of building three greenhouses. The families who will be given ownership of these greenhouses will receive entrepreneurial training from Lerotholi Polytechnic Universitys SIFE team, located there in Lesotho.

By partnering with Lerotholi SIFE, says Carrie Harlin, Southern SIFE sponsor, we can ensure sustainability of the project upon return to the States.

THERE is something admirable about the way the United States inaugurates its President, requiring him to make an oath to obey the constitution and inviting him to set out his priorities and his faith in the countrys future. British leaders are much too buttoned-up and emotionally constipated to reveal their innermost thoughts and feelings in this way and would probably regard a request to open up about patriotism to the people who voted for them as a damned cheek.

Joe Biden seemed to me to strike all the right notes last week and, unlike his predecessor, made a speech worthy of his office. It was a relief that the threatened violence did not occur, but that doesnt mean it has gone away. It was also a relief, doubtless to Biden as well, that Donald Trump chose to stay away and sulk instead.

Whether the 46th President can deliver on his promises, not to mention the deeper malaise at the root of American society, obviously remains to be seen. As a headline in the Daily Telegraph put it: Can Biden really fix ailing America?

Probably not. What he can do, though, is rid the White House of Trumps way of doing things: return to a respect for democratic and constitutional norms, stop making foreign policy in half-baked Twitter storms, stop slagging off anyone who dares to disagree with him, cut off all links with the neo-fascist elements in US society, which Trump shamefully encouraged, deal with the Covid pandemic in a more professional way, help to make Americans more trusting of their political leaders.

Reversing the fall-out from the Trump era will not be enough on its own, however, to halt the historic decline in American power and inner cohesion that predated Trump by several decades. The country is more bitterly divided than at any time since the Civil War and a large chunk of the population has all but lost faith in the power and will of elected politicians to improve their lives.

That is why a man like Trump could get the votes of over 70 million people, more than the entire population of the British Isles. Having beaten Trump, Biden now has to address the reasons why such an amoral scoundrel could command such support.

The countrys social, cultural and economic inequalities have reached extreme levels. A surge in housing and health care costs has made it impossible for many of the poorest families to see any prospect of ever achieving a reasonable living standard. Many of them drop out of school, dont marry and seek relief in drugs and video games. It is no surprise that crime in the cities continues to rise. The richest and the poorest seem to have lost the values they used to share, along with their pride in America. For many, the American dream is a nightmare.

Young people are no longer sure of the value of democracy. If this is democracy, they say  looking at the way the capitalist system is manipulated by corporate lobbyists and corrupt politicians  maybe we should try something else. Racism is endemic in many of the countrys official institutions.

Americans appear to have lost their can-do frontier spirit. They are less inventive, less willing to take risks. Outside Silicon Valley, there are fewer entrepreneurs in business and industry. The seriously sick US economy will not be healed or energised by the tax rises that the Democratic government has promised to make.

Biden will bring a fresh and unprejudiced approach to the problems of race and poverty. But he is 78, the oldest President ever to take office.

He is confronted by a one of the worst combinations of domestic problems in his countrys history. Is he strong enough to handle this level of challenge?

Even with a good man in charge, one has to fear for America.

Fight this beach ban!

PUERTO Pollensa council has rightly protested at an arbitrary decision by the Coastal Department to close the childrens playgrounds on the towns beaches. It is a strange decision.

The playgrounds are well designed and give great pleasure to children playing on the beach  and some respite for their parents. Even in winter my children play there every weekend. The picnic tables set out among trees at the Llenaire end of the beach are also to be removed. They are placed discreetly, hard to see from the road (as if that really matters) and are a popular place for locals and expats to enjoy parties in the summer.

Why such joyful and harmless activities should be banned makes no sense at all. The reason given for removing the playgrounds is that they could easily be sited elsewhere. Of course they could, but that misses the whole point of providing play areas for children on the beach and having picnics with a view of the sea.

The same logic could be applied to the makeshift bars and restaurants around the beach. I expect the owners are fearful that they too may be under threat. They are a convenient amenity for locals and tourists alike, providing good, cheap food and warm service. This joyless and unthinking ban must be lifted. Announcing it in the middle of the Covid pandemic was hardly brilliant timing. Once the disease has receded and the country opens up again, the island is going to need every amenity it can find to bring back the visitors who are its lifeblood. A petition should be prepared against this outrageous decision - I am one among many people I know who would gladly sign it.

Where are the vaccines?

SPAIN appears to be notoriously slow in making the Pfizer vaccine available. Although it was announced on Christmas Eve that 4.5 million doses would soon be available and that over two million people would be vaccinated by the end of March, that target already seems unlikely to be reached.

In Britain the vaccination of over-80s began on December 8 and so far a total of 3.5 jabs have been administered. In Majorca, as far as I can judge, no one outside care homes and now hospitals has received the vaccine. No wonder the number of cases is still rising. They wont come down until the vaccine is made more widely available.

The fact that so many vulnerable old people living in the community in Mallorca, some with other ailments, have still not had the jab is a source of great regret and could soon become a scandal.
Protesting farmers at Tikri border on Sunday assured that they will hold peaceful tractor rallies on January 26 to mark 'Kisan Gantantra Parade'.

"We feel elated that the police gave us permission to hold tractor rallies on January 26. This will chance of a clash between both parties. There are around 2.5 lakh tractors at Tikri border," said Tajinder Singh, a farmer at the Delhi-Haryana border.

Another farmer, Gurpreet, said "We will peacefully take out the tractor march and do the roadshow. Delhi Police will also be present at the place."

Farmers from all across the country are marching towards Delhi in order to take part in the scheduled rally. Tractors from Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan have reached on Tikri border as the farmers sit in for protest on the 60th day.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has asked the farmers to take part in the agitation from January 23 to 26, including rallies to the Governors of states. The farmers also arrived at the Singhu border as they plan to conduct the rally on Delhi's outer ring road.

Farmers have been protesting on the 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.)

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full 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 Nashville lawyer has had his state license suspended for a year after he told a woman on Facebook how to murder her allegedly 'abusive' ex-husband and get away with it.

In a 2017 Facebook post, Winston B Sitton advised an unnamed 'friend' from Memphis, who he called a 'cheerleader' and 'a battered, disabled mother', how to protect herself from her former partner who he claimed had 'savagely' beaten her in a restaurant in front of their son.

In the messages, Sitton suggested that she 'lure' her former partner to her house and shoot him dead, rather than keep a gun in her car.

The lawyer claimed that if the killing took place in her house the mother of one would be more likely to successfully claim self-defense in the use of 'deadly force'.

Last week Justice Holly Kirby, of the Tennessee Supreme Court, suspended Sutton's license for one year, with three more on probation, saying he had cast the profession in a 'corrupt' light.

She called it a 'cautionary tale on the ethical problems that can befall lawyers on social media' and urged them to consider posts on social media 'live ammunition'.

Sitton claimed it was a joke and part of his 'dark humor'.

Winston B Sitton, of Sitton & Associates in Nashville, Tennessee, has had his license suspended by the state's Supreme Court after advising a woman on Facebook in 2017 how to kill her husband and get away with it

Justice Holly Kirby, pictured, suspended his license for one year, with three more on probation, and called the case a 'cautionary tale' for lawyers on social media

Justice Kirby said that Sitton had cast the profession as 'corrupt' and there to provide 'false defenses'

The Tennessee Supreme Court in Nashville revoked an earlier decision by the Board of Professional Responsibility, who suspended Sitton's license for 60-days, saying the punishment was not severe enough

Sitton's law firm Sitton & Associates, is based in Nashville, Tennessee, pictured, but he claims to also be licensed in New York and Maryland

Sitton's comments came to light in the last few months after screenshots of the conversation were sent to the Board of Professional Responsibility, which referred the matter to the state's Supreme Court, as reported by The Tennesseean.

In the posts the unidentified woman asked for advice on whether she should keep a gun in her car, claiming that her ex husband, and father of their son, was abusive.

Sitton, founder of Sitton & Associates and graduate of The University of Virginia School of Law, wrote in reply: 'Even with the new stand your ground law, the castle doctrine is a far safer basis for use of deadly force,' according to documents filed in court.

Sitton, who claims in online profiles to be a member of the Tennessee, New York and Maryland bar, added: 'As a lawyer, I advise you to keep mum about this if you are remotely serious. Your defense is that you are afraid for your life _ revenge or premeditation of any sort will be used against you at trial.'

The woman's post was subsequently deleted but not before her ex saw the comments and took screenshots that he handed over to Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich, who alerted the Board of Professional Responsibility.

The comments came to light after the woman's ex partner took screenshots of the conversation and passed them to Amy Weirich, Shelby County District Attorney General, who passed them to the Board of Professional Responsibility

Sitton posted on his law firm's Facebook page a response to the ruling claiming he contested the finding

Sitton's law firm's Facebook page appears to feature a statue of Confederate civil war leader and later President Andrew Jackson, pictured in Jackson Square in New Orleans. The statue is one of many in the US that activists are trying to get removed from public spaces because of their association with slavery and racism

Sitton told the board that he is unapologetic and that the post was part of his 'dark humor'.

The board recommended that Sitton's license be suspended for 60 days, but the matter was reviewed by the Tennessee Supreme Court who found that the action was too lenient.

Justice Holly Kirby wrote in her majority opinion on January 22: 'Our rules do not permit lawyers to offer advice on how to commit crime with impunity. Lawyers who choose to post on social media must realize they are handling live ammunition; doing so requires care and judgment.'

She added:' The social media posts fostered a public perception that a lawyers role is to manufacture false defenses. They projected a public image of corruption of the judicial process. This case is a cautionary tale on the ethical problems that can befall lawyers on social media.'

Sitton's license was suspended his license for four years, with one year on active suspension and the rest on probation.

After the initial judgement by the Board of Professional Responsibility Sitton wrote on Facebook on January 1 that he had instructed the woman to use 'mace or a taser...to protect herself from a stalker...her son's father against whom a protective order had been issued after he savagely beat her in a public restaurant.'

He added that he 'instructed her to reserve lethal force as a last resort in her home'.

Sitton continued: 'If the Board's attempt was to shame me, they failed. I proudly stand for judicial reform, the first amendment right to political speech, and for our second amendment right to self defense. In nearly thirty years of practicing law, I have never before been subject to any public censure for misconduct in any of the juristictions [sic] in which I have been licensed to practice law.'

Sitton's license was previously suspended in August 2018 for not paying professional taxes, according to court documents.

He hasn't yet sought reinstatement, but must first undergo training on ethical social media practices.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 16:03:31|Editor: huaxia

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-According to a five-year (2016-2020) blueprint that China and Egypt signed during Xi's Egypt tour in 2016, the two sides vowed to "double their efforts" to develop the zone.

-With sales revenues exceeding 2.5 billion dollars, the businesses in the zone have paid taxes of over 176 million dollars and provided about 4,000 direct jobs and 36,000 employment opportunities in related industries.

-Having pulled through the tough year of 2020, most of the companies in the cooperation zone have full confidence that the pandemic will certainly be overcome, and new opportunities will come their way

by Xinhua writers Li Kun, Song Rui and Wu Danni

TIANJIN/CAIRO, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Economic and trade cooperation between China and Egypt have given a completely fresh look to a former desert by the Red Sea near the Suez Canal and thus, literally changed its fortune.

For the convenience of thousands of new residents in and surrounding the China-Egypt Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, some 120 km to the east of Egypt's capital city Cairo, the Egyptian bus system "Go Bus" is scheduled to offer bus services to the zone within this year.

"Go Bus company chose to set stations here because of the urban community that has emerged in the zone," said Ahmed Radwan, executive director of Egypt-TEDA Investment Company.

Photo taken on Jan. 14, 2021 shows a poster of Go Bus company at China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Ain Sokhna, Egypt. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

On Jan. 21, 2016, during his state visit to Egypt, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended an inauguration ceremony of the second phase of the zone with his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, and the two countries agreed to expand cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Five years on, as a flagship project under the BRI, the zone that has undergone massive changes has also witnessed strengthened cooperation between the two countries.

"TEDA" MODE

In Egypt, the cooperation zone is also called "TEDA," which actually is short for "Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area." In locals' eyes, the four letters represent not only the zone's operator, but also a development mode.

TEDA, situated about 150 km to the east of China's capital city Beijing with the Bohai Sea to its east, used to be a piece of land with saline-alkali soil. However, it became a modern industrial zone after over 36 years of development.

Photo taken on Jan. 14, 2021 shows the office building of China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Ain Sokhna, Egypt. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

In the 1990s, China drew up a plan to help Egypt build an economic zone in Suez. With similar geographical conditions and its own story of successful transformation, TEDA took up the task of assisting in developing the project.

In 2008, the China-Egypt Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone project kicked off with the first-phase construction of a 1.34-square-km area. In 2016, heads of the two states unveiled the second-phase project, which covers an area of 6 square km.

According to a five-year (2016-2020) blueprint that China and Egypt signed during Xi's Egypt tour in 2016, the two sides vowed to "double their efforts" to develop the zone.

During his talks with Sisi, Xi suggested that the two countries work together to make Egypt a pivot along the Belt and Road. He also pledged that China will participate in Egypt's key projects, including the development of the Suez Canal Corridor and the construction of a new administrative capital.

Sisi for his part said that Egypt is ready to connect its own development plans with the BRI and called for more Chinese investment in his country.

Li Daixin, executive general manager of China-Africa TEDA Investment Co., Ltd., the developer and operator of the cooperation zone, said that thanks to the efforts of both governments, the cooperation zone has seen a "high-speed development" in the past years.

So far, the second phase of the zone has attracted 15 enterprises, and the infrastructure construction for a 2-square-km part has been finished, with supporting facilities running well.

Based on the "TEDA mode," the cooperation zone has been transformed into an industrial city rather than merely a cluster of industrial enterprises, equipped with several recreational facilities such as hotels and even an amusement park -- the TEDA Fun Valley, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year.

STRENGTHENING COOPERATION

By the end of 2020, the cooperation zone has attracted 96 enterprises and investment of over 1.25 billion U.S. dollars. With sales revenues exceeding 2.5 billion dollars, the businesses in the zone have paid taxes of over 176 million dollars and provided about 4,000 direct jobs and 36,000 employment opportunities in related industries.

A worker is seen at a workshop of Egypt Yanjiang New Material Co., Ltd. at China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Ain Sokhna, Egypt, Jan. 14, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

Yet the significance of the cooperation zone reaches far beyond.

In 2016, Xi said that China is also ready to expand bilateral cooperation with Egypt in trade, finance, space technology, energy, human resources development and security.

"These kinds of deeper cooperation are gradually being implemented, in addition to the cooperation on infrastructure construction, especially during the recent two years," Li said.

Mohamed Khaled Ghanem, executive manager of import and export with Egypt Yanjiang New Material Co., Ltd., now could give full play to his 15 years' expertise in foreign trade, as international trade has been continuously expanding in the zone.

In May 2019, the Egyptian general authority of the Suez Canal Economic Zone approved import and export trade and agreed on a bonded logistics project in the cooperation zone, making TEDA the first foreign company to carry out international bonded trade and entrepot trade in Egypt.

In December 2020, the first phase of the Chinese-funded TEDA Royal Bonded Warehouse was put into use after acceptance checks.

In the same month, Egypt's Luban Workshop was also opened, giving the cooperation zone another role -- a training base. Luban Workshop is a project supported by north China's Tianjin Municipality, home to TEDA, and concentrated on international cooperation in vocational training.

"The Egypt Luban Workshop could not only help provide stable employees (resources) for enterprises in the zone, but also cultivate talents for all kinds of projects along the Belt and Road," Li said.

ECONOMIC ENGINE

After cooperation for over a decade, Chinese and Egyptian colleagues in the cooperation zone have established close ties, which have been tested in the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to timely preventive measures, enterprises in the zone have quickly resumed operation.

Workers are seen at a workshop of XD-EGEMAC High Voltage Electric Equipment Co., Ltd. at China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Ain Sokhna, Egypt, Jan. 14, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

"We applied successful anti-virus measures to ensure zero infections in the company. We also offered extra subsidies for those who continued their work amid COVID-19," said Zhang Xiaoyu, deputy general manager of XD-EGEMAC High Voltage Electrical Equipment Co., Ltd.

Ashraf Moustafa, general director of industry with XD-EGEMAC, said that they had followed all precautionary measures, so production was not significantly affected.

Lin Xiangchun, plant manager of Egypt Yanjiang New Materials Co., Ltd, said his company had established a subsidiary in Egypt to expand business in the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

"The year of 2020 was tough, but our company has managed to balance the anti-pandemic work and routine production, gaining a year-on-year increase of 22 percent in revenues," Lin said.

In 2020, as bilateral trade between China and Egypt has weathered the COVID-19 pandemic and maintained a momentum of growth, China remains Egypt's largest trading partner.

Having pulled through the tough year of 2020, most of the companies in the cooperation zone have full confidence that the pandemic will certainly be overcome, and new opportunities will come their way, said Li, the TEDA manager.

(Zhang Xu and Ahmed Shafiq in Cairo also contributed to this story. Video reporters: Li Kun and Deng Haoran; video editor: Yang Zhixiang.)
The United States' commitment to Taiwan is "rock-solid", the State Department said late Saturday, as it warned that China's "attempts to intimidate" the island are a threat to regional peace.

The comments are the first from Washington on relations with Taiwan since President Joe Biden's inauguration last week, and came on the same day Taipei reported multiple Chinese jets and bombers had flown into its air defense zone.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said it "notes with concern the pattern of ongoing PRC attempts to intimidate its neighbors, including Taiwan" and "urges Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan."

The statement added that Washington would continue to work on "deepening" ties with democratic Taiwan.

Taiwan split from China at the end of a civil war in 1949. Its 23 million people live under the constant threat of invasion by the mainland, whose leaders view the island as their territory and have vowed to one day take it.

Washington diplomatically recognizes Beijing over Taipei, but remains the latter's most important unofficial ally and military backer.

Beijing baulks at any official contacts with Taiwan and tries to keep the island diplomatically isolated.

President Donald Trump embraced warmer ties with the island as he feuded with China on issues like trade and national security.

Beijing has called for a reset in US-China ties under Biden and on Thursday warned the US to "cautiously and appropriately handle Taiwan issues to prevent harm to US-China relations".

But the new US president is expected to remain tough on the superpower rival despite a softening of diplomatic tone.

Protecting Taiwan has become a rare bipartisan issue, especially as Chinese President Xi Jinping has ramped up threats towards the island.

Last year, Chinese airplanes made a record 380 incursions into Taiwan's air defense identification zone and there is little sign of a shift since Biden came to power.

Story continues

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said 13 People's Liberation Army aircraft, including eight bombers and four jets, entered its defense zone on Saturday.

The New York Times said China also sent 15 planes -- including 12 fighters -- into the zone on Sunday.

In a tweet on Sunday, Taipei's Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked the US for its statement of support "in the face of Beijing's ongoing coercion."

There was no immediate response from Beijing on Sunday.

In a subtle but symbolic gesture, Taiwan's de facto ambassador to the US was formally invited to Biden's inauguration in what Taipei said was a precedent-setting first since Washington switched recognition to Beijing in 1979.

The US statement on Saturday noted that Washington would "continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability".

bur-reb/wat/ft
Police have looked into 50 tip offs about where missing millionaire Melissa Caddick could be in an investigation spanning four states - but come up empty.

Ms Caddick, 49, vanished on November 12, two days after a Federal Police raid on her $6.1million Dover Heights home for allegedly stealing tens of millions in investors' funds.

Some of the tips came from people claiming to have seen Ms Caddick in public, while others offered up information about where she might be.

Their search has focused on Queensland, South Australia and Victoria, as well as New South Wales.

Police have received 50 tip offs about where missing millionaire Melissa Caddick could be

The search for her briefly included the Northern Territory after police noticed her husband Anthony Koletti (right) received phone calls from the Top End

Ms Caddick, 49, vanished on November 12, two days after a Federal Police raid on her $6.1million Dover Heights home for allegedly misappropriated tens of millions' in investors' funds

The search briefly included the Northern Territory after police noticed her husband received phone calls from the Top End.

'Every lead has been followed and nothing has come out of it,' a police source told The Daily Telegraph.

Earlier this week it was revealed the accused fraudster may have fled to Queensland.

At that time Ms Caddick went missing, the Queensland border was closed to residents of the greater Sydney region.

But the state's borders did open to Sydney on December 1 and remained that way for a few weeks before the Covid outbreak in the city's northern beaches.

The Queensland theory came to light as NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller all but confirmed that investigators believe Ms Caddick is alive and on the run.

'We are treating the case as she is still alive,' the commissioner told Radio 2GB's Ben Fordham breakfast program on Tuesday.

Mr Fuller said police are still searching for CCTV footage, doorknocking Dover Heights residents and 'downloading information from her cars (and) computers'.

Ms Caddick had been under investigation by the corporate regulator, ASIC, for at least three months before her sudden disappearance on November 12.

ASIC was probing whether her company Maliver Pty Ltd had misused millions from investors. The victims were largely friends and associates.

Two days before she went missing, ASIC secured a Federal Court order against her and her company.

Ms Caddick had been under investigation by the corporate regulator, ASIC, for at least three months before her sudden disappearance on November 12

The corporate watchdog alleges Ms Caddick would open up fake CommSec accounts for her clients and send them fake monthly reports of how their shares were going

She was banned from travelling overseas and her assets were frozen. Ms Caddick's home was raided by the Australian Federal Police that same day.

Ms Caddick is also accused of splurging on luxury brands such as Dior and Chanel, overseas holidays, limousines and even protein shakes.

An affidavit seen by Daily Mail Australia states that $20million of investors funds were deposited into her accounts between January 2018 and September 18, 2020.

The corporate watchdog alleges Ms Caddick would open up fake CommSec accounts for her clients and send them fake monthly reports of how their shares were going.
As social media debates Shailajas exclusion, CPI(M) comes out in defence of decision

Congress has 'surrendered' to IUML, alleges CPI

India

pti-Deepika S

Kochi, Jan 24: Launching a house-to-house campaign in the poll bound Kerala, state's ruling CPI(M) on Sunday attacked the Congress, alleging that the opposition party has 'surrendered' to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key partner in the UDF.

'The opposition (in Kerala) represents religious hatred.

The Congress has surrendered to the Muslim League. That is being brought to the public,' State Secretary of CPI(M) A Vijayaraghavan told reporters in Thrissur after participating in the campaign to 'discuss' with people the programmes launched by the LDF government in the state during its last five year rule.

The CPI(M) has said during its ongoing house-to-house campaign ending January 31, the party workers would expose the political opportunism of the Congress, which has tried to make friends with outfits like Jamaat-e- Islami to target the LDF government in the state.

'The opposition has never worked for protecting the interest of the common people.

SSC GD Constable Final Result 2018 declared, Kerala results on hold

The Congress, using its partner like Muslim League, tried to bring the outfits like Jama-at-e-Islami into its fold. The party will expose such political opportunism of the Congress,' Vijayaraghavan had said in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.

Hitting back at the CPI(M), the Congress said the left party leader, by making such statements, was trying to 'emulate' the politics of BJP, which is based on 'communal campaign' in the state.

'The BJP is carrying out anti-Muslim campaign. Now, the LDF is also engaged in a similar campaign. Both the CPI(M) and the BJP are having only one agenda in this election.

That is a communal agenda,' KPCC vice president V D Satheesan MLA said when his reaction was sought by the media.

Dismissing the allegations, UDF convenor M M Hassan said the Congress is leading the UDF and has not 'surrendered' to any of its partners.

The CPI(M) changed its political narrative in the state during the local body polls held last month attacking the Congress over growing clout of the Muslim League in the UDF.

Raising this issue, the party had won traditional votes of the Congress belonging to Christian and upper caste Hindu communities, capturing the strongholds of the UDF in central and southern Kerala districts in the civic polls.

The CPI(M) brought such a shift in its political line after the Congress-led UDF, influenced by the Muslim League, forged electoral understanding with the Welfare Party, a political outfit of Jamaat-e-Islami, to defeat the LDF in the Malabar area.

After the UDF suffered a huge blow in the civic polls, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had alleged that Muslim League was making decisions for the front.
Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) and Bahrains candidate for Secretary General of the United Nations World Trade Organization (UNWTO), said that the recent elections were held under difficult circumstances and in an atmosphere that did not reflect fair competition, a report said.

The elections for the Secretary-General of the UNWTO for the 2022-2025 term were held on January 19, on the sidelines of the 113th session of the UNWTOs Executive Council, news agency BNA reported.

Shaikha Mai, a trailblazer in sustainability through heritage preservation, and an influential Arab woman in global tourism with decades of public-private leadership and funding strategies, and Zurab Pololikashvili, the incumbent secretary general from Georgia, were the two contenders for the post of the Madrid-based international organisation, the report said.

Shaikha Mai highlighted that the election was brought forward from its usual date in May to January and the submission of candidatures from its normal date at the end of March 2021 to November 17 - a move that tightened the nomination and campaign timeframe.

It did not give the member countries sufficient time to approve candidacies and made it difficult for candidates to carry out appropriate election campaign and compete, depriving them of ample time in light of the pandemic and the end-of-year holiday season.

The move was criticized by two UNWTO chiefs who served at the UNs tourism arm for a combined 20 years, Francesco Frangialli (from 1998 to 2010) and Dr. Taleb Rifai (from 2010 to 2017), and who published a vitriolic statement denouncing the change to the election date, the report said.

Bahrain was the only country that succeeded to present a real candidacy, while other potential candidates had not been able to submit their application.

Shaikha Mai, the first woman vying for the UNWTO top post, said that despite the result, she was happy to have represented Bahrain in the global event.

I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, who honoured me with their trust to run for the post of UNWTO secretary general," she said.

Shaikha Mai also thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Communication Center as well as the countries that supported her candidature.

"I will continue to work locally, regionally and globally to support the tourism sector and upgrade the tourism cultural infrastructure in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and boost local communities," Shaikha Mai said.

Ms. Fletcher said her attempt at a month of sobriety was thwarted by the spike in Covid-19 cases that spurred the government to order a full lockdown and created confusion in schools, where teachers and students have been in constant limbo about when they might return to the classroom. And the political instability in the United States has not helped, she said.

It just feels like everywhere you turn, its stressful, Ms. Fletcher said. Not to mention that of course its England, and its rained solid for three days.

You should not be too hard on yourself, the experts say.

Sarah Wakeman, an addiction medicine doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, said the all-or-nothing approach to quitting substances can leave people feeling ashamed or disappointed.

This is an unprecedented time, she said. We all need to allow ourselves a little grace.

And while pledges to stay sober for a month can be a good way for a person to assess why they drink and what they like or dislike about consuming alcohol, there are drawbacks to cutting out alcohol completely for a set period.

That approach could set some people up for drinking more heavily once they start drinking again, Dr. Wakeman said. For example, someone might feel reassured that they were able to stop drinking and therefore feel less need to be mindful of drinking the rest of the year.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.

DUBAI: The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemens Houthi movement said it had thwarted an attack towards the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh on Saturday, Saudi state television reported, but the Iran-aligned group denied any involvement.

The coalition intercepted and destroyed an enemy air target", state-run Al Ekhbariyah channel and Saudi-owned Al Hadath said on their Twitter accounts.

A military spokesman for the Houthi group, which has launched cross-border missile and drone attacks on Saudi cities, said the movement had not carried out any operations against coalition countries over the past 24 hours.

A hitherto unknown group calling itself Alwiya Alwaad Alhaq, which roughly translates as The True Promise Brigades, issued a statement late on Saturday claiming responsibility via messaging platform Telegram. Reuters could not independently confirm its authenticity.

A coalition spokesman did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

On Friday, the Saudi-led coalition had said it foiled two Houthi attacks using an armed drone launched towards Saudi Arabia and an explosive-laden boat in the southern Red Sea.

The alliance intervened in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis ousted the internationally recognised government from power in the capital, Sanaa. The conflict is widely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system.

The movement was designated by the Trump administration this month as a foreign terrorist organisation. New U.S. President Joe Biden has initiated a review of the designation, which U.N. officials have warned could push Yemen into a large-scale famine and chill peace efforts.

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A Northern Ireland woman has recalled spending months at a hellhole institution for unmarried mothers and babies.

Adele, 69, was sent to the Marianvale home in Newry, run by the Good Shepherd Sisters, at the age of 17 after becoming pregnant.

When my mother found out, wheels were set in motion and I was duly shipped off, she said.

I was picked up in a car with the parish priest and taken there. I hadnt a clue what was going on.

I was told there were no other options, your child will be adopted and youll stay here. That was reinforced by the nuns and my mother.

Adele believes she stayed for around 12 weeks and described Marianvale as a hellhole.

There was no physical abuse, I wasnt beaten, but it was mental, coercive behaviour, she said.

We had to do physical work like scrubbing floors on our hands and knees, washing windows Adele

We were told we were fallen women, bad girls, we had to pay for our sins. This constant drip, drip of you werent good enough.

We had to do physical work like scrubbing floors on our hands and knees, washing windows. The day was around work and we had to go to church whether we wanted to or not.

We were stripped of our names and given different names. We werent allowed to talk to each other, but of course we did.

Adele said they were given no guidance ahead of childbirth or how to care for a baby, and did their best to teach each other.

When my son was adopted, I went home the same day and it was never spoken of again, she said.

When I go past that place, which isnt too often, I shudder.

When I got the letter from him, it was the most unbelievable day. There were so many mixed emotions. I was happy, I was sad, ecstatic, worried, afraid. It was like a volcano erupting Adele

Adele was reunited with her son 10 years ago.

I had always wondered did he have a good life, she said.

So when I got the letter from him, it was the most unbelievable day. There were so many mixed emotions. I was happy, I was sad, ecstatic, worried, afraid. It was like a volcano erupting. When I finally got to meet him, the connection was there. I said afterwards, I can die happy now.

Were still in touch, its been very positive.

Adele said her motivation in speaking publicly is to give a voice to women who do not feel able to.

There are some who may have never even told their families, they have gone on, got married, had children and told nobody, she said.

Thats why I think so many wont speak out and one of the reasons why I am speaking out because I feel I can do it.

That is what is driving me, maybe there are other women out there who will feel like they can come forward or speak to someone and to help them.

I have nothing to lose anymore, I am coming 70 and have lived with this since I was 17.

Now is the time to speak out and ask for these people to be held accountable for what they did, and the abuse. It was systemic abuse, and sanctioned by the government.

Thousands of women in Northern Ireland are believed to have gone through mother and baby homes and Magdalene Laundries run by both the Catholic orders and Protestant clergy.

Adele said they need to be held to account.

Most of those that run the homes are probably dead by now, but the orders themselves have to be held up to scrutiny because they facilitated it. They have to answer, she said.

An apology doesnt butter bread, they need to be held accountable and the only accountability is in their pockets.

To me they profited by our misery and caused heartbreak.
The request has been made of NJPT, a consortium led by Japans Nippon Koei, by the projects investor, the HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR).

The review should cover all personnel, including those who have quit, the investor has said.

The request follows the discovery that steel used in beam support pads for the line did not meet contracted standards, a source told VnExpress Saturday.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said personnel on the responsibility review would comprise those who have been working or have worked for NJPT from the time the project was still on the paper until the steps of approving materials, inspecting and assessing construction.

The agreement signed in 2012 between the MAUR and the lines contractors, the Civil Engineering Construction Corporation No. 6 (Cienco 6) and Japan's Sumitomo Corporation, requires them to use a certain quality of elastomeric laminated bearings pads, which are reinforced steel plates sandwiched between layers of rubber.

The pads are designed for use in bridge and building construction as a beam support.

It has been found that the steel used for all the pads on the elevated section of the line and the depot has failed to meet that quality, the source said Friday.

This means that the consultant unit, NJPT, has failed to discharge its responsibility when inspecting materials used for the project.

The review result could lead to the investor withdrawing payments it has made to the consultant, the source said.

In October, one of the pads fell out from between two beams on the line on which cracks were seen.

In December, MAUR inspected all the pads on its own and found two were lighter than the required standard. It suggested that could have caused the cracks.

It said EB1 and EB4 pads on the elevated section weighed only 117 kilograms, or nine kilograms less than the agreed weight.

Earlier this month, a team of independent inspectors found another pad had moved from its position on the elevated section and does not fit properly. Around half the pads used were made in Malaysia and imported from South Korea. The rest were made in Japan.

To date, the contractor has not made any statement on the faults found.

The Ministry of Construction has also sent an inspection team to the site, but their conclusions have not been revealed yet.

The VND43.7 trillion ($1.89 billion) metro route No.1 is set to have 14 stations, three of them underground.

Work on the much-delayed project is more than 80 percent complete, according to latest reports.

The city is hoping to begin commercial operations of the metro line by the end of this year. In all, it plans eight metro lines running a total of 220 km.
Mark Wright has been hailed as a 'true mate' to James 'Arg' Argent after encouraging him to lose weight since he reached 28 stone.

James, 33, recently said he hopes to 'get back to my very best' after battling an eating disorder for years and watching his weight creep up during the coronavirus lockdown.

But his friend Mark, 34, who is a personal trainer, was among the first who encouraged James to keep going with his journey to get healthy.

Helping out: Mark Wright has been hailed as a 'true mate' to James 'Arg' Argent after encouraging him to lose weight since he reached 28 stone

The reality star uploaded a throwback snap of himself to Instagram on Saturday after declaring 'enough is enough,' as he plans to undergo gastric surgery to lose weight.

Mark commented on James' post and wrote: 'Let's go baby,' with a fan replying to the message saying: 'True mate right there'.

Another fan also encouraged James to follow Mark's workout plans, saying it helped him to shed 10lbs.

He wrote: 'You need to follow your mates plan........I have been doing so since 5th jan and I have lost 10lb.......you can do it'.

Pals: Mark, 34, who is a personal trainer, was among the first who encouraged James to keep going with his journey to get healthy (pictured together in 2011)

It comes after James admitted that Mark 'burst into tears' after seeing that his friend's health was now at risk after his recent weight gain.

James told The Sun: 'Mark is my inspiration  hes got his life together, hes fit and healthy, hes got a gorgeous wife and a successful career.

'Theres no reason why I cant achieve all of those things too when Ive lost weight.

Motivation: Mark commented on James' recent Instagram post and wrote: 'Let's go baby,' with a fan replying to the message saying: 'True mate right there'

Reaction: Another fan also encouraged James to follow Mark's workout plans, saying it helped him to shed 10lbs

'He wants to help me and told me get on the scales. Its embarrassing to say, but they were so upset when they saw I was nearly 27 stone.'

James said the pair would sometimes joke that Arg was the 'chubby one' but Mark has since said it's 'not funny anymore' and he must take his weight loss seriously.

James thanked his 774k followers for their support on his honest post, after recently confessing he is scared to go outside during daylight hours in case people see him.

Wow: James uploaded a throwback snap on Saturday after declaring 'enough is enough,' as he plans to undergo gastric surgery after reaching 26 stone during lockdown

James said on Instagram: 'Thank you so much for all your support, Im overwhelmed by your kindness.

'I was so nervous to do the interview as I didnt want to face up to the facts that my Eating Disorder has got the better of me again but Its time to be honest with myself & put my health first, Enough is enough!

'My dream is to be as happy & healthy as I was in this photo, I loved myself & felt confident! I appreciate you reaching out & giving me advice about weight loss surgery.'

The reality personality hopes to lose 12 stone by undergoing the surgery in order to save his life, after doctors told him he was at risk of dying due to his weight.



'I've thought long and hard about it': James hopes to lose 12 stone by undergoing the surgery in order to save his life, after doctors told him he was at risk of dying due to his weight

He continued: 'Ive been battling for years & Ive thought long & hard about it.

'I know people will have there own opinion but its my journey & Im going to go for it. I hope to get back to my very best once & for all! '. (sic)

James' celebrity pals showed their support including TOWIE star Tommy Mallet who penned: 'GO GET IT FAM! THEN START A ONLYFANS.. '

Tommy's girlfriend Georgia Kousoulou wrote: 'Proud of you .'

Former Loose Women panellist Saira Khan said: 'Hey Arg, do YOU. Whatever makes you happy to feel confident and live your best life - then go for it. This is YOUR life. Always here for you '.

Cheering him on: The reality star's celebrity pals showed their support including TOWIE's Tommy Mallet who penned: 'GO GET IT FAM! THEN START A ONLYFANS.. '

James admitted to The Sun on Saturday that he is embarrassed to see people out in daylight due to his weight gain.

He said: 'I am depressed about it. I don't want anyone to see me. If I need to do anything, I wait until it's 4.30pm and it's dark outside.

'I see pictures of myself and it's too upsetting.'

James confessed that while he's now marking a year of sobriety after overcoming his drug addiction, his weight has left him too embarrassed to leave the house and he spends hours alone comfort eating.

The reality star told the publication that the pounds piled on after the gyms closed during lockdown, and he spent his spare time alone eating takeaways.

He said: 'I don't want to die. An op is the only way I can lose weight.'

The star is now deciding between a gastric bypass, which sees part of the stomach stapled to make it smaller, and sleeve gastrectomy, which is a more permanent procedure which sees a large section of the stomach removed.

James said he's now agonising over which form of stomach surgery to have with both operations costing around 10,000 each.

Both operations will dramatically reduced the amount of food James can eat, meaning he will lose weight, and the star said he's due to decide in the coming weeks which procedure he'll have.

James has faced a much-publicised battle with his weight, which has drastically fluctuated since he rose to fame in 2010.

In 2015 the star was the slimmest he'd ever been, after losing four stone and transforming his physique.

Transformed: In 2015 the star was the slimmest he'd ever been after losing four stone, but has since seen his weight creep back up (left in 2015 and right in 2020)

The reality star blamed his weight gain on the COVID-19 pandemic which closed gyms and swimming pools.

This comes despite the star saying in October he had made some progress with his weight loss by losing five stone.

Last year, James entered a rehab facility in Thailand to kick his drug addiction, and the star detailed how he used to hide his habit in his 1.3 million Essex home.

He then hit rock bottom when his family desperately attempted to get into his house after a three-day drug binge, with his addiction ending his relationships with Gemma Collins and Lydia Bright, as well as stalling his TV career.

Despite this James said he's now celebrating a year of sobriety free of drugs and alcohol, and is now planning to document his weight loss journey with a TV documentary.
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PUERTO CABEZAS, Nicaragua  Every time he is out at sea, the lobster diver says a prayer just before he drops into the water in what has become a steadfast ritual since he nearly lost his life on a hunt three years ago.

God, help me one more time, pleads the lobsterman, Edmundo Stanley Antonio. Accompany me in this water.

There are a lot of worries bundled into that simple appeal. That the makeshift air hose hes tethered to doesnt spring a leak. That the air compressor at the surface doesnt fail. That his innate awareness of distance and time  he doesnt have a watch or a depth gauge  is better than the time he surfaced too quickly from about 150 feet down and got battered by decompression sickness, which left him partly paralyzed for a year.

Mr. Stanley, 33, still feels pain in his back and his heart when he dives. A doctor has repeatedly told him not to go in the water again, warning the next dive could kill him. His wife begs him to stop; shes already lost her brother and a son-in-law in diving accidents.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday emphasised the need for participation of the private sector to speed up the development of the North-East and said that it is imperative to resolve the boundary dispute among the states of the region. Shah said that the region was previously known for insurgency but peace prevails now.

"Development of any state is not possible by government investments alone. Private sector participation is also very important. The pace of development can be increased by speeding up Ease of Doing Business," he said while chairing the 69th plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC).

The NEC is the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the Northeastern region which consists of eight states - Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. "Let the NEC discuss with every state and set targets for 2022 under Ease of Doing Business. It will be a major achievement," he said. To increase consumption of locally produced bamboo, efforts are on to set up paper mills in the region, he said.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we will resolve the inter-state border disputes in the Northeast and it will be a great achievement. Without this, development is not possible and work should be done in this direction with a strong will," Shah said.

As the region has abundant natural beauty and is a confluence of cultures, it can emerge as a major centre of tourism, the Union home minister said adding that dialects of the Northeast also need to be protected. "North-East represents the heart of India, we have to take care of it. While undertaking development activities, there is a need to preserve the heritage here," he said.

After Narendra Modi became the prime minister, the crucial role of the NEC was restored and through it, 11,000 kilometer of roads have been laid and 7,700 megawatt of power generation was made possible, Shah said. Boundary disputes with Bangladesh were resolved and it would further enhance connectivity in the coming days, he said.

On insurgency in the region, the Union home minister said that state governments reached out to small groups, which led to their disbanding. Following an agreement, Bodo groups joined the mainstream after years of extremism, he said. There should also be an effort to stop the smuggling of narcotic drugs from outside the country, he said.

"The central government has changed its perspective of the Northeast, so the Northeast will also have to change its perception of how it looks up to the Centre," Shah said.

He said that under the leadership of the prime minister, all states of the North-East have successfully fought against coronavirus. The vaccination drive has started and it is expected that soon we will overcome this pandemic, Shah said at the meeting.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)

Research by EE Business Intelligence has found that government and regulators are getting in the way of private companies and municipalities that have the ability to generate their own power.

This is a missed opportunity to allow these power generators to help Eskom mitigate the national power crisis.

A survey of 239 prospective municipal and private generators published by Meridian Economics found that up to 5,000MW of additional generating capacity could be made available if the government were simply to increase the current restrictions upon these power providers that force them to generate between 1MW and 50MW capacity.

This would roughly double the current renewable energy generation from independent power providers.

These groups also complained that getting a license from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) is incredibly difficult and costly, further hampering the ability of independent power providers to contribute to the national energy grid.

Energy availability factor continues to decline

To put the 5,000MW figure into perspective, South Africas most recent load-shedding period was caused by 14,748MW of capacity being out due to unplanned maintenance, breakdowns, and outage delays.

An extra 5,000MW would therefore not be nearly enough to solve the energy crisis in South Africa, but it would help significantly.

Energy expert Chris Yelland recently told Biznews that Eskoms energy availability factor continues to decline year-on-year.

He therefore believes that while South Africa experienced its worst-ever year of load-shedding in 2020, 2021 could be even worse.

The best thing that I think one can hope for is that Eskom could stabilise this energy availability factor at the current low levels, said Yelland.

Stage 8 a possibility

Power expert Ted Blom concurs with Yelland that 2021 could be the worst year of load-shedding yet, and speculates that Stage 8 load-shedding is a possibility.

He explained that Eskom can absorb 11,000MW of electricity shortages before it implements load-shedding, whereas Eskoms outlook for the next three months projects about 20,000MW worth of outages.

This 9,000MW deficit can result in stage 6 or 8 load-shedding, Blom said.

Yelland, however, believes that reaching stage 8 load-shedding is not likely.

You cant write it off. But to say that we are heading for that is premature, Yelland said.

Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha has also quashed speculation regarding stage 8 load-shedding, highlighting that the power utilitys maintenance plan makes provision for 14,000MW of breakdowns.

That will give us stage 2 or stage 3 load-shedding. In the worst-case scenario we have prepared for stage 4 load-shedding with 15,000MW of breakdowns, he said.

For stage 8 load-shedding to occur will require a lot of breakages of Eskoms equipment  north of 20,000MW. We have not seen that.
An accredited social health activist (ASHA) worker died in the Government General Hospital in Andhra Pradesh 's Guntur today morning after suffering complications.

The ASHA worker, identified as 44-year-old Vijaya Lakshmi, was vaccinated earlier on 19 January following which she fell ill.

She complained of severe headache and fever on 22 January, three days after she took a shot of the Covid-19 vaccine, according to reports.

Meanwhile, the ASHA worker's family members alleged that she died after the Covid-19 vaccine was administered to her.

Guntur district Collector Samuel Anand met the family of the deceased at the hospital and promised her son a job, a house site and monetary compensation from the government.

He said the exact cause of the ASHA worker's death would be revealed only after a post-mortem but maintained that not a single Adverse Event Following Immunisation was reported in the district as 10,099 healthcare staff were vaccinated in the first eight days.

ASHA workers staged a demonstration in front of the GGH demanding that a compensation of 50 lakh be paid to the deceased's family.

"We first took her to a private hospital and later shifted to the GGH as her condition worsened. She was a very fit person and rendered tireless service during COVID-19 time," the ASHA worker's brother said.

The GGH doctors declared her dead today and sent her body for autopsy to find the reason behind her death.

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Authorities say amid a declining population, the paddlefish sturgeon has become a popular target of wildlife traffickers in the Midwest, for its roe, sold as "paddlefish caviar." (Missouri Dept. of Conservation)
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Three suspects have been arrested by Ogun State Police Command for allegedly beating a 23-year-old man to death. The victim was accused of stealing two mobile phones.

The incident happened at Iju-Ota town, in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The Ogun police spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who made this known on Sunday, said the suspects include Ugo Obi, Chinonso Jude and Chibuke Samson; all of MTN street Iju Ota.

He said they were arrested following a report by one Ajibade Gbenga who reported at Onipanu divisional headquarters that his son, Samuel Ajibade, was accused of stealing two handsets by the suspects; after which the three suspects jointly beat him to a state of comma.

Mr Ajibade reportedly told the police that the deceased was rushed to the General Hospital, Ota, for medical attention but was confirmed dead as soon as he arrived at the hospital.

Upon the report, the DPO Onipanu Division, CSP Bamidele Job, led his detectives to the scene where the three suspects were quickly arrested. It was the quick response of the police that saved the suspects from being lynched by angry mob who have gathered to apply jungle justice on them immediately they heard that the victim is dead. The corpse of the deceased had been deposited at the general hospital Ota mortuary for post mortem examination, Mr Oyeyemi said.

The Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation and diligent prosecution. He also warned that the command will not tolerate any form of jungle justice on anybody suspected of any type of crime.

The police boss appealed to members of the public to always report anyone suspected to have committed crime to the law enforcement agency for proper investigation and prosecution rather than taking laws into their hands.
RTHK: Suspected head of Asia's top drug syndicate arrested

Dutch police said on Saturday they had arrested the alleged leader of an Asian drug syndicate who is listed as one of the world's most-wanted fugitives and has been compared to Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

Tse Chi Lop, a Chinese-born Canadian national, was detained on Friday at the request of Australian police, who led an investigation that found his organisation dominates the US$70 billion-a-year Asia-Pacific drug trade, Dutch police spokesman Thomas Aling said.

Tse is expected to be extradited after appearing before a judge, Aling said, adding that his arrest by national police took place without incident at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport.

"He was already on the most-wanted list and he was detained based on intelligence we received," Aling said.

Dutch police were unable to provide details about the legal proceedings and it was not clear if Tse had a lawyer.

Tse, an ex-convict who formerly lived in Toronto, has moved between Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan in recent years, according to counter-narcotics officers from four countries and documents previously reviewed by reporters.

"Tse Chi Lop is in the league of El Chapo or maybe Pablo Escobar," Jeremy Douglas, Southeast Asia and Pacific representative for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said in 2019, referring to Latin America's most notorious drug lords.

The syndicate he is suspected of running is known to its members as "The Company". Law enforcers also refer to it as "Sam Gor"  or Brother Number Three in Cantonese  after one of Tse's nicknames.

It was not possible to contact Tse for comment on the report.

The Australian Federal Police, which has taken the lead in a sprawling investigation into the criminal organisation, identified Tse as "the senior leader of the Sam Gor syndicate".

The group has "been connected with or directly involved in at least 13 cases" of drug trafficking since January 2015, the documents showed. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2021-01-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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A delivery driver has shared adorable snaps of the dogs he meets on his rounds.

Jason Hardesty, 32, from New Orleans, Louisiana, makes his job as a UPS driver more entertaining by taking pics with the pooches.

Every Friday he shares a new snap on his Instagram account where he has nearly 100,000 followers.

Jason Hardesty, from New Orleans, Louisiana, makes his job as a UPS driver more entertaining by petting the dogs whose owners are receiving a parcel (pictured with Quasar)

Every Friday he shares a new snap on his Instagram, where he has nearly 100,000 followers, of a dog he has met on his travels, including basset hound Elwood

His favourite pictures are those were the dog is also smiling, although he doesn't have a single favourite photo (pictured with Elmore James)

He told the Bored Panda: 'I dont think there are any challenges when it comes to taking pictures with dogs, but thats just because most of my photos are taken with puppies, so its really hard to get into any kind of trouble with them.

'It's actually rather easy to take photos with them!'

Although he did recall that one puppy peed on him after he was trying to hold a small puppy who 'got a little bit scared'.

He has been posting the pictures on his Instagram for more than three years, having started the idea after picking up a dog for fun to take a photo.

The photo received around 100 likes on Instagram, despite Jason not expecting to receive any attention from it.

He has been posting the pictures on his Instagram for more than three years, having started the idea after picking up a dog for fun to take a photo (pictured with El Guapo)

Jason did not expect to receive any attention for the first photo but it gained around 100 likes (pictured with Sid)

Jason said that 'the days we are living in right now' have motivated him to keep going because the photos bring joy to so many (pictured with Neville)

He said: 'My motive to keep going became even stronger recently, given the days we are living in right now.

'I feel like what I'm doing means a lot to me because these photos brings a lot of joy to many people in these dark times.'

Jason has met a range of different breeds, sharing photos of chihuahuas, basset hounds, cocker spaniels, corgis and labradors.

At the end of October, Jason shared a photo with Monty the chihuahua who was dressed in his own mini UPS uniform

Jason shared a lovely smiling snap with a pup called Chicken during one of his rounds

Jason said that it was easy to take pictures with puppies, although he once came into some trouble when one scared pup peed on his leg (pictured with Poppy and Pie, not the puppies from the incident)

Jason has met a range of different breeds, sharing photos of chihuahuas, basset hounds, cocker spaniels, corgis and labradors (pictured with Moose)

The UPS driver has received many face kisses from puppies along the way (pictured with Huey P)

Jason shared a photo with a puppy called Marsh back in March last year as he said: 'Human hugs are hard to get these days but a kiss from Marsh keeps me smiling'

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Patrick Solano, a World War II combat veteran from Pittston Twp. who served in the administrations of nine Pennsylvania governors, has died. He was 95.

Solano died Saturday at home surrounded by his family, said attorney Frank Nocito, his nephew.

Nocito, 63, remembered Solano as a humble man who befriended and gained the trust of the most notable powerbrokers in the state and nation, but never forgot his roots.

He was truly a confidant to all  from presidents to a guy who came from Italy to Pittston. From the highest of the high to the everyday ordinary man, he treated everyone with respect, Nocito said.

Nocito, who visited Solanos home nearly every Sunday since he was a child, said Solano was lifes biggest mentor.

Forget college. Forget law school. Talking with Uncle Pat was a real life education, Nocito said.

Drafted into World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps, Solano served as flight engineer on 23 combat missions over Germany in a B-17 bomber. He recounted his wartime heroics in an interview in July, reflecting back that I remember it all.

After the war, Solano went on to work in state government. While he was a lifelong Republican, he loyally served both Democratic and Republican governors and was seen as a bipartisan dealmaker.

At one point, he headed the state Department of Environmental Resources and later the Department of Conservation of Natural Resources when that agency split into two.

He also was deputy secretary of the Department of General Services, putting him in charge of all state-funded building projects.

Solano ended his career as senior counselor to Republican Gov. Tom Ridge.

Ridge asked Solano to join him in Washington, D.C., when Ridge was appointed to head the new Department of Homeland Security after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

But Solano decided to call it a career.

He wanted to take me to Washington. I told him to go find a younger guy. Im too old, Solano joked in the July interview.

In the interview, Solano talked about his philosophy on governance.

I was in public service all my life. I always tried to find the common ground on stuff. I look at people today and they cant get along on anything. Theres no middle, Solano said. Im a Republican by title. But I dealt with the Democrats all my life. They like me and I like them.

In a statement released Saturday, Ridge recalled Solano as a proud patriot, a gentleman and a beloved bipartisan public servant who lived a consequential life that should be a Hollywood movie. Ridge said he nicknamed Solano his Mr. 911 because he was his go-to guy for advice in politics.

Pat embodied the Greatest Generation  a life of honor and service in which he always put others first. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will be felt here in his beloved Pennsylvania  and around the world  forever, Ridge said.

Family members recall that during the 2014 campaign between then-Gov. Tom Corbett, a Republican, and challenger Tom Wolf, the current Democratic governor, both men called Solano for advice. Even at age 95, government officials in Harrisburg sought Solanos input and he was still considered a senior advisor to the state Senate.

Bipartisan tributes flowed Saturday after word circulated that Solano had died. Three former governors, a U.S. senator, two congressmen, four state senators and others sent statements praising Solano to local media.

State Sen. John Yudichak, I-14, of Swoyersville, said Solanos career will remain unmatched in its length and in the sheer breadth of his accomplishments.

State Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, of Lehman Twp. said she wanted to give a sad but fond last farewell to Solano.

He was a friend, confidant, advisor and mentor  a second father really, Baker said. Pat was a political guy, a policy guy, but most of all a people person ... He was fully committed to and practiced the precepts and principles of public service. He had faith in his ability to find the better angels in those on both sides of the political fence, locating common ground where no one else was looking ... His mind was the Wikipedia of Pennsylvania politics reaching back nearly a century.

FBI: Texan Charged in Capitol Riot Tweeted Assassinate AOC

DALLASA 34-year-old Texas man has been arrested for allegedly taking part in the storming of the U.S. Capitol this month and posting violent threats, including a call to assassinate Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.

Garret Miller, who is from the Dallas suburb of Richardson, was arrested Friday after being named in a five-count federal complaint.

Authorities allege that Miller posted photos and videos on his social media accounts that show him inside the Capitol during the Jan. 6 storming of the building by rioters and protesters who had joined a demonstration endorsed by former President Donald Trump aimed at voicing concerns over potential voter fraud in the 2020 election.

People from all across the political spectrum appear to have participated in the breach. Thousands of protesters gathered around the Capitol on Jan. 6 afternoon during and after Trump gave a speech outside the White House, during which he asked protesters to peaceful and patriotically make your voices heard.

Authorities also say that Miller called for violence in online posts, including a tweet that simply read Assassinate AOC, a reference to the progressive Ocasio-Cortez.

In another tweet, Miller posted: They are right next time we bring the guns, an FBI agent wrote in an affidavit.

Miller also threatened a U.S. Capitol police officer during an exchange on Instagram, writing that he planned to hug his neck with a nice rope, the affidavit states.

After posting a photo on Facebook showing him inside the Capitol, Miller responded to a comment on the picture with: just want to incriminate myself a little lol, according to an FBI affidavit.

Ocasio-Cortez on Friday posted Millers charging documents on Twitter and then tweeted: On one hand you have to laugh, and on the other know that the reason they were this brazen is because they thought they were going to succeed.

Millers attorney, Clint Broden, said in an email to The Associated Press that Miller regrets the actions he took in a misguided effort to show his support for former President Trump.

His social media comments reflect very ill-considered political hyperbole in very divided times and will certainly not be repeated in the future, Broden said. He looks forward to putting all of this behind him.

Miller is scheduled for a detention hearing on Monday.

We are hopeful that, given his family support and regret for his actions, he will be released so that he can resolve the charges against him in a timely fashion, Broden said.

The Epoch Times contributed to this report.
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.

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A man has died after he was charged by a bull at a rodeo event in Australia as onlookers watched in horror.

Bruce Green, 62, was critically injured from the incident in Tamworth on Saturday.

A call was made to emergency services who then rushed to the Mr Green.

Bruce Green (pictured), 62, has been killed after he was charged by a bull at a rodeo event in Tamworth, NSW

He was treated by paramedics at the venue on Goonoo Goonoo Road and was transported to Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital, according to 7 News.

Mr Green died in hospital.

The Australian Bushmens Campdraft and Rodeo Association (ABCRA) have since paid tribute to 'Greenie' on Facebook.

Mr Green was rushed to Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital where we died. Pictured: stock image of a bull at a rodeo

Mr Green was a member of the organisation for a long time

'Greenie has always 'been there', always part of the Rodeo, out there making it happen, never asking anything but always giving everything. A great bloke and a diamond in the rough. Generous in every way,' the tribute read.

'We are all in shock and deeply saddened. The Board and Members of the ABCRA extend our deepest sympathies to Bruce's family and friends.'

'Greenie, you'll be sadly missed by us all.'

Police from the Oxley District have since commenced an investigation.

Authorities are urging anyone who knows information to contact police.

A coroner's report is being prepared.


https://www.aish.com/tp/i/sacks/Looking-Up.html

The Israelites had crossed the Red Sea. The impossible had happened. The mightiest army in the ancient world  the Egyptians with their cutting-edge, horse-drawn chariots  had been defeated and drowned. The children of Israel were now free. But their relief was short-lived. Almost immediately they faced attack by the Amalekites, and they had to fight a battle, this time with no apparent miracles from God. They did so and won. This was a decisive turning point in history, not only for the Israelites but for Moses and his leadership of the people.

The contrast between before and after the Red Sea could not be more complete. Before, facing the approaching Egyptians, Moses said to the people: Stand still and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today ... The Lord will fight for you; you need only be silent. (Ex. 14:13) In other words: do nothing. God will do it for you. And He did.

In the case of the Amalekites, however, Moses said to Joshua, Choose men for us, and prepare for battle against Amalek. (Ex. 17:9) Joshua did so and the people waged war. This was the great transition: The Israelites moved from a situation in which the leader (with the help of God) did everything for the people, to one in which the leader empowered the people to act for themselves.

During the battle, the Torah focuses our attention on one detail. Moses climbs to the top of a hill overlooking the battlefield, with a staff in his hand:

As long as Moses held his hands up, the Israelites prevailed, but when he let his hands down, the Amalekites prevailed. When Moses' hands became weary, they took a stone and placed it under him, so that he would be able to sit on it. Aaron and Chur then held his hands, one on each side, and his hands remained steady until sunset. (Ex. 17:11-12)

What is going on here? The passage could be read in two ways: The staff in Moses raised hand  the very staff which he used to perform mighty miracles in Egypt and at the sea  might be a sign that the Israelites victory was a miraculous one. Alternatively, it might simply be a reminder to the Israelites that God was with them, giving them strength.

Very unusually  since the Mishnah in general is a book of law rather than biblical commentary  a Mishnah resolves the question:

Did the hands of Moses make or break [the course of the] war? Rather, the text implies that whenever the Israelites looked up and dedicated their hearts to their Father in heaven, they prevailed, but otherwise they fell.1

The Mishnah is clear. Neither the staff nor Moses upraised hands were performing a miracle. They were simply reminding the Israelites to look up to heaven and remember that God was with them. Their faith gave them the confidence and courage to win.

A fundamental principle of leadership is being taught here. A leader must empower the team. They cannot always do the work for the group; they must do it for themselves. But the leader must, at the same time, give them the absolute confidence that they can do it and succeed. The leader is responsible for their mood and morale. During battle, a captain must betray no sign of weakness, doubt or fear. That is not always easy, as we see in this weeks episode. Moses upraised hands became weary. All leaders have their moments of exhaustion and at such times the leader needs support  even Moses needed the help of Aaron and Hur, who then helped him to maintain his position. In the end, though, his upraised hands were the sign the Israelites needed that God was giving them the strength to prevail, and they did.

In todays terminology, a leader needs emotional intelligence. Daniel Goleman, best known for his work in this field, argues that one of the most important tasks of a leader is to shape and lift the mood of the team:

Great leaders move us. They ignite our passion and inspire the best in us. When we try to explain why they are so effective, we speak of strategy, vision, or powerful ideas. But the reality is much more primal: Great leadership works through the emotions.2

Groups have an emotional temperature. As individuals they can be happy or sad, agitated or calm, fearful or confident. But when they come together as a group, a process of attuning  emotional contagion  takes place, and they begin to share the same feeling. Scientists have shown experimentally how, within fifteen minutes of starting a conversation, two people begin to converge in the physiological markers of mood, such as pulse rate. When three strangers sit facing each other in silence for a minute or two, the one who is most emotionally expressive transmits their mood to the other two  without speaking a single word.3 The physiological basis of this process, known as mirroring, has been much studied in recent years, and observed even among primates. It is the basis of empathy, through which we enter into and share other peoples feelings.

This is the foundation for one of the most important roles of a leader. It is he or she who, more than others, determines the mood of the group. Goleman reports on several scientific studies showing how leaders play a key role in determining the groups shared emotions:

Leaders typically talked more than anyone else, and what they said was listened to more carefully ... But the impact on emotions goes beyond what a leader says. In these studies, even when leaders were not talking, they were watched more carefully than anyone else in the group. When people raised a question for the group as a whole, they would keep their eyes on the leader to see his or her response. Indeed, group members generally see the leaders emotional reaction as the most valid response, and so model their own on it  particularly in an ambiguous situation, where various members react differently. In a sense, the leader sets the emotional standard.4

When it comes to leadership, even non-verbal cues are important. Leaders, at least in public, must project confidence even when they are inwardly full of doubts and hesitations. If they betray their private fears in word or gesture, they risk demoralising the group.

There is no more powerful example of this than the episode in which King Davids son Absalom mounts a coup detat against his father, proclaiming himself king in his place. Davids troops put down the rebellion, in the course of which Absaloms hair gets tangled in a tree and he is stabbed to death by Joab, Davids commander-in-chief.

When he hears this news, David is heartbroken. His son may have rebelled against him, but he is still his son and his death is devastating. David covers his face crying, O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son! News of Davids grief quickly spreads throughout the army, and they too  by emotional contagion  are overcome by mourning. Joab regards this as disastrous. The army have taken great risks to fight for David against his son. They cannot now lament their victory without creating confusion and fatefully undermining their morale:

Then Joab went into the house to the King and said, Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the Lord that if you dont go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come on you from your youth till now. (2 Samuel 19:6-8)

King David does as Joab insists. He accepts that there is a time and place for grief, but not now, not here, and above all, not in public. Now is the time to thank the army for their courage in defence of the King.

A leader must sometimes silence their private emotions to protect the morale of those they lead. In the case of the battle against Amalek, the first battle the Israelites had to fight for themselves, Moses had a vital role to perform. He had to give the people confidence by getting them to look up.

In 1875 an amateur archaeologist, Marcelino de Sautuola, began excavating the ground in a cave in Altamira near the north coast of Spain. At first, he found little to interest him, but his curiosity was rekindled by a visit to the Paris exhibition of 1878 where a collection of Ice Age instruments and art objects was on display. Determined to see whether he could find equally ancient relics, he returned to the cave in 1879.

One day he took his nine-year-old daughter Maria with him. While he was searching through the rubble, she wandered deeper into the cave and to her amazement saw something on the wall above her. Look, Papa, oxen, she said. They were, in fact, bison. She had made one of the great discoveries of prehistoric art of all time. The magnificent Altamira cave paintings, between 25,000 and 35,000 years old, were so unprecedented a finding that it took twenty-two years for their authenticity to be accepted. For four years Sautoula had been within a few feet of a monumental treasure, but he had missed it for one reason. He had forgotten to look up.

This is one of the enduring themes of Tanach: the importance of looking up. Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, says Isaiah (Is. 40:26). I lift up my eyes to the hills. From there will my help come said King David in Psalm 121. In Deuteronomy, Moses tells the Israelites that the Promised Land will not be like the flat plain of the Nile Delta where water is plentiful and in regular supply. It will be a land of hills and valleys, entirely dependent on unpredictable rain (Deut. 11:10-11). It will be a landscape that forces its inhabitants to look up. That is what Moses did for the people in their first battle. He taught them to look up.

No political, social or moral achievement is without formidable obstacles. There are vested interests to be confronted, attitudes to be changed, resistances to be overcome. The problems are immediate, the ultimate goal often frustratingly far away. Every collective undertaking is like leading a nation across the wilderness towards a destination that is always more distant than it seems when you look at the map.

Look down at the difficulties and you can give way to despair. The only way to sustain energies, individual or collective, is to turn our gaze up toward the far horizon of hope. The philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein once said that his aim in philosophy was to show the fly the way out of the fly-bottle. The fly is trapped in the bottle. It searches for a way out. Repeatedly it bangs its head against the glass until at last, exhausted, it dies. Yet the bottle has been open all the time. The one thing the fly forgets to do is to look up. So, sometimes, do we.

It is the task of a leader to empower, but it is also their task to inspire. That is what Moses did when, at the top of a hill, in full sight of the people, he raised his hands and his staff to heaven. When they saw this, the people knew they could prevail. Not by might nor by power, but by My spirit, said the Prophet (Zechariah 4:6). Jewish history is a sustained set of variations on this theme.

A small people that, in the face of difficulty, continues to look up will win great victories and achieve great things.

QUESTIONS (AROUND THE SHABBAT TABLE)

Can you think of other times in the Tanach when the people needed to change their perspective and look up? Do you think leaders should always maintain an optimistic attitude? How can we apply this idea of looking up to the situation we are in today?

NOTES

Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 3:8. Daniel Goleman, Primal Leadership, (Boston: Harvard Business Review Press), 2002, 3. Ibid., 7. Ibid., 8.

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New Delhi, Jan 24 : The mobile business of LG Electronics has been in the red since the second quarter of 2015. Its accumulated operating loss reached nearly $4.5 billion last year and now, the South Korean company is planning to exit from the competitive smartphone market.

LG has been quite brave with its recent mobile forays, experimenting with what comes next in smartphones.

Consider, for instance, the rather exciting foldable LG Wing, or the forthcoming rollable device.

However, significant and sustainable market success has alluded LG to date including in India. LG's share in the global smartphone market is estimated to be between 1 and 2 per cent.

According to Prabhu Ram, Head-Industry Intelligence Group (IIG), CMR, as a diverse conglomerate, LG is best placed to clearly map emerging opportunities and challenges in a rapidly evolving post-virus world.

"It may potentially choose to eschew the faltering smartphone business for its strengths in the consumer appliance business, as well as future-focused robotics and automotive,'' Ram told IANS.

LG Electronics last week announced that its mobile communications (MC) unit is open to "every possibility" for its future operations amid rumours that the company may sell the struggling mobile business.

Due to its quick decline in the market, there have been 23 consecutive quarters where the company had faced a financial loss.

LG has been striving to make a turnaround in its mobile business in recent years, shifting its smartphone production base to Vietnam, while expanding outsourcing deals.

"LG has been showcasing and unveiling some exciting stuff in reputed exhibitions like MWC and CES, but on the ground, we haven't seen them gaining much in the recent years. Honestly, I don't see their exit having any impact on the industry," said Faisal Kawoosa, Founder and Chief Analyst, techARC.

"It's good that LG decides to exit this business sooner, at least from India's perspective," he added.

In the light of immense competition from Chinese mobile manufacturers, LG has not been able to reclaim its lost market share in India.

LG certainly is bringing more innovation to its smart TV segment.

The company announced the first rollable TV last year and during the CES 2021, it showcased its transparent OLED panel.

"LG has always launched competent smartphones and after Samsung, it has been the only smartphone player that has worked on innovation in shapes and technology, like the scratch-free G6 or the foldable G8xThinQ," said Ramesh Somani, Chief Editor and Publisher, Exhibit Magazine and BBC TopGear India.

"Their exit will be a big loss to the innovative spirit of the smartphone industry and at the same time, their shrinking market share will not make for a business case," he added.

To boost its premium smartphone sales, LG last year launched the Explorer Project.

Under the project, the company released the Wing, a dual-screen smartphone with a rotating form factor.

For this year, LG was scheduled to launch a smartphone with a rollable OLED display.

(Md Waquar Haider can be reached at waquar.h@ians.in)
Residents are mounting legal action over the smell from a Belfast landfill site (PA)

Residents are mounting legal action over the smell from a Belfast landfill site.

Mullaghglass Landfill has been the subject of more than 100 complaints from residents to the authorities.

They live in the Colin, Hannahstown and Glen Road area.

Phoenix Law has been instructed by concerned residents to commence litigation to ensure steps are taken by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the local council.

We are angry and it feels like things are getting worse Mairead Connolly

Resident Mairead Connolly said: It is simply unacceptable that we have had to suffer this for so long.

We are angry and it feels like things are getting worse.

As a result of the inaction, we have now instructed our solicitors to initiate legal proceedings.

Harry Robinson, of Phoenix Law, said the statutory bodies were absolving themselves of responsibility by failing to take action.

He added: We have now initiated legal proceedings in which we intend on seeking damages by way of compensation for those residents affected by this ongoing odour.

Expand Close The Mullaghglass Landfill site in Belfast (PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp The Mullaghglass Landfill site in Belfast (PA)

In November, Environment Minister Edwin Poots said he had been advised by officials from his Agency that 13 additional gas extraction wells have been installed in the active area of the landfill.

The work was completed on October 16 last year.

At the time, he said: The additional wells have now been connected to the gas extraction system.

The site gas engineer is currently working on-site to optimise gas extraction from the new wells.

It may take a few weeks to fully optimise the gas extraction system, as it is important to prevent the ingress of oxygen to the landfill gas management system.

NIEA inspectors will continue to check the site and to monitor for odours in the Colin area regularly to assess the effectiveness of the additional gas extraction.

At that time the site was assessed as being non-compliant with the pollution prevention and control permit, the minister said.

He said his Agency directed the operator to take action and to implement new measures to address the odour nuisance.

He told the Assembly: The planned installation of the additional gas extraction wells in the active area of the site was brought forward from November to September.

Site works to install the new gas wells were completed on 16 October, and, as I said, it may take a few weeks for that to be optimised.

On completion of the current site works, NIEA will require the landfill operator to review its odour management plan and to plan the installation of future gas wells to minimise the risk of further odour nuisance in the Colin area.

Between August and early November, NIEA conducted 14 site inspections and odour checks in the Colin area in response to complaints from local residents.

Alpha Resource Centre, owners of Mullaghglass Landfill, said: Working to the highest environmental standards is paramount to our business.

We are absolutely committed to being good neighbours and are in contact with the local community and its representatives to thoroughly investigate any complaints.

Mullaghglass Landfill has complied in full with the NIEA permit under which the site operates, and continues to proactively engage with NIEA on all aspects of site management and regulation.
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Step back in time to see how Sydney Cove (Warrane to be historically correct) looked hundreds of years ago. We fly like Raymond Briggs Snowman past the Harbour Bridge, dip below the surface of the harbour then resurface moments later in 1788. Below is an Aboriginal man standing in a canoe, spear ready in his hand.

This is the powerful 11-minute movie that will preface tomorrows Australia Day concert as controversy continues to build over the commemoration of the January 26 date and amid calls for a representative body for Indigenous Australians to be embedded in the constitution.

Marines stand below the British flag at Sydney Cove as portrayed in the Virtual Warrane for the Australia Day concert. Credit:Bilbie Labs

Virtual Warrane is the work of Indigenous digital artist Brett Leavy, inspired by convict artist, Joseph Lycett, who captured not only the early settlement of Sydney but also scenes of Indigenous people engaging in food gathering, ceremony and hunting.

Theres plenty to contemplate with messages from actor Jack Thompson and chairperson of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council Yvonne Weldon.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th January, 2021) The Ecuadorian medical regulator has approved the use of the vaccine against coronavirus developed jointly by UK pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and the Oxford University, the country's Health Ministry said on Sunday.

"The National Agency for Regulation, Control and Sanitary Vigilance (ARCSA) has approved the use of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine," the statement said.

The Central American nation plans to purchase 5 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The authorities of Ecuador have previously signed an agreement with Pfizer on the delivery of 2 million doses of the vaccine. The government took a decision to vaccinate 9 million people or 60 percent of the population.

Ecuador has so far recorded 238,232 cases of COVID-19 with nearly 10,000 fatalities, while nearly 200,000 patients have recovered.
More than 500 cases of coronavirus have been recorded at Swansea's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) offices amid claims by employees that staff with symptoms were encouraged to return to work.

Some 6,000 workers are employed at the DVLA site in Swansea and 500 have caught coronavirus, although it is not known where they were infected.

It is thought to be Britain's biggest workplace outbreak and has increased pressure on ministers, with critics claiming they have failed to protect workers.

A number of employees, including those classed as vulnerable, say they were still told to come into the office while millions of others stayed at home, due to the 'essential nature' of its public services.

Furthermore, DVLA workers claim they were told to turn off their mobile test-and-trace apps to avoid phones pinging while in the office, the Guardian reports.

More than 500 cases of coronavirus have been recorded at Swansea's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) offices amid reports staff with symptoms were encouraged to return to work

The agency insists that while there have been 535 cases at the Welsh site since the start of the pandemic in March, there are currently no positive tests among its workforce at the contact centre - where hundreds of workers deal with thousands of calls from motorists every day - and just four cases across the whole estate.

A large number of the positive cases are understood to have occurred just before Christmas, when transmission infection rates were high in the Swansea area, and a bleak nationwide picture forced millions to cancel their festive plans.

Around 6,000 people are employed at the site, meaning some nine per cent of the workforce have been infected at one time or another.

Reports also claim that Covid-related absences have been counted against employees' sick leave, with a warning triggered if that then lasts more than 10 days.

Workplace safety network, The Hazards Campaign, said it was 'absolutely shocking' a government agency was responsible for what is thought to be the UK's biggest work-based outbreak, while the Public and Commercial Services Union called on Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to take action.

General secretary Mark Serwotka told the Guardian: 'It is a scandal that DVLA are not doing more to reduce numbers.

'Ministers must intervene and ensure DVLA are doing their utmost to enable staff to work from home and temporarily cease non-critical services.'

Mr Shapps had encouraged workers to return to offices just before the DVLA outbreak first started, telling employees across the country: 'It is now safe to go back to work.'

The Public and Commercial Services Union called on Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, pictured, to take action

A DVLA spokesperson said: 'Staff safety remains a priority for DVLA, as it has throughout the pandemic, and we continue to follow all relevant guidance and advice to help keep our offices Covid secure, including the latest advice from Welsh Government.

'Staff in roles that enable them to work from home are doing so and have throughout, in line with current government advice.

'However, in view of the essential nature of the public services we provide, some operational staff are required to be in the office where their role means they cannot work from home.'

The agency was contacted for a response to claims staff with symptoms were still encouraged to come into work, though a spokesperson said that when a person is alerted by track-and-trace that they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, they must self-isolate as required, and that staff are regularly reminded of this.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport added: 'The safety of all staff is a matter the DfT takes incredibly seriously which is why we have thoroughly reviewed, and are extremely confident in, the rigorous processes the DVLA has in place to protect staff at their estate.'
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